Page 53 of Declan

Maybe I’m a bit old-fashioned when it comes to romantic declarations

But this courtship seems somewhat forced, the entire set up coerced

She turns back to me, stepping close so she’s speaking directly to me as she continues.

And now the lines between truth and fantasy have blurred to the point

I can’t say for sure what I see

And then there’s the question of what I feel

What does this warmth inside reveal?

Is it an aching desire, a yearning need or is that just my libido wanting to feed

My awakening arousal, oh, this wanton wizardry from that aforementioned wickedry

That tongue, that mouth, that unfiltered, unfettered di—

I put one hand over her mouth, cupping the back of her head with my other hand and pulling her bodily against me. Her eyes blaze, but she doesn’t struggle to free herself, and I turn my attention to the audience who I’m sure must be live streaming this entire encounter across multiple platforms.

I adjust my stance, wrapping one arm around her head so I can continue to cover her mouth while my free hand grabs her hand holding the mic, and I bring it up to my mouth and ask, “You all enjoying the show?”

The decibel level of their response increases, and I smile at their enthusiasm, tickled they’re here for whatever insanity I throw at them.

I return my focus to Issa, who so far has allowed me to hold her immobile, but her eyes speak every volatile word I’ve held back in the last minute. I ease my hand from her mouth as I pull her close using my arm still looped around her neck and place a kiss on her temple. Then I release her and step back, completely prepared for her to go on the attack, but instead, she gives me an assessing look and asks, “Where was my choice?”

I reply without hesitation, “I am your only choice.”

She narrows her eyes at me, her chin coming up stubbornly as she steps away, stalking across the stage as she spits out without taking a breath, a violent clip of furious words.

But it’s not right, and this tendency to fight is natural

Pushing back the criminal inclinations that try to force us into denial

That something isn’t wrong for us

That just because someone makes our insides melt

Doesn’t negate the reality of being a prisoner in a fairy tale

That inevitably will have an end

Because no mere mortal can maintain the level of detail you’ve set for me

With your gestures so grand and your charismatic devilry

That makes me want everything while knowing you could be the very death of me

So tell me why I should give in

Why I should accept this fate you’ve set for me

Why I should trust you when you’ve gone out of your way to stage

Every big win in my life, as if compromise isn’t on the table

When I’ve fought so hard for my independence

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