Page 159 of Succumbed

“Thank you, Lex,” Declan calls, sparkling eyes finding mine once more. “You never once gave me an inch. I love you for it.”

My mouth falls open as the world narrows to nothing but the two of us. In a daze, I watch him step off the stage, walk through the crowd as they part seamlessly for him, giving him a straight path to me. Then he’s here, taking my face in his hands and holding my gaze so fiercely I think I might combust.

“I’ve never seen you speechless,” he murmurs, lips twitching into a smile.

I laugh wetly. “What the hell did you just do, Wilde?”

His expression softens, turning more serious. “Can we go somewhere?”

Breathless, I reach up and take his hand, leading him away. I’m vaguely aware of Preston and the other board members onstage to close the ceremony and say farewell to the audience. I’m supposed to be up there with them, but I know Preston will cover for me. After Declan’s very public speech, I doubt anyone will hold my absence against me.

The security guard pulls back the velvet barrier when we reach the landing, standing still and stoic as we slip past and make our way up to my bedroom. I open the door and lead Declan in, heart beating erratically in my chest. He pulls the door shut as I watch, his fingers curling around mine.

“Scotch?” I ask, voice shaking, as I turn to the decanter on my wooden side table.

“Alright,” he rumbles.

My hands tremble as I pour the liquor into matching snifters, stepping close to Declan to hand it over. He accepts it gently, eyes on mine as he takes a slow slip. I follow suit, gulping the smoky alcohol down and turning to set my glass back on the antique brass tray. Declan steps up behind me, setting his glass down before trailing his fingers down my arms.

“Breathe, love,” he whispers, pressing his cheek to mine over my shoulder.

“There’s that word again,” I manage, voice little more than a croak.

“Love?”

Dipping my chin, I swallow roughly. “Do you mean it? Did you…did you mean it?”

“Every word.”

I gasp a laugh, turning to face him. “And you couldn’t tell me before?!”

His brow creases as he reaches out to grip the side of my neck. “I wanted to raise the stakes. It felt…I felt like I needed to do something more. To earn your forgiveness.”

“You don’t need a stage to prove yourself, Declan. This, right here,” I wrap my fingers around his wrist, leaning into his claiming touch, “this is what matters to me. Us.”

Sighing, he presses his forehead to mine. He grounds me, calms some of the anxious energy skittering through my body. I let my eyes fall shut and relax into him, dropping my arms to rest my hands on his waist.

“I’m not always going to get this right,” he whispers. “Like I have for months, I’m going to make mistakes, going to fuck up. But I promise you, I’ll love you through it. I won’t stop trying.”

He straightens, stroking a thumb along my jaw.

“I don’t want perfect,” I vow. “I just want you.”

His eyes flash as he steps closer, pressing himself flush against me. I can feel all the strong, hard planes of him through the thin silk of my dress, feel his arousal push against me as his cock thickens.

“What do you want?” he demands, pressing his thumb to my lower lip.

“All of you,” I whisper. “No more keeping me at arm’s length, Declan.”

“No more,” he intones, mouth inching closer.

I lean into him, ghosting my lips against his. “I’ve missed you,” I breathe.

“I’m here now, love, and I’m yours.”

My heart sang. “I love you, Declan Wilde.”

His name is barely out of my mouth before he hauls me into his arms and slams his lips to mine. I moan into the kiss, clinging to him as I give him everything he asked for. Groaning, he reaches down and swings me up into his arms.

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