Page 26 of Declan
“Declan,” she murmurs, freezing my body in place. She nuzzles against my chest, and I hold my breath, worried she’s going to wake up and think I’m fucking creeping on her. She’s so fucking soft, so warm, so...everything. This is the very first time I’ve ever held her like this. Sucks that she’s asleep, but it’s also amazing. I’m not worried about acting cool or saying the right shit or what she’s thinking of me. I’m just...holding her. She’s always so dynamic, and in my face, I always feel like I’m three steps behind. I felt like a fucking loser each time she touched me. What thirty-three-year-old man can’t hold a conversation with a beautiful woman?
It’s me. I’m the loser.
I don’t know how long I stand there, drifting in the scent of her shampoo and the warmth of her breath on my skin. But eventually, I slowly, carefully lean her back towards the window. She settles her head on the blanket with a sigh, and I back away, falling into my seat.
She looks different like this. Softer, more vulnerable. Smaller somehow. When she’s awake, she keeps everyone around her on their toes. But this version of Cara brings out a protectiveness in me that I’ve only felt one other time, that night at the hospital. Colt’s woman Evie has a little girl, Mia. She has all of us acting like protective uncles, but it’s different. With Mia, I want to coddle her and protect her from everything.
With Cara, I want to be her muscle. The enforcer that helps her get whatever she wants. And ok, maybe protect her a little too. She’s so fucking capable that I know she doesn’t need me at all. But I can’t help imagining what it would be like to be the man Cara turns to. To be the first one she calls on when she needs backup. I may be a computer geek, but my brothers have made sure I can more than take care of myself.
I can take care of her.
Maybe, if I keep my head on straight, I can convince her to give me a chance.
Dropping my head against the headrest, I let my mind ponder how I’m going to get her alone when we’re in Vegas. I need to keep wooing, and I’m out of fucking ideas.
A few hours into the flight, the steward enters. “Mr. Wilder. I’m sorry to inform you we need to make an unscheduled landing. There’s a warning light on that requires immediate attention. There’s nothing to worry about, but I’ll ask you to fasten your seatbelt.” He moves to touch Cara’s shoulder, but my snarl sends him scurrying back to the front.
Crouching next to her, I take her fingers in mine, stroking the back of her hand with my thumb. “Cara. Wake up, honey.” She frowns, the V between her eyebrows pronounced. Not a happy camper.
After a little more nudging, those electric blue eyes open lazily. I keep rubbing the softness of her skin, marveling at how right it feels to hold her hand in mine.
Her fingers flex in mine, then carefully tighten. We’re holding hands.
My ears are hot.
“What’s happening?” she asks, voice husky.
“We need to land. There’s something mechanical going on. The pilots have to check it out. Everything’s ok, but we’re going to be a little off schedule.”
“Fucking Colt,” she says with a roll of her eyes.
“Yeah,” I murmur with a smile. “Fucking Colt.”
THE PILOTS PROMISE TO CHECK IN WITH US AND SEND US INTO THE SMALL TERMINAL. CARA AND I FIND a small diner and grab a table at the back.
“I’m so hungry,” Cara says, grabbing the plastic menu and studying like she just might unlock the secrets of the universe inside it.
Chuckling, I grab a menu too, and before we know it, we’re wolfing down our burgers and fries. Judging by the moans coming from Cara, she’s found greasy heaven. Me too.
When the worst of our hunger is dealt with, we sit, carefully avoiding each other’s eyes. Sick of myself, I finally just blurt. “I was hoping we could get to know each other.” I’m so stupid. “I mean, we know each other, but obviously, there’s a lot about you I don’t know. I haven’t been a good friend. I’d like to do better.”
Something chases across her face, but it’s gone too fast to pinpoint. “Friends. Right.” She leans back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. “What do you want to know?”
My mind flips through a million different questions, finally landing on probably the most cliche one of them all. “What do you do for fun?”
Her eyebrow quirks, and I resist the urge to run my fingers through my nonexistent hair. I really wish I’d kept it long. I didn’t realize how much of a crutch it was. It wasn’t just a nervous habit. I would also hide behind it, letting it fall in my face and shield me from the world. Now, there’s nowhere for me to hide.
“I don’t have much free time. I work a lot, so my downtime is mainly hanging with Bree or sleeping.”
“It’s great you have her with you. Nearby, I mean. Have you guys lived together for a long time?
“A decade. She came to live with me when I was in university.”
I frown. “She must have been young. Why did she move in with you?”
She drops her crossed arms and tilts her head questioningly. “You didn’t look this up in your files? I know for sure you ran me before you hired me.”
I sit up straighter. “I ran you, but it was pretty standard, and I haven’t looked at those files in three years.”
