For You (The Shore Book 2) (8 page)

“Aww, isn’t he sweet.”

“He just warned that you might be a bit more adventurous than the women I usually date.”

“And what did he mean by that?” Madison tried to keep her tone in check and not snap at him. She was starting to feel like she had while on the phone with Ryan.

Declan sighed. “Listen. It’s
way
too early for this conversation, but maybe after what Cody said, I just need to be straight with you.”

“Straight about what?”

“Shit, we haven’t even ordered dinner yet.”

Madison looked at him, trying to decide what tool she could potentially use on Cody to hurt him with.

What the hell?

“Just spit it out, Declan.”

“Okay,” he sighed. “It’s just, I’m not a one-night stand kinda guy. I did it once, it sucked, and I don’t look forward to ever doing it again.”

Madison nodded. “Okay …”

“Meeting you at Ryan’s bachelorette party was like a breath of fresh air. Yes, you were,
are
beautiful. And when you told me in Nashville that you’d try anything at least once, I think my heart did a backflip. And you’re funny. And spending time with you under the pier was amazing.

 
“I’m sorry I never called after Cody and Ryan’s wedding. I hated that I had to leave so suddenly, and I should’ve called to explain. I … I would like to see where this can go. See if there is anything here between us. I know I’m coming on really heavy here, but I don’t want to waste your time or mine. I’m just … I’m not looking for a fling.”

Declan paused to let what he’d said sink in. If she was going to bolt, it would be now. He’d drive her home and she’d never hear from him again.

Madison was quiet, taking in everything he told her.
 

It wasn’t like she hadn’t had similar thoughts, and Ryan had made her opinion known. It was just …

Nothing like taking this dinner from first date to damn close to proposing marriage.
 

She knew that wasn’t what he was suggesting, but damn.

She picked up her glass and downed the remainder of her wine then signaled the waiter for a refill.
 

Declan was afraid he’d gone too far. He’d said too much too soon and put too much pressure on her. It was only the first date, but he felt like he needed to get it all out on the table. They were both in their thirties. Mid-thirties at that. He didn’t feel like he had a lot of time to waste, not if he wanted the wife and family he’d always dreamt of having.

“I’m not proposing marriage or anything.” He felt like he needed to fill the silence. Madison had been quiet for too long. “I just wanted –“

“I hear what you’re saying,” Madison finally responded. Looking up to his eyes, she smiled softly at the pretty light blue color of them. With his blonde hair and light complexion, his eyes really were beautiful.

“And?” he prodded when she didn’t continue right away.

“I was intrigued when I met you at the bachelorette party, too. In fact, I was kind of mad at Ryan for keeping you hidden all that time.”

Declan chuckled, feeling a small wave of relief wash over him. “Is that so?”

Madison nodded with a grin. “You were easy to talk to. And that night under the pier … let’s just say I was really enjoying myself.”

Declan’s smile grew.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen after tonight. Hell, I don’t even know what’s going to happen
tonight
, Declan.” Madison couldn’t believe she was about to say the words. She placed her hand on top of his and looked him squarely in the eye. “But no, I don’t want this to be just tonight.”

Declan let out the breath he’d been holding. “Well, okay then.”

Madison laughed, actually glad they had gotten that out of the way.
 

Shaking her head, she finally added, “Is that it for the big stuff? Anymore bombs you want to drop?”

“Hey! You’re the one who brought up the conversations with Cody and Ryan, ya know.”

“I didn’t think bringing up
that
topic would lead to
this
conversation.”

“Okay, that’s fair. How about we consider the heavy topics done with for the night and just enjoy each other’s company?”

“Before we do that, there is one thing you
have
to do,” Madison’s expression had turned mischievous.

“What’s that?”

“Lean over here and kiss me,” she whispered.

Declan smiled as he moved his feet under him and raised himself from his chair. “That I can definitely do.”

He raised his hand and gently cupped her face, never breaking eye contact. He slowly wet his lips then softly brushed them against hers. Madison brought her hand around his neck and pulled him back to her when he went to break the kiss. She wanted just another second of his lips on hers.

Chapter 6

Madison was an artist that liked to doodle. She would draw little pictures while on the phone, thinking of new graphics for her clients’ websites, and during meetings when she would do nearly anything to keep herself awake. But when she caught herself starting to draw little hearts and writing Declan’s name in various scripts, she crumpled up the piece of paper and tossed her pencil onto her desk.

Madison:
I’m drawing hearts on my desk.

Jessa:
LOL!

Madison:
What the fuck is this? It’s so not funny! What the hell is wrong with me?

Jessa:
Somebody’s got her panties in a twist. Sounds like you might actually like this guy.

Madison:
Have you been drinking? It’s a little early, don’tcha think?

Jessa:
It’s okay, Q. Fall to the dark side. You’re allowed to like a guy, ya know.

Madison:
This coming from the girl who’s been dating her tonsil-hockey partner now for how long?

Jessa:
What can I say? He’s a hell of a lay!

Madison:
Nuh-uh. I saw something the other night. What kinda Kool-Aid have you been drinking? You LIKE this guy!

Jessa:
Okay, so maybe I have fallen to the dark side. :)

Madison:
Did I tell you Ryan is writing out wedding invitations already?

Jessa:
LOL!
 

Madison:
Shit. Gotta run. Time to go kick the shit outta something.

Madison had a great time at dinner and the minutes seemed to drag by until she could leave the office and go to another class. And since her mind had drifted off, she was going to be late if she didn’t hurry.

As soon as she’d walked into the gym, Declan came out of his office and met Madison at the reception desk, as if he’d been waiting for her.
 

Issy was working again and quickly checked her in for the upcoming class. After Madison’s picture was taken for her file, Declan grabbed her hand and pulled her into his office.

“Thanks, Issy,” she called with a laugh as she was being dragged away.

Closing the door, still not saying a word, Declan pushed Madison against the wall and attacked her lips with his. He had been waiting all day to see her, and when she texted to say she would be at the five o’clock kickboxing class, he counted the minutes until he could see and touch her again.
 

He pressed his body against hers as they continued to kiss and Madison wrapped her arms around his neck, returning every kiss he gave her.
 

“Hi,” he smiled, pulling away slightly so he could look into her eyes.

“Well, hello,” she smiled. “That was quite a welcome.”

“I’ve been waiting all day for that.”

Madison cocked an eyebrow.

“And now that I’ve kissed you, you can go.”

Madison laughed, noting how he said the words but took her hands in his as he said them. Raising a hand that was now joined with his, she asked, “Are you coming with me then?”

“I don’t think we allow guys in the women’s locker room.”

“You
might
have to let go of my hands then,” she grinned.

Declan returned his lips to hers for another long, passionate kiss before raising their hands to his mouth and softly kissing her knuckles.

“Sorry. I just needed one more,” he grinned as he released her hands. “Mind if I join you in class today? I haven’t been through one of Michael’s classes in a while. It’d be good to check out how he’s doing.”

“Yeh, absolutely. Let me go get changed so I’m not late.”

Declan smiled and gave her a quick kiss. “See you in a bit.” He watched as she walked out of his office and down the hallway.

Madison made her way into the locker room and as she passed by the mirror did a double-take. She seriously wasn’t sure who was looking back at her. No man had ever made her this giddy. Not even Jeremy, and she had been a teenager back then! First she was drawing hearts when she was supposed to be working, and now she was making out in offices.
 

I’ve turned into Ryan!

Not that being Ryan was bad, mind you. It’s just that Ryan was the soft and emotional one, and far more girlie-girl than Madison ever had been. Madison might like to dress a little more feminine than Ryan, but that was just the outside. Inside, Ryan was the one who had all the emotions. Madison told it like it was. Being all giddy about a man … that was new territory for her.

Blocking the thoughts from her mind, she quickly dressed for class, grabbed her gloves and towel from her bag, secured the locker, and went out to the classroom.

The room was fairly large – big enough to have twenty-four bags hanging from the ceiling and the space needed for all those bags to have a person standing on the side trying to kick and punch at it. The speakers were turned way up and she could feel the bass pounding through the floor. She liked the energy the music provided, and the fact that it could cover up the sound of her and the others grunting as they kicked and punched made it even better.

Looking to the other side of the room, she saw Declan talking with the instructor. She smiled, taking in the way his ass looked in the shorts he was wearing. And the t-shirt that stretched across his chest and arms was just … yum.

She noted the way some of the other women getting ready for class were eyeing him as well but let it roll off her back. She and Declan weren’t committed. Things were just getting started. Let them look all they want.
 

Fuck. Who am I kidding?

The green-eyed monster she’d never had a problem with was making herself known again.

Keeping herself in check, she walked over to a bag at the back of the room and slightly off center so Declan could see the instructor and claimed the space as hers. As soon as she was ready, she saw Declan walking her way.

“Okay if we partner up?” he asked.

“I dunno. Think you can handle me?” she teased.

“Think you can handle me?” he repeated back to her with a grin.

“Oh, buddy. I can handle
whatever
you wanna throw at me,” Madison responded with attitude.

Laughing, Declan nodded. “This is gonna be fun.”

They had finished their kick work when the instructor gave them a minute to catch their breaths and partner up.

Madison turned to look at Declan and winked. “You ready?” She quickly removed her gloves and tossed them to the floor, out of the way, and slid the pads over her hands. “Gimme what you got, Healy.”

Declan laughed at her use of his last name. “Alright. Let’s go, Quinn.” He got into his stance and slowly started to send jabs and hooks to the pads.
 

Madison sensed he was taking it easy, probably afraid of hurting her. “Come on. I know you’ve got more than that. You’re not going to break me.”

He looked at her for a brief moment then sent another jab into the pad, this one much harder than the previous.

“Better,” she coaxed.

The instructor called out combination after combination. They worked well together, and Madison was quick to react to which punch he was throwing.

“Alright, switch!” the instructor yelled over the music.

“You ready?” Madison grinned playfully.

“Bring it on, Babe.”

She tried to ignore the flutter she felt in her stomach at his use of “Babe.”

Madison shifted her feet and slowly built her intensity. She wasn’t pissed off this time, so there was no particular face on the pads.
 

“Come on, keep going. Move your feet,” Declan coached. “That’s it.”

As the instructor called the last combination, Madison put everything she had into it and punched out the last hook.

“Nice!” Declan exclaimed, ripping off the pads. “You’ve got a great left hook.”

“What can I say?” she answered while trying to catch her breath. “I’m a lefty.”

By the time class was over, they were both drenched and completely energized. Admittedly, Madison’s hands were a little sore. Not only were her palms red from the impact of Declan’s punches, but her knuckles were looking bruised. It felt great while she was doing it but her knuckles were going to be a light shade of purple by the next day.

“So, what’d you think? You like the class?” she asked as they walked back to the locker rooms.

“Yeh. I have a couple of things I want to talk to Michael about, but I think he ran the class really well.”

“Good,” she smiled. “Meet you at your office?”

“Okay,” he answered as he swatted her ass with a towel and turned to walk into the men’s locker room.

“Hey!” she turned and smiled at him.

Guys had it so easy sometimes. Declan walked in, shucked his clothes and made his way to the showers. Within ten minutes he was clean, smelled great, and was wearing dry clothes.

Madison, on the other hand, tried to wrangle her hair into some semblance of order, wipe off as much sweat as she could and rinse her face with water before meeting up with Declan again.

“Seriously? I look like a drowned rat and here you are, all fresh and bushy-tailed,” she commented upon seeing him.

“Bushy-tailed?” Declan asked with a chuckle. He thought she looked absolutely beautiful.

Madison looked down at herself and shook her head.

Oh well…

“I was thinking of going to shoot some pool tonight. Obviously
I
need to go home and shower first. You want to join me?” she asked, once again not realizing her mistake.