Page 53 of Dangerously
Declan has made his feelings known since day one. One sexy wink and crooked finger in the doorway of my bedroom, and he’d be mine. But, unlike before, he comes with a crapload of extra baggage.
I walk out of my room to find Declan elbows-deep in dishes and Aisling pulling the stuffing out of her giraffe. Guess she doesn't like his silly face.
“Hey, anything new with March?” he asks as I lean on the counter next to him.
“No. The little lady is throwing his game way off. Two new identities are one thing, but three? It’s easy to make. He’s taking extra precautions.”
Declan nods, understanding. “Maybe we’ll be spending Christmas in the States after all.” There is a disappointment in his tone.
“We have to do what’s smart. You don't want Ronan to be able to track her.”
“I know. You’re right. I just hoped we’d be out of here by now.”
“I did, too.” I turn and place my hand on his shoulder. It’s a completely innocent gesture. At least, I mean it to be. But it’s juiced with so much more than just platonic comfort. Declan pauses, looks at my hand, then at my lips, and then into my eyes. I don’t move, my heartbeat picking up the pace as he stares at me. His large green eyes are so heavy with lust and greed and everything else that goes along with raging desire. We both become ensnared by the magnetic moment. Leaning into each other instinctually. Every part of me throbs with anticipation. I want him. I want him so fucking bad I’d strip his clothes off and ride him right here in the middle of the kitchen with Aisling playing in the other room.
Our lips barely touch when a bloodcurdling wail startles us apart.
“Fuck,” Declan hisses as he promptly washes the suds off his hands. I blow out a hot breath, relying on the counter for support as he tends to Aisling.Thatwas close. Too close. If things keep up like this, we’ll be fucking by midnight.
“C’mon, baby.” He lifts her off the ground with clear agitation. “You need a change.”
When Declan returns with Aisling, she isn’t any happier. In fact, she is fussy and cranky the rest of the day. We take turns holding her, trying to soothe her, feed her, and bathe her, but she isn't having any of it. She’s miserable, plain and simple, which in turn makes both Declan and me miserable.
“C’mon, half pint.” He bounces her all around as she screams. I just shake my head, at a loss what to do. We took her temperature. Took her outside. Changed her clothes. Tried to play with her. Nothing is working. By the time the sun goes down, Declan has had enough. He was fraying at the seams when we got here, and this is just pushing him over the edge. “Fallon, I can’t, I can’t.” He hands her over to me. “I need to get out of here.”
“And where the hell are you going to go?” I resume bouncing her.
“Just for a walk. For some fresh air.”
“So, you’re just going to dump her on me?” Aisling screams in my ear.
“No, I just need a time out.” He pleads with his eyes as he pulls on his dark hair.
“Fine, go,” I dismiss him, trying to figure out a way to get this kid to stop crying.
The door slams, and I turn to see that I’m alone. He didn’t even bother to take his jacket.
“You are testing Daddy’s sanity,” I speak in a soft tone. “And my own.”
She grabs onto my ears and continues to cry. Poor little thing is a wreck.
I continue to walk her and bounce her until I can barely stand. The torture goes on well into the night. And Declan never comes back. My exhaustion only amplifies my anger. I’m not even annoyed. I’m straight-up pissed off. Aisling is his daughter, yet I’m here dealing with the mess. Story of a woman’s life, right?
Aisling suddenly goes limp, and the screaming stops. I freeze. I swear I didn't kill her.
I hear her heavy breaths in my ear, and I almost sob with relief. She wore herself out.Finally.
Using all my cat-burglar skills, I creep into Declan’s room and place her in her pack ‘n play. I lay her down as gently as I would a bomb.
Then I tiptoe backward out of the room.
Holy shit, that was rough. I climb into bed, not even bothering to change my crusty, damp clothes, and collapse. I’ll beat the shit out of Declan for ditching me in the morning.
I clutch my pillow, close my eyes, and prepare to pass out. That’s when I hear a loud bellow outside my window. I jump up and grab my gun, hauling ass out the front door. I’m met by a bloody, shirtless Declan surrounded by three men.
Fuck,fuck. I raise my gun to shoot, but he lets out a battle cry with a crazy smile on his face.
“Victory!” He pounds on his chest, and all three guys hoot and holler around him.What in the fuck is happening right now?
