For a long moment, our bond was nothing but white-hot bliss. I’d never felt anything like it.

We stayed like that, trembling, the aftershocks shooting through us. After a few minutes, Declan picked up the washcloth and cleaned me up, shifting me into a more comfortable position on the counter, and I let him, because I wasn’t sure I could move.

He dropped the washcloth into the laundry hamper. Then he pulled up his pants and buckled his belt, though I have no idea how he was moving so easily. My limbs were made of putty and I couldn’t seem to get up the energy to move. I felt like I’d swallowed the sun, all glow and heat.

Declan picked up my shirt and shoved my bra into his back pocket. He gently put my shirt back on, helping me put my arms through the correct holes. Then he scooped me up, unlocked the door, and carried me back to the bedroom.

“What are you doing?” I mumbled as I snuggled closer to his chest.

“We’re going to take a nap,” he said. “Then I’m going to take my time with you until you’re screaming my name.” He grinned at me. “Which will be fine, because I brought an extra washcloth.”

I hadn’t even seen him grab it. “I’m never going to be able to look at a washcloth again without getting hot and bothered,” I said as he laid me gently on the bed.

His smile widened, looking entirely too smug. “For our next date we’re going to one of those giant bed and bath stores where they have acres and acres of towels.”

My eyes widened as he crawled over me. “You wouldn’t. You fiend!”

He lowered himself until he was cradled between my legs, his arms wrapping around my shoulders. “Then I’m going to make you watch a bunch of laundry commercials. The ones where they fondle all those big, fluffy towels and sniff them. Or some of those folding videos you can find online.”

“You dirty bird,” I said, kissing him.

He growled, sucking on my lower lip. Mine.

Yours, I said back.

He reached back and grabbed something out of his other back pocket and shoved it into my hand. I didn’t have to look to know it was a washcloth.

We’ll nap later. He pushed my shirt up and took my nipple in his mouth. I arched against him.

We did nap, eventually, our bodies spent and sweaty and tangled together. Contented, I fell asleep wrapped up in Declan.

Declan

I leaned against the brick wall outside of Ritual Ink, the bright colors of the mural behind me doing their best to lift my mood. I’d just left a voicemail on Zoey’s and Sid’s phones. No answer on either. I’d talked to Zoey yesterday morning. Not hearing from them for one day didn’t automatically spell doom.

But I didn’t like it. I really didn’t like it.

I called the brewery. Neither of them was in, but it was also Zoey’s usual day off. I shoved my phone into my pocket with a growl. I would call them again in a bit. Or they would call me. They were fine.