Page 61 of Wicked Devotions

Great. Communication. I suck at that. “That seems like a lot of hard work.”

“It is, but it’s worth it.” The sound of the guyslaughing at something downstairs makes both of us smile. “Do you have feelings for them?”

I nod. “It’s not the exact same for all of them, but it’s growing. Cyrus gets me on a deep level, and I was immediately comfortable with him. I’ve known Declan the longest, we were in cotillion classes together, but we butt heads the most. Emerson is actually intimidating, and I have no idea how he feels about this or me, aside from being protective.”

“And your boyfriend? How does he fit into everything?”

“He wants me to be happy, and he trusts them to keep me safe. I think they all trust each other, even if it’s begrudgingly in some cases.”

“That’s a solid foundation.”

“How did you know that it was right for you guys?”

“We tried in college to be just in an open relationship with each other, but communication wasn’t our strong suit back then. There were some jealous moments, and then I met a man and married him. It wasn’t until years later when I needed their help to get away from him that we fell back in love with each other.”

“How does it work with your families? Is everyone just accepting of it?”

“Some are accepting, others are less so. At the end of the day though, the opinions that matter are our own.” She pulls a card out of her purse and hands it to me. “Here’s my number. You can call me anytime you need, okay? Medical questions, relationship advice, whatever you need.”

“Thank you.” I blink the tears that prick my eyes away. I feel so much better having talked about this with someone who has experience.

“Of course.” She wraps her arm around my shoulder and gives me a side hug as we leave to go back downstairs.

Declan and Emerson are in their practice clothes with their duffel bags slung over their shoulders while they stand around the island looking down at Nolan’s computer with everyone else. All six of them look up at us when we enter the room. It’s an intense feeling having them all focused on me at once.

“Did you find anything?” Olivia walks over and pushes herself between Nolan and Lake, both of them immediately making room for her. Lake wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her close.

“Nothing concrete yet.” Nolan continues to tap at keys. “I’ll keep trying.”

“We have to get going.” Declan looks at me. “They’re going to show you how to work the security system before they leave.”

“Okay.” I fight the urge to hug him goodbye.

We’ve been intimate, but I have no idea where that stands. If he wants that kind of display or not. When my eyes meet his as he walks past me, he hesitates. I see my thoughts mirrored back in his expression. He squeezes my arm gently and gives me a quick forehead kiss.

Butterflies take flight in my stomach at the gesture. But before they have time to settle, he’s out the door. Emerson grabs my hand and gives it a quick squeeze.

The next hour is spent going over the security system. By the time that Olivia and her guys are leaving, I feel confident in my ability to work it successfully. Cyrus and I walk them out to the Uber they’re taking back to the airport and watch as they drive away.

“Can you take me to the pharmacy? I have a few prescriptions to drop off.”

“Of course.”

We gather what we need and set the alarm. He hands me a helmet and grins at me.

“Declan can’t get mad at us if he’s not here.” Hestraddles his bike and lifts the kickstand, holding it steady for me to climb on behind him.

This time around I don’t hesitate to plaster myself against his back. I wrap my arms around his waist relishing the warmth and safety I feel like this. He takes off, and once we’re out on the road, he drops a hand to my thigh, giving it a squeeze as I sigh against his back.

The drive goes entirely too quick, and soon we’re pulling into a parking spot at the nearest chain pharmacy. He follows me inside and back to the prescription drop off window. The pharmacist tells me it’ll only take about an hour, so Cy suggests we take a walk around the park across the street.

Everything is so simple when we’re together. We walk in silence through the large live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. The ground is covered in a smattering of pink blooms from the mimosa trees dotting the park. A large fountain sits in the center of the green space with jets of water shooting from a ring of horse busts.

“This is a cute park,” I say as I take a seat on a bench overlooking the fountain.

“It is.” He sits beside me. “I actually did a painting of it last year.”

“I’d like to see that.” I smile over at him.

---