Never Been Ready (Ready #2)(25)

"Good job, Declan. Really, it was superb. Whatever you were thinking about and focusing on in that scene, harness it. It was the best work I've seen out of you yet," the director said.

The men ended their impromptu meeting, and Declan slowly made his way over to me, giving me time to look him up and down. Even dressed in a Civil War–era uniform, he looked sexy as hell. In fact, I was starting to think we needed to take that costume back to my place and do a little role-playing. I could do my best Scarlett O'Hara impression, and he could sweep me off my delicate Southern belle feet.

Yeah, that could work.

Declan's lips turned up into a sly smile as he closed the gap between us. He was obviously aware of the effect his presence had on me.

Pressing his body close to mine, he angled his mouth against my ear. "They've given us a bit of a break on account of my fabulous acting abilities. And the only thing I can think about right now is getting you into my trailer, out of these clothes, and burying myself deep inside you."

Well, um...yeah. I was pretty sure I could go for that.

I gave him a devilish grin, "Let's go."

~Declan~

I wanted to rip the throat out of every man on the entire set. No, first, I'd do something about their eyes, and then I'd go for the throats. Then, at least, they wouldn't be able to stare at Leah while I was killing them.

Fuckers.

As soon as she had stepped foot on set, they had all looked her over and swarmed around her like vultures. She hadn't seemed to notice, but I sure as hell had. Their eyes, full of uninhibited lust, had lingered over her ass and fixated on her br**sts —all the things that were mine, not theirs.

After the doctor yesterday and my overwhelming reaction to him, I'd gone back to my hotel and had a serious come-to-Jesus meeting with myself. What the hell was I doing? I had basically claimed her at that dinner table, and afterward, when I should have felt remorse or panic, I'd felt...good. As bad as I'd felt for the doctor and his shitty divorce, I hadn't wanted him looking at Leah or talking to her at all. She was mine, and I'd wanted to do anything and everything that night to make it perfectly clear. Those hadn't been the acts of a man who wanted a casual affair. They had been the thoughts and actions of a man who wanted more.

Figuring that out had made things a bit clearer for me. Coming to the set today and seeing the vultures descend had made it crystal clear. My sudden fierce possessiveness of Leah was more than a casual fling to me now. I wanted her, all of her. I didn't know how long this would last or how it would end up, but I was balls-in, and I hoped to God she was too.

I'd heard one of the crew members say, "Man, that is one hot piece of ass. How does Declan do it all the time?"

Then, I'd seen red. I didn't want Leah to be seen as another skank I'd picked up from a bar or club, so I had done the only thing I could think of. I'd walked up to her and claimed her —not with a sloppy bar kiss, no. I'd given her the type of kiss that a man gave the woman he wanted to keep. And I did. She'd looked downright stunned and stupefied ever since. I kind of liked her this way. It was kind of humorous.

We made our way to my on-set trailer, passing by several of the men who had spent the better part of the early morning staring at Leah's butt. I wrapped my arm around her waist and slid my hand down her backside to cup her firm ass. It was my way of saying both, Fuck off, and, Mine, all at the same time. The men seemed to get the hint and scattered as we continued down the path.

Unlocking the door, I ushered Leah in first, making sure to secure the lock again after we'd entered. She took her time, taking the few steps into the tight space. There wasn't much room. Only a small table, a microwave, refrigerator, a tiny bed, and bathroom toward the back occupied the trailer. It wasn't meant to be lived in, but it did provide an escape during the day when I needed space or privacy.

"What are we doing, Declan?" she asked.

"I think you know, Leah."

I knew she wasn't speaking in the literal sense, but I didn't want to go there yet. I wasn't ready for the us discussion yet. I'd never wanted an us until now.

What if she didn't feel the same way?

Stalking toward her, I hooked my hand around her neck, drew her toward me, and captured her mouth with mine.

"You taste so damn good. Like peaches and cream, you're sweet and creamy and so f**king addictive," I said against her now swollen lips.

"I want you, Declan. Now," she moaned, nearly causing me to blow it right there.

God, her voice. It was the perfect combination of sexy  p**n  star and the sweet girl next door.

Closing the small gap between us, I wrapped my arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground, pulling her body against mine. Her legs circled my torso, and I growled as her core pressed hard against my dick. Not wasting any time, my mouth devoured hers as we made our way to the bed in the back of the trailer. Even though our movements and kisses were frantic, I laid her gently on the bed, cradling her head like a priceless treasure.

Leaning back, I slid my hands under the hem of her sweater and lifted it over her head, exposing her red satin bra.

"Nice. Is this my early Christmas present?" I asked, grinning.

"I don't know. Have you been good?"

"No, I've been very, very bad. Let me show you."

Letting my hands ghost down her waist, I unsnapped her jeans and slid them down her lush, long legs. My gaze traveled upward, and I found a pair of matching satin panties, making my grin even wider.