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“Yeah. It’s not so bad, except the cot hurts my back and there’s not enough room for the two of us…”
“That’s fine. I said I wanted to take you back to my place anyway.” Holly reached for his hand, leading him around the building to the parking lot.
“Truck’s parked over there,” he said, pointing to their right, his thumb stroking along the soft skin of Holly’s hand. Her palm fitted against his tickled, something he wasn’t used to since hand holding wasn’t a common practice for him.
They reached the driver’s side door and Holly unlocked the truck with the fob. Declan grabbed the door for her, pulling it open.
“Geez, did you have to get it lifted?” Holly grumbled, reaching for the handle in the door.
“Need a boost?” Declan teased.
Holly glanced over her shoulder, one foot on the step. “You just want to touch my butt.”
“Yes, please.”
Holly laughed and launched herself into the cab, much to Declan’s disappointment. “You getting in or staying here?” Holly shut the door before he could respond, and he rounded the front of his truck, surprised by how much his buzz intensified with every step. He’d had three drinks, right? Or was it four?
When he got into the truck and fastened his seat belt, he caught Holly watching him. “What?”
“You don’t drink much, do you?”
“Why do you say that?” he asked.
“I noticed you’re weaving a bit.”
Declan chuckled. “Yeah, I don’t, especially not hard liquor. My mom called me a late bloomer because while my teammates were partying every weekend, I was painting.”
“What about girlfriends?”
“Wasn’t really interested.”
“Nobody you fancied, huh?”
“All vapid.”
“Ouch,” Holly said, starting the truck. “I’m going to let that one slide because you’ve mixed your alcohols and are not in the right head space now.”
Declan rolled his head against the back of the seat, smiling. “You’re pretty.”
“Thank you. Now, what do you say we pick up your cat and you both stay with me tonight.”
“What? That’s crazy. He’ll be fine for a few more hours if you want to go to your place for a bit, but we can’t both stay with you.”
“Why not?” she asked, backing the truck up with a spin of the wheel. “I’ve got extra rooms and I’ve got everything we need to prevent a hangover at my place. Besides, if you’re worried about someone finding out, I promise to be discreet sneaking you inside.”
“Your neighbors are going to see my truck.”
“Not inside my garage.” Holly reached over and patted his leg. “Why don’t you just relax. I promise everything will be fine.”
Declan woke up with a god-awful taste in his mouth and a steady hum in his ear. He blinked his eyes slowly, staring up into Leo’s triangular face as he made biscuits on the pillow next to Declan’s head. On the wall behind Leo’s head was a painting of two children building a snowman and Declan’s gaze scanned the room, trying to place the unfamiliar surroundings.
“Where are we?” The sound of his voice was raw and when he rolled over, Declan noticed a bottle of water on the nightstand next to him. He opened it, guzzling the contents down without taking a breath, before swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He’d gone to bed fully clothed except for his shoes, which were peeking out from under the bed. Declan noticed Leo’s litter box and carrier were in the corner of the room as he headed for the door and on top of the dresser was his duffel bag.
Declan opened the door and once he stumbled out into the hallway, he recognized the dining room with no table and several ring lights propped against the wall. He saw the back of Holly’s head outside on the back porch, sitting on her patio, where she was sitting on a lounge chair and watching the snow fall. He backed down the hallway slowly and grabbed his toothbrush from the side pocket of his duffel bag, wanting to give his mouth a good scrubbing before he knocked her down with the stench of his breath. Declan remembered the dancing, the kissing, and bits and pieces of the drive home, but how the hell had he wound up here?
Declan tossed his toothbrush and toothpaste back into his bag and grabbed a sweatshirt, pulling it over his head before he padded to the back door and opened it with a squeaky slide.
“Good morning,” he said gruffly.
