Page 86 of Wicked Devotions: Part 2

A smile parts my lips at the sight of a lump of sexy, tattooed man sprawled out in my bed. I glance to my bathroom, knowing good and well I should shower before joining him. But he looks so warm and comfortable. The sight of a brown stain on my scrubs as I pull my shirt over my head settles that internal debate for me. Definitely taking a shower first, then sleep.

After tossing my scrubs in the hamper, I step into the shower, hissing at the blast of icy water before it warms up. As steam fills the room, I lather up with antibacterial body wash, making sure to scrub every inch of my skin just in case there’s something on me. One of my first-year professors put the fear of god in us when he recounted a story about one of his friends getting MRSA during his clinicals.

By the time I’m finished with my shower, the sun is all the way up, light filtering through the crack between the blackout curtains. Cy is still passed out; his light snores fill the room as I lift the covers and slide in bed beside him. As soon as he feels me lay down, he’s rolling onto his side, wrapping his arms around me. I fall asleep in the warmth of his embrace almost as soon as I close my eyes.

DECLAN

The ground dropsoff below me as the plane lifts into the air at the end of the runway. I watch the gauges in front of me as I climb steadily to an altitude of ten thousand feet. The engineers ask me a few questions as I begin the test sequences. So far the aircraft is flying perfectly.

My grandparents are down on the tarmac watching, just as they did for all my mom’s test flights. They never listen in on mine, though. I don’t think they could handle it if something happened to me like it did Mom. Obviously, they handle it a thousand times better than Dad, though.

As I’ve matured I’ve come to understand his stance on my chosen profession. It can’t be easy to watch your child choose the exact same path your late spouse did, especially when she died doing so. But I feel her up here with me.

It’s not just in the rosary I have wrapped around my wrist, she’s here in the clouds. Her love for adventure and freedom runs deep within my veins. There was a time in my life I never thought I’d want to come down from my life in the air.

Until Harper.

She was the missing piece, the anchor I needed to find happiness. She’s woven herself through our lives so seamlessly. Life and love are effortless with her.

I radio down a few things I think the engineering team might want to check out before pushing some more altitude. The rest of the flight goes smoothly. A few tweaks and some more test flights and everything should be good to start manufacturing.

As I land the aircraft, I glance over and notice a familiar car on the tarmac. I taxi over to the hangar and barely get the engines shut off when I see Harper standing with my grandparents. One of the engineers approaches me with a clipboard, asking me for a few details about the flight.

I try not to be an asshole, but I can’t help it. I haven’t seen Harper in days, and I just want to get my arms around her. I can’t believe she drove all the way up here. Now I’m stuck answering this guy’s questions when I already gave my verbal report during the flight.

“I will send you my written report tonight,” I grit out. I don’t wait for a response.

A gorgeous smile parts Harper’s lips as she watches me approach. She bounces on her feet in the most adorable way, made all the better because I’m sure she doesn’t know she’s doing it. As soon as I’m within range, she launches herself into my arms.

“Surprise,” she says with a laugh as I lift her by the thighs and her legs wrap around my waist. “I missed you so much I decided to drive up and take you on a long weekend trip before we head home.”

“Does this long weekend trip involve you, me, and a bed?” I ask against her lips.

She nods and kisses me. “It does.”

HARPER

Eighteen months later

“You look stunning,”Emilia says as she finishes zipping my dress up. “They’re going to want to bend you over the altar again as soon as they see you walk down the aisle.”

“Eww.” Saylor shivers in disgust. “My brother is one of the guys you’re talking about.”

“Or just men in general,” Lou adds. “You sure you want to do this?”

“Yeah, you could marry us instead.” Saylor wiggles her brows while she teases me. “Anything they can do, we can do better.”

“Unfortunately, my lot in life is to be in love with four men,” I say with an exaggerated sigh.

Thank goodness these three are here to keep the jokes flowing. I know that the guys love me, that they’re all happy about today, but I still have to fight back the fear of disappointing them. Of not being enough. I mean, four of them and one of me, there’s pressure there. Even if it’s pressure from myself, not them.

Cillian, Felix, and Mom walk up carrying my little sister, Delilah, in her flower girl dress. It’s a perfect match to mine, all lace and tulle. But where my hair is tied back with a satin ribbon, her dark curls have a halo of flowers set atop them. She looks at me with her dad and older brother’s same deep green eyes and holds out her arms.

Mom’s eyes glisten as I kiss Delilah’s cheek. “You’re perfect. Both my girls are perfect.” She wraps us up in her arms, her swollen belly getting in the way. She’s well into her third trimester with another baby.

“Are you almost ready?” Cillian asks as I hand my sister over to him.

“Yes.” I lift my arms and embrace him. “Thank you for walking me down the aisle.”

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