Page 36 of Taking A Chance

“Thank you,” I say. I look to our right and realize my brother is still standing there, a very pleased look on his face as he continues to stare at us. Just standing there, with his goofy grin. I make eye contact with him and he wiggles his eyebrows.Oh dear god.

“Should we go?” I ask, wanting to get the hell out of here as quickly as I can.

Declan nods, stepping back into the hall and waving toward my brother and Harper.

“Stop making that stupid face,” I say through gritted teeth at Jensen as I pass him.

“Okay, no problem,” he says, holding his hands up in surrender. Except his face looks the exact same.Ugh.I step out the door and just as he goes to close it behind me, he says all too loudly, “Make sure you use protection.” Then the door clicks. My feet halt and I close my eyes.That did not just happen.

Declan walks ahead of me, seemingly unfazed by my little brother’s suggestion. Maybe he didn’t hear it.

Downstairs, he holds the door open for me as I step out onto the busy sidewalk, the cool air hitting my skin and causing a ripple of goosebumps down my spine.

“So, where are we going?” I ask, adjusting my clutch under my arm.

Declan takes me by the hand, lacing his fingers into mine the way he did last night. His large warm hand envelops mine, causing a sensation to radiate through me. Suddenly, I’m unaffected by the cool evening air; and I don’t resist or stiffen. I close my fingers through his and fall in step next to him.

“Somewhere I doubt you’ve ever been,” he says. “And somewhere else after that you’ve probably never been to either.”

“How cryptic,” I tease. I notice the side of his mouth hitch up from my peripheral and a small dimple forms just above the corner.

“Well, if I told you now, you might back out,” he says, giving my hand a squeeze.

“I’m not one to do that,” I reply.

“I had a feeling,” he says. “It’s something I like about you.”

So he’s thought about things he likes about me.Interesting.Okay, but I’ve done the same so it’s not a big deal.Unless…it is a big deal.Even through my blinding rage moments concerning him, it’s not like I didn’t notice a few things.

“I see you cut your hair,” I note.

“Don’t like it?”

“I do, actually,” I say. “Although, I will admit, even in the midst of hating you, I always wanted to touch your long hair.”

“You did, huh?” Declan looks over at me, surprise and amusement mixed together on his face.

I nod. “It just looks really soft and touchable.” I shrug.

“Well, you’re welcome to,” he says, tilting his head toward me.

Without hesitation, I use my free hand to glide my fingers through the length at the top. It’s exactly like I imagined. No feel of sticky products; just soft, thick inky hair that does its own thing. Fortunately for him, that includes staying in place without assistance and looking amazing.

“Well?” he asks, looking back up at the sidewalk.

“Impressively soft,” I say, my hand now flexing at my side. “Also, I like your cologne.” I couldn’t help myself. He smells so good. In this close proximity, I’m surrounded by his rich, warm scent.

“Oh, thanks,” he says. It almost feels like he wants to say more but stops himself.

The streetlamps flick on a few minutes later, and I’ve always loved how the city streets look all lit up. We pass a couple of bars and restaurants then come to a stop in front of an unmarked red door. I look up and around for signage, or anything to give me an indication of where we are, but there’s nothing. A single bulb hangs over the entryway. Declan knocks three times, sharp and deliberate.

I look around as we wait, observing that no one else seems to be huddled together or lining up. I snap my attention back to the sound of the door opening where a man greets us, his sharp all black suit capturing my attention.

“Walsh for two,” Declan says to the man, who then proceeds to open the door, welcoming him in with a handshake.

He leads me in, hand still in mine, and it brings a comfort to me as we walk down a dimly lit hallway. A few overhead lights burn low, barely illuminating the intricate black and red wallpaper. I’m sure if I touched it, the black would be velvety. It seems to pop against the red in contrast. But I keep my free hand to myself. It also looks like it costs more than my entire apartment.

Declan leads us near what I assume is the back of the place, weaving us through a small crowd. I note a bar to our left. It’s not terribly busy but steady. We curve to the right, where small tables are set up and a stage is in the center, colorful spotlights shining above.

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