Free Declan by Kate Allenton Page A

inside by pulling her into his arms. He pressed his lips to hers, stroking his tongue, taking his time as he held her to his body. When he broke the kiss, his eyes sparkled.
    “Thank you for tonight.”
    “Don’t you want to come in?” She gestured with her thumb toward the door. “I can make us some coffee.”
    He sighed. “Do I want to? Yes. Am I going to? No. We both know what will happen if I go inside.”
    “I know.” She grinned and rubbed circles on his bicep.
    He ran his fingers through her hair, pushing the loose strands behind her ear. “I don’t want to leave.”
    “Then don’t.” She drew him closer and kissed his collarbone.
    “I’m trying to be a gentleman, Olivia, and you’re not making it easy.” He rested his palm on her cheek and ran his thumb across her lip.
    “Why, when we’ve already…”
    “I want to do this right.”
    “Uh, Declan, we’re already past that.”
    “Olivia.” He rested his forehead against hers. “I want this to be about more than sex. Not just for you, but for me too.” He kissed her once more, and she watched him leave with the promise he’d see her tomorrow.
    She went inside and leaned back against the door. Her brows dipped, and her heart fell into her stomach. Dating Declan was one thing, but the man who’d just walked her to the door wasn’t Declan. He was a tame version of the man she wanted to be with. He was fooling himself. And damn it, she wanted the rough, gruff guy that she’d been dreaming of, not the timid, walking-on-eggshells version of the man.

     

 
     
     
    Chapter 10

     
     
    Sky shoved the hard hat on Olivia’s head as they stared up at their new building. Their building was still in construction on the inside, but at least they now were getting the walls they needed. One step closer to being back in business. “Earth to Olivia.”
    Olivia adjusted her hat. “Sorry.”
    “How did it go last night?” Sky asked, stepping over a two-by-four laying in the entryway.
    “He was sweet,” she answered as they slowly made their way through the construction.
    “Sweet? Are you sure you’re talking about my brother?”
    “I know, right?” Olivia linked her arm around Sky’s. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, the night was nice, but it wasn’t…”
    “Declan.”
    “Yeah.” She glanced at Sky. “You know.”
    Sky waved her arm. “I don’t know what it is, but men turn weird when they’re trying to impress us. It’s like they grow another head, not realizing that we liked them before they pretended to be something they’re not.”
    “Exactly.”
    “What are you going to do?”
    Olivia shrugged. “What would you do?”
    “That’s easy. If it were me, I’d smack Luke on the back of the head…or…give him a reason to revert back to his old self.”
    “Seduction?” Olivia’s brows rose.
    “Worked the first time for you. I guess it depends on what you want to achieve. If it’s sex, then hell yeah, buy some sexy lingerie and open the door with it on. I guess it depends on what you’re after.”
    “I want to date the Declan I know.”
    “The mean, gruff, a bit of a pain in the ass, call-you-out guy that you know? It makes sense.”
    “Enough about me. What time are we all showing up at the hotel on Saturday to get ready for the wedding?”
    “We have all day reservations at the hotel spa. The complete package, hair, nails, massages complete with champagne and lunch since the wedding starts at dusk.”
    “Perfect.” She nudged Sky’s shoulder as they made their way out of the building. “I still can’t believe you’re getting married.”
    Skylar’s eyes sparkled. “I love him. I can’t imagine my life without him.”
    “I’m so happy for you.”
    “Do you have plans with Declan tonight?”
    “Yeah. I offered to cook dinner. Now I’m thinking we’re only going to need some whipped cream.”
    “You’re so bad.” Sky chuckled.
    “I’m trying,” Olivia answered.
    ****
    Olivia skipped on the lingerie