Page 59 of His to Protect

My lips twitched again and I coughed to smother my laugh. “I wasn’t aware he could be an asshole.”

Behind him, Declan made a choking sound.

David burst out in laughter. “Then it appears you don’t know him well at all.”

My eyes slid to Declan’s and I licked my lips. I couldn’t contain the breathiness in my tone when I said, “I think I know him well enough.”

“Right.” David cleared his throat, his humor obvious. “Then I’m going to take that as my cue to go.”

He stepped toward me, hand extended. “It was nice to meet you, Trina.” When I placed my hand in his, he held it firmly and then leaned toward me, squatting at the same time, until his lips were by my ear. My eyes stay pinned on Declan’s as he scowled, watching his friend dip close to me. “And I’m kidding about the asshole comment. He’s the best guy I’ve ever met. If you need someone, he’s the guy who will take care of you. You got me?”

I nodded, breathless and speechless at the same time.

David wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t already know. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t feel Declan’s annoyance with his friend rising every single moment David spent close to me.

When his lips brushed against my cheek as he pulled away, Declan growled.

David squeezed my hand before he let it go. “See?” He raised a brow and turned to face his friend. “What’d I tell you? Asshole.”

I didn’t bother to cover or hide my laugh this time.

“I’ll walk you out,” Declan said, walking toward the two of us and putting himself between David and me. I was still laughing quietly when David peeked around Declan’s shoulder and winked at me. “David,” Declan growled.

His hands balled into fists, making David laugh even harder than me.

“Jesus Christ, dickstick. Take a fuckin’ joke. I gotta get to the hospital anyway, but before I go, do you need anything? A chill pill?”

“Funny.” Declan snorted and I laughed louder. It felt good. A full, stomach-rumbling laugh that hurt my sides and made my cheeks hurt. “And careful with the swearing. Trina makes me pay her a dollar every time I cuss.”

David joined me in laughing, and as we laughed, I didn’t miss the way Declan turned to look at me over his shoulder. His expression immediately changed and his eyes softened as he took in my laughter and my smile. “Be back in a minute, Trina.”

“Okay,” I replied, smothering my laughter but not my smile. “Bye, David,” I called out when I heard the door open.

“See you soon, Trina! Stay off that ankle tonight and don’t take this guy’s shit.”

I heard another growl from Declan before I watched him push his friend out the door of the hotel room. Declan followed, and then the door slammed closed.

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