Page 4 of Declan's Hope

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Sure you d—”

“Hello, Hope.” Hope tensed at Declan’s low murmur against her ear, while shivers raced over her skin. His heat closed in on her back, sending a tingling into places she’d rather not contemplate at the moment.

Maybe if I ignore him, he’ll go away.

“Now who’s being rude?” he asked on a laugh.

She narrowed her gaze and turned toward him, which might not have been a good idea since they were practically toe to toe. She took a step back and then looked up to meet his shining blue eyes. Why did they have to be so clear and beautiful?

“Hello, Mr. Carter.”

And why, oh why, did he have to make her feel so delicate when all she’d ever felt was out of place around most men. Sure, she’d known guys taller than her. Plenty of the athletes she’d gone to school with over the years had towered over her. But they had seemed to gravitate toward petite girls like Destiny who they could basically carry around like a football, basketball, or whatever ball from their chosen sport.

She glanced at her friend who would never allow herself to be one of those girls. Not after—

“Mr. Carter?” He frowned. “What’s with that?”

She gave him a smile. “I’ve always been told to respect my elders.”

Beside her, Destiny let out a decidedly unladylike snort.

“Respect your…” His lips tightened into a straight line before he tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and silently moved his lips. What she wouldn’t give to lick along the strong column of his neck and rub her cheek against his neatly trimmed beard.

Wait. Was he counting?

“Hey,” Haven said, coming out from her fiancé’s office with the man himself, Cal Wroth, close behind her. “How’s it going out here?” Haven’s expectant gaze bounced between Hope and Declan.

Hope grimaced at her and crossed her arms. “How do you think it’s going?” She raised a brow. “Hmm?”

“Oh,” Haven said, her expression faltering. “It’s going like that.”

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