I slip out of bed and begin my day, letting Declan sleep on. The sun has barely risen when I pad out into the kitchen. Anxiety courses through my veins, tightening my every muscle. My body feels like it's on high alert, like I’m anticipating some sort of threat. And try as I might to soothe myself with a nice cup of coffee and a beautiful sunrise, I can’t shake the feeling that something is off.
“Of course,” I mutter, recalling today’s significance. The couple of weeks that Lorenzo gave Declan to rethink his decision have passed. And I have no idea whether Declan has decided to stand firm or compromise. Hell, I don’t even know what their deal entails. I know I have to respect Declan’s boundaries here, but I hate being in the dark like this.
I settle down before my laptop and start plugging away at the day’s work, trying to distract myself. I fall into my task, getting so absorbed that only Declan’s waking up finally breaks my concentration.
“You’re up early,” he says, stepping out into the living room.
I stifle a groan as I drink in the sight of him. He wears nothing but a pair of black briefs, his muscled chest and limbs on perfect display. Ink scrawls all over his cut form, and his dark curls are sleep-tousled. All at once I find that I’m insanely hungry—and not for breakfast, either.
“I’m gonna need you to turn around and go back to bed,” I say, crossing the room to him. I let my hands run down his cut arms as a wicked smile spreads across his lips.
“Still want to catch a few winks?” he asks, cupping my ass in his hands.
“I’m more interested in snagging a good morning fuck,” I reply.
“As much as I’d love that,” he says, kissing along my neck, “I don’t think we have time just now...”
“What do you mean?” I laugh, “We have a whole gorgeous day ahead of us. And I’d prefer it to be filled with you, filling me—”
“I may have arranged a little surprise for you this morning,” he says, running his hands up my sides, “And it should be arriving any minute now.”
“A surprise?” I ask, “Declan, I’m not a big fan of surprises.”
“I think you’ll be happy with this one,” he insists.
“Not if it keeps us out of bed,” I reply, pouting theatrically.
“Just wait,” he says, tucking my hair behind my ears, “You’re gonna love it.”
My protestations are silenced by the sound of our elevator dinging in the hallway. I raise my eyebrows at Declan, resistant to the idea of having something sprung on me.
“Give me a hint,” I plead, “What do you have in store for me, Tiberi?”
“It’s not so much of a what,” he grins, as a knock on the door sounds out, “It’s more of a...who.”
He goes to the door and pulls it open before I can hide myself away. I peer nervously across the threshold, expecting a team of waxing specialists or God knows who else. But when I see who’s actually arrived at our little love nest, an elated shriek rips out of my throat before I can stop it. In an instant, I’ve rushed forward and caught my unexpected visitor in a crushing bear hug.
“Happy to see me?” Kelly asks, shaking her black curls out of her face.
“Are you kidding me?!” I cry, spinning her around the suite, “I can’t believe you’re here! How are you here?”
“Declan invited me,” my pixieish best friend beams, taking both my hands in hers.
“I thought you might enjoy seeing a familiar face,” Declan says, folding his arms over his chest. At once, we all realize that my hunky employer is still wearing nothing but his underwear. He clears his throat, looking down at his sculpted form, and backs up toward the bedroom. “You two, uh, catch up,” he says, “I’ll be right back...”
Kelly and I collapse into uproarious giggles as my barely-clothed lover ducks out of sight. I take a good long look at my dearest friend, standing there in the middle of Declan’s suite. It’s so peculiar seeing a piece of my old life here in this place. But Kelly looks right at home in the midst of this effortless glamor, of course. Her bright green eyes grow wide as they take in the luxurious but streamlined suite.
“This is where you’ve been living all summer?” she breathes.
“Between this place and next door,” I say.
“It’s just so much nicer than I could imagine,” she breathes, looking out at the tumble of lights and colors through the window, “I’ve been living in a mostly empty new apartment eating ramen for the last couple of months.”
“How’s your fancy new job going?” I ask, settling onto the couch.
“It’s great, but it kind of eats up my life,” she sighs, sinking down beside me, “But I don’t want to waste any time complaining. I want to see your new city! And hear all the juicy details about that hot piece of ass in the next room—”
“Kelly!” I squeal. Even after all of the blush worthy experience I’ve had this summer, my best friend still knows how to push my buttons.
“Come on,” she pleads, “I’ve been dying, being so far away from you while all of this is happening. You need to tell me everything.”
“Why don’t we take ourselves on a little shopping spree...I mean tour, and I’ll give you the scoop?” I grin.
“I’m not exactly rolling in dough yet, Kass—”
“Not to worry,” I tell her, producing my shiny, limitless credit card, “It’s covered.”
Kelly’s eyes bug nearly out of her skull at the piece of plastic. “You are a changed woman, Kassie,” she says.
“Is that bad?” I ask, a bit self-conscious suddenly.
“Fuck no!” she laughs, “This Declan guy has actually gotten you to loosen up for a change. I’m all for it. Why don’t you put on some pants and we’ll get going.”
“Just one sec,” I smile, giving her a peck on the cheek, “Wait right here.”
I scurry into Declan’s bedroom, eager to start my unexpected girls' day out. I ease open the door and make a beeline for the clothes I discarded during our sexy times last night. I pull on yesterday’s outfit as Declan emerges from the spa-like bathroom, clothed at last.
“Kelly and I are going to take a little jaunt around town,” I tell him excitedly, “Thank you so much for inviting her, Dec. This is exactly what I needed.”