His Wicked Pleasure (25 page)

              Kristie stood up and walked towards the window to look outside. A million thoughts invaded her head causing her to lean it against the cold, glass pane.

              “A penny for you thoughts,” said a familiar deep voice, which caused a chill to run down her spine.

              Turning around slowly, Kristie felt her heart come back to life. With a half smile, she took a few steps and said, “G.I. Joe. What a surprise.”

              Declan put down the huge assortment of flowers he had in his hands and closed her office door. “What’s wrong? You don’t look happy to see me this time.”

              Kristie looked at the handsome man before her and sighed. “I can’t do this anymore. It’s killing me. I’m not my sweet, happy self anymore.”

              Walking towards her and pulling her into his arms, Declan inhaled her delicious scent. Letting out his breath, he said, “Please don’t say that. I’ve missed you so much.”

              Pulling out of his arms, Kristie reached her hand up to his face and rubbed his beard a few times. While looking into his dark chocolate eyes, she said in an even voice, “Welcome home. I’m very happy you’re safe.”

              “Thank you.” Not ready to entertain the notion of Kristie ending things between them, he pushed her against her office wall and held both her hands over her head as he kissed her. The moment she responded, he deepened the kiss knowing at that very moment, Kristie was his entire world. The instant the kiss ended, Declan lifted her into his arms and sat down at her desk where he just held her.

              “Shh. Don’t talk,” he whispered while placing a kiss on the apple of her cheek.

              Being in his arms gave her the feeling her body missed and craved daily. She adjusted herself on his lap and cuddled into the warmth of his solid body. Finally, giving in to her emotions, Kristie began to silently cry.

              Feeling the warm moisture on his skin, Declan hugged Kristie tight while playing with her soft curls. “Please don’t cry. I’ll go speak to my commander and tender my resignation. Losing you is not an option.”

              Feeling the her heart break as the pain went straight to the pit of her stomach, Kristie pulled out of his arms and stood up. Avoiding his penetrating stare, Kristie dried her eyes with the back of her hand and put even more distance between them. “I can’t let you do that. I won’t let you do that.”

              Looking at her in so much pain caused his heart to break. He stood up and growled, “Do you think I like this arrangement? That I enjoy leaving you while I’m a million lifetimes away from you?”

              Looking at him with tears in her eyes, she replied, “You chose this life. Not me.”

              “Aye. I did,” said Declan rubbing his temples. “Can you leave? Obviously we have things to talk about.”

              Looking at him, standing there torn, caused her so much pain. Taking a deep breath, she walked to her desk, gathered her things and stood up. “You’re right. We do have things to discuss.”

              The moment Kristie walked outside, she remembered her umbrella was upstairs. Looking up at the sky and back at the door, she decided it wouldn’t matter and ran towards her Jeep where she jumped in. Shivering, she fumbled to put the key in the ignition and put the heat on.

              Declan walked over to her and knocked on her window. “I’ll meet you at your house in about an hour.” Before Kristie could respond, Declan vanished.

              “I swear that man has some kind of super human powers,” she growled as she put her Jeep into drive and followed her dark mood home. “Someone is out to get me. It’s actually raining even harder right now.” Kristie opened up her car door and got out. She made a run for it. Panting as she got to the door, she realized her keys and purse were still in her car and ran back.

              Finally inside the safety of her own house, she kicked off her shoes and stripped off her clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor. “I’m freezing.” She ran upstairs and turned on the shower and let it run for a bit. She stepped under the hot, steamy water and waited for the numbness to subside.

              Her mind started spinning in a bunch of different directions, causing her to let go and cry. She stood under the water and poured her heart out to no one but herself. After the last tear fell, she scrubbed herself clean.

~*~*~*~

              Declan parked his truck alongside Kristie’s Jeep and panicked when he noticed her driver side door wide open with a few of her personal belongings scattered on the ground. Walking over and closing the door, he looked around for footprints, any indication of force, and any clues of anything that could have happened to Kristie.

              Following the path to her front door, he turned the doorknob, opened the front door and walked inside. Taking a moment to silently wipe off his feet and look around, he closed the door without a sound and stopped in his tracks. Looking down on the floor was a pile of soaking wet clothes that belonged to Kristie.

              He bent down and lifted up her clothes, checking them over to see if there were any rips or tears and headed towards the staircase taking the stairs two at a time. Taking a silent breath, he stopped at the top of the landing and looked around, listening for any sounds of struggle. Quietly making his way to Kristie’s bedroom, he opened the door and looked inside.

              Her room appeared spotless. No sign of struggle, no sign of an intruder anywhere. He heard a sound coming from her bathroom. He walked over, placed his ear against the door, and listened.

              His heart pounded and his nerves were on edge as he opened the door and was instantly engulfed in hot, sticky steam.

              Kristie felt the cool air and let out a loud scream while wrapping a towel around her body.

              “Barbie Doll? Are you all right?” asked Declan standing there waiting for Kristie to step out of the shower.

              Feeling her heart beat right out of her chest, Kristie tightened her towel around her body and stepped out onto her floor mat. Catching her breath, she turned towards Declan with an odd look. “I’m fine. Why? What’s wrong? Why do you look like you’ve just been to hell and back?”

              “You left the driver’s side door to your Jeep wide open in the pouring rain and some of your belongings on the ground. I thought someone attacked you.”

              Looking at him with a confused expression, Kristie moved past him and into her closet. Calling out, she replied, “Wow. I can’t believe I left my car door open. So strange.

              “You did.”

              “I’ll be right out, I just need to get dressed,” said Kristie searching for something to wear.

              Declan felt his body begin to relax and took a seat on the couch near her bed as he did his best to patiently wait for her. The moment she made her way towards him, his heart rate picked up speed and his body responded to hers.

              “Sorry to keep you waiting,” said Kristie walking into the bathroom and hanging up her towel. Turning off the light, she walked towards him and sat down on her bed across from him.

              Declan looked into Kristie’s bright, green eyes and said, “I’m going to retire from the SEALs. You’re my future.”

              “No. You can’t do that. I’ve already made up my mind.”

              Declan watched Kristie closely and knew she was more upset than she appeared. “You’re not understanding Barbie Doll. You’re more important to me than my job.”

              “Listen. I understand that you think I’d be happy if you retired but you’re wrong. It will eventually come back to bite us both in the ass and I’m not willing to let that happen. We are ending things now so both of us can move on.”

              “Barbie Doll. Stop. You don’t mean any of that. You know it and I know it,” said Declan walking up to Kristie. He pulled her into his arms. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while now. Like you, I can’t stand to be away from you.”

              “You can’t possibly mean this. Don’t do this because of me.”

              Feeling as if a knife was lodged in his chest, Declan’s head began to pound and his mind raced. The thought of him and Kristie not being together was not an option. Taking a deep breath, he instantly got down on his right knee and pulled a black velvet box out of his pants’ pocket.

With his eyes glued to Kristie, he said in a deep, confident voice, “Barbie Doll. Marry me...”

              Before Kristie was able to open her mouth and respond, Declan placed the ring on her finger and brought his lips to hers. “You’re all mine now,” he said in a voice laced with passion and conviction.