Chapter 32
Declan
“Youhaven’twastedtime,” Carson said, exiting the gym.
“I’ve had them working around the clock. I want this to happen sooner than later.”
“What’s the hurry?”
I shrugged. “I like to stay busy.”
“How are you sleeping?” he asked as we stepped onto the field where training equipment had been laid out.
“I haven’t had a nightmare since being with Theadora. It’s been a month now. We haven’t spent one night apart.” I raised an eyebrow at that startling admission. I thought my need for her might have abated, but if anything, my desire for Theadora had only strengthened.
It wasn’t just the sex, however. She’d become a part of my life. Our sweet moments together, like making pancakes for breakfast or cooking an evening meal together, really mattered to me. I loved her laugh and the way she danced when she was happy and how she cracked up at my silly comments.
“That sounds like she might be the one.” He pulled on a swinging rope to test its strength.
I nodded slowly.
After the pub incident, and me opening up to Theadora about feelings that I was only starting to understand, we’d decided to make it official. I now thought of her as my girlfriend. It was a natural progression, and one I accepted with open arms.
No more sneaking around.
“You look well. Happier than I’ve ever seen you, I think,” he said.
“That shouldn’t come as a surprise. We weren’t exactly bubbling over with joy in Afghanistan.”
He pulled a tight smile. “Do you miss flying?”
“I do. A lot. I mean, I put myself through all of that just to fly.”
“You could have just gotten a pilot’s license, you know.” He smirked.
“I know. But I needed the discipline. I needed to get away.” I rubbed my neck.
“Me too. It was either the army or join a criminal gang.” He dribbled a ball on the ground. “But hey, we’re alive. Life’s great. Pussy on tap. Who can complain?”
I laughed. Pussy on tap. All right. Beautiful Theadora. That put a smile on my face.
“In any case, I’ve got a Gulfstream on order.” A smile beamed through me. The thought of my own plane excited me.
His brows hit his hairline. “Holy crap. I forgot how rich you are.”
Yep. I was loaded. Thanks to my grandfather’s generosity.
“You’ll fly it, I imagine?”
I pulled a face. He might as well have asked if I wanted food after fasting for a week. “I reckon. I mean would you buy a Ferrari for your chauffeur to drive?”
He laughed. “For starters, I don’t have a chauffeur. But sure, I get your point.”
“Does your mother know about the plane?” he asked.
I shook my head. “She hates me flying.” Cold water just doused my warm glow. I imagined my mother demanding I take it back, like when she admonished my grandfather for gifting me a hunting rifle for my eighteenth birthday.
“So where did you meet this girl? I thought you were sworn off relationships,” he said, jumping up on the parallel bars and swinging effortlessly.