Page 30 of Devlin

"Okay," Mason said eagerly.

He gave her a smile as they followed Mason up the stairs.

"Looks like we got ourselves a chaperone," he said. "Disappointed?"

"Not at all. It's probablya good thing. We don't even like each other," she said, trying to ignore the shiver running down her spine.

He laughed. "Don't we, Hannah?"

Okay, so she did like him, probably more than she should. And watching Devlin answer Mason's endless questions while also allowing him to help sail the boat was touching and heartwarming. Devlin was patient and kind. "You might be a Blackthorne," she told him, "but you are nothing like your father."

"I'll take that as a compliment." He moved to the side as Mason hung on to the wheel. The boat was back onautopilot, but Mason probably still felt like he was in charge, and she'd never seen a happier kid.

"I'm going to be a sailor when I grow up," Mason declared, glancing back at them. "I'm already saving my allowance, so I can get a boat. I want to race this summer, but my mom says it's expensive and we can't afford it."

Devlin frowned. "I'm sure she appreciates you saving your allowance."

"Do you think I could help you and make more money?" Mason asked.

"We'll see."

As Mason looked back out at the water, Devlin said quietly, "Mason's dad died last year."

"I'm sorry to hear that," she murmured.

"Mason's mom, Erica, is our admin at the Boatworks. She has been struggling on her own trying to take care of Mason and his two younger sisters. I've triedto help, but I need to do better by them. I know how much Mason loves boats. I should have anticipated that he'd try to stow away. I caught him hiding in the boat when it was still in the shop."

"He's got the fever."

Devlin grinned back at her. "We both know the feeling, don't we?"

"I'd almost forgotten, but it's coming back to me."

"Good. Because you should never forgetthis."

She knew he was talking about sailing, but she thought there were a lot of things about this day that she wasn't going to be able to forget, no matter how hard she tried.

"I'm sorry we were interrupted," he said softly. "Things were just getting interesting."

"I didn't come here to give youinteresting."

"It was an unexpected side benefit."

She shook herhead in confusion. "I don't get you, Devlin. I yelled at you. I told you I was going to beat you in your favorite race, and you want to kiss me? What's that all about?"

"Hell if I know," he said with a laugh. "What can I say but that I find you incredibly attractive? I also like the way you're fighting for your father. I respect fierce loyalty. As for the race, I also love a good competitor."

"Even if you lose?"

"I don't intend to lose."

"I'm sure you don't. You're a man who probably wins a lot."

"Because I work hard." An irritated gleam entered his eyes. "I'm sure you don't believe that, but it's true."

"You work hard, but you also work in your family's company. You didn't have to scrape your way to the top."

"True, but don't you work for yourmother?"

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