Page 36 of Stolen Sun

He’s right. I can’t stay here, but I can't stay with him. I should call Kate or my parents, but it's the middle of the night. I certainly am not ready to tell my parents I've been spending time with Declan Adams, so calling them is out of the question. Kate is either asleep or extremely occupied with a man. Either way, she won't answer the phone.

It seems my only option is Declan.

I throw some things in the bag and walk into the bathroom to grab the rest of what I need. Declan is waiting for me in the doorway of my bedroom. He takes my bag and my hand and leads me out of thehouse.

The quiet drive to Declan’s house has done nothing to calm my nerves. Instead I’m now worried about the break-in and being alone all night with him. The farther we drive the more I’m convinced I should’ve taken my chances at home.

His house is on the outskirts of Birmingham. It’s too dark to see much of the property when we pull down the long driveway, but the house is softly illuminated by landscape lighting. It’s a two-story, brick house with a large, covered front porch.

We drive past the house to park in front of the detached garage behind it. A motion light triggered by our arrival allows us to see our way across the open area between the garage and back door of the house.

He closes the door behind me. The clicking of the lock finalizing the choice I've made.

We’re standing in an open living room with a high ceiling. An upstairs walkway halos the room. Everything is the perfect mixture of black and tan with masculine, brown leather furniture. It’s not overly decorated. Instead the room itself seems to be the decor. Large light fixtures and furniture fill the space, and the contrasting shades of black and brown keep the room from feeling bare.

“You have a beautiful home,” I say, taking it all in.

“Thanks,” he says, glancing around. “Come with me.”

He walks across the living room toward a dark opening I assume is a hallway, and I follow.

I reach the dark hall just as he steps into a room that provides the only light. Continuing to follow, I find myself in a dimly lit room. The soft glow spillingout from the crown molding is only enough to cast shadows. A lamp beside the bed clicks on. He tucks his hands into his pockets—watching me.

We lock eyes without speaking before he approaches me. Slowly, he lifts my chin with his thumb and forefinger. I lick my lips expecting him to kiss me again, but he searches my face for a moment instead.

“Make yourself comfortable.”

He walks away, and I watch the door close behind him.

I let out a sigh, looking around. His bedroom is much darker than the living room with black walls, curtains, and bedding. There are only a few touches of brown and tan here and there. The room is dark and sexy, just like the man who sleeps in this massive bed.

Knowing I need a shower, I help myself to his bathroom. Steam encloses me as I step under the rain shower head in the middle of the oversized shower. The hot water soothes my nerves while I try to sort through the chaos in my head.

I don’t have any idea who would try to break into my home—or what they would be looking for. What’s more concerning is how they were able to get past my security system. Whatever the cameras picked up will be disturbing. Either strangers who know my security code or someone I trust breaking into my house. Both scenarios are equally frightening.

And then there’s Declan.God, that kiss.I’ve never been so aggressive or wanted someone more. Declan used to make me feel things I didn't fully understand, and it seems he still has that effect on me. It’s like he unlocks something wild inside of me, something I can’t control.

He recognized my painting immediately. When he spoke, he repeated the same things he said to me that night. The night that left its mark so deep that I had to paint it—then lie aboutit being mine.

Now I’m in his house. Nate and I didn’t stay the night together until we had been dating close to a year. Even though I’ve known Declan for a long time, shouldn’t I behave as though he’s someone new? I don’t know much about the man he’s become, but it feels like no time has passed. We’re picking up where we left off.

A knock on the bathroom door pulls me out of my head. Before I can answer, he walks in.

Shit!

I turn the shower off, quickly grabbing the towel to cover up before the steam clears.

“I hope you don’t mind,” I call out from behind the fogged glass.

Declan’s voice is smooth but laced with danger. “I’m only disappointed you didn’t ask me to join you.”

He leans against the vanity, arms and ankles crossed, watching me—completely at ease. As though watching me shower is an ordinary part of his day.

I step out with the towel wrapped around my body and freeze. His head tilts with a half-smile as he looks slowly down my body and up again.

“I wanted to bring you this,” he says, referring to the water and pill on the counter next to him.

“I don’t take pills,” I politely refuse.

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