Page 101 of Succumbed

“No, Lex, I mean it,” he interrupts gently. “You deserve bike rides in Paris and picnics in the shadow of Notre Dame. Someone who shows up for you, even in the small moments. And so much more than an asshole losing control and attacking you in a fucking conference room.”

I laugh as he smirks, his brows raised.

“But what if I liked what went down in that conference room?” I tease.

Desire sizzles between us, his sparkling emerald eyes drinking me in. “To be clear, Lex, kissing you wasn’t the mistake. I never should have let you think it was.”

My breath catches as I grin, goosebumps rising on my arms in response to the intensity of his gaze. “Thank you, Declan.”

He inclines his head, shoulders relaxing as he sits back against the bike seat.

“To be honest, I’ve never found caring for people easy,” he admits. “Shane says I often mistake control for kindness, and he’s not wrong. But you make it look effortless.”

“Because it is, Declan. Caring for them is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”

Silence stretches between us as he searches my face. “You mean that.”

“With all of me.”

“Fuck, I’m an asshole,” he mumbles.

I gaze at him, still processing his confession. Declan glances at his watch, then tosses a small smile my way, looking at me through thick lashes. Butterflies dance in my belly.

“Linc’s going to kill me if we miss our reservation. We should go.” He swallows, looking down. “If you want to. Go with me, that is.”

Reaching out, I place a hand over his, still gripping the handlebar. “Of course I do, Declan.” Linc and Shane aren’t the only ones I care about.

The reservation Lincoln would’ve killed us for missing is at the Eiffel Tower. When we finally pull up, Linc grins and embraces us both, then leads us to the ticket counter. We cram ourselves into the elevator with other visitors, smiles passing between us. Declan’s eyes find mine a few times, as though he can’t tear his gaze away for long. I try to ignore how I respond, goosebumps rising on my arms and the small hairs on the back of my neck standing up.

The view from the top of the tower is spectacular. The city sprawls before us, the clear weather giving us visibility for miles. Pink light casts an ethereal glow as the sun begins to set, light glittering on the Seine.

Shane walks up behind me on the viewing platform, caging me against the railing with his warm, hard body. He buries his face against my neck, wrapping an arm around my upper chest and pulling me close. I latch both hands onto his forearm, eyes falling closed as I hold him against me.

“Can you believe this view?” he murmurs into my skin.

“Not for a minute,” Linc replies, just as quiet.

I glance over to find him staring at us, a content smile on his face. Reaching for him, I grip his hand in mine. Declan walks up next to us on the other side, leaning his arms on the railing as he looks out. He’s close enough to brush against me and Shane, the heat from all of them warming me through.

“Well, it’s confirmed. Paris is magical.”

Shane smiles his agreement against me, his arm tightening before he looks up to take in the city skyline. Declan glances over his shoulder, the fire in his eyes lighting me up from the inside out.

“Wait til you see where Dec’s taking us for dinner.” Linc squeezes my hand, tugging gently. “Come on, beautiful. Your day isn't over.”

Chapter 28

Lex

Dinner is a dream. Linc and Declan sped ahead of me and Shane, then welcomed us to a stunning private rooftop with views to rival our suite. The Eiffel Tower stood so close it felt like a painted backdrop, not real life.

Gentle twinkling lights illuminate the small, intimate space, canopied in greenery. Candles on the table provide enough light for us to see, setting an impossibly romantic ambience.

“My friend’s family has owned this space for years. They run the restaurant on the ground floor and rent this out for private events,” Declan explains. “We’re lucky it was available.”

“I’m sure it’s luck we should thank,” Shane muses, giving his friend a pointed look.

Declan rolls his eyes, but I don’t miss the slight darkening of his cheeks. My heart speeds up at the idea I bore witness to Declan Wilde blushing, and I swallow down my giddy response.

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