Page 30 of Bargain with the Irish Devil

Although I feel better, I’m still mad at Declan, so I don’t say anything on the drive to my house. It’s Sunday. I should be preparing my lunches for this week. The place should be so clean it nearly sparkles. But no, I’m stuck with Declan.

I’m opening the door before the car even stops moving. While I’m out of the car first, Declan is out of it and waiting as I round the car to go up my porch. “I’m coming in with you.”

I unlock the door, hesitant to let him inside. Except I don’t bother arguing since I know it won’t do any good.

“It looks like my nan’s cottage in Galway in here.” He shakes his head.

I’m blushing at feeling like he’s making fun of me as his eyes move around my house in wonder at the soft, romantic feel of the large living room. Large red, pink, and white roses climb on heavy wallpaper above the lower bead board on the walls.

An overstuffed pink, velvet couch is opposite a large white chair that I spent most of my time reading on. Ivy in large planters run along two walls and alongthe white, tall bookcases overflowing with books.

“I’m not a grandma. Whatever, I like it.”

He chuckles. “I like it too. I was worried you hid from yourself even here at home. Now I see why you closed out the world here. It’s the only place you allow yourself to be free.”

How does he know everything? See me so clearly and inside me like he’s in my own damn brain? I back away from him. Then run for the stairs.

I’m hiding from Declan Kelly behind a locked door in my bedroom in my own home. Fully aware a lock is nothing to him. He’ll find a way inside.His utter ruthlessness won’t let a lock stop him—or me saying no.

I want to run, to hide from him far, far away from here. There’s more than enough money in my bank accounts. It would be easy to start over. With my experience and how much my boss loves me, I’d find a new job easily. Or maybe I could finally start my own business—a dream long forgotten until I told Declan.

I feel his eyes on me. Sitting up, I find him leaning against the open doorway in my bedroom.

He holds up a thin leather case before sliding it into the inner pocket of the suit jacket he’s wearing. “Lock pick. I learned at twelve. No locks will keep me out. Not on a door or your heart.”

I’m struck dumb by his words. He wanted into my heart?

His eyes sweep around the room. “This didn’t look like this while you were married.”

It’s not a question, but I answer anyway. “No. I threw out everything down to the sheets and mattresses and started new. The same way I’m going to have to when you leave.”

An eyebrow goes up. He lets loose an exhale that might be a laugh. “You’ll keep something to remember me by. It will be hidden so you don’t have to see it every day. But it will also be close by, so you don’t have to take too long to get to it.”

The predator is back, his eyes sinking low as he crosses to me. Muscle and sinew flexing beneath the silk suit. Standing over me, he removes his jacket. Laying it over the silk chair I like to read in sometimes, he begins undoing his cufflinks. I can only watch as he rolls up his sleeves, displaying hair-dusted forearms.

I’m shaking my head. Only I can’t find words. His smile is soft, almost tender, as he looks down on me. “I don’t have anything to restrain you, Miranda. Nothing to hold you down and take you against your will. I don’t want to either. I want you to look me in the eye and tell me that you want me the same way I want you. That hunger is eating at you the same way it’s eating at me. The need clawing at your gut, leaving you aching and empty.”

I long to close my eyes against him to shut him out. Only I can’t. The raw honesty on his beautiful face won’t allow me to.

A hand comes out to me, and I catch it. Grasping his hand, a thrill shoots through me at the way his eyes glow to the deepest sapphire, and his jaw tightens. I do this to him. He’s never felt this before either. And he’s just as much of a prisoner to it as I am.Opening my mouth, I taste his thumb before sucking it deep into my mouth.

Blue disappears as his eyes squeeze closed. “Say it, Miranda.”

I feel the words rumbling out of his chest all the way to his finger in my mouth. The words won’t come. I suck deeper on his thumb.

I’m swallowed in an ocean storm, the waves threatening to pull me under. Using his other hand, he yanks up the hem of my dress to the middle of my stomach.

It sends the word out of me in fear. “No.”

He groans. “Yes, let me help you feel better.”

His phone rings. Thank god. He lets me go, and the instant he does, I’m off the bed and running into the bathroom.

“Yeah, Dominic.”

I slam the door on him and lock it—like that will help. He warned me. Declan Kelly wasn’t satisfied with my body. He wanted my heart. He said love… Did he really mean it?

He sounds too close. “Miranda, you have ten minutes. I’ll be downstairs.”

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