Page 32 of A Convenient Secret (Merged #3)

Lily

Cora

You all disappeared on me last night.

Saar

You seemed under the spell of Xander.

Cora

Don’t be ridiculous.

Sorry, but I’m sure you had fun.

Cora

You left like a ghost too.

Saar

I’m guessing we have my grumpy brother-in-law to thank for that.

Celeste

Lils, you didn’t have to leave with him, we would have given you a ride.

Saar

@Celeste, how is your dress?

Celeste

Ruined by breast milk (sad face emoji)

Cora

How did I miss that?

Saar

Xander

Xander’s distraction.

Celeste

Xander’s allure.

Cora

I’m leaving this chat.

“ I s everything okay?” I ask as Declan walks into the kitchen, hanging up his phone with a sigh.

He is bare-chested in his gym shorts, sweat beading on his skin. The man must have been the model for all Renaissance sculptors. I love that I can ogle him freely now.

“Other than you being unattended in the kitchen?” He takes a bottle of water from the fridge.

I refrain from rolling my eyes. “I was hungry.”

His gaze drops to the tub of ice cream and he raises his eyebrows. “Is that your breakfast?”

“I think it’s been established I can’t cook.”

“You can’t even make a sandwich. ”

“That’s what I just said.” I stab at the mango sorbet, but it’s not very satisfying since it’s still frozen.

“Making a sandwich is not cooking, Seagull.” He chugs down his water. “It’s been established you’re a danger to yourself and others when in this part of the house.”

I glare.

Declan shakes his head, smirking. “How do you like your eggs?”

Okay, sorbet for breakfast was my desperate attempt to pack some calories and replenish my energy after the man seriously dehydrated me last night. But eggs sound way more appetizing.

“Sunny side up.” I close the tub, return it to the freezer, and lean against the counter.

The sun beams through the glass wall, making the morning bright and joyful. I’ve been smiling since I woke up. I can’t help it.

I let my eyes roam across his shoulders and down his abs to the happy trail. Perfection. My gaze languidly moves back up, and I meet his twinkling eyes and his smirk.

“Would you like me to turn slowly for you?”

“I wouldn’t mind that.” I bite my lip.

Declan launches at me, and I squeal as he lifts me, whips us around, and sits me on the counter.

“What am I going to do with you, little Seagull? ”

“Whatever it is, can it please start with breakfast?” My stomach growls to confirm my need.

He kisses me, slowly, reverently. “Okay, sit here and don’t move.”

“Let me help, or I will never learn.” I wrap my arms around his neck, smiling.

He studies me and then sighs. “Fuck it, let’s burn down the kitchen.”

“Look at you being spontaneous.” I giggle, sliding down. “And I’m not that useless.”

“That remains to be seen,” he mumbles, but opens the fridge to get eggs.

Five minutes later, and after seven failed attempts at breaking an egg into the pan without crushing shells into it, the kitchen is messy, and we’re nowhere close to having breakfast.

But we are closer to each other. While Declan complains about the mess and keeps wiping the surface, he does it with lightness.

It’s like last night wasn’t about sex only. Like he allowed me in, just a bit, and he dropped his typical glower. He dropped some of the walls.

We’re also literally closer, because even if I’m making the cooking impossible, Declan doesn’t seem to be able to stop touching me—he kisses my shoulder, swats my ass, caresses my hip.

He steps behind me as I pick up another egg. I almost moan at the feel of his warmth on my back. He snakes his arms around me and takes my hands into his.

“We will get it right this time.” He guides my hand to the edge of the pan. “You crack it gently.” His scent is distracting. “With your thumbs, you separate the two parts and let the egg drop.”

He uses his thumbs to gently pry the shell apart, and the egg slides into the pan.

I bounce like it’s my doing. “I did it.”

“Yes, but we’re running out of eggs for you to practice on, so let me finish it.” I pout and Declan sighs. “You can make the toast.”

“You really want to burn down the kitchen?” I tease.

He kisses my forehead. “I believe in you.”

I heard him say the same to Zoya and Zach a few times. “Are you unleashing your inner daddy on me?”

As soon as the words are out, a jolt of electricity cruises through me. Declan’s shorts bulge, and he looks at me like I’m his breakfast now.

The air between us zaps. I lick my lips. He moves the pan away from the heat. The thermostat in the house must have short-circuited, because it’s so hot suddenly I want to fan myself.

And then my stomach growls so loudly, the moment is gone. I cover my face, chuckling.

“You will call me Daddy again after you eat. ”

Why is that so hot? Not just the request itself, or my desire to execute it, but the way he demanded. Not you can call me. You will call me Daddy.

“Sorry, I have to take this,” Declan groans and answers his phone, walking over to the windows.

We showered after our breakfast and ended up back in his huge bed. Sated on food and orgasms, we’ve been talking and, to my surprise, cuddling.

If someone told me two days ago that Declan Quinn was a touchy-feely guy, I wouldn’t believe it.

The afternoon sun shines through, making him just a shadow, but I still can’t help admiring the outline. His broad back narrows in a perfect triangle to his hips and toned ass. I can stare at this man for the rest of my life and not get bored.

“I don’t understand why you believe that listing the same arguments would change my mind. I’m done discussing this, Corm. I won’t change my mind.”

His shoulders tense, and he taps his fingers on his thigh. I don’t know what’s going on, but I feel like I shouldn’t be listening. I slide from under the covers and pad over to the bathroom.

I drink water and wash my hands to busy myself and give him privacy. When I look up, Declan is leaning against the door frame.

Our eyes meet in the mirror.

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

He steps toward me and hugs me from behind, burying his head in the crook of my neck. He doesn’t speak. He doesn’t move, but the weight of whatever is troubling him radiates from his body.

I lean my head against his, caressing his biceps. We look like a real couple in the mirror. Like two lovers who trust each other. Two people who support each other.

My heart beats faster, seeing the picture I see in the mirror. Not because it’s a lie. But because of how much I wish it was the truth.

“Merged is opening an office in London.” Declan’s voice is rough with a tinge of resignation. He lifts his head, and our eyes lock in the mirror again.

The mention of London spikes my heart rate, but this is not about me.

“And you and Corm have some disagreement over that?”

He closes his eyes briefly and rubs his cheek against mine. He kisses me gently and looks back at me. “It’s me against the three partners. They think I should lead the new branch for at least a year.”

“Move to London? ”

He nods.

“And you don’t want to do that because of the kids? You don’t want to uproot them?”

He straightens and steps around me to lean against the vanity. His back to the mirror, he pulls me to stand between his legs. “You get it.” He runs his hands up and down my forearms.

God, I will miss his touch. The thought intrudes on the important conversation and ties a neat knot in my stomach. I push it away, because this man is confiding in me and I want to be present.

“I mean, I believe that living in a new country is a great experience, but there will be plenty of time for that later. They are little and need stability, especially in your circumstances.”

Something akin to awe and relief settles in his expression. “You do get it. Corm’s argument is that with the kids starting a new school in September, it’s the best timing. The problem isn’t just their stability—it’s an important factor, of course.”

“What else?”

He sighs. “I know I’m the best man for the job, but the idea of relocating, finding new schools, a new nanny…

just the whole spiel feels exhausting. At least here my mother can help.

Or even Corm and Saar. But there? I will be even busier than now, and I will again de pend on strangers.

I felt helpless and out of control for so long. I will never cross that line again.”

“Those are all reasonable considerations. You value order, planning, and control in your life. You don’t need to apologize for that.”

He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “You really are perfect.”

The words hit me hard, especially after the earlier thought about the temporary nature of our arrangement. I really didn’t think this through.

What happens after he doesn’t need a fake wife? Will I stay his nanny? This was less of an issue before this weekend. Now everything is confusing.

“Your kitchen would disagree.”

He chuckles and kisses my forehead. “You really think I’m not making a mistake?”

“I think you have the means to relocate to London whenever you want, if you really want to, but you don’t want to at the moment. It’s your life, your decision. Besides, in your current situation, the whole proposition is mute.” I cup his cheek. I guess I can’t not touch him either.

He frowns. “What do you mean?”

“You’re in the middle of a custody battle. I doubt Kendra would give you consent to take the kids abroad on vacation, let alone long-term.”

His eyes shift down, his jaw ticking. He turns away from me, bracing his arms on the sink. I guess mentioning Kendra triggers him.

I kiss his back. “Talking about kids, when are they coming back? I miss them.”

“You do?” He turns, the cloud over his expression gone.

I nod. “I mean, I love the way you fill my time, but I still miss them. Maybe we can pick them up later today instead of tomorrow?”

I’m so attached to this little family already, it scares me.

He smiles, and from a man whose smiles are so rare, it just wraps me in a fantasy I decide to enjoy while it lasts.