“Is it just us?” she asked, “A private dinner in the ballroom?”
“Just us…” he replied in a breathy tone, “you look…I don’t think there’s a word for that yet.”
“Well, you clean up pretty nice yourself.” He pulled her into him, going right for a long sensual kiss that promised a night of passion they both craved.
A group of servers entered the dimly lit room with a cart, carrying several silver domed platters and champagne, setting everything at the candle lit table for two. When she looked around, she noticed the room’s lighting was mostly provided by candles everywhere. It was a romantic scene that belonged in a movie. Just lovely.
“I owe you a town crab boil,” he said as the server removed the two domes from the place settings. “I hope this will work?”
“Umm, lobster and crab legs? I’d say you did okay,” she laughed.
Music began to stream through the room with its romantic whimsy and melodies. It wasn’t anything she had ever heard, but it didn’t matter; it fit the theme of the night and melted her heart.
“Dance with me…” he whispered in her ear before he grabbed her right hand and began to sway to the music.
Eventually, they made it to the table and enjoyed their meal together along with several glasses of champagne. It was exquisite. Then they danced some more, in a seductive manner, their bodies never losing contact. She was entranced by his every word and every move.
Sweet kisses and caresses intensified their need, each feeling the heat they created in the other. When it became more than he could handle, he leaned down and whispered, “Dessert?”
Looking around the room, she noticed their table had been cleared, the staff was nowhere to be seen, and there wasn’t a dessert tray to be seen.
“It’s upstairs, in our room…” he whispered again, taking her earlobe into his mouth then peppering kisses down her neck.
With her head back and tilted to one side, enjoying the seduction, she said in a throaty sultry sound, “Then I have a terrible sweet tooth. Show me the way, Mr. Ramsey.”
MOONLIGHT ILLUMINATED THE room as they entered, the view from the windows leaving them breathless. There was plenty of time to stare at the city lights later. Declan was on a mission that involved removing a whole lot of extra clothing.
He pulled her to the bedroom where candles overpowered the moonlight coming in from the floor to ceiling windows, the shadows from the flames dancing on the walls. There were two silver domed platters sitting on the table in front of the window overlooking the bay as it reflected the nights sky, setting the mood of ultimate romance, intimacy. Dessert, but not the one she was after.
She followed the light coming from the bathroom and found more candles and a bath full of steamy water, covered in rose petals. He didn’t leave a single thing undone.
“This is so beautiful. Did you plan all of this?” she asked, overwhelmed by the beauty of the night he had given her.
He nodded his head and moved into the room, hands in his pockets while he took pleasure in watching her take it all in.
“I just…nobody has ever gone to such lengths just so I can take a bath.” Her voice squeaked with emotion, but she pulled it together. Tonight was one of passion, no tears.
“You forgot to say, sleep in a real bed,” he teased.
“Why don’t you go ahead and enjoy the warm bath in there. I’ll bring you a glass of champagne.”
“I’d rather stay right here…” she tilted her head and watched him move closer to the bed, his eyes finally connected with the message she was trying to send.
“What’s this?” he said, his eyes locked on the lingerie he bought her, still laying on the bed.
“Oh…it’s lingerie.”
“I know what it is; I bought it for you. Why aren’t you wearing it?” His voice was low and throaty, his eyes dark as he moved closer to her.
Standing by the window between the bed and bathroom, she backed up as he got closer until her back was flat against the glass.
“Where are you going?” he asked, placing his hand on her hip. Her only response was a sultry moan and heavy lids.
His hand slid down her thigh to the hem of her dress, dragging it up slowly, his fingers leaving a trail of fire. He took her mouth in a heated frenzy, unable to maintain sweet and sensual. He knew what was under that dress, and he was going to take it, fast, and hard. Sweet and sensual was for later.
Reaching her hip, his hand slid back, grabbing her bare ass, causing a moan to escape her. It was almost too much to feel her bare skin. He needed more, wanted to feel more. His hand traced around her waist, drifting to her abdomen before sinking low where he confirmed what he suspected. She wasn’t wearing a damn thing under that dress.
Skimming her skin, like a tease, his hand cupped her as a single finger slipped inside of her. Her head fell back in pleasure, breaking their kiss, and her knees went weak at his intimate touch. She began to ride against his hand, taking her greedy pleasure as months of desire took over and instincts kicked in.
She was hot and wet, and she felt like heaven as he stroked her. His hard length was pushing against his now tight zipper, ready for a feel. He pulled his teasing finger from her and removed his hand, leaving her to whimper. He took a step back and looked at her, cloaked in desire, shifting where she stood.
Untying the front of her dress, he unwrapped it, opening the front to take her all in. “God you’re beautiful. Every inch of you.”
She was hungry, and wanted more of him. She dropped the dress from her shoulders, leaving only her high heels on, and stood there, locked in his stare. When he didn’t move fast enough and take what she was offering, she parted her legs in a sexy stance and ran her hands up her body seductively. It did the trick.
With his body pressing against hers, he grabbed the back of her hair with one hand and pulled her head back while his other hand lifted one leg around his hip. He pressed into her so she could feel what he had for her as he ran his tongue first down her neck, then to her breasts, paying each equal attention. A tongue lashing to one, while his hand manipulated the other causing her to moan.
He dropped to his knees in front of her and pulled her leg over his shoulder, opening her wide. He was at eye level with heaven and couldn’t wait to get his mouth on her. He wrapped his hands around her, resting them on her ass and he pulled her to his mouth.
Her cries gave him pleasure and he kept taking more, assaulting her bundle of nerves with his tongue, his hands roaming her body. Unable to stand on her own with the intense pleasure, she slid down to the floor, her legs falling completely open to him. He was unrelenting with his mouth; her body was writhing in pleasure.
One hand played with her breast, the other slipping inside of her, one finger, then two. Stroking, licking, nipping, her body began to quiver, while her breath came faster and louder. He brought her to the edge; she was ready to fall over in pleasure.
“Baby, not here, not like this on the floor,” he said, pulling from her, leaving her to whimper.
He lifted her, wrapping her around his waist and took her mouth. She unbuttoned his shirt, giving up part way and ripping it open while he carried her to the bed. Her hands roamed his body, feeling every rise and fall of his beautifully carved physique.
When he set her on the edge of the bed, she grabbed his belt and pulled him close, undoing it as she went. He tossed his shirt to the floor and watched her undo the rest of his clothing. When her hands slipped under his clothing and dragged it all down, exposing him, her eyes went wide and she licked her lips. Feeling her hands run down his bare skin was almost too much. He couldn’t take her touch, not if he was going to finish this the way he wanted to – giving her pleasure first before taking his own.
He pulled her hand from his length and laid her back, resuming his position with his head between her legs. This time, he stroked her with his two fingers faster while his mouth reclaimed her throbbing bud, and he sucked and bit, driving her right back to the e
dge. With her back arched, she reached for the back of her knees and pulled her legs back, giving him every intimate inch of her.
When her body began quiver, and she started to tighten around his fingers, he reached for one of her breasts and tugged at her nipple with a sharp pinch, driving the overwhelming sensations to her explosive pleasure. She cried out his name, her body shaking with each rolling wave.
Placing his hands at the back of each thigh, he held her legs open wide and plunged into her from the edge of the bed with his steely length as she tightened and squeezed around him. The sensation overwhelming for both of them, they panted and moaned together, each taking what they needed.
He was big and filled her perfectly. The intensity of him stretching her drove her right back to where she started. She’d never felt such exhilarating gratification. It was pure joy.
Hovering over her, he climbed on the edge of the bed and took her mouth while he buried himself deep inside her. She fit him like a velvet glove, and the thrill of the sensation her body provoked was exhilarating. He wanted their moment to last all night, but reality was, she just felt too right. He took what she was giving him straight to the edge, cued by her cries, and spilled over in total ecstasy when he felt her tighten around his arousal.
They lay there, still connected while they rode the joyful quakes together. He rolled to his back so she could lay on top of him, never losing their connection. After they caught their breaths, and their bodies calmed, he pulled away from her and carried her to the bathroom where they enjoyed a nice long soak in the still warm tub together.
Their night was long and late as they made love time and time again, slow and sweet.
Lydia woke to the sound of a knock at the door. Turning to her side, she realized she was alone, Declan was already up. Her body was sore in all the right places from a night of almost endless passion. She stretched, taking in the warm rays of sunshine, cascading in from the bedroom windows that boasted a morning view as spectacular as that of the evening.
“You’re awake,” Declan said, pushing a cart with more of those silver domed lids. “Breakfast is here.”
He crawled back into bed behind her and pulled her close, kissing her shoulder.
“Good morning,” she said, already feeling the heat pool between her legs. How on earth had she gone this long without this? And how on earth was she going to survive the insatiable desire he stirred in her?
“Sleep well?” he asked.
“No, this man had his way with me all night long and it was glorious,” she teased, turning to face him.
“Glorious? Okay, I can work with that. Small correction though – I think you had your way with the man just as much, so…”
“I don’t recall that at all,” She said with a giggle.
Trailing kisses down her neck and around her collar bone, he offered, “I can remind you…”
Already losing herself in him, she asked, “Does it have to end?”
“Not for a few hours,” he replied
Her tone took a sad note, “Then what?”
“Then we see what happens. It’s all we can do, baby.” He continued to kiss her.
“One day at a time?”
He smiled at her, wishing there was something he could offer her, reassurance, security, something. “One day at a time…”
He didn’t have the answers or know what lay ahead, but he did know they still had time in their own little world before they had to return to reality. Hopping up, he yanked the blankets away, causing her to scream playfully and attempt to cover her nude body.
“Declan! I’m naked!” she yelled as he tossed her over his shoulder.
“That’s exactly how I want you.” He smacked her bare ass playfully. “We’re taking a shower!”
He slid her down his body and held her with her legs around his waist. Kissing her urgently, he stepped into the shower and turned on the water, holding her against the cool tile wall. Water was cascading down their bodies when she positioned herself over his arousal, teasing him at her entrance, not ready to let him in.
“I need to be inside you,” he said, eager to feel her around him.
She shook her head and whispered, “Not yet,” continuing to tease him.
Pulling her off the tile just enough for her to arch and give him access, he took a breast into his mouth to tempt and tease her as well. She was loud, and he liked that; it drove him straight to hard-on just thinking about it. Her arms were around his neck, her fingers buried in his hair.
Slowly she slid a little further down him but not nearly enough for him. In a wicked move, he grabbed her other breast and fondled and tweaked it while he sucked, bit, and pulled the other tight rosy bud with his teeth. He knew what she liked and used it against her to get what he wanted. In one bold move, she took all of him in and began to ride him, faster and harder. Her breath quickening.
It was hot, but he wanted hotter, more intimate. Lifting her off of him, he set her feet on the ground and turned her away from him. The move so fast, so erotic, it was nearly her undoing. With his hand placed at the base of her neck, he bent her forward, forcing her to brace herself with her hands against the glass.
His free hand hooked around her waist to hold her where he needed her while he spread her legs further apart with his foot – the view he was given was spectacular. He plunged into her from behind in a swift motion, his hand moving from her waist to that one spot he knew she loved to feel his fingers.
He rode her hard while stroking her, her cries telling him she wanted more, needed more, and he was happy to deliver. Dragging his hand from the base of her neck all the way down her back, he didn’t stop or slow when he reached her ass. Massaging her from behind while massaging her core, he drove into her in long smooth strokes before she couldn’t stop herself and got lost in the overwhelming blissful delight.
BACK ON THE road, they were heading west and back to cheap motels and greasy diners or drive-thrus. Each night, though, still felt as special as the first. It didn’t matter where they were as long as they were together.
Lydia wasn’t a case anymore, hadn’t been for some time; she was his everything. Protecting her had always been his objective, but now it was more than that. The need to keep her safe was so intense it nearly drove him mad. What he would do to keep her safe was limitless.
Esteban was closing in; he could feel it – it made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end and instigated a type of fury he’d never experienced that coursed through his veins. For the first time in his life, Declan was scared because for once, he had something to lose, and losing her would destroy him.
She was getting stronger, more confident – ready to fight back if need be. That eased his fear, but he didn’t want it to come to that. The girl who once wanted designer everything and was a devout vegan, who wouldn’t drink a beer, now didn’t care if her jeans were from this season’s runway or not, and rarely wore make-up. Burgers and beer were a staple.
Declan saw her for who she was and who she was becoming. He had always been attracted to her, despite her spoiled tendencies, but this Lydia he was falling in love with. And that scared him.
It was time to settle down in one place again – and wait. They needed to lure Esteban out of hiding, so their nightmare could finally be over, and they could live their lives. Live without having to look over their shoulders, afraid to be happy, afraid of it ending.
Deception Pass was their final destination. It was a small island nestled in the Puget Sound of the Pacific Northwest, just off the shores of Washington state. Though the island, one of several, was only reachable by a ninety-minute ferry ride across the Pacific Ocean, or private boat, it was safe. They would see their enemy coming, should he catch up with them. They would know if they had been found.
It also didn’t hurt that the O’Reilly cousins resided there and ran their business from there for the very same reason Declan wanted to hide out in the open there. If the cousins were called away by a client, Dec’s b
rothers were only a few hours away and would rotate in and out so Declan and Lydia were never alone on the island.
The next several weeks were spent enjoying the town, their little private beach in the cove below the bluff their cottage sat on, and enjoying each other every chance they had. If not for the looming threat, their romance would be one for the pages. They were good together.
The Feds wanted Esteban and were more than willing to help flush out the leak in Declan’s agency in exchange for flushing out Esteban. U.S Attorney, Carter Landry, wasn’t always a U.S. Attorney – he started with a military career that eventually led him to where he was. He knew Declan, even knew a few of his brothers either from serving together or crossing paths on missions. Carter was happy to do Dec a favor – he didn’t have an ounce of sympathy for a traitor – he didn’t care how much money was involved, how deep the blackmail ran, or how bad the asshole was in need – you don’t turn on your brothers.
Working often with the agency Declan was employed by, it was easy to pass on a lead to a handful of people within and watch it spread like wild fire. All they had to do was sit back and see who made a move and shared Declan’s location. All they had to do was wait for whoever it was to leak the information to Esteban.
Declan and Lydia were back on the grid and out in the open – only this time, it was on their terms. Esteban was calculated and smart; he would take his time and circle his prey. Toy with it, then attack when least expected. A true predator. But he didn’t see them coming, and they were a step ahead, masterminding the whole charade that was about to unfold.
Beat him at his own game and lead him to his demise – that was the plan. They were already leaving him a trail to follow, and Esteban and his men were following it. By the time Esteban and his goons got to Deception Pass, Declan and Lydia would be long gone.
They’d follow the carefully plotted trail to McKenzie Ridge, and Portland where they wouldn’t find Declan and Lydia, but they would confirm that Lydia’s sister and son were alive – coming face to face with Megan and her new friends in Portland. Finding Trinity and Jax would lead him to believe Lydia was nearby and that he had a bargaining chip.
Brother's Keeper I: Declan Page 15