Page 175 of The Sweetest Devotion

“Cooking isn’t for everyone, Neddy,” my father teased.

It wasn’t, but I was doing pretty good in other areas. “I’m going to master it the next time I make it, and you’ll love it.”

“I’ll love it because you made it,” he said.

“So, you’ll try it?” I asked as I got onto the highway.

“For you? Of course!”

That was all I needed to hear. After a rocky start to our year, it was nice to be here, to have this.

“Well, let me focus on driving. I’ll call you when I get in, okay?” I said.

“Okay. I love you, Neddy,” my father told me.

“And I love you.”

We hung up and I drove onward to Bedford Heights, where thirty minutes later I was pulling into the driveway of a familiar home I’d grown to love as much as the owner himself.

I didn’t have to knock. I had a key. A key I used to let myself in.

“Hey!” I let my presence be known as I removed my heels by the door where a shoe rack I’d bought was placed.

Keith poked his head out from down the hall, grinning when he saw me.

Butterflies filled my belly as I took him in and felt my heart race.

We’d taken a break after the whole ordeal with Cain, Keith to breathe, and me to just reflect. Without him I wanted to do all those things I’d set out to do when I’d faced off with my father, and with him, I knew I could do them with a strong support system.

When we made our way back to each other, I’d never been more sure of anything in my life. This was who I wanted. This was the life I wanted to live going forward.

Keith sized me up. “C’mere.”

I was a sucker for his voice and the way he looked at me, but still, I made my way to join him in the kitchen slowly. Appearance’s sake and all.

The smell of fresh fish greeted me as soon as I stepped into the room. Tonight, we were frying walleye and preparing a salad.

First, I went over to the sink to wash up. It wasn’t long before two hands came and blocked me in against the counter.

His lips brushed against my ear. “How was your day?”

I turned, sucking in a breath as my breasts brushed against his chest and I was wrapped up in his cologne and scent. “Great. I was offered a modeling gig for a boutique.”

Keith popped a brow. “Not lingerie, right?”

I pretended to put up a fight. “And if it is?”

His eyes ran down my figure, a sexy smirk taking his lips. “You only show that for me.”

Reaching out, I patted his cheek. “Well, I belong to me and I’m showing off?—”

His lips seized mine as I was mid-sass. I hoped I never stopped feeling weak in the knees when this man kissed me.

“Okay, I guess I can handle it,” Keith taunted as he pretended to think it over. “Just as long as I get the first peek.”

I threw my head back and laughed. Maybe I would stop by the store and find something cute, little, and lacy, for his eyes only.

After all, he loved me best.

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