Page 51 of Devotion

As if my thoughts have just crept over her skin, she shivers, and then rubs both hands down her arms. The throbbing in my dick intensifies at the sight of it.

My gaze lowers to my phone when my alarm sounds, and if it weren’t for a very important meeting scheduled this evening, I’d sit here, watching her until the sun rose. But there’s always tomorrow.

Because just like every other day, any moment I can carve out to observe this dark vixen disguised as an angel… I’ll be watching.

* * *

Long, silver hair shimmers beneath the moonlight as Vera stands poised, her head tilted back as she stargazes. Throughout the years, she’s one of few people I’ve allowed to know my true self, one of few I trust. Hence the reason she’s the original member of our flock’s Circle of Six—a group of respected elders within our community whose authority is second only to mine.

The sound of my footsteps has her turning to face me, and her eyes light up the same as they always have, for as long as I’ve known her. With genuine excitement simply because I’m in her presence.

“My boy,” she beams. As soon as I’m within arm’s reach, she draws me into a hug as though it’s been years since we’ve seen one another. While, in reality, we meet up to chat at least one evening every month.

Living on the same piece of land doesn’t mean much. Not with there being so many members in the flock. As we’ve grown, as maintaining and providing for our community requires more attention than in the past, it’s easy to go weeks without crossing paths. Which is why I’m intentional and consistent when it comes to Vera. A woman who, despite there being no shared blood between us, has been the only mother-figure I’ve ever known.

“You look well,” I say, letting her fawn over me like she tends to do. Her hands warm both sides of my face before she lets go.

We turn and fall in step with one another, taking an unhurried stroll through the garden.

“Despite the wrinkles and creaky bones, I’d say I’m evendoingwell,” she teases.

“Ah, don’t be silly. You’re as young and beautiful as ever.”

Her smile brightens. “And you’re as good aliaras ever.”

I laugh a little, but I meant every word.

“Slow down,” she warns, sweetly reprimanding a small group of what I assume to be preteens. Then, her gaze shifts to me. “It’s a little late for them to be out and about unsupervised, isn’t it?”

I shrug. “We were that age once. A little extra freedom out from under Mom and Dad’s wings won’t hurt them.”

“Until they start burning shit down,” she mumbles, and I laugh.

“Touché.”

“But oddly enough, this is exactly what I hoped we’d discuss tonight.”

I glance toward her, arching a brow. “Burning shit down?”

She nudges me with her elbow. “No, smartass. Family.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Well, more specifically…yourfamily.”

The statement has me circling any number of things she might mean by that, but my first thought is of my father. A father webothloved dearly. Had it not been for him, hislegacy,none of this would have been possible.

I feel the heat of Vera’s gaze on me, and I glance down toward her as we approach the rose bushes.

“You’re not getting any younger, you know. Twenty-seven mayseemyoung, but in the big scheme of things, time’s getting away from you, Damien.”

Now, I’m starting to get her meaning, but I don’t respond.

“Most people might not know this about you, but you’re complex,” she says.

“How so?”

“Well, you’re a force all your own, but you do need companionship.”

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