Page 45 of Defending A Promise
I watch him go into the house and suddenly I can’t breathe at all, and I feel like my entire world just came crashing down around me. What the fuck is my problem? God, I suck at this.
Jumping up out of my seat, I run over to the patio door and into the house to find Declan. He’s standing over the kitchen sink. “I want you, Declan. I want you. I want Nicholas to tell Bella all about his day every night before bed. I want my life to not involve some crazed stalker who wants to take my child. I want a thriving business in my hometown. I want my parents to be happy. I want my brother to not be dead. But mostly, I want you, Declan Hayes. I want you.”
The tears are flowing down my face, but I don’t care what I look like; I’m just waiting for Declan to react. I stare at him standing over the kitchen sink as he contemplates all that I just told him.
He pushes off the counter and stalks over to me. “You, Riley Ashford. All I’ve ever wanted was you. From when we were five years old all the way until right now and into the future. You are what I want. I want you and Nicholas in this house every night, and I want you in my bed. Every night for the rest of our lives.” He stands in front of me but not touching me. “Are you okay with that? Do I have to worry about you leaving again? Leaving me?”
I shake my head because words elude me right now. I’m looking up into his piercing blue eyes and getting lost in the future he’s showing me.
“I want you, Riley. I want us.” He swings a finger between us. “I want a future with you and Nicholas, Bella too, and more babies and I want to give you all your dreams. But when that lady mentioned she was showing you a house…” He pauses, closes his eyes, and shakes the memory from his head. “I just couldn’t think straight.”
“I never meant to hurt you. I swear, Declan.”
He nods, “I know that now.” He finally touches me as he pushes my hair behind my left ear. “God, I’ve loved you for so long, it hurts. And to have you standing right here… I have no words.”
“Show me,” I whisper.
He leans down as his hand wraps around the back of my head – his lips so close to mine. “Come to bed with me… inourroom.”
I nod as his lips crash into mine and my entire body relaxes into his embrace as my world – the world I’ve always wanted – opens up and lets me in.
Chapter 18
Declan
Last night was amazing with Riley. I don’t think we can call what happened yesterday our first fight, but we made up like it was. Making love to her is my new favorite activity and if I didn’t have to spend all day in court today, I would have called in sick to do just that.
“What’s on your schedule today?” I ask Riley as she lies on my chest.
“I’ve got an office to set up, the landlord has basic office furniture so I don’t need that but I do need office equipment, supplies, a sign for the door and yesterday, I got an email from someone looking to host a fiftieth birthday party at the club, so I need to call them. Not to mention, tonight I have some very important clients that want to host a Labor Day party onveryshort notice, so I need to work on that presentation. Lots to do.”
“You know, you could just tell that very important client that waited until the last minute to go suck an egg. I have it on good authority that they would be fine with that.”
She laughs, “I’d never do that.”
“Mommy! Declan!” Nicholas comes running into the master bedroom and lands in the middle of the bed. Once again, we’re both naked under the sheets.
Riley grabs him and tickles him. “How did you find me, you little stinker?”
Giggling, “Uncle River told me.”
Wait. What? “What do you mean, Nickels? When did you talk to Uncle River?” I ask him.
He shrugs, “I talk to him all the time. He’s been sad because Mommy has been so sad and lonely, but he’s happier now.” He’s lying on the pillows between our heads just staring off at the ceiling.
I look over at Riley and she just shrugs. “He’s said something about it the other night to me, but he was falling asleep. I just assumed it was just his normal jibber jabber.” She looks at her son, “Nickels, why is Uncle River happy now?”
“Because we’re here with Declan and Bella now.” He turns to me. “Can I have chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast?”
“Sure. We need to feed Bella first, though.” I tell him.
“Okay!” Nicholas wiggles out of our bed and goes in search of Bella, screaming her name.
"What do you have today, Mr. Hayes?” Riley turns back towards me and lies on my chest again.
“Court. I’ve got court all day long. If you need me, you’ll need to leave a message. The judge is pretty touchy over cell phones in his courtroom. Even if they are on vibrate.”
“No worries. I’ll be in my new office all day.” She smiles proudly and my heart grows three times bigger. No one deserves to be happy more than Riley does. I’m so proud of her for all that she’s been through, raising a fantastic little boy all by herself, and accomplishing her dreams.
