Page 76 of Trouble

“I don’t know how to feel about all of this,” he admits, his eyes darting back and forth, like he’s hoping he’ll find the answers written on my face.

I suck in a breath. “Can you do something for me?”

He sighs heavily, his shoulders slumping. “You know I can’t say no to you.”

There’s no fighting my smile. “I’m counting on that.”

Even as he shakes his head like I’m exasperating, his lips tilt up, and I’m graced with that beautiful smile of his. Even if it’s a half smile, a rush of adrenaline courses through me.

“Tonight,” I urge, “just let things go where they go. Stop worrying about the world out here.” I lean in close and ghost my lips across his. “Just worry about us.”

Our breaths mingle as he lets my words settle between us.

“It doesn’t bother you?” he rasps.

The fear in his tone makes me want to wrap my arms around him and hold him tight, but I resist.

“What?” I play dumb. He needs to come to terms with this attraction, the ache he has for the man he’s known his whole life. If he doesn’t, then we’re doomed right from the start.

“The idea of Cade and me…” He lowers his head, likely hoping I’ll let him get away with not finishing his sentence.

He’s wrong. So, lips pressed together, I arch a brow and zero in on him.

Beside me, he twitches, his leg bouncing. “The way I…”

Holding on to my patience, I give him a sweet smile. He’ll get there.

He lets out another breath, as if he’s expelling all his worries, and then he blinks at me. “I want him. That doesn’t bother you?”

The smile that splits my face is so wide it hurts. “It gives me butterflies, Declan.” I grasp his hand and press it to my pounding heart. “And it makes me unbelievably wet.”

“We should take our food to go,” he mumbles.

With a laugh, I bring my lips to his again.

When we pull apart, we’re both smiling. “You going to get Cade?”

Declan nods, his eyes swimming with apprehension but also excitement. “Yeah, I think it’s time.”

CHAPTER 32

Cade

“How goes the husband search?”

Declan mentioned that Hailey is in a tough spot because of her controlling grandmother.

Her red hair, pulled into a messy ponytail, swishes as she angles closer and places her hand on my forearm. “Why? You offering to be my hockey coach in shining armor?” She bats her hazel eyes flirtatiously and gives me her biggest smile.

Hailey is gorgeous. She’s all curves and sex appeal. Only a few weeks ago, I was looking at her like I wouldn’t mind spending a few hours getting to know her body. Bet she’d be fun. We’d probably laugh and fuck the night away.

Now, though? I don’t feel an ounce of attraction. I can flirt and smile no matter my mood, of course, but in this moment, my mood is piss-poor, and there’s nothing she can do to change that. Not that I’ll ever let her or anyone else know that.

“You really can’t take ownership of the bar unless you’re married?”

Hailey deflates, shrinking a good couple of inches in front of my eyes. “Yeah, Grandmama is a bit controlling.”

“Grandmama?” A chuckle escapes me.

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