Page 26 of Try Me

“It’s nothing,” he assured her as the plane began to move. “It’s perfectly safe.”

Pearl started shaking as the plane gained speed and lifted into the sky. She needed something to calm her nerves. The first thing Declan thought of was a drink.

Brandy. Didn’t people in the movies always drink a shot of brandy to calm their nerves?

Declan was more of a whiskey man himself, or tequila in a pinch. A few shots of tequila could take your mind off anything. He closed his eyes, warding off the bone-deep craving that came with thoughts of liquor. Dousing his worries in a bottle of liquor wasn’t a solution for him anymore. And it probably wouldn’t do Pearl any good to mix whatever pill she’d taken with alcohol. He had to think of something else.

He would distract her.

What could he say? He cast around for a topic that would take Pearl’s mind off her fears.

“I had a dream about you last night,” he blurted, taking her hand.

“You did?”

Declan nodded. “You were surfing,” he said. He didn’t add that she’d been naked. That part was too embarrassing. “Not Sharp Park, but somewhere else. Somewhere in Hawaii, I think.”

“The exhibition?” she asked, clutching his hand tighter as the plane gained altitude.

“Yes,” Declan said, although he wasn’t sure. His eyes dipped down from her face to her legs, which was a mistake. The dress she wore revealed way too much of them, reminding Declan of the erotic turn his dream had taken. He cleared his throat, eyes jumping from her legs to her face. “You were incredible,” he said. “So strong and powerful.”

She managed a small laugh. “Not now,” she said. The death grip she had on his hand relaxed just a little, and he felt her melt into him.

The plane dipped low, leveling out, and Pearl yelped. She clutched Declan’s hand so hard that he sucked in a painful breath.

“Sorry,” she said, glancing up at him, embarrassed.

“It’s okay,” he said. “I didn’t need that hand.”

Pearl cringed and let her head fall back against the seat, closing her eyes. Her breathing became deeper as her body relaxed against him.

Declan’s eyes drifted over Pearl. These weren’t the ideal circumstances, but he couldn’t deny he was ecstatic to see her again. He hadn’t been sure McKenna would come through with his promise. He never really trusted the man to keep his word.

“I’m glad you’ll be in the exhibition.”

“What?” Her eyes sharpened for a moment as she struggled to focus on Declan.

“The exhibition. I’m glad,” he said, keeping things simple. She was starting to fade.

“Me, too. And what about…you know… the other thing?”

“The other thing?” Declan asked. “What other thing?”

“You are so pretty,” Pearl said, her words slurring.

Declan’s eyebrows shot up. He wasn’t sure he liked being called pretty. Was there a man alive who did? But he supposed it was a compliment, and he thanked her for it dutifully.

“I can’t believe you haftah pay for dates,” Pearl said, staring up at him.

“Wh-what are you talking about?” Declan stammered.

“You smell so good.” Clutching his jacket, she pressed her face against his neck, inhaling deeply. “Like sin,” she said.

Declan’s body reacted instantly. His heart raced, sending a rush of hot blood straight to his crotch. He straightened in his seat and put a hand on Pearl’s shoulder, dislodging her face from his neck.

“Pearl.” He glanced around to make sure no one was watching before asking in a low whisper, “What did you just say?”

She blinked up at him as if seeing double. “Nate didn’t tell you?”

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