Page 39 of Taken By the Fake Fiancé

But the butler is already shaking his head at my words.

"The weather forecast predicts a bigger lighting storm is coming in the next two hours."

I swallow hard and look again at Declan, who now appears resigned to our fate.

"I guess we can, yes, of course. I... er we will spend the night."

"Great," Helen says.

"We have several spare bedrooms here, and Declan's old bedroom, of course. You both can have that, right?"

"Yes, Mother," Declan answers as if it's the most natural thing for us to share a bedroom.

I look at him wide-eyed, and he returns my gaze with an affectionate one, brown eyes crinkling at the edges when he takes my hand in his and drops a kiss on my wrist.

"Shall we?" he intones when he looks up at me in that position, allowing me to see how ridiculously long his lashes are.

"Yes," I mustered a smile and allowed myself to be led up the stairwell and toward Declan's bedroom.

Chapter Ten

Felicity

"Oh,myGod!"Ilet out a breath the moment the door closes behind us.

This is not happening! I am about to share a bed with Declan!

"I'm sorry, I didn't know this was going to happen,"Declan says when I continue to pace.

"It's all right. You couldn't have known about the weather,"I reply.

We didn't know this was going to happen. The night had been going so well.

"I could stay in the guest room if you want," Declan, who is sitting on the edge of his double-sized bed, says.

"No, it will be strange. We are expected to share a room because we are a couple. It might rouse suspicion if your father learns that you are in the guest room instead."

Declan sighs.

"You're right. We have to do this,"he mutters,his voice low and grave.

"We have to," I sigh, then I stop and whirl around to gaze at the bed as if it's a death trap.

"Are you sure you'll be comfortable sharing a bed? I could take the floor,” Declan offers.

"The floor?" I balk. "We are going to share the bed. We are two grown adults who can do that, right?"

Declan nods and then moves toward the window and leans with his elbow against it, hips cocked to the side. He looks more than gorgeous at this moment, with his tight pants accentuating well-defined muscles and his hair slightly ruffled by the billowing wind.

"I feel like I am twelve again," he murmurs.

I move toward him and stand by his side.

"Because you're in here?" I ask, wondering when he'd last been in his childhood bedroom.

"Because I’m once again being controlled by my father. I am doing this thing against my will because of him."

"I wouldn't call that control," I tell Declan, who looks far from pleased about it. "You have a mind of your own now and have decided to do it because you know what you stand to gain. The way I see it, you're controlling the entire narrative and steering the ship."

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