Page 48 of Wild Ever After
“I don’t take baths.”
“You’re missing out.”
He aims that easy smile of his at me again. “Twenty minutes in my shower and you’ll never want to take a bath again.”
“Oh yeah?” I ask, arching a brow. I don’t know what it says about me that my mind is always ready to take a leap to sexual innuendos when it comes to Declan, but I can’t stop the flashes of memories of our night together.
He chuckles softly. “Not what I meant, but yes. Follow me. This shower is the solution to all the world’s problems.”
Declan walks me into his room and waves a hand toward an open door leading to his bathroom. “Straight through there. Towels are in the cabinet. If you need anything, just holler. I’ll be downstairs.”
“Thanks.”
He lingers for a second longer and then leaves me, closing the door behind him. Before heading into shower, I take in his bedroom. The room is painted a light gray and his bed and nightstands have a dark wood finish. It’s simple and masculine, no real personal touches, except a framed jersey, from what I guess is his high school or minor league team, hanging on one wall.
I walk by the dresser, pick up a watch and set it back down. Loose change and a receipt are the only other things in view. No photos or anything that gives me any more insight into my new husband.
In the bathroom, I gasp. It’s stunning. The same wood tones and gray walls carry through into this room. The shower is giant with clear walls and what look like a million jet sprays. Eagerly, I strip down and get inside. While the water soothes my tired muscles, I squirt a glop of soap into my hand and the scent I’ve only ever thought of as Declan fills the room.
Damn. He might have been right. All my problems feel very small in here. Except the one where I wish Declan would take off all his clothes and join me.
* * *
On Monday morning, I wake up early and get ready for work. After that first night, I’ve started using the bathroom downstairs. It’s easier, and I don’t have to worry about asking Declan if it’s okay first. He assured me I could use it whenever, but while living together, the only real respite is our individual bedrooms, and I don’t want to invade his space. Also, I need to get a grip. I can’t walk around imagining him naked and pushing me into walls to kiss me for an entire year. A little time and distance will hopefully help.
I know Declan is up because coffee is made and it smells faintly of bacon in the kitchen, but there’s no sight of him as I pour myself a small cup and then head out the back door. There’s a fence around the property, but someone put in a gate that opens into Leo’s backyard. Scarlett is sitting on the patio with her own coffee.
“’Morning,” she says.
“Morning.” I take a seat across from her, taking in her shorts and tank. “Are you heading into the office today?”
“No. Melody has me covering a shoot on location.” She smiles at me. “Today is the day!”
My stomach flips twice and I set my mug down. Today the newest issue ofI Dohits shelves.
“Have you seen it yet?” my best friend asks.
“No. You?”
“No. Not yet.” She cocks her head to the side and her smile grows. “It’s going to be great. The wedding was beautiful and the reception was a blast.”
“Somehow, this all makes it so much more real.”
“Oh, it’s real, honey.” She leans forward and picks up my left hand. I’ve gotten used to wearing the wedding ring and forget it’s on most of the time. It’s hard to explain because I know how much a ring like this means to most women, but it’s just a ring. Maybe it feels different when someone gets down on one knee and vows to love you forever, offering the ring as a symbol of that bond.
But for me, it’s just a piece of really nice jewelry to convince other people I’m someone I’m not. Although, I guess I am now married. My head spins at the mess I’ve created. I breathe through my nose.It’s all going to work out, somehow.
“How are things going over there?” she asks, taking another sip of her coffee.
“We mostly avoided each other this weekend. Thanks for bringing my stuff, by the way. I was hiding out in my room, binge-watchingBachelor in Paradise.”
“I didn’t bring it by. Declan came by at the crack of dawn, knocking until Leo opened the garage for him.”
“Oh.” My cheeks warm. I just assumed, which was dumb. I should have known it was Declan. He’s always more considerate than I expect. I don’t know how I’m going to repay him for that. I wonder if you ever get to a point with a partner, where their expression of love or consideration feels normal and not like you owe them something. Sam and I had a system where we split everything—bills, cleaning, cooking.
“I better go.” I stand with my mug. “See you tonight?”
She nods. “I’ll come by when I get home. I want to see your new place and read the article with you.”
