A Surprise Favor – Chapter 5

Before long, the party is in full swing. More people show up, and the staff members are dishing out meals left and right. After ten minutes of conversation with Saif and his sister, I excuse myself from the group and leave Amira and Kenzie with them.

My curiosity is too strong, and with two flutes of champagne in me, I’m ready to deal with Kalvin and meet this new guy Marcelo is dying to introduce me to.

As I round the edge of the pool, I crook my finger at Kalvin and beckon him to me. His face is set in a grim line as he makes his way over. I inhale and let out a long breath, bringing a reassuring smile to my face.

“Sky, are you mad?” He winces at my smile and pulls back a bit. “I admit, I’m a wee tad terrified.”

“Put your arms around me and kiss me right now.”

Kalvin’s mouth drops open before he sets his jaw and moves closer. His hands find my neck and back, drawing me in close. Yes, that’s right. Show everyone. He leans down to brush his nose against mine before kissing me. His kiss is gentle at first, cautious almost, but as I relax into him it deepens, growing more passionate by the second. I can feel the warmth of his breath on my skin, sending a shiver through my body as his hand glides down my back.

Mmmm, I hum against his lips. After all that’s transpired in the past few days between us, all the tension fades with each passing second. Kalvin pulls away, but not too far. He rests his forehead against mine and sends a soft smile in my direction.

“You are something else, you know that?”

I reach up and thread my fingers through the hair at the back of his head. His eyes meet mine, and I channel all my energy into the connection.

“Listen to me. You’re mine. Kenzie’s in your past. She does not get you. I do.” I drop my voice and rise to my tip-toes so I can whisper in his ear. “If we were alone, I’d fuck you right now just to claim dominance.”

He leans away and inhales for one, two, three, four. “Ah damn. I need a cold shower now.”

I wink at him. “Jump in the pool. I’m sure that’ll take care of it.”

He takes my hand, squeezes it, and closes his eyes. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I thought you’d be mad at me.”

“Yes, you do, and no, I’m not. It would be a hideous double standard for me to be mad at you for your past.” I clear my throat and try to ignore the people watching us. “And now you’ll introduce me to this new man Marcelo brought, since I saw the two of you talking earlier.”

“New man?” A smile crosses his face. “Not so new.”

My stomach flips over. Oh no. Is this someone I fucked and left over the last few years? For a moment, my brain turns the man I saw with Kalvin earlier into Eamon, the idiot I traded sexual favors with for Ai, my ship’s first AI. My upper lip breaks into a sweat remembering the things I did to get by back then.

You’re not the same person anymore, Skylar.

The fuck I’m not.

But we approach the bar and the man speaking to Marcelo, and I remember Eamon being a lot taller and skinnier. This man’s voice rolls over me. Like a warm blanket on a chilly night, it wraps me in a sense of security and familiarity, its timbre soothing and reassuring. I’ve heard this voice before, and my heart rises into my throat as he turns around.

“Hiiiii,” I breathe out, too stunned to move.

He looks up and locks eyes with me, his mahogany gaze drawing my attention away from everything else. Those are the same eyes that looked upon me in the courtroom in Sakata City when we were fighting to get the Amagi back from the military.

“Declan, as I live and breathe.”

“Hey, Skylar,” he says in a voice so full of life it stretches the very fibers of existence between us as he speaks. God, I forgot how much I loved his voice. Listening to him argue in court was like listening to poetry.

His lips curl into a smirk as he sizes me up. He had a crush on me a few years ago, but I brushed him off, even though I found him exceptionally attractive. I can’t move, not even when he steps forward to kiss me on the cheek.

“It’s good to see you. You’ve been a busy bee this evening.”

Did I say ‘exceptionally attractive?’ Because this man is gorgeous, surely too handsome to be real. His eyes sparkle in the bar’s light as he talks. His hair is cut short but tousled in a way that begs you to run your fingers through it. His body — Lord help me. It looks like it was carved from marble by some divine being sent down from heaven for one sole purpose: to make every woman who dares look upon him weak in the knees with desire.

Shit. This was unexpected.

Marcelo’s grin grows as he watches me try to snap out of my head. Am I drooling? I hope I’m not.

“Sky?” Saif asks, approaching us.

“Huuuuuhhh…” I lick my bottom lip and stall.

Marcelo, you are the most resourceful man in the universe.

Declan is wearing a white button-up shirt, open at the neck, revealing tanned, toned skin. His trousers are light beige, showing off his long legs and slim figure, paired with espadrilles for a casual yet stylish look. One hand is tucked casually in his pocket, and the other holds a gin and tonic.

“Saif,” I say, finding my voice, “this is Declan Sanches.”

Saif’s eyebrows draw together. “I think I know you.” The two clasp hands and Saif goes from perplexed to surprised. “Oh yes, you’re the one who got the Amagi back the first time.” He turns to me. “I followed the trial in the news.”

“So, um, hi. It’s great to see you again.” How do I even have a conversation with him if I can’t control my mouth? It’s practically numb.

“Likewise. I’ve always wanted to come to a party at the Lee villa. This place does not disappoint.”

Marcelo leans in. “Declan has a house about a kilometer down the beach.”

Declan tips his head side to side. “A little place, a bit out of the way. But it’s quieter there than here.” His smile is warm. “I was thinking you could come over for dinner tomorrow night.” He looks at the entire group. “All of you, if you’re available.”

Saif touches Kalvin’s elbow. “Possibly. But Skylar’s available, if she can tear herself away from the beach and a book.”

I remember the conversation we had around the table in my room in the jungles of Rio. They told me I had to vet the men first for the network. That we couldn’t go forward without me liking him first.

Judging by my dry throat and ache in my belly, I already find Declan attractive. But I’ve never had more than a polite conversation with him.

Time to test the waters.

“Well, the beach and a book are hard to say no to.” I smile at Declan and he shrugs. “But let me get a drink and some food, and we can have dinner together right now.”

“Perfect,” he says, rubbing his hands together. “Let me get you a plate.”