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She burst out laughing. "And now you're a flirt? Seriously? You need to stop being so freaking adorable."
He grinned. "You bring out this witty, playful side of me I've never had before. I might keep it. It's fun."
"It is fun," she agreed, "but disconcerting. I like things to be predictable and orderly."
"I always did as well. Maybe this new attitude is temporary for me."
"I hope so." She stepped back, somewhat appalled by how big she was smiling and how much laughter was bubbling through her. "See you tomorrow."
"You got it, my darling." He waved her off. "I'm just going to stand here and admire your ass as you walk back to your place."
Heat radiated through her cheeks. "Go inside."
"Can't. I just noticed your ass tonight. Two years you've been living there, and I never noticed. I need to make up for lost time. It's my duty as your fiancé to help you feel gorgeous and secure all the time. So, great ass. I love it."
She stood there, staring at him, all sorts of emotions simmering inside her. She knew he was being silly, but she loved this side of him. And she absolutely loved the fact he liked her butt. She wanted him to check her out, which made her equallydetermined not to let it happen. "You're my fiancé only when we're around other people."
"Doesn't work like that. Any great actor knows that you need to become the part to make it real. Just doing my best for you."
She put her hand on her hips and glared at him.
He grinned. "I can literally hear you giggling right now."
"Oh, shut up." She threw up her hands in mock despair. "Good night, Declan. See you tomorrow." She turned and headed back to her cottage.
As she walked, she could feel the heat from his gaze on her. For a moment, she was tempted to tie her sweatshirt around her waist to block his view, but the minute she thought it, she dismissed the idea.
Instead, she threw back her shoulders and walked like she was the siren put on this earth to awaken the man who'd been hiding in darkness for so long.
The night was quiet as she walked, no sound but her sneakers on the stones.
When she reached her door, she turned and looked over her shoulder as she opened her door, which he had fixed for her at some point during the day.
He hadn't moved from the door, but his smile was gone. On his face was an expression of pure wanting, of desire, ofheat.
Answering heat flooded her right back.Oh, Lordy.
Declan met her gaze, and for a moment, they just looked at each other.
She realized he wasn't going to go inside.
He was going to wait in his open doorway until she decided which door she was going to walk through. His offer was real. He wanted her, and he would welcome her if she invited herself into his house.
The realization struck heat in her belly, and suddenly, she couldn't breathe.
Declan, the man who had held himself in the shadows foryears, wantedher. He'd come out of his darkness because ofher. Tonight, he'd laughed withher.
Wow.
Just…
She turned and bolted inside before she could make a choice she'd regret.
But the minute she shut the door behind her, she wondered if she'd already made that choice…the one she would always regret.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kitty had won.
