Page 24 of Declan (Men of Clifton, Montana #53)

The following Saturday, Declan knocked on the door to the dance studio, but got no answer, so he pulled on it, surprised that the door wasn’t locked, entered and heard classical music.

Rays of late afternoon sun streaked through high windows.

Maybe she was teaching another class since some had been cancelled due to the snow.

Following the sound, he padded across the wooden floor, heading toward the back. He hadn’t seen Elise since last weekend when they were at the cabin and the snow cut their visit short.

By Wednesday, the weather had warmed enough to melt most of it, but it was just a teaser because more snow was predicted. Declan had to see her. Text messages and calls weren’t enough.

At the doorway of the largest room, he halted, folding his arms across his chest and leaning one shoulder against the frame.

He watched Elise whirl beneath a cascade of golden light, her tight black shorts clinging to her sculpted thighs, her matching sports bra revealing the graceful curve of her waist. Each of her moves seemed to defy gravity; she rose onto the tips of her satin-tipped ballet slippers, extended one slender leg behind her, then glided into the next move with effortless precision.

He watched her for several minutes, in awe of her movements. When she leaped into the air, he shook his head in admiration; this was her passion.

When she rounded to face him, her smile brightened the entire room. She darted to the shelf holding a small silver stereo, fingers dancing over her phone screen. The music stopped. She grinned and sauntered to him, chest rising with the afterglow of exertion.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. Her cheeks held a rosy glow.

“I thought maybe you’d get lunch with me.”

She brushed damp strands of hair behind her ear. “I’d love to, but I’m sweaty and I need a shower.”

A slow grin curved on his lips, then he pressed a gentle kiss to her soft lips. “I like you sweaty,” he teased, laughing when she swatted him playfully.

“Maybe you could shower with me.”

“That’s the best idea I’ve heard today, but I’m on duty.” Declan pushed off the doorframe.

She glanced toward the wall clock. “Isn’t it a little late for lunch?”

He shrugged, tucking his thumbs into the beltloops of his jeans. “I’ve been busy.”

She planted a quick kiss on him, rising on her toes until her lips met his. “Are you coming by later?” Her brow creased with curiosity. “Wasn’t the door locked?”

“No.” He straightened.

“No, what? You’re not coming by later or the door wasn’t locked?” She tilted her head and bit her lip to stop a grin.

“Yes, I’m coming by later, and no, the door wasn’t locked.”

Elise shook her head. “Well, damn. Erica must have forgotten.” She gave him one last kiss before stepping back.

“I thought you were teaching a class since some were cancelled last week.” He removed his thumbs from the loops and brushed a tender kiss to her forehead. “You were beautiful out there. What was that piece?”

“ Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy , from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. My favorite.”

He smiled wryly. “I don’t usually listen to classical, but that one’s familiar. You were absolutely stunning.”

“Thanks. Sometimes I stay on Saturdays to dance after everyone leaves. I dance for an hour.”

“I see.” He sighed. “I need to grab some lunch. I’ll see you tonight.”

Elise reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his in another lingering kiss. “If you weren’t on duty, you could shower with me.”

His hands rested on her waist as he whispered, “You have no idea how much I wish I could.” Then he pulled her against him, pressed his lips to hers and passionately kissed her, then lifted his lips.

“I’m going to head upstairs. I’ll see you later,” she said.

“Yes, ma’am, you will.”

“I’ll walk you out since I need to lock the front door.” She grabbed his hand and led him to the front.

Declan kissed her lips, touched the brim of his hat, then walked outside into the cold air. He knew they needed to talk, and he wasn’t sure he was ready for the words that would have to come.

****

Elise sank into the overstuffed sofa cushions, smoothing the soft cotton of her T-shirt.

A warm glow from the table lamp spilled across the room, casting gentle shadows on the walls.

She glanced at the brass-rimmed clock hanging on the wall.

A few minutes before six. Tonight, they’d go to Dewey’s after dinner at the diner, and the anticipation fluttered in her chest like butterflies.

A soft rap at the door jolted her upright.

Heart pounding, she ran a hand through her hair, smoothed the fabric of her shirt one more time, then stalked across the hardwood floor.

She pressed her eye to the peephole and her breath caught.

Declan stood there, leaning against the metal rail, a single pink rose clutched in his hand.

When she opened the door, she waved him inside. Declan removed his hat and wiped his feet on the welcome mat. Before she could speak, he closed the gap and pressed his lips to hers, warm, insistent, sending a wave of heat up her spine.

Elise backed up. “Is that for me?” she asked, nodding at the rose.

He grinned; head tilted. “This? Nah, I bought it for myself.”

She narrowed her eyes, feigning indignation, but laughter cracked her expression.

He handed her the rose. She inhaled its sweet, fresh scent, then leaned in to kiss him again.

When his arms wrapped around her waist, drawing her closer, a small moan escaped her.

His lips trailed from hers to her cheek, then over to her earlobe, where he gently tugged it with his teeth.

Warmth pooled through her veins; every nerve ending stood at attention.

“Want to skip going out?” he murmured, his voice low, husky against her skin.

Elise tilted her head, gazing into those light gray eyes. “We can do whatever you want.”

He brushed a thumb across her jawline. “Have I ever told you that you’re easy?”

She laughed. “Only with you, cowboy. Only with you. Let me grab my coat. I left it in the bedroom.” She ran to the bedroom, removed her coat from the closet and reentered the kitchen to see Declan leaning against the counter, his arms folded, legs crossed at the ankles and his head down.

“Declan?”

He raised his head and for a second, she thought she saw sadness in his eyes, but he quickly smiled.

He let out a contented sigh and nodded toward the sofa. “Let’s sit for a minute. I need to talk to you.”

Her brow furrowed as she placed her coat on the sofa. “Uh-oh. That’s never a good thing to hear.”

“It’s nothing bad, I promise.” He took her hand and guided her back to the sofa, waiting for her to sit before he settled beside her. He lifted her fingers to his lips, brushing a kiss across the back of her hand. The sudden tenderness sent a pinprick of unease through her.

Her voice came out almost too calm. “What is it?”

Declan inhaled, as though gathering courage. His gaze found hers. “I think you should go.”

She pulled her hand free, confusion knitting her brows. “Go? Go where?”

“To New York, to work with Wynonna.” His words hovered between them.

Elise’s heart stuttered. “Why?”

“Because watching you dance today made me realize how much you love ballet. I believe going back to New York would make you happy.” He reached out, fingers trembling, as though afraid she’d slip away. “I’d do anything to make you happy, even if it means losing you.”

She rose to her feet so quickly she got a head rush. He stood, closing the space between them.

“I’m not going back to New York, Declan—”

He ran a hand through his hair; frustration lined around his eyes. “It pains me to say it, but you need to see what you’d miss if you stay here… with me. I think you owe it to yourself to try.”

Elise’s pulse hammered in her temples. “Stop telling me what you think! How about what I think? I’m the one who has to make this decision, and I already have.”

He took a slow step closer, voice softening. “Of course, what you think matters, but if you turn this opportunity down without even trying, I worry you’ll regret it, maybe even regret us.”

A fierce heat burned behind her eyes. She shook her head, tears threatening to spill. “I would never regret us. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me—yes, even more than ballet.” She lifted her chin, shoulders squared. “No. I won’t go.”

“Elise, please just go and see what you’d be missing because if that’s what you truly want, I’ll find a way to live with it,” Declan said, his voice a mix of resolve and vulnerability. “You can’t just say no without at least trying.”

“Why do you want to break up with me? Is it because of what I told you about Stephen?” she asked, her voice trembling as a single tear traced a sorrowful path down her cheek.

“Hell, no. I’ve already forgotten that. I don’t want to break up with you,” he replied, his eyes softening as he looked at her.

“I want you to be where you truly want to be. What if you don’t go now, and then in a year or two, you find yourself wondering what life could have been like for you?

” He reached for her hand, but she slapped it away.

“That won’t happen,” she insisted, her voice firm.

He let out a brief humorless laugh. “You can’t know that for sure,” he said, his gaze steady and searching.

“And you can’t either, Declan!” she retorted. God, she couldn’t lose him.

“You’re right,” he acknowledged, his tone gentle yet earnest. “But I’d rather you go now and see for yourself. If you decide to come back to Clifton and me, I’ll be here, waiting.”

She sniffled as tears rolled down her cheeks. “You said this was nothing bad. You promised, but you’re breaking my heart. Just go—”

“Elise—”

“Please, Declan. I don’t want to see you right now.” She turned away from him so she wouldn’t beg him to stay.