Page 53 of #Lovestrong

Declan

Dad sent Darcy into the house the moment we pulled into the driveway. I'm glad because if I had to listen to them scream at each other for one more minute, I might’ve lost my mind. I don't know what the hell Darcy was thinking tonight, but even she knows better than to get near Ashton. That guy is the worst kind of trouble, and he drags down anyone who gets too close.

I flip down my visor and check out my face in the mirror. Lena wasn't kidding about the black eye. It doesn't hurt as bad as it should, but it's gonna look worse tomorrow morning. Sighing, I flip the visor back up and run my hands over the top of my steering wheel.

"Declan." Dad's voice is stern and quiet. I sigh and grip the steering wheel, mentally preparing for the talking-to I know is coming. "I'm proud of you, son."

I do a double take and stare at him with wide eyes. "What?"

He chuckles and lets out a deep breath. "Fighting on school grounds is stupid, and as much as I want to yell at you for risking getting in trouble, especially when you have a scholarship riding on your athletics, I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because you stood up to a boy who put his hands on a girl without her consent. I would've done the same thing. Even now, at my age, with my career, if I saw a man put his hands on a woman, I wouldn't stand by and do nothing."

I close my mouth, not realizing it’s open. As much as I want to say something to him, no words come to mind. Finally, he reaches over and places a hand on my shoulder.

"You plan to go talk to her?"

"I kinda thought I was going to be grounded."

"Not tonight, though I strongly suggest a shower before showing up at her house." We both laugh as we climb out of my car and head into the house.

A half hour later, wearing sweatpants and a tank top undershirt, I cut the engine of my car in front of Grandma Mabel's. It's after eleven and I prayed the entire way over here her grandpa doesn't kill me for showing up this late.

My heart thumps in my chest as I climb the stairs, and I jump as the door swings open just as I'm about to knock on it. Mr. Gary stands on the other side of the doorway with a serious look on his face. I swallow, trying to find my voice again.

"I know it's late, Sir, but is there any way I can talk to Lena, just for a minute?"

"She told us what happened at the football game. Hell of a shiner you got."

I stare at him, unsure what to say, and after a moment, he steps back and gestures for me to come inside. As soon as the door closes, Mrs. Deb gets up from the couch and comes over. Taking my face gently in her hands, she turns my head to the side and gently runs her fingertips over the bruise.

"Have you put ice on this?"

"No, Ma'am. I showered and came here."

She shakes her head and lets go of my face. "I'll give you two a minute and then I'll bring you some ice. She's in her room."

Walking down to Lena's room, my pulse quickens again. I don't know why I'm so scared to face her, but I am. Scared isn’t even the right word. I’m terrified. I knock softly and wait, but she doesn't answer. Cracking the door open, I find her room is completely dark save for the bathroom light. Shutting the door quietly behind me, I stop and stare at her, curled up in the center of her bed, hugging a pillow.

She's so damn beautiful.

I move to the side of her bed and sit behind her, kicking my tennis shoes off before lying down beside her. As much as I don't want to wake her, I need her right now. I don't even know why, I just do. Gently, I move her hair off her shoulder and kiss her skin, wrapping my arm around her waist. She wakes with a start and turns toward me, her eyes wild for a moment until they settle on my face, recognition seeping into her eyes.

I open my mouth to say something and she kisses me, stealing my breath. The next thing I know, she's facing me, her hands under my shirt, trailing her nails across my skin, sending shivers all over my body. As I roll into a sitting position, she straddles me and grabs my hair, my mouth moving to her neck.

Between my sweats and her pajama shorts, there's no resistance between her and my arousal, and when she shifts, grinding her body into mine, I damn near lose it.

"Lena . . . Lena, baby, stop." I grab both sides of her face and force her to look in my eyes. Her breathing is erratic, and I've never wanted to go too far with a girl like I do right now.

"What's wrong," she asks, fear and disappointment heavy in her voice.

"Baby, listen to me," I say, trying to calm my body. "I want you more than anything, but—"

"But?"

"But I want it to be perfect. I want to know I'm one hundred percent ready to go there, and I want a ring on your finger first."

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