Page 69 of Destined Lovers

Everything has been perfect. We barely argued, or at least I barely gave him shite.Declan rarely argues.

We made love morning and night, exploring each other’s bodies, and getting to know one another in ways we had never done before.

And most importantly, he kept his promise. Never once did he ask why I ran or where I had been, even though many times I saw the questions burning in those eyes of his. I’m also starting to see a side of Declan that I never expected from him.

A dominant side.

But only in the bedroom.

I can feel he’s still holding back, letting me get used to having sex with him, but something deep down tells me Declan might be the exact opposite of what the world sees. Calm and cool out the outside, but hot as feck on the inside.

I stretch my arms and legs out wide in the bed, soaking in the comfort for one more moment before I head into the shower. Tomorrow we start to head home, and I’ll have to return to my little room in Agnes’s house.

Go back to beingRiley, only this time I have the drive to go forward in my life.

Declan was always a motivator, but seeing him in the flesh has put a new spark in my step to fight for what I want. For what I deserve.

Which reminds me.

I felt my phone vibrate earlier.

There are two unread messages—one from each Agnes and Bennett.

Agnes asking for her daily update. I’ve sent her pictures and given her a run down every day of all the picturesque sights we saw.

Bennett has also checked on me every day since I left. Even though he thinks I’m there in Ballyclare, painting in peace, he likes to check in no matter what.

Bennett and I have formed an unusual friendship that I wouldn’t be able to explain to Declan without going into my past. Bennett supported me in ways Declan couldn’t, and I know Declan wouldn’t understand. Even if he did, I’m positive it would hurt his feelings that I had to rely on someone else. So, I’m happy that he didn’t push me when my phone would ping with a message every day like clockwork.

Unlike me. I wanted to know who he was constantly texting. Jealousy is not something I’m used to, but it reared its ugly head many times this week. Especially when I saw the nameSadie, the same name I saw on his phone on Christmas.

Ben: Where the fuck are you, Riley? You’re not at home.

How the hell does he know this? That means he stopped by the house when I specifically told him not to give me some space this week.

Riley: I’m fine. I’ll see you tomorrow night.

Ben: No way. Tell me where you are right now. Why is your location turned off?

Riley: I needed space. See you tomorrow xx

I turn off my phone, so I can’t see any more texts. Outta sight, outta mind.

I stretch one last time, knowing I’ll be too tipsy tonight to remember the delicious feeling against my bare skin.

If I weren’t excited to find my daily note, I would stay buried in the sheets as long as possible, but I’ve become addicted to seeing them taped to the bathroom mirror each morning.

“And a softness came from the starlight and filled me full to the bone.”

W.B. Yeats

You are my light that fills me with so much love.

-Declan xx

I hold my hand over my heart and re-read it a few times before collecting it and placing them with the rest.

After this fairytale trip ends and life resumes, I will miss these daily notes, making me cherish the ones he’s given me so far that much more.

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