Page 53 of Possession
I raised my glass. “I think one glass of wine is a good start. Bar hopping maybe next week?” My sarcasm was welcomed and she raised her glass.
“Baby steps.” She smiled and I turned to head to my room.
I waited until I was behind my closed door to breathe. Everything with Declan was moving fast. I was giddy one minute and felt at home the next. I drained the glass in one shot, and set it on my dresser before sitting down on the bed. He’d said he would text me tonight, and I knew he would, but seeing his name on my lock screen, it was ridiculous how happy it made me.
Declan:Come out tonight.
It wasn’t a question. It was an offer.
Me:Where?
It was only a few seconds before he replied.
Declan:Bellows. My brothers are dragging me out, but I want to see you.
He wants to see me.
I chewed on my lip as I looked in the mirror. The wine had flushed my cheeks and my hair was up in a messy knot. I was in overalls, for crying out loud. Not to mention, I’d never even been in a bar.
Me:I’d need to get ready, what time?”
Declan:Come as you are. I’ll be there around eleven.
I smiled at myself in the mirror.
Just keep going.
Me:I’ll be there around eleven.
I dropped my phone onto the mattress as I stood, calling out to Lana as I opened my door. “He wants me to meet him at Bellows at eleven.”
“Then get your ass in the shower.”
Even though I couldn’t see her, I heard it. She was smiling ear to ear and so was I.
Lana had tried to talk me into another glass of wine, but someone needed to drive. I wished, however, as I walked into Bellows, I’d had the glass after all. I was out of my element and the liquid courage would’ve been nice. The music was metal and bass, and the room was packed from wall to wall. The air was hazy and the clothes were skimpy. I pulled my oversized black sweater at the hem with anxious fingers.
“Stop it, you look hot.” Lana’s ruby-painted lips broke into a devious smile.
I had on my dark blue skinny jeans and a black sweater. Lana had pounced after I’d taken the fastest shower of my life. She’d dried and then curled my hair into loose waves. The kohl around my eyes, I felt it was too dark, but she’d said it made me look edgy. Right before we got out of the car, I’d pocketed my ID and debit card as she’d handed me a light pink, sparkling gloss. I’d taken a moment to catch my own reflection, and I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t seem plain for once. I looked... almost sexy. But seeing some of the girls here tonight, with their short skirts and cleavage, maybe I overestimated my sex appeal.
“I don’t think hot is the right verbiage,” I shouted loud enough for her to hear over the music and crowd.
“There’s your man…” She pointed just after the crowd parted a bit, and there he was, sitting in the back corner, sketch book on the table, and eyes on me. “And the way he’s looking at you, I think hot is an understatement.” She smacked my ass. “Good luck, let him eat you alive,” she growled in my ear, and I giggled nervously as I rolled my eyes. “I’ll be at the bar.”
I didn’t drop his gaze as I stepped forward. The color of his eyes deepened as I advanced, and his smile pulled up on one side. I was almost to his table when another woman approached him. His eyes flicked to hers and his smile dropped dead as his jaw set in a tight line. She looked younger than us, her dark black hair was shiny and straight. Her dress fit her curves and as she leaned down to whisper in his ear, my heart stopped. My feet fumbled along the concrete surface of the bar floor as I came to an abrupt halt. The young woman leaned back and seemed to sway on her legs as she placed her hand on his shoulder for support. Did he know her or was she just some girl who’d had too much to drink, hitting on the hot guy in the corner? I smoothed my hands down the front of my sweater, took a deep breath, and swallowed down my unease. His smile… it had been for me.
Declan’s posture was rigid once I got to his table.
“Hey, Declan.” I kept my smile small, quiet, and private… for him.
The girl noticed me and dropped her hand from his shoulder. As soon as she relieved him of her touch, his eyes lit; the blue seemed to shimmer under the low light of the club as he looked at me. The moment should’ve been tense, filled with an awkward silence, but it wasn’t. We both watched each other, ignoring the girl, deciphering, and feeling. His eyes followed along my face, my body, and back to my gaze before he said, “I’m glad you decided to come.”
“I’m Kate.” Her voice wobbled and my earlier assumption seemed accurate, she was, at the very least, buzzed.
I was reluctant to lift my eyes from his appraisal. “Hi.” I held out my hand. “Paige.”
She ignored my olive branch and I let my hand fall to my side without letting it bother me. I was used to cold receptions. I’d lived in a constant state of winter for over nine years.