Page 73

Devlin cast me a sidelong glance. “I guess I never really thought about it before. My focus was always on... surviving day to day.”

Something about the way he said it sent a prickle through my skin. I knew what he meant. He resented being an incubus—being forced to feed just to stay alive. Imagining an ideal life, one where he had his mate and no longer had to hunt to survive, would only deepen that resentment.

“But I have always loved to read,” he added. “Romance, in particular.Especiallyif it’s spicy.”

“Then you’re going tolovemy forbidden shelf.” I crouched down, shifting a pile of stray papers and forgotten trinkets aside to reveal my secret collection.

Devlin’s eyes widened as he scanned the titles, a slow, wicked grin creeping across his lips. He plucked one from the shelf, flipping through the pages with an amused hum.

“Ms. Myers,” he murmured, his voice dropping to a low, sinful purr. “There are titles on here that would make even an incubus demon blush.”

Heat flared across my skin as his hand pressed against the small of my back, his body aligning flush against mine. His free hand tilted my chin up, his gaze dark and dangerous.

“Tell me, little witch,” he drawled, his lips hovering just above mine, “exactly how spicy do you like it in real life?”

You need to tell him you’re a virgin, Jen.

As much as I desperately wanted to let him do every filthy, sinful thing he could imagine to me, gentle was probably advisable for my first time. I swallowed hard. “Um... here’s the thing, Devlin.”

His brow furrowed slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes as I sucked in a breath, my pulse hammering.

“So... I’ve never actually had sex before.”

Devlin went completely still. The only movement was his eyes—wide, almost panicked, flicking over my face like he was searching for some kind of misinterpretation.

When he didn’t immediately respond, the verbal vomit started in full force.

“I mean, I was kind of saving myself for my mate... and then, you know, prison happened. And I guess I could have had sex in there if I really wanted to, but I’m not into women like that. And then I got out, met you, and you were my first kiss.” His eyes widened even more.Shit.Shit. Shit. Why did I say that?But my mouth just kept going. “And I should have told you, but things just kind of happened. I wasn’t planning on having a physical relationship with anyone, but it just felt right with you. And I totally understand if you want to stop now—”

“Jen,” he said, his voice soft.

“—Because, like, you’ll probably want to be with someone a bit more experienced. And I’m sorry. I should have mentioned it earlier, but... And I haven’t taken the potion—”

“Jennifer.” His voice carried just enough authority to finally stop my rambling. Warm fingers cupped my cheek, his thumb circling my skin as he exhaled a slow breath. “Do you trust me?”

“Of course I trust you, Devlin.”

“Do you want your first time to be with me?” he asked, his voice quieter now.

Four days ago, if someone had asked me whether I’d ever consider being with anyone other than my fated mate, my answer would have been an unequivocalno. But this felt different.Hefelt different. Devlin wasn’t some abstract future. He was here. Now. And being with him felt right in a way I couldn’t even begin to explain.

I nodded. “Yes, Devlin. I want it to be with you.”

His gaze locked onto mine, as if he was checking for any hint that Lobato’s magic had broken, that I wasn’t offering myself of my own volition but instead had somehow become enthralled by his incubus touch.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in the softest, most reverent kiss imaginable.

“I’ll be gentle, my little witch,” Devlin murmured, his lips trailing from mine to press a delicate kiss to the tip of my nose. In barely a whisper, he added, “I’ve taken the potion.”

Then his lips were back on mine, stealing my breath, stealing my thoughts. In one fluid motion, he scooped me into his arms, never once breaking the kiss as he carried me across the room. The moment my back met the bed, his fingers found the knot of my towel, undoing it with effortless ease. The fabric parted, slipping away as he laid me gently against the sheets.

Devlin knelt between my legs, his eyes drinking me in like I was somethingsacred.

Heat coiled low in my stomach, desire thrumming through my veins as I reached between us, my fingers grazing the edge of his towel. But before I could slip it away, his hand wrapped around my wrist. Slowly, he lifted my arms above my head, pressing them to the headboard.

“Not yet, my little witch,” he murmured, his voice like silk and embers. His thumb brushed over my pulse point, feeling the rapid beat beneath my skin. “I want you ready for our first time.”

His lips found mine again, his tongue tracing the seam of my mouth, coaxing me open. I yielded completely, surrendering to his touch, offering him the first piece of everything I longed to share tonight. His chest pressed against mine, the warmth of his skin melting into me, and for a fleeting, breathless moment, I could have sworn our hearts beat as one.