25. Ayla

Chapter 25

Ayla

A pparently, I had been suffering from a severe summer flu. At least, that’s what Linda had told my office yesterday morning when I didn’t show up for work. Under normal circumstances, most people would find it strange that a neighbor was calling your place of work to let them know you weren’t feeling well. Magnolia Grove was the exception. Everyone in my office trusted Linda, and it turned out my front desk ladies called my father to see if he’d come in to work on my patients. If only they knew what was really going on. The wonderful thing was that all our patients loved my dad. They were in good hands, even if I wasn’t there .

“Do you feel bad that you’re not at work today?” Declan asked, his hand intertwining with mine.

It was ten o’clock in the morning, and I would’ve already seen a dozen patients if I had been at work. Instead, Declan and I were out by my pool, sitting on my two-person chaise lounge, soaking up the sun. But my office thought I had a really bad flu, so I decided to stay at my house for the next few days. Did I feel guilty? Definitely. Then again, after being abducted with the possibility of death hanging over my head, I needed a couple of days to gather my thoughts.

Releasing a heavy sigh, I lifted my face to the sun, thankful we both came out of the ordeal unscathed.

“I do feel bad,” I admitted. “But . . .” I glanced over at him and smiled. His hair was wet from the pool and I loved how chiseled his tanned chest was; I could stare at him all day. “I will never complain about spending time with you. Although, it is kind of strange going on with life as if nothing happened.”

Declan’s smile faded slightly and he nodded. “I know. That’s how I’ve lived my life the past few years.”

Turning on my side, I lifted on my elbow and rested my face in my hand so I could look at him. “ What happens now? Did the house get cleaned up?”

He turned to me, mirroring my position. “Ian had the cleaning crew wipe down the entire house. Vincent’s body was hauled away and disposed of. He’ll never be found.”

“Is that how it worked with all of the targets you killed?” I asked, honestly curious to know more about his job. There was a hint of hesitation in his eyes, but he nodded again. “Do you think Vincent’s disappearance will ever reach the news? I mean, he owned a lot of businesses in New York. Surely, someone will report him missing, right?”

“Oh yeah, eventually, but nothing will ever come of it. There will literally be no trace of Vincent Deluca anywhere. Reed Chandler, who’s Ian’s brother, is an expert on making people disappear.” A laugh escaped his lips. “He’s an expert at anything pertaining to computers. If you wanted a whole new identity, he’d get you one in a matter of minutes.”

That got me thinking about Declan and all his undercover missions.

“How many aliases have you had?” I asked him.

His eyes widened and he chuckled. “Oh wow, I’ve had several.” Then he smiled back at me. “I’ve been a Jason, Maverick, Kevin, Dean, Ethan, and many others.”

It was all very fascinating.

I reached out and traced a finger down his chest. “Are you sure you don’t want to go back that life?”

He snagged my hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently. “No. I’ve decided I am going to pursue working at the police department. I’m going to give them a visit later this week.”

It warmed my heart to know he wanted to stay in Magnolia Grove. I was about to lean in and kiss him when my phone rang. I rolled over and grabbed my cell off the patio table. A picture of my mom was on the screen.

“Good morning, Mom,” I answered.

“Hey, sweetheart. Are you feeling any better?”

I rolled back over to face Declan again. “Much better,” I replied. “I should be good to be at the office the day after tomorrow.”

She sighed. “I wish you would’ve called us and told us you weren’t feeling well. We had to hear it from your ladies at the front desk.”

“I know and I’m sorry,” I apologized. “It’s just my throat was hurting so bad I could barely talk.”

“Okay, you’re forgiven.” She laughed lightly. “Do you want me to bring over some soup? ”

“No, that’s okay. I don’t want you catching what I have.”

“I’m your mother, Ayla. That doesn’t bother me at all.”

“I’ll be fine,” I reiterated. “And please tell Dad thank you for filling in for me. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

I could hear the smile in her voice. “I will, sweetheart. He’s always happy to help you.”

We said our goodbyes and before I could set my phone back on the patio table, it rang again. This time it was Kat. I had several missed calls from her last night, but with everything going on, I never called her back.

“Hey, Kat,” I answered sheepishly.

“Girl, do you not know how to answer your phone?”

I couldn’t exactly tell her I was a little busy getting abducted. “I’m sorry,” I ended up saying. “I was really sick, but I’m feeling much better now.”

“Good. Because I have some news.” Her voice was so excited that I could feel it through the phone. There was only one thing I knew would get her that fired up.

“What?”

She squealed so loud I had to hold the phone away from my ear. “I’m getting married! Jonah proposed to me last night. You have to be my maid of honor. Say you will!”

My whole body thrummed with excitement. “Of course, I will! Oh, Kat, I’m so happy for you.” I looked at Declan. “They’re getting married.”

He chuckled. “I heard. Tell her I said congratulations.”

“Declan said congratulations,” I told her. “When are you guys thinking of tying the knot?”

Kat giggled. “That’s the other thing. We want to elope. I’m thinking an oceanside wedding in Aruba. I can wear a beachy white dress with tropical flowers in my hair. And you’ll be right there with me.”

I could envision it all in my head and it was beautiful.

“I think that sounds fantastic. Count me and Declan in.”

She squealed again. “I’ll tell you all the plans as soon as I figure them out. Talk to you soon, okay?”

“Okay. I love you,” I said, feeling as if my heart would burst. She’d been waiting on Jonah to propose for a long time now.

“Love you, too,” she replied.

We hung up and I put my phone away, turning my full attention back to Declan. “I swear, so much happened yesterday. I got kidnapped, Kat got engaged, and Linda almost got herself killed but ended up killing someone instead. I think we’re in a twilight zone.”

Declan chuckled. “It sure does feel like that. I’m just glad you and Linda are okay.” He averted his gaze to the lake and silence filled the air. He hadn’t said it verbally, but I knew he wanted to be the one to take care of Vincent. It made me wonder if he still felt there was unfinished business.

“I know you wanted to be the one to kill Vincent,” I said, my voice low.

He let out a sigh and turned back to me. “I did. I wish you knew how much rage I felt when I found out he had you.” His eyes closed and he blew out a breath. “If Linda hadn’t done the job, it would’ve been really messy.” He opened his eyes and stared right into mine. “I was going to tear him apart, but my fear was you. I didn’t want you to see what I’m capable of.”

I shook my head and sat up, looking down at him and hoping he could see the truth in my eyes. “I will never be afraid of you, Declan.” A smile tugged at the corner of my lips. “But if it makes you feel any better, if Vincent had hurt you , you wouldn’t want to see what I’m capable of. ”

“Oh yeah?” He smirked. “What would you have done to him?”

I shrugged nonchalantly. “For starters, I would’ve chopped off his dick and made him choke on it. Then, I would’ve ripped off one of his arms and shoved it up his ass.”

Declan’s mouth dropped. “Now you’re scaring me. Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

I bit my lip and held out a hand for him to take it. “I don’t know. My bad side can be kind of exciting. Why don’t we head inside and get out of this heat?”

He took my hand and sat up, his eyes darkening with need. “What do you want to do when we get in the house?”

I winked. “I think you know. But first, I want you to kiss me. And don’t hold back.”

Declan grabbed me around the waist and pulled me onto his lap. “I don’t plan on it.”

Everything moved in slow motion, especially when his lips touched mine. Immediately, my body lit up hotter than the summer sun and I was on fire, burning from the inside out. I grew impatient, needy, as he held me firmly in place with my face between his hands, opening my lips with his tongue, and pushing his straining cock against me.

“Declan,” I moaned breathlessly .

He nipped my ear and groaned low in his chest, “Yeah?”

“We need to go inside now before I rip my bathing suit off out here.”

I didn’t have to say anymore because in one quick move, he lifted me in his arms, my legs straddling his waist. The second we made it inside, I gasped as he pushed me into the wall.

Holy hell, he’s intense . . . wild.

He lifted my hands above my head and held me prisoner while he bit his way along my collarbone and down to the mounds of my breasts.

Groaning, he pushed his hard cock between my legs and rocked his hips, sliding me up and down against the cold, smooth wall. I was so ready to have him inside of me.

“Where to?” he asked, grabbing my breast with his firm hand. “The living room? Your bedroom? Where do you want me to make love to you?” He massaged and squeezed my breast so hard I could barely think. “Where to?” he repeated more forcefully. “If you don’t tell me where, I’m going to take you right here.”

Gasping, I bit my lip and rolled my hips, watching his eyes roll back in his head. Having sex against the wall didn’t sound like a bad idea. My clit pulsed so violently that I could barely speak; I was so close.

“My room,” I stammered. “And hurry.”

We were in my room within seconds. Declan dropped me on the bed and covered me with his body. Slowly, I glided my fingers down his washboard abs and slid my hand inside of his swim shorts; his cock was so thick and hard I could barely wrap my hand around him. Holding him tight, I pumped the full length of his cock up and down gently until a strangled moan escaped his lips.

“You’re killing me, Ayla.”

Reluctantly, I let him go.

“Can you not handle it?” I teased amusingly.

“Oh, I can handle it.” With his blue gaze on mine, he reached behind me and untied my bikini top, throwing it across the room before closing his lips over my nipple, sucking it hard . . . feverishly.

“More,” I rasped, arching my back.

Lifting my hips, he slid off my bathing suit bottoms and lowered me back down. “I’ll give you more,” he growled, spreading my legs wide.

He flicked his tongue across my clit, making me jump, then did it again. His breath teased my sensitive flesh as he breathed in and out, licking inside of me. Over and over, he licked and sucked my clit until I couldn’t take it anymore.

“That’s right, Ayla. Come for me and let me taste you,” he commanded.

Doing as he said, I exploded from the inside out, reaching down to grip handfuls of his hair as he tasted every drop of my desire. When he lifted his head and climbed up my body, I smiled. “That felt amazing.”

My body quivered as it came down from its orgasm-induced high, and Declan was all too happy with my reaction. “I think I’m addicted to your mouth,” I teased. “I want more.”

“Trust me, you’ll get more.”

With a devilish smile on his face, he pulled down his shorts, throwing them on the floor, his cock long and thick between his legs.

He lifted me up in his arms and sat back against the antique wooden headboard of my bed. Straddling his waist, I could feel his cock throbbing between my legs, and I teased him by only letting the very tip of him inside of me.

With short, gentle strokes, I glided up and down until his grip tightened on my hips and he growled, “You’re teasing me too much. Ride me now or I’m going to take control. ”

In a way I wanted to see what he would do, but instead, I lowered down inch by inch until he was completely inside of me. “Declan,” I moaned, slowly moving my hips.

“Ayla, you feel so fucking good. I can’t believe how wet you are for me.”

With one hand tugging on my hair, he lowered the other one so he could rub my clit with his thumb. “Lean back so I can taste your nipples. I want them in my mouth when I come.” I had never been with a man who talked during sex like that. It was a rush and it felt amazing to feel desired, wanted.

His grip on my hair tightened and I arched my back, still moving my hips as he bit down on a taut nipple. “As much as I love you riding me, I think it’s my turn now.”

“Then do it,” I moaned.

Picking me up by the hips, we stayed connected when he flipped us around and collapsed on top of me. I wrapped my legs around his waist and held on tight as he thrust his hips deep and hard. Faster and faster he pumped, his lips still suckling on one of my nipples. The harder he sucked and pushed, the closer I came to losing myself; we were both almost to the edge.

“Declan,” I cried. “I’m so close. ”

He growled low in his chest and held on tighter. “Me too, baby. Oh fuck, you’re getting so tight.”

Digging my nails into his back, I screamed out my release at the same time I could feel his cock throbbing inside of me and coating me in his desire. Breathing hard, he kissed my neck and held on tight for a few minutes while he rested. When he lifted his head, he brushed the hair away from my face and kissed me gently on the lips, tracing them with his tongue.

“I think we worked up a sweat. Do you want to cool off in the pool?”

Slyly, I bit my lip and smiled. “Sounds good. Pool sex might be kind of fun. Think you’ll be up for it?”

I could feel his cock hardening again inside of me. Declan lifted his brows and chuckled. “What do you think?”