He leads me to the passenger seat and lifts me up into the truck. When he climbs in his side, he tugs me over for a quick peck before he starts the truck and drives us towards Atlanta.
I think I’m still in shock because I can’t form a sentence, so I stare out the window. My mind is racing with so many questions and so much regret, and I’m pretty sure Declan is going to hate me when he finds out about my time with Finn in Paris.
“Why are you so quiet?” He pulls my hand out of my lap so he can hold it.
“I think I’m in shock. I’m surprised to see you and be here right now.”
“Rave, I wouldn’t be anywhere else in the world than with you when you returned. I finally broke your mom down, and she told me your return flight information. Since then, I have rehearsed so many things I want to say to you, and when you walked off that plane, you were a vision in my dreams.”
Tears threaten again but I squeeze his hand to let him know his words mean a lot to me. He pulls off a familiar exit headed towards Lenox Square.
“Dec, where are we going?”
“I got us a room fo
r the night so we could talk, and I need some time with you before I give you back to your family and friends tomorrow. I’m not in the mood to share but, Charlie threatened my manhood if I didn’t have you home by tomorrow afternoon.”
I smile about that conversation. Then I remember I need to call my parents. I find my phone and power it up, and I have several text messages but only one catches my eye. It’s from Finn.
Baby Girl, I called him for a reason. I’m still not convinced he deserves you, but I know when I’ve been beat. I love you. Let me know when you get home safely.
My heart breaks all over again. Leaving him this morning was tortuous, but this is too much. The ocean separates us and there’s an ache in my heart for my best friend. Declan notices the change in my demeanor.
“Was that from Finn?”
“Yes, how’d you know?”
“Finn and I spoke at length today. I was pretty sure he was going to contact to you when you landed.”
I didn’t realize we had stopped, but a bellman opens my door and I look at my surroundings.
“Oh my God! We’re at the Ritz. What are we doing here?”
“First thing we’re doing is checking in and then getting dinner. I wanted the best for your first night back in my arms.”
My heart drops again because I have to tell him about me and Finn. But he swings out and goes inside to check us in.
I fumble in the back trying to get to a change of clothes for the night. Declan comes back and pulls a rolling suitcase from the backseat.
“Raven, I got your stuff for tonight. Don’t worry about rummaging through luggage. Come on.” He extends his hand to me, and I follow him to our room.
Chapter 8
The Ritz Carlton
Our room is beautiful. Declan must have arranged to have a room higher level because the view is great. I drop my purse on the chair and gaze out across the skyline. His arms settle on my hips, and I lay back on his chest.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
I can’t help but giggle. Such an odd thing to hear from him.
“What?”
“Just not a phrase I thought would come out of your mouth.”
“I must have said it wrong then because it sounds much more badass in the books I’ve been reading.”
I raise my eyebrows, but he shrugs.