Myheart pulsed and clenched. I pressed my back into his chest, engulfed myself inthe heat of his body. “Hey babe,” I answered, unsure if he was awake orcoherent enough to respond.
Hesighed again. “Ifuckinglove you,” he said groggily.
“Ilove you too.” I laced my fingers with his, brought his hand to my lips andkissed his thumb.
Hehummedgentlyand I heard the sleepy smile in hisvoice. “Of all the dreams that have come true, you’ll always be my favorite.”
Mylips parted with a soft exhale. I squeezed his hand tighter, corresponding withthe squeeze of that palpitating organ in my chest. “You’re just saying that,” Isaid weakly, wondering how long I would last before my damn emotions got thebetter of me.
Heshook his head against my hair. “No,” he said, gruff and sincere. “I’d ratherlose everything else before I ever lost you. I spent too damn long needingthis—needingyou. I wouldn’t know what the fuck to do with myself if youweren’t there for me to need. It would be the end of me.”
“Dev,”I croaked, my eyes filling with hot and powerful tears. “Go back to sleep.You’re exhausted.”
Pullinghis hand from mine, he planted it into the bed, anchoring himself as he lifted.I turned my head to look into his eyes, to gaze at his stubbled jaw and thehead of hair I was going to miss more than I wanted to admit.
Hishand cupped my cheek. “I heard you on the phone,” he said as his eyes fixatedon mine. “I can’t believe this is my life either. Sometimes, Ihave toremind myself I’m not dreaming, because I’ve dreamtof this shit for so long, I don’t know what’s real anymore.”
“Babe…” I reached out tocupthe prickly curve of his jaw.
Histhumb ran over my cheekbone and I closed my eyes. His thumb gently smoothedover my eyelid and I sighed. “But when I feel you, I know this is real. I couldneverfeelyou in my dreams.”
Inodded, blindly smoothing my hand over his face. “I know, babe.”
Hebrought his lips to mine, kissed me with passionate intent. Our lips partedsimultaneously, and he delicately stroked his tongue over mine. Not as aprelude to a hand up my shirt, or between my legs, but to ensure the things wenow knew from months of togetherness: that this was real.
Withhis forehead pressed to mine, he whispered, “I love you.”
Inodded against him. “I love you too, Devin.”
Hekissed my upper lip and lowered back to his pillow, putting his arm back aroundme. He held me tight. Kissed my shoulder. “Don’t forget that when they chop myhair off.”
Ilaughed through the warning pang that hit my stomach. “Don’t let them changeeverything, okay?”
“Baby…” He chuckled. “They could never change everything.”
“Theyhave the power,” I teased, while also meaning it.
“Nope,”and he shook his head, brushing his lips over my neck and yawning. “They can’tchange this. I won’t let them.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Kylie
First thingafter we arrivedin Jersey, Richard sent Devin and meto the hair stylist,Becki,with anI. I sat in a streamlinedblack chair, while I watched with unjustified jealousy as a strange woman ranher manicured fingers through my boyfriend’s hair, with a sensuality thatalmost turnedmeon.
We shared a similar aesthetic; tattooed, unnaturally dyed hair.Slim with a rocker style. The envious little voice in my head kept whisperingthat he thought I was beautiful, therefore he could think she was beautifultoo.
But after minutes of her pushing his brown waves around, studyingthe texture and weight, while taking in his facial features, she looked at meand smiled with her hot pink lips.
“So, wifey, what do you think we should do with him?” Her banglesclinked together as she turned toward me.
It was in that moment that I decided I liked her. She wantedmyopinion,myinput. I couldn’t remember the last time someone cared.
“Um, well,” I said, suddenly on the spot and realizing I knewlittle about men’s hair styles, “I kind of like it the way it is.”
She nodded sympathetically. “I dig it too. Very Jamie Dornan circaOnce Upon a Time. Too bad they want it off. Those record labels arebrutal, man.”
“Who?” Devin asked, glancing at us before turning back to themirror. His nerves were carving a map on his face and I realized he was moreafraid of this than I was.
