Page 33 of Defending A Promise
He puts two fingers under my chin and turns my head to look him in the eyes. “I’m glad you asked because I’ve been dying to ask you the same question.”
“You have?”
He nods, “I have. What doyousee happening here?”
I look around the room and then back at him. His eyes never leave mine. “I don’t know, Declan. It’s been so long since I’ve been in this position – five years at least – and with everything going on right now, I shouldn’t have even asked the question.”
“Yes, you should have. I want to know. How are you feeling? How do you feel about me touching you like this?” He takes my hand. “Or like this?” He strokes my cheek, and I can’t help myself but lean into his touch.
“I like it.”
“Me, too. What about this?” He leans in and kisses me softly on the lips.
“I like that.”
“Me, too. How about this?” He kisses me on the ear and then down my neck.
“I like it.” I whisper as my eyes automatically close.
“Me, too.” He leans back. “I want to touch and kiss you all over, Riley.” He leans his forehead against mine. “But I want more, too.”
“More?”
“I want us. You, me, and Nicholas. Us. I want this life where I come home to you, preferably not crying like earlier today, but I want this life where we’re a team. We have dinner every night together, watch television with Nicholas and Bella. I want this. With you, Riley.”
His eyes dance between mine and I have to sit back and get some distance between us. I don’t know what to say about this, how to feel about this. I know that something is brewing between us, but I wasn’t prepared for what he just said.
“Don’t freak out, Riley. I know this is a lot on top of all that has been happening, but I wanted to let you know where I stand. I’m not going anywhere. I’ve loved you my entire life and I’m not about to waste this opportunity to finally have our happily ever after. If you want the same thing, of course.” He kisses my cheek and my hand touches where his lips burn a mark into me. “Don’t answer me now. It’s fine if you’re not there yet. I get it. It’s a lot to take in but know that I’m in this for the long haul. With you and Nicholas – if you’ll have me.”
My cellphone alerts me to an incoming text, and I pull my phone out of my back pocket. “I texted a copy of the contract Ian gave me to a girl on my kickball team, Kennedy Dixon. She’s an attorney.”
Declan nods, “I’m going to grab a beer. Do you want one?” His feelings look hurt that I didn’t answer him, but he’s right – all that he said is a lot to take in.
“No, thank you. I’m fine.” I watch him get up and go to the kitchen and then I look at my phone.
Kennedy: If you don’t sign this contract tonight, I will. This is a fantastic deal, Riley. Congratulations.
Me: Really? That’s what I thought, too, but I wanted to be sure.
Kennedy: These are really great terms, and the compensation package is amazing. You’re going to be a subcontractor for HICC, and he still wants to give you free health insurance for you and your son. That’s amazing. As your attorney, I’m advising you to sign this contract ASAP before he changes his mind. LOL
Me: Thanks, Kennedy. I’ll sign it and send you a copy of the executed contract as soon as I get it back.
Kennedy: Also, as your attorney, I highly suggest you get a workspace other than your dining room table and start setting up contracts with vendors. It looks like you’re going to be busy. You may want to start hiring a few full-time staff members, too. You’re gonna be big, Riley. Really big and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer person.
Me: God, you’re right. I’ll work on that tomorrow. Thanks again, Kennedy.
I look over at Declan as he stands in the kitchen with his back to me drinking his beer and suddenly, I know exactly what I wantto say to him. I put my phone down and go pull the contract Kennedy just advised me to sign out of my day planner.
“Do you have a black pen?” I ask him as I stand next to him at the kitchen island.
He starts pulling open some drawers. “I do somewhere in here. Ha. Here’s one.” He hands it to me. “What’s that?”
I open the contract to the last page where Ian has already signed it, and I sign my name. “This is my commitment to you that Nicholas and I are staying here in Hibiscus Harbor.” I take a picture of the contract and email it to both Ian and Mrs. Wilcox. “There. Done. I’m now officially the exclusive event planner for Hibiscus Island Country Club.”
Declan looks hesitantly at me. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better, are you? I know what I just told you was a lot.”
I nod in agreement. “It was a lot, but I want all of that, too, Declan. All of it. All of you. All of us.” I lean up and kiss him on his lips.
