Page 61 of Declan
“I see.” He sighed. “I need to grab some lunch. I’ll see you tonight.”
Elise reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his in another lingering kiss. “If you weren’t on duty, you could shower with me.”
His hands rested on her waist as he whispered, “You have no idea how much I wish I could.” Then he pulled her against him, pressed his lips to hers and passionately kissed her, then lifted his lips.
“I’m going to head upstairs. I’ll see you later,” she said.
“Yes, ma’am, you will.”
“I’ll walk you out since I need to lock the front door.” She grabbed his hand and led him to the front.
Declan kissed her lips, touched the brim of his hat, then walked outside into the cold air. He knew they needed to talk, and he wasn’t sure he was ready for the words that would have to come.
****
Elise sank into the overstuffed sofa cushions, smoothing the soft cotton of her T-shirt. A warm glow from the table lamp spilled across the room, casting gentle shadows on the walls. She glanced at the brass-rimmed clock hanging on the wall. A few minutes before six. Tonight, they’d go to Dewey’s after dinner at the diner, and the anticipation fluttered in her chest like butterflies.
A soft rap at the door jolted her upright. Heart pounding, she ran a hand through her hair, smoothed the fabric of her shirt one more time, then stalked across the hardwood floor. She pressed her eye to the peephole and her breath caught. Declan stood there, leaning against the metal rail, a single pink rose clutched in his hand.
When she opened the door, she waved him inside. Declan removed his hat and wiped his feet on the welcome mat. Before she could speak, he closed the gap and pressed his lips to hers, warm, insistent, sending a wave of heat up her spine.
Elise backed up. “Is that for me?” she asked, nodding at the rose.
He grinned; head tilted. “This? Nah, I bought it for myself.”
She narrowed her eyes, feigning indignation, but laughter cracked her expression. He handed her the rose. She inhaled its sweet, fresh scent, then leaned in to kiss him again. When his arms wrapped around her waist, drawing her closer, a small moan escaped her. His lips trailed from hers to her cheek, then over to her earlobe, where he gently tugged it with his teeth. Warmth pooled through her veins; every nerve ending stood at attention.
“Want to skip going out?” he murmured, his voice low, husky against her skin.
Elise tilted her head, gazing into those light gray eyes. “We can do whatever you want.”
He brushed a thumb across her jawline. “Have I ever told you that you’re easy?”
She laughed. “Only with you, cowboy. Only with you. Let me grab my coat. I left it in the bedroom.” She ran to the bedroom, removed her coat from the closet and reentered the kitchen to see Declan leaning against the counter, his arms folded, legs crossed at the ankles and his head down.
“Declan?”
He raised his head and for a second, she thought she saw sadness in his eyes, but he quickly smiled.
He let out a contented sigh and nodded toward the sofa. “Let’s sit for a minute. I need to talk to you.”
Her brow furrowed as she placed her coat on the sofa. “Uh-oh. That’s never a good thing to hear.”
“It’s nothing bad, I promise.” He took her hand and guided her back to the sofa, waiting for her to sit before he settled beside her. He lifted her fingers to his lips, brushing a kiss across the back of her hand. The sudden tenderness sent a pinprick of unease through her.
Her voice came out almost too calm. “What is it?”
Declan inhaled, as though gathering courage. His gaze found hers. “I think you should go.”
She pulled her hand free, confusion knitting her brows. “Go? Go where?”
“To New York, to work with Wynonna.” His words hovered between them.
Elise’s heart stuttered. “Why?”
“Because watching you dance today made me realize how much you love ballet. I believe going back to New York would make you happy.” He reached out, fingers trembling, as though afraid she’d slip away. “I’d do anything to make you happy, even if it means losing you.”
She rose to her feet so quickly she got a head rush. He stood, closing the space between them.
