“Is this about sex?”
“No. Yes. I mean, damn it, I want you, Declan. You know I do. But it’s not about that. I think…well, I think the physical part is so good because there is more to it than just sex.”
Declan slid across the couch and took her hand. His touch felt like an electric charge. “I knew you were scared. I understand; you know. I feel all the same things.”
“You do?”
His hand slid down her hair in a gentle caress. “Of course, I do. I’ve never felt like this. Never.” He kissed her then, soft and sensual, but oh-so-tender. When he raised his head, he stared into her eyes. “I need to tell you some things. I need to know if you can deal with what I have going on in my life.”
“If this is about your job—”
He stopped her words with a brush of his lips. “It is. I have to take over the firm or my father won’t retire. He and my mom are trying to work things out. I have to give them that chance. That means a lot of demands the next year. A lot.”
Her hand went to his cheek, stroking the stubble on his square jaw. “And you’re telling me this why?”
“It will impact you. Us, that is. I’ll work long hours and I’ll take some cases I won’t love. But when it’s over, I’ll leave and open my own practice. I want you to know there’s an end in sight. If you’re willing to ride it out with me.” He paused and drew her hand to his mouth. “What I’m saying is I want to know where this is going, you and me. I need to know.”
She smiled. “I need to know too. And you’re worth a little pain for the pleasure, Declan. I’m not going to bail because you’re trying to take care of your parents. In fact, I find the fact that you would sacrifice for their happiness incredibly sexy.”
His brow lifted and a smile played on his deliciously sensual mouth. “Is that so?” he asked.
“Hmmm,” she purred, and moved, pushing him against the couch and straddling him. “And I might even let you be on top sometimes.”
He laughed and she nipped his earlobe. “Make love to me, Declan,” she whispered.
Declan framed her face with his hands and looked at her. His eyes were hot and demanding, searching for the truth. For confirmation of the meaning behind her words. Her hands went to his. “Make love to me, Declan.” She repeated the words, sensing he needed to hear them.
And then he kissed her, sealing the promise inside the words with a hot, sensual claiming of her mouth. And as he moved, claiming her position on top and laying her down on the couch, she smiled.
On top. On the bottom. It really didn’t matter.
But making love. That mattered.
THE END