Page 46 of Stolen Sun

I stare at her for a beat, giving nothing away before shoving off the door frame and walking over to Noel.

“Go get ready. I’ll keep working on this,” I say before leaning down to kiss her parted lips.

“Oh shit! I lost track of time. I don’t even remember where I put my phone,” she says, looking around the room. “Um, okay, thank you, Dec.”

She walks into the en suite bathroom, and I pick up where she left off. Kate continues with her stack of books when she realizes I’m notgoing to entertain her.

“Be careful with her,” she says without looking at me. “I know she’s hiding something about the history between you two, and she’s certainly not giving any details about what’s happening now.”

“You want details about me, Kate?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

She stops and glares at me. “That’s not what I meant.”

I step toward her, deciding to test a theory. “You aren’t curious about all the details of oureventfulnight?”

She stands her ground, anger flashing in her eyes. “I don’t want to fuck you, Declan. She’s protective of the people she cares about, and she’s always been guarded around the topic of you. I just want you to understand what you’re getting yourself into with her. Now, kindly back the fuck off.”

I nod and step back, thankful she has at least one ally.

“I know exactly what I’m signing up for, Kate.” I keep my eyes on hers. “She’s been the center of my universe since I first laid eyes on her.”

“Hm. Sunshine, huh?” She asks, obviously understanding the meaning of my nickname for Noel.

I nod, “Sunshine.”

“Alright,” she says with a nod, obviously satisfied with my intentions.

Noel is still getting ready when we finish with the books, so we walk into the living room. Kate turns the music off, and I sit in a chair that isn’t ruined, pulling my cell from my pocket to check on some things.

“Let her know I’m a phone call away, will you?” Kate says, picking up her keys from a table.

“Mmhm,” I answer, reading through an email.

When I finish answering emails, I decide to go check on Noel and find her putting on makeup. She looks to be ready otherwise.

“I found your phone,” I say, handing her the replacement phone I picked up earlier today. I don’t know who was tracking her, but they won’t be anymore.

“Thanks,” she says and smiles at me through the mirror as she stands to check the rest of her outfit. Turning to face me she says, “I’m ready.” With a deep breath, she takes my hand.

“I’ve got you,” I reassure her and rub my thumb across her hand as we walk through the house out to her driveway.

When she catches sight of my bike, she stops and stares at me. “Declan, no.”

I slip my jacket and gloves on while she stares at me in disbelief. Then, I hold hers out, waiting for her to put her arms in the sleeves.

“Dec, I can’t…,” she breathes out.

“We can do whatever we want, sunshine,” I say and wink at her.

She relaxes and smiles but doesn’t move to put the jacket on, so I lift it slightly to prompt her. Sighing, she turns to let me put it on her. I pull her into me with her back against my front and kiss her ear.

“Good girl.”

She hisses in a breath and leans further into me.

“Let’s go,” I tell her.

When we get to the restaurant, the host brings us to a private room. Noel squeezes my hand tighter, and I squeeze back to reassure her.

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