“Bathroom is all yours,” he says, not even sparing me a glance.
“Um, sure. Thanks.”
I watch him as he goes into it not the bedroom, not bothering to shut the door. That damn towel is hanging dangerously low on his hips and I can’t stop staring. His head snaps up and I don’t bother to pretend like I’m not staring.
“Can I help you with something?” He questions.
“Um, do you want to watch a movie after I get changed?”
“Sure.” He smiles and swings the door shut, ending the free show. I grab my bag and head to the bathroom to put some pajamas on. I feel so stupid standing here contemplating whether or not to leave my bra on, but in the end, I take it off. I hate sleeping in one.
Devlyn has a clothes line attached from his shelf to the shower rod so I put my bra there so I can find it quickly in the morning. By the time I get out of the bathroom he is relaxing on the couch, having claimed his side. Dressed in only his boxer briefs, he isn’t being conscious of my presence here at all. I guess I don’t blame him. It is his place after all. He should be comfortable. It isn’t like I haven’t seen the man naked before, I just don’t remember that much about the experience or at least I try not to. Folding my arms across my chest to hide my hardened nipples I take my allotted seat, careful not to get too close to him. I feel this weird buzz of energy passing between us. Ever since he told me he wanted to kiss me it’s all I can think of.
“I see you
found the duct tape.” He grins at me as he flicks through the movies on Netflix.
“Yeah.” I laugh but it sounds fake even to me.
“What are you in the mood for?”
“I don’t care. You pick. I will probably end up going to bed before it’s over anyway.”
“About the bed…” he starts.
“Yeah, what about it?” I raise my brows.
“What if I don’t stay on my side?”
His question catches me off guard. We agreed not to talk about the whole relationship, will we or won’t we stuff. I thought he was going to offer to take the couch tonight.
“Dev, maybe I should go stay with April.”
“I’m sorry, Fiona. I keep screwing up. It’s just you don’t see yourself the way that I do. You’re everything to me. When I wake up, I wonder where you are and if you are thinking of me. Whenever I am with you it is a constant struggle not to kiss you. I can’t keep pretending I don’t want you. So here we are. My cards are on the table one last time. We could work if you’d stop fighting this. Fighting me.”
“You think I don’t think about it, Dev. I told you. I’m a mess. You should be with someone who has a career and can walk down the street without getting into a situation. What if my bad luck rubs off on you and you get hurt or worse all because of me?”
“Is that the only reason you won’t try? Because you think you aren’t good enough? You think your mishaps are contagious?”
I turn my head unable to answer. Because when he says it aloud it sounds so dumb.
“Hey.” He hooks his thumb under my chin. “Answer me,” he demands, turning my head in his direction.
When I open my eyes, he’s right in front of me and I don’t know what comes over me but I lean forward and press my lips to his. He’s shocked at first. His eyes are wide as I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him between my legs. “I am willing to try, Dev, but you have to promise me, if you change your mind or if this doesn’t work out. I need you to promise me you will always be my friend.” I think back to Chase, even though he has no room here. We were friends at first and it destroyed us. I don’t want that happen with Dev. I’m scared to lose him.
“I promise you, but, Fiona, sweetheart, we’re going to be so damn good together, you’re gonna be kicking yourself for not giving in to me sooner.”
“You crossed the line,” I tease trying to break up the seriousness of the moment. I’m overwhelmed by his intensity.
“There’s never been a line between you and me. It’s always been blurred. I think you’ll agree.” He nuzzles my neck and bites me playfully. His teeth press into my skin, sucking and biting up to my jaw.
“Dev,” I whisper his name.
“What?”
“Kiss me you fool.”
Devlyn