Page 155 of Carnal Urges

“I’m being serious.”

“So am I.”

I say firmly, “It’s not up for discussion.”

“You have no idea how women work, do you?”

“You’re not the typical woman.”

“There’s zero chance we’re getting married.”

“Why, you want a three-year courtship followed by the fluffy white wedding dress and the white picket fence?”

“Fuck no.”

“I didn’t think so. It’s settled.”

“Declan!”

“Enough for one night, woman. You can yell at me about it later.”

When she remains stiff and resistant in my arms, I add softly, “Please.”

“Oh, you’reevil.”

“You have no idea.”

She says drily, “I think I have a clue.”

I kiss her again, this time even harder.

It’s not altitude that makes me feel like I’m flying, because we’re not even up in the air yet.

FORTY-THREE

SLOANE

When we get back to the beach house on Martha’s Vineyard, it’s very late. Or very early, depending how you look at it. Spider and Kieran are at the front gate, rifles in hand.

I give them a little wave. Spider smiles and tips up his chin. Kieran sends me a jaunty salute, grinning.

“They seem like they’re in good moods,” I note as we drive through the gate.

Declan says, “That’s because their fearless leader has returned.”

“Aw. It must be a good feeling for you to have such loyal men.”

His voice turns dry. “I wasn’t talking about me.”

That makes me smile.

We park in the circular driveway. In front of the entrance to the house, ten more armed men await. One of them opens the passenger door before Declan is even out of the driver’s seat and helps me from the car.

I recognize him. He was one of the men in the kitchen the night I almost cut off my pinkie to save Spider’s.

Inclining his head, he says something in Gaelic.

I ask Declan what it was once we’re inside.