Page 78 of Greed

“That was the name.” I nod. “I used to go there all the time too. I convinced the owner to give me the recipe for their secret sauce.”

“You’re fucking kidding me?” He lets out a full chuckle. “How the hell did you do that?”

“Charm?” I shrug. “I brought her flowers sometimes because she’d often toss a free bag of potato chips my way. One day I asked for the recipe, and she made me swear I’d never share it, so I raised my hand and swore I’d keep it a secret. That’s when she jotted it down on one of their paper napkins. I’ve held onto it all this time.”

“Show me.”

I shake my head. “No way.”

A wide grin slides over his lips. “Show me the recipe, Abigail.”

I lean forward to rest both of my elbows on the table. “I made a promise to Mrs. Cloutiers, and I intend to keep it.”

His left eyebrow perks. “You weren’t her lawyer, were you? There’s no attorney-client privilege here. You can trust me to keep the sauce recipe a secret.”

“I promised her I’d keep it a secret, so no.”

“You’re loyal,” he points out. “That’s one of the qualities I admire most in a person.”

“I’m very loyal,” I agree with a nod. “Tell me one of your secrets, Declan, and I vow never to share it with another soul.”

His eyes darken as his gaze skims my face. “I’m falling hard and fast for you, Abby Duvall.”

Stunned, I stare at him, unable to say those words back to him because of a sudden lump in my throat. It’s not dread or regret that put it there. It’s hope and excitement.

“Don’t you think it’s time you gave me a tour of your bedroom?” Pushing to his feet, he holds out a hand. “I’ve been waiting all night for that.”

I stand too and drop my hand in his. With a voice that’s barely more than a whisper, I manage to say the only words I can, “Declan, I want you to know I feel things for you too.”

His lips brush mine for a kiss that’s filled with promise. “Good things, right?”

I smile as I kiss him one last time before taking him to my bed. “The very best things.”

CHAPTERFORTY-ONE

Declan

Abby glances at me.“I’m not sure I like this new approach, Declan.”

A smile slides over my lips. “What new approach might that be?”

Her hand skims over her right breast before it drops to her hip. “The approach where you stare at me but don’t touch. I can assure you that I’m ready for the main event.”

A lazy chuckle escapes me as my gaze follows the path of her hand. “What’s the main event?”

She sighs deeply. “Fucking.”

My eyes meet hers, and I find my need reflected back at me. She wants me as much as I want her, so after I undressed her, I dropped my clothes too and crawled onto the bed beside her.

The sheer curtains that cover her bedroom window are open just enough to allow a sliver of light from the city to blanket her body in a warm glow.

If this is what it feels like to be mesmerized by beauty, I never want this moment to end.

“Give me a few more minutes to stare at you.”

She rolls to her back, her delicate fingertips tracing a path over her smooth stomach. “I’ll give you three minutes. Then I want you wrapped and ready to go.”

“Three minutes?” I chuckle. “That’s not enough time. I want ten.”

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