Page 52 of Bond Strength

“I can imagine.” My heart squeezed tight. The sheer warmth and joy bubbling up inside me at having him here in my arms was unreal. “Last night was one of the best nights of my life.”

Declan arched a brow. “I think you need to set the bar higher.”

“You just woke up, and your smartass mouth’s already clicked on?” I leaned and brushed my lips against his. He kissed me with a soft sweetness that made my heart skip a beat.

“Sass doesn’t require full brain function.” Declan pushed up to seated. I missed having him in my arms, but I also understood we couldn’t lie in bed all day. We had a Brannon family brunch to get to soon, and I wouldn’t miss that event for the world.

“Well, why don’t we start with some caffeine at least before we have to face your family.” I slid out of bed, my muscles sore from the extended workout I’d gotten last night.

Declan wrinkled his nose. “That requires movement, right? Pass.”

“Feeling a little wiped out?” I teased.

Declan delivered me an arch look. “I wonder why.” He reached over to the nightstand and grabbed his glasses. Having him here in my bed was so natural, so perfect.

I wanted it every day.

“Well, then, let me carry you.” I closed the distance between us.

“Don’t be ridiculous—” He let out an undignified garble as I heaved him up into my arms.

“I’ll carry you all around the house if I need to.” I strode toward the kitchen. The fact that Declan was completely naked in my armsshould’ve woken my cock up, but after the marathon sex last night, I’d exhausted it.

“That’s unreasonable. And honestly, a hazard once I’ve gotten my tea.” Even though he complained, he’d settled into my arms. I put him down, and while my back thanked me, part of me hated being separated from him. As if this was a long, elaborate dream, and I’d wake up to find him gone.

“I’ll get my tea started.” Declan padded over to the container where I kept the new bags I’d bought. I’d added more tea over the past week than I’d had in years. However, the addition was worth it. A slight grin lifted his lips, one I didn’t think he was even aware of, as he sifted through the bags, trying to find the perfect start for his morning. Fuck, he was so beautiful.

I made quick work of getting the coffeemaker going and leaned against the counter. Declan still deliberated over the type of tea.

My phone blared in the other room. I heaved a sigh and pushed off the counter, mostly to silence the loud sound. I snagged my phone from my nightstand and glanced at the screen. Brandon.

My stomach sank. I was so tempted to ignore it, but reflex kicked in, and I answered. “Hello?”

“Hey, Noah,” he said, “I need you to come in and cover a job today.”

I swallowed hard.

Today was when I’d get to introduce myself to the Brannons as Declan’s boyfriend, something I’d been dreaming about for most of my life.

Today was my day off.

Brandon didn’t expect Ray to go in on his day off, and Brandon sure as fuck wouldn’t go in either. Maybe he’d just been leaning on me because I was the easy option, but I needed to speak up. Sweat broke on my temple, and my pulse picked up. Great that a grown-ass manwas having anxiety over this. I walked into the kitchen, and my gaze settled on Declan.

The answer escaped my lips before I could even think about it.

“I can’t today.”

“What do you mean?” Brandon asked, his voice getting sharper.

Anxiety prickled through me even stronger. “Look, I’m meeting my boyfriend’s family. I can’t just bail on them, and I’m not scheduled to work.”

“Who else is going to cover, Noah?” Brandon got more irritated with every word.

Anger flared through me, slicing through the anxiety.

Declan stepped beside me, not saying anything. He placed a cup of coffee on the counter, the creamer exactly the way I liked, then leaned next to me, not pushing but showing his silent support. Fuck, he was perfect.

And I was done letting people walk all over me. Brandon had years of my tireless work, of having me pick up everyone’s slack, and when he got the slightest bit of pushback, instead of trying to come to a solution with me, he lashed out.

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