Wanted By The Devil(8)

Oh. She was jealous.

Kaylie wondered if the girl had been Devlin's girlfriend before her. Maybe he ran through girls like tissue paper. Maybe she was being taken advantage of. She felt herself getting quiet, letting the conversations around her wash over her like water.

"Let's take a walk."

She looked up at him and nodded. Devlin pulled her out of the crowd to a path that circled the lake.

"Okay Kaylie, what's bothering you?"

He didn't sound mad, she realized thankfully. But he was throwing her off balance. He really did not beat around the bush did he? Well, then she wouldn’t either.

"I'm not sure what I'm doing here."

"You're going for a walk. After that you are going to a picnic and after that, you are going to a carnival."

She stopped walking and gave him an exasperated look. He just grinned at her. The man was far too pleased with himself.

"Yes, but why?"

"Because you graduated."

"But why am I here with you?"

He gave her a knowing look and leaned back against a tree, crossing his arms.

"Don't tell me you don't know."

"I'm not being coy Devlin. I know you like me. I just don't know how many other girls get the royal treatment. There was a blond back there giving me evil looks. I don't want to step on someone else's territory."

He laughed.

"You are definitely not coy. Yes, I like you. No, there aren't any other girls. And no one has ever gotten the royal treatment before you. Ever."

She narrowed her eyes at him, undecided.

"Come here, Kaylie."

She stayed where she was, lifting her chin. He laughed again and was on her in a second, lifting her up and over his shoulder like she weighed less than a rag doll. He carried her back to the tree and leaned her against the rough bark. Then he leaned over her, boxing her in with his arms.

Her breath was coming fast and shallow as he leaned forward with a heavy lidded look in his eyes. She looked away, suddenly nervous. He lifted her chin with one hand, forcing her to meet his eyes. What she saw there took her breath away. He wanted her. Even more than she realized. It was written all over his face.

"I know what I want and I go after it. I don't lie and I don't cheat. I'll take care of you if you let me Kaylie."

Her mouth opened slightly at his proclamation.

"Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?"

He just grinned and leaned forward, his mouth less than an inch from her ear.

"I'm asking for a little more than that. I play for keeps."

"Oh."

Her whole body was tingling from his nearness. She was trembling a little bit she realized. She hoped he didn't notice. He kissed her ear and then moved below it, nuzzling her neck deliciously with his soft lips.

"So?"

"What?"

Her voice sounded breathy, a ridiculous caricature of a woman in the throws of lust. He kept kissing her neck, working back up to her ear.

"Is the answer yes?"

She could barely think but she managed to get out a shaky nod and a whispered yes. He was staring down at her with a triumphant look on his face.

"Good. Because I wouldn't have left you alone anyway."

She should have been annoyed at his cockiness but she wasn't. Instead it sounded like an oath of something. Something deep and true.

They both moaned as their lips met. He was finally kissing her, their breath commingling as they grasped each other desperately. He lifted her slightly, pushing her back into the tree trunk and pressing his body against hers. She gasped at the feeling of his hardness pressing into her belly. Oh god, he wanted to…

He was laughing again as he pulled away, stroking her hair gently. He lifted his body away from the intimate position they’d been in. She sighed as he broke contact, wanting him back against her almost immediately.

"No Kaylie I'm not going to try to do that in a public park."

"I knew that."

"Did you?"

She just stared at him, hoping her breath would return to normal, hoping she'd get used to the whirlwind of emotions he created in her so easily. It was annoying, how easy it was for him to turn her upside down. She decided it was important for her peace of mind that he didn't know the full extent of the control he had over her body and senses.

Because if he knew, who knew what he would do?





5





Devlin stared down at Kaylie. He was sorely tempted to find a private place to continue what they'd started but he put it out of his mind. He knew he wouldn't go through with it anyway. Kaylie was not the sort of girl you took in a parking lot. She still looked concerned, even though he'd kissed her senseless less than a minute before.


"Any other questions for me sweetheart?"

"Yes. I mean, just one."

"Go ahead."