“You’re not pissed?” I don’t like comparing them, but Michael would have been furious at me for weeks, if not forever. He can’t stand being the butt of any sort of joke.
Declan chuckles, his six-pack flexing. “When I walked in? Oh holy shit yeah. When I saw that dipshit Cooper lose it, and I was sure the whole contract had just gone down the crapper and my career with it? Fuck, I wanted to strangle you, but he’s the one who tipped me over the edge. Piece of shit, no respect, limp-dicked little rat.” He stops and takes a deep breath, letting it back out slowly “But you, you get an A for execution. It was fucking perfect. Did you seriously do all this yourself?”
I can’t help grin a little. “I’ll never tell.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think so. Fucking Carl.”
“You don’t know that! You can’t say anything!” The last thing I want to do is get Carl in trouble too.
He smirks at my panic. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me. He’d be an idiot not to help you with a plan like this.”
“Well, glad you approve.” I give him a little bump with my shoulder. When he’s like this, he’s almost likeable. It’s no wonder my feelings are all mixed up. Still, what Carl said the other day was true. Declan can barely admit to feelings other than lust, and I want more than that.
Right?
For a while we manage to paint together in surprisingly comfortable silence. Then he inches closer, almost literally painting me into a corner. “You know,” he starts, “It would be a shame if you got paint on that nice dress.”
“Yeah, right. I’m sure you’re really concerned about my clothes.” I roll my eyes and keep painting.
He moves closer. “Alright, no actually. I just want to see you naked, or as close to it as I can get. Fuck, look at the show you’re getting.” He gestures at himself. “Fucking great, right? The least you could do is give me a little in return.” With a flex for emphasis, he twists his body to show himself off.
“Modest much? I’ve seen it all before.” I turn away so he won’t see me blushing. I’ve seen it, touched it, licked it and God help me, if I keep looking at him I’m going to want to do it all again. Just thinking about it is already getting me all hot and bothered. “If you want to get naked, that’s your business. I’m keeping my clothes on, thank you very much.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Duly noted.” A short pause, and then he shifts even closer, standing right next to me. I can smell his aftershave, and feel the heat from his skin. He’s still painting, but it’s on top of what I just painted. I arch a brow at him. “You know, I already covered that bit.”
“Oh really?” He makes it sound like he hasn’t even noticed. “You’re so blindingly beautiful that it’s hard for me to concentrate.”
“Of course.” I can’t help smiling at the compliment. “If I’m so distracting, maybe you should work over there instead.” With a gesture, I shoo him away.
He doesn’t bite. “That’s a nice outfit you’ve got on, lady.” His tone’s like a bad movie mafioso. “It’d be a shame if something should, you know, happen to it. I’m not a bad painter, but accidents happen. Just saying.”
I’m too amused to really be angry. “Are you threatening my dress? This is extortion!”
“Hey, now. That’s your word not mine. I’m just being neighborly and showing my concern.” He waves his roller for emphasis.
I jump out of the way, laughing nervously. “Put that down!”
“Is that really what you want?” Declan takes a step closer, and the tension in the air starts to crackle between us. “Tell me you wouldn’t rather be naked with me. Tell me you aren’t picturing it right now.”
My tongue darts out between my lips, and in my head I’m doing exactly what he wants and loving every minute of it. My life is so complicated right now, but...
We’ve already crossed that line, twice even.
How much more complicated could one more time make it?
Claire
Biting my lip, I reach behind to unhook the top of my dress. The hungry look on Declan’s face makes my fingers shake, but I manage it finally. We watch each other in weighty silence, his eyes on my face, studying my reactions. I almost wish he was just looking at my legs or my breasts, because this feels more intimate. He’s not just after my body. He’s focused on me.
Pushing that confusing thought aside, I slide my zipper down, splitting the dress open behind me. With a deep breath, I let my dress fall off my shoulders.