“This is a very nice setup,” he says, looking around. “I noticed the same name in the boutique downstairs. Is it a sister company?”
“Yes, I started with the boutique, and when it picked up, I moved upstairs and left my trusted manager Maggie to run it.”
“You’ve done well for yourself,” he says, holding my gaze.
My heart thuds madly. Just a look from Declan and I’m transported back to our passionate moments. I almost moan aloud as I picture Declan between my legs doing the most delicious things with his tongue.
A smile tugs at the corners of his sensuous lips, and I freeze. Can he read my thoughts?
“If you like, we can go now,” I say, my voice shaky.
“Sure,” Declan says.
I pack my laptop and grab my handbag. Declan takes my hand as we leave the office. I know I’m red with embarrassment at the show he’s putting on.
We stop at Eric’s desk. “Eric, I’d like to introduce you to my husband, Declan Carter.”
He stands and strikes out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Carter.”
“Likewise,” Declan says, grinning. “Please call me Declan.”
When he looks away, he winks at me. I introduce Declan to Kimberly. I’ve never felt as stupid as I feel at that moment. I can see the questions in their eyes.
On the stairs, we meet Maggie, and I groan inwardly.
“Hi, boss,” she says, stopping a stair below us.
“Hi, Maggie,” I say. “I’m glad we’ve run into you. I was just about to pop into the store to introduce you to my husband.”
Maggie grips the staircase, but she’s cool and recovers seconds later.
“Declan Carter,” Declan says and shakes her hands.
“Maggie James,” she says with a wide smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“I’ll see you later,” I say and tug at Declan’s hand.
Relief floods me when we step outside.
Declan glances at me and chuckles. “That was a nightmare, wasn’t it?”
I laugh along. “It was, and I know they’ll have a ton of questions when I get back.”
He leads me to his car. “So where are we going?” I ask when I settle in the front passenger seat.
“First Bar,” Declan says and flashes me a dimpled smile that makes my heartbeat quicken in response.
It’s a normal reaction; after all, Declan is a very attractive man. What we have between us is amazing chemistry caused by our physical attraction for each other. That’s all. People get attracted to each other all the time.
“I bet you’ve never heard of it,” Declan says, his tone cheerful.
I’m glad we’re back to our normal flirty relationship.
“Never heard of it.”
Declan asks about my mom and Josh.
“They had a safe drive back to Arlen.”
He swings the car into Second Street, and I immediately spot the fire station. As well as I know the guys who work there, I’ve never been. I meet them outside of work, mostly at their homes. I’ve never had a reason to visit the fire station.
Declan slows the car and navigates it into a street parking space.
He hurries out and comes to my side to open the door for me. As I step out, his woodsy scent engulfs me, and I’m tempted to step into his arms and rest my head on his chest.
Instead, I head to the entrance of what I see now is a bar decorated at the front with firefighting paraphernalia. I’m aware of Declan’s gaze on me, and I exaggerate the swing of my hips. As we enter, he places his hand on the small of my back, sending tendrils of something deliciously wicked streaming through my system.
“Marian,” a familiar voice bellows, and Jason stands up from a table near the entrance and saunters toward us.
I laugh as he envelops me in a bear hug and my feet leave the ground.
“What are you doing here, beautiful lady?” Collins says, hugging me next. I’m passed around the uniformed firefighters like a favorite toy.
Declan man hugs the guys, and then we stand in a circle chatting. Amazingly, Declan and I both know all the guys, and yet we hadn’t met.
“So, I guess it’s true what we heard?” Michael says, dipping his hands in his pockets. “That you guys got hitched in Vegas?”
Chapter 14
Declan
It’s nice to finally be alone with Marian. Some of the guys look at her as a younger sister, but I didn’t miss the looks of interest in the single guys. I’m lucky that someone hasn’t snapped up Marian before now, and I’m glad everyone knows that we are married. Archaic, I know, but all men have it. Deep down, we are beasts, and we like to mark our territory.
I take in Marian’s official but sexy top that teases by showing a small amount of her cleavage. “You look incredible,” I tell her. “I’m tempted to take you to Pine Place and devour you.”
Her eyes widen before she adopts a cynical look. “We’re alone now. We don’t need to act like a couple in love.”
“I’m not acting,” I tell her. “I want you.”
A pink shade tints her cheeks. “I can’t believe you’re saying these things to me in public.”
“You’re my wife,” I remind her.
“Your fake wife.”
Before I can answer, Jim, one of the bar owners, comes to take our order, and I introduce Marian.
“You’ve got a special place here,” Marian says, and the silver-haired man grins, pleased with the compliment.
He goes on to tell her how he and his partner, Marcus, started it after they both retired as firefighters. I’ve heard the story many times before, but I listen, nonetheless.
They love their jobs, and I love how they can stay close to the community and do something constructive with their lives.
After he leaves with our orders, Marian turns to me. “We’ll pop in next door to look at the shop, won’t we?”
“Yes, if you like.”
She nods. A solemn look covers her pretty features. “Can we talk about my previous marriage and get it out of the way?”
I’m surprised that she’s brought it up and my admiration
