Save me.
All these things I want to say but can’t. Instead, I just cling to him, refusing to let go, my face buried in his chest, inhaling his scent like it can fix all my problems.
Danger whines, and Devon reluctantly pulls away from me and kneels in front of the pup.
“Hello, little man, did you miss us? We missed you terribly. But it’s all over now, and I know you had a ton of fun with Aunty Asher; she’s got a soft spot for animals.”
Danger licks his face, and he chuckles, and it’s just so Devon that I can’t breathe.
“Do you know what the hardest part about you not being here was?” he asks.
“What?”
“Staying here and not riding off to kidnap you and bring you home. Everyone said you needed to experience the world, that it was good for you, but everything in me wanted to drag you back here and lock you in my lighthouse where I could keep you safe forever.”
“And would you have done that?”
“In a heartbeat.” He stands up and steps between my thighs, his hands stroking over my hair, and as I look up, I see something so raw and tender on his face that I almost don’t recognise him.
“Devon, we-”
“Shh, I know what you want and what you need. I’m going to play the game your way for now. Mack says we’re going to wait, but I’m giving you until Valentine’s Day, and then I’m going to start courting you properly until you are completely swept off your feet, and you can’t see anyone else but us.”
“I already can’t see anyone else but you, but I have to tie up these loose ends.”
“Careful, that sounds like you want us.”
“I do,” I say simply, “but I need to fix this problem.”
“Three days, Sol, and then I’m coming, ready or not.”
I laugh and hug him tighter. “Okay, Devon.”
“Good girl.”
I can’t stop the slight thrill that goes through me at his words, a tingle that leaves me feeling like I’m tripping on air and floating.
Devon stays and eats with me, slaps a kiss on me that has me on fire, and then leaves. I sit on the porch swing and watch the sunset.
“I have no idea how to fix this, Danger, but we’re not running. We’re going to fight.”
Danger barks and climbs onto my lap, lying against my chest, his nose on my shoulder.
Imogen sits beside me. “I’m really glad you came home, Sofia. It wasn’t the same without you.”
I turn to face her. She was eleven when I left. Time goes so fast. I put an arm around her as Ivy and Daphne chase each other with sparklers.
“I’m glad I came home, too.” And I’m not going anywhere.
Chapter 28
Sofia
Devon laughs as he swirls me around. The last two days of avoiding them go down the drain the second his scent hits me. I stand still while my body reacts to him like he leaned in and whispered something dirty in my ear. Everything about him just turns me on, especially after the dreams I’ve been inundated by.
I break free of him and try to put space between us, but as soon as he sways towards me, I find myself leaning towards him.
I’ve missed him so much. Which is ridiculous, it’s been two days.
