Page 31 of Hooked on a Demon
“Good afternoon, Miss Oaks,” Declan says, facing her. A light fuzz across his bare chest looks soft, and Eliana forces her hand to stay at her side despite an insatiable need to run her fingers through it.
His stomach is softer than that of other guys she’s dated. He’s not ripped, with stacks of abs. Instead, he’s like a cozy teddy bear, with some squish and give. Honestly, he looks like he’d be the perfect cuddle buddy.
A flush moves up her neck, her hand moving up to try and cover it, hoping to disguise that her mind was wandering to places it shouldn’t be. However, it doesn’t appear as though she has hidden much. Declan smirks at her knowingly before alternatively flexing his pecs and making them dance.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Grace. It looks like you all already have a great start on the sets,” she says, trying not to smile.
“Yeah, it ain’t been so bad. Nice to get out of the shop, really,” says one of his staff members, who she believes is named Humphrey. Declan introduced everyone to her yesterday, but the names are still a bit fuzzy.
“Well, thank you all the same. We really do appreciate you volunteering your time. I hope the shop isn’t suffering because of your efforts here,” she replies, looking up at Declan.
“Nah, we’re good. The shop has enough staff that we can swap in and out as necessary.”
“That’s good.”
He has watched her every step and continues to do so as she moves closer to the stage and to the stairs leading up. His gaze is like a caress of her skin, taking in whatever he can. “That. It. Is,” he says. Eliana catches the double meaning of his words and blushes again. She’s going to have to get that under control if they are going to try and do this dating thing. Or fooling around. Or whatever it is they agreed to.
It’s been two days since the make-out session, and they still haven’t discussed it. Or made plans to see each other again. In trying not to appear needy, she’s maybe played it a bit too easy, and instead of messaging him to arrange something, she’s anxiously sat back, waiting to hear from him.
It’s been torture.
Standing on the stage, she finally raises her eyes and meets his. And the way he’s looking at her now… pure heat. It warms her insides in the most delicious of ways.
But if he’s so hot for her that his look could set fire to this entire building, why hasn’t he reached out? Is this part of his game? To tease and taunt and leave her guessing? Is that a game she’s willing to play?
Declan works his way toward her, stepping over tools, feet, and cords as he does. The rest of his crew return to whatever task they are doing, ignoring the hulking demon as he traverses the short distance to where she stands.
“You alright there, Oaks?” he asks. He glances over his shoulder, making sure no one is watching, before bringing his hand up to brush her arm lightly.
Why is it so hot when he calls me by my last name?
“Yeah. I’m… good,” she replies, hoping it comes out more confident than she feels. His touch is brief, but it makes her toes tingle with anticipation as she wonders what it feels like elsewhere.
He leans in, and she can smell the musk of hard work on him. It’s delectable. Her hand moves as if of its own volition, linking her pinky finger with his as it rests at his side. Casting her eyes to his face, she catches a slight quirk of his mouth. The subtlest of movements as the right side of his perfect lips picks up, creating a wonderful dimple that she wishes she could put her other pinky into. Her eyes meet his, and his gaze dips briefly to her lips before locking with hers again. The entire interaction lasts mere seconds but feels like an eternity to Eliana; all the while, she hopes the others in the room continue to pay them no mind. If they continue to do this, this secret they have surely won’t be a secret much longer.
“Would you like to get together tomorrow night?” he asks, breaking Eliana out of the haze she has fallen into. Any prior concerns she had about him not texting her vanish.
An eager smile fights to cross her lips, but she fights it back. As well as the urge to jump up and down, shouting her acceptance. Instead, as calmly as possible, she replies, “That would be nice.”
“Great. I can come pick you up at seven?”
“That’s perfect.” She can’t fight the smile any longer. Squeezing her pinky finger on his, she hopes it conveys her excitement.
He squeezes hers back before letting go and winking at her. “I can’t wait.” He steps back, putting distance between them, leaving her feeling unsteady. “I’ve gotta get back, but thank you for stopping by and checking in, Miss Oaks,” he says more loudly.
“It’s looking great! I can’t wait to see the final product,” Eliana responds, both playing along with the little act he’s instigating and wanting to make sure the others know their efforts are appreciated.
She walks off the stage, waving to the crew as she does, and heads back to the dance studio for her next class. However, she has no idea how she’s going to teach when Declan has now filled her mind with the anticipation of tomorrow.
CHAPTER19
Eliana
“Alright, friends, make sure you practice your first position, rond de jambe, and plié movements. The more you practice the easier and more natural it becomes. Thanks for a great lesson!”
“Bye, Miss Oaks,” her students call out as they file out of the studio. Well, all except one. One of her little friends comes over, dragging the toes of her ballet flats on the floor as she does. Eliana squats down, bringing herself down to the child’s level. “How can I help you, Calista?”
“Miss. Miss Oaks…” Eliana waits patiently for her little friend to gather the courage she needs to speak. “Can you show me the round of jam again?”
