Page 23 of Always Earned, Never Given

Watching these women talk is like watching a tennis match. No one wants to give up a point. It’s one part awkward and one part sexy.

Belle’s laughter is light. “I think part of the reason I’m here tonight is because we’re still working on him becoming Philly’s favorite quarterback.” She lifts one brow, and Scarlet smiles—point one for Belle. “I’m a friend of the family. Declan’s sister works at my dance studio.”

“A dancer?” I can see the wheels turning in Scarlet’s mind. I’m not sure what she’s thinking, but she seems to be plotting.

“Scarlet,” I say warningly.

Never taking her eyes off Belle, she answers, “Calm down, Declan. I’m just trying to get to know your date.”

“Scarlet,” Becket Kingston cuts his sister off as he joins the conversation. “Behave, Scar. You’re not on the clock tonight.”

She pierces him with an icy stare, then runs her hands over his lapels. “I’m behaving, Becks. I’m just trying to get to know Declan’s date better. Jesus. You guys act like I was going to cross-examine her or something. I’ll leave the lawyering to you, brother dear. I’m better at PR anyway.” She glances back at Belle briefly before settling her eyes on me. “I can sell the hell out of the ballerina and the baller.”

“I never mentioned that I was a ballerina.” All eyes turn toward Belle and the cold tone in her voice. She sounds... annoyed? Maybe pissed. Definitely not happy.

“Oh, Declan. I like her.” Scarlet looks between the two of us appraisingly. “She has a brain, a business, and the cameras love her. She’ll work.”

Belle clears her throat and crosses her arms protectively. “Excuse me, I’m standing right here. Care to fill me in here?”

“I have no idea what she’s plotting over there,” I say with honesty, then place my hand on her hip and squeeze.

Becket tracks the move with his eyes before turning to his sister. “Come on, Scarlet. Take the night off.” He pulls out a seat at the large round table and waits for her to sit down.

Instead of sitting, Scarlet tips her glass to Annabelle. “I apologize for running your background, but the organization has invested quite a bit in Declan. This is our first real step in creating his image. I had to make sure that whoever he was bringing tonight would fit in with that image. And you, Ms. Hart, are perfect. Hometown girl and former professional ballerina who gave up her career to take care of her autistic brother when her parents died tragically. The press is going to eat you up.”

I hear the gasp from Annabelle as I cut in sharply. “Scarlet...” The word comes out angrier than it probably should, considering she is part-owner of my team.

Belle’s small hand comes to rest on my chest. She smiles sweetly at me then morphs into a pissed-off momma bear before my eyes. “Miss Kingston, I’m here for my friend, and I’m happy to help in whatever way I can. So long as that doesn’t involve my brother. Not only is he more than his diagnosis, but he’s been through enough and doesn’t need to be brought into the spotlight for anyone. If you can respect that, we can be friends. If not, I’m sure that my background report showed that my father was a state trooper, and my mother was a partner in a law firm. I don’t scare easily, and I allow myself and my family to be manipulated even less easily. I’d also be happy to have one of my friends help me explain just how you can go fuck yourself if need be.” She sips the remainder of her champagne before placing it on a tray of a waiter passing by and grabbing two new ones.

Annabelle offers one to Scarlet. She accepts it, turning to me. “Oh, Declan, I really like her.” Then she clinks glasses with Annabelle. “You’ve just won my respect, Ms. Hart. That’s not something I give out freely.”

Belle’s beautiful smile returns. “You haven’t earned mine yet, Miss. Kingston. You’ve got a long way to go.”

Jesus, I take a deep breath and murmur to Becks, “Your sister is scary.”

“She’s a raging bitch most of the time, but she’s loyal to a fault, and she’s damn good at her job.” He slaps a hand on my back then reaches out to Annabelle. “Becket Kingston, nice to meet you, Ms. Hart.”

“Nice to meet you, Becket. Please call me Annabelle.”

An hour later, dinner has been served and the senator has given his speech when the band begins to play. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a photographer coming toward us. A few have been inside the event tonight, and they’ve ignored me for the most part. This one looks like he’s got his lasers locked and I’m his target. Pushing my chair back, I stand and offer Belle my hand. “May I have this dance?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” She excuses herself from the conversation she was having with my father and Katherine and allows me to escort her to the dance floor. The woman singing has a breathy voice and is doing a haunting version of “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls.

Wrapping one arm around her waist and grasping her other hand to my chest, I lean my head down to her ear whispering, “Think you can make me look good out here? I’m a lousy dancer.”

Belle laughs at me but does as I ask. Her arm rests on my shoulder, and her body rests flush against mine. She’s leading without it showing, and I’m happy to let her take control.

I wonder how much control she’d want in other areas.

The beat is slow and sultry. This woman fits perfectly in my arms. Her head rests under my chin, and the scent of lavender and vanilla is invading my senses. My hand spans the entire width of her delicate back as my fingers dance along the tiny strap.

“I’m sorry for what Scarlet did, Belle.” She pulls her head back to look up at me. “I know you don’t know me that well yet, but I’d never let anyone use Tommy or you for their own agenda. I hate the fucking media and would never let either of you get hurt because of me.”

The hand wrapped around my shoulder travels into the hair at the nape of my neck. “I appreciate that, Declan. I know you’d never let anyone hurt Tommy, and that means the world to me. He’s a special kid, and before I met your sister, I was all he had. Now, he has all of you too. He’s a lucky kid to have been taken in by the Sinclairs. Nattie gave us a second chance at a family.” She takes a shaky breath and dips her head so she’s shielded by her hair. “We’re both lucky.”

Letting go of the hand on my chest, I tuck her hair behind her ear then cradle her head in my hand. “I’ve seen three-hundred-pound defensive linemen cower in front of Scarlet Kingston. Is it okay to admit watching you cut her off at the knees was fucking hot as hell?” The twin dimples in her cheeks pop deeply as her beautiful smile stretches across her face. My voice drops one step above a whisper, “You’re incredible, Annabelle Hart.”

The hand on my chest grabs the front of my shirt and our bodies erase the small space that was left. “Declan.” Her voice comes out soft before she drops her head to my chest and whispers, “everyone’s watching us.”

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