Page 155 of Succumbed

Caveman. I shouldn’t find him blatantly checking me out quite so charming. Or maybe it’s the return of the easy banter between us buoying my spirits for the first time in weeks.

“We’ll see. You still have to make it back alive today.”

He huffs. “I’m fine. Nothing to it. Could keep this up all day.”

Challenge accepted. “Great! Look lively, then–let’s go.”

I increase pace again as he curses, laughter bubbling through me. The smile feels plastered to my lips for the rest of the morning.

“You’re not Shane.”

Declan scoffs as he enters my office in slacks and a black button down, takeout bag in hand. “I certainly am not, though I’ll thank you for sounding surprised rather than disappointed.”

I chuckle at his easy smirk, rising to greet him. He pauses, setting the bag on the end table, and slips his arms around my waist as I go up on tiptoes to hug him. The cropped hem of my blouse rides up as I do, his hands slipping onto bare skin as he returns my embrace.

“I’m glad it’s you,” I murmur.

His arms tighten, and I can feel the hot press of him against my belly. I bite my lip, pleased at his ready reaction, and want to pout as he steps back. He reaches out and tugs my lip free, his eyes dark with desire.

“None of that, please. I’m under strict orders to feed you, then escort you to your car.”

“Really, now?” I hum, folding myself into one corner of the couch. “Since when do you follow Mr. Kelly’s orders outside the bedroom?”

“Since I started prioritizing the person his orders are intended to serve over my personal need for authority,” he answers easily.

“Ah,” I mumble, swallowing roughly. “I see.”

He hums as he pulls the containers from the bag and sets the coffee table. “I think you’re starting to.”

Why do I suddenly feel exposed? I clear my throat and smirk. “Did you steal Shane’s food along with his lunch plans?”

Declan glowers at me with playful eyes. “I offered to make it.”

I fight to hide a grin as I read between the lines. “He kicked you out of the kitchen, didn’t he?”

“He asked me to leave,” he grumbles, “and I went willingly.”

“Right,” I drawl, unable to hold back the giggle.

Declan growls and drops onto the couch next to me, reaching out to tickle my sides. Laughing, I bat him away and knock against him with my shoulder, reaching for what looks like a quinoa bowl topped with salmon.

“I see how it is,” he teases. “I’m just your food delivery service. Is this how it goes with Shane, too?”

I scoff, digging into the bowl. “Shane wouldn’t dream of distracting me from eating.”

“He’s a little intense, isn’t he?”

Glancing up, I find him watching me as though he’s trying to memorize every inch. My lips curve into a smile.

“You all are.”

“Even Linc?”

I raise a brow, cocking my head. “Seriously?”

“What? He’s a total goofball.”

“Not all the time,” I muse, smiling as his eyes narrow. “Did you come here to fish about Shane and Linc, or…?”

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