Page 84 of Hooked on a Demon
“I love you too, Oaks.”
He can see the streaks of tears she must have shed while he was outside. His thumb runs across them. “He’s gone. He won’t be a problem any longer. And if he is, Lach threatened to maroon him on an island.”
“Works for me.” She kisses him again. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, love.” Declan lifts her up, her legs wrapping around his waist.
“Drinks on the house!” Daisy calls out from the bar, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers.
CHAPTER48
Declan
“You ready?” Declan asks, kicking the kickstand on his motorcycle into place as Eliana releases her hold on his chest—a sensation he will never tire of.
She takes a deep breath before answering, “As much as I’m gonna be.”
“You’ve met them all before. Well, everyone except Mom. But she’s practically harmless.”
“Practically doesn’t mean she’s not.” She laughs, dismounting from behind him. “And I know. But it’s still intimidating. You’ve been around my family for years. I’m new to them. And it’s different, coming to an official meet-the-family meal. I’m not just out at a bar and seeing them, or in my comfort zone at the theater. This is scary. What if they don’t like me?”
Declan swings a leg over and turns to face her. He can see she’s getting herself worked up. Her breathing is picking up, and she’s starting to fidget with her clothes. She’s been working hard with Dr. Reid, and as much as she’s made progress in talking about her feelings and everything, moments like these clearly still cause her to be overwhelmed.
Reaching forward, he pulls her into his space. She fit so perfectly between his legs. Like the space is meant for her. His hands grip onto her hips, and he feels the tension in her body ease under his touch. Looking up at her, he smiles, offering silent comfort.
“They will love you. Because I love you. But if you really don’t want to go in there, we don’t need to.”
Eliana gazes down at him. Hades, he could get lost in those eyes. Warm. Comforting. Loving. Everything she is and so much more.
Declan’s thumb draws circles on her hip, patiently giving her time to decide what she wants to do. After a moment, with her hand running down the back of his head and her fingers twirling the end of his braid, with confidence, she says, “I want to go in.” A gentle smile breaks across her gorgeous lips, and his heart fills with even more love than he thought possible.
“Only if you’re sure. I never want you to feel you have to do something.”
She nods. “I’m sure.” She kisses him softly, letting her lips linger on his. “And thank you for being so patient.”
“Always.”
She smiles at him. A smile that he knows is only for him. He’s so grateful that she lets him see her. All of her. And that she lets him into the moments she thinks are weakness, but to him, are pure strength. It takes so much to come out the other side of what she’s experienced, let alone to manage her anxiety on a day-to-day basis.
He stands, wraps his arm around her, and spins them, leaning her back over the bike as he kisses her again. Yes, they are expected inside, but they can all wait. His tongue slides along her lips, tasting her sweetness. Eliana’s lips part, allowing him in further; he takes the invitation. Her hands slide up his back and clasp onto the side of his face as he deepens the kiss.
“Ahem,” a voice sounds behind them.
Declan groans into her, both in frustration that their moment has been broken and in desire for this beautiful woman. Breaking apart, Declan stands them both upright again before looking up to see Lachlan standing on the steps of his home with a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Anytime you two lovebirds are ready to come in, we would love to see you,” Lachlan says, amused.
Looking at Eliana, Declan notices the blush creeping up her neck. As they make their way to the door, he leans down and whispers in her ear, “Not gonna lie, the idea of bending you over that bike is all I can think about.”
She gasps before lightly smacking his stomach and replying, “If we make it out of this alive, I’ll let you tie me up and use a butt plug while you fuck me senseless on it.” She winks at him, then steps through the door with Declan nearly choking at her response.Goddess, she’s perfect.
“Declan, my boy, come here,” Fenella, his mother, says, wrapping her arms around him as Lachlan closes the door behind them.
“Hi, Mom.” Declan hugs her back and kisses her cheek before she pulls away completely.
She steps over to Eliana next and places her hands on Eliana’s arms. “It’s so wonderful to meet you, dear. I’m Fenella.”
“Hi, Fenella.” She leans in and hugs his mom. This isn’t something he ever thought he would see. Hell, he never thought he’d settle down with anyone. Declan figured he’d spend the rest of his days hopping from one bed to another. But the more time he spends with her, the more he gets to know her, the more he loves her.
