Page 83 of A Convenient Secret

He nods and steps to the side, but as I step forward, he follows. “Are you coming with me?”

“Yes.”

“You can’t follow me to the toilets.”

“I can, but no worries; I’ll wait for you outside.”

I narrow my eyes. Who is this man? What is happening now? “You will wait for me in front of the bathroom?”

“Is something wrong with your ears? Was the music too loud?”

“Oh, no, no, you don’t get to be an asshole again.”

He stops, frowning. “Again?”

I scoff. “Whatever.”

Pushing the door open, I enter the bathroom and leave him outside. Okay, so he’s done trying to stay away? While I welcome the idea, there is no need to walk me to pee. Jesus.

When I exit, I find him leaning against the wall. The sight is arresting. No matter how many times I’ve ogled him, he still makes my stomach quiver.

He looks up from his phone. “We have to go.”

“Has something happened with the kids?”

He almost smiles at that. “I love that your first concern is my children. But they are not home.”

“Where are they?”

“They are spending the weekend at my mother’s. Let’s go.” He snatches my hand and practically drags me toward the exit.

“What’s going on, Declan?” I halt.

He lets out a low growl. “I cannot pretend any longer. I told you I’m done trying. Are you coming home with me, Lily?”

If I didn’t know any better, I would think there was fear in his eyes. Like my answer is a matter of life and death. Like he needs me.

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Thank fucking God.” He moves again, a man on a mission.

The butterflies in my stomach flutter, my heart beats erratically like a spooked horse, my brain is misfiring like a drunken monkey… All a fucking zoo of reactions.

“Wait, the kids are away for the entire weekend? Did you plan this?”

Instead of answering, he grins at me.

The Declan Grump Quinn actually grins at me. I barely survived him when he was guarded, but this lighter version of him?

God help me.

Chapter 17

Lily

My back hits the elevator mirror, Declan’s tongue exploring my mouth while his hands seem to be everywhere at once.

Well, on my ass now as he lifts me. I wrap my legs around him, the skirt tangled between us. We barely talked during the ride from the gala. I was getting worried he was having second thoughts.