Taking Control (Babysitting a Billionaire #3)

“I’ll tell her you had no choice,” Declan replied.

The bar was just off the embankment. Steps led downward into a basement. Tables were scattered around the floor area, but most people were standing. It was Saturday night and the place was buzzing. He stood for a moment adjusting to the dim light, then searched the room.

He spotted her almost immediately. Her back was to him, but as he stared, her shoulders stiffened. But she didn’t turn and he headed toward her.

She was with two other women, a tall, stunning brunette with crimson streaks in her dark hair and a tiny redhead, with a cute face and huge green eyes. They were both facing him and looked up as he came to a halt beside the table. Jess still didn’t turn.

“I take it you’re Declan, the prick,” the redhead murmured.

He wondered how many people had seen that damn tattoo.

Finally, Jess turned around slowly. She ignored Declan and spoke to Steve. “You are so fucked.”

“Yeah, I reckon.” But he grinned. “Me and Rick are going to go sit over there at a safe distance and keep an eye on things. You two play nice.”

Declan waited until his two babysitters had melted into the drinkers and then sat himself down in the empty seat across from Jess and next to the redhead.

“I’m Dani,” she said.

“And I’m Kim,” the brunette offered. “And we’re going to go to the bar and get some more drinks.”

They both stood in unison. Declan waited for Jess to tell them to stay, or more likely tell him to go, but she remained silent and the two girls disappeared, leaving them alone.

She looked tired and heartbreakingly beautiful. Dressed simply in jeans, boots, and a black T-shirt, her hair pulled into a ponytail, her face clean of makeup. She was turned slightly away so he couldn’t see the scar, and for a moment she looked so like her seventeen-year-old self that his heart missed a beat.

Someone put some music on in the background; he recognized the song. It was one they had danced to all those years ago, through the long hot summer nights.

She recognized it as well and for a second, a slight smile curled her bottom lip and then was gone.

“I still hear certain songs and they take me back to that summer, scents, places in the city…” he said softly.

“Yeah,” she replied. “Memories are a bummer. Wouldn’t it be great if we could just wipe them out and start over?”

One hand was wrapped around her bottle of beer, and Declan reached across and uncurled her fingers, slid her palm into his. She didn’t try to pull away, but a slight frown formed between her arched brows.

“I would never wipe away the memory of that summer with you,” he said and he knew he spoke the truth. However painful the aftermath, he would still rather have the pleasure and the pain. “Those months with you will always be the best of my life.”

He waited for her to make a smart comeback, but she remained silent, gnawing on her lower lip and gazing at the spot where their hands joined.

He stroked her palm with the pad of his thumb and a shiver ran through her.

“Why have you been avoiding me?” he asked. “I missed you.”

Her frown deepened, and she studied his face. “Why are you being so nice? Why can’t you go back to being a prick?”

“I am nice.” He picked up her hand, brought it to his mouth, uncurled her fingers and placed a kiss in the center of his palm. “Don’t you think I’m nice?”

She looked away for long moments. “No, actually I don’t. But I don’t think it matters whether you’re nice or not. I hate you, remember?”

“Maybe. But ten years is a long time to hate, and I think you’re tired of hating me.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know what you want here, Declan. Absolution? If so, then you have it. You’re absolved. I forgive you for dumping me.”

“Maybe I want another chance.”

Shock flared on her face, darkening her eyes to midnight, and she tugged at the hold of his hand.

He held on tight. “I know you feel something.”

She sat back in her seat, her gaze flicking over him. “Okay, you want the truth. Yes, I feel something and that’s the very reason why I’m going to finish this job and then I’m going to get as far away as I can from you.”

“What happened to facing your fears? I never thought you were a coward.”

“Well, maybe you never really knew me.” She took a deep breath. “You obviously want a good honest heart-to-heart, get things out in the open. So okay, here’s how it is. Ten years ago you broke me.”

He winced. At the same time, he was surprised that she would admit that much. Her hand was still in his, and he tightened his grip on her as though she might bolt. “You always seemed so strong.”

“Maybe I’m a good actress. Oh, it wasn’t all your fault, I was a mess before I met you and—”