Page 59 of Devotion

Layla

“I think I speak for all us girls when I say I hope this isn’t the last we see of you, Damien.” Isha smiles, acting as spokesperson for my trio of friends.

“I can assure you, wherever Layla wants me, I’ll be there.”

A flash of heat spreads from my chest outward when we lock eyes.

“Then, I suppose we’ll be seeing you soon,” Isha adds.

Before my friends make their exit, I catch thedon’t-you-dare-go-to-sleep-without-calling-uslooks they each cast my way, and I hold back a smile. Now, it’s just Damien and I standing in the lobby. He slips his hands into the pockets of his slacks, and I feel my skin heating under his stare.

“Did you drive?”

“No,” I answer, shaking my head. “I wasn’t sure how much I’d drink. Which reminds me, I should put in a ride request.”

I’ve barely gotten my fingers around my phone when Damien speaks again.

“Let me take you. It wouldn’t be any trouble.”

My lips part, like I’m certain I’m supposed to say something, like I’m certain I should turn down his offer. Only, I can’t seem to find those words. Instead, the one that slips from my lips is…

“Okay.”

An accomplished smile curves his lips, and I don’t even care that he’s just defeated my will. Having him show up tonight, at the precise moment I considered leaving, feels like…fate.Like, he’s the one who was meant to be here with me all along.

His hand settles against the small of my back, moving me toward the coat check as he lets out a quiet laugh.

“I probably should’ve disclosed this before you accepted my offer, but… I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t drive my car tonight. I brought my bike.”

There’s this sinking feeling in my stomach when he updates me, bringing to mind an image of him speeding out of the parking lot ofThe Jungle.

“I’ve… never been on one before.”

He tilts his head a little, and I don’t miss how he smirks as we move up in the line.

“Then, I’ll have to be gentle. Wouldn’t want your first time to be too rough.”

Heat burns across my cheeks as I fight a smile. “Cute.”

I peer up at him, finding him even more handsome than I realized before. It’s the hint of stubble highlighting the contours of an already godlike face. Needless to say, I quickly turn away before I’m caught.

Damien hands the woman behind the counter a ticket, and she leaves us to retrieve his things. While waiting, I force my eyes away from his, choosing instead to observe my surroundings—high-end furnishings, the tropical fish tank with LED backlighting, the bar.

And that’s when I feel my stomach twist into a knot.

Martinez is still here, drowning his feelings in whatever the bartender just poured into his glass.

“For you,” Damien says, luring my eyes back toward his as he holds the collar of a sleek, leather riding jacket. “You’ll be glad to have something covering your arms while we ride.”

It’s clearly a bit too big for me as I slip my arms inside, but I remember seeing it fit him like a glove.

“Thank you.”

He doesn’t speak, but more than once I’ve gotten the sense that he enjoys taking care of me. I feel it again now, as he gently tugs the collar higher, making sure my shoulders are fully covered. The leather is soft, and it holds his scent. As I turn, I breathe in his distinct aroma, the smoothness of his cologne. It’s masculine and subtle, and I’m already committed to not washing the scent off my skin before bed.

It isn’t until his brow arches that I realize he’s caught me sniffing the collar of the jacket.

“It… smells like you,” I admit.

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