Chapter 72

Ollie’s POV

Before I know it, it’s already time to meet with Declan. While I had moments of excitement and moments of confidence, right now, with the meeting time looming, I’m starting to feel unbelievably nervous.

I’m definitely in over my head here. Declan isn’t an amateur at this like me, and no amount of fanfiction can possibly prepare me for the real thing.

What I need is some kind of pep talk, but the only person I can trust is Ella, and she might as well be on the moon for how difficult it is to get a hold of her.

Even so, my nerves are electrified. I can’t sit still. I feel like I’m going to buzz right out of my skin.

Grabbing my phone, I open my contacts and call Ella.

The phone rings for a long while. Just as I’m about to hang up, she answers. “Ollie?”

“Oh, Ella, I have so much to tell you,” I say. It feels so good to hear her voice. Immediately, just from hearing her say my name, I feel close to my friend again and am ready to tell her everything that’s been going on.

“Can you sum it up in twenty words or less?” she asks. “I’m so sorry, Ollie, but we’re in the middle of a museum. I’m not supposed to be on the phone. Unless its life or death, I can’t really stay on the line.”

I frown. I miss my friend and want to talk to her about this, but I’m not so selfish as to get her in trouble.

“Can I call you later?” she asks.

“Sure,” I say, but wonder if I’ll be able to answer the phone. By then, I’ll probably be with Declan.

“Ollie, I am sorry.”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it,” I say, because what else can I say? “We’ll talk later.”

Hanging up with Ella, I’m overcome with disappointment. Ella is the only one I can talk to about any of this. I consider Nancy a friend now, but we’re not nearly close enough for me to confide in her about my secret identity and my relationship with the brothers.

She already has enough suspicions about me and the quadruplets. The last thing I need is for her to piece it even more fully together.

I don’t think I have any reason to mistrust her, but why tempt fate?

Maybe I should just stay home.

Declan will survive being stood up, and I don’t need to see him. If my wolf needs the connection of the bond again, I can always ask Hugh or Wes for comfort. It doesn’t have to be Declan and his dark delights.

Yet, even as nervous as I am, I can’t bring myself to avoid him.

Because I might be afraid about what’s going to happen, but I’m excited too.

To have Declan’s full attention on me… I’m already shivering with anticipation.

When it’s actually time to visit Declan, my hands are trembling but I’m determined. I’m not a coward, and I’m not afraid of Declan. I never have been and never will be. He is intimidating, that much is true. But it’s not fear that fills me when I am near him.

It’s something else. Something much more… enjoyable.

I feel it even now as I approach the cabin. My wolf Scarlet can sense Declan already waiting within, and her eagerness matches my own.

As I come to the door, I stop to take a deep breath. Then, slowly, I open the door.

Declan is sitting in an arm chair, stretched out and comfortable. He looks like he belongs there. While I stand in the door, his gaze lazily lifts to mine.

“You’re late,” he says simply yet bluntly.

Already, I feel like I’ve disappointed him. Yet I don’t turn away.

Though, neither do I tell him that I am late because I thought of turning back so many times. My courage eventually won out but it was a long struggle to get to this point.

Declan places his hands on the armrests of the chair and then lifts himself up out of it. As he stands fully in front of me, I can see just how sexy he looks.

He’s wearing black paints, no socks or shoes. His white buttoned shirt is unbuttoned down to his mid-torso, with no shirt underneath. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows.

He stands there unmoving for a moment, as if allowing me to take in the sight of him. He’s over six-foot, with broad shoulders and a strong chest. He’s not as bulky as Conrad, but he still works out enough to have a muscular physique.

“I take it you like what you see,” he says. His face is an emotionless mask, but those words ooze with confidence. That cocksure attitude almost makes me want to deny it.

Almost.

I’ve never been a very good liar.

“If I do…?” I ask.

“That would please me,” he says at once.

Lazily, he drags his gaze down the length of my body. I find myself standing a little straighter, jutting my chest a little bit forward for his own consideration.

He licks his lips. “I like what I see too. Did you buy that nightie just for me?”

Yes. I did. But I don’t want to admit it. This isn’t the same one I’ve been wearing for Hugh. This one has a little bit more lace, and a slightly lower cut around the chest.

His gaze lingers there for several moments.

“Would that please you, too?” I ask, feeling a little coy now that I am in his presence and can sense his attraction. I find myself desperately wanting to satisfy him, in whatever way that means.

He hums, denying me a straight answer. Yet, for just the briefest moment, I see the very corner of his lips quirk up into a smirk.

Heat shoots through my body. A look like that, so foreign on him, makes him look unbelievably sexy. It makes me want to kiss him.

Unfortunately, in the next few blinks, the smirk disappears leaving no trace behind as if it was never there at all. So much, I want to do what I can to have it return.

“Turn around and let me look at you,” he says.

I feel a little silly, but also there isn’t much I would deny him in this moment, I don’t think. So I start to turn.

“Slowly,” he commands.

Slower, I move in a small circle, and if I maybe sashay my hips slightly more than necessary, who is to say? Declan doesn’t seem to mind. At least, he doesn’t say a word about it, and when I glance back at him, his gaze is fully locked onto my backside.

I hide my own smile, turning away from him again. Quickly I stifle it so there is no trace of it when I face forward again.

“Yes,” he says, his eyes hooded, his gaze lingering on my body. “This suits me. But it’s not enough. Not by a longshot.”

My brows raise. “Not enough?”

He hums again, sultry, and steps closer. He’s still a couple feet away but his presence fills the room.

“I’ve seen you in your nightie. Now I will see you without it,” he says.

I swallow hard. Does he mean…?

Lifting his gaze to my face, he commands, “Take your clothes off for me.”