Page 101 of Speak of the Devil

Planting her fists on her hands, she says, “I’m going to need you to focus.”

“I’m going to need you to get dressed then.” At least I can still elicit a grin. Even if it is ripe with exasperation, I’ll take it.

She doesn’t cover up because she loves me. Coming to settle onto my lap, she kisses my cheek and takes a breath. “Whatever that project was will lead us to the answer. We need to figure out what we were assigned to do because it wasn’t getting married.”

“Let’s ask the teacher.”

“You make it sound so easy. What if we can’t find him online?” Adjusting her arms around my neck, she says, “My number isn’t listed out there. Yours isn’t. I know the school won’t give it to us.”

“Don’t worry.” He kisses my temple. “I have my ways. I found you, didn’t I?”

34

Cate

Shane kissesthe inside of my wrist, then holds it to his chest. “I should warn you.”

“I’m too comfortable to be worried. Warn away.” Making a sheet angel with my free arm and leg, I ask, “How is this the most comfortable bed that ever existed? What count are these sheets?”

He chuckles. “I have no idea. I didn’t buy them.”

I still, looking at him on the next pillow over from me. “Who did?”

“I don’t know.”

Rolling onto my side, I snuggle against him and prop my leg over the top of his. If I could climb inside this man, I would. The closer, the better. “I want a bed fairy when I grow up.”

“You can have mine.”

Doodling across his chest with my fingertips, I ask, “Do I even want to know how many women have enjoyed this bedding and mattress?”

“We said no pasts.” His tone is tempered, but he’s right.

“Ah, yes, we agreed,” I admit begrudgingly because my mind is already spinning, imagining a high number being pulled from a bingo basket.

“One.”

Okay . . .I don’t love it, but it beats two or ninety-nine. “She must have been special to be the only one before me.”

“She wasn’t before you, Cat. Sheisyou. You’re the one.” He drapes his arm over his head. “Now I sound like an asshole feeding you lines.”

“There can never be too much romance, Shane.”

“Good.” He pulls me on top of him, running his hands over my hips. “Because you’re the only one I want in my bed.”

“Yeah, that’s too much.” When his eyes widen, I laugh. “I’m kidding. I’m kidding.” I lean down and kiss him, lingering against his lips. “Tell me again. I’ll be serious this time.”

“I’m not falling for your tricks. I can tell you’re delirious.”

“How can I not be? I reunited with my high school crush, who happens to be an amazing musician, though he never plays for me.” He laughs, the sound rumbling around the abs I’m currently straddling, causing me to wiggle because it feels so good.

“Drums aren’t usually the woo-a-girl instrument, but I’ll play for you. I also play bass guitar. I clearly chose the wrong instruments to get the girls or the glory.”

“It was never about your talent, babe. You got the girl anyway.”

Running his hands up my back, he pulls me down and kisses my neck. He tilts to catch my eyes, and says, “I did indeed.”

“Correction. It was never about your musical talent. As for your tongue—Ah!” He flips me to the bed and crashes his lips into mine. Reaching between us, I position myself at his tip, rocking to inspire him.

---