Page 54 of Hooked on a Demon (Leeside Witches #3)

Declan

“Y ou ready?” Declan asks, kicking the kickstand on his motorcycle into place as Eliana releases her hold on his chest—a sensation he will never tire of.

She takes a deep breath before answering, “As much as I’m gonna be.”

“You’ve met them all before. Well, everyone except Mom. But she’s practically harmless.”

“Practically doesn’t mean she’s not.” She laughs, dismounting from behind him.

“And I know. But it’s still intimidating.

You’ve been around my family for years. I’m new to them.

And it’s different, coming to an official meet-the-family meal.

I’m not just out at a bar and seeing them, or in my comfort zone at the theater.

This is scary. What if they don’t like me? ”

Declan swings a leg over and turns to face her.

He can see she’s getting herself worked up.

Her breathing is picking up, and she’s starting to fidget with her clothes.

She’s been working hard with Dr. Reid, and as much as she’s made progress in talking about her feelings and everything, moments like these clearly still cause her to be overwhelmed.

Reaching forward, he pulls her into his space. She fit so perfectly between his legs. Like the space is meant for her. His hands grip onto her hips, and he feels the tension in her body ease under his touch. Looking up at her, he smiles, offering silent comfort.

“They will love you. Because I love you. But if you really don’t want to go in there, we don’t need to.”

Eliana gazes down at him. Hades, he could get lost in those eyes. Warm. Comforting. Loving. Everything she is and so much more.

Declan’s thumb draws circles on her hip, patiently giving her time to decide what she wants to do.

After a moment, with her hand running down the back of his head and her fingers twirling the end of his braid, with confidence, she says, “I want to go in.” A gentle smile breaks across her gorgeous lips, and his heart fills with even more love than he thought possible.

“Only if you’re sure. I never want you to feel you have to do something.”

She nods. “I’m sure.” She kisses him softly, letting her lips linger on his. “And thank you for being so patient.”

“Always.”

She smiles at him. A smile that he knows is only for him.

He’s so grateful that she lets him see her.

All of her. And that she lets him into the moments she thinks are weakness, but to him, are pure strength.

It takes so much to come out the other side of what she’s experienced, let alone to manage her anxiety on a day-to-day basis.

He stands, wraps his arm around her, and spins them, leaning her back over the bike as he kisses her again.

Yes, they are expected inside, but they can all wait.

His tongue slides along her lips, tasting her sweetness.

Eliana’s lips part, allowing him in further; he takes the invitation.

Her hands slide up his back and clasp onto the side of his face as he deepens the kiss.

“Ahem,” a voice sounds behind them.

Declan groans into her, both in frustration that their moment has been broken and in desire for this beautiful woman. Breaking apart, Declan stands them both upright again before looking up to see Lachlan standing on the steps of his home with a shit-eating grin on his face.

“Anytime you two lovebirds are ready to come in, we would love to see you,” Lachlan says, amused.

Looking at Eliana, Declan notices the blush creeping up her neck. As they make their way to the door, he leans down and whispers in her ear, “Not gonna lie, the idea of bending you over that bike is all I can think about.”

She gasps before lightly smacking his stomach and replying, “If we make it out of this alive, I’ll let you tie me up and use a butt plug while you fuck me senseless on it.” She winks at him, then steps through the door with Declan nearly choking at her response. Goddess, she’s perfect.

“Declan, my boy, come here,” Fenella, his mother, says, wrapping her arms around him as Lachlan closes the door behind them.

“Hi, Mom.” Declan hugs her back and kisses her cheek before she pulls away completely.

She steps over to Eliana next and places her hands on Eliana’s arms. “It’s so wonderful to meet you, dear. I’m Fenella.”

“Hi, Fenella.” She leans in and hugs his mom.

This isn’t something he ever thought he would see.

Hell, he never thought he’d settle down with anyone.

Declan figured he’d spend the rest of his days hopping from one bed to another.

But the more time he spends with her, the more he gets to know her, the more he loves her.

He didn’t lie when he told her shithead ex that Eliana was worth everything. She’s the light in the darkness. The home he’s longed for. The one person in the world who brings him peace and doesn’t question or judge any part of him. But most of all, he loves being a sturdy place for her to land.

They follow his mom and Lachlan into the house, Declan placing his hand on the small of Eliana’s back along the way, while his other hand pats his pocket, making sure the little box is still there.

She relaxes into his slight touch and looks at him, making his heart leap and his demon chant mine inside.

Walking into the kitchen, hellos and hugs from Petra, Daisy, and Sloan greet them. Morris, Petra’s troublemaker cat, scampers in front of their feet, nearly tripping Declan. Declan growls at the little beast, but the fluff ball meows back before taking off around the corner.

“So nice to see you both again,” Petra says.

“Yes, you too,” Eliana replies. Her tone shows she’s still nervous. Hopefully, she’ll relax a little further as the evening goes on.

“Drinks?” Lachlan asks.

“Please.” Declan looks to Eliana, who nods in return. “Beer for me, and an espresso martini for Eliana.”

Lachlan waves a hand over his head. “Coming right up.”

A moment later, Lachlan hands them their drinks, and they move over to the kitchen table, taking a seat with his mom, Daisy, and Sloan.

“So tell me everything. How did this come to be?” Fenella asks.

It’s so typical of his family to jump right into it.

Declan leans back, smiling as he places an arm along the back of Eliana’s chair.

He delves into their story, explaining everything that has led them to where they are now, with his mom and the others chiming in with questions along the way.

It seems to take a while to get through it all, but soon enough, dinner is ready, and the chatter shifts to more regular conversation, not solely focused on them.

Eliana, despite her nerves, carries herself with ease. Jumping from one topic to the next, as if she’s been in the group for years. Which is a good thing, as he plans to be with her for the rest of their lives.

Dinner wraps up, and they move out to the patio, enjoying the fire pit in the cooler temperatures that have taken over Leeside.

With fire dancing in her eyes, and unable to break the feeling that she needs to be his forevermore, Declan stands. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out the ring that’s been burning a hole in it all night.

Declan turns around, kneeling in front of Eliana, and takes her hand. The conversational buzz around them stops, and all he can see and hear is the two of them. Her eyes reflect back the flames of love he feels for her.

“Eliana,” he starts. “I love you more than I thought was ever possible. You are completely unexpected and bring light into my life that I didn’t know I was looking for.

You are the only one I want to be with and the only one I will ever love.

I would be honored if you would agree to spend the rest of your life with me.

” He wipes a tear from her cheek before continuing, “Eliana, will you marry me?”

She sits before him, shock written all over her face, from the gaping mouth to the enlarged pupils. “Are you serious?”

“Marry me. I can’t spend another day without knowing you’ll be mine forever.”

She stutters, having difficulty finding her words. She’s so beautiful. Flustered, flushed, or flirting, it doesn’t matter. She couldn’t be any more perfect. “I-I—Yes.”

“Yes?” he asks, shocked himself.

“Yes, I’ll marry you.”

“Hell yeah!” He slides the ring onto her finger before they stand up together. He lifts her up, spinning around with her legs wrapped around him as they kiss excitedly.

A couple of bottles pop in the distance, and various hands clap him on the shoulder, but all he cares about is that he has found the woman of his dreams.