Page 14 of Solid Ground

It’s an impressive sight watching Declan round the bed to grab his boxer shorts, still as naked and unashamed as he was last night. I know he’s older than me—how much older I’m not sure, but he’s so cut and I feel out of shape in comparison.

But the way he looks at me, I feel like a queen.

It’s not much fun sliding my dress from the night before over my head, and I tuck my panties and pantyhose into my clutch rather than put them back on again. but by the timeI’m dressed and out of the bedroom, the food has arrived and the familiar aroma of toast makes my stomach grumble.

I’m surprised I’m not feeling worse, but then again …

Caitlin.

I grimace. She’ll be a hot mess today.

She’ll also wonder where I am if she’s awake.

I flick her a quick text.

Me:Just having breakfast and I’ll be back

Declan looks up as I approach the table and smiles.

“I figured we needed something basic, so there’s toast. How do you take your coffee?”

“White. One sugar. Thank you.” I drop my clutch on the table and take a seat.

That first mouthful of buttered toast is divine, and I moan.

“Keep that up and we’ll be back in that bed.” Declan winks at me and I smile.

“Thank you for last night. It was wonderful.”

“You’re very welcome. I was wondering …” He looks away as if he’s embarrassed. This is insane. I’m the one who should be all shy and retiring. I’ve heard stories about Declan O’Leary—seen him on magazine covers. He parties.

“Wondering what?”

“If I could use your number sometime.”

I swallow hard. Do I tell him that last night is quite fuzzy? I don’t want him to think he took advantage of me—I knew what I wanted as much as he did. And I know the sex was amazing, but I can’t remember the finer details of what happened betweenus.

“Sure.” He must say this to all the women he’s with. Maybe it’s the easiest way to get them to sign an NDA.

He takes a sip of his coffee before slowly placing the cup back on the table. “I’m no good at this. I’m the last person you want to get entangled with. I can’t make any promises,” he says.

I reach across and place my hand on his. “I get it. And I’m good. If this is all this is, then I’ll have the memory of getting my brains fucked out by a movie star.”

Declan chuckles. “I hope you think more of me than that.”

“Of course I do. What you are doesn’t matter to me. Who you are does.”

He rolls his eyes. “That sounds like a line.”

“Maybe it does, but it’s true.”

His eyebrows twitch as he gazes at me. “I don’t know if anyone’s ever said anything like that to me before.”

I frown before standing and make my way around to his side of the table. He grins as he pushes back his chair and I drop onto his lap. “You’re more than your job, Declan. I spent the night with you because I think you’re hot—not because you’re in movies.”

His eyes flash with amusement. “You think I’m hot.”

I run my fingers through his hair. “Who wouldn’t? I’m not some silly starstruck girl.”

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