Surrendering (32 page)

OH MY GOSH! This was terrible. Declan has not stopped laughing and now Charlie is laughing with him. “I don’t know what’s so funny. This is more than a little awkward for me.”

“Well, get over it because that cat’s outta the bag.”

I don’t get to say anything else because the crowd must have heard the laughter and felt safe to come and get food. I load my plate and make my way towards the back porch to eat. Declan follows, but before we could get out the door, I catch Robbie watching us and his eyes are shooting daggers at Declan. I smile his way and he shakes his head. Finally, he smiles back and nods at me.

I make my rounds throughout the night, making sure to spend some time with everyone. The music has started and Adam is keeping everyone on the makeshift dance floor. Harper, Ken, and I have already done a few of our dances from back in the day and the room went wild. I forgot how much fun this is. My glass is never empty and I have a good buzz going. Adam starts playing nineties throw back music and mixing it with newer hip-hop artists. I grab Abbi and Ella and we shift over to where the other girls are dancing. We dance around in a circle and sing at the top of our lungs. I’m sure we look like fools, but I don’t care.

Adam switches to Flo Rida and I feel an arm on my waist. Declan pulls me out of the circle and into him. He sings in my ear. My body leans closer to his and my mind fills with erotic thoughts. Before I can say anything, the song ends and he kisses the tip of my nose.

“You just wait, baby. I have another surprise for you later. And the way you’re looking at me right now, tells me you’re going to like it. But for now, I need to go set up.”

“Set up what?”

“Well, part of the deal with Adam was to have him do the music for part of the night and then he could enjoy himself. So he brought a Karaoke Machine to set up for the rest of the night. I personally think it’s a great idea. I plan on videotaping as much as possible and posting it on YouTube. There’s a reason Blake and Nate don’t sing in our band.”

“You’re kidding me! This is going to be awesome. We have to set Charlie up- she can’t carry a tune in a bucket, but she doesn’t know that. If we get her on video, I may have blackmail leverage for the next time she opens her mouth.”

“You got it, babe. Be back later.”

Declan tells everyone about the Karaoke and Adam throws a book out with all the songs. People start to crowd around the songbook and picking their selections. I want a front row seat to this so I go to the kitchen to get a chair. When I get there, I’m so surprised that I squeal. Jimi and Abbi are going at it against the back wall. Their mouths are sealed together and they both have their hands running through the other’s hair. Her leg is hitched around him and it reminds me of what Charlie walked in on earlier with me and Declan. They hear me and break apart. Abbi looks at me with shocked eyes.

“Hey, guys, don’t stop on my account. I came to get a chair. Declan’s setting up a Karaoke machine and I want a good seat. But let me warn you both now, you should go clean up before joining in. You both have lipstick everywhere and I’m pretty sure Jimi needs a cold shower.” I walk away with Jimi laughing behind me.

There’s nothing funnier than a bunch of drunks trying to sing. I’ve been laughing so hard I can’t believe I haven’t peed in my pants yet. Tripp and Gabe sang their own rendition of “Scream and Shout” with Tripp playing the part of Britney Spears. Nate and Blake had the crowd rolling with their rendition of “Baby Got Back”. Charlie gave an earsplitting performance of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer”. Everyone got up to dance when Cooper and Harper chose the B52’s “Love Shack”.

I turn to see who’s up next and see Anna and Mari looking at the book while Declan takes the microphone.

“I’m glad everyone could come tonight! I can honestly say that Raven was surprised. This party was a group effort and I’m so glad it worked out. Since it’s officially midnight and Raven’s birthday, I want everyone to raise their glasses and toast- Happy birthday, babe!”

The whole room erupts in cheers and ‘Happy Birthdays’ to me. I’m engulfed in hugs and kisses and a glass of champagne is shoved in my hand. All my girlfriends are surrounding me as the intro to one of my favorite songs of all time starts playing. Declan hasn’t moved and he winks at me as he takes over the song. The whole room goes silent as he sings “Tiny Dancer”. His voice is a perfect mix of sexy and sultry as he sings directly to me. I can’t move; I’m mesmerized by him. It’s like the room has disappeared and it’s just me and him. On the chorus, everyone breaks in to sing along. I instantly have memories of our first date night when we watched
Almost Famous
. That’s the night I told him this was one of my favorite songs.

When he finishes, the whole room erupts into cheers and I run to him. He bends down and picks me up.

“Happy birthday, Sparkle.”

As my other surprise, Declan and Robbie talked to my dad and Will has the rest of the night off. He’s going back to Finn’s to spend the night so Declan and I can have some privacy. I’m not sure exactly how he talked my dad into it, but I think Robbie had some influence as well. We promised Will I would be home tomorrow by lunchtime.

Declan and I say good-bye to the last guest around two a.m. Thankfully, someone cleaned up the kitchen earlier. The bars a mess, but we decide to clean it up tomorrow.

Declan wraps his arms around me from behind and nuzzles in my ear. “Did you have fun?”

“Honey, this was my best birthday ever. Thank you so much.”

“You still have a whole lot more time left to the weekend. Anything come to mind that you want to do?”

I turn to him with a wicked grin and remember our first dance at The Steamroom. “I seem to remember a certain someone telling me exactly what they wanted one night and I think it’s high time we get to it. Do you remember telling me- and I quote, ‘I want to lift your ass up, carry you back to the room, and strip you bare. Then I want to finger fuck you until you scream my name. When I know you’re wet enough, I want to slam my dick into you until you can feel me in your chest. I want you to see exactly why I have an apa while you ride me bareback. Then, when you can’t take it anymore, I’ll take over until you can’t move. I won’t let myself go until I see you come at least three times. Then I’ll explode in you and you’ll see stars’.”

He grins widely at me and his eyes don’t leave mine as he bends and lifts me up. “Thank God you have such a good memory.”

I lean in and kiss him as he leads us to his bedroom.

*****

When I wake, I can hardly move. Everything hurts. My whole body is sore from dancing, drinking, and the marathon sex I instigated. I must have worked all the alcohol out of my system because I don’t feel hung-over. I smell like sex, sweat, and alcohol. My mouth tastes like cotton and I desperately want a shower. The bed is empty beside me so I head to the bathroom and try to get myself together.

The hot stream of the shower is luxurious. I wash my hair and lather up my body to shave. Declan jumps in beside me. He tugs me to him and kisses me until I can’t breathe.

“Good morning.”

“You too. Where were you?”

“I was trying to make you breakfast in bed, but when I heard the shower, I knew I had a better place to be.”

“Umm, breakfast sounds nice, but I like you right here.”

I move over so he can shower while I shave my legs. It seems so domestic, us being so comfortable together. I think about what it would be like to live together and how it would feel to do this every day.

When I put the razor down he pins me against the tile wall.

“You have no idea how excited I get watching you bend over like that while you shave. Your ass was almost touching my cock and all I wanted to do was slide into you.”

“I wouldn’t have stopped you. All I can think about is how awesome last night was.”

“Babe, we gotta get dressed and get you home. I promised Will we’d be there around noon and when I jumped in here, it was almost 11:00. We’ll have a lot more time next weekend when you aren’t under bodyguard watch.”

“Promises, promises.”

“We’ll need to stay at your place tonight since Will is officially back on duty. But we have no plans tomorrow. Maybe we can see your dad when he gets back in town and figure out what’s happening.”

“Sounds good to me.”

*****

When we get back to my house, Robbie, Finn, and Will are already setting up for a day of football in the living room. I guess Robbie had talked my dad out of having a bodyguard on him since he’s staying close to me and Will. I still have no doubts that they all have their pieces hidden somewhere.

Declan joins the boys in the living room while I start my laundry and clean my room. Abbi and Ella are out running errands, so I join the guys for awhile. I get bored of football really quick and decided to pop in a yoga DVD and get some exercise.

I’m halfway through my routine when I bend backwards and find Declan standing in my doorway watching me. He has an unreadable look on his face.

We stare at each other for a minute before he breaks the silence.

“You’re fucking kidding me.” He adjusts the bulge in his pants. I’m still leaning backwards in an almost pretzel like pose. “Baby, have you always been this flexible?”

“Yeah, after a few warm-ups, I’m pretty limber.”

“You just gave me a whole lotta ideas. When your bodyguard is off duty, I’m gonna lock you in my house for days. I can’t keep my dick down around you.”

I untwist and pull him into a long kiss. We’re just about ready to get carried away when my brother yells, “Declan, you better be taking a shit because if I come in there and find my sister wrapped around you again, I’ll kick your ass. Birthday or no birthday, she’s still my sister.”

I smile against his lips, “You better get back out there.”

“Do me a favor, when you come out, please put on some more clothes. It’s hard enough seeing you in here with almost nothing on. But if you prance around the house in this, I may get my ass-kicked.”

“Okay, I’ll throw on a t-shirt. Do you have what you need here for your show tonight, or do you have to go home?”

“I have it all here. I need to leave by 7:00.” He kisses me quickly and shuts the door behind him. I try to finish the DVD, but have trouble concentrating. I keep thinking that over the last several months, my life has changed drastically. I have my own place and two of the best roommates I could ever ask for. My brother and Finn are basically recovered and doing well. I have a boyfriend that keeps clothes in my closet and hangs out with my brother for poker and football. And I’m completely in love. Who would have known so much could happen in five months?

Abbi and Ella finally return home and they’re loaded down with bags. They disappear into the back bedrooms and Declan joins them.

Kendall, Charlie, and Harper will be here soon to start getting ready. Kendall is going to do my hair and make-up so I just need to figure out what to wear. I’d really like to be dressed before Harper and Charlie try to pick out my outfit.

I take a quick shower because I know Declan has to leave shortly. I throw on my robe and head to my closet to start the grueling process of choosing a dress. When I open the bathroom door I see Declan sitting on my bed. The room is mostly dark except for the soft glow coming from my bedside lamp. There’s a gorgeous black dress on the bed with silver sparkles throughout the bodice and a pair of bright red pumps.

“Declan, what’s this?”

“This is part of your birthday present. I found this outfit last week and had the girls buy you shoes to match it. I think it’ll fit, but if not, I got another one in a different size.”

“Dec, it’s beautiful. It’s a little dressy for The Steamroom, don’t you think?”

“No, babe, this is your birthday and you’re the star of the show. I asked the salesgirl to find me a dress that’s classy chic and rocker girlfriend- this is what she picked.”

“Hun, where exactly did you go?”

“Some place called Baybay in Green Hills. I liked what I saw in the windows.”

“Do you mean ‘BeBe’?” I shriek at him.

“Yeah, I guess. Is that good?”

“DECLAN! This dress had to have cost two-hundred dollars or more!”

“So? Do you like it?”

“Yes, I love it, but it’s too much… I guess I could wear it next weekend too for your show in Atlanta.”

“Fuck no! I bought it for tonight. Next weekend you’ll be in a potato sack. Since we aren’t headliners, we don’t have any security. You’ll be wearing the least attractive thing you own.”

I laugh and lean in to kiss him. “Do you want to see the dress on?”

“I wish I could, but I need to get going. I have one more present for you.”

He pulls a wrapped package out from behind him and I notice the signature mint box with white bow. I’m pretty sure every girl knows what these colors mean. My heart beats faster in my chest. I sit in his lap and he hands me the square box. I’m shaking as I remove the ribbon and lift open the box. My vision blurs as tears fill the rims of my eyes and start spilling out. When I can finally see clearly again, there’s the most beautiful
Return to Tiffany
bracelet I’ve ever seen. It isn’t your typical silver chain and heart. It’s completely black onyx beaded with the heart made of silver. It’s fancy, delicate, and rock and roll at the same time.

“Declan, how did you know?”

“Sweet girl, do all the tears mean you like it?”

“Like it, I love it! I’ve been watching this bracelet for months. I saw it in a magazine and thought instantly of us. It’s so beautiful and classy, yet it’s a bit rebellious to the trademark Tiffany bracelet.”

“I honestly didn’t know. I thought about you when I saw it. Read the back; I had something inscribed.”

I gasp; it’s sort of taboo to put an inscription on a genuine piece from Tiffany’s. He knows what I’m thinking because he laughs out loud. “You too? It took all I could do to have our family jeweler scribe on this. That’s why I had my sister’s pick it up today. Please, turn it over.”

The inscription is small, but the meaning is monumental.

“
This heart is yours, DPC.”