Page 64 of Declan
CARA
H e snores. Just a little bit. But it’s there. I slept better last night than I have in a long time, and I’m not ready to get up, but his mouth is right next to my ear, and I’m afraid my eardrum is going to blow.
I haven’t done this, sleep in a man’s arms, maybe ever. And I really like it, except for the snores and the fact that my bladder is minutes from embarrassing me. Must pee! I wiggle and slide, slowly maneuvering out from under his arm. I’m almost out when his snores stop. I peek up, a smile at the ready, but his eyes are glazed as they stare down at me. I follow his gaze down to my chest and the boob that’s jumped right out of my nightgown.
I freeze for a minute, staring at the mound resting against Declan’s arm. As I watch, my nipple pebbles. “Ah. It’s cold in here,” I mumble, not making any move to cover up. I’m a whore. Or maybe my brain is offline due to embarrassment. Either way, my nip is there, standing straight up, apparently liking the attention.
Declan makes a low sound in his throat and brings his hand to my stomach, slowly sliding it up, cupping the underside of my breast. Millimeter by millimeter, he slides his palm up. There’s plenty of time for me to say no. To brush him off and tuck my boob back into my nightgown. To stop him. I clamp my mouth shut instead, wanting to see where this goes. I’m half afraid he’s going to back off. If he does, I will lose my shit.
But holy hell, he doesn’t back off. Instead, his warm hand is cupping me. His hands are big, but my breast is bigger, so he can’t grasp it all, but oh my god, does it feel good. His calloused fingers brush against my skin, his palm circling over my nipple.
A wheeze escapes me, the sensation too much and not nearly enough. He makes a low sound in his throat, then slides his hand back so he can rub his thumb over my skin, teasing me with wide, slow passes. Nothing in his touch is hesitant, and I’m suddenly really glad he’s not a virgin. I roll into him, meeting those brown eyes, and open my mouth to...I don’t know what. Beg him to fuck me, order him to kiss me. Something like that. Something...more.
His eyes widen a second before I register the sound. I’ve heard it more than once, the whap of a helicopter. When the brothers don’t take a jet, the helicopter is their favorite mode of transportation.
“What are the chances?” I ask, frozen, Declan’s thumb still making those maddening circles.
He groans, dropping his forehead to mine. “It’s my fucking brothers. Guaranteed. Cockblocking assholes.”
Well, shit.
“CARA, I AM VERY SORRY YOU WERE STUCK. ARE YOU ALRIGHT? IS THERE ANYTHING YOU NEED?” Jonas is concerned, and it thaws the chill I’ve been feeling for the last half hour. I shoot Declan a glance and find him staring at the helicopter, ignoring his brothers and me. It’s what we decided, so I shouldn’t be upset. But I am. I don’t want to be a secret.
I don’t know what the hell to do. Declan’s whispered reminder of our plan to pretend like we hate each other came just as Jonas and Zach stepped out of the helicopter.
Zach shoots me his playboy smile, more out of habit than anything, then lets it stretch into a genuine one. “We were worried about you,” he says, gaze darting between us. I nod, still reeling over the suddenness of their arrival. Would it be wrong to ask them to leave? But wait, would people who hate each other want to stay trapped? See, stupid plan. On all fronts.
What the hell was I thinking, suggesting it?
“We’re ok,” I murmur.
Declan hums in agreement. “I’m surprised Ransom and Colton didn’t come.”
“They wanted to,” Jonas says, “but I reminded them that you were unlikely to be happy to see them since their actions directly contributed to this situation.”
“And they listened to you?” he asks with a raised brow.
“Once I reminded them that you both would be quite angry, they realized being trapped with Cara in a helicopter for hours would be unwise.”
I have to smile, despite the stress of all of this. “You’re a smart man Jonas.”
“I know,” he says simply, taking my hand and leading me carefully through the snow, following the path of their footsteps to the helicopter. He doesn’t touch me often, but every time he does, I’m reminded of my place in his world, inside his small circle of trusted people. It’s a privileged place to be.
“Thank you for being my friend Jonas. And for looking out for me.” His cheeks redden, and he squeezes my hand gently as he hands me up into the helicopter. Declan and Zach follow with our bags and jump in. I catch a glimpse of the motel owners as we lift off and lean over Declan to wave at them.
I’m sad to leave, which is stupid. Those scary guys are still down there. We were in a tiny room, and I’m sure we would have eventually run out of food or heat or something if the storm dragged on. But it was also a perfect little bubble filled with strangers who didn’t care if Declan and I held hands.
Now we’re headed into the viper’s den. Ok, the bunnies’ den. If the bunnies were a bunch of gossiping men. I’ve lost the analogy here, but the Brash brothers gossip. No two ways about it. And I’m going to be the target of it, I have no doubt.
“Zach, if you don’t stop staring,” I say, glaring, “I’m going to come over there and fuck up your hair.” He rears back, spooked, as he should be, and very deliberately moves his gaze to the ceiling of the helicopter. He’s been watching us way too carefully. I think he knows something is up. I can’t decide if I want him to figure it out or if I want to stick to this stupid plan. But maybe the plan is a blessing in disguise. It would be way worse to date publicly and then break up. I couldn’t stand the looks and the questions. No, this is better.
My confidence in our plan fades as Declan completely ignores me for the rest of the flight to Vegas. The Helicopter sets down, and we pull off our headsets and move to disembark. The guys jump down, Jonas turning to offer his hand, but Declan’s there first, nudging him out of the way. For the first time in hours, we connect. His hands wrap around my waist, slowing my jump down to the helipad. Our eyes lock, and the whap of the blades fades into the background as we look at each other. In his eyes, I see frustration, desire, and want, all echoing my thoughts.
He releases me, and we turn to join Zach and Jonas at the edge of the roof. Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t pay attention when we landed, but holy crap, I missed a lot. We’re on the top of a massive building, the Las Vegas Strip and beyond stretching out in front of us. The view’s incredible.
As we descend the metal steps, all the men reach for me as if to stabilize me, but I march down those stairs like I’m wearing sneakers instead of stilettos, strutting past them with a smirk. Two uniformed staff are waiting at the door to the hotel, giving us a smile and a little bow as we pass.
I barely take in the opulence around us, the mirrors, the gold, the plush carpeting. Now that we’re here, I want nothing more than a minute to myself. My emotions are pinging all over the place, and I don’t think I can stand all these eyes on me for much longer. “Can you show me to my room?”
