“You’re too kind,” I smile, feeling my heartbeat kick up a notch at his approach.
“Take a look around the other rooms,” Declan says. I can sense a bit of pride in his voice. He must get a kick out of being able to provide like this. Usually, I’d be turned off by that sort of macho impulse. But in Declan, it doesn’t seem showy or self-serving. He seems genuinely happy that I’m happy with the place he’s set up for me.
“Don’t mind if I do,” I say, passing rather closer to him than necessary as I make my way to the kitchen. Our hands brush against each other as I skirt away.
I need to pace myself, getting close to him. It’s no use denying that I want Declan Tiberi. My sexy dreams, not to mention my waking body, are evidence enough of that. But I’ve never been past third base, myself. Hitting a grand slam with a man as powerful, as gorgeous as Declan might be more than I can handle. It scares the hell out of me, thinking about giving myself over to him that way. But despite that...it seems to be all I can think about these days.
The penthouse kitchen is all stainless steel and marble. I’ve never been one for cooking myself, but there are plenty of nice surfaces in here that a girl could find herself hoisted up on, bent over—
Get a grip, Kassie, I think to myself, hurrying onto the next room.
It’s the bedroom, of course. Just what I need for my roving imagination. The walls are a deep crimson, the floors are of polished hardwood in wide planks. There’s another, smaller fireplace in here. And of course, a sprawling king-sized bed stands front and center. I have to swallow a moan as I imagine Declan laying me out across those Egyptian cotton sheets.
I can’t believe the places my mind is going, tonight. I’ve never even slept with a man before, but now it’s all I can think about. There’s something about Declan that my body recognized and wanted right away. From the first time I saw him climb off that Harley, some part of me knew that he was the man I wanted to lose my virginity to. Now, every part of me is in agreement. The question is, does he have any interest in taking it?
“You should check out the bathroom,” Declan’s voice says from behind me.
I jump a foot in the air, surprised by his appearance. I need to stop acting like a spastic little girl if I’m ever going to seduce this man, that’s for damn sure. Trying to act casual, I cross the bedroom and push open the bathroom door.
“You’ve got to be kidding me...” I mutter.
It’s like seeing my dreams come to life. For real. The expansive, beautiful bathroom looks just like setting of the sexy dream I had, starring none other than Declan Tiberi. The enormous sunken bath, the marble and gold, even the skylight arching overhead—every detail is exactly the same. This is super-sized deja vu, right here.
“Why don’t you enjoy a nice long soak and get some rest?” Declan suggests, “You’ve got a long week coming up.”
“What do you have planned for me?” I ask.
“I figure you should take a few days to get acquainted with your surroundings,” Declan says, “Get the lay of the land. I’ll leave you a credit card so you can take yourself shopping, get styled, maybe have a few spa days.”
“Wow. That’s really generous,” I laugh nervously, “Are you going to come with me? To pick out clothes and all, I mean.”
“I trust your judgment,” Declan winks.
I can’t help but feel a little deflated. All I want to do is spend time with this unknowable man. I admit, I was getting excited about trying things on for him. Maybe I could even pull him into the dressing room with me, see if anything happened—
Stop, stop, stop, I think to myself. He’s your boss...benefactor...whatever, not a booty call. If I’m going to make a play for him, the timing has to be just right. He has to know that I’m not going to go falling in love with him if we happen to fool around. But how can I let him know that I’m down to get down without coming on like a lovesick little girl?
“If you need anything this week, I’ll be available by cell,” he goes on, interrupting my scheming thoughts.
“You won’t be around at all?” I ask.
“Don’t sound so disappointed,” he says, “I’ve just got to disappear for a few days. Business. You understand. You’ll have me all to yourself for the rest of the summer, I promise.”
“Sounds good to me,” I smile.
“And when I get back this week, I’ll start introducing you to people. Showing you around. I’ve got at least one very special day planned for us as soon as I’m back.”
“What happens on that very special day?” I ask, hoping his plans involve us, naked, on every available surface in this suite.
“You’ll meet my family, that’s what,” Declan grins.
“Your family?” I reply, deflated, “Oh...That’s...OK. Sounds like a plan. What are your parents like? Do you have siblings?”
“Oh, no,” he laughs, “Not that kind of family. I mean my real family. My brothers, you know. The club—”
“Dante’s Nine?” I ask.
“Exactly,” Declan nods, “I said I’d swing by our headquarters this week and check in. You’ll come along with me.”
“They won’t mind?” I ask, “I thought that most biker gangs aren’t—”
“We’re a club,” he cuts me off sharply, “Not a gang. I need you to understand that.”
“I—I’m Sorry,” I say quickly.
“It’s fine,” he replies, shrugging off my mistake. “Just have to make sure to keep the vocabulary straight. Wouldn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea about us.”
“Oh course. Got it. Are your, um, brothers...also your business associates?” I ask.
“You could say that,” Declan replies, “But not the kind you’re thinking of. You’ll find, Kassie, that there are a few pretty distinct circles that I run in. And those circles? They don’t exactly...work well together. One of the things you’ll be learning this summer is that who you are behind closed doors isn’t always the person you bring to parties. You have to learn how to be as many people as necessary to get what you want in life.”
“I see.”
“I know you do. That’s one of the reasons why you’re here. It’s pretty clear to me that you know what it means to mask what you’re really feeling in order to do what you have to do.”