Page 85 of About Last Knight

“He is. He’s huge. He looks just like Craig. Anyway, he’s in Philly for business school. He’s putting himself through school. Do you think you could find a job for him at your company?”

“Of course I can. Does this mean you and your brothers are speaking again?”

I shake my head. “No. I’m still the jezebel that got knocked up out of wedlock and then committed the worst cardinal sin of all, I got divorced. Lance reached out to me. He’s hoping to connect with family in the area. Craig cut him off. He’s waiting tables to make ends meet. He won’t take any money from me, but I’d like to at least help him out with a better paying job.”

Jackson smiles. “I think we’ve got a nice, high paying job for business school students. He’d be perfect for it.” He winks at me.

I smile. “Thanks, Jackson. I appreciate it.”

He nods and walks away.

I rub Declan’s legs. “Thank you for controlling yourself.”

“I don’t like him holding your hand.”

“Don’t be silly. He was just checking in on me.” I turn my head to look up at him. “You’re the only man I want.” I take a breath as I turn my head back around. I breathe out, “The only man I’ll ever want.” I’m realizing how true it is.

I feel him swallow hard. I hear him mumble, “I might mark your entire body so it’s crystal clear.”

I lean back on him, relax, and close my eyes again. “Fine by me.”

I feel him harden under me. I wiggle a little. “Does that thing ever go down?”

“Around you? No. Do you want it to?”

I let out a breath. “No, I suppose I don’t.” I wiggle a little more and smile.

“Watch it. I won’t hesitate to bend you over out here.”

I laugh, though part of me thinks he’d actually do it.

As evening approaches, everyone gets ready to leave. I grab Declan’s arm. “We should get going too.”

“Do you mind if we stick around? I’d like to talk to Darian a little more. It was hard with so many people around this afternoon.”

I look over. Darian and Jackson are in the hot tub. She’s sitting on his lap and he’s all over her. They’re laughing and kissing as if no one else is around.

I’m not sure I care anymore, but I know it upsets Declan.

I motion toward them. “They’re going to be like that the whole time. Can you handle it?”

He looks over and pauses, but then says, “I can if you can.”

I’m not sure he can handle it, but I reluctantly agree.

We walk over to them. Declan asks, “Do you mind if we join you? Now that it’s quieted down, I’d like to talk to you, Darian.”

Darian responds, “Of course. Please.” She motions for us to join them in the hot tub but doesn’t remotely consider removing herself from Jackson’s lap. Nor does he remove his wandering hands. It’s like they’re completely unaware of it.

Jackson looks at Declan. “Would you two prefer privacy? Melissa and I can make ourselves scarce.”

Declan shakes his head. “No. It’s better for me if she’s close by. I tend to react emotionally. She soothes and centers me.”

Darian smiles. “Still a hothead, Declan?”

Declan and I both answer, “Yes,” at the same time. Darian laughs.

We get in, and Declan pulls me to sit between his legs. He wraps his arms around me, and I lean back into him.

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