Page 79 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Seven

It was the best holiday he’d ever had.

Jameson knew time was running out for both of them. Eventually, a decision needed to be made.

He just didn’t know if he could make it.

* * * *

Devon collapsed on her sofa, groaning at the ache in her feet. Of course, things had been going so well, she was due for a wedding from hell. For some strange reason, January brides were the worst. Maybe they were cranky they missed the holidays, or that the beach town was suddenly stripped of lights and gaiety as everyone shut down until spring. She still didn’t have a valid reason except the next few weeks would be torturous since nothing made them happy.

Avery and Bella had done everything in their power to create perfection at the Sea Salt, but everything had been cursed. The bride’s father-in-law spilled a tumbler of tequila on her dress and she stank like a distillery. A fight broke out with two of her cousins and ended in a fist fight on the dance floor. For Devon’s part, she’d been delivered fifteen dead bouquets from her custom supplier and had gone into overdrive trying to pull together replacements. Of course, the bride noticed the switch-out and burst into tears. Devon had to heavily discount the fee and deal with a bad review.

She just wanted to see Jameson.

Even his name brought a silly smile to her lips and a lurch in her tummy. Devon wasn’t the type of woman who cared about a certain time before she had sex—it was all gut instinct and what felt right. She wasn’t big into declaring rules up front either, and sensed Jameson worked the same way.

Except…

She’d never fallen into a heavy relationship after two weeks and one night together.

Jordan and Sistine insisted they all hang out the day after Christmas before they could officially approve him. When she mentioned it, Jameson agreed, and they’d shared a drink after supper. After a tense beginning, they soon fell into easy chatter and her friends had declared him good enough for her to sleep with.

For Devon, it was the last hurdle.

A tap at the door brought Bear barreling forward, whining with fervor. She limped over and opened it.

Jameson picked her up and kissed her. She immediately melted into him; body familiar with every hard muscle. She stroked his glossy hair and savored the rough stubble on his cheeks. Her nostrils hummed with every delicious breath of his musk scented skin. She always knew she was a passionate person and sex was an important factor for her in a relationship. But never in her life had she imagined the sensuality and intensity of Jameson Franklin. He practically seethed with virility once unleashed and she loved every moment.

His teeth nipped at her bottom lip, then sucked. Her head spun.

Bear barked.

“Sorry, beast, you’re next.” Shooting her a grin, he released her and gave Bear his demanded attention. There was a bond between them now, evident in the way Jameson thought about not only the dog’s needs but his wants. That gentle, beautiful heart of his burned bright and strong, and Devon was lucky to have discovered it.

“I can’t imagine I once thought of you as the Grinch,” she commented.

“I think it was Scrooge. I was being tight with my pennies, remember?”

“Yeah, that’s right. How come you’re here? I thought I was meeting you after work.”

“Because you had the wedding from hell and I figured I’d leave a bit early to come to you.”

“Are you like this with all your girlfriends?” she asked teasingly.

She waited for him to tease back, but his features tightened. “No, I wasn’t,” he said. A raw truth edged his words, and she tilted her head, waiting. “I think I was a pretty lousy lover in the past.”

“Physically I think that’s impossible.”

His lip twitched. “Emotionally. Mentally. Respectfully.” He seemed to get lost in thought. “I held myself back because I was too worried about my needs. My career. My place. My friends. My money. My relationships never lasted long, and I always believed I was this guy who was above reproach, wanting to be honest about my limitations.”

She felt close to a big reveal, something that would allow a deeper piece of himself to unlock and share with her. “And now?”

His gaze locked with hers. “Now I think I was full of bullshit. I just didn’t want to take the chance.”

Something shifted between them. Devon wanted to ask more questions, but sensed it wasn’t the time to push. “I’m not perfect either. I’ve made mistakes.”

“Earth-shattering mistakes? Or more like taking away pancakes from everyone who loved them?”

She laughed and pushed her hair back. “Like being happy with surface relationships because they looked good. Fit my expectations of the type of man I should be with.”

---