Devon

by Leanne Davis

  “The first time I was an asshole. This time? I want everyone to know.”

  She closes her eyes. “This is all I ever wanted.”

  “Open your eyes, Claudia.”

  She obeys me when I use my tender tone. I lean down and drop the softest, longest, lightest kiss on her lips. No biting, just infinite care. I invest it with all my love and hope, and the promise of forever. “You’ll have me for as long as you like.”

  “Forever?” she questions softly.

  I smile. “Forever,” I reply boldly.

  She glances around, but I don’t. Let them look. Let them wonder. Let them gossip. Let them disapprove. Or approve. I really don’t care. I only care about us. Here. Now. Us finally finding each other. Or more precisely, we are finally feeling the same thing at the same time.

  “Perhaps we could go somewhere more private?”

  I grin. “Shy?”

  She smiles back. “No, just happy.”

  I look around. The older couple have turned in their seats to watch us. I see the pleasant curiosity on their faces as they then return to their dessert. Hank is behind the long bar and he gives me a thumbs-up. Damion is standing in the doorway of the kitchen, a look of surprise on his face. He doesn’t know about her and me. Not until now. I drop my arms and take Claudia’s hand. At least I know that she’ll never leave me for my brother, or anyone else for that matter.

  Frowning, I turn back to her. “What about Cooper?”

  She smiles. “He saw us together on the night you quit and decided we’re in love. Right after that, he dumped me. I felt bad, but he knew he couldn’t compete with you when it came to my feelings.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because I didn’t know yet.”

  “Know what?”

  “What I knew when I saw you just now.”

  “Which is?”

  “You’re finally ready for me.”

  I grin and kiss her again. Why not? I’ve wasted so much time. Damion grins and I wave at him. Hell, he can figure it out. Her car is parked out front. We separate just far enough to get inside it. I give her directions to our new place. She gets out and stares at the plain brown building with a grass lawn in front. “Wow. You really have changed.”

  I take her hand, confident she likes what she sees. Even if by society’s standards they look like reverse changes, I’ve done nothing except to grow up and listen to my heart. My heart beats for her heart. “Only for the better. And because I want to know I deserve you.”

  CLAUDIA

  My heart is pounding out of my chest. We enter the new apartment he shares with his brother and niece. I can’t believe all the changes in him. The happiness and relaxed charm that emanates from him tell me more than any words; he’s truly found his niche. The place is plain and Dayshia’s toys are scattered all about. It’s the antithesis of his former sexy condo and God, I love this place so much more.

  There’s no time to waste. We drop into each other’s arms and start kissing. We walk, kiss, and stumble towards his bedroom. As soon as we enter, we fall inside, our hands frantic to undo each other’s clothes.

  His gaze studies my nakedness with so much reverence, I don’t even blush. I accept it. I know how he feels and that he wants me. Yeah, he loves me. I gasp at his naked body before me and tingle with joy. He reaches out and takes my shoulders in his hands, pulling me to his chest. He wraps me in his arms, and we stand there hugging so tightly. Oh, I almost moan when we are skin to skin. Warm and alive in each other’s embrace, both physically and emotionally, I can hardly believe we’re finally together. I glance down at the stark whiteness of my skin against his lovely dark skin with admiration and amazement. For me, this is a dream come true.

  He leans down and starts kissing me. Our mouths fit together in a soft, easy start, and both of us ignite. Tongues smashing together, teeth clicking, our arms and hands rub and move, gripping and touching everywhere on each other. We can’t get enough of each other. His hand slides under my hairline and I moan at his soft touch. Holding my head like a football, he tilts it slightly to place his mouth over mine.

  Lifting my face, his mouth descends to my chin and he peppers kisses down my neck. He drops down to put one of my small, beaded nipples into his mouth. His tongue rolls over it as the warm-wet sensation makes me wild, and I let out a groan of heavenly bliss. We finally end up on his bed. He lets go of my breast and sets me down gently before leaning over me. I’m lying down, staring up at him and my heart thumps so hard and fast. Love. Joy. Desire. All of it at once is so good and I feel as if I’m going burst. The pressure of his love and the way my body hungers for his, I eagerly want him. But now we can finally go slow and lounge in all the glory of relating to each other like this. I am ready to devour him with my mouth and my body. And I sense he feels the same.

  He pauses, and his eyes are glinting with lust and love as he stares into mine. Anyone else staring at me like this, would make be squirm with discomfort. I don’t like anyone looking too closely at me. Or too intimately. Or too completely. Especially like this, when I’m naked and available. But for once, which I hope will turn out to be the rest of my life, I want this connection. And with no one except Devon. He touches my face and outlines my profile as he smiles at me. “I love you, Claudia. It’s never been this good or right for me.”

  I could say a few snarky things, but they don’t matter anymore. Our history doesn’t matter either, and I will not let it taint this or us. It’s so much better than what I dreamed, having his warm hand on my face while his body feels heavy on top of mine. I love to gaze into his bedroom eyes when they glaze over mine, like they are right now.

  “It’s been like this for me just one other time, but it wasn’t quite right yet for you.”

  He leans to the side of me and gathers me in his arms, kissing my mouth. Our long, lingering, wonderful kiss makes my blood boil, and my heart opens up to him like a blossoming spring flower. I blink when he lets my mouth go. Our legs are entangled as well as our arms and I could lie here like this forever.

  “I think it’ll last the rest of our lives. If things go according to my plans.”

  I shake my head with a small smirk. “You and your plans. We can’t even have sex without one, huh?”

  He doesn’t smile but stares for a long time into my eyes. “Not just sex. You and I, like this? This is everything I’ve ever wanted.”

  I agree. But I am not used to saying it out loud. I plan to get used to it though. This time, I lean into him and respond to his comment with a deep kiss. I slide my hips against his hardening length and it pops up even harder and more demanding between us. I love how it feels and I sigh with joy. I take my hand from his waist, and let it roam over his butt to his hard length as his mouth leaves mine and he begins to trail kisses all over my body. He starts with my collarbone, and moves to my shoulder and chest. He circles my breast, first one and then the other. He kisses my stomach and every square inch of my skin tingles with the luxury of his touch. I want more. I am shivering in passion. Bathing in it. Saturated in it. Then he drops even lower to my center. He starts off slow and thoroughly begins circling me. He kisses my knees and inner thighs until I’m all but weeping.

  I strain towards him, longing for his touch. I want to feel the pressure. Anything to relieve the aching, swollen need that is pooling inside me. My hands grip the sheets, and I tug on them, if only to alleviate this torturous foreplay. “Devon…” I groan and cry together. “Oh… oh, Devon…”

  His hand rubs along my hip and slips under my bottom before he lifts me up. Oh. What happens then. He dips his head between my thighs. His mouth touches me, and I open my legs at once. His mouth is so hot, it almost scalds and relieves me. I glance down at his head between my legs. He is so beautiful to me.

  My head rolls back and I have to squeeze my eyes shut. The pleasure translates to sounds from my mouth that are totally X-rated. His lips and tongue suck and lick as he locates the most sensitive, sensual part of m
e. He makes me see rainbows as the pressure increases and the urge to release nearly makes me giddy. I rub his face, and my legs split wide open shamelessly. I want to give him all of me. And I love it when he takes me. I can’t stand it. I’m wet and writhing as I finally manage to grab his shoulders and moan, “Now. Please… fill me up… Oh, Devon… Devon.”

  He doesn’t hesitate to release me and I watch him grab a condom, which he swiftly rolls onto his throbbing erection. I’m all but rubbing my legs together. I can’t wait to relieve all the unbearably ecstatic sensations. Then, he’s finally on top of me. My eyes pop open to stare up at him. He takes me in his arms again and wraps his body all around me, putting the tip of his hardness on the rim of my entrance where his mouth was before. I open my legs wider and wrap them around his waist, tilting my hips higher to cradle him and make myself fully accessible.

  He leans down and kisses me slowly. Oh, so slowly, his body pushes inside me and my eyes flutter with all the sensations that erupt from deep inside me. I love how well he fills up all of me. I fully engulf him inside me. Our bodies are as united as possible.

  He doesn’t move, but closes his eyes. He is savoring our union and drawing out all the anticipation building between us. I reach up and cup the side of his face. His eyes blink open. I see all the love in his eyes when he stares down at me. He makes all of me, my heart, body and soul, feel adored and sensual. I can barely stand so many exploding, wonderful, joyful, passionate feelings.

  “You feel…” he mutters.

  “Perfect.” I finish for him. We are perfect together. He nods and smiles before kissing my lips affectionately.

  “Yeah, yes. We’re absolutely perfect.”

  I squeeze my muscles around him and his eyes grow larger. “Oh, damn… Claudia!” he groans, and I know he feels the ecstasy, too.

  Then all the tenderness, pauses, and loving touches kind of get lost amid the pounding and body slamming. I thrill at the beautiful thrashing of our bodies against each other. He hammers inside me, and I luxuriate in the rhythm. I grab the metal rungs of his headboard to steady myself, tilting my hips higher to receive him as we smash together in our embrace and I cradle his hard cock. I am nearly screaming and panting and sweating, which is so glorious, I could almost start singing.

  He’s right above me. I love how he buries himself all the way to the base of his cock and holds me so tightly, his arm muscles bunch up. His forehead is beaded in sweat, and I savor our physical pleasure and how it reflects on our bodies. His face is so beautiful when his jaw clamps down and his eyes shut tightly. Grabbing me even harder, he tries to hold me still as he comes fully and forever inside me. It’s the most gorgeous sight, and I love knowing that I make him feel as wonderful as he makes me feel. I orgasm twice, and my blood sings as my heart swells with adoration for him. We grasp each other tightly and affectionately rub each other’s backs as we slowly cool down and our heart rates return to normal.

  We’re naked and lounging, hugging each other in the afterglow of unbridled joy. But I hear someone’s voice. “Devon? Honey? Are you here?”

  He sighs. Then he grins. “Dayshia’s home. And my mom.” He kisses my forehead. “Things are different now.”

  I release him and start to search for my clothes. “I like it better already.” I slap his naked butt cheek as he pushes the covers back and starts to crawl out of bed.

  He looks back at me and grins. Then he leans in and kisses me. Our lips entangle and the heat starts to rise again as he moves his head back and presses his forehead on mine. “Yeah? Me, too.”

  “But your mom is here.”

  He laughs. “Yeah, but my mom is here.”

  He turns and puts on a pair of loose sweats before heading out the door. I hear the murmur of their voices. Minutes later, he returns with Dayshia against his naked chest. She’s sound asleep. “Mom just left. She didn’t even realize you were here. We’ll tell her later.”

  Is there anything sexier than a hot man holding an innocent, beautiful, sleeping baby to his chest? He glances at me. “What? You’re looking at me weird.”

  I get up on my knees to kiss him. “No. I’m just appreciating you. And how beautiful you look holding that baby. You… taking care of her? I love that. I love you. The old Devon meets the new Devon. Wow.”

  He glances down at Dayshia in his arms and kisses her head. “I never dreamed I’d get so into this, but, you know I have to be here for a while. At least until Damion is better.”

  He sits down and shifts the sleeping Dayshia to the bed, being careful to cover her. He stares down at her and adds, “And for Dayshia.”

  “That’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard you say.” I grin before turning serious. “Really, both of our lives are pretty full right now, and I can’t live here but I’m sure we’ll figure it all out. In the meantime,” I kiss him as I straddle him and our kisses start to heat up as we consider another go, until Dayshia’s head suddenly pops up. She is right beside our elbows.

  Laughing, we separate, and I grab her little body and pull her into my arms. “Hello, baby girl! Ready for some dinner?”

  With that, we smile and rise to our feet. We head out of the bedroom to feed her and us, finally all together.

  For now. Forever. I really believe that, too.

  Thank you for reading DEVON!

  I hope you loved experiencing Devon’s journey from hurt and betrayal, to love, renewal and a second chance at both; life and love, with Claudia.

  Read on to find out how Damion’s betrayal shaped his present, and is going to help him find a second chance at life, with Kaeja and Dayshia… One-click DAMION now!

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  Keep reading for an excerpt of DAMION…

  Excerpt

  DAMION.

  “It makes total sense. The light was snuffed out.”

  I nod. “The light only we saw.”

  He nods back. “You saw that too?”

  “Today? Yeah. It was hard enough to lay my best friend to rest, and harder still to see everyone grieving for you and Dayshia, but not really for her.”

  He stands there, way too close to me. I don’t know why we are whispering. Dayshia can’t hear us even if we use our normal voices. But we whisper. We stand close. We commiserate. He reaches out and brushes strands of hair that get caught in my mouth. I released it from the tight bun a long time ago and the curls are bouncing high off my head and around my face. He holds a tendril between his fingers, twisting it. Then he twists my heart. “And not for you, either.” His gold-flecked eyeballs stare down into mine. I almost step back because it’s so intense. As if he’s an X-ray machine, exposing the dark corners of my soul. A dark, mysterious soul that only one other person fully understood. “I saw you.” He barely whispers.

  “Saw me?”

  He nods. “The loneliest person in a crowded room I’ve ever witnessed.” I blink and hot tears instantly fill my eyelids. It’s overwhelming. The feelings wash over me at his simple words. I’m drowning even when I stand in a dry house. In the hallway. Before a man I don’t love or have any claim to, but who understands me. It’s pretty powerful. One of the most powerful connections I can imagine.

  He doesn’t drop my hair as he slides his hand to my shoulder, curling it at the juncture of my neck and shoulder. Something shoots down my spine at his touch. He doesn’t drop my gaze even when I tip my forehead down to let my tears stream. “What did she do for you? She would never tell me. You were hers. I knew that.”

  “She… she saved me.”

  “From what, Kaeja?”

  “From monster
s.” I whisper, staring down at my bare feet. The edges are white against the stark dark pigment and I stare at the shaded line between the contrast.

  He doesn’t press me so I let the tears fall. We stand there. Too close. Not touching. But his hand curls around my shoulder. He finally pulls me closer to him. It’s impossible not to raise my hands up and hook them around his neck. I want to clasp him and press my face against his once neatly pressed, white button-up shirt. It’s untucked from his fancy-assed pants. It’s wrinkled but it feels soft against my face. He smells of heaven, subtle and musky. The cologne that he always preferred. Ireena often commented her heart began beating wildly when she shook his hand and got a whiff of him. She called him good enough to eat.

  I must agree.

  His heart beats under my ear and perhaps that’s what I want most. A connection. His hands rub my back, bunching my shirt up and the warmth of his hands sears through the material and radiates to my skin. He bends down and rests his cheek against the top of my head. I cry. I cry for the first time. I cry and gasp and choke on my tears. I grip his shirt in my fists and turn to beat on his chest as the overwhelming pain becomes unrelenting noises that emerge involuntarily from me. It’s like I’m being detoxified of poisonous gases or undergoing a fucking exorcism.

  I’m not sure why, but he just stands there and I realize he came here tonight for me. Not for him. He saw me. He saw me when no one else did and knew he finally could help me, so he did. Like Ireena would have.

  Is he strictly here because he thinks Ireena would have wanted that? To take care of me?

  If the answer is yes and that’s his motivation, does it even matter?

  But then, no. That’s not fully true. Last night he completely needed me.

  I finally suck in my gasping sobs. I don’t talk yet, but take several deep breaths. The repetition of in and out with long inhales and exhales allow me to regain control of my body and tears and words. My throat is raw and irritated and it hurts as I finally mutter while still whispering, “You… came here… for me.”