Page 39 of Stolen Sun

Too tired to ask questions, I decide not to press. Declan isn’t quiet, but he is calculated. If he wanted me to know, he would tell me.

“Goodnight.”

“I agree,” he says smiling, reaching for the lamp to turn out the light.

Declan

While I wait for a phone call, I review Nate’s files on Cordeliers again. The contract is fairly simple. My main concern is that Grant knew she shouldn’t be involved and didn’t get her out. I need to figure out how Grant kept her in the dark about Isaiah being the owner and why he’d hide it.

I’d prefer not to ask her. My plans for her don’t include asking her questions about other men, dead husband or otherwise. Actually, my plan was to be patient with her, play the long game, but she gave that idea a bigfuck youwhen she jumped on me at the track. Long game be damned. As long as she’s calling the shots, we can go as quick as she’d like.

My only boundary for her is that everything will be on her terms. She’s spent her entire life doing what everyone else expects of her. I’m going to teach her how to make her own damn decisions.

Hearing her tell me what she wanted from me was worth every minute I’ve had to wait.She looked fucking perfect in my bed, and I can still taste her sweet cunt. Once I find out who broke into her house, I’ll have to thank them before I kill them.

My phone vibrates with a text from Chance containing three images. Before I can open it, he calls.

I put the call on speakerphone to pull up the text. “I’m looking at them.”

“It was just those two. They were there for hours and left empty-handed from what I can tell. They knew how long she’d be gone. You think it’s someone she knows?”

“I’m sure as fuck going to find out.” My blood boils as I study the image of two men in her bedroom. I flip to the next picture. “Is this their fucking license plate?” I ask as excitement bubbles in my chest.

“Yep. I’ll have a name and address for you first thing in the morning.”

“Looking forward to it.”

I might actually be able to sleep tonight after all.

Chapter eleven

Noel

Without opening my eyes, I enjoy the way the sheets feel as I stretch. The concept of time begins to creep in. I try to push thoughts away, holding on to the last bit of sleep, knowing I didn’t hear my alarm. I haven’t slept this good in so long.

My eyes pop open and my heart picks up the pace as the memory of where I am slams into me. The black wall and dark furniture confirms it was not a dream. I sit up to see that Declan’s side of the bed is empty but slept in, and I realize I’m still completely naked.

Jesus, Noel, way to go!

I get up to find my clothes and brush my teeth, silently berating myself for fucking Declan’s face on our first date. How does it take me years to be that comfortable with the man I married and only a single date with the next? Obviously, I don’t have as much self control as I always thought I had.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I can’t deny the fire in my eyes that I haven’t seen in a long time. Closing them, I think back to how Declan kissed each part of me.

Something changed in me last night. I like that he made me tell him what I wanted.This morning, I freaking love that heonlykissed me. Of course, he took complete creative freedom with the request, but he didn't step outside of the one directive I gave.

As much as I should feel guilty for letting it go that far, my only thoughts now surround how to return the favor. Once I’m dressed and get my hair somewhat under control, I set out like the powerful bitch I am to find him.Last night, he mentioned his office was just down the hall, so I make my way out of his bedroom to find it.

There’s one open door at the end of the hallway, but I find the office empty when I step inside. The smell of his cologne causes my pulse to race. He must've just been in here.

I turn around and slam into him, not realizing he had walked in behind me.

“Good morning.” His morning voice is huskier than usual.

“Good morning.”

He’s wearing dark grey sweatpants but no shirt. I felt his toned stomach last night, but this is my first look at him. Men should not look like this. His body is tan and muscles are everywhere. His skin is flawless except for the tattoos, which have been hidden from me under his clothes until now.

He isn’t covered in them. The large one on his side wraps around his left rib cage. It looks like his flesh is ripped, exposing ribs. He has another that covers his right shoulder and tapers down across his chest. I’m wondering if he has any on his back when I notice the perfectly defined V of his lower abs and the bulge in his pants.

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