“Do you know people think we are getting married and that I’m pregnant?”

He lets out a breath as his shoulders fall. “Yea, I read it today. Well, not the pregnant part.”

“Read it? And you didn’t tell me?” I say a little louder than I mean to, but seriously! What the fuck? This is viable information that would be nice if someone had warned me about. Now I look like the idiot that is completely blind to all the gossip that is being spread about me! “Why would they say that? Why wouldn’t you warn me about something like that?”

Nervously, he looks around the room before taking my elbow in his hand. He then directs me out the ballroom to a side hallway. This house is so damn big and beautiful, but I refuse to enjoy it. Not when I am this upset.

“I thought you said it doesn’t matter what people think.”

“It doesn’t, but I still would have liked to know. I can’t believe this. Why would they think that?”

He swallows loudly as he looks way. “I don’t know, Amberlyn. I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be sorry for these assholes. I’m just mad that I didn’t know about this or that you didn’t tell me. If it came from you, it would be different. I wouldn’t be mad, I’d probably laugh, but finding out from someone that I have no clue who they are, and for them to insult me at the same time, is a little shitty.”

He looks back up at me, surprised. “Who insulted you?”

“I don’t know, some girl. She said why else would you be with someone like me if I wasn’t pregnant.”

His face falls as he shakes his head. “I’m sorry, Amberlyn. Please know that that is not the case at all. I’m with you because I care about you.”

“Oh, I know this. I just don’t like that the bitch said otherwise. I don’t care what she thinks but still, it would have been nice to prepare for something like that.”

He reaches out, pulling me to him before gathering me in his arms. I allow him to as my anger subsides. I guess I really shouldn’t be mad at him. It’s not his fault that this freaking town is dumb when it comes to him and his family. I get that they are rich and famous to some, but to me, he is just Declan. My heart. Turning my face up so that he can kiss me, I meet his heated gaze.

“I’m sorry, my love, but this is my life. The gossip, the false stories… are you sure I’m worth it?”

I smile as I give him a come-on kind of look. “Of course you are. Don’t be sorry, just kiss me.”

He doesn’t even nod or answer me at all, only lets his mouth fall to mine before kissing the ever-loving crap out of me. His fingers bite into the lower part of my back as he presses into me. I can feel every single inch of him, and desire swirls deep in my stomach. Biting at his lip, I fight my grin when he sets me with a heated, lust-filled look.

“You know you drive me wild when you do that, right?”

I grin innocently. “No, not at all.”

His fingers bite into me, leaving me breathless, and I find myself lost in his gaze. “You do. So much.”

Going up on my toes, I nip at his bottom lip before whispering, “Good, I like causing all those dirty thoughts that you were telling me about earlier.”

His eyes darken as he leans his head against mine. “You have no idea the things that run through my mind when it concerns you, love.”

Ugh, the way he says love makes me wish my clothes would dissolve off. It’s so hot, so Irish, so deep, and God, I am so turned on that it isn’t even funny. Not even the hottest romance novel I’ve ever read made me as hot as I am now. I’m not sure if it’s the atmosphere or how hot and romantic he is, but my heart is pounding against my ribs and I can’t believe how bad I want him. I treasure my virginity and understand that it needs to be taken in a sweet way with love and unicorns and rainbows as Fiona would say, but I am honestly okay with Declan doing me against the wall of the bathroom. Or anywhere for that matter. Running my thumbs along his jawline, I try to control my breathing as he holds my gaze.

“Can I ask you something?” he asks, wrapping his arms tighter around me. “You can say no. I won’t be mad or upset at all.”

I nod slowly, my heart pounding because I’m pretty sure I know what he is going to ask me. “Ask me anything,” I whisper, running my thumb along his bottom lip.

“Stay the night with me.”

Oh, thank sweet baby Jesus! I’m gonna say yes, but I playfully say, “For what?”

His eyes darken as he cups my ass in his hands, pressing himself into me, taking all the breath and playfulness out of me. “I want to make love to you Amberlyn, but I completely understand if you say no. We don’t even have to do it, but I just don’t want you to leave.”

I can see the need in his eyes. He looks like a starved man, and I know I mirror him. I need him, want him, and I am more than ready to take our relationship to the next level. “Yes,” I breathe. “I want to.”

“Now?” he asks, a smile pulling at his lips.

“I don’t know about now. We do have a ball to attend, and I haven’t met your parents and—”

“Declan, honey.”

Declan’s eyes fall shut as he mutters, “Speak of the devil.”

Placing a quick kiss to my nose, he lets me go reluctantly. I turn to see his parents coming towards us. Like Lena, Mrs. O’Callaghan is dressed in something very fashionable and very expensive. I’m pretty sure her stones are real and the dress is probably made by the same designers that Fiona was speaking of earlier. Her face is youthful and attractive; I can see a lot of Lena in her. The two women are both very beautiful, and I am thankful that Fiona made me shop for something so nice because otherwise, I would feel inferior to these gorgeous women in their designer gowns. Not that mine is that great, but it gives me the confidence to turn on a bright grin. I can feel Declan stiffen beside me as she reaches us with a very angry-looking Mr. O’Callaghan. I’m not sure who pissed in his cheerios, but I try to smile as if I don’t notice that something is seriously wrong. I chance a glance at Declan to see that he is glaring, and I know right then that this is not going to go well.

“Ma, Da,” Declan says, wrapping his arm around my waist as I fold my hands together. My smile falters a bit under his father’s intense gaze. I can feel him looking me over. I feel as if he is judging me, and I don’t like it one bit. As much as I want to say something, my mother raised me with respect so I stay quiet as Declan says, “This is Amberlyn Reilly.”