Page 10 of Always Earned, Never Given

“Noah, you’re an angel sent from God above. I spent my afternoon up to my eyeballs in taxes and desperately needed this.”

He smiles at me, and I swear, the panties melt right off girls three states away because that smile is so damn potent. “I’m happy to give you anything you desperately need, Annabelle. All you have to do is say the word.” Noah winks like the cocky SOB he is.

I shake my head from side to side and roll my eyes for good measure. “Yes. You’ve mentioned that before. I appreciate the offer and will definitely let you know if I get desperate enough.”

“When, Annabelle. You make sure to let me know when, not if.” He looks over his coffee cup and cocks his brow.

The bell above the door jingles again, only this time when I look up, Tommy’s walking in, and he’s not alone. Nattie’s boyfriend, Brady, is on one side of him, and Declan Sinclair is on his other.

What the hell is Declan doing in my studio?

Tommy is talking Declan’s ear off, and Dec is giving him his full attention. Hopefully, my little brother isn’t telling him how to improve his game this week. Although it wouldn’t be the first time. Tommy is a walking, talking encyclopedia of football facts and stats, not to mention a little sponge. If it gets said in front of the kid, it’s getting repeated.

Coach Sinclair learned that the hard way.

If Declan feels the stares of every man and woman currently in the fishbowl, he isn’t letting it interrupt his conversation with my brother.

The parents start to whisper. I’m sure some know who he is, while others just know that the most beautiful man they’ve ever seen has just walked into the studio.

Thick chocolate-brown hair that’s a little too long frames Declan’s strong, scruff-covered jaw, and eyes so blue they’re almost navy are currently looking at Tommy. He always appears to be super serious, but if I’ve learned anything from Brady Ryan in the time I’ve known him, it’s that being the starting quarterback for a football team means you walk around with added pressures on your shoulders.

Something I can commiserate with.

Noah looks from me to them and then moves closer to my desk. I’m not sure if he thinks he’s being protective or staking his claim. Neither works for me.

I stand up and ruffle Tommy’s hair. “Hey, munchkin. How was your Minecraft club? Did you have fun?”

He shrugs me off, drops his book bag to the floor, and plops down in my chair before announcing, “I’m hungry.”

Brady and Declan laugh.

This is my life.

I’m always ready for his appetite, and my Mary Poppins bag is stocked. “I’ll grab your snack from my office and be back out in a minute, okay?”

Tommy already has his folder out of his book bag and is spreading his homework worksheets out on my desk with Brady moving behind him. He typically stops by on the nights Nattie is teaching and helps Tommy with his homework. It’s like his very own Big Brother program.

A sexy throat clears behind me. “Annabelle.” I turn back to Declan. “Can we talk?”

Noah moves slightly, and I glance between the two men. “Declan, this is Noah. His daughter is in the class your sister is teaching right now.”

Declan shakes Noah’s hand and focuses those indigo eyes back on me. “You want to follow me back to my office?” Dec nods and moves next to me. I turn back and wave to Noah. “See you next week.” Then I lead Declan down the hall and into my office, closing the door behind me.

My office isn’t huge, but I never considered it small before I had this six-foot-six, massive man taking up all the space and oxygen inside it. I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up my throat. “I think you just sent the moms out there into heat, Dec.”

“What?” He looks utterly confused and so fucking sexy in dark blue jeans and a white long-sleeved Henley tee that’s hugging his muscles just enough to make a good girl think dirty thoughts.

I swear one of his biceps is bigger than my thigh. Who knew big, bulky athletes would be my weakness after being attracted to lean dancers my whole life? Thinking about what those massive hands would feel like on my body has me making a mental note to stop and get more batteries tonight.

I really should invest in a rechargeable vibrator... or maybe two.

“Nothing. Forget it. You wanted to talk?” I sit down, grab a water bottle and a juice box out of my bag and offer him both. Declan takes the water with a laugh. Then I’m treated to watching the column of his throat work while he drinks.

It’s been far too long since I’ve had an orgasm I didn’t give myself if I’m reacting this way to a man drinking water.

Sure, he’s a sexy man, but he’s just a man.

“Yeah. I wanted to thank you for agreeing to go with me this weekend. Did you get the email I forwarded you earlier?”

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