“Let’s do that then. I still don’t know where we’re going,” I prod and lean my head against the headrest as the tension leaves my body.
“I’m taking you to a cool restaurant in Boston. Then, and only if you want to, I booked us a room at a hotel,” he says and I watch his jaw tick. He’s nervous but I’m excited.
“Really? You did? Isn’t this going to be super expensive?” I ask.
“Can’t I treat my girl to a nice night?” he asks.
“Yes,” I say softly.
“Are you going home for Thanksgiving?” Declan asks.
“Ryse and I are heading home for a couple of days. We’re going to take the train. We figured it would be cheaper to do that than Mom coming here and having to pay for a place to stay,” I explain.
“I’m actually going to head home a couple days early, but I’ll be back for Thanksgiving,” he says.
He must read the confusion on my face. “Mom is seeing my brother’s coach. She is going to be having Thanksgiving dinner with his kid. Logan didn’t want to go but he doesn’t have much choice. Mom and I tend to fight and Logan was worried that me being there would somehow rock the boat for him, so I don’t want to cause any trouble. I’ll head home this week and miss a day of class then head back to Westfall,” he explains.
“What about Thanksgiving? Where will you go?” I ask, worried about him being on his own.
“Holland and Cole invited me. Don’t worry, I’m good,” he assures and he reaches over and gives my cheek a soft caress.
“Okay.” I nod.
“About the hotel.” He pauses. “We don’t have to go. No pressure. Only if you want to,” he says and I watch his throat bob.
“You know I do,” I say quietly.
Declan shifts in his seat. “That husky sound in your voice is making me want to skip dinner.”
“So let’s skip it,” I say on a whim.
“Ah ah. I want to take my time with you. I want to wine and dine you first,” he says.
“I never took you as a romantic,” I say to him.
He laughs. “I didn’t know I had it in me either, but I want to make you happy.”
His words cause my heart to do flips. “You do make me happy, Declan. Really happy.”
The place Declan chose for dinner is eclectic and hip. Declan removes his coat and I take him in. He looks too good tonight in a pair of dark blue jeans and a black button-down shirt that he left untucked and rolled up on his forearms. Just watching his forearms, which are all sinuous and muscle, is enough of an aphrodisiac. I order a crusted stuffed chicken breast on a bed of arugula and Declan orders some sort of filet mignon and mashed potato. The ambience of the restaurant is perfectly romantic. I’ve never been to such a nice place before. I just wish Declan and I weren’t stuck between a rock and a hard place.
“I want to thank you for what you did for my brother. It’s hard for me to ask for help or even admit that I need help. I know it wasn’t easy for you to go to Holland.” He clears his throat, clearly overcome with emotion. “Logan’s been sick most of his life and watching it and not being able to do anything about it has been really hard. I thought if I worked hard enough at hockey, I’d find a way to help my brother but that’s clearly taking too long.”
“You’re an amazing brother. I could see the connection you and Logan have the minute he got off the bus and spotted you. Those eyes of his lit up. He looks up to you and you’ve been a good role model for him, which I know was probably not very easy.”
“There’ve been many times I’ve been tempted to go down the rabbit hole but it never felt right. I don’t really remember my father, but what I do remember isn’t good. I just. . .deep down I felt like I wanted to be better,” he shares.
“You’re a good man, Declan McAvoy,” I say and take his hand in mine.
“I’ve made mistakes. I don’t know why I thought it would be better if Logan and I didn’t have the same last name, or why I didn’t think of going to Holland and Cole myself,” he says, and I can see that it’s really eating away at him.
“You said it yourself, you were worried about screwing up and you didn’t want your actions to hurt your brother’s success and going to a friend and asking for help isn’t easy either,” I say.
He nods. “I partied too much last year. I was too overwhelmed by everything.”
“Hockey can be a lot of pressure. I’m sure you aren’t the only player to feel this way,” I say, hoping to ease his burden.
“Maybe not, but I’m the only player who has so much riding on the line,” he declares.
“Now Logan is taken care of,” I remind him.
“Thanks to you, Poppy. What you did for him means so much to me,” he says.
I giggle, even though it isn’t funny, but he’s making me nervous or maybe I don’t like the compliments. “I would’ve done it for anyone. It was no big deal. I’m just glad you aren’t upset about me meddling.”
“I was freaked out at first,” he admits. “But something inside me said I have to put my own insecurities aside. I’m glad I did.” He blinks.
“I’m glad you did too and I don’t mean to pry. I don’t know Wolfe and Cole, but I met Rebel and Holland and they seem like really good friends. Don’t you think that you should maybe open up to them too? Let them in?” I ask.
“Baby steps,” he says. “Right now all I want to do is take you back to the hotel, if you’re willing?” His tone is deep and husky and makes my stomach swirl in the best way.
Oh, I’m willing.
“I’d love that,” I say, not wanting to come off as too desperate.
We both polish off our glass of wine. The waiter comes by and asks if we’d like dessert. I look over at Declan and he cocks his brow.
“No thanks. Just the bill,” I say, shifting in my seat.
“I can’t wait to peel that dress off you,” Declan whispers once the waiter is out of earshot.
“Tell me more,” I say, rubbing the top of my wine glass with my finger while watching him seductively.
“Seriously, whatever you just did with your voice is making me hard,” he says and now he’s shifting in his seat.
The waiter brings the bill and Declan insists on paying for the whole thing. Not that I really have the cash to pay anyway.
We head to the hotel and check in. “You should’ve told me I needed an overnight bag,” I whisper.
“You don’t,” he says grinning.
We head up to the room and it’s modern and sleek. The nightstand lamp is on, flooding the room in soft light. The bed is huge with a pristine white comforter on it.
“I’ve never been to a hotel. I mean, we stayed in lots of motels when Ryse was playing hockey in high school, but never anything like this.” I walk over to the bed and take a seat. I begin to untie my Doc Martens.
“Truth is I’ve never been to a place like this either. It’s a first for both of us.” He smiles devilishly and then he catches on to his meaning and his lips turn down. “We don’t have to have sex if you aren’t ready. I’m serious. I can wait, Poppy. As long as you need.”