Page 41 of His Weekend Wife

CHAPTER TWELVE

“Wow, this is absolutely amazing, Declan.”

He watched her slip her gaze over the pristine white tablecloth and the arrangement of fresh flowers. Although he could barely take his eyes off her, he had to admit the set up was gorgeous. Scattered around the rooftop were lit candles that added to the twinkling lights of downtown. The sun was setting and the sky had taken on a pink glow.

He pulled out her chair and motioned for her to take a seat.

He hadn’t thought of anything but Ash all day. He’d been lousy in every meeting and phone conversation. Even at one point he’d called one of his employees Ash and realized he couldn’t make a bigger fool of himself. And seeing her now, he knew exactly why he hadn’t thought of anything but her. She looked amazingly beautiful in the red dress that contrasted well with her pale skin. Although he loved her long hair, he also liked how she had it pulled up, which showed off the silken line of her neck. His body turned solid and he forced his mind to function on something rather than his aching cock.

He took the opposite chair, loving the way her cheeks glowed in the candlelight. As he’d planned tonight he’d told himself that this was merely a muse for his employees. After yesterdays’ staff meeting where he’d announced his marriage, he wanted to push home the fact by bringing Ash here to show everyone that he was happily married. Yet, as he sat across from her, he realized this wasn’t just for show. He’d been looking forward to this all day—anticipated seeing her. After last night, he’d wanted nothing more than to go back home and be with her.

The door opened and the waiter brought them each a domed platter, then poured two flutes full of red wine. They were alone again and that was how Declan wanted it. He lifted her lid to her plate first and then his.

“This looks delicious,” she said.

“Filet mignon, roasted baby potatoes, and asparagus. I hope it’s to your liking.”

“I could eat sardines and mustard sauce with a side of pickled pig’s feet with a view like this.”

“I see what’s on the lunch menu tomorrow.” He laughed.

He cut into his steak and popped the bite into his mouth, chewing contemplatively, watching her enjoy her own meal. An expression of pleasure covered her face and he smiled. He wanted to be the reason for that look—not just today, but every day.

“This is a wonderful evening, Declan. The view. The food. The wine. It’s all amazing.” She sipped from her glass and he watched her beautiful lips form a perfect shape.

He shifted, urging his body to behave. “I have something else for you.”

One thin brow popped up over her glowing, dazzling eyes. She placed her glass back onto the table. “This is enough…”

“But every wife needs one of these.” He reached into his jacket and retrieved the small, velvet box from his pocket. He set it in front of her, remembering how he’d proposed once upon a time.

With noticeable trembling fingers, she opened the lid and her eyes widened, followed by a mist that made him wonder if she’d cry. Damn, he couldn’t see her cry. “Declan?”

“Yes, bella?”

“It’s-It’s…my ring.” She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth and nibbled. Was it her way of keeping the tears controlled? He had a strong urge to drag her into his arms and place that ring back on her finger where it belonged—where it should never have been removed. But he stayed put, waiting to see if she would take the ring from the velvet nest and either place it on her finger or throw it into the middle of his chest as she’d done five years ago.

She stared at the half carat diamond, then her hands dropped to her lap. The diamond twinkled like a thousand stars. “You kept it.” Her throaty whisper made his chest tighten.

“What did you expect? That I’d toss it into the river?”

She took the ring and slid it on her fourth finger, holding up her hand to admire the keepsake that had belonged to his mother, the first gift she’d received from Theobald once they were no longer living paycheck to paycheck. She’d left the ring for Declan to give to his wife. He lifted his glass, shot back the remainder of the wine, and set the glass down with a thud. “You should keep it this time around.”

“But…it’s your mother’s.”

He shrugged. “I placed it on your finger and, once that happened, it became yours. Just promise you won’t toss it at me again.” He chuckled, but it sounded weak even to his own ears.

She tucked tendrils of hair behind her ear and one tear slid down her cheek. He reached out and swiped it away. “I shouldn’t have tossed the ring at you, Declan. I came off as being heartless that night. We were just so young, immature. I was intimidated and insecure.”

“I made some mistakes too. We’re human.” He leaned back into the chair, hearing the wood creak under his weight.

“There’s something you should know.” Her hands were back in her lap, her fingers entwined and her knuckles white. “I wanted to come back.”

He squinted. “But you didn’t.”

She gave her head a shake. “I believe I had hoped that you’d come after me.”

“You told me not to.” His throat constricted.

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