Page 32 of Hooked on a Demon (Leeside Witches #3)

Declan

H e didn’t plan to go to the Oaks residence, but Everest was already at his place and asked if Declan wanted to join him for Friday night dinner.

It’s been a while since he’s attended one, and Ev’s parents always enjoy having extra people over.

So it was a pleasant surprise when they pulled in, and Eliana’s car was there.

And the look she gave him when he walked through the door…

well, it spoke volumes. And that needy sound that she tried to cover.

Oh, it told him everything he needed to hear.

He doesn’t like that she essentially ran off like a dirty secret when they were interrupted.

The shop was wildly busy today, which meant he barely had a moment to think, let alone text with Eliana.

Figuring he could come to dinner and call her when he got home, he put it off until later, knowing he’d prefer a chance to have more than a quick chat.

But of course, there she was, looking gorgeously flustered when he walked in the door.

It took all his strength to refrain from immediately stalking over to her and kissing her breathless.

Her eyes have followed him since he entered the house, and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy the feeling of her watching him.

Her gaze roaming over his body. Hungrily following his hands as he rolled up his sleeves.

Hades, all it takes is a look from her to set him on fire.

It really is a gift that Everest is as oblivious as he is, or Declan would be in a whole cauldron of trouble.

Which is exactly why he made sure to sit at the opposite end of the table from her. The more physical distance between them, the less tempted he is to find a way to touch her.

As Everest, sitting to his left, passes him a dish of mashed potatoes, Eliana clears her throat. His eyes glance her way, taking in the tautness in her shoulders and the way she swallows nervously before she speaks.

“So…uh… Did I hear you guys talking about some car engine or something before dinner?”

“Yeah,” Everest says, stuffing a carrot in his mouth. “Why?”

She spoons some vegetables onto her plate. “Well. I. I was curious. What kind of car was it?”

Everest’s eyebrow quirks up. “Since when are you interested in cars?”

Moving her fork around the plate, seemingly poking at everything and nothing at the same time, she answers, “I thought it was time I took an interest. It might help me someday, way down the line, when I need to get a new one.”

Her brother and father eye her skeptically, but don’t push. Declan, though, can see and feel the tension rolling off of her. Watching her be this uncomfortable creates an ache in his chest, knowing that there’s not much he can do to help.

“So, was it a big car or a little car?” she asks, evidently trying to keep the conversation going.

Everest snorts amusement beside him, while Declan’s left hand moves to rest on his knee under the table and lets a nearly invisible wisp of smoke flow from his fingertips.

He pushes it forward, edging ever so carefully toward Eliana, careful not to let it touch anyone else along the way.

It softly wraps around her ankle and slides up her leg to rest on her thigh.

Her eyes flick to his while he takes a bite of potatoes, and he does his best to give her a reassuring smile.

As realization blankets her features, the thrum of her nerves settles under his faint touch.

The conversation at the table quickly turns away from whatever it was she was trying to do, and he feels her relax further.

The tendril of smoke stays resting on her thigh throughout the meal, which appears to help her feel more at ease, while also still allowing him to feel her. To touch her.

The smoke can be surprisingly sensitive, and it has helped him pick up on people’s moods, which is great when working with the public.

But with her, it seems to be extra sensitive.

Sometimes, he feels his power drawn to her.

Eager to seek her out. To connect. It’s something he’s never felt before and is both intriguing and unsettling.

Lachlan spoke of feeling like there was a thread that bound him and Petra together, and as Declan soothes Eliana under the table, he wonders if this pull toward her is that thread his brother referred to.

His watchful gaze lands on her again and he can’t help but think about all that she’s been through.

Not only did she move away to pursue her lifelong dream, but when that dream ended, she had to heal from a massive injury and deal with a shitty partner.

And as far as he knows, she went through it all on her own. Remarkable.

She’s remarkable, his demon counters.

“Earth to Declan!” Everest says, tossing a dinner roll at him, breaking him from his thoughts. A second tendril shoots out and catches it before it hits the floor.

He clears his throat as the roll is placed on the table beside him. “Sorry, I missed what was said.”

“Clearly,” Ev jests.

“It’s alright, dear. I was asking about the shop. Business doing okay?” Cora asks.

“Oh, yes. We’re doing great. Since word seems to be getting around that we’re helping out with the showcase for Eliana’s studio, we seem to have a bit of an influx.

But we’re happy to be kept busy.” The tendril still resting on Eliana’s thigh gives it a gentle squeeze before edging up a little higher on her leg and turning ever-so-slightly inward.

He lets his eyes flick to her, catching a soft, rosy hue as it dusts her cheeks.

“That’s wonderful.” Cora turns her head to look at her daughter. “Why didn’t you tell us that Declan was helping?” She turns back to Declan, “What are you all helping with?”

“Because I don’t tell you everything,” Eliana says under her breath at the same time that Declan says, “We are helping to build the sets. We are about done, though. Maybe another day or two, and it should be ready for the big night.”

“That’s so exciting, dear, and I’m so happy that you were clearly able to get such fine helpers,” Cora says, glancing between him and Eliana.

There’s no way she knows.

She can’t know.

Can she?

Eliana leans back, and her head dips, her eyes lingering on the space between the table and her body as his tendril continues to move toward her center.

“Yeah, my littles are particularly excited about dancing in front of everyone. The teen groups tell me they dread it, but I’m doing my best to hype it up for them. ”

His smoky limb stops before it makes contact with her core, but he still catches the soft breath of anticipation she lets out.

Declan has no intention of playing with her at the table while her family sits around her, but if his touch helps to distract her from whatever she’s worked up about, that’s good enough for him.

“When is it again?” Cora asks.

Placing her utensils on her plate, Eliana replies, “Two weeks tomorrow. We will use next week as an opportunity to practice with the stage pieces, and the week after for full dress rehearsals. It’s a tighter schedule than we would like, but assuming there’s no big hiccups, we should be okay, timing-wise. ”

“Wonderful. I’ll put it on the calendar.”

Elliana’s head lifts, and her expression changes to confusion. “Why?”

“Well, so we can come watch your show, lil’ foot,” her father says as if it were obvious.

He watches as a series of emotions floods her features. Moving quickly from confusion to shock, back to confusion, and then landing finally on embarrassment.

“You don’t have to come. It’s a silly children’s showcase,” she says unconvincingly.

“But it’s your showcase. So we will be there to support you and your work, dear. We have always regretted not getting the chance to see you perform on the big stage in Hollybrook. So we will be there to support you for this showcase.”

A flash of grief passes over her eyes. Realization dawns on Declan. Her family never saw her achieve her dream, presumably because of her shithead ex. He not only kept her from friends, but also kept her family from her.

Rage builds rapidly in his chest. His muscles tighten as what feels like a block of anger settles inside. His demon roars angrily in his head, wanting to take over. To protect her. To avenge her. All of it.

Declan sucks in a breath, reluctantly drawing the tendril away from Eliana’s lap as he focuses his energy on keeping the demon at bay. The last thing he needs right now is his angered demon making an appearance. Clearing his throat, he excuses himself and steps out of the room.

He finds his way to the backyard and steps around the corner to give himself some privacy. Shutting his eyes tight, he takes a few deep breaths to calm the rolling river of animosity. It doesn’t take long before he hears soft steps approaching.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

Hearing the concern in her tone squashes any remaining bitterness inside him.

His eyes open, and she stands before him, her eyebrows scrunched in, creating the most adorable little wrinkle between them.

She crosses her arms over her chest and softly rubs her arms to keep warm.

It is a bit chilly out, but the cool air has never really bothered him, despite running hotter thanks to his demon.

He steps toward her, glancing behind to be sure they are out of sight.

“Can I hug you?” he asks.

She smiles at him. “Yes, Declan, you can hug me. You don’t need to ask every time,” she says, letting a soft chuckle loose at his expense.

He takes two steps to close the distance and wraps her in his arms. “You should have a coat on,” he mumbles into the top of her head before breathing her in. Peppermint and grapefruit are quickly becoming his favorite scents.

“Thanks, Dad.”

A rumble sounds from within. “Careful, Oaks.”

Her head turns, and she laughs softly, resting her cheek on his chest. “Or what?”

“You’re so lucky we are at your family home. That’s all I’m gonna say.”

She laughs again, and it’s officially a sound he never wants to stop hearing.

Her laugh is melodic and bursting with sunshine.

His chest warms each time he hears it, and he’s realizing more and more that he wants to keep hearing it.

That he wants to be the one who makes her laugh.

“We should get back inside before Ev comes looking for us.”

“Yeah. You never answered my question, though.”

“What was that?”

“Are you okay?”

“I am now.” He kisses the top of her head. “I had to calm the beast after realizing why your family never saw you dance after you moved away,” Declan responds, managing to keep his demon calm.

“Oh,” she says.

“Yeah. But I’m okay now,” he says, kissing the top of her head again. “Thanks for coming to check on me.”

“Anytime, Grace.”