Page 10 of Declan's Dove

“What are you doing, Declan? What is all of this?”

“I’m having lunch with a beautiful woman and having a conversation.”

“Bullshit.” She snaps. “Why now?” I can’t help my smile. Her fire is back and it’s hot as fuck.

“I’ve been trying to get you to go out with me for months and you always seem to have a reason why you can’t. Carter has something you need to attend. You have a shift at the gym with no relief coverage. You have grocery shopping and laundry to get done. You’ve dodged me every way you possibly can.”

“Gee. One would think you’d get the hint. Maybe I don’t want to date you.”

“Now who’s spewing bullshit?” I lean back matching her position with my arms crossed over my chest. “We both know you want me as much as I want you. I felt your need in the kiss we shared.” Her cheeks pinken once more, but she doesn’t deny the truth. “You’re scared. So, here we are. Having lunch and getting to know each other so I can break past those walls and squash whatever doubts you have about me.” She stills, appearing to be deep in thought.

Good. Maybe I’m finally getting somewhere.

“Your question, Dove.”

Violet shakes her head slightly. “Have you always wanted to work for Garrison Security?”

“No.” I answer honestly.

“Then why do you? What did you want to do?”

“That’s’ three questions. I’m keeping track.” I cock an eyebrow at her, but she doesn’t react. “I wanted to own a bar with my brother. But my club needed me to step up and fill in for Mack.” I shrug. “So, I did.”

“But you have the bar. Surely, someone else could’ve stepped in and allowed you to enjoy the bar you obviously worked hard to have.”

I scrub my hand across my chin debating on how I should answer. “I have experience the others don’t which better serve Garrison. But Mack’s coming back, and I’ll be back at the bar full-time soon.”

“What experience do you have?” She asks hesitantly.

I smile, leaning into the table, then lick my lips. “You want to know about my level of experience, baby? I’ll be happy to show you all my skills.”

Violet’s body visibly shivers, and her skin turns red from her ears to her neck, disappearing beneath her coat. I’m left wondering if the blush continues further south or if it stops at her chest.

“Your skills in the bedroom are not in question, sir. I merely meant what job experience made you the right fit to take over for Mack, or was it simply the fact the club required your service, so you jumped in like the obedient brother you are?”

“You should watch that mouth of yours, baby. Calling me sir in one breath and then insulting me in the next, could seal your fate over my knee.”

She gasps. Misty approaches the table seemingly uncomfortable. Whether she heard my threat or not makes no difference to me. I meant every word. My rock-hard dick is excited at the possibility of following through.

“I’ll just clear these out of your way if you’re done with them.” Misty says gesturing to the plates. We both nod and watch wordlessly as she loads everything into her arms and walks away.

“I cannot believe you just threatened to spank me in public.” Violet whisper-shouts as she glances around for anyone else who may have heard us.

“I can and I will.” I state point blank. “Does my club come first, yes. Did I jump at the chance to fill in when I was needed? Again, yes. But I’m not a puppet. I make my own decisions and do whatever the fuck I want. The fact that I have a particular skill set makes me an asset to the company and made me the right person for Mack’s job. Plus, it pays really fucking well which helped when we were ready to buy the bar. I didn’t take this job out of obligation. I took it because it was the right thing to do. The smart thing.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I-I don’t understand the club and how it all works. The things I’ve seen, they don’t make sense to me.”

“What things? Ask me and maybe I can help you figure it out.” I offer. It’s not where I was planning on our conversation going, but maybe it’ll give me some insight on her reservations about me.

“Well, your club comes first. But what about those who have wives or families? I’ve never understood a person’s family being their second priority. Carter comes first in my life, always.” She says, her tone serious.

“The club is my family. Wives and children are part of the club. Once a brother takes an ol’ lady she’s part of the club now too. Which means she’s his priority as well as the club’s.”

Violet scoffs, twisting her fingers in her lap. Is she nervous all of the sudden?

“What about the other women. The ones who service the brothers as Sadie so eloquently puts it.” Her lips purse and her forehead scrunches.

Is she jealous?

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