Page 39 of Devil's Game

Giana’s lips were inches from mine, so close, I could practically taste her sweet lip gloss on my tongue. Before I realized what I was doing, I closed the distance between us, slanting my mouth over hers. The kiss was sweet, and soul-wrenching, like she was rebuilding my entire being anew with each stroke of her tongue. I groaned as her hands cradled the back of my head, so soft, so precious, something I’d never really experienced before her.

My sugar was delectable, the sweetest and most tender woman I’d ever known. It took a lot to love a beast like me, but she’d never once shied away. She met me in the darkest depths of my soul and relished in the depravity right along with me.

Only Giana could do this to me, make me feel alive and free after spilling my darkest secrets at her feet. “You’re mine, Giana,” I breathed, my words a whisper against her lips. “Now and forever. No one will ever tear the two of us apart. And if they try, I’ll relish in tearing them limb from limb and leave them as a warning for anyone else.”

“As long as I can help.” She grinned, her lips caressing mine with every sweet word. My eyes shuttered as I breathed her in, her scent, dark and seductive, with a hint of sweetness. It was Giana to her core.

“You are perfection.”

My lips were on hers again, my tongue delving in to stroke hers, teasing her with my tongue ring. I wrapped my arms around her, not missing the tremor that ran through her as she melted into my embrace.

We were fire and fire, building into an inferno that could obliterate the world around us.

Giana pulled away, her soft smile lighting up her face. For a moment, I wished I was Kellan, that I could immortalize her beauty in a painting and cherish it forever. But I didn’t need a picture, or a drawing, not when I got to look into her gorgeous eyes every day and thank the universe for putting her into my life.

“I want to hear more about Anne—the good memories, if you’re open to it.” She chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes soft yet tentative.

I settled against the seat, my fingers playing with Giana’s blood-speckled locks, a fond smile on my lips. For the first time in years, the thought of Anne didn’t send a stabbing painthrough my chest. Finally telling my story—her story—brought me the first sliver of peace I’d felt in ages.

And so, I let my sugar in on yet another facet of my life, watching her while she watered and tended to the dying flowers in my soul with each story that spilled from my lips.

Chapter Twelve

Giana

“Let’s check out thisshop.” Sophia grasped my arm and tugged me around a group of girls before barreling toward a store.

It took me a moment to place it, but as soon as recognition lit within me, my feet became leaden. “Maybe we shouldn’t—” It was the same store Spade had taken me to after hours.

Here’s hoping that he actually did pay the tab.

My protest came too late, though. Sophia had already dragged me through the entrance and to the nearest rack of clothes.

I almost expected someone to jump out and yell “gotcha” while placing my hands behind my back and strapping cuffs on my wrists.

I snorted at the thought, because out of all the things I’d done, I was most scared of being caught for being in the mall after hours? Hell, it wasn’t even shoplifting, since Spade said he’d paid them for the clothes already.

Now, if she tried to drag me into that department store, that would be another story.

“Welcome,” a blonde woman chirped, the shock nearly sending me into cardiac arrest. “Let me know if there’s anything I can help you with.”

“Thanks,” I murmured, suppressing the urge to place my hand over my chest to ease my frantic heart.

The blonde woman beamed as she nearly skipped away, far too chipper for this early in the morning. Well, it wasn’t really early, but eleven in the morning came quickly when you didn’t get to sleep until dawn, like I had the past couple of days. I’d spent the last two days with Spade, not wanting to leave his side after he’d bared his soul to me.

I didn’t regret the lack of sleep for a second, though. Hearing Spade’s story had ripped my heart in two before mending it back together again, knowing that he’d found his place, despite everything he’d had to endure. I almost hadn’t wanted to leave his side even today, but he’d insisted.

“This is so you.” Sophia grinned, holding a bright pink crop top up to me.

“It really is.” I chuckled, taking the hanger from her. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I already had the same one, except with sequins, but like they always said,if you like it, just get it in another color.

Sophia’s smile widened, and she searched through the next rack, finding a few more items for both of us. “This store is definitely your style, at least your style now,” she probed, casting me a questioning look.

“It is.” The light mood seemed to dampen at the reminder of my time in New York, of the stores we used to shop in.

“I’m just glad I’m getting to know the real you.” She placed a hand on my shoulder, urging me to meet her gaze. Her expression was soft and sincere, and I knew that, despite our differences now, we’d always be friends. She just got me in a way that only my guys had before. She didn’t stray away from my truths, and she didn’t run in the other direction when I told her about my past and what I’d done.

“Me too.” I placed my hand on hers, hoping I could give her the same support she’s given me. “I’m sorry that I dragged into this, but I’m grateful that it’s brought us even closer.”

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