Page 47 of Returning to Everton

“That’s the beauty Rowe, you don’t have to ask. It just knows what you want. Deep down, and it appears we want the same thing.”

“How do I know this house isn’t full of thingsyouwant?” I challenge.

“You walked in first didn’t you?” he counters.

Damn it, I did. But is that how it really works? I mean I haven’t even seen some of this stuff before. Let alone used it!

“The house must have sensed a desire in you to use or at leasttrythe things in this room, Rowen.”

I look up at him and bite my lip.

“Now the question is... who do you want to use them with?” he asks.

Oh hell, Rowen. Just admit it. The damn house basically just told on you. Although, I think he’s full of it. Not saying the house didn’t get any of these designs from me... but not all of them that’s for sure.

“I want...I do want to try some of this stuff Declan,” I whisper.

He steps close to me and cups my cheek. I look into his eyes, and his pupils are blown. He looks like he wants to throw me on that bed, but all he does is caress my cheek with his thumb.

“What do you want,a mhuirnín?” he gently prods me.

I lick my lips and swallow the lump in my throat. “Right now?” He nods his head so I go on. “I want you to kiss me Declan.”

He leans forward and gently presses his lips to mine. The kiss starts off sweet and gentle, until I slightly open my mouth and his tongue pushes inside. He moves his hand to the back of my head and holds me there so I can’t escape his kiss, not that I would want to anyway. Damn, this man can kiss. I wrap my arms around his waist and trail my hands up his back. His other hand wraps around my waist so he can hold me closer.

We kiss like that until I run out of air and pull back with a gasp. I stare into Declan’s eyes. “That was...”

“Amazing? Life changing? The first of many?” he offers.

“Yeah... all of that,” I breathe.

Just then I hear the others on the porch hollering for us. Oh dear god. Please go back to how you were when Violet was in here earlier, I beg the house. To my amazement, it does. When I look around, everything is exactly the way it was when I was in here with Violet. I look up at Declan wondering if I’ve lost my mind and that’s how it was the whole time.

He smirks at me. “Oh no,a mhuirnín,you definitely did not imagine that.”

Damn it. “Okay well... let’s go back inside before they come in here looking for us,” I suggest.

“If that’s what you want.” He puts his hand at the small of my back and walks me to the door. Just before he opens it to let us out, he whispers in my ear, “Don’t think this is over Rowen. I’m not about to forget that incredible kiss we just shared.”

I rub my cheeks trying to get my blush to go away before Hudson and Nate see me. They’ll know something was up if I walk out of this playhouse blushing like I am.

We walk into the house to find everyone in the living room. It seems we were long enough the guys unpacked and set up my tv. I walk in and collapse in the nearest seat, which happens to be on the couch right beside Hudson. He looks over at me and cocks his eyebrow in question.

“Hey, Rowe. Where ya been?” he asks me.

“Oh, I was showing Declan the amazing playhouse Nate made Violet. It’s really nice. He did a great job. Didn’t he Violet?” I attempt to pull my daughter into the conversation to get some attention off of myself. Clearly, it doesn’t work, because all three of the guys are staring at me.

“Oh yeah! My playhouse is the best! You wanna see it Logan?” she asks.

“No!” I say, only slightly louder than I intended. “Maybe another time Violet. The guys have to get home. Isn’t that right Declan?” I give him a look that clearly says ‘if you say any different, that will be your last kiss mister.’ Well, that and he can read my mind. So, he knows I’m not playing.

“Yeah, we've gotta figure out what’s for dinner bud. Plus Nate has to work tonight, so I’m sure he’d like to get home and rest before he has to go,” Declan tells his son.

The kids look so disappointed that they can’t play anymore. “Maybe y’all can come over this weekend and we can have a cookout,” I suggest. I look around at the guys to see their thoughts on the matter.

“Sounds like a great idea to me,” Declan agrees.

“It’s a date,” Nate proclaims.

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