“What are you and Chill going to do?”
He kissed her forehead. “Man things.”
She pushed him away. “Man things?”
He had no idea what he was going to do with the afternoon, but he’d figure out something. “You know, things men do.”
“Uh huh.”
He grinned and went back into the cabin of the plane.
* * *
DECLAN STOOD at the long teak bar of The Charles Hotel. He just answered a long winded text from his brother as to why he didn’t visit her since he was in L.A. Damnit why did he have to be in this alone. He had to let it go or else he would blow a gasket. He lifted the glass of single malt and took a sip. Damn this was some fine scotch. He loved this hotel. The band stayed here every time they played K.C.
“Declan?” Declan turned at the familiar voice.
Standing next to him was Bryan Charles aka BC Wub, one of the best hardcore rappers to come up in the nineties. He was a former client of Cherry’s. “Bryan, how are you?” He hugged the tall black man. He hadn’t seen him since Andy’s funeral.
“Good, is the band in town?”
“Just me. I stopped by for a steak.”
He seemed surprise Declan could do anything without an entourage. “By yourself?”
“Jane is gilding the lily.” He checked his watch she should be down any moment.
Bryan clutched his heart. “Scared me for a moment all is right with the world.”
“How’s Hannah and the kids?”
“Hannah’s good. Zeke just graduated college. Victoria is going to start an internship with Cherry this summer, Sam is playing football for Texas A&M, thinking about medical school and Sarah a senior in high school.
He remembered Bryan had some nice kids. “Damn you’re old.”
“Thrilled to be that way. There was a time I didn’t think I’d see my thirties.”
“You miss the spotlight?” Bryan took the money and ran and became a real estate mogul in his hometown. Not bad for a kid who, by his own admission had been heading for trouble. Until he figured out he had a talent for tight rhymes and beats.
He shook his head. “Hell no. I had my time. Now I’m just a fat happy business man who gets to reap the rewards of his success.”
Declan looked around the elegant bar full of people. “Business is good.”
“Almost as good as family. Hannah and I are looking forward to our empty nest. She wants to take a world cruise and let Zeke put that fancy business degree to use.”
Declan leaned against the bar. “Did you think you’d have a life beyond music?”
“I didn’t think I’d have a life beyond the streets, but then I fell into Cherry’s lap and she introduced me to Hannah and I started thinking about a future.”
“She is good at finding what a person needs.” Technically speaking she was responsible for getting him Jane.
“How are you doing? Andy’s death … He was a good man.”
“We’re working on a new album down in New Orleans. It’s slow going, but we’re doing it.”
He had this knowing glint in his dark eyes. “Cherry’s idea to send you south?”
“Yeah.”
“After I got shot, the woman got some crazy idea I needed to get out of my comfort zone. She sent me to Oslo. How is a brother supposed to find a beat in Norway?”
“Did you?”
“Hell yeah ‘Fear Me’ was my best album.”
That was his favorite album from BC. “She’s got the magic.”
“She does.” Bryan looked over his shoulder. “Remind me I’m a married man.”
“Why?”
He pointed to the bar entrance. “That is why.”
Declan turned and saw Jane standing in the entrance. He smiled. The black Dolce & Gabbana dress he’d picked for her fit her to perfection. The body con dress hugged her curves like a lovesick python. Damn he was good.
“She’s yours?”
Was it obvious? He didn’t care. If he could he’d put a big sign on her head that said mine he would. “That she is.”
Bryan sighed. “That’s why a man goes into the music business.”
“It’s one of the perks, but I think she’d like me if I was an electrician.”
“Marry her. Those women are rare.”
Jane walked over to them and a few feet before them she stopped gawked at Bryan and for second had a pure unadulterated fan girl moment. It was pretty funny to see, but she collected herself and came over. She stuck out her hand. “Hello.”
Bryan took her hand and lifted it took his lips. “Jane, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You know my name.” she said, her voice was breathy. Declan forced himself not to laugh until he noticed Bryan didn’t let go of her hand.
“Declan said you were gilding the lily, but the lily didn’t need much work.”
“Thank you.” She said excitedly.
Bryan finally let go of her hand. “Since your Declan’s and I’ve known him since he was in braces, I’m not going to put the moves on you.”
“Bodyguard.”
“What?”
“I’m his bodyguard.”
Well that just killed it for him.
“What kind of trouble do I need to be in to get you?”
“The kind that shoots at you.” Declan said a bit agitated.
“Been there done that.”
Fuck that was rude. Now he felt like crap. Bryan had almost died. “Shit I’m sorry man.”
“Don’t be. Changed my life.” He winked at Jane. “Dinner is on me. Take care of him Jane. He’s good people.”
“I will.”
Declan and Bryan hugged and Bryan whispered in his ear.
“Keep her.”
“I’m working on that.”
Declan watched Bryan walk away. “BC Wub? I’m trying to imagine you listen to ‘Deadbeat Baby Daddy’.” He touched his forehead. “Not happening.”
“With the exception of a potty mouth, I know I’m a tight ass. My older brother David snuck me out of house and took me to one of his concerts when I was sixteen. The night was incredible. David’s going die when I tell him who I met.”
He waved his hand around his head. “I’m still trying to picture you listening to rap.”
“Don’t be shocked, I’m a big eighties Madonna fan and I love The Who.”
Not having that either. “Nope.”
“What do you think I listen to?”
“’Battle Hymn of the Republic’. ‘Ballad of the Green Berets’.”
She slapped him on the arm. “Shut the fuck up.”
“Nope we are having conversation tonight. We’re dating.” He smiled and walked her over to their table. His hand slipped over the curve of her butt. “Let me take a moment to congratulate myself on the dress I picked.” He stepped back and fingered one of the bows on the straps. “I’m going to love taking it off of you tonight.”
“Good luck they had to sew me into it.”
“Are you wearing panties?”
“I am not.”
He felt himself get hard. How the hell was he supposed to make it through dinner with that thought in his head. Just then the waiter arrived and took their order. Declan waited for the man to leave before he continued the conversation. “I love your hair.” The wild sexy waves surrounded her face.
“It’s called beachy waves and it took the stylist, hair dresser and makeup artist, an hour to come up with the concept.”
“You’re worth every minute.”
“I do feel sexy. Thank you.”
“You are always sexy.” He meant every word.
“I work at a job where being sexy is not always required.”
“You do sexy well. It’s almost as hot a tomboy Jane.”
She snorted. “Do you believe your bullshit.”
There was his Jane. “If I’ve learned anything hanging with you is bullshit is a waste of time. I stick with the truth.”
“You know that was t
he nicest thing you’ve said to me.”
“I like being nice to you.”
“I like it when your nice to me.”
“I believe you like me Jane.”
“What’s not to like.”
“Well I am me.”
She laughed. “Why are we dating tonight?”
Before he could answer his cell phone pinged. He was expecting a text from Brody so he needed to answer. “Hopefully this is my brother who is going to get a major ass chewing, so we are tabling this for a second.” He looked at the number but didn’t recognize it. He got up and walked away from the table. “Hello?”
“Declan why can’t you love me?”
“Who is this?”
“The one you should love. Not that fake blonde bitch.”
“How did you get this number?”
“I love you Declan. Why did you leave me in New Orleans? Where are you?”
“Don’t call me again.” He hung up the phone and slipped it in his pocket. He wasn’t going to tell Jane about the call until later. He didn’t want to ruin the night. His stalker was in New Orleans so he was safe. Yeah he knew it would get him to some trouble, but hell no he wasn’t going to ruin date night. He was getting between those legs tonight and it was worth the risk.
When he got back to the table the appetizers had arrived. They ate in companionable silence mostly because Jane was starving and she got a little hangry if she didn’t eat regularly which was cool because he liked to watch her eat.
“Did you want a nightcap?”
“You’re not drinking are you?
“A nice glass of bovine wine with a piece of cheesecake.”
“Let’s skip the drink there is cheesecake to eat and sex to have.”
She smiled looking relieved. “Thank you for thinking of my stomach.”
“I was thinking of my dick. Because my boner from the other night hasn’t subsided.”
She poked out her bottom lip. “Are you mad I didn’t give you a happy ending?”
“Naw. I’ll make it up tonight.”
She sighed.
“Was that a good sigh or a bad one?”
“Sometimes my vagina needs some down time.”
“It had the night off.” He leaned forward. “Maybe I’ll just fuck that incredible ass tonight.”
Her mouth dropped open.
“Speechless? I like it.”
“What makes you think I do that?”
“Do you?”
“I have, but most men are a bit more subtle about asking.”
“I’m not asking.”
She shook her head. “Just because you’re the vagina whisperer, doesn’t mean you get to run the show.”
“The vagina whisperer?”
“Pretty much.”
He sat back and wanted to high five himself, but that would have been egotistical. “I’ve been called worse things.”
“Not by me.”
“Let’s get this done.”
“I haven’t eaten my cheesecake.”
Declan stood threw couple of hundreds on the table. He helped her out of her chair and then he grabbed the plate of cheesecake and headed to the private elevator to the penthouse.
* * *
JANE WATCHED Declan lick his upper lip and a shiver of desire ran through her.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”
Was that her blushing? “You did.”
“It bears repeating.”
She held up her hands, feeling a heated flush creep up her cheeks. She couldn’t remember the last time a man made her blush. “Stop okay.”
He tilted his head. “Does it make you uncomfortable?”
“No.”
Declan raised an eyebrow. “Are you lying to me? Because you don’t lie to me. You don’t tell me the entire truth or you avoid the subject or you turn the tables, but you don’t lie.”
She wasn’t sure how to feel about a man she was sleeping with who knew her so well. “Are you trying to get inside my head.”
“Just your panties. Oh that’s right you’re not wearing any.”
“What’s your game Declan?”
“I want you.”
“I get that.” She nodded, on a rational level she understood all of this, it had happened before with a principle, but she never returned any of the feelings.
“No you don’t. I’ve never wanted a woman like I want you.”
“You realize it’s just the situation, the stalker, the baby, this thing with Malcolm and Fox. Its thrown the whole thing into crazy land.”
“It might play a part, but its more.”
“In what way?”
“You like me.”
“I do.”
“I haven’t been with a woman who just liked me.”
She reached up a palmed his cheek. “Stupid girls.”
He grinned.
“But then again, you probably have something to do with that.”
He rolled his eyes. “And she ruins the moment.”
“Were we having a moment?”
“Not anymore.”
“My bad.”
He ran his hands up her arms. “And there is another thing. You don’t let my ego off the leash.”
“Then I’d have to kill you myself.”
“Why do you minimize what we are having.”
Because it was safer that way. For her and probably for him, but she couldn’t seem to verbalize that thought. “Because emotions are heightened by danger, add in the baby and the Stockholm syndrome.”
“Always so logical.”
“I rarely have situations where I can be illogical.”
“We are in a swanky hotel room hundreds of miles from my stalker, be illogical.”
She'd already taken a dive in that pool. “Trust me where you’re concerned I’ve been very illogical.”
“I bring that out in women.”
“I want you.”
“You make it sound so bad.”
“I broke every rule for you.”
“I know.” He slid his hands down her arms until they rested on her hips.
Jane began to unbutton his shirt, she forced herself to do it slowly calmly as if she was in control. She wasn’t but she liked to pretend. She got him out of his shirt, slowly sliding it over his arms until his chest was bare. She took a second to admire his supple tanned flesh and sculpted muscles. Broad shoulders flared down to a chiseled stomach. Declan Shaw was male beauty personified. She grabbed his belt and began to unfasten it before he stopped her. He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed her fist. Then he moved around her and pulled her back flush against his chest. He let his hands roam up her body until they cupped her breasts. A moan escaped her mouth as the heat of his hands engulfed her.
“Are you okay?”
“They’re just a little sensitive.”
He massaged her breasts and nuzzled her neck at the same time. “Because of the baby?” He gave her a gentle squeeze.
This was the weirdest foreplay ever. “What are you doing?”
“Checking to see if they are any bigger.”
“How can you tell?”
“I play with them every night.”
Jane laughed. Sex with Declan was fun. Not just scratch an itch fun. Just plain fun. She reached behind her back and began to unbuckle his belt.
“That’s a nifty trick,” he said when she was pulling down his zipper. “Where did you learn that?”
“Commando school. You never know when you’re going to need to untie yourself,” she said as she slipped her hands into his underwear.
He groaned. “My tax dollars at work. I approve, but you hold that thought for a second,” he said as he grabbed her wrists and dragged them to her side.
She loved that she could get him so excited so quickly and she let him have the control back. Because letting him take charge was okay with her. She rarely felt comfortable enough with a man to allow that, but with him she felt safe.
He pulled the
zipper down on the back of the dress and slide the silky material over her skin, and worked the dress off her body. His lips trailed over her butt cheek and down her legs until the dress rested at her feet. Carefully he lifted one leg at a time and then tossed the dress across the room. He stood up and pulled her against him.
She could feel his hard cock against her back and she wriggled her butt against him. He growled near her ear. He roped an arm around her waist and used his other hand to nudge her legs apart. Then he slipped his fingers between her legs and toyed with her swollen pussy lips. Wetness eased down her. He moved his other hand up to her breast and he began to massage her. His fingers inside her and on her breast were gentle. Jane thrust her ass back and ground herself against his cock. Heat danced on her skin. She loved the way he touched her. He always knew when she needed tenderness or when she wanted it rough. Tonight she wanted tenderness.
He pinched her clit. Not hard, just enough to send a bolt of pleasure up her spine. He began to finger fuck her with long slow strokes. He nuzzled her neck and stroked her skin with his tongue. Her eyes fluttered closed and she let the sensation wash over her.
“Layla.” He whispered in her ear.
Her eyes opened and she tried to speak.
Declan laughed against her skin. “It’s perfect.”
She liked that he called her that. She was glad she told him. She moaned.
“No one gets to call you that but me.”
She just moaned.
“Say it.”
She could barely breathe much less talk.
He slowly rolled her nipple through his long talented fingers. “Say it.”
Jane gulped air. “No one but you.”
“Layla.”
His voice was husky and low in her ear. Desire shimmered through her as he said her secret name over and over in her ear. She gripped the hand on her breast and forced him to move harder against her. Her other hand joined his in her pussy. She slipped a finger inside herself and began to stroke herself. She could feel both of their fingers moving inside of her and the sensation was incredible.
She felt the pressure building, but she wanted his cock inside her when she came. Just him dating her was foreplay enough. “Stop, Declan.”
His hand stopped and withdrew from between her legs. “Am I hurting you?”
I Hate Myself For Loving You Page 22
