Page 78 of Declan
“I am not having Cara problems,” I nearly yell. “We’re fine. I think. Or maybe not. I don’t know,” I scratch at my beard, frustrated by my inability to get a read on the situation. “We had such a good day, but she avoided being alone with me since then.”
“Shit,” Zach says with a wince. “That could be bad, but maybe she just doesn’t want to broadcast your relationship?”
“Relationship?” I ask with a squeak. We haven’t broadcasted anything. Cara wanted to keep it between us, and I’m trying to honor that.
“Nuances and body language are challenging for me,” Jonas says, “but even I could tell that you and Cara have become much closer. The way you look at her is similar to the way Colton, Micah, and Kade look at their women.”
“Oh god. Does everyone know?” So maybe we’re a little more obvious than I thought.
“Probably,” Zach says. “None of us are good at minding our own business. We’ve been speculating on how you guys were doing all weekend.”
I collapse onto the couch and drop my head into my palms. This is all so fucked up. “She’s going to run.”
“What makes you say that?” Jonas asks.
“We’re a lot to fucking take. She has to deal with us all day at work, and now she has to handle interference in her personal life too? Why would she stick around?” She gets hit on all the time. She could have any guy she wants.
Zach drops onto the sofa. “Because she likes you. I would think after several years of chasing you, that would be obvious.”
“But I fucked it up.”
“And you fixed it,” Zach reminds me.
“Right. I did. I apologized. She forgave me.”
“So then, what’s the plan now? Why are you knocking on her door this late?”
“I just need to talk to her. We were in a little bubble, just the two of us, and now there’s so much noise...I’m just—“
“Flipping out.”
“Yeah. I need to reconnect with her somehow. We’re flying home tomorrow morning, then we’re back at work, and I don’t know how the fuck we’re supposed to act.”
“Then you should talk to her. But make your intentions clear right from the beginning, so she does not misunderstand you,” Jonas says.
“Yeah. Ok.” I hop up, done with this little distraction, and head to the door.
“Dec,” Zach says, stopping me with my hand on the door. “You and Cara have spent a long time dancing around each other. You’re going to have to be straight with her. Don’t let her misunderstand your intentions toward her. She’s still our employee, and things could get very messy if it’s not handled right.”
I study the luxurious gold and blue rug under my feet, resisting the urge to lash out. This is nothing I haven’t already considered and already talked about with her. But the reminder hits hard. What the fuck am I doing, going to her room in the middle of the night?
“Right,” I mutter, ready to head back to my room with my tail between my legs. I’m such a fuckup. I pull open the door and, with a brief glance down the hall toward Cara’s room, turn and head back to my suite.
The door to Nick’s bedroom is closed. I head into mine and shut the door behind me, dropping onto the bed. Every time I think I know what the right next step is, one of my brothers reminds me that I don’t. The last thing I wanna do is corner Cara or make her think that I’m trying to take something from her. Yeah, I’ve been fucking obsessed with her for years, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t fucking control myself.
I hop up, my body wanting me to go to her, to explain to her how much I care for her and how serious I am about this thing between us. I can’t leave it like this. I can’t not talk to her or tell her what I’m feeling. Our disconnect this evening has been too scary. I’m afraid we’re falling back into the way things were just a week ago. Pulling out my phone, I type out a quick text.
Me: I had so much fun with you today. It seemed like things were a little off between us tonight. Is everything ok?
The dots pop up, showing me she’s typing immediately. I can’t sit, jumping up to pace as I wait for her response. When it comes, the ground I’m standing on feels shakier.
Cara: Maybe we’re moving too fast.
Fuck this. I’m out of my room and sprinting down the hall to hers in seconds. I tap gently. Her voice comes through the door.
“Declan, this isn’t a good idea.”
“Cara, we need to talk. Let me in. Just talk, I promise.” I’m begging, and I know she can hear it. “Nothing else needs to happen, but we have to talk.”
