The Betrayal (36 page)

“You smell so good,” she murmured. “All warm and spicy and male.”

He smiled down at her. “I’m glad you like it.”

“Oh, I like it all right. I like it a lot.”

Declan stared down at her, his eyes dark with desire. With a groan, he bent down and lifted her into his arms, the crutches forgotten.

He strode down the hall and into his bedroom. Despite the fact they’d only recently climbed out of it, it was already neatly made. Chloe couldn’t help but smile.

“It’s only eight-thirty on a Sunday morning and you’ve already made the bed?”

Declan nuzzled the side of her neck. “What can I say? I like things tidy.”

His mouth found the sensitive part right below her ear and she gasped. Fire burned through to her belly and lower.

Declan lowered her gently to the bed, mindful of her injured leg. When he joined her, she reached up and brought his mouth back to hers. Within seconds, the kiss ignited. His lips slanted across hers, tasting, seeking, taking. She kissed him back and pressed herself closer against him, as close as her leg would allow.

His fingers nudged at the fabric of her bright yellow sundress. It had been purposefully chosen for the ease with which she was able to pull it on and off over her head and the bright color had simply made her smile. She couldn’t wait to wear the hot pink blouse she’d kept stowed in the back of her closet for far too long.

Declan made short work of removing the dress and his hands went unerringly to her breasts. He rubbed her nipples through the thin fabric of her bra until they were puckered and hard.

She moaned.

With one hand, he reached behind her and unclasped her bra, freeing her breasts of their constraints. His lips quickly followed his fingertips, nipping and licking her nipples. His towel long discarded, she moved restlessly against the naked length of him. His hand stole across her belly and slid beneath her panties. When his fingers delved into the dewy softness between her legs, she gasped and turned her head from side to side from his sensual torment.

“Please, Declan.”

“Please, what?” he murmured, his mouth intent on her breasts. He nuzzled first one and then the other. His tongue stole out and swiped across one of her nipples and she gasped again. Need spiraled down to her belly and ignited a path of desire. She moaned and moved against him, anxious to feel him inside her.

“I know, sweetheart… I know,” he whispered, stroking her slick flesh. His finger parted her folds and found her clit—swollen, and oh so sensitive, When his fingers slid over its hard nub, she clutched at him, caught in a paradox of agony and ecstasy.

“Please, Declan. I need you inside me.
Please.”

Moving slightly away from her, he reached over toward the nightstand and pulled out a condom. Ripping it open with his teeth, he quickly sheathed his cock and returned to her side.

Mindful of her plastered leg, he poised himself over her and nudged at her entrance. She squirmed and urged him forward.

He eased inside her, stretching her, filling her. A moment later, he began to move with long sure strokes. She clung to his shoulders and dug her fingernails into his skin, almost unable to bear the feelings that built deep within her core. With every movement of his hips, her need burned hotter.

“That’s it, sweetheart. Let it go.”

Declan’s murmured words of encouragement were enough to tip her over the edge. She panted and moaned and gasped. Seconds later, she found her release.

Tightening his arms around her, Declan moved faster. His breath came harsher in her ear. She clung to him, urging him onward. With a shout of triumph, he climaxed.

It was long moments later before she was capable of speaking. “If that’s what getting burned is all about, I’m all for it.”

He turned on his side and grinned at her. “Minx.”

She smiled back at him and sighed in contentment. At his insistence, she’d moved into his apartment after leaving the hospital. She wasn’t foolish enough to think she could take care of herself without assistance and Declan was eager to help. Her mother had also offered, but something about having Declan close at hand was more than a little appealing.

She’d been told of Charlie’s second attempt on her life by her boss. Hammond had attended upon her the day after it had happened, grave with concern. He also told her about the attempted arrest of her uncle and what they had found at his mansion.

It had been too much to take in and Chloe had sent him away feeling shocked and traumatized. Even now, she still found it hard to believe all that had happened. As if sensing her thoughts, Declan caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.

“What are you thinking?” he murmured, his expression filled with concern.

She sighed and told him the truth. “The thing with Charlie and Eric and my uncle. And even my aunt. I still can’t conceive of how it all happened.”

Declan drew her close against him. “Me either. I’m just grateful Stanford and Stoltenberg are locked up. At least you’re safe from them.”

Chloe shuddered. “I never would have dreamed Eric could be so violent. When I interviewed him, he seemed like a harmless boy.”

“You just never know.”

She thought of her uncle and aunt and the life of deception they’d lived for so many years. “You’ve certainly got that right,” she said sadly.

“I hope you’re not still blaming yourself?”

She unwittingly made a sound of distress in the back of her throat and then bit her tongue. Declan pulled gently away from her and sat up against the headboard.

“I thought we’d been over this, sweetheart?”

He said it gently, but tears still burned behind her eyes. He smoothed a lock of hair back from her forehead and her heart melted at the tenderness in his eyes.

She drew in a deep breath and let it out on another sigh. “My head knows you’re right. It’s my heart that will take a little more convincing.”

He kissed her softly, gently as if trying to assuage the hurt that still lingered inside her. The hurt and confusion and pain on her father’s face when he’d been told about his brother would stay with her forever.

But none of it was Declan’s fault. Honorable, kind, smart and just downright gorgeous was the only way to describe him. He’d looked after her like she was the most precious thing in the world and she couldn’t help but love him for it.

She loved him.

“When do you get your cast off?” Declan asked, interrupting her thoughts.

“Hopefully, in a fortnight. It will be good to get rid of the crutches and get back to normal. I hate to think how my garden’s fared. Mom was going to see to my pot plants, but…” She shrugged and hoped he’d understand.

“You miss your apartment.”

Chloe compressed her lips and nodded. “Yes, I do.”

Declan’s smile looked a little forced. “So what are you saying? You’re sick of me, are you?”

Heat crept across her cheeks. She shook her head. “No, of course not. You’ve been wonderful, amazing. I couldn’t have managed without you. I-I’m so grateful for everything that you did.”

He frowned. “Grateful? I don’t want your gratitude. Don’t you know? I’ve fallen in love with you, Senior Investigator Sabattini.”

Chloe stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. Her heart began to pound.

“Y-you
love
me? Are…are you sure?”

His frown darkened. “Of course I’m sure. I’m thirty-four years old. I think I’ve been around long enough to know how I feel. Having you around these past weeks, being able to take care of you—I want to be able to do that every day of our lives.”

He drew in a deep breath, his gaze fixed on hers. “It wasn’t until you were hurt that I realized how deeply I’d fallen for you, but since you’ve been here, in my home and in my heart, there’s nothing about the idea of sharing my life with you, that doesn’t feel right.”

Hope and joy flooded through her. She grinned up at him. “You barely know me. You haven’t even been to my apartment.” She looked around the tidy room. “You’re obviously a neat freak. I could be the biggest slob around.”

The twinkle in his eye belied his heavy sigh. “You’re right. I am a neat freak. It’s a consequence of being nagged every day of my youth to pick up after myself and put my clothes away and keep my room tidy. I guess with seven kids in the house, Mom had to be a cleaning Nazi or else there would have been absolute chaos.”

“Seven kids? You really have seven brothers and sisters?”

“Six, actually. I’m the seventh. And yeah, I have four brothers and two sisters.”

Chloe shook her head, amazed. “The night we went for that bike ride, I peeked at a photograph in the spare room. I recognized your brothers and parents from the hearing and I could see the family resemblance between you and the girls, but I didn’t think about the head count.”

“Yep, there are five of us boys, starting with Tom. Then there are the babies—Josie and Chanel.”

Chloe shook her head again. “Wow, what a family. I couldn’t help but notice at the hearing how close you all appeared. It was nice to see them there, offering you their support.”

“Yeah,” Declan smiled. “It was. We’ve always gotten along. Clayton lives here in Canberra and Riley’s up near Mom and Dad in northern New South Wales. Tom and Brandon are both in Sydney.”

“Where are your sisters?”

“The girls share an apartment in Brisbane. They both went to Uni up there.”

“What did they study?” Chloe asked, fascinated to know more about his family.

“Josie’s a child psychologist and Chanel’s a doctor.”

Chloe heard the love and pride in his voice as he spoke of them and it warmed her through and through. Despite recent events, she still believed in family and always would.

“They’re lucky to have you looking out for them. As am I,” she added, holding his gaze.

Declan stared back at her, his eyes dark with emotion. “Does this mean you’re considering moving in with me permanently?”

She nodded. “I’d love to.”

His breath whooshed out. He chuckled and then laughed. “Really?”

“Yes, really. I’ve gotten used to being waited on hand and foot. Why would I move out now?”

“But what about your apartment, your garden?”

“I can always relocate my pot plants. You have a decidedly nice balcony that could do with some greenery.”

Her smile was reflected in his eyes. He bent his head and kissed her.

“I love you, Chloe Sabattini.”

“I love you, too.”

He pulled back and stared at her? “Really? Do you really? You don’t have to say it just because—”

She pressed a finger to his lips. “Haven’t I already told you, you talk too much? Of course I love you! How could I not? You’re honest and caring and decent and proud. You’re honorable and selfless and you genuinely care about other people. You love your family; you said you love kids. What’s not to love about all that?”

His face filled with joy. He shook his head slowly back and forth. “I can’t believe that through this entire nightmare, I’ve found you. I would never have believed it! If I had to go through it all again in order to have you, I would.”

Chloe gasped. “That’s… That’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever heard. I-I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything.” Just kiss me and show me how much you love me.”

Elation flooded through her. She couldn’t stop the grin that stretched her lips wide. Moving closer, he drew her into his arms. Her lips found his and she set about showing him just how much she meant it.

EPILOGUE

Four months later

The opening bars of the entrance hymn pealed through the loudspeakers of St Patrick’s Catholic Church and filtered through to Chloe where she waited with her father in the little room just off the narthex. Nerves jangled in her stomach. She smoothed down the panels of her white antique-satin-and-lace wedding dress and looked at herself in the full-length mirror. Her heart tightened with emotion at the woman who stared back at her.

Her hair was gathered into a loose knot at the base of her neck. Tiny, hot pink satin handmade roses were tucked amongst the strands. Artfully arranged tendrils escaped to frame her face and gave her a look of ethereal beauty.

Standing at her side, her father patted her hand and did his best to hold back his tears.

“Your mother’s beside herself with joy to know she’s lived to see your wedding day. She’d just about given up.”

“How about you, Daddy? Are you happy?”

“I couldn’t have chosen better for you myself.” His voice was gruff with emotion. She tightened her grip on his arm and offered him a wobbly smile.

“Thank you, Daddy. You don’t know how much that means to me.”

He swiped at the tears that slid down his cheeks. “You look beautiful, bambina. The prettiest bride I’ve ever seen.”

Her smile widened and she brushed at the moisture in her eyes. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”

“Just to my girls,” he replied. His eyes twinkled, though they were still tinged with the sadness that had shadowed them ever since his brother’s death. “Let’s go and get you married.”

As the music swelled, she entered the church on her father’s arm. The congregation stood and turned as one to greet them. Declan’s nieces, Cassie and Olivia, had gone in ahead of them and had strewn pink and white rose petals along the aisle. Chloe breathed in their heady fragrance.

Her sisters, Cathy and Antonella and her best friend, Savannah, all dressed in hot-pink satin, took their places at the front of the church. There wasn’t a hint of Savannah’s devastation over her recent breakup with Jonathan evident on her face. Her friend couldn’t have looked happier.

Chloe’s father led her slowly down the aisle. He nodded greetings to friends and family, his face glowing with pride.

Declan stood before the altar, waiting for her. His eyes shone with love and his soft smile was full of adoration. It seemed to take a lifetime, but at long last, she stood by his side. He tucked her hand in his and bent low to whisper in her ear.

“You’re even more beautiful than I imagined. You’re the woman of my dreams, the woman of my heart. And by the way, I
love
the pink.”

The ceremony passed in a blur of heartfelt vows, gospel readings, hymns, happy tears and laughter. When it was over, Declan pulled her into his arms and kissed her to the sound of tumultuous applause. His entire family was crammed into the first five pews and from the smiles and catcalls emanating from his side of the church, they couldn’t be more pleased.