I was fine with the way things went down, except for what Nina had to witness. I’d meant it when I said I regretted falling for her. It led to her losing a piece of herself in the shed that night. Or maybe her meeting Aiden was just fate’s cruel way of reminding me what I had to do.
Either way, protecting her was motivation enough.
And now it was time for me to leave.
The boat swayed gently, reminding me I wasn’t quite finished with my prep. I was leaving in the morning before the three-day storm rolled in, which would only delay me further. I made my way to the bow, unpacking the rest of my supplies as I heard a loud thunk. I looked to my right and on the deck was a large tote I didn’t recognize.
“I packed two bikinis and my gun, but I’ll let your behavior determine in which order I use them.”
§§
Nina
Devin froze as I continued on. “You really aren’t good enough for me. You’re arrogant, selfish, and you have a horrible bedside manner. Were you even planning on saying goodbye?”
Devin turned to me, casually pulling the insides of his shorts pockets out, showing me the lint. “You really aren’t the best for me either, Nina. I’m bankrupt, homeless, and disowned. Oh, and you shot me.” I drank him in as he slowly walked toward me in his fitted t-shirt, his wavy hair a mess. He’d never looked better.
I waited patiently for him as I stood on the dock. When he finally stood, looking down at me, I bit my lip.
“I never did apologize for that. Sorry…for shooting you.”
Devin tilted his head with a frown. “That didn’t really seem sincere.”
“Well, maybe one day I’ll mean it.”
“Ouch,” he said with a chuckle.
“So do you have room for me, cowboy, or were you planning on riding into the sunset alone?”
He held out his hand, and I took it as he helped me onto the boat.
“I have room for this body, but we can leave your mouth in Charleston,” he taunted as I looked into his eyes. They were burning with relief and love.
“I’m sorry, Devin, that you lost your life to this,” I said sincerely. “And because of him.”
He cupped my face, rubbing his thumbs over my cheeks. “I think my life before all of this made me a little worse off, don’t you think?” I nodded. I saw the emotion in his eyes change to doubt. “Can you really do this with me?”
“God, Devin, if I could keep myself away and from loving you, it would be my greatest accomplishment. I’ll always be thankful I shot you at least once.”
His body shook with laughter as his hands stroked my face.
“I love you, Nina.”
“I know.”
He raised a brow. “You could have left the gun at home, you know.”
“I’m just being cautious. Sharks die by bullet.”
He would never get my metaphor.
He leaned in and took my lips. “So I guess you are a regular Annie Oakley now.”
“Who?”
“Jesus, have you ever opened one history book?” He looked down at me with a frown.
“Are we fighting already?” I asked with a smile. He took my lips again, kissing me softly before deepening the kiss, his velvet tongue moving slowly and seductively over mine. When he pulled away, I saw the fire in his eyes.