Page 54 of See You Maybe
“Hush,” Declan said, as he adjusted her in his arms.
She’d tell him tomorrow. Olivia let the darkness pull her under. The last thing she remembered was being placed on warm leather and a voice whispering into her hair.
“I’ve got you, Petal. You’re safe.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
County Kerry, Ireland—12 years ago
“Your tone was weird earlier.” Rose said, as they lay in bed later that night, his body curled around hers.
“When?”
“At the castle. When we were talking about your job.”
“I wasn’t really interested in conversation.”
She sent an elbow back lightly into his ribs. “Don’t be annoying. I meant before.”
“You’re a bad influence on me,” Declan teased trying to distract her. “I never thought I’d ever fuck in a National Heritage site.”
“Nice try.” Rose’s tone grew serious. “Do you want to work for your father?”
Declan stirred. “Why would you ask that?”
She lifted a shoulder. “It was just your face, or maybe your tone of voice. I don't know. It just seemed like maybe you didn't.”
“That must have been some tone of voice if you got all that. I was thinking about how to get you naked… not about work.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t pretend I don’t see you. If this time together is all we ever have, let’s at least be honest with each other.” She hugged his arm, where he held her under her breasts. “I’m leaving in less than forty-eight hours.”
Declan fought the urge to deny the inevitable racing toward them.
“And while it’s terrified me to be honest with you, I know this will likely be the most special week of my life.”
Rose shifted and rolled to face him. The light was low but he could make out the glow of her eyes. “I’m in love with you, Declan Riordan. I’m leaving, and we won’t see each other again. Let me in.”
Declan felt like his heart had seized in his chest. He couldn’t breathe. But she wasn’t done. Rose was so much braver than he’d ever be.
“I know you,” she said quietly. “I know you on a level that doesn’t make sense, and I also know that for some reason, you are terrified to tell me about yourself. You’ve been holding part of yourself back this whole time. I promise, nothing you say will change how I feel.”
She snuggled into his chest, tucking her head under his chin, and his arms closed firmly around her, wishing he never had to let her go.
“Even if I don’t know your details, I know you,” she whispered. “But I’d really like to know the details.”
In the darkness, her voice contained infinite sadness when she said, “Maybe I’ll see you someday across a crowded room…”
Declan shook his head, his throat clogged with emotion. “Not likely. Two different worlds, Petal.”
“Okay.” Her voice was resigned. “Then, if I’m never going to see you again, why can’t you be honest?”
“I don’t talk about myself.” Declan could feel a tension building inside him. He wanted to tell her. He really did, but a lifetime of self-protection was hard to break. “I told you about my brothers and sister, about my childhood dog, about how I love to read the classics. That’s not something anyone else knows,” he offered, hoping it would appease her, but knowing it wasn’t what she meant.
“There is something you’re holding inside. Who is safer to tell than someone you’ll never see again?”
Declan was silent for so long, she sighed. “I'm sorry, I shouldn’t push. Let’s just enjoy our time.”
He shook his head, his thoughts racing. “You didn't. You’re right.” His fingertips stroked up and down her spine as much to comfort himself as her. “It’s hard to talk about, because it never occurred to me, until you asked, that it was something to talk about. Until I met you, I’d never really thought about whether I wanted to follow my father into his business.”