Page 90 of The Ring Thief
“Sometimes?” I echo incredulously, and he pinches my side in retaliation.
“I’ve been sleeping on Carter’s couch,” he confesses, grabbing my shoulders and pushing me to look him in the eye. His expression is full of sincerity, and a hint of desperation. “Don’t kick me out, baby. He’s a pig. I don’t want to stay there anymore.” He sounds so pitiful. I snort, and the look he sends me is full of mock betrayal and condemnation. “Laughing at my pain.” He drops his chin, pushing his bottom lip out in a pout. “You’re killing me, Lily.”
“I won’t kick you out,” I promise, voice filled with laughter. “But you need to change the sheets. And put all that away.” I point at his clothes.
His mouth tugs up into a crooked smile, his hand cupping my cheek. “Don’t ask for much, do you, baby?”
The smile that comes feels like it’s being pulled right from my soul, pure happiness and delight that this man is once again mine.
His eyes flicker with something dark, but it’s gone too quick for me to catch. One hand stays on my cheek, but his other lifts to fist the rings on his chest. He exhales roughly, and then locks his eyes with mine.
“You could ask me for the moon, and I’d find a way to drag it down for you,” he says lowly, voice tight with promise. “Nothing will ever be too much, Lily. Remember that.”
“Dangerous words,” I whisper back.
“You’re a dangerous woman.”
I make a noise of amusement, cuddling into him. “This was a nice date.”
He pushes me back, his expression outraged. “Nice? That’s as bad as calling it fine!”
“Okay, it was better than nice.” I can’t help the grin that tugs at my lips. “Our second first date.” I go up on my tiptoes to kiss him, savoring the touch of his mouth against mine. I feel it the moment he smiles, and I pull back, lifting my eyes to his and finding them bright, filled with adoration and love.
“Ourlastfirst date.”
Epilogue - Lily
3 MONTHS LATER
Declan shows me every day that I’m his priority.
He’s taking the communication idea above and beyond, sharing more than he ever needed to. When I told him that wasn’t necessary, that some mystery between us wouldn’t go amiss, he just shook his head, telling me he wanted me to know everything, just so I’d never have to entertain a single doubt about him and his intentions.
Every night since then, we have dinner together. It’s been just over six months now and we’re finally living together—he’s been doing all the cooking, but honestly, that’s just in the best interests of our health.
In the quiet solace of the evening, we curl up in bed together, our heads on the same pillow and lungs sharing breath, talking about our day and anything that might be bothering us. Our routine is predictable, safe, and everything I need to make me feel secure in our relationship again.
Silvia and Elena had been quiet in the aftermath of the gala, especially when a judge refused Darius bail, citing his position and finances made him a flight risk. Just when I thought we were clear of them for good, the two of them had dressed up to the nines and marched into the Hi-Tech offices, demanding that Declan recant his statement. They’d been laughed right back out, escorted by security, and that might’vebeen the moment that they realized that their name and position in society didn’t carry much weight anymore.
They vanished after that, emptying their house out and leaving town overnight. It’s kind of ironic—they couldn’t face the venom of society after they’d snubbed Abigail and her children during the fallout of Donald’s incarceration.
Footsteps thud through the house and I look up just as Declan calls, “Lily! Where are you? Julie told us dinner’s at six, so we’re already running… late…” he trails off as he appears in the doorway, his eyes widening at the sight of me sitting on the edge of the bed, wrapped in a towel and phone in hand.
“Hi.” I smile winningly, but he rolls his eyes.
“Don’t be cute,” he orders. “Julie’s going to over-salt our food if we’re late.”
“She won’t,” I argue. “Not mine, anyway, because I plan on telling her it’s your fault.” He sends me a wide-eyed look of betrayal, and I laugh, waving him off. “I’m kidding! I’d never do that.” Something about my tone has him looking doubtful, and it only makes me laugh harder. When I’ve caught my breath, I wave my phone at him, my humor fading away. “Sasha was having an emergency.”
“What, she couldn’t decide what bottle of wine to buy?” he asks dryly, coming closer.
I shake my head, brow furrowing. “No, her mom lost her job. They’re not sure if she’s going to be able to keep the payments up on her house.”
Declan sits on the bed bedside me, mattress dipping and forcing me to lean into him. “I thought Sasha was sending her money every week?”
“She is, but it’s not enough.”
He wraps an arm around my shoulders, his thumb stroking the skin of my upper arm. “Didn’t she grow up in that house? Why are the payments so high?”
