Page 41 of Stone Cold Savage

Rip tossed his hands in the air, “Older than dirt.”

Devyn’s smile faded to a curious stare, “Nah. You’re wise but not old. I think there’s a lot more to you than that edgy look, tattoos, muscles, and whatever kind of man bun that is on your head.”

“Man bun? This isn’t a man bun.”

“It’s a man bun. Your hair is longer than most women and tied in a knot on your head… man bun.”

“No. It’s not for fashion or a style.”

“It’s definitely a style, Rip. I mean, even your name. You’re a whole brand of broody badass –– I think it’s half your game.”

“Game, huh?” he snickered. “It’s not a game, I can assure you that. It’s just part of me. It tells a story. It’s who I am.”

“Ah. You’re sharing about yourself again. You’re a warrior. Your hair represents strength and resilience.”

“You’re observant.”

“I’m a lawyer. I don’t miss much. It’s my job to dig deep, extract all the details most miss, and use it against my opposition to win the argument.”

“Hmm.”

“Hmm, what?” Devyn questioned.

“Just, hmm.”

“Rip.” Devyn’s tone was scolding.

Rip shrugged, “What?”

“Hmm. That’s what.”

“I thought it was your job to extract all the details and use them to win, or whatever.” He answered.

“That’s what hmm means?”

“Devyn Stone, you’re always the brightest one in the room, at least from where I stand, but you’re dense.”

“Dense? And here I thought we’d called a truce. We were becoming friends. But if name calling is more your speed, then…”

Rip leaned in and kissed her before she could say another word. Devyn pulled away and studied him and the sultry look he was wearing before she went in for another kiss. It was ravenous, hungry, and full of need as if igniting a wildfire of some level of desire between them. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in each other's embrace, surrendering to a primal passion that consumed them. And in that moment, nothing else mattered but the electrifying connection they shared, a connection that transcended words and told a story of new friendship, new understanding, and just… something new. Until… she pulled away.

“Wh-what was that?” she asked.

“If I need to answer that, then…”

“Will you stop? Of course, I know what that was, but… what was it? Why?” she asked.

“To get you to be quiet and out of your own head.” He answered.

“Is… that all?”

“What else would it mean?”

“Right.” Devyn turned away from him, “What else?”

The two sat in awkward silence for longer than either of them seemed to care to measure. When the sound of crackling branches from the nearby wooded area, Devyn couldn’t help but jump to her feet with fear, ready to run.

“Whoa,” Rip said, pulling her back down to the bench they’d been sitting on. “Where are you going?”

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