Page 25 of Hot in the City
He shuffled into the booth to sit right beside her, like a couple, not like random strangers. He was only a hand’s distance away. "As much as I like it when you call me Sir, I asked you to call me Declan."
"Okay, Declan." Yuki paused to study him. He was simply a beautiful man. Out of his starchy suits, he was even more attractive. More human, more touchable. "I'm glad you came."
"So am I. You look stunning, as always." His eyes traced her body, gaze skimming over her silver shift dress. She shivered. That intense look of his, the depth in his flashing blue eyes, had her filled with anticipation. "Great dress. You look like a movie star."
"Thanks." The dress had done its job. It was probably overkill, but she loved to dress up. And it was Christmas Eve after all. "I was in the mood to celebrate. Christmas bonus, remember. I get paid tomorrow."
He chucked, a sound that resonated low in her abdomen, tugging at muscles she'd almost forgotten she had. Then he raised his right hand and placed it over hers, on the table top. "You're my Christmas bonus, if you don't mind my being cheesy."
She didn't mind, not one cheesy bit. She loved cheese. Her luck was totally changing. His hand was large and warm on hers, and the scent of his aftershave, like the sea breeze in summer with a hint of warm spice, wrapped around her.
"I've never been anyone's Christmas bonus before." She took a breath, finding him watching her, focusing on her lips.
Yuki swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. "I meant to say, back at the hotel, I hoped your work event was okay. You looked so down when you came back tonight."
He tipped his head to one side so a wave of his hair flopped over his forehead. "Ah, it wasn't all merry and bright. Problems with some of our investments, trusting the wrong people, that kind of thing. But I'll sort it out when I get back to Dublin."
She nodded, but something heavy sunk in the pit of her belly. "When do you fly back?"
He sighed, and suddenly he sounded exhausted. "Tomorrow night, late. Sorry, I mean tonight. I have Christmas with my Ma and Da back home. I’ll just make it with the time difference."
"So soon?"
Declan threaded his fingers through hers, squeezing her hand. "I know, it's not the best timing." He caught her gaze and there was something there hiding in his eyes, a sadness that surprised her.
Yuki let go of his hand and raised hers to touch the adorable scruff on his jaw. "So? That means we have to pack a lot of fun into one day."
Then she leaned in, gently pressing her mouth to his, and tasted his lips. Delicious man. She kissed him like this was her last ever kiss, and tonight was the end of the world.
Honestly, if the world was ending, she intended to go out with a bang.
Declan groaned as Yuki, this beautiful girl, pressed her mouth to his. She tasted of fruity lip gloss, mango maybe. It was officially his favourite flavour in the whole world. He leaned in to wrap his arm around her shoulders, pulling her body close to him. He licked across her lower lip and she opened for him, so he took the kiss deeper.
This time it was her turn to groan, a small sound of surrender. The sound unlocked something inside him, some vault he'd hidden away filled with pain and loneliness. He didn't feel any of that with Yuki. It was all engulfing heat. Attraction. An irresistible pull towards her.
He tilted his head, kissed the side of her mouth, then across her cheek. He wanted her, so much, but this wasn't the place. He ran his fingers through her loose hair, a silk curtain, smooth against his fingers.
"Yuki." He let his forehead rest against hers. "Where did you come from?"
"Declan. I came from Swanston Street, in an Uber." She beamed at him, her eyes sparkling with laughter.
He chuckled. "I meant, how did I happen to meet you, all the way across the world?"
"Luck."
"The luck of the Irish?"
Her lips lifted up into a sweet smile. "Something like that."
A scraping sound, a chair being dragged over concrete, had him glancing over Yuki's shoulder. A lanky blonde fellow dressed in a flannel shirt and ripped jeans had pulled his chair right up to theirs, too close for his liking.
"This is a great pub. Great vibe. Good to be back." The words brought Declan halfway back to earth. The man spoke again, watching Yuki far too closely. "Hey Yuki, who's your friend?"
She pulled away from Declan, straightening her spine. "Hi Glenn. This is Declan, visiting from Ireland. Declan, Glenn's in my friend's band. He plays guitar."
"Aren't I your friend too?"
Yuki's posture stiffened. "Um, sure. Where's Blair?"
