Free Declan by Kate Allenton Page B

and whipped cream she’d planned. Instead, she intended to face Declan head-on. Their dinner was in the oven to stay warm when he arrived.
    “Can I get you something? Beer, wine, water, tea?”
    “Tea, please.”
    Olivia poured him a tea before picking up her wine. She tilted her head, silently studying him while trying to find the right words. “Can I tell you something without you taking it the wrong way?”
    “Sure.” His brows creased.
    “I’ve known you most of my life. I’m used to your gruff, don’t-take-any-shit attitude. I’ve watched you pick on your sister in one breath and defend her with your next. You’re loyal, you’re caring, and to the point, I love that about you…” She licked her lips, debating if she should continue. “I liked that man, not the one that has moonlight dinners on a yacht and flowers and leaves me at my door. I’m not comfortable with him.”
    Silence lingered between them as he searched her gaze, piercing her and holding her in place. “Is that right?”
    She nodded. “Yeah.”
    “Good, I’m glad you think so.” He put his tea down, closed the distance between them, and picked her up, heading for the bedroom. “You deserve better. You know that, right?”
    “I want you, Declan, the real you.”
    Declan kicked the door closed with his boot before easing her down onto the bed. “Dinner’s going to have to wait. I want my dessert first. You want the real me, sweetheart? You’ve got it.”
    He tossed his shirt over his head and dropped it on the floor before reaching for her buttons, making haste to divest her of her clothing. Her heartbeat quickened, and her insides quivered when he touched her as he spent an hour delivering on his promise. He’d driven her to the brink before easing away, over and over again, until she was begging him to send her over the edge, and he’d finally done just that.
    Olivia and Declan relaxed with easy banter while they ate their meal. They put in a chick flick and cuddled on the couch well into the night, and each night up until Friday night.
    Olivia swallowed around the lump in her throat when Declan knocked on her door. She pulled him in and led him to the couch to sit. “I need to tell you something, and I need you to keep your cool.”
    “That doesn’t sound good.” He exhaled a deep breath. “Lay it on me.”
    She pressed her lips together and swallowed. “I have a date for the wedding.” She was quick to continue. “He’s just a friend. There’s no chemistry, and he knows it. I asked him the night of Skylar’s party.”
    Declan sat forward in the chair and rubbed his hand over his head. “Who?”
    She chewed her lip. “Trent. The guy from the restaurant. He’s just a friend.”
    Declan jumped to his feet and started pacing the living room. “Can you cancel?”
    Olivia’s shoulders dropped. “No. That’s rude.” She walked over to him and pressed her hands on his chest. “I’m with you. You know that, right?”
    He nodded and held her gaze. His eyes troubled.
    “He knows my heart is yours. He’s just a friend. Someone I trust who was going to help me get through a difficult time when we were on the outs.”
    “You’ve only known him two weeks. How can you trust him?”
    She shrugged. “I don’t know. I just do. He’s never made a pass at me, not once. Flynn knows him.”
    “That doesn’t help his cause,” Declan grumbled.
    She stepped back. “Do you trust me?”
    He pulled her into his arms and held her. “Yes.” He glanced down at her. “But you need to tell him that I’ll be tagging along.”
    She chuckled. “That’s a great idea. You two can get to know each other.”
    “Great.” His reply dripped with sarcasm.
    The rest of their evening was just as she’d imagined. Declan no longer tried to impress her. They’d eaten and watched a movie before falling asleep on the couch and waking several hours later. He kissed her and carried her to bed before leaving her house.
    The rest of the week