Page 115 of One Night Only
Declan grabs the handle and opens it easily before letting it fall shut again. “Happy?”
“You paid twenty bucks for this?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“So we can talk in private,” he says innocently.
I shoot him a disbelieving look and turn back to the view. It’s not exactly the picture-perfect skyline we left back at the party but with the panoramic views I can see both the Chrysler and the Empire State buildings floating among the towering office blocks and luxury apartments. A warm breeze ruffles my hair as I stare at them and I hug my arms to my body, taking it all in.
There’s a shuffling noise behind me and I turn to see Declan kneeling by some sockets in the wall. A moment later half the fairy lights flicker to life. The other half stay dark. One multicolored strand struggles bravely for a few seconds before giving up.
“Feels super safe,” I say sarcastically.
“Stop ruining the moment.”
“Is that what we’re having?” I watch as he straightens, dusting off his hands. “You’re going to get electrocuted.”
He ignores me and starts rearranging the remaining working lights around a couple of chairs. I leave him to it and drift toward the edge of the roof, not near enough to touch but enough to put some distance between us. Way up here we’re insulated from the noise of the traffic and the streets below. I hear only the faint roar of it, the muted shouts and car horns.
When he’s finished with his little art project, he saunters over to join me, arms resting on the ledge as he looks down at the world below.
“You’re not going to spit, are you?”
“Not unless you dare me to.” He leans his full weight against the wall, swinging back and forth unconsciously on the balls of his feet. I flinch as the upper half of his torso practically leans over the side.
Declan notices it immediately, disappointment flooding his face. “You don’t like heights.”
“I’m fine with heights,” I say from where I stand two steps behind him. “I don’t like falling.”
“You’re not going to fall.”
“Not safe over here I won’t.”
“We can go back down.”
“No,” I say quickly. Maybe too quickly judging by the sudden flare of his eyes. “You need to get your money’s worth,” I add lightly.
He watches me for a moment before holding out his hand. I have a sudden vision of him lifting me to sit on the wall, of kissing me in what might be a very romantic scenario if it wasn’t for the sheer death drop behind us.
Declan frowns when I just stare at him. “What?”
“You’ll—”
“No,” he interrupts guessing my thoughts. “I won’t. You don’t like heights.” He flexes his fingers in the air between us. “Trust me.”
I grudgingly put my hand in his.
“Hey!” I snap as he pulls me so fast I almost slam into him. But he’s ready for it, his body a solid block against mine, all muscle and strength andhim. I don’t know how I hadn’t noticed before.
“You’re not one of those people who’s always in the gym, are you?” I ask suspiciously.
“No, this is all natural. I work very long hours on my father’s farm.”
“Never mind.”
“I spend every summer tossing hay bales all sweaty and tired.”
