Page 64 of Devlin

Memories from long ago flickered through her mind, weaving seamlessly into the present. The mosquito net was still bunched on the side beside the wall. She grinned… she was surprised it hadn’t gotten yanked down during the night. Her bed was small, but somehow, they’d made it work. As though the dam had broken, they’d made love, then fucked hard. They discovered each other’s bodies, noting the changes and remembering what neither had forgotten. And when they fell asleep, his large body had curled around her as their legs tangled. It was more than being protected. It was more than having great sex. It was like coming home.

She stretched in a slow, languid motion and felt a deep ache in long untouched places. A smile curved her lips. Oh yeah. They had definitely made the small space work.

She hadn’t made love in almost ten years. There had been lovers for both of them, but she had always known, even with Robert, that it wasn’t forever. Devlin had admitted as much himself—no relationship of his had lasted beyond a weekend.

Turning carefully, she twisted in the bed without waking him, shifting so she could face him. His features were both familiar and changed—the lines at the corners of his eyes and a few strands of gray mixed in with his black hair. She stared at the lighthouse tattoo inked onto his skin before gazing at the scar on his chest. Strange… if it hadn’t been for that scar, or rather the bullet that caused it, he wouldn’t have left the service when he did. And he might not have been available when Logan wanted him to join his security company. And he wouldn’t have reunited with her…

Stop!If her mind continued down this path, she would go crazy.Life happens, and we take it as it comes. Make the most of the good and deal with the bad.

She smiled as she stared. He was sleeping peacefully while her mind raced in all directions. Her gaze continued to roam over him. He was neither the same nor completely different. And she loved him.

She was risking her heart, trusting him not to break it again. But wasn’t that what love was? A chance. A step into the unknown. Trust and peace and want and desire and need all rolled into one.

His eyes blinked open, hazy with sleep, just as his arms tightened around her. A slow smile spread across his face. “Morning, babe,” he rumbled, his voice rough with sleep.

She felt the vibration of it in his chest, straight through to hers. “Good morning.”

As his gaze focused on her, she caught the flicker of uncertainty that passed through his expression. “Do you have any regrets, my Mia?”

She lifted a hand, trailing her fingers through his beard, and slowly shook her head. “No regrets.”

Relief filled his face, the tension easing from his body.

“What about you, big guy?” she murmured.

He answered with a kiss, deep and consuming as his tongue swept over hers, drawing her back into the heat of the night before. She melted against him, sighing into his mouth.

When he finally pulled back, he grinned. “Does that seem like I have any regrets?”

She laughed softly, still stroking his cheek.

“What’s on your agenda for the day?”

“Well, since I don’t get paid to stay in bed with you… though I’d gladly make that my new career?—”

“Hell yeah,” he said, swatting her ass playfully.

She rolled her eyes, chuckling. “Anyway, just another day at the office. Watching trucks, taking in food, giving out food, and hoping there’s enough to go around by the end of the day. What about you?”

He held her gaze, peering deeply. “First thing on my list—I’m going to talk to Robert.”

She frowned, pushing up on her elbow. “About what?”

“I’m doing a little digging. Getting a feel for people.”

Her brows furrowed. “Surely you don’t think Robert has anything to do with the smuggling.” He didn’t answer right away, and her stomach twisted. “There’s no way.”

“I don’t trust anybody,” he said simply. “Plus, I want to make sure he knows you and I are together.”

She gasped, pushing against his shoulder to get a better look at him. “That’s not your place?—”

“Are you and he together right now?” he asked calmly.

“No! You know that. We dated years ago and just happened to end up here together. We haven’t been anything more than friends for the past three years.”

“Then it’s not a problem. If you were recently breaking up with him, I’d let you handle it, though I’d be right there with you. But as it is, I don’t trust him.”

“Devlin—”

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