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I felt safe.

I felt like I could be vulnerable with him without fear.

The way that he held me told me that he cared for me.

“I’m so sorry,” I said with a hiccup after my crying binge had subsided.

I felt almost listless as my head plopped onto his shoulder.

“Don’t be sorry,” he said huskily. “Just let me hold you for a minute.”

That was an easy request to grant.

It felt so good to finally be this close and this tight with his hard body that I could stay this way for the entire day.

His masculine scent and warm body were sensually enticing, but I tried to push away all of my carnal thoughts and just relax in his arms.

His grip was protective and reassuring, and that was something I’d needed for a long time.

I wasn’t sure how long we stayed that way, locked together, with Devon stroking a soothing hand over my back.

I finally lifted my head to thank him.

Our eyes locked, and he spoke before I could get the words out. “Keep your secrets, Reese,” he said hoarsely. “But don’t feel like you have to lie to me. If you can’t talk about something, just tell me. And let me be there for you when you need me.”

I nodded my agreement and swallowed hard.

I wasn’t sure which one of us moved first, but Devon suddenly put his hand at the nape of my neck and my lips were on his before I could blink, much less speak.

It was an embrace that was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before, and I was swept away by a need and a desire that almost knocked me off his lap.

It was demanding and greedy.

Sensual and hungry.

And bordering on desperation.

He explored my mouth like he owned it, and I opened to his commanding tongue like it was something I’d needed forever.

Heat flooded between my thighs, and I wanted to straddle this man and give him anything he wanted.

I moaned against his lips and threaded my hands into his hair, savoring the feel of those thick locks between my fingers.

God, I wanted this man and all of the pleasure I knew he could give me.

Desperately.

Devon was the one who finally broke contact, his chest heaving. “Fuck! I shouldn’t have done that.”

My brain was scrambled as I panted. “You’re right. We can’t do this.”

Kissing him like that had been crazy, but I was having an extremely tough time convincing myself that something that had felt so damn good was so damn wrong.

Devon

“Don’t,” I ground out as Reese tried to scramble off my lap.

I tightened my hold on her and willed my body to relax.