Page 15 of Declan (Men of Clifton, Montana #53)

“Well, it’s great. I could eat this every day,” he declared, savoring another bite.

“I’ll send some home with you,” she offered, her voice warm and inviting.

“I’ll take it,” he accepted eagerly, smiling as he continued to enjoy the meal.

****

Declan couldn’t tear his gaze away from Elise. She was a breathtaking woman, radiating an allure that captivated him, and he was eager to delve deeper into her world to see if there was potential for something special between them.

“Oh, I was able to get us a reservation for next Saturday night,” he mentioned casually.

“Great. I just love that restaurant,” Elise replied.

“It has so much amazing food that it’s hard to make a decision,” Declan said.

“Have you eaten there a lot?”

Declan shrugged with a nonchalant air. “Maybe once or twice a month. I think I’ve tried about everything on the menu.”

“So, what’s your favorite?”

“The ribeye,” he answered without hesitation.

“Why am I not surprised?” she teased, a playful grin spreading across her face.

“Why do you say that?” he asked, chuckling.

“You seem like a meat and potatoes man,” she observed, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

He laughed. “I am, but I do like just about everything.”

“I had the seafood platter once, and it was absolutely mouthwatering. Then I tried the blackened trout, which was also very good.” She laughed. “When I saw that soft-shell crab on the seafood platter, I didn’t want to try it, but I made myself take a bite and it had the best taste.”

“Yes, I’ve had those before, but I always find myself drawn back to the ribeye or T-bone,” Declan admitted with a nod.

“Well, I’m glad you were able to get a reservation,” she said with a smile.

“I had to call Grant, but he managed to squeeze us in.”

“He’s the owner?” Elise asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” Declan confirmed with a respectful nod.

“I’d like to meet him to tell him how wonderful his food is,” she said, her enthusiasm obvious.

Declan smirked. “Well, if we see him there, you can.”

“I’d love it,” Elise replied with a laugh.

“Do that many women show up every Saturday morning for the dance class?” Declan asked, lifting his fork as steam curled from the lasagna on his plate. The rich aroma of the lasagna filled the kitchen.

“Every single time,” Elise replied, smoothing her shirt.

“We’re only open from ten until one—three back-to-back sessions.

I teach the first at ten, Elaine takes the eleven-to-noon slot, and Brandy finishes from noon to one.

Each class has twenty to twenty-five dancers. I’m thrilled the rooms stay full.”

“Do they all cram into the same studio? Sounds hectic to swap rooms on the hour.”

Elise laughed. “No, thank goodness. We have three adjacent rooms, so each class has its own space.”

He grinned. “Who picks the music?”

“I do,” she said, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “Everything from pop to country, anything with a beat that keeps us moving.”

“I loved watching them,” he said, between bites. “They seemed like they were having a great time.”

“They always do,” she agreed.

“So, you taught them the choreography from scratch?”

“During the first couple of classes, yes, or we simply do a line dance. Each song has its own steps. Now they all know how to do them. I just dance along at the front of the class and encourage them, though most of them don’t need it.

” She laughed as she shook her head. “They’ll sing along too, sometimes. ”

He chuckled then took another bite of his food, closed his eyes and sighed. “This lasagna is unbelievable.”

Elise beamed. “My mother taught me how to make it. It’s just so simple.”

“Please thank her for me.”

“I will.”

When their plates were empty, Elise rose to clear the table. Declan pushed back his chair and joined her at the sink, turning on the tap and coaxing suds from the dish soap.

“What are you doing?”.

He looked at her. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

“Don’t be a smartass, Deputy,” she shot back, smiling. “I can do them.”

“You cooked. I’m not helpless in the kitchen just because I’m a man,” he countered. “I know my way around a sink.”

Elise removed a towel from a drawer. “Fine. Then I’ll dry.”

He scrubbed a plate, rinsed it, then passed it to her. She dried it and stowed it in the cabinet. They worked in companionable silence, with the clink of porcelain, and the swish of water the only sounds.

When they finished, Elise hung the towel. Declan patted his hands dry with a paper towel, then leaned against the granite countertop and watched her. A slow, teasing smile curved his lips when he saw her cheeks bloom pink.

“Why are you blushing?” he murmured, stepping closer.

“I’m not,” she insisted.

He reached out, cupping her cheek. The warmth of her skin sending a shock through him. “Yes, you are.”

Elise drew a steadying breath, meeting his eyes. “Declan, I really want this to be something special. I don’t want to get my heart broken, but I’m willing to see where this goes… if you are.”

He sighed. “Of course, I am. Elise, this is rare for me. I’m forty-two and never been in love.

Well, not a deep love. I fell in love when I was twenty, and we were together a year, but when she found out I wanted to go into law enforcement, she broke it off.

Her father had been a policeman and was killed in the line of duty.

What I do is dangerous. Any type of law enforcement is.

Hell, three years ago, one of the agents at the Clifton office of the Montana Department of Livestock, was killed on the job.

I have to constantly be alert. You never know what’s around the corner.

So, if that’s something you can’t deal with, tell me now before this goes any further.

” He held her gaze, the quiet of the night wrapping them in a fragile promise of what might come.

****

Elise sighed. “I want to handle it. I know I’ll be worried about you, but I believe there is something between us, and I want to see where it goes—”

Declan silenced her gently by pressing his lips against hers, a soft yet fervent touch that spoke volumes.

His arms encircled her waist, drawing her closer until there was no space left between them.

A soft moan escaped her lips as she slid her arms up around his neck, feeling the warmth of his skin, and pressed her body firmly against his.

He slowly pulled back, his gaze locking onto hers with a look that was both intense and tender.

“You taste like lasagna,” he murmured, a playful smile dancing on his lips.

“Good thing you do too,” she whispered back with a teasing grin, before she leaned in to capture his lips again in a gentle kiss.

“I want you so much, Elise, but I’m not going to pressure you, at least not tonight,” he said, a mischievous grin lifting his lips.

“How about we watch a movie and just be together?” Her suggestion was soft, inviting a shared intimacy that was comforting.

“Sounds good.” With a reassuring squeeze of her hand, he led her to the living room.

The soft glow of the evening lamp cast a warm hue over them as he gestured for her to sit.

He settled down beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

Her cheek rested gently on his shoulder as she scrolled through the movie options, searching for something they could both enjoy, the anticipation of the evening ahead settling into a calm, shared contentment.

When Declan sighed, Elise sat up and looked at him. “What’s wrong?”

“I pulled Johnston over for running a stop sign a while back.”

“Did you give him a ticket?”

“I did. He told me he was going to ask you out again since you only had a disagreement and he knows you like him.” Declan shook his head.

“I don’t. Not ever again.”

“He doesn’t want to see you because he’s genuinely interested.” Declan shook his head in frustration; his brow furrowed with concern. “I’m sorry, that didn’t come out the way I intended,” he added hastily, his voice softening.

Elise’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of hurt flashing across her face. “I should hope not,” she replied, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Declan took a deep breath, trying to choose his words carefully. “He asked you out because he knew I was interested in you.”

A look of disbelief washed over Elise. “Wait. You think he only asked me out because you wanted to? Thanks a lot, Deputy,” she retorted, crossing her arms defensively.

“Elise, I’m just trying to be honest with you here,” Declan insisted, his tone earnest. “He is not a good person. If your dates didn’t show you that, what will? He’s doing it out of spite.”

“Why can’t you tell me?” Elise demanded.

“I will, but not yet. I think you need to realize on your own what kind of person he truly is,” Declan said with a resigned shrug.

“I already told you that I’m not seeing him again. Are you jealous of him?” Elise inquired, her voice probing.

Declan’s mouth fell open in surprise, then he quickly closed it, shaking his head with a laugh. “Hell, no. Do you think I should be jealous of him? In what way? His slick appearance? His so-called manners? What exactly?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“He doesn’t seem to have any manners,” Elise admitted, her voice softening with uncertainty.

“Well, I do,” Declan replied firmly. “I am, in no way, jealous of him.”

“Something happened between you to cause such animosity.”

“Yes, it did,” Declan acknowledged, his tone somber. “But I’ll let you make up your own mind. If you want to see him, I’ll step back. No matter what he tells you, don’t believe it.”

“I don’t want to see him, Declan. Maybe you should heed your own words.

Don’t believe what he tells you. I haven’t heard from him since the second date.

Well, wait. I did when he called to ask me out again, but I turned him down several times.

I have no desire whatsoever to see him on a social basis.

I see him when he drops Jenny off, which he does from outside, and that’s it. I’m being honest with you.”

Declan nodded. “Okay. Nothing would make him happier than to have you stop seeing me and start seeing him.”

“You’re going to tell me what happened and you’re going to tell me soon.”

He picked up her hand, kissed the palm, and looked into her eyes. “I will, soon. I promise.”

Elise nodded. She believed him, but she wasn’t going to keep quiet about it until he told her what exactly had happened between the two men.