Lexie could hardly breathe. Meeting Declan on campus was something she never expected to happen. But after their moment in the vault, she was never so glad that it really was a small world after all. When he finally released her from his embrace, he led her back upstairs.

Checking her phone, she curs

"What is it?" Declan asked.

"My best friend. She got out of class and left me here. I guess she figured I took the bus home." She rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. "Can you point me to the nearest bus stop?"

"I can do even better; I'll give you a ride home."

Her heart raced—again—at the idea of being alone with him; although, after the past few minutes, she didn't know if her body could take it. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." He squeezed her hand. "Give me a moment to grab my stuff and let John know I'm going home for the day."

She watched him walk away, exhaling deeply and leaning against one of the columns in the middle of the exhibit, replaying the scene in the vault one more time. Had that really happened? After the encounter at the diner, she was completely shocked that he'd want anything more to do with her. She had to have bruised his ego. But...this afternoon...she hadn't been able to resist him. It was like something was propelling her forward. And she didn't regret it.

Declan returned, took her hand, and laced her fingers with his, leading her out of the art building and along the tree-lined sidewalk. He played with her fingers as they rode the elevator to the top floor of the parking structure, the sensation sending goosebumps all the way up her arm and tingles to the pit of her stomach. The steel doors opened, and Declan's strong footsteps resounded off the cement walls as he led her to a black Audi coupe parked in the far corner.

He opened the door for her, then slid in on the driver's side, starting the car. With one hand on the wheel, he stared straight ahead. "I was planning to spend some time by the lake this evening; would you like to join me before I take you home?"

Her heart leapt into her throat. "Yes, I would love to."

He put the car into gear and pulled onto the busy city street. As they weaved in and out of traffic, he kept the conversation light and gave Lexie control over the radio; she was surprised to find they shared a similar taste in music. The scenery around them began to change from the hustle and bustle of Chicago to lush trees surrounded by green grass. In the distance, the sun hung low over Lake Michigan.

Declan whipped his sports car into a parking space and turned to her. "Have you been to Jackson Park before?"

She shook her head. "I honestly haven't been here very long. I moved here from Montana at the end of May. This is beautiful, though."

He jumped out of the car, jogged to her side, and opened the door. "This is my favorite place in the city." He held his hand out with a wide smile.

She gripped his fingers and grinned. She liked seeing him like this; not so dark and intense, but friendly and lighthearted. "Then I can't wait to see it."

Hand in hand they walked along the path winding through the park and leading to the lakeshore. "Where did you live before?"

She smiled as she remembered the tiny mountain town where she was born. "I guarantee you've never heard of it. Turtle Lake, Montana. Population two hundred and nine...and four of those were my mom, dad, brother, and me," she said, looking down at their hands as they swung between them.

"Are you close with your family?" The way he focused on her, waiting for her answer, made her feel like the details of her boring life were the most interesting thing he had ever heard.

"My brother, Caleb, and I are very close. We live together in an apartment over on the West Loop. He's been here a couple more years than I have. And my parents are amazing people. They gave me and Caleb a terrific life. But they were very over-protective. Hence my..." She cleared her throat in embarrassment. "My...inexperience."

"I can relate to parents who keep you on a tight leash. If it weren't for my best friend, Ezra, it would be suffocating."

She tilted her head to the side. "Your parents are overbearing too?" She was surprised at how much they had in common. Even down to the best friend who kept things light and bearable. "Ezra? Tell me about him."

"Overbearing is an understatement, and as far as Ezra goes, he's just funny, always has an answer to a problem, and he's a bit...strange." Declan's laughter rang throughout the quiet haven.

She was enamored by his laugh—it was sweet, sexy, and soul-soothing—a sound she thought she could listen to for hours. She pushed past the warmth vibrating through her when she caught him watching her curiously before he asked, "You mentioned a best friend earlier?"

"Gia." She shook her head and laughed. "She's loud, obnoxious, and completely loyal. I couldn't ask for a better friend. But she drives Caleb crazy. She's the kind of friend who shows up whenever and drinks his beer."

"I like her already." Declan stepped in front of her, stopping her in her tracks so she didn't collide with his chest. He shifted side to side, fidgeting with her fingers. "I know this is new to you, and I don't want to rush into anything. If I'm being honest, this is kind of new territory for me as well. I'm not..." He ran his fingers through his hair and looked to the side. "I'm not good with relationships."

Lexie bit her lip and raised her other hand cautiously, taking his chin and turning his face to hers. "I don't want to rush into anything either. I like being with you, and I'd really like to see where this goes. Besides, there are a couple of new experiences I would like to have, and I'd really like to have them with you."

"Lexie," he whispered before she stood on her tiptoes and pressed her soft lips to his. He took her face into both of his hands and moaned into her mouth when the tip of her tongue slid across his bottom lip.

Warmth spread through her body, like she was being consumed by the heat of their connection. She parted her lips and let him deepen the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck, relishing the way her body seemed to fit perfectly with his.

Chuckling, he brushed his thumbs over her cheekbones, resting his forehead against hers. "I think you can cross inexperience with kissing off your list."

She closed her eyes and laughed. "Thanks to you."

"I promise we'll work on some of those other firsts, but for now, I better get you home." He kissed her forehead before walking her back to the car.

The cluster of butterflies which had taken flight from the minute she saw Declan rapidly beat their wings inside her stomach. Deep within her, something stirred—a part of her she had never been brave enough to explore on her own. But with Declan's promise to be her guide, she was excited to begin a new journey of self-discovery. She only hoped she wouldn't be piecing together her broken heart when their adventure came to an end.

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