CHAPTER THREE
Mallory drifted to her faded blue Sportage as he waited to make sure she got inside safely with his number in her phone and a text that he’d sent to give himself her number. She started the engine as she leaned her head against the steering wheel for a moment to draw air into her chest in deep breaths, attempting to break the spell that he’d put on her.
Declan still sat beside her and she lifted her face to glance over shyly. Mallory waved as she backed out to head to Rayna’s house on the outskirts of Monterey. Her father did well in the insurance business while her mother ran an art gallery but they weren’t too close to the beach at all. She looked in the rear view mirror at a light as she wondered what his house looked like and if she could see the water from his bedroom.
Jesus, the idea of being in his bedroom made her press her thighs together. Mallory pulled forward with a start as the light turned green and made her way through the streets until she was turning into the long driveway and parking behind Rayna’s red Tercel. She got out and trudged up the steps to the front door before she opened it to smell lasagna with a frown. Normally she loved this for dinner but she was both full and a bit sick from being so nervous. “Hey Mal!” Mary called out from the kitchen cheerfully as Mallory smiled. “Hungry? Ray’s just taking a shower before she eats.”
Mallory hung up her keys and walked across the sunken living room to peek in at the pretty blonde. “I ate out today, actually.”
“As in lunch with a friend or something heavier than that?” Mary asked her as she chopped vegetables for a fresh salad on the plastic tray carefully.
“I’m not sure.” Mallory replied slowly as she looked at the happy woman with envy. Mary had met Adam just after she entered college and it had been love at first sight. “It might become a thing. I just don’t know yet.”
Mary looked up at her before tucking a curl behind her ear. “I have seen you date a few guys here and I have never seen you so…unsure. I also haven’t seen you ecstatic but there’s something here. Isn’t there?”
“I kind of want to jump him immediately.” Mallory confessed as her insecurity set in for a moment. “He’s gorgeous. He’s a rugby player and he’s English. I couldn’t keep him if I wanted to.”
“Couldn’t hurt to have a little fun with this mystery man.” Mary teased her as they heard footsteps.
“What mystery man?” Rayna asked curiously as she walked into the kitchen brushing her straight hair that was the same pale color as her mother’s. They even had the same hazel eyes and were both beautiful to Mallory.
“I met a guy at school today. Rugby player.” Mallory told her as she watched her best friend’s face for a reaction.
“Which one?” Rayna pressed, her eyes intent on Mallory’s face.
“Declan Meadows.” Rayna let her mouth drop open as Mallory raised her eyebrows at her.
“What?” Mary jumped in with something about him taking her out to eat and Rayna looked between them in disbelief.
“You had lunch with him? Did you end up at his house?” Rayna asked her as Mallory flushed a deep pink.
“No, I didn’t. We just ate and talked. Is that unheard of or something?” Mallory asked her and Rayna seemed to consider the question.
“Practically. He’s more of a love them and leave them kind of guy. I’ve never heard of meals being included in the deal.” Rayna speculated as her mother shook her head.
“Just you hush. Mal is a great girl and he’d do good to take her out. She’s a catch.” Mary reprimanded Rayna as the girls looked at each other.
“Of course she is. Mal’s beautiful but I don’t want to see her get hurt.” Rayna defended herself as a chime filled the air. Mallory reached into her bag for her phone to read the screen as Rayna moved beside her to read over her shoulder. “Holy hell. It’s Deck.”
“How well do you know him, Ray?” Mallory asked as she gave her friend a sharp look.
“I am not into the sports guys. You know this. While I’ll give you that he’s easy on the eyes and that voice is utterly divine, he’s not my type.” Rayna shot back quickly as Mallory sighed and opened the message.
I meant what I told you earlier, Mallory. I’d like to have dinner with you, the kind where I pick you up and we dress up and have a date. Will you?
“How did you meet him? This is amazing.” Rayna sputtered as Mallory looked at her again.
“Yes, it is and it’s also between us.” Mallory warned her before she told him she’d love to go out with him, to which he asked for a date the following night. “It’s stupid really. I was leaving edit and the wind was crazy and I guess I lost my footing. I’m waiting to hit the ground at the very least when I realized that someone was holding onto me. I moved since I’m not exactly light and we started talking. Well, make that I started stammering and he responded with enough to get me to eat with him. Then he was all sweet and intense at the end and said he wanted to go out.” She gave both women a curious look. “That’s good, right?”
“Of course it is. Maybe he’s just settling down some is all. Isn’t she perfect for that?” Mary interjected as Rayna rolled her eyes playfully. “Your father had his crazy times before we got serious, you know. He’s the best right?”
“He really is.” Rayna was very close to her father and her mother and she adored them together. “Give it a shot, Mal. Just be careful and don’t let him rip your heart out. I won’t allow that.” Mallory had been through enough in Rayna’s opinion.
“And I would?” Mallory had ended her last relationship pretty bluntly when she heard some gossip and clarified it with the guy. She was done from the moment that he began to stumble all over his explanation.
“True.” Rayna admitted with a smile as she shoved her brush into the pocket of her thick robe. “I cannot wait to see the looks on the faces of those empty girls that always drool at the players when they see him with you. It’s going to be epic.”
“I think we have to have a date first for things to go there.” Mallory said wearily as she slipped her hat off and yawned. “I am going to study for my test tomorrow and get some work done. Then it’s crash time.” She made a pot of green tea and added generous amounts of honey and lemon to the big cup before she went up to her room and dropped her messenger bag on her king sized bed.
It was already difficult enough to focus on her stuff without his texts but they came through anyway. They were fun and flirty and made her feel fantastic. She ended up dropping everything just to start a conversation about school, basic life and where they were going the following night. Mallory ended up getting ready for bed later than planned and ended up nearly sleeping in.
She pulled on some thick black tights and wore her favorite pencil skirt over that, covered with roses in a black and purple tone. Along with that, she added a thick black fitted sweater and long boots to keep her feet dry in case it rained later along with a heavier coat. She threw on some make up quickly as she hoped she’d have time to get ready later for their real date. Mallory hopped into her car and headed to the campus to get her four classes out of the way, unable to not look for him as she made her way around between classes. Sadly, she didn’t see him until she was done for the day as he ran across campus calling her name when she walked out to her car. “Mallory…hold up!”
She was smiling when she turned to look at him, dressed for rugby with his hair flying behind him as he scurried among the students on the grass. “You’re very subtle, you know.” She told him softly when he reached her and grinned as he rocked back and forth on his feet.
“I just had to tell you how gorgeous you look in that skirt today and that I was hoping you were wearing it for me later.” His words were soft enough for only Mallory to hear as she felt her skin heat up rapidly.
“I was planning to.” She admitted as he leaned closer to her and locked gazes with her. “I’m glad that you approve.” She felt something shift in the air and suddenly he was moving closer to kiss her softly as she gasped. When he pulled away slowly, her eyes shot around to see that they were being stared at by nearly everyone as she pressed her lips together. “Wow. They’re all looking at us.”
“So what? Let them.” De clan told her as she raised her gaze to meet his hooded eyes. “I don’t care.”
“I just thought that since we hadn’t even really been on a date that I wouldn’t have to worry about that yet.” Her voice was awkward and stilted as she spoke, her eyes watching as his face fell.
“What was yesterday then?”
“That was me going to have drinks with you which turned into food that I was supposed to pay for in return for your kindness. Though you didn’t let me do that,” Mallory reminded him as she worked hard not to drool at him standing taller and looking at her like he owned her. “I didn’t think it was a date.”
“It was but it’s not like the one we’re going on tonight. Last night was just practice and me wooing you.” He teased her as she laughed out loud. “Did that work, Mallory?”
“Irrevocably. I mean…I said yes to dinner, right?” She stammered as he chuckled softly. She texted him her address before they both left the campus for the day and went home to get ready further. Mallory only had a couple of hours and she knew that Rayna would want in on the preparation.
CHAPTER FOUR
Rayna got home about half an hour after Mallory and ran right up to her room to throw the door open. “Holy shit. He. Kissed. You. At. School.”
Mallory was holding up a shirt that she promptly dropped with a gasp. “You scared the…out of me. Yes. He did. How did you know?”
“I think everyone knew but I heard it from Amber. She’s devastated because he was going to choose her when he was ready to date.” Rayna told her with a smirk. “I can’t believe it! Did you pee yourself?”
“Almost. It came out of nowhere and they were all looking at us. I don’t like that. You know I like to fade in the background.” Mallory groaned as Rayna shook her head slowly.
“That’s simply not going to happen with you being with him. I think I saw broken hearts all over the place today.” Rayna looked her over. “I love that skirt on you. It’s all clingy and it makes you look like a pin up girl. Aha wait a minute…that explains the kiss. He saw you and lost his mind. Makes sense.” Rayna smiled as Mallory laughed and leaned over to pick up her shirt to hold it up to herself. “I think that purple shirt that we got a couple weeks ago would look great. Just enough cleavage and it’s kind of tight. That with some heels and he’ll be on his knees for you.”
“Are you sure?” Mallory asked with doubt in her voice as she looked down her body. She was a size eighteen and not so tall but the curves were in the right places if it was a good day. “Think he’ll like it?”
“Do I need to remind you what he did today on campus? Silly girl.” Rayna told her as she walked up to the closet and gently slid hangers over. “Here it is. Perfect. Want me to do make up?”
“Yes. You’re so much better than I am at that.” Rayna was a regular viewer of all of the make-up artists on you tube so she could keep up with the latest trends. The girls left the shirt hanging and went into the big bathroom that they shared. Mallory took a seat and Rayna studied her carefully.
“Your skin is so gorgeous. I am so jealous.” Rayna smiled as she met Mallory’s eyes and started gathering supplies. She brushed just a light coat of liquid to powder foundation over her pale skin to set it before she started on her eyes. Before too long, they were sexy and smoky and popping out of Mallory’s face as she smiled. “You look beautiful. Here…add one more coat of mascara. Just a gloss for tonight since he won’t be able to keep his lips off of you.” She winked as Mallory laughed and did as she was told, holding still for a moment as the mascara dried.
“Do you think he really likes me?” Mallory asked Rayna as they went into her room to get dressed.
“He’s shown all of the signs and made a hell of a lot more effort than anyone has ever seen him do before. Actions say so much. It’s so romantic.” She flushed as she reached into the closet for the deep purple shirt and bit her lip. “I already threatened to cut his dick off if her hurt you anyway, so…”
“Oh, well then. That makes everything perfect.” Mallory told her sarcastically as she stared at Rayna. “Ray!!”
“He’s pretty cute close up. He really took the threat seriously, I think.” Rayna told her as Mallory resisted resting her freshly made up face in her hands. “Hey, I had to! You’re my sister and I take care of family. He took it well, so don’t worry. He’s polite…more so than I expected.”
Mallory slipped the shirt on over her black lace bra that she’s worn to the bathroom with a robe over it. The V ended just where her cleavage began and Rayna whistled as Mallory looked at herself closely. They added a long amethyst necklace that hung just above the shirt and heels that brought Mallory a bit closer to his height. Mallory grabbed a black cardigan before she closed her closet to slip over her outfit as they heard the doorbell. “I think I’m going to throw up.” Mallory grumbled as they walked downstairs to get it as Mary stood waiting in the kitchen. “I really want to see him.” She whispered excitedly as Mallory smiled nervously.
“Might as well. Ray already threatened his manhood today.” Mary stared at her daughter for a fleeting second before she walked over to the door and opened it with a flourish. De clan asked for Mallory and she greeted him graciously before she let him inside with an impressed glance at Mallory.
“Hello, ladies.” He greeted them as he stepped inside, his eyes dragging over Mallory slowly as she fidgeted anxiously. “You look beautiful, Mallory.” He was dressed in some good black pants and a white button up shirt with a tie that matched his eyes perfectly and looking incredibly handsome.
“Thank you. You look amazing too.” She told him, feeling Rayna gently pushing her forward with her hand on Mallory’s back.
“Good to see you again, Rayna.” He nodded at her with a shake of his head as she laughed and told him the same. They said their goodbyes and he walked her out to a black SUV by her hand as she licked the slick gloss on her lips.
“Are you one of those guys that has a garage full of cars?” Mallory asked him as she turned to look at him with a smile on her face.
“No. Just this one and my other baby. This one is good for some of the bad weather.” Declan explained as he hit the button on his keys to unlock the doors. He let go of her hand slowly to open it as she watched him move in the dim light of the street lamp. He helped her inside as he ran his hand up her calf slowly and watched her shiver with a dark gaze. He leaned forward as she raised her face towards him in anticipation of the kiss that she hoped was coming. “I’ve never seen someone look as good as you do tonight.” He told her in a soft voice before he brushed her lips with his gently. Declan stepped away stiffly as he ran his hands down his legs and sighed before he closed the door and walked around to his side.
He drove them into Monterey and parked at one of the nicer seafood places on the water after checking that she was alright with his choice. Again, they were seated quickly and graciously and had waters within a moment of being brought to their table. “Do you have some celebrity status that I don’t know about?”
“The business is well-known here since my grandfather brought it to the states about forty years ago. Meadows and Lane Investments. You’ll see them around.” De clan explained as she nodded. “I came to live with them ten years ago and learned the ropes though they urged me to pursue sport. I just want to have a backup plan because he’s getting older now. No siblings to take over since my parents brilliantly stopped at one so they wouldn’t have more kids to neglect.” He closed his eyes and clenched his fists over the smooth wood of the table. “I’m sorry. This isn’t the time or place for my self- pity.” He looked up and took in Mallory’s face slowly as she smiled slowly. “I get into the best places all over the area. I’ve never had much of a reason to use that before but I plan to now.”
“You’ve never taken a girl anywhere on a date around here?” Mallory asked him as she watched him shrug.
“You’ve heard some things. No, I never have. Nobody has made me want to spoil them the way I do you.” De clan told her as he reached across the table and stroked her hand. “Your friend gave me quite the warning today over my rushed lunch. She’s something.”
“I am so sorry about that. She’s protective of me to a fault sometimes.” Mallory apologized as he smiled dimly for a moment.
“As am I. I like that she’d guard you so fiercely and respect her greatly for that.” De clan told her as a deep frown crossed his face. “You don’t have a lot of people in your life that you’re close to, do you?”
“I…I have Ray and her family. They’re my family and I have a few friends, but no…I’m not the girl that has twenty close friends and always goes out. This is a pretty big night for me, to be honest.” She blushed and shook her head. “I mean in just going out as much if not more than being with you here. I don’t know why you want me but I’m glad that you do.”
“Do you want me as well?” Declan asked her before the waiter approached to take a drink order. He ordered a white wine and then met her gaze with a hooded one of his own.
“I’m scared but I do. I don’t take this lightly, De clan. I am not just a one- night girl.” Mallory told him in a whisper as he smiled at her.
“You could never be just that to me. Something is changing for me, Mallory. I don’t think like that now.” De clan told her as she leaned forward and he cleared his throat. “Give us just a moment? We haven’t made it to the menus yet.” Mallory realized that he was talking to a waiter as she blinked slowly and glanced down. She picked up the light brochure and flipped it open as she tried to focus on the choices rather than the lust racing through her body as she trembled.
She selected salmon and De clan the special before he glanced around to make sure that they were alone again. “I don’t want you to fear any of your feelings with this, with us. I am all in myself so we can be scared together.”
She told him more about losing her parents in the plane accident and how she was shifted around to family members that didn’t want to deal with teenager, which left her alone a lot and moving to different places. Mallory had grown up a shy girl after that since she’d lost everything that she’d ever known and was adjusting to the fact that she’d lived with Rayna since she was eighteen. Four years in one place felt like forever after what she’d been through. She blamed the weight gain on some of that since food was a comfort for her but also on the fact that she’d always been curvy. Mallory wasn’t meant to be small and petite like Rayna was. She learned every day to be comfortable with herself and to put some of the cruel things that she had been told over the years behind her.
They were eating as they talked and he shook his head with an angry look on his face. “Nobody should have ever criticized you, Mallory. You’re a beautiful girl and I will spend every day telling you so.”
“I won’t have to tell you that, will I? I think it’s been said since you were born.” He looked like a model tonight with his hair gathered back in a loose ponytail and his cheeks defined in the candlelight from the table. His eyes studied her closely and he licked his bottom lip slowly as she watched him carefully.
“Not the way that you say it, no. Your eyes tell me much more than the words ever could and I know that you mean all of it.” De clan told her as she widened her eyes and shook in her seat. “I hope you see the same in my face.”
“I see so much in your face.” She admitted as she turned pink and slowly ate a bite of her fish. “I haven’t had a lot of relationships and no man has ever made me feel like you have in such a short time. It terrifies me a little.”
“You deserve it so much more than you’ll ever understand.” He told her sadly as she met his eyes.
They talked about his grandparents who lived in a big house on Pebble Beach, near to where the break in of the coach had occurred. De clan had insisted that they update their alarm system immediately right after he’d been told the terrible news, thankful that they had agreed. They adored their only grandson and made sure that he was taken care of as he pursued his dreams. “So many people see the cars and think that I’m just this rich kid that has a smart family. I do have that but I’ve been through the wringer to get here where I am now. I know the inside of the company and I respect it. I might take it over when I need to and put other things aside as far as sports or school…but not my relationship. I have not had any of those here but I value them too much to disregard them that way.” He pushed his plate away and drained the last of his only glass of wine slowly. She’d had the rest and Mallory was feeling pretty giddy as she reached across the table to take his hand. “Would you like to go somewhere now that we’ve finished?”
Mallory looked down at the table as he stroked her skin gently with his thumb while they waited for the check. He dropped a card into the thick folder and looked into her face as they waited.
He signed off on what must have been a very expensive dinner with the wine and tip before he stood and held out his hand. Mallory took it as he helped her out of her chair with a giggle as she pressed against him with a small stumble. She slid her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes before she pulled him down to her for a slow kiss. “I like the Mallory that does that kind of thing.” He told her as he kissed her again slowly to part her lips with his and trace her mouth with his tongue. “Don’t be scared of anything.”
They walked out to the car and he looked around carefully as she watched him. “Declan?”
“This happening so close to what occurred with coach makes me feel so many things. I want to guard you closely and never let anybody hurt you because I never want to feel what he is right now. I want to always have you with me so I know that you’re safe. I’ve never felt like this.”
He ushered her into the car before getting in on his side and starting the engine, insistent that they be warm and safe. “I can’t be with anybody all of the time, right? I went through a phase after my parents died where I clung to anyone that I was staying with. I was so scared and insecure and it just drove me out of that house faster than it was already happening. I still feel that way…sometimes. I just step back and tell the people I care about that I love them and try to be happy with that.” She told him as he backed out of the parking space. “You should too.” She reached her hand across the car and rested it on his thigh. “I’d like to see your house.”