Deklan

“Sorry I couldn’t get any real clothes,” Deklan says. “We can go get your things later or even go shopping if you want.”

I stare at him as my mind plays with the idea of Deklan taking me to a mall and buying me clothing and makeup. The image of him holding up dresses for me to try on doesn’t suit him. Maybe he’d wait outside the dressing room, guarding me with his watchful eyes.

“Why are you doing this?” I can’t quite swallow past the lump in my throat.

“Doing what?”

“Getting this stuff. Talking about shopping. Being nice to me.”

Deklan takes a half step backward and stares at me.

“You said you needed that stuff.”

I stare back at him. He looks genuinely confused, and his expression mirrors my own. Everything that has happened over the last day is just too much, and the pressure behind my eyes is threatening to give way.

“Kera, what is it?”

“Nothing,” I say. “Sorry, I’m just a little tired.”

I take the plastic bag from the corner store and return to the bathroom to brush my teeth. The simple act calms me slightly. I check myself in the mirror one last time before returning to the bedroom.

Deklan is standing near the dresser. His feet are bare, and his dress shirt is draped over a chair along with his belt. I can see the sharp outline of his back muscles through his white T-shirt. He looks me over as I enter the room. His eyes darken, and he quickly wets his lips.

“Maybe you should just go to bed.”

I glance over at the monstrosity covered in pillows and blankets. If I were to get into it now, which side would I be on?

“I mean to sleep,” Deklan says, clarifying. “You said you were tired. I could even stay on the couch if you want.”

“No.” There’s no point in prolonging this any longer. “This is our wedding night, after all.”

Our wedding night.

I swallow hard.

“We don’t have to, Kera. Not unless you’re ready.”

“You said you were Catholic.”

“I am.”

“Well, marriage doesn’t even count until...until it’s consummated.”

“I’m Catholic,” Deklan says, “not living in the fourteenth century.”

“It still doesn’t count,” I say again. “The marriage can still be annulled. I bet Sean will ask, too. Would you lie to him?”

“No.” Deklan shakes his head slowly. “My loyalty is with the Foley family. I would not lie to him or go against him in any way.”

“Then we should do this.”

“I can refrain from answering for a while,” Deklan says. “I don’t have to lie to him to protect you. I could just keep my phone off. Problem solved.”

“I wouldn’t want to put you in that position.”

He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. His gaze drops for a second as he takes in the sheer white lingerie I’m wearing. My skin tingles and a shiver runs down my spine.

No one has ever looked at me in such a way, and I can only assume the look on his face is pure lust. He quickly looks back to my eyes.