Page 65 of Wild Ever After
“Morning.” His gaze scans my outfit. “Where are you headed?”
“Nowhere. I thought I’d help you today.”
A flash of surprise crosses his face. “You don’t need to do that.”
“I want to. You look seriously hot in these.” I step forward and take the safety glasses, then slide them on. They’re sweaty. It’s already hot out here and who knows how long he’s been at it. “How do I look?”
He grins. “Like I might not get a lot of work done.”
He wraps an arm around me and pulls me against his even sweatier chest to kiss me. I wonder if I’ll ever get used to the thrill that runs through me with each kiss.
* * *
The next weekend, Jack has a pool party at his house since some of the new rookies are in town for development camp. Declan has been gone a lot more this week, staying at the arena later to help out with the camp and to get to know the young guys.
As for taking thing slow, we’ve managed to keep things very PG. Maybe, TV-14 is more accurate. Most nights, I end up falling asleep in his bed after kissing for hours, but he hasn’t tried to take things any further, and I’m so giddy with how good things feel that I’m nervous to push for more.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Declan like this,” Dakota says, watching him and Maverick in the pool. They’re playing volleyball against Ash and Leo. Declan is grinning big and trash-talking as he and Maverick win their second game in a row.
“Like what?” I ask, not taking my eyes off him.
“Like you screwed him into a happy-go-lucky man instead of the broody, serious guy he’s been as long as we’ve all known him,” Piper says.
Scarlett nearly spits out the seltzer she’s drinking.
The four of us are sitting on the edge of the pool, feet dangling in the deep end, as we watch the guys.
“I didn’t do anything.”
“She means she still hasn’t slept with him again,” Scarlett clarifies for me.
“I don’t want to rush him. I’m giving him lots of time to make sure this is what he really wants.”
“What about you?”
“I’m having fun with him. Besides, I got us into this. I owe it to him to find the least complicated way forward.”
“Jade, honey, you’re dating your husband. It’s already complicated.” Scarlett reaches over and squeezes my hand.
“I don’t think sex is the thing that has you worried,” Piper says. “You like him.You’redifferent, too. Don’t think we haven’t noticed the dreamy look in your eyes.”
A glance at Scarlett and Dakota tells me they’re in agreement. Am I holding back sex because I feel too invested emotionally? That sounds so unlike me, but this whole thing is completely outside my comfort level.
“I am exactly the same,” I insist, sliding into the pool. I paddle over to Declan, while the guys are still trash-talking about the last game.
I wrap an arm around his neck to keep myself afloat. One of his big hands finds the back of my thigh under the water.
“Another game?” Leo asks.
“I’m done,” Declan says.
“Gonna hang with the wifey, eh?” Mav asks, with a knowing grin.
Declan doesn’t respond, just smiles as he scoops me up and heads toward the stairs. He doesn’t let go as he walks out of the water.
“Where are we going?” I ask, a laugh breaking through.
“I’m starving.”
