Chapter 5

The door swung open. Declan stood there, impossibly tall and broad-shouldered in a crisp white button-down and black slacks. His golden hair was slightly mussed and the shadow along his jawline indicated he hadn't shaved since I'd seen him in court this morning. He looked edible.

"Molly," he purred in that deep voice. "I'm so glad you came."

He stepped back to usher me inside the lavish suite. I clutched my purse tightly and moved past him, my heart racing as I detected his warm, woodsy scent. Declan's presence overwhelmed my senses. I couldn't think straight.

"Please, have a seat. Can I offer you a drink?"

I perched nervously on the plush leather sofa. "Just water, thank you."

Declan crossed to the wet bar and poured a glass of water over ice and a glass of bourbon. I couldn't tear my eyes from him. The way his shirt stretched taut across his muscular back, the confident grace with which he moved - he took my breath away.

When he turned, our eyes locked again. Heat coursed through me at the intensity of his gaze. Declan's sensual mouth quirked into a knowing smile. He could tell the effect he had on me already.

Handing me the chilled glass, his fingers deliberately brushed mine. I shivered at the contact, my skin tingling. Declan sat on the opposite end of the sofa, angling his body toward me. He rested one muscular forearm along the back cushions, totally at ease. Everything about his posture was both relaxed and predatory at once.

"I'm so pleased you agreed to have dinner with me, Molly," he murmured, those blue eyes burning into me. "Ever since I saw you in the courtroom, I haven't been able to get you out of my mind."

My cheeks flushed crimson. I shouldn't enjoy hearing these words from him, and yet they thrilled me. He looks utterly delectable in his tailored shirt, the flickering candlelight accentuating his rugged features. I take a sip of water, hoping it will cool the heat flooding through me.

"So, Declan," I begin, aiming for a light, breezy tone, "I have to ask - why go through all this trouble just to have dinner with little old me? You could’ve just asked me out on a date."

His lips quirk up. "I figured beautiful women like you must get hit on constantly. I wanted to stand out from the crowd, make an indelible impression on you.”

I bit my lip as I let my gaze pour over him. “You did that the second you walked into the courtroom.”

This elicits a wolfish grin from him. “I’d hoped as much, but I don’t like leaving these sorts of things to chance.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “These sorts of things?”

“Meeting the woman of my dreams.”

“Ha,” I say dismissively, though I blush like a schoolgirl. Certainly, that was just a hokey line to get into my panties, but damn if it’s not working. Not that he’d have to work all that hard. It’s been a while and this guy is a freaking god.

“I can’t express how grateful I am for what you did for my family,” I say, opening myself up to him. “We were desperate. I was this close,” I pinch my fingers together, “to asking my boss for the money.” I roll my eyes. “That would’ve been such a huge mistake.”

Declan’s face clouds over with something dark. “So, there’s nothing going on between the two of you?”

I snort with laughter. “Not if I can help it. He’s been after me for months, but he’s my boss and married for God’s sake.”

“Is that the only reason?” he says, his jaw tense.

“That and he’s such a misogynistic pig. I hold a law degree and passed the bar exam, I’m an attorney for crying out loud, but he treats me like I’m his glorified secretary.”

“Only a fool would fail to appreciate you for all that you are, Molly,” he says in a low rumbling voice that makes my delicate parts quiver. “Not only are you unbelievably beautiful, but you’re also highly intelligent and driven, a woman of principle and moral fiber. Why else would you be so determined to work in the DA’s office instead of going for a much higher-paying job at a law firm?”

His intense gaze is infused with more than simple passion, it was genuine interest, like he wanted to listen and truly hear my answers. It’s … refreshing.

“I guess you could say that I’m a crusader for the cause of truth and justice,” I reply jauntily, squaring my shoulders. “I want to put the bad guys away. The guys that prey upon men like my dad and my brother.”

He cocks a brow and sips his bourbon. “Has working as a prosecutor always been your dream?”

“Back in high school, me and my best friend,” I pause and lean in, “her dad was a police detective, we decided we’d go into law enforcement, not as cops or anything dangerous like that, but as attorneys. Ironically, she’s off in Manhattan working at some hoity-toity law firm while I’m stuck here in Charlotte working in the DA’s office.”

He chuckles. “Doesn’t seem fair of your friend.”

“Well, while we were at law school, her father was murdered by some mafia-type thugs and it messed her up.” I frown at the recollection. “We sort of lost touch there for a while, then she turns up in New York City working at a law firm that probably has those types of guys as clients. I don’t get it, but it’s her choice.”

He nods perceptively. “But you don’t regret your decision. To stay here in Charlotte and work for the DA’s office?”

I scrunch my nose as I consider my answer while loving the fact that Declan genuinely seems interested in me and my life, beyond tonight.

“I need to stay close to home given my mom’s condition since I can’t rely on my dad.” I shake my head. “My brother … well, you know his situation. So, it’s best I stick around to keep an eye on them. You know?”

Those beautiful blue eyes of his bore right through me, penetrating to the very core of me like he wanted to possess every ounce of me.