Page 98 of Fireworks & Forehead Kisses

I walked to the door and felt those butterflies that had been raving now begin to swarm like angry bees around a hive. A lump of nerves formed in my throat. I forced myself to smile. “Hi.”

“You got the dress.”

“I did,” I breathed.

“You look—” His eyes traveled up and down my body. I could feel their path like a physical touch. “—wow.”

My cheeks warmed as they flushed. “You look nice, too.”

He looked a lot better than nice. He wore a suit that looked as if it had been tailored just to fit him, which it more than likely had. It skimmed his body without clinging to his broad shoulders, muscular chest, and tapered waist. His crisp white shirt, charcoal tie, and pocket square were the finishing touches that exuded style and class.

He held out his arm. “Ready?”

I nodded and stepped out onto the porch. As I passed Nadia, I asked, “Can you lock up?”

She gave me two thumbs-up and a wink.

“Nice to see you again, Nadia.” Declan nodded.

“You, too, D.” Nadia smiled. “You kids, don’t be good. Please doeverythingI would do!” she called out as we walked down the porch steps.

“I like her.” He smiled as he opened the passenger side door to the SUV.

“Yeah, she’s the best.” My hands were shaking as I put my seatbelt on.

He got into the driver’s side, and we drove back to the estate where the plane was waiting. The silence that hung between us was electrically charged. At least, that’s what I felt.

“I could have just met you at the house.”

“I wanted to pick you up. How are you feeling?”

“Better.” I nodded. “Yeah, really a lot better.”

I knew it was just in my head, but I truly felt like the oxygen in the car was thin. It was difficult to breathe. I wasn’t sure why Declan behind the wheel was such a turn-on. But seeing his hands on the wheel really did something to me. Maybe it was just his hands in general. I remember thinking the same thingwhen he was at the bar holding the rocks glass. The first painting I’d done after our night together was of him sitting at the bar.

“You look beautiful.” His voice was deep and rough as he glanced over at me.

I felt my cheeks heat with a flush. “You don’t have to say that.”

“Why do you always do that?”

“Do what?”

“Tell me that I don’t have to say what I say.”

“Because we’re not really married, so you don’t have to compliment me.”

“We are really married, and you know I was attracted to you before I even knew your name.”

“That was different.”

“Why was that different?”

“Because…that was just a…you know.”

“No. I don’t know.”

“A one-night stand.”

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