Page 63 of Declan's Hope

Score one for me.

She shimmied against him until she was comfortable. Which might not have been such a good idea if the hard flesh probing against her backside was anything to go by. And danged, if arousal didn’t overwhelm her as she contemplated other ways they could find pleasure with each other.

"But just so you know," he growled close to her ear.

The riot of sensations of that, plus his hand low on her belly and his cock working its way between her butt cheeks, had her close to speechlessness. But she managed a croaked, "Yes?"

"I’ll be taking you and picking you up."

Her heart raced at the short jabs, followed by the hard pressure of his cock at that opening. Then his hand was spreading her open again, his finger flicking over her clit.

"Nothing to say?"

She nodded.

"Oh, and what’s that?" He did nothing to hide his humor at her expense as his fingers worked over her core and his cock teased her ass.

"You can take me," she whispered, then turned her head and held his stare. The humor on his face turned to a stony arousal as his fingers still and his cock throbbed. "Anywhere you want."

* * *

Hope rubbed her hand over Declan’s arm and stared at the far wall as she stretched and let out a long, low breath. Her body had a pleasant buzz going on after the last few hours. They hadn’t gone everywhere, but Declan had told her in shiver-worthy voice, "Baby, don’t worry. I’ll take you there."

It was a promise she was holding him to. And who would have thought she would be that adventurous. But with Declan, she wanted to experience it all. She grinned. There was no doubt in her mind he would be up for it.

"What are you thinking about?" His arms around her tightened, while the long ridge of his cock stayed where it had obviously found its new resting place. Not that she was complaining.

"School. What will happen tomorrow." She frowned. Worry over something that had been at the back of her mind reared its head. "Are you still in danger?"

He tensed before his chest pressed against her back with his next deep breath.

"You are."

A soft kiss pressed to her shoulder. "Not me personally. Not now." She could feel his shrug. "At least I don’t think so. But something’s going on the colonel and the team need to look into."

"What?" she asked, turning in his embrace. She draped one arm over his waist and brushed her fingers over his back.

"We don’t know yet," he told her holding her stare. "But we’ll find out. And I promise," he said, giving her nose a kiss, "I’ll tell you when we do."

That was all she could ask as she snuggled into his chest.

"Now, I need you to promise me something."

She glanced up at him. "What?"

"From now on, can you try not to wear something with a thousand buttons. I took me way too long to unwrap you." He grinned. "I’m the impatient sort."

A quiet chuckle left her as she ducked her head. "I kind of gathered that. But I’m not a gift." Declan’s fingers under her chin lifted her head. Her humor fled and breath caught at the intensity of the blue staring down at her.

"You’re more than a gift." Pink tinged his cheeks in a rare blush. "You’re the hope for a future I thought I’d lost. You’re my Hope."

The kiss he gave her was sweet—tender—while his gentle touch caressed her body. Hope matched him—touch for touch, kiss for kiss—until desire burgeoned inside her and she rolled onto her back, tugging him with her as she spread her legs to welcome him into her wanting body.

Declan’s groaned, "Baby," sent tingles coursing over her skin as he surged into her needy core—their bodies crashing against each other until her lids shut tight and she shook with release, while deep inside her his cock pulsed with each jet of cum he gave her.

They stayed like that for long moments—locked together in an embrace she didn’t want to let go of. And neither did he, if the way he pushed his hips into hers—keeping them joined—and ground against her, meant anything.

She lifted her heavy lids to find Declan’s wonder-filled gaze staring down at her, before he let his head drop and buried his face in her hair.

His low, "I love you," brushed against her ear before he moved to his side and pulled her into the circle of his arms, where he pressed her head against his chest.

"I love you." And she did. "More than anything," she whispered. His already racing heart kicked up in rate under her ear—the rhythm matching her own as she searched her feelings about what they’d just done.

Should she be worried?

The slow smile she couldn’t help spreading over her face told her she more than likely wouldn’t be. Then seconds later, Declan’s strong arms tightened on her, before his rumbling, "My Hope," chased away any lingering doubts she might have had.

Because that’s what she was…

Declan’s Hope.

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