“Aye, you needed it, Pip. But I didn’t want you to oversleep, so up you get.” He slides his thick arm under my stomach and pulls me up. I give him zero help.
I’m lifeless.
He pulls me to his chest, I rest my head on his shoulder, and my arms hang limply at my side. He maneuvers my legs so I straddle him, and he holds me tight, continuing to stroke up and down my spine.
That feels so nice. I could fall back to sleep, no problem.
“You have two minutes to wake up, Pip. Then I have to get into the gym.”
“Mmm, okay.” I close my eyes again and snuggle into his warmth.
“Nora,” Declan reclines to look at me, “You need to wake up, babe.”
“Two more minutes,” I cry. “You said two minutes.”
“You’re worrying me now. Please sit up.” The anguish in his voice wakes me up, barely. Reluctantly, I lean back and see his forehead creased with worry.
“Nora, I gave you another thirty minutes. Are you feeling okay?”
“Oh god, it felt like thirty seconds. I feel fine. Give me some time.” I yawn. “Put me on my feet, please.”
He lifts me. I need to stand to wake up. If I continue lying on Declan’s chest, I’ll fall right back into a deep sleep.
“I think everything is finally catching up with me. It’s all these years of stress dragging me down.”
I stretch, lifting my arms over my head. “Ouch!” I squeal and rub my burning nipples.
“Aye, that will do it.” He smirks. “You needed a little jolt to wake you. I helped kickstart it.”
“You’re an eejit.” I grin and look down at myself. “Why am I naked?”
“I was naked when I woke up too… four hours ago.” He widens his eyes.
“Oh,” I chuckle.
“Well, thanks for the little tweak,” I shimmy my boobs in his face, “I’m wide awake now.”
He makes a grab for boobs again, but I sidestep and run into the bathroom before he can help himself.
I crack open the door and stick my head out, “You can touch if you want to play in the shower with me,” I wiggle my brows.
“Not today, sorry, Pip. Gym time for me.” he leans against the doorjamb, looking me up and down. “Rain check?”
I frown, “Boring.” I close the door in his face, then secretly hurry up in the shower so I can catch a glimpse of him working out.
We’ve been on opposite schedules the last few days, and I never get a peek at his glorious body hard at work.
* * *
I open the gym door, and the music is blasting through the speakers, but somehow, Declan senses me and stops and looks at me through the mirror.
“You’re barely sweating.” I look him up and down unashamedly.
Declan is the epitome of sexy—a broad chest of pure muscle, tanned skin, and a tattoo dedicated to me. What could be better?
No, matter how many times my eyes roam his body, I can’t get enough.
I’m addicted to this perfect specimen.