Page 75 of Devoted

“It’s exactly what it sounds like. I believe his words were, ‘Hey, there. Excuse me? I think you dropped something… my jaw.”

The entire table breaks out in laughter, Vivian going so far as to spit some of her wine across the table. “Oh, my god!”

Ethan just shrugs, even though his face is turning a beautiful shade of pink. “What can I say? She impressed me. But then I distinctly remember her threatening to chop my balls off with a scalpel, so I suggested we just remain friends.”

Brooks is studying his cousin intently across the table. “I’m not quite sure I like this story anymore.”

“Oh, stop it, Brooks. Everything worked out the way it was supposed to,” his mom says while nudging him playfully.

“If it’s any consolation, baby, I would have fallen for that pickup line.” Mariah bats her eyelashes at Ethan and suddenly the two of them are fixated on each other.

“Yeah, well, it appears I actually fell for a man that judges my affliction for orange-flavored Tic Tacs instead.”

Brooks chuckles beside me and then pulls me into his side. “Damn right. You love it when I tease you.”

I glance up at him and flash him a fulfilled smile, basking in how well this evening actually went. “I really do.”

Two Hours Later

“Dammit, Brooks! Stop teasing me!”

This is the third time now that Brooks has worked me within seconds of my orgasm and then backed off. I’m wet, breathless, and more than ready for that release, but he’s edging me within an inch of my sanity.

“I thought you liked it when I tease you?” He grins while dragging his cock slowly in and out of me, his powerful body hovered over mine as my nails claw into his back for leverage. I hate him right now—and yet, I love him so much at the same time that I will gladly take the pain and pleasure he’s offering me now, and any other time after this.

It hit me while we were sitting at dinner, the conversation so natural and light-hearted.

It didn’t feel like there was a cancerous cloud hanging over us.

It didn’t feel forced or strained, even after I spilled the fact that Ethan hit on me first.

It felt right. Plain and simple—like this is how my life is supposed to be—with this gorgeous, viral man beside me, and now, making love to me as well.

I am in love with Brooks Bennet, and now I just need to figure out how to tell him.

“I just don’t want it to end, Jess,” he whispers in my ear as his strokes keep the same pace—drawn out, luxurious, smooth, and so incredibly amazing that I’m struggling to breathe.

“Me neither, Brooks,” I admit, looking up into his eyes as his hand reaches down between us and grazes my clit again, the soft touch of his fingers bringing me back to the precipice quickly.

“Come with me, Jess. Let me feel you come all over my cock, sweetheart.”

I nod, keeping my eyes locked on him as he leans back, holds my legs out wide, and sets a punishing rhythm all while stroking my clit with his thumb, and it takes only seconds before my body is unraveling.

“Yes! I’m coming!” I scream, my orgasm hitting me so fast and hard that all I can do is cry out in agonizing pleasure and ride the waves, the intensity matching the passion I feel for this man outside of the bedroom.

Brooks cries out seconds after, stilling within me as he finds his release and then collapses on to my chest, pressing his lips to mine in a sweet and subtle kiss.

I could kiss this man all day, every day. There’s not one moment when I don’t wish that his lips were on mine. But when he kisses me like this, I can feel the words behind them, even though they haven’t been spoken.

He’s mine. I’ve found him. And he loves me.

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