Declan slid his hands down my arms and his fingers came to rest on my wrists. “Your first relationship since then.”
I nodded.
“I understand what you’re saying. And maybe in the future, you can tell me more about it when you’re comfortable. I’m not trying to force you into anything but I’m not going to negotiate on your safety.” Declan softened the words by kissing me. “How about that?”
My lips curved. “That’s a start.”
“Actually, I was going to ask if you would stay with me. You haven’t seen my place yet. It's big enough for the both of us—and more. It would give us time to spend with each other and learn more about each other.”
My heart jolted. I knew it was mostly about my safety, but it still screamed fast. It was taking a big step in a relationship that was just beginning. However, I could understand how that would make him feel like I was safe. And depending on how much security he had, it probably would be safer.
I reached up and touched his cheek, rubbing my thumb on his stubble and loving it when he leaned into my palm. “Can I think about it?”
He swallowed and nodded. “Of course.”
“Now, that was the perfect answer.” I leaned up to kiss his lips, but my breath caught when he spun me around and backed me against the counter.
Fueled by the same need as he seemed to have about forgetting words and being more physical, I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling his head down for a searing kiss.
“When is Xander supposed to be home?” Declan asked.
“Not for another hour or so.”
He gripped the hem of my shirt and tugged it off. “Good. We’ll have just enough time for what I have planned, then.”
A shiver raced through my body. Who knew what was going through Declan’s mind or what he had planned. All I knew was that taking it slow this time didn’t seem to be part of it.
Just as I reached for him, he caught my hands in his and hauled me against the length of his body. “I want you naked,” he murmured against my lips. “Completely naked, right here in the kitchen.”
“No fair,” I returned, nipping at his bottom lip. “I went first last time.”
His lips curved. “So we’re keeping score.”
It wasn’t that at all. It was that he’d managed to get me naked and begging for him before he’d even removed half his clothes. I wanted to see him, all of him, just as much as he wanted to see me.
“All right,” he said, releasing me. “State your demands.”
With a laugh, I pointed. “Shirt. Off.”
He tugged off his shirt and tossed it away. His chest was tanned and toned with a light dusting of hair. Just as I remembered. But I’d never get enough of seeing him like this. I’d always want more.
“Better,” I murmured.
“Still not fair,” he countered.
I glanced down at my bra and smiled. “I see your point.” When he moved toward me, I stepped back and shook my head. “Stay there.”
His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “You’re teasing me.”
I was. Just a little. “If you touch me again, you’re going to take over, and I want to experience this from my own perspective.”
Surprise flickered in his gaze before it went back to dark and smoldering. I wasn’t just talking about what had happened earlier, although that was part of it. It was also because of last time. Declan was smooth and fast, and he knew just what he wanted. He’d raced me to his bedroom and had me naked in a matter of minutes, while I was still salivating to see his body. To get the full impact of just how glorious he was.
Declan lifted his hands in a gesture of surrender. “I’m at your mercy.”
“Interesting way to put it,” I told him, reaching behind me to the latch of my bra. “Since you’re a thousand times stronger and faster than I am.”
“And yet you can still bring me to my knees,” he whispered.
My heart clutched. To know he was that vulnerable around me, that affected by me, consumed me. I’d never felt this way about anyone before. I’d thought it was what I wanted with Tate, but now I knew better. Now I knew that wasn’t real love or even healthy lust. But this, what I had with Declan, was everything.
“Royal,” he said when I didn’t respond.
“No. Stay there.” I gave him a brilliant smile. His words had filled me up and made part of that hurt from the past vanish. “You’re healing my heart.”
His lips parted, something like wonder racing across his features. In the blink of an eye, he was standing in front of me, his hands framing my face.
“Cheater,” I whispered.
His lips curved as they found mine, kissing me sweetly. “You can’t say something like that to me and expect me not to be here for you. I…” His gaze swept my face, words hovering on
