Page 94 of See You Maybe

“Ah, Petal,” Declan whispered, his cheek pressed hard against her hair. “I understand. More than anyone.”

Declan pulled back to gaze at her then, and a couple of the tears she’d kept at bay slipped down her cheeks. His lips caught one and kissed its trail back to the corner of her eye. Olivia’s breath caught.

“You’ve worked so hard,” he said against her temple. “This isn’t your fault.”

Olivia’s eyes fluttered closed at the sensation of his lips on her skin, but it was her own gasp, as his lips found the spot beneath her ear, that brought her back to her senses.

What am I doing?

Olivia pushed Declan away, and practically jumped to her feet. “Manipulating me by being nice won’t make me stop fighting for my company.”

Olivia knew she wasn’t angry with him, but it was easier to hide behind that emotion, than admit how she really felt.

“You show up and ruin people’s lives. People I care about. And you think, with a few sweet words and kisses, you can make me give up?” Her chest heaved as she glared down at Declan, her heart pounding with more than anger.

Declan pushed to his feet, muscles tight, standing so close she could feel the heat rolling off him. “You think I kissed you because I was trying to manipulate you?”

Olivia folded her arms tight across her chest, her pulse skittering frantically. “You’re the one who accused me of not being able to stay professional. So, what was that?”

Declan’s eyes glittered, his nostrils flared. His battle for control played out over his features, and she couldn’t resist jabbing him again. “You made it abundantly clear that what we had is over. You don’t get to play these games with me.”

Declan's hand shot out to catch her wrist, yanking her against his chest. Violet eyes flashing, he crushed his lips to hers, his tongue sweeping into her mouth. A guttural groan vibrated through him as he buried his hand in her hair. Olivia arched her back, and Declan's hand flexed on her hip before sliding lower, curving over her ass.

Olivia thrust her fingers into Declan’s hair, moaning as desire flooded her body. It had been so long since she had felt his mouth on hers. Too long. Declan’s heart hammered through the smooth fabric of his shirt, its hectic pace matching her own. She rolled her hips against his hard length, desperate for the friction they both needed.

“You taste so fucking sweet,” Declan rasped, as his mouth traveled to her jaw, nipping and kissing until he reached the pulse point fluttering madly in her neck. Jolts of pleasure shot through her when he set his lips over it and sucked. His grip held her tight as she ground her body against him.

“I can’t get enough of you. Can never get enough,” he growled, his mouth moving across her collarbone before dipping to the scooped neck of her sweater. “I dreamed of this skin.”

Olivia cried out, her head thrown back when he released her hair and kneaded her breast, rolling her nipple through her thin sweater. Need rushed through her body at dizzying speed, and her fingers twisted in his hair pulling his mouth back to hers.

Declan kissed her like he couldn’t get enough. The heat of his mouth devoured her. His tongue and lips claiming her, consuming her.

A tiny fission of unease snuck through her arousal, telling her to slow down. Because Declan was consuming her. It happened every time she was near him. Olivia forgot about the world around them. There was only him and the way he made her feel.

But most importantly, she forgot that Declan didn’t truly want her—not really. He’d made that clear.

Olivia pulled back, bringing her hands up between their bodies to push him back.

Her breath came in ragged, choppy gasps. “No.” Declan’s eyes were wild, almost black with arousal. “No,” she repeated.

Chest straining against his shirt as he tried to catch his breath, Declan’s arms fell away, and she instantly felt the cold of his loss. His hair was in disarray from where her fingers had tunneled through it, his face flushed. Her body ached with the need to press against him again, to put his hands back on her body.

“I can’t do this. I won’t let you use me again.”

Declan recoiled as if she struck him. “I never used you.”

“First, you pretend you don’t know me, then you tell me you remember but it meant nothing. Finally, you say it meant something, but it’s over, and I need to keep our interactions professional. And tonight…” Her voice broke. “You kissed me like you never wanted to let me go. I am not a toy, Declan. I don’t exist only when you feel like playing with me. I deserve more than that. I have to let you go,” she whispered.

Olivia avoided his gaze as she straightened her top and tucked her hair behind her ears. She couldn’t look at him. Couldn’t risk him seeing how fragile she really was. Olivia drew in a deep breath and forced her gaze back to his face. “We work together, and you’re getting married.”

The muscle in Declan’s jaw clenched once, twice, and on the third flex, Olivia watched the walls slam shut in his eyes. She wanted to beg him not to go, but she bit her lip instead.

Declan’s face hardened. “You’re right. This was a terrible mistake,” he said stiffly. “It won’t happen again.”

A sharp burn took root behind her sternum. She was the one who stopped. So why did it hurt so much to hear him agree with her?

Olivia turned to go, but Declan caught her hand at the last second, drawing her to a halt. They stood in silence, their hands linked, but when she looked back over her shoulder, Declan wasn’t looking at her. His head was bowed, eyes fixed on the carpet in front of him. The air was heavy between them, and the ache in Olivia’s chest spread until it was hard to breathe. Declan squeezed her fingers and then released her hand, turning his back to walk to his desk.