Page 45 of Declan
Declan pressed his hand to her arm. “He’s all talk. Just don’t get into a car with him. Now let’s eat. He won’t bother us again, at least not here.”
Elise nodded, but her appetite felt as distant as a forgotten dream. She lifted her fork and stabbed at a slice of shrimp, chewing mechanically. Across the room, she caught sight of Stephen, leaning in close to his companion as he laughed and sipped his whiskey. Elise’s stomach churned with dread and pity; she wanted to warn the woman of the darkness lurking beneath Stephen’s charming mask. But for now, all she could do was pinch her napkin between white-knuckled fingers and wish herself safely home.
Later, as Declan navigated the familiar route home, Elise remained tense, her eyes darting to the side mirror with every turn, scanning for any sign of a car trailing them. The dark two-lane road seemed to go on forever, but no lights were behind them.
“I’m being paranoid,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the engine.
“Yes, you are. Trust me, he’s not going to do anything. He’s a chickenshit,” Declan replied, his tone steady and reassuring.
“Maybe when you’re around, but he’s cocky around me,” she countered, her voice tinged with frustration.
“He’s all talk, Elise. I can’t tell you how many times he’s tried to intimidate me, and he knows I’m not afraid of him. Don’t let him see you are. He’d take full advantage of it.” Declan shook his head, the dash lights briefly illuminating his determinedexpression. “I trust him as far as I can throw him.”
“He had me fooled,” she admitted again, her words heavy with regret.
“You’re not the first and you won’t be the last. Don’t let it bother you,” he assured her, his voice comforting.
She sighed deeply, the tension in her shoulders slowly easing. “I’ll try. Will you come in? We could watch a movie.”
“If that’s what you want,” he responded, glancing at her with a smile before returning his focus to the road ahead.
“I need to relax, Declan. I feel so tense,” she confessed, her voice a quiet plea for solace.
He nodded, understanding her unspoken need. “Alright.”
As they finally pulled up beside the stairs leading to her apartment, Elise released a huff of relief. She reached for the door handle, but Declan stopped her with a gentle touch.
“I’ll get it.” He exited the vehicle, the cool night air rushing in as he rounded the front to her side. He opened her door, extending a hand to her with a reassuring smile.
Elise placed her hand in his, feeling the warmth and strength of his grip. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender kiss before guiding her up the metal steps. At the stoop, he took her keys, unlocking the door, then pushed it open, nodding for her to enter first.
She crossed the threshold and flipped a switch, bathing the apartment in the soft glow of a lamp. Declan handed the keys back, then removed his hat, closing the door behind him and securing the lock.
“I’m going to change. I’ll be right back,” she said, her eyes meeting his, a silent conversation passing between them.
Their gazes locked, and she found herself unable to look away as he slowly approached her. He leaned down, capturing her lips once more in a kiss that was both gentle and consuming. Elise moaned softly, the sound vibrating through the quiet apartmentas she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
Chapter Seven
Declan walked her backward until her back came up against the wall as he moved his hands all over her. He moved his tongue into her mouth, then groaned when she sucked on it. He thrust his fingers into her hair, holding her head while he devoured her mouth. She moaned into him, her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling hard enough to make him groan. He easily lifted her and her thighs clamped around his hips, grinding
against his rock-hard cock straining in his jeans. Fuck, he was throbbing already, begging for release.
He slipped his hands under her ass, carried her to the sofa, sat down with her on his lap, and he knew she could feel the full force of his erection pressing against her.
“Take me to bed,” she breathed, her voice husky and raw with need. “Now.”
Declan kept his hands on her ass, lifting her like she weighed nothing, and carried her down the hall to her bedroom. His cock was straining against his zipper, desperate to be free.
He entered the room, kicking the door closed, walked toward the bed and set her on her feet. She stared at him, and he could see the desire in her eyes. He leaned down to kiss her lips, as he reached behind her and pulled that zipper down and the dress fell to her feet. Declan stepped back. She stood before him in only a red lace bra and matching red panties. He moved his hand to the front clasp of her bra and unhooked it; her nipples were hard and begging for his mouth. He stared at her.
“God, you are so beautiful,” he said, then leaned down and sucked one nipple into his mouth, teasing until she whimpered. She gasped when he ripped her panties off.
“I just bought those,” she teased.
“I’ll buy you another pair.” He picked her up, placed her onthe bed, and gazed at her as she lay there, then he put one knee on the bed. “Those shoes are staying on.”
Elise sat up, her hands fumbled with his belt, tugging it loose, and then she pushed his jeans down, freeing his cock. It sprang out, thick and throbbing with lust. She tried unbuttoning his shirt, but her fingers wouldn’t cooperate, so she ripped the shirt open, sending buttons flying, then slid her hands down his chest to his cock, wrapped her hand around it, stroking him slowly, as she kissed his chest, making him curse under his breath.
