Page 104 of Eternal

I’ll never be like that.

I’m a plastic cup in comparison.

When I reach the fire pit, Declan finally spots me, saying something to Maddox that makes him get up and walk off. He watches me circle, and when I pause at a chair near him, he shakes his head.

“Come here.” He pats his thigh.

“Seriously?”

His eyebrow ticks up, his expression answering for him.

Walking over to him, he snags my hand the moment I reach him, and he pulls me down onto his lap.

“Happy?” I narrow my eyes.

“Take off your shorts, and I’d be happier.” He cups my jaw, grazing his thumb over my lower lip, not kissing me.

“I don’t think anyone here would appreciate that.”

“I would.”

“Besides you.” I roll my eyes.

Declan smirks. “Feeling better?”

“Who said I was feeling bad?”

“You didn’t.” He draws a path down the center of my throat, over my chest, and between my breasts. “But those girls in the parking lot at school said something that bothered you.”

“Did you hear them?”

He shakes his head. “No, but I can tell it got to you.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief that he couldn’t hear what they said because I already doubt us enough without someone getting inside Declan’s head about it.

“It’s not important.” I wrap my arms around his shoulders. “Did you take care of what you needed to with your father? Plotting the world’s destruction or whatever you two were up to?”

“Yeah.” Declan’s eyes dart off, and his jaw tenses.

“Want to talk about it?”

He shakes his head. “It’s not important.”

I doubt that, but I don’t push it either. I’m well aware we both still have walls up and that no matter what this is, they’re bound to come between us eventually.

Glancing across the yard, I see my father walking back toward the rest of the party with Jase’s dad at his side.

“They’re already colluding.” I frown. “Just because my father’s going along with this doesn’t mean he’s giving up.”

“I know.” Declan tightens his grip around my waist.

“I guess we’ll enjoy it while we can then.”

“You say that like I’ll let you go, Teal.”

“You won’t have a choice.”

Declan smirks, relaxing for the first time since I spotted him talking to his father. “Whatever you say.”