Page 38 of In this Moment

ChapterNine

Evie couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so at peace. Lying in Declan’s arms, her head on his hard chest, listening to his even breathing, may have been the best thing she’d ever experienced. Never before had Evie felt so safe and protected by a man. Not that she needed a man to protect her. But it was nice to know that with Declan, she felt protected. It was a new feeling and she likedit.

Maybe toomuch.

It wasn’t going to last. The idea that she may never wake up like that again hit her with a pang of sadness. But just because it wasn’t real didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy it. Evie snuggled in a little closer and pressed a tender kiss to hisneck.

The kiss must have woken him because a few moments later, Declan stirred and his eyes opened. “Hey there.”

“Good morning.”

He pulled her tighter and kissed her nose. “It isnow.”

She didn’t want her heart to trip over itself, but dammed if it didn’t. She put her head down again and inhaled his scent. It was all so ridiculous and she needed to remember why he was there. It wasn’t real. They weren’t engaged to be married. He wasn’t hers. When this was all over, he would begone.

She didn’t want to think aboutit.

“Have you been awake long?” He yawned. “What time isit??”

“I woke up with the birds chirping. It was so nice, I just wanted to enjoy it before heading back to the real world.”

“Ah, the real world.” Declan turned over onto his side and propped himself up with an elbow. “What time do you need to beback?”

“Tony said he’d have Jonah back by eleven, but I wanted to be back a little early just incase.”

In case her son was desperately homesick and missed his mom or Tony couldn’t handle the responsibilities of being a real father, or Lauren decided having a stepson wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, or… Well, she just wanted to beback.

“We can pack up and head down whenever you like,” Declan said. “How are you doing with all ofthis?”

He sat up in the tiny tent and Evie got a full view of his naked chest in the daylight and her gut clenched in desire. He did things to her she couldn’t even begin to explain, but she liked it. Alot.

“I’m okay,” she said after a moment. “Better than I thought I’d be. But I think that has a lot to do withyou.”

“Me?” He grinned knowingly.

“You helped to distractme.”

“I did, did I?” He leaned in until he hovered over her. “And how did I dothat?”

“You seem to have yourways.”

“Oh,” he said with a low growl. “I have my ways.” His hand slid over the sleeping bag until it reached the zipper. He slowly inched it down until he could get his hand inside, where his fingers promptly cupped around her breast. His fingers flicked lazily over her nipple, stirring the sparks inside her that he’d ignited the night before.

“Mmm.” She closed her eyes and melted into the touch. Evie hadn’t dated a lot after Jonah was born, and she’d only slept with two men besides Tony, but none of those experiences had been anything like being with Declan.

Not even close.

“And then I have this way.” He bent and took her nipple into his mouth, sucking lightly until it slipped from his lips with apop.

“Oh, I like thatway.”

“You do, doyou?”

“Mmm, hmm.”

“What about this way?” Dec’s hand slipped down her body between her legs. She jumped a little, but his talented fingers quickly had her moaning with pleasure.

Her climax built quickly under his attentions and then he moved.

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