Page 29 of Saving the CEO

“You may not know me, but my grandfather Ezra Kendall knew your family well. I believe your father owes him a debt of gratitude for saving his life.”

Conrad’s eyes bulged with a mixture of shock and irritation. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Of all the people in the world? How’d the two of you end up together?”

“Scarlett’s the one who found me and took a chance on me, and I’m grateful she did. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have an important game to get back to.”

Devin guided Scarlett on to the next hole as she stumbled along in disbelief. Did she just witness Devin put her ex in his place? Conrad had to be beside himself! She snuck a look over her shoulder and nearly burst out laughing. The bewilderment on his face was pure comedic gold.

“I kind of feel bad for him,” she whispered to Devin. “I’ve never seen Conrad speechless before! What in the world was that all about? How did your grandfather save his dad’s life?”

“His dad worked for my grandfather when he was younger. The story goes that one time when he got a DUI and was thrown into jail, Grandad was the one who bailed him out. Grandad also knew the cop who pulled him over and convinced him to have the case dismissed before it went to court. He then invited him to church and took him under his wing. Grandad didn’t save his life in the literal sense, but he helped give him a chance to start over. That’s the kind of guy my grandfather was—he cared about his employees and treated them like family.”

“That’s incredible. I wish I’d had the chance to meet him.”

“He would’ve liked you. He liked people who spoke their minds. I wish he’d had the chance to meet you, too.”

Their steps slowed to a stop, and Scarlett turned toward Devin. He still had his arm around her, so they were now mere inches apart. Once again, her senses picked up on how good he smelled and how safe she felt to be near him. All her questions from earlier, along with their mixed emotions, returned in full force. He’d been a heartbeat from kissing her before, or so she’d thought. Did he still want to? Because after the way he’d stood up for her in front of her ex, she could only assume he felt something for her, too.

Unless it had been part of the ruse?

There was only one way to find out.

“Thank you for helping me out just now. For the record, I was about to tell him off myself, but I appreciate you stepping in when you did.” Her tone softened as she added, “You said some really nice things about me and I know it was part of the act, but it was still nice to hear.”

“I have no doubt you would have held your ground with him. You have no problem putting me in my place when I need it.” The corners of his eyes crinkled as he grinned. “You do that well, maybe too well.”

“I do, don’t I?”

His smile gave way to a more serious demeanor as he tipped her chin up. “But I couldn’t stand by and do nothing while he spewed that nonsense about you. I would never let anyone mistreat the woman I love.”

Scarlett’s stomach dipped to hear the wordsthe woman I love. She assumed though that he meant it in the context of the role he’d been playing as her pretend boyfriend. There was no way he’d feel that way about her. They’d only just met, and love was a big word. The only man who had ever told her he loved her was the one who’d chosen his career over her. Devin had to be speaking figuratively.

She offered him a pleased smile. “I’m impressed, Devin. You’re really putting your all into this lesson. By the time your date shows up, you’re going to be more than ready. Our practicing has really paid off.”

“Like I told you before—I’m not practicing. I meant every. Single. Word.” The low timbre of his voice resonated as he emphasized each syllable. “You are amazing and perfect and everything that I’m looking for. You were wrong when you said I wouldn’t get along with a strong, independent woman because that’s who you are. You’re exactly what I need, Scarlett. You’re the woman I want to be with.”

Scarlett swallowed hard. This couldn’t be real, could it? Devin professing his love for her in the middle of a miniature golf course after they’d just bumped into her ex and before he was supposed to go on a date with a woman she’d matched him with—none of it made sense. But she couldn’t deny the desire in his eyes nor the joy welling up in her heart. All she wanted was to kiss Devin and show him how much she wanted to be with him, too.

So, she did.

Grabbing a handful of his shirt, she leaned in until her mouth found his. The moment their lips met, Devin’s arm snaked around her waist, and he pulled her flush against himself. He didn’t waste a second as he kissed her back, slowly and fully, savoring every touch and taste she offered. Scarlett felt her knees go weak as her head spun with anticipation. She never would have imagined Devin could be so passionate yet tender. There was still much to discover about this man who had captured her heart and mind. He was a better man than she could have asked for or deserved. And to be held and kissed like this—Scarlett had never felt so loved. Devin accepted her for who she was and that meant everything to her.

She would have gone on kissing him as long as possible if it weren’t for the sudden sound of a child’s voice beside them.

“Are you guys gonna play or are you gonna keep on kissing? ’Cause you’ve been kissing for a really long time.”

Scarlett reluctantly broke off the kiss to find a little boy not older than five or six staring up at them. “You’re right, we have been kissing for a long time, haven’t we?”

“Not long enough,” Devin grumbled, still holding her tight. “But I suppose we could take our kissing somewhere more private.”

“I like the way you think.”

His blue eyes sparkled in amusement. “Does that mean you like me for more than my looks? I seem to recall you saying I’m hot.”

“How is your memory so good, Grandpa?” She shot him a teasing grin before grabbing his hand. As she led him off the course, she called out to the boy, “It’s all yours, young man. Have fun!”

“Yes, finally!”

The boy sent them off with an eager wave that had them both laughing. They quickly dropped off the golfing equipment they’d rented, then headed through the arcade to the exit.

---