“God,I could get used to doing this,” he muttered against my skin, his stubbleawakening every nerve in my body. He raised his head, pressed his temple tomine, and his mouth to my ear. “Please don’t go to work today,” he said in alow voice, wrapping his arms around me. “Stay home with me.”
“Ihave to work,” I said regretfully, soaping up the sponge and putting the vaseunder the faucet.
“No,you don’t. You’re the boss.”
Igiggled, washing years’ worth of dust off the etched glass. “Yeah? And whatabout you? Your dad wouldn’t be thrilled if you called in sick.”
Hechuckled against my ear. “I won’t have to make any excuses. I can just tell himI finally made you mine and he’d encourage me to lock us in here for the nextweek.”
Irinsed the vase and tipped my head back against his chest. I sighed, succumbingto the comfort of his arms around my waist, the sturdiness of his body pressedto my back. “I’ll tell Brooke to come by for the keys.”
Hesmiled against my ear.
?
Brookeknocked on the door a half hour later and I sprang from Devin’s lap, breakingthe never-ending make-out session we had found ourselves in. I practicallyskipped to the door, feeling lighter and happier than I had in … I don’t knowhow long.Years, maybe.
Ithrew the door open. “Hey, I’m—”
“Youknow, Kylie, when you texted me, my first thought was that you were sick,because why else would you take off? So, I rolled out of bed and came over—withoutshowering, mind you. But then, I show up and you lookprettydamnhealthy to me,” she said in a teasing voice, pushing past me tostep into the apartment. “So, since you’re not sick, you better have somejuicy—oh, hey, Dev.”
Shethrew him a quick wave before crossing her arms, and I immediately felt mycheeks set themselves on fire. My teeth bit at my lips and my eyes shot towardDevin, as I watched him stand up.
“Hey,”he said with a quick smile, and he jabbed his thumb toward his room. “Uh, Kylie… I’m justgonnacall my dad, okay?”
“Mm-hmm,”I said, nodding, and he made his exit. Leaving me alone to make the grandannouncement to Brooke. I took a deep breath, readying myself as he closed hisbedroom door. “So, uh, I—”
“Youguys boned.”
“W-what?”I stammered, my jaw dropping. “And who the fucksaysthat?”
Sheshrugged as the corners of her mouth tugged into a consuming grin. “Please,Kylie, I can tell. Your hair has that just-fucked thing about it, your chin isblotchy, not to mention your …” She gestured to my chest. “And Devin? He has ahard-on that would make Trent jealous—congratulations, by the way.”
“Ohmy God.” My hands blocked my eyes, shielding myself from the embarrassing flushthat encompassed my face and chest.
“See?I can tell.”
Idropped my hands, unable to control my stupid smile. “Well, you’re wrong. Wedidn’t have sex.” She raised her eyebrows. “But, um … we did do stuff.”
Andwith that little confession, I dropped to one of the dining chairs and gushedwithall ofthe secrets from our night. The bombs hedropped, the magic of his fingers.
“Heloves me,” I told her, my eyes brimming with tears. “I guess I knew thatalready, but … he told me this morning, and, oh my God, I just … I neverthought I could be this happy.”
Teary-eyedand beaming with selfless joy, she pressed her fingers to her lips. “Oh God, Itold you. Didn’t I tell you?”
“Yeah,you told me,” I conceded, rolling my eyes and grinning.
“Andthat is the hottest thing I’ve ever heard, by the way. You are one luckyfucking bitch, I hope you know that. Every girl wants a guy like him.” Sheslumped into a chair, flickering with obvious envy, and I had to admit, I lovedit. “But you guys are good, right? This isn’t too weird?”
“Ithought it would be,” I confessed. “I almost feel like itshouldbe, but…” I shook my head. “It’s not. Not at all. It feels so fucking right, I almostdon’t even know what to do with myself.”
Shenodded and as if on cue, Devin walked out of his room. Brooke eyed him, cockingher head. “Oh, hello Devin. I hear you’re good with your hands.”
“Iheard,” he grumbled, shooting me a look of playful disapproval. “Thin walls.”
“Well,if I hadn’t been hoping for this forever, I’d want to kill you both right nowfor making me get up early. But,” she grinned, clapping her hands over herchest, “I’m just so fucking happy. Oh God, you guys … come on, kiss orsomething. I need to witness this firsthand, just so I know you’re not fuckingwith me right now.”
“Ohmy God,” I groaned, tossing my head back to find myself staring at Devin.Looking down at me with his upside-down, lopsided smile.
