Page 45 of Solid Ground

“As hot as that video is, I prefer the memory ofyourlips wrapped around it.”

I lick my lips, desperate to get rid of that dry-mouth feeling that’s just appeared.

“Jesus, Zoe. You have no idea how hot you are.”

“I’ve got a confession to make,” I whisper.

His eyebrows rise, and I swallow hard before continuing. “I … I can’t remember everything about that night.”

Declan frowns. “You weren’t that drunk.”

“I think I was more drunk than I’d thought. I remember helping Caitlin back to her room, and I remember going toyours, but …” I chew my bottom lip. “It’s the rest that’s a bit blurry. I mean, I haven’t forgotten everything, but there are gaps.”

His chests rises and falls like he’s been running. “Maybe I’ll just have to remind you.”

I swear to God my core pulses. My brain might be fuzzy, but my body definitely remembers him.

What I need to do is change the subject.

“Where did that tape come from?” I ask.

He blows out a long breath. “Do you really want to know about my murky past?”

I gaze into his blue eyes. “It’s important. For the sake of the baby.”

Declan snorts. “Really?”

“No. I’m just nosey.” I laugh, and he grins, shaking his head.

“My first marriage breakup came as a huge surprise. She’d become convinced I was cheating on her.”

“And you weren’t?”

He shakes his head. “I was young and new to Hollywood. She didn’t like being photographed in public, so she stayed home while I went to every event I could. Networking is such a big part of this scene. We met in Los Angeles. She knew who I was and what I wanted from my career when I started, but the bigger the role, the more she withdrew.”

“Is it her in the video?”

He taps me on the nose. “Patience, grasshopper. I told you that I’d tell you everything about my life. No, it’s not her.”

I bite my bottom lip. I’m impatient—I know, but being so close to him when he smells so good is driving me crazy. I’veread that pregnancy can make you horny, but when the father of your baby who’s been so attentive is right next to you? I’d jump his bones in a heartbeat.

Not that I can tell him that.

“Anyway, things didn’t last. We were both young and stubborn. I didn’t want to miss any chance of furthering my career. She hated the lifestyle. When she left me, that was my first real walk on the wild side. I partied, I had a lot of sex, and I got so caught up in it that when a woman I’d fucked and ghosted released a video of us, I barely even cared.”

I gape. I’m not stupid—I knew he had a reputation, but this? I’m not sure what to make of it.

“That was the first time I went to rehab. I got my shit together for a while, and I got a restraining order to stop her from sharing it, but by then it was all over the Internet.”

“That’s revenge porn.”

He nods. “It is. Back then, there weren’t really any laws against it like that. I did all I could to stop it. But it’s been a long time since it was released, and I ended up doing far more damage to my career than that video ever did.”

The mood has definitely cooled in this room. It’s clear Declan’s a man with many regrets. I just hope our baby and I don’t get added to that list.

“You know, Zoe, if you ever want a re-run of that night—I’m right here.” His deep voice rumbles and it’s like a signal to my very hungry vagina.

I want him. Oh God, how I want him. Is it a good idea? Probably not, but I don’t care anymore.

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