Page 20 of Unyielding (Poplar Springs #3)

TWENTY

SHANNON

I ’d had this dream before. The one where Declan was interested in me, where after a heated, amazing kiss, he asked me out instead of mumbling about a girlfriend and leaving me standing there under the mistletoe with my face red. Yeah, I’d had this dream lots of times.

But this time, it was real. I was actually spread out on a blanket a few feet away from him, having a picnic with Declan Morris who might, wonder of wonders, actually have feelings for me in return.

I glanced over at him and smiled. He’d outdone himself.

Instead of taking me out to dinner or a movie, he’d surprised me and brought me to the town hall—which also happened to be the tallest building in town—for a rooftop picnic.

He’d thought of everything, from the backpack filled with savory small bites, to the wine and goblets, to the thick blanket.

The evening had been the perfect mix of good food and conversation, and I’d loved every minute of it, but each time our gazes had caught or our fingers had brushed, I’d felt my temperature rise another degree and by this point, I was yearning for more than just talk, even as I tried to play it cool.

“I’ve never been up here before. From the street, it doesn’t look like there’s a flat area—all you can see is the gable.

How did you get access?” I asked, leaning back on my elbows and gazing up at the stars, which seemed to sparkle brighter than ever.

Suddenly, a series of shooting stars burst across the sky. “Oh! Look.”

Declan followed where I pointed, smiling. “Make a wish.”

“What? Why?”

“When you see the first shooting star, you’re supposed to make a wish,” he told me.

I closed my eyes and made the same wish that fed my fantasies before staring back up at the sky.

It helped to look everywhere but at Declan.

I didn’t want him to ask me what my wish was, because my wish was to jump on top of him.

He was stretched out next to me, and I swore I could feel heat radiating off him.

There was a little stubble on his cheeks, and I could only imagine how it would feel brushing up against my bare skin.

I needed a distraction. “So, was it Amy who got you access?”

“No. Actually, it was the mayor himself. His granddaughter’s favorite calf got lost and by the time they found her, she was dangerously dehydrated.

I was able to get her back on her feet and nursing on mom.

He was so thankful, he asked if there was anything he could do to repay me, and—well, here we are.

” He paused and picked up the bottle. “More wine?”

“Are you trying to get me drunk, Dr. Morris?” I laughed and hoped it didn’t sound forced.

He blanched and froze. “Never!”

“Oh, come on, I’m just teasing you.” I leaned over and poked him in the stomach, which was shockingly firm.

“Hey.” He laughed, trying to dodge me while still holding the bottle. “Don’t make me spill the wine.”

“What, you don’t want me to do this?” I asked, scooting closer so I could tickle him.

“Okay, that’s it,” he said with mock frustration as I poked and tickled him, setting the bottle down with a thud. “Your turn.”

Before I knew what was happening, Declan was straddling me, holding my wrists tightly in one of his hands. He looked down at me with unmistakable hunger.

“Should I tickle you now?” he asked in a quiet voice.

I shook my head, not looking away from his face.

“You’d prefer something else?”

His voice was low and sexy, the heated tone unlike anything I’d heard from him. I nodded and he dropped down to his elbows, hovering just a few inches above me.

“And what is it you’d like me to do?” His whisper was rough.

“Kiss me,” I exhaled, coming just short of begging him. “ Please .”

I closed my eyes and tilted my chin up toward him and was met by the sweetest sensation of his lips covering mine. I could feel the coiled tension in his body, proof that Declan had been waiting all night for it as well, and within a few seconds, he’d lowered himself on top of me.

I shivered even though he felt warm against me. Kissing Declan got better every time.

The heat between us felt like we were about to kick off sparks. Declan adjusted himself and traced kisses along my jawline, sending a ticklish scramble up my spine. He paused and looked down at me.

“More. Don’t stop,” I pleaded in a ragged whisper.

I didn’t care if anyone could see what we were doing—all I wanted was him. I’d waited too long, years , and I was more than ready to take my infatuation with Declan to the next level. And based on the bulge that was pressed against me, he felt the same way.

But instead of leaning down and putting me out of my misery, he pushed away, then sat down next to me.

“I had a great time tonight.”

I blinked at him. What was going on?

“Uh, me too,” I said, adjusting myself so I was propped up on my elbows. “But…”

“Maybe I should get you home?” he asked as he stood up and brushed off his jeans.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, suddenly feeling awkward.

He stopped to stare at me. “Yeah, everything’s great. Better than great.”

I frowned. Maybe he was trying to take me home so we could continue there instead of on the uncomfortable roof in open view? Although based on the way he was putting distance between us, it didn’t seem likely that he had any plans to pick up where we’d left off.

“Okay…” I said, standing up slowly.

As we collected our things, I weighed the possible outcomes of the evening.

Maybe he was just trying to be a gentleman, but deep down, he really wanted to rip all of my clothes off?

Perhaps if we had a little more privacy and I made it clear exactly what I wanted from him, maybe then he wouldn’t stop?

Because it was the first time in forever I was aching to see how things could shape up if I gave romance a real shot.

Ever since he’d asked me out, I’d been floating on cloud nine, finally feeling hopeful that my attraction to him wasn’t one-sided after all.

“All set?” he asked, looking far less horny than I was hoping for. Doubts started to creep in. Just what had I done wrong?