Page 12 of Hooked on a Demon
BANG!
Buckley roughly pushes himself up and bounds off Declan, barking like a fool as he charges to the door. Bleary-eyed, Declan rises from the couch, where he accidentally spent the night, and staggers to the door, rubbing his hand over his face and trying to get his eyes to focus.
“Bucks. Enough.”
The barking stops.
Declan abruptly opens the door. “I don’t want what you’re selling.”
“Well, it’s good I’m not selling anything then.” Her fisted hand falls to her side, but the sneer on her face tells him everything he needs to know.
Charlie.
Fuck.
“What are you doing here, Charlotte?”
“Really? That’s what you have to say to me after that piece of shit text last night and then blocking my number. Or at least I assume you blocked it since none of my messages went through.”
Declan crosses his arms and leans against the open door frame. Buckley sits next to him, channeling his most intimidating presence, which still doesn’t come across any scarier than a teddy bear. “I said what I needed to last night.”
“You didn’t even give me a chance.”
“How do you know where I live, anyway?”
“You aren’t exactly unknown in this town, Declan.” He rolls his eyes. “I deserve an explanation. You were fine with us the other night. What happened?”
“You don’t want me to answer that.”
Her hands rest on her hips, and she juts her foot out. He knows she’s pissed, and whatever answer he gives, whether the truth or a lie, is not going to make her feel any better.
“Yes, I do. You sent me a chicken shit text, Declan. You said I deserve better, and I do. I deserve you telling me the truth to my face. I deserve at least that much respect.”
Truth it is, then. Maybe if she hates him enough, she’ll leave him alone. He didn’t lie when he said she deserved better than him. He’s not the kind of guy she wants. He’s not boyfriend material.
“Charlie, you texted me thirty-four times last night. Thirty. Four. I was out with friends. I told you I wasn’t available, and you refused to take that for an answer. Instead, you continually hounded me, trying to convince me to leave what I was doing, which wasn’t even an option as I wasn’t the one driving. Even if it was an option, I said no, and you refused to accept that boundary. Your response was beyond excessive and, frankly, tells me all I need to know about you.” He watches her face start to pinch together as she tries to fight off the tears. But he needs her to see that what she did wasn’t okay and that there is nothing else here, so he continues, “I also knew that once I tried to break things off, you wouldn’t respond favorably which is why I blocked you. I didn’t lie when I said I wasn’t the right person for you. Yes, we had a good time, but it was one night. You need more than I am willing to offer. I have no interest in pursuing anything further with you, and the fact that you are standing here, in front of my house, after I said things were over, proves my point. I am sorry if you are hurt, but trust me when I say I am not sorry about trying to break things off the way I did. I wish you had listened.”
Her mouth opens and closes, but no words escape. Declan takes that as the acceptance he needs. “I need to go and get Buckley his breakfast,” Buckley gruffs in agreement beside him, “and then get ready for work. I hope you have the day you deserve. Goodbye, Charlotte.”
With Buckley following him, Declan steps back and closes the door, leaving her on the front step. He leans against the door, listening carefully and hoping she will be smart and walk away. He hears a sniffle, her footsteps fall away, and her car starts. Only when he’s sure she’s gone does he move back into the house to start the morning routine with Buckley happily bouncing behind him.
* * *
Stepping out from under a hoisted car, he wipes his hands with the rag from his pocket and tosses it on the shelf beside the tool chest. His forearm slides across his forehead, wiping away the small beads of sweat that formed from a strangely difficult-to-remove oil filter, and then he takes a swig of water from his oversized bottle. It’s one of those massive ones that holds a bazillion ounces and has times listed on the size to try and encourage him to drink. Petra got it for him last Christmas, and as much as he hates to admit it, seeing it go down and hit that little goal throughout the day is oddly satisfying.
As he puts the lid back on and picks up his rag again, one of his front staff comes through the door into the shop. “Hey, boss. Some blond lady is here for you.”
Eliana.His heart does a little skip, and fuck him if he doesn’t enjoy it. He clears his throat, hoping it will hide the excitement that’s now rising in him. “Thanks. Tell her I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Will do.”
“Oh, and Xavi, can you bring her car around? It’s the silver Nissan.”
“On it,” Xavi responds before turning and leaving through the same door he entered. Declan watches him go to the key wall and then dash off again through the back door to retrieve her car.
He washes his hands in the sink, buying himself some time to try and settle the butterflies in his stomach as he reminds himself that she’s a client. Who also happens to be his best friend’s sister.
Taking a deep breath, he pushes himself through the door and steps into the reception area, where she stands looking out the window. The sunlight streaming in frames her like she’s a goddess unleashed, making her glow. It highlights her curves perfectly, and he shakes his head, trying to clear it from the racing thoughts that certainly lead to filthy places.
