Page 60 of The Devil's Secret

Then they’re gone.

And I don’t know if I’ll ever see my son again.

CHAPTERTWENTY

ENZO

I waitfor her in our bedroom while she takes a shower.

Our bedroom.

It has a nice ring to it. She didn’t resist when I told her my room is now hers too. She actually seemed relieved.

Every day in the past three days that I go to work, I hate leaving her, checking the cam feed while I’m there, making sure she’s okay. I can’t stop replaying her scream in my head. I find myself waking up in the middle of the night to check on her.

The bathroom door opens, and she walks out, a white towel wrapped around her, showing her long, toned legs I very much want wrapped around me. I’m in a permanent state of blue balls but it’s gotta be that way until I’m sure she’s ready. I’ve never done slow before, but I’ve never been with Joelle before either. She’s not like the others. Never was.

Her eyes go to mine and— “Were you crying?” I’m instantly off the bed as she gives me her back, rummaging through a drawer to find clothes to put on.

“I was,” she says faintly, her shoulders rising heavily as she grips the clothing in her palm.

“What’s wrong, baby?” My mouth is on her shoulder, leaving a tender kiss behind, hands stroking up and down her arms.

She sighs, and her body tenses. I reach for the top of the towel. “Let me help you get dressed.” Once she nods, I undo it, letting it fall to the floor.

She rotates, and one look at her has me spiraling, needing her so fucking badly I’m ready to get on my damn knees for a taste.

I hold her cheek in my roughened palm, looking so deep into her eyes, I’m almost lost inside them. “I’m gonna take care of you. In all ways.”

She smiles brokenly, that lower lip trembling, and it makes me want to cause carnage to every man who’s made her this way.

Taking the shirt from her hands, I bring the tank top over her head, her arms raised as I slip it down.

The shorts come next, and I kneel, guiding each one of her legs inside, then I pull them up. As soon as I’m upright, her arms jump over my shoulders, her face burrowing into the crook of my neck.

My hands wind around her lower back and I hold her to me, so damn tight, I’m afraid she can’t breathe. But in that same moment, she tightly squeezes her arms around me. I kiss the top of her head, never wanting to let her go. I can’t let her leave me.

My fingers coast up her spine, finding the softened strands of her hair. As I pull away, I take a moment to stare into those eyes. I can feel it, right in the pit of my stomach. That sensation I’ve been experiencing these last few days. The one I know is real. The one I know will only get stronger.

Her pink lips part, gaze misted, cheeks flushed, and I damn right hope she doesn’t think I’m crazy for what I’m about to say.

“You’ve always been too good for someone like me.” My knuckle lands on her cheek, brushing back and forth. “I don’t deserve you.”

When she tries to say something in return, I place a finger against her lips before the same hand goes to her hip. “I need to get this out. It’s been killing me not to say it.”

Her mouth thins.

“I’m falling in love with you, Joelle.”

Her face drops. “Don’t say that. You don’t mean it.” She tries to pull away, but I don’t let her go.

“Don’t tell me how I feel.” I grip her hip tighter, my mouth brushing over hers. “I love you.”

A small cry escapes her, hands on my back, sinking her nails into my flesh.

“I’ve never felt this way for anyone, baby. I’d do anything for you.”

With a heavy sigh, she leans in some more, lips touching mine, just staying that way. Just feeling one another.

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