“You’re rich. You’d have a security detail.”
“You’ve got a point.” He kisses the top of my head. “But enough about me.”
I sit up and stare down into his beautiful eyes. “You’re not taking this seriously.”
“It’s not that I’m not taking it seriously.” He rubs a thumb over his forehead. “It’s that youdon’tknowwhat you’re asking of me.”
“I know what I’m asking. I’m suggesting that you take control back. Your uncle stole it. You’ve reclaimed it, and you can turnaround and help others. You’ve already done so much, but you can do more.”
He slaps my thigh. “I’ll think about it.”
“Will you?”
His mouth ticks up in a lopsided grin. “Only if you consider not thinking of your talent as a curse.”
I scoff. “That’s not fair.”
“Isn’t it?” He sits up and kisses me. I melt as he slides his fingers up the back of my head and I toss one leg over his hips, straddling him. He breaks off the kiss, leaving me breathless and wanting more. “Isn’t it fair? You’re the same as me. You need to stop thinking that people will judge you for it. Your friends won’t. Idon’t. I never did. And if someone does judge you, then they’re the asshole. Not you.”
“It’s not that simple,” I argue.
“How is it not?” He brushes strands of hair from my eyes. “You are more than just the sum of this power. You’ve lived a long time hiding from it. Maybe it’s time you embraced it.”
“Big words coming from you.”
He laughs. “Guess who I learned them from?”
I kiss Devlin to shut him up, because I know what he’s saying—that the suggestion came from me.
Ihavelived a long time hiding from my magic, being ashamed of it, allowing it to rule my life. I shouldn’t let that happen anymore. I need to embrace it, and if people don’t accept me because of it, then it’s their fault.
Of course that’s easier said than done. But with Devlin beside me, I feel strong, like I can do anything.
“Do you know what I want to do?” he asks.
“What’s that?”
“Take a shower.” He splays a hand over my belly. “Soap you up and make love to you.”
I toss my head back and laugh. “I might let you. On one condition.”
“Anything. You own me, Blair Thornrose.”
“I own you, huh?” I joke.
“Oh, you do.” He nuzzles his lips down my neck and unbuttons the shirt, revealing my breasts. He sucks one nipple into his mouth and my spine shudders. He swirls his tongue over the pebbled surface and lets it fall from his lips. “How about I take you into the shower and prove how much you own me?”
Before I can answer, he sits up, cups his arms under me and pulls me to his chest, dragging me out of bed, squealing. Next thing I know, my back is against the shower wall, Devlin’s sucking on my clit and slipping two fingers inside me. He’s worshipping my body like I own him.
Even though all of this feels right, a little flutter of insecurity in the back of my mind pushes through, making me wonder how long this will last, because my future is dim. So dim that there isn’t a future at all.
31
DEVLIN
I’m buying a ring.
When you’ve loved someone for as long as I’ve loved Blair, you don’t waste time. Besides, we don’t have time to waste.
