And I really love my man.
I catch his eye, sending him a wink, savoring the blush covering his cheeks. Zach mumbles a goodbye, marching towards the slow-moving group. He stops in front of Maya, and even from here, I can hear the scolding in his tone. She casually takes another bite of her muffin, not bothered in the least. She swallows, nods her thanks, and takes her shoes from him, wandering away down the hallway. Zach shoves both hands through his hair, watching her walk away in her flowy, flower-patterned dress. It’s hideous, and yet on her, not. The bohemian style suits her. With a shake of his head, he and Jonas follow her to the elevator.
Sliding my feet into my stilettos, I head out to meet my man. He sees me coming and leans against the wall, watching me walk toward him. I put a little more sway in my hips, and lick my lips, satisfied when his eyes narrow dangerously. Leaning into him, I run my fingernails up and down the zip of his hoodie. “Hello, handsome. Fancy meeting you here.”
My smile widens, remembering saying those words to him only months ago. That was the day everything started to change. I walked out that day so fucking low, but today? I’m higher than I’ve ever been. I have a sexy man who loves me, I have a sister that’s healing, and I’m a badass business owner. Life is fucking perfect.
Declan’s low growl makes my legs wobbly. God, that hits me right in the gut. Combine that with the way he yanks me to him, and I know we’re not going to make it home before I get him inside me.
Tugging my head back, he nips at my chin. “We’re supposed to be heading to family dinner. And now, thanks to you, we’re gonna be late. Are you happy now?”
“Not yet, baby, but with a tiny bit of effort, I will be.”
Laughing, he takes my mouth, plundering, seeking, stroking. At some point, I stop relying on my legs to hold me up, trusting Declan to do it. All I can focus on, all I can think about, is him and his fabulous tongue. And all the places I want that tongue to taste tonight.
The family text chime makes Declan groan into my mouth, pulling away to check. “We’re supposed to stop for ice cream on the way home. Holly’s desperate for mint chocolate chip.”
I straighten up immediately, thoughts of being spread out like a feast on Declan’s desk moving to the back burner. No fucking way am I messing with a pregnant woman. She’s gotten grumpy and bossy. Micah seems to be eating it up, but the rest of us are treading very lightly around her. “Let’s go.”
“She could wait a few minutes,” he complains.
I spin, walking backward as I give him the evil eye. “A few minutes? Really? Is that all it takes?”
“Baby, all I need is a few minutes, trust me.” Jesus, he’s almost got me convinced, but another ping from his phone sends me spinning, running for the elevator.
“Jesus! Fuck! Cara, you’re going to break your leg. Slow down,” he yells.
“I told you I could run in these shoes.”
He catches up, yanking me off the ground into his arms. Shaking with laughter, I let him herd me into the elevator. “Dammit, woman. You’ve got to be more careful in these things. Those shoes are deadly.”
“I could stop wearing them. Switch to nice respectable flats?” His snarled ‘fuck no’ makes me laugh. I’ve started dressing like me again, only with a touch less see-through material. The sexy clothes were a weapon, an effective one, and there’s still a place for them, but I don’t need them the same way I used to. And Declan honestly loves me wearing anything or nothing. But the shoes? Turns out my man loves the way those shoes look draped over his shoulders.
I do too.
The elevator doors open to the lobby. It’s late, the place is empty except for Janey, waiting at the windows, and Jonas a few steps behind her, unmoving, hands tucked in his pockets.
“There he is,” she says excitedly, waving a quick goodbye to all of us, then darting to the sleek sports car pulled up at the curb. She’s gone in seconds, leaving a stoic Jonas staring after her.
We stop next to him, and Declan lays a hand on his neck. “Are you ok?”
“She has a boyfriend,” he says flatly, not looking at us. “ He didn’t even open the door for her. Did you know she’s seeing someone?”
I move in front of him, concerned at how off he sounds. “I knew she’s been talking to someone. It’s obviously progressed.”
“Yes, well. Of course, she has a boyfriend. She’s lovely.”
My heart is breaking at the sadness in his voice. He’s lost her, and he never even had her. And he’s so very aware of it, of what he’s missed out on. I want to wrap him in a hug.
“Jonas,” I ask, putting my hand on his sleeve. “Can I give you a hug?” I expect him to say no. I’ve offered in the past, and he would smile and say no. But today, he doesn’t answer. Just steps into me and drops his forehead onto my shoulder. I wrap my arms around him, squeezing tightly, and gradually, I feel his body relax. I meet Dec’s sad eyes over Jonas’s head.
We stand, the three of us connected, until Zach storms off the elevator, grumbling. He stops, concerned, checking in to see if Jonas needs him. He’s so connected to his brother, so present for him all the time. He doesn’t let just anyone see it. But he can be off duty tonight. Jonas is ok. The problem he’s facing tonight isn’t something Zach can easily fix.
Finally, Jonas straightens, glancing briefly at me, then away. “Thank you, Cara.”
“Anytime, Jonas.” His eyes are still lost-looking, still sad. I want to chase it away, at least for a little while, so I throw my man under the bus.
“Jonas, can you tell me why Declan has your face tattooed on his ass?”