Page 47 of Trouble

Me: I don’t know how to tie the ropes. You do. And for what it’s worth, I’d love to see you do it. But if you aren’t comfortable, we don’t have to do this.

His reply comes so quickly that the dots don’t even dance.

Declan: I’m not uncomfortable.

Declan: But you need to tell me if you get uncomfortable.

I huff a laugh and rough a hand over my mouth. That won’t happen.

There’s nothing he could do to her that I wouldn’t be totally on board with. Just the thought of him touching her has me so hard I can barely breathe.

Me: FaceTime me when you guys are ready.

Track 7

COME & GET IT

CHAPTER 22

Melina

Declan toldme to get comfortable while he went to shower, so instead of watching the water sluice down his body like I envisioned, I’m in my room, slipping on a black cropped camisole and boy shorts. I put my hair up in a messy bun, pinch my cheeks, and stare at the girl in the mirror.

I barely recognize her. I was so naïve when I left for Nashville twelve years ago. Jason was my brother’s best friend. Four years older than me. And as soon as I made it, he was there. Every step of the way.

What I once saw as support, I now realize, was control.

And I want the control back.

I want to feel comfortable in my body. Comfortable asking for the things that bring me pleasure.

A soft knock has me straightening and sucking in a breath. “Come in.”

When Declan pushes open the door and hovers at the threshold, I practically choke on my tongue. He’s wearing a black T-shirt that hugs his chest, highlighting the hills and valleys of muscle that lie beneath it. He’s all man, far older than me, and so sexy it’s sinful. With dark, conflicted eyes. “Still want me to show you how to use the rope?”

There’s a hint of hopefulness in his question, like maybe he’shoping I say no. Or maybe he’s just prepared himself for rejection in the event that I do.

I step up to him, and the smell of his shampoo—something with cedar in it—has me closing my eyes and inhaling. I can’t help but splay a palm over his chest as I peer up at him. “God, you smell good.”

His cheeks go pink under my praise.

Pressing up against him, I run my nose up the soft scruff of his chin. I brush my lips over his jaw, my mouth watering at the possibilities in front of us, and give him the tiniest of kisses. It’s nowhere near what I really want, but it sends the message. “And yes, I still want you to teach me.”

Declan remains rigid, lowering just his eyes to regard me. “You like playing games with me, Melina?”

There’s a breathlessness to his tone. Or maybe it’s just my breath he’s stolen. Because yes, I really would like to play games with this man.

Rather than answer, I take a step back, giving him room to breathe. “Where to?”

Declan thumbs down the hall, toward the living room. “I already have the phone set up so Cade can watch.”

A frisson of need fires through me so urgently that I have to bite down on my lip to keep a whimper from escaping.

“So he knows what to do next time,” he clarifies.

With a smirk, I strut past him. “Sure,” I call over my shoulder. “That’s exactly what he’s watching for.”

“Melina.”