You could be. ;)

Now you’re just trying to get a rise out of me. I get your little game, McKinnon. Push me till I defy you so that you can get your jollies by ‘teaching me a lesson.’

You’ve got me all figured out, don’t you?

Does that bother you? That I can read you?

No. I love that you can read me. Now I just have to figure out how to read you.

Hmm…Maybe I like being a mystery.

I think we both know that I can see past your walls pretty well. Hide all you want, darling, but I’ll always find you.

You think so?

I know so. When I want something, I do what it takes to get it.

So, McKinnon, tell me. What is it that you want?

You. You already know that, but I like that you asked me anyway just so you could get the affirmation you were apparently seeking, which tells me all I need to know.

And what’s that?

That you want me too.

Possibly.

Don’t be coy. You don’t need to play that game with me because you already have my full interest. I get that you’re scared, but you don’t need to be with me.

You sure about that?

There’s no doubt. What about you?

I take a moment and think about how I want to respond to his question. I don’t want to be too blunt and just say yes.

I’m afraid.

Of what?

Afraid that you’ll hurt me.

Never.

Don’t say never because you’re very capable.

If you’re afraid, I’ll hold you.

And what if I freak out?

I’ll hold you tighter.

It’s now that I realize I have a huge smile splayed across my face that has been there for most of this conversation. Regardless of the truth as to what is going on, Declan is fun to talk to. He always has been. Despite the evil I’m playing and the lies I’ve told him, I feel like I have a friend. I’m playing him just as I am with Bennett, but I despise Bennett whereas Declan was never a person I had any disparaging feelings towards. The only fault is that he’s the unlucky bastard that fell for me.

You better have a good grip.

No one will ever hold you tighter.

I could stay up all night talking to you, but I have a date tomorrow morning that I cannot be late for.

Why’s that?

This time, I opt for sweet words over the flirty, tart ones I typically use with him.

He tends to worry about me when I run late. He gets upset. But I really like this guy, so I want to be sure that I’m rested and on time so that he knows I care about him enough to not cause him worry.

I adore you.

I ____ you.

10am?

10am. Night.

Night, darling.

When I make my way back into the bedroom, Bennett is still in the same position, sound asleep. It only takes a second for my ill feelings to return, so when I slip into bed, I roll to the side so I don’t have to look at him. And with my thoughts returning to the conversation I just had with Declan, I quickly ease myself to sleep.

“DID YOU HAVE any trouble finding it?” Declan asks as I step aboard his luxury performance yacht.

“Dock K. Slip 47. Just where you said she’d be,” I say with a shiver as the biting wind gusts off the water.

“Let’s go inside.”

I follow Declan into the saloon that’s fitted with a white, linen sofa and chairs that surround a large, wooden table.

“Quick tour?” he suggests as he takes my hand, and I give him an agreeing smile as he leads me through the galley and down the stairs. After showing me the starboard cabin and en-suite, along with the guest cabin and bathroom, he leads me down to the owner’s stateroom and master en-suite. The room is sleek with rich, cherry wood, a small seating area to the side, and a large bed in the center.

Declan doesn’t waste a second when he turns me in his arms and kisses me. Relaxing into the kiss, I let him move me to his liking, and when he finally pulls his tongue out of my mouth, I grin.

“What’s so funny?”

With jest, I say, “No conversation?”

Running his hands possessively down my neck and over my tits, he squeezes them in his hands before responding, “We’ll talk after I’ve had my cock inside you.”

He then grabs my hips, lifts me up, and tosses me on the bed. He climbs on top of me and between my legs with a breathy groan as I grab his face and kiss him again. Our lips crash, and we’re a blur of quick moving hands, fumbling off each other’s clothes. When he slips my shift dress over my head, tossing it aside, I know my shopping trip was worth it when his eyes flare as he takes in my French knickers and matching bra.

With both of us up on our knees, he pauses as his eyes roam over me, taking me in. It’s awkward to have a man look at me the way Declan does, with intense want and desire.

“Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” he says softly, taking his hands and slowly running them down my ribs and stopping on my hips where he gently tugs the silk of my panties.

“Stop,” I whisper, wanting to deny his words.

“Stop what?”

“When you say things like that . . .” I start, dropping my head to break the intense eye contact, “it makes me uncomfortable.” I look back up into his eyes, adding, “I don’t know how to respond.”

“I don’t need any response, darling. But you shouldn’t be uncomfortable, not with me. I love looking at you. I love the way you look naked, your flawless, milky skin,” he says as he starts to slowly move his hands over me. “Your perfect tits,” he continues, unclasping my bra and slipping it down my arms. “Your pink nipples. It fucking makes me so hard when I see them tighten up just for me.” And then he covers my one bud with his mouth, sucking it in and swirling his tongue around before moving over to my other breast to do the same.

I run my fingers through his silky hair, and he lays me back. He begins to lightly trail the tips of his fingers down, over the swell of my breasts, and along the very sensitive skin of my abdomen, sending a shiver up my body.

“And then there’s this,” he says smooth and low as he hooks his fingers under the waist of my panties and slips them off. “Open your legs for me.”