[///ON HOLD///] Animal House (Rendezvous #2)

Chapter 18

Declan's words shocked her. "What?"

He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, loving the feel of her on him. "You heard me. I'm going to make you mine."

Nora scoffed and pushed him away, breaking their embrace. "I'm not some...some animal, some pet you can just claim as yours."

Already, she was fighting him and he resisted the urge to smile in case she was offended by it. But Declan could feel his blood heating up at her fierce nature.

"No. You're a woman who I find irresistible, so I will make you mine. Simple as that."

Nora stared at him as if he were headless. "How can you still want someone like me? I'm so shallow, so hypocritical, so...dirty."

Declan bit his bottom lip and Nora was immediately enraptured by the sight. "I like dirty."

She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "That's not what I meant! You know that's not what I meant! Why aren't you taking this seriously? Do you not realize the mother of your child has done a despicable thing? Are you even sure Denora is yours?"

He laughed in incredulity. "Of course she's mine! She looks just like a mixture of you and me!"

He saw her mentally beating herself because he was right. There was no denying Denora was their child. So she decided to change tactics.

"You deserve someone better."

Declan nearly rolled his eyes. "That line didn't work then and it won't work now, even if I now know the context behind them. Besides, I believe you're exactly the type of woman I need."

Nora looked wary. "And what type is that?"

He took hold of one of her hands. She twitched, but allowed the small contact, which was exactly what he wanted.

Little steps for my dear Nora.

"A strong woman who values family above all else."

She stared at him and he saw the tears forming in her eyes. "I nearly lost my family—a second time—before coming to that realization."

"I know," he quietly spoke. "And I'm glad your brothers are still around to protect you from bastards like me."

Nora shook her head, confused. "You're not a bastard."

"Well, if we're talking about the literal sense, I technically am a bastard."

She wasn't amused at his joke. Or at least she tried not to show it. He still saw the small twitch of her lips.

"Declan," she scolded.

He became serious. "Come now, Nora. Would a good guy take advantage of a drunk woman in his very home?"

She gasped. "What are you talking about? I came on to you!"

"You were drunk. And still, I slept with you. All because I couldn't keep it in my pants." Declan scowled. "I'm no better than that professor."

Nora gripped his hand. "You are nothing like him! He took advantage of me when I was at my lowest!"

"And I didn't? You were stumbling around drunk after a break-up."

"You were helping me!"

Declan snorted. "I bet that's how he justified it with you too. He was just 'helping' you through your dilemma."

Nora looked speechless. But Declan was right. The more Nora had spoken of her professor, the more he despised the man who he didn't even know the name or face of. And yet, this son of a bitch's actions nearly mirrored his own. Declan only became attracted to Nora when he saw her in her natural state.