Page 27 of Try Me

“Nate?”Declan asked, his mind spinning. With a start, Declan realized that Pearl must be talking about McKenna. He never thought of his agent as anything other than McKenna, anything less formal would have suggested they were friends. Had McKenna told Pearl about their arrangement to keep him relevant? Declan’s thoughts swirled as he tried to process the information. He didn’t understand why Nate would tell Pearl about his fake girlfriends. That was private. No one knew the real truth. No one except McKenna, Declan, and the women themselves.

Declan froze. The sounds on the plane became muffled as if he was wearing earplugs, and a ringing noise filled his ears. His mouth fell open as the pieces snapped into place. The ringing in his ears grew louder and his vision blurred as realization dawned.

“Pearl,” Declan said, giving her a little shake that made her eyes roll back and widen. “What are you trying to say?”

Pearl smiled and let her head fall onto Declan’s shoulder. She snuggled close and spoke against his shirt. “I’m gonna be your girlfriend for the week.”

***

Declan spentthe longest seven hours of his life pinned to his first class seat with Pearl asleep in his lap.

He brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek, and she shifted closer, nestling her head against his crotch. His body instantly reacted. His cock stiffened, and his heart pounded. Suppressing a groan, Declan pictured his Great Aunt Mary in a swimsuit to ward off his unwanted erection.

Having Pearl in such an intimate position was pure torture, especially now that a relationship between them was impossible. It disgusted him to have women paid to be his girlfriend, but McKenna insisted it was the easiest way to keep up his reputation. Since Declan had gotten out of rehab the second (and last) time, he’d been uninterested in dating. McKenna had come up with hiring women as a solution, and Declan had agreed. He’d regretted it ever since, and the only way he could stomach the situation was by swearing not to touch the women McKenna hired.

He was fine with sharing a kiss or two for the cameras, but other than that, he kept his hands to himself. Always. No exceptions.

Pearl sighed and mumbled something in her sleep, snuggling closer to him in his lap. Declan stiffened and looked down at her. She was an angel who’d drifted down from heaven to land in his lap.

Anger welled up inside Declan like a hot fist. Good ole’ Nate. He’d really done it this time. Declan resolved to put as much distance between him and Pearl. It was the only way he could survive the week before the contest.

When the plane landed, Pearl was still asleep. Declan waited until the other passengers disembarked before waking her. Pearl blinked in confusion, struggling to sit up. Her hair fell over her face, hiding the blush in her cheeks.

“Sorry,” she said in a groggy voice, glancing down at his lap.

“No worries.”

Declan stood up and reached a hand out to Pearl. She let him help her up, and he took her weight as she stumbled.

“Easy,” he said, tucking her under his arm.

They made their way off the plane and through the airport with Declan half carrying Pearl and their bags.

“No more pills for you,” he said, guiding her through the crowds.

“I’m so sorry. I should have only taken half.”

“It’s okay,” Declan said, steering her toward the Rolls Royce that McKenna had promised would pick him up. “When you’re feeling better, we need to talk. Get a few things straight.”

“Nate gave me your schedule,” she said.

“What did Nate tell you?”

The driver jumped out of the car to help with the bags while Declan helped Pearl into the backseat. She rested her head on the seat and immediately closed her eyes. Declan realized he would have to wait to get any more answers from her.

He shut the door and then spotted something out of the corner of his eye that made him freeze.

Standing beside a station wagon loaded down with surfboards on the roof were two tall Hawaiians that Declan would recognize anywhere: Keoni and Bones.

The men were cousins, who shared an infamous warrior ancestor, who had driven an entire army to its death over the Pali cliffs. Tall, broad-shouldered, and exotically handsome, Keoni and Bones stood out in any crowd.

They hadn’t noticed him yet, and for a moment Declan considered getting in the car and driving away, leaving the reunion for a later date. He had almost convinced himself to leave when he realized that he would have to face Keoni at some point. It might as well be now. He ducked his head into the car and told the driver he would be right back.

“Keep an eye on her, will you?” he asked, nodding at Pearl who looked to be asleep again.

Declan slid his sunglasses over his eyes, hoping he looked more composed than he felt. His heart galloped in his rib cage, and his palms dampened with sweat as he strode toward his former best friend.

“Keoni,” he called, raising his hand.

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