Declan + Coraline by J.J. McAvoy Read Free Book Online Page B

“These are just some of my thoughts on how I intend to triple the money you’ve in invested with us. If you have any concerns, please let me know.”
    I handed him the file. He took it and put it to the side. “Thanks, but I’m sure you’ll take care of it.”
    “Are you really this naïve or just stupid?” I countered, using his own words against him.
    He smirked. “Neither. Like I said, I trust that you will take good care of me.”
    I wanted to say don’t trust me but that it wouldn’t have been wise. He and I both reached out for the water and our hands brushed together. I quickly drew mine away, worried that he’d notice how excited I’d gotten by that simple touch.
    “Tell me about the Laoghaire trust.” I picked up my menu.
    “I’d rather not,” he said, and I glanced back up at him. “I rather tell you about me. My name is Declan Callahan, and I enjoy fine wine, finer women, and sex.”
    I wanted him so bad.
    “If you want to woo a girl, don’t you usually say something romantic?”
    “It seemed pretty romantic to me since I have everything I enjoy right here.”
    Damn, he was good.
    “We aren’t having sex.”
    “Baby, we’ve been having sex from the moment I walked into your office,” he whispered.
    Please take me.
    I crossed my legs under the table, trying to get a grip on myself. He noticed. How could one man make me want to forget everything and just jump him over and over again? I kept telling myself that I wasn’t this person, but I wasn’t sure anymore.
    “Are you ready or would you like a moment?” the waiter asked as he came over to us.
    “No!” I sat up as I answered. But the problem was that I had no idea what I wanted.
    “May I?” Declan asked and I nodded. He glanced up at the waiter. “She’ll have the Teriyaki Salmon Rice with sliced mushrooms, not grounded, on the side. The glaze should go over the fish not the rice, and her drink…” He paused and looked to me. “Pair it with the best virgin you can think of. I’ll have sirloin, done the way I like it, Kevin.”
    “Of course, Mr. Callahan.” He nodded.
    “Impressed?” Declan asked as he lifted his glass of water to his lips.
    “So you can order food. If you gave me five more minutes I’m sure I would have ordered the same thing.” I shrugged nonchalantly.
    He snickered. “I’m sure of it. So, tell me more about you, Coraline .
    “There is nothing more to tell—”
    “So you’re saying that I know everything about you right now?”
    “Fine. My name is Coraline Elizabeth Wilson. I’m an only child, I live with my uncle and aunt at Raven Hill Heights…”
    “Get more personal,” he whispered as he leaned in. “Who are you, Coraline Elizabeth Wilson? I’ve been trying to figure it out on my own, but I just can’t seem to answer that question.”
    “Personal?”
    “Why are you afraid to let yourself have fun with me?”
    “Because I don’t know how to have fun, Declan. I’m not like you. I need a man I can depend on, not a man who wants to turn me on in elevators.”
    “Why can’t you have both?”
    Why couldn’t I? Because… “Both doesn’t exist.”
    “In my world, it does,” he stated.
    I shook my head. “We live in the same world, Declan—”
    “That’s where you are wrong. While it’s true that we share the same planet, trust me when I say that we all live in different worlds. The way I was raised was when a man takes a woman, he takes care of her, he protects her, he fights for her, and he sure as hell ensures that she’s turned on no matter where she is. The Irish would disown me if I did otherwise.”
    “And you’ve taken me?”
    “Goddamn I want to, but you’re keeping me at arm’s length.”
    Neither of us said any more as our food was brought out. I could barely hold my fork straight as I ate.
    “It’s good.”
    That was all I could say.

DECLAN
    My driver brought us back to her office building, and for the duration of the trip, our hands kept bumping into