Declan by Tracie Delaney

Author:Tracie Delaney [Delaney, Tracie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Firefly Publishing Limited
Published: 2024-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

I laugh when Declan reveals his idea of fun. “Ice skating?” I query as he leads me over to the rental booth.

“Have you ever done it?”

I nod. “Years ago, though, when I was a lot younger and bounced easier.”

“You’ll be fine. It’s like riding a bike. You never forget.”

“Don’t bet on it.”

“Then, you can hang onto me.” His eyes grow hooded. “If we go down, we go down together.”

“Is that a euphemism?”

He leans in and whispers, “You got me.”

My stomach tilts, and I dig my fingernails into the palms of my hands to distract myself from the growing ache in my core.

“We used to come here with Mom,” Declan says, switching the subject. “Me and my brothers. Dad wasn’t interested, so he’d stay home. This place has happy memories for me, and I want to make happy memories with you.”

I don’t have an adequate reply, and I’m not sure anything I say will make much sense after a declaration like that, so I reply with, “Thank you,” and press my lips to his cheek.

We sit down to pull on our skates, and Declan puts our things in a locker before taking my hand and leading me onto the ice. Skating in Central Park in wintertime is a popular activity, and the rink is full.

I’m wobbly at first but soon find my ice legs, and within fifteen minutes, we’re sweeping across the rink, giggling like a pair of teenagers as scores of people take tumbles around us.

“This is the most fun I’ve had in a long while.” I skate backward, showing off.

Declan catches up to me and slips his arms around my waist. “Including last night?” he murmurs in my ear. “That’s messed up. I’ll have to do better.”

Before I can reply, he kisses me. I cling to the lapels of his coat, vaguely aware of a someone whooping. When he draws back, my leg slips to the side, and I lose my balance, landing on my ass with a bump.

I must look indignant because Declan bursts out laughing.

“Hey!” I hold out my hand. “Help me up.”

As he grabs me, I yank hard, and his legs go out from underneath him, making him crash to the ice. My peals of laughter must reach as far as the Plaza. Ignoring the cold, I roll onto my side, my arms curving around my stomach as I double over. God, it feels good to laugh so freely.

“You’re in a lot of trouble, lady.” His eyes crinkle as he tries, and fails, to keep a straight face.

I scramble to my feet. “Only if you catch me.”

I push off, but my skating skills are no match for Declan’s. He catches me easily, his arms snaking around my waist as he pulls me to him. “Gotcha.” He brushes the tip of his nose down mine. “Now, what shall your punishment be?”

I wriggle, and he tightens his hold.

“Ah, got it. No cream in your hot chocolate.”

I pout. “Not fair.”

He chuckles and plants a hard kiss against my cold lips.

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