Page 69 of A Cowboy's Claim
“I know,” Sydney protested.
“So if that’s one of the reasons you’ve been keeping yourself from committing to me, toss that bullshit out the window. Because if at some point we decide we want to have more family than we’ve got walking through the doors of High Water, we can adopt. We can help raise whatever kids my brothers might end up having, and I’ll be happy as a pig in mud. As long as I’ve got you beside me.”
It sounded so simple. “I still have issues,” she whispered.
“So do I, to be honest.” Declan let out a big sigh. “And I’m a bit of a stubborn ass because I’ve got someone right there at my beck and call at High Water who could help me deal with my bullshit. I could talk to Kevin anytime I want, but I’ve been pretending it’s not necessary.”
“Edison told me I should talk to Kevin,” Sydney offered quietly. “Guess it sounds like a good idea we should be brave enough to follow up with.”
He rubbed his chin against the palm of her hand. “Maybe we can hold each other accountable for that. Once we get off the mountain.”
“Deal,” Sydney promised. She stared at his face for a moment, looking into those earnest eyes and solemn expression. “Without referring to our toilet paper notes, shall I summarize?”
“Go for it.” He held up a finger.
She smiled. “We still have to figure out the Gordian knot problem of my grandfather holding the purse strings and my personal decisions hostage. We will find a way to brainstorm with our brainy bunch when we get home.”
He held up another finger.
“Two. I’m not having any children I bear myself, but someday, if I want, I acknowledge there are other options.”
“And those options will be discussed when appropriate and never under duress.” Declan caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “And three. There’s a man right here who loves you and is willing to try and be brave in the hopes you’ll love him back.”
“I’ll try.” The words a mere whisper. “I will.”
A full-on smile bloomed on his face. “That’s all I ask.”
This time it was Sydney who shifted forward. Rising up on her knees and leaning in to connect their lips in a tender kiss.
Tears had dried on her cheeks, the wind howled outside, and there was an ache in her chest from moving so quickly between sorrow and laughter—yet all of that faded away as she fell into his touch.
It wasn’t enough to take. She needed to give.
Sydney pushed the open shirt back off his shoulders as she crawled into his lap.
Declan had never beena big one for talking in the first place, but to have to go through an entire heap of bad memories and fears had left him on shaky ground.
There’d been one shot after another, but right now they got to come back to the parts that were the most real. The most true.
Sydney was going to give them a chance. He’d still have to fight, he figured, but she was a fighter too.
The other thing that was more than real? The sweet taste of her lips on his. The eager press of her hands over his shoulders, tugging at his shirt.
“Good thing we got it warmed up in here.” He reached over his head to grab the back of his T-shirt. He yanked it forward and off, offering his naked chest to the delicate scrape of her nails.
“Lord, you’re gorgeous.” Sydney admired him before leaning forward and pressing her lips to his shoulder. Then his chest, swirling her tongue down to his nipple.
His body tightened, and Declan wished like hell he’d been smart enough to strip everything away before she got started. “Sydney. Let’s take this to the floor. We’ve got the blanket and?—”
She nipped, and he swore. A flash of sensation struck like a lightning bolt. The same ones dancing across the sky as the storm continued to rage—they were right there in the living room as far as he was concerned.
“We’ll get to the floor,” Sydney promised, rising up until her face was inches away from his. Her hands were firm on the waist of his jeans, pushing the button free and catching hold of his pockets. She tugged. “Lift your hips, sugar. I need these off.”
Somehow she had undone his zipper, and as Declan leaned back and raised his ass off the cushions, Sydney stripped the fabric free. All the way down his legs and she tossed his jeans onto the nearby straight-back chair.
She trailed a finger down the center of his abdomen, teasing the trail of hair that vanished under the elastic of his briefs. “Just to be clear,” Sydney said softly as her hand landed on the thick ridge of his cock. “This is not a booty call.”
Thank fuck. He laid a palm on her sweet ass, giving it a gentle caress. “Booty still involved.”
