Page 84 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Seven

“Come for me.”

He reached between them and rubbed over the throbbing bud. Once. Twice.

She came.

His name raked across his ears. With a primitive roar, he unleashed with rough strokes and released. His mind blanked to nothing and allowed his heart to scream the truth as loud as her name broke from his lips.

He didn’t think.

He knew.

After three weeks, he was in love with Devon Pratt.

He just didn’t know what he was going to do about it.

Chapter Twelve

Devon finished arranging a dozen centerpieces for an upcoming bridal shower at Peter Shields Inn, hoping the bright florals cut through the dismal day. The snow had come and gone, leaving cold, wet slush behind. Everyone was still recovering from the holidays and wanted to hibernate, which suited her perfectly fine.

All she wanted was to spend time with Jameson. For the first time, she wished her calendar this week was empty so she could sit in Vintage and just be with him until he had to leave.

And he would leave.

The jarring thought took hold and settled in, like a nagging wound. They weren’t in a position to declare their love and decide to be together. She wanted to tell him her feelings, but it wasn’t fair. He’d only feel pressure, and that was the last thing she wanted.

She kept thinking about the tattoo. Carved into his wrist as a reminder for him not to try again. What was her name? What was their story? She refused to ask, sensing there were still walls built around his heart that needed a gentle, patient touch. The first time she’d realized it was a rose, the pain had hit hard, but she knew his past had nothing to do with her. Devon had to be brave and allow him his own choices. He’d either take another chance with her.

Or not.

But she also refused to deny the reality. She loved him and yes, it had happened fast, but it didn’t scare her. The mechanics were the hard part, but it was also about how much he was willing to give or compromise. It seemed the woman who had broken his heart had done a real hatchet job. Simmeringresentment burned inside for justice. Devon bet he was broken up with around Christmas and that’s what made him hate the holiday. It made perfect sense from his previous words hinting that something had happened he wanted to forget.

Jealousy pricked, which was ridiculous. She was his past. A nameless, faceless ghost that could only hurt her if Devon let the memory mess with her head.

She was better than that.

Bear trotted forward as the bell tinkled and alerted him to a new guest. He’d been flourishing except for his issue with other dogs. When Devon walked him and they spotted another canine, she had to cross the street while Bear whined and trembled. It only made her want to cuddle him close and protect him.

Even though he was as big as her.

She heard Judith’s greeting and made her way to the front. “Look at him, he’s massive now!” the sanctuary owner exclaimed, rubbing his head. “He looks great, Devon. How is everything going?”

“Really good. He goes back and forth with Jameson and I and seems to like it. He’s better on the leash and we’re working on the damage control.” She pointed at the chewed-up doorway to the back where Bear had happily created a new bone out of the wall. “Jameson has been working with him on the command down, so he stops jumping.”

Judith nodded, but her gaze probed, full of curiosity. “This thing with Jameson seems to be going well?”

Devon smiled. “Yes.”

“I’m so happy for you both,” she said. Rubbing Bear’s saggy, drooly jowls, the woman never flinched, obviously used to every good and bad part about having dogs. “You deserve it, Devon. A man to make you happy. I’m not sure you know how much you’re cherished in this town.”

Devon blinked, touched. “Thanks, Judith. That means a lot.”

“It’s the truth. But I’m actually here to talk about Bear and his upcoming options. I heard Mac is returning?”

Her throat tightened but she kept her tone happy. “Yes, isn’t it wonderful? He plans to come home late next week.”

“And will Jameson be going back to New York? Or sticking around in Cape May for a while?”

She shifted her feet. “Leaving. He has to go back to his job.”

---