Page 130 of Destined Lovers

His eyes darken as he looks me up and down. I’m casual, as he requested; only my blouse is low cut, my jeans are tight over my bum, and I’ve done up my hair and makeup. Just because it’s Declan and he says it’s a casual date doesn’t mean I don’t want to look good for him.

“You look breathtaking,” He leans down, kisses my cheek, and leads me toward the balcony door.

“Wait.” I pull back. “I need a jumper or coat if we’re eating outside.”

“We’re not.” He continues walking.

I pause again. “Oh my god.” I drag my eyes to his. “Are you bringing me to your red room?” I bounce on the spot.

“Nora,” he sighs. “First off, it scares me you’re this excited about a red room, and second, I told you I do not have a red room. Anything I want to do to you, I’ll do it right there.” He points to the bed and then leans down, licks my ear, and whispers, “Or the kitchen, or this fecking balcony if I please. Now, let’s go, Pip.”

I chuckle, and I follow him outside. He’s right. Why the hell was I so excited about a red room?

“Oh my… Declan,” I cry.

I lean and melt into his side as I take in the balcony. It’s filled with candles, and twinkle lights, that lead up the steps to his secret room.

“Go ahead, you first, Pip.”

With each step up the stairs, my heart beats rapidly against my chest. No one has ever done anything like this for me before.

Declan’s the only man I’ve ever dated, and we were so young that we didn’t do fancy or romantic dates.

I gasp…loud and throw my hand over my mouth. ‘Declan,’ I whisper in my head because I can’t get any words out. What is this place?

Without looking, I reach my hand out to find him. He intertwines our fingers and pulls me along the room.

“Do you like it?” he asks hesitantly.

Is he kidding me? “I love it. Declan, you did this for me?”

He pulls me back into his chest, so I can still admire the room while he kisses down my neck. “I would do anything for you, Nora. You have to know this by now.”

I nod my head. I do know this.

He is the most selfless man I’ve ever met in my life, and not just as an adult. Since the day I met him.

The room is designed as one of the most impressive art studios I’ve ever seen. Canvas, tarps, easels galore. There are shelves with new brushes and paints, including the high-end watercolors I couldn’t afford and only dreamed of using.

More of my paintings line these walls. I hope there is a way Declan can carry Maeve up here so we can paint in this magical room together. It’s large enough to set up tables for perfume making as well.

“When did you do this?”

“While we were on the road trip, it’s how I knew you liked those paints.” He pauses. “And that brand of sketchbooks.”

I drop my head and let out a heavy sigh. Of course, because he thought that was it for us, he was ready to start again, and I ran.Again.

He knows I didn’t mean it maliciously, though that doesn’t stop the guilt I feel because of it.

“Stop,” Declan demands and pulls me tighter into his chest. “I know what you’re thinking, and stop it. We’ve both agreed to move forward, so there is no dwelling on the past. All I want is to enjoy a nice dinner with my girl.”

Declan turns me and points to the other corner I’ve not seen from my prior position. He’s set up a whole area for our date night.

There’s a low table with thousands of candles, comfortable-looking cushions to sit on, and blankets scattered around the table in all different shades of beiges and blues.

This is so romantic.

“Declan,” I sigh. “You’ve got me lost for words tonight. I can’t get over it. Thank you so much. Thank you, thank you.” I hunch my shoulders and bury into him as best I can.

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