Page 15 of See You Maybe
His body strained against his clothing, the caveman in him wanting to rip off his own clothes and press his body against all that soft skin. His muscles tense, Declan retrieved the trashcan from the bathroom and filled a glass with water before placing both next to the bed.
“Thanks,” she whispered, her eyes drifting shut.
He should leave now. The girl was safe in her hotel bed. Declan didn’t belong here. Except everything in him told him to stay. It didn’t make sense. He’d hadn’t even had a coherent conversation with Rose, and yet he felt drawn to her.
His Irish grandmother had been full of stories about Celtic mysticism and fate, that he’d always dismissed as superstitious nonsense. For a split second before his logical brain reengaged, it struck him that the concept didn’t feel so far-fetched anymore.
Declan brushed a heavy lock of hair off her forehead, and Rose let out a contented sigh.
“Goodbye, Rose,” he whispered, and then did something completely out of character. Declan leaned forward and kissed her forehead, allowing his lips to linger for a minute as he inhaled her scent.
Shaking his head at his ridiculousness, Declan picked up her clothes off the bathroom floor and set them on the chair.
Why are you stalling?
A soft snore disturbed the silence, and he smiled. No more excuses. It was time to go. Turning off the bathroom light, his hand was on the door handle when he heard the first whimper. A sound so sad he couldn’t help but look back.
Rose’s eyes were screwed shut, her face scrunched in unhappiness. He hesitated with the exterior door partially open.
It’s just a nightmare. People have nightmares.
A low, mournful sound filled the room. “Don’t. I won’t tell. I promise. Open the door. Please.” Her voice bordered on panic, and she began thrashing under the covers.
Declan shut the door with a quiet snick. “Rose.” He sat on the side of the bed and shook her shoulder. “Rose,” he repeated, leaning closer.
Her eyes flew open, and for a minute she stared up at him, her gaze burning into his. “Don’t leave me alone in the dark.”
Was she awake, or was this a night terror?
Either way, he hurried to turn the bathroom light on, pulling the door so that a thin band fell across the foot of the bed.
“Please. Don’t leave me,” her soft voice begged.
Declan knew she wasn’t fully present in the moment. Most likely she had no idea what she was saying, but his self-control had officially reached its limit.
Toeing off his boots, he pulled the cover back to join her in the bed. Just until she was solidly asleep, he told himself.
But when she rolled toward him, pressing her full breasts against his arm, her nipples peaking, Declan thought he might break. His cock throbbed painfully against the zipper of his jeans, and he adjusted himself while trying to think of anything but the naked woman next to him.
Nope.
He was trying to do the right thing, but Declan was far from a saint. Sitting up abruptly, he pulled his shirt over his head and then forced it over Rose’s head, gently working her arms into the sleeves. Her hair looked like a tousled dark halo around her pale skin, illuminated only by the bathroom light. She pursed her lips and frowned. She was definitely awake now.
“Go to sleep, Rose.”
She flopped back on the pillow and tucked her hands under her cheek. “I know this is a dream, but this is the best one I’ve had in a long time.” She rubbed her toes against his shins. “Those are rough. Take them off.”
“Not a good idea.”
Seriously, he wanted a medal and maybe a fucking parade.
“Yes.” Rose rubbed her feet against him. “I don’t like it. Sexy dream men don’t wear jeans to bed.”
Her hands went to his buckle, and Declan grabbed her hands, trapping them before pulling them away. The second he let go, they were back, a stubborn expression on her face.
“If I take them off, will you roll over and go to sleep?”
“MmmHmm.”