Page 11 of The Sweetest Devotion

The door to the back office Keith had gone in was ajar. I poked my head in, catching him standing with his back to me, wiping at his hands with a paper towel as he stood in front of a desk, using the back office landline.

“I’m going to need someone out here right away … I ran across a woman who claims she doesn’t have her own phone and she’s having car trouble … I don’t know, I’m just trying to do the right thing here …” Keith was saying to whoever was on the line.

Shit. Did he call the cops on me?

Before I could stop myself, I burst into the room, racing over to the desk and pushing my finger down on the hook.

Keith whirled around, his nostrils flaring once he recognized me.

“Did you call the police on me?” I demanded to know.

A thick eyebrow arched as he set the phone back on the base. “Thepolice? Why would I do that? I was calling you a cab.”

I closed my eyes and winced.Way to overreact.

“Oh,” I let out.

Keith observed me. “ShouldI call the police?”

I took off his jacket and handed it over. “Ha-ha. I thought you thought I stole my car for a second.”

Keith set his jacket aside and shrugged those broad shoulders of his. “Even if I did think that, I wouldn’t have turned you in. Then again, maybe it would’ve been entertainin’ watchin’ you get arrested assumin’ you stoleanddamaged the car.”

His idea of entertainment was lacking. “Are you always such a prick?”

He snorted. “Areyoualways such a brat?”

No one had ever spoken to me like that. Even as I broke up with Gaius, he didn’t lash out at me. I was in the wrong here, but I didn’t want to admit it. I should’ve been more cautious when driving to Jadyn’s. I should’ve been more polite when dealing with Savon and Keith. I should’ve spoken up and told Cain this engagement was against my wishes.

My shoulders sagged as I hung back away from Keith. It wasn’t his fault I was in a sour mood.

“I’m sorry,” I said softly.

“It’s whatever,” he responded.

My gaze lifted to him. His face was still angry. His tone was still bored. And his energy was still magnetic.

Now that he was right in front of me, I took in his other arm of tattoos. A half sleeve containing BH in hollow block letters along with a city landscape and palm trees. He had pride and love for his city.

I tore my eyes from his arms, finding myself admiring them more and more the longer I looked. The more I studied his ink, the more I was curious what more he possibly held under his shirt. Sometimes too many tattoos could make a person appear dirty, but Keith’s made me want to step closer and trace my finger along them. Become accustomed to them and the feel of his stained skin.

His hands were bare of ink, but notably clean as well. I liked that he kept his nails clipped and clean.

Everything about Keith screamedroughneck, but undeniablyman, too. He reeked of masculinity, from the confident way he assessed my car, to the way he walked, carried himself, and spoke.He was equal parts menacing with his angry look, but also alluring with his aura and build.

It was too quiet, making me look up and meet Keith’s gaze. He was watching me.

Yikes.

If he were annoyed at my staring, it didn’t show.

“You keep lookin’ at me like that, and I’m gonna think you want somethin’,” he said, his meaning loud and clear.

My stomach took a dive.

God, that voice. I bit my lip. “And what if I do?”

Keith leaned into my face. “This ain’t what you want.”

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