SHATTERPROOF BOND Series Boxset by Isobel Starling

Author:Isobel Starling [Starling, Isobel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Decent Fellows Press
Published: 2016-08-29T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

COMING OUT

It was Christmas Eve. Declan opened the apartment door to his brother’s riotous greeting of

“NUMPTY!” He grinned fondly and stepped back as Oliver barged past, his arms cradling two large white catering boxes.

“Sam, get yer arse out here an’ say hello!” Declan roared. Annabelle stepped into the apartment

“Ravishing, as usual, Belle” Declan drew his sister-in-law into a firm hug and gave her a kiss on her rosy cheek.

Sam sauntered out of the spare bedroom, wearing a wide, boyish grin, jeans, and a long-sleeved, red and white Christmas themed T-shirt with ‘Dear Santa, I’ve been a naughty, naughty boy” emblazoned across the front.

Declan’s hand flew up to cover his mouth, and his eyes widened. Where the hell did he get that? He covered the shocked gesture by absently rubbing his beard.

“Hello, you. C’mere naughty boy! What have you done now?” Belle laughed as she greeted her brother.

Sam wagged his brows “Wouldn’t you like to know!” he replied saucily.

Annabelle laughed. She quizzically observed Sam and Declan standing side by side. Declan, tall and brawny, with his dark beard, expertly trimmed and his raven black hair swept back off his high brow, and Sam, rangy, athletic and slender, his boyish face clean-shaven, much to Annabelle’s relief, and his hairstyle — a blond short back and sides with a long fringe, swept to the left. They both looked gorgeous.

“Oh my God,” Annabelle sighed. “I looove that you two are roomies, talk about the odd couple,” She said enthusiastically.

Oliver sauntered back down the hall and pulled Sam into a manly hug.

“Aye! Does he make ye stand at the bottom of yer bed an’ do a daily inspection?” Oliver guffawed.

Declan offered a playful cuff around his brother’s ginger head, and shot a knowing look in Sam’s direction, amused at the double meaning.

Sam was sniggering. Oh, he inspects… and he’s very thorough!

“Declan’s actually really easy to live with. I’m a bit of a clean freak too, so it’s perfect really. Come, let me take your coats,” Sam offered, steering them out of tricky waters.

Oliver removed his coat and passed it to Sam, then as if suddenly realizing he hadn’t greeted his brother properly, Oliver turned to Declan, “C’mere ye big lug, yer lookin’ good” He pulled his older brother into a tight bear hug.

“Ye should see what Belle bought fer dessert. Leftover’s from the Mayor’s Christmas banquet at the Guildhall last night,” Oliver said excitedly to Declan’s ear.

Generally, the thought of leftovers would not be that appealing to Declan; however, Belle’s catering company employed one of the best patisserie chefs in London. Declan pulled out of the hug, grinned mischievously, and shot Annabelle a competitive look. They both darted towards the kitchen.

“Hey Ramsay, keep your mitts off!” Belle scolded. Declan was notorious for his love of everything sweet. He reached the kitchen before Annabelle and opened the first of the two catering boxes to see a treasure of exquisite petit fours desserts in rows. There were all kinds of small cakes — fondant iced fancies, boat-shaped tartlets, chocolate covered butter biscuits, small éclairs, macarons and puff pastries.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.