Page 11 of Devil's Valentine

I desperately want to feel the echoes of his touch everywhere.

There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s telling the truth about keeping me safe, but I’m not sure why he wants to. My heart wants to beat out of my chest with the notion of Frenzy watching over me. Will he like what he sees? Or will he get bored with me?

I’m on the verge of being a zombie by the time I park, climb out of my car, and head toward my door. I barely register the feeling of Frenzy walking up behind me. My hand shakes slightly as I try to slide my key into the door.

A large hand wraps around mine and steadies it. I lean back against the large, solid chest of the man behind me. He doesn’t step away and he doesn’t tell me to stand on my own. He’s just there, a presence that I desperately want to rely on.

Maybe I can.

Maybe he’ll stay.

Maybe we can be more and more of my dreams will come true right before my eyes.

“I’ve got you, Sugar,” he rasps against the shell of my ear.

He takes over getting us into my place. When he picks me up, seemingly effortlessly, and I let out a squeal as I wrap my arms around his neck, and he cradles me against his chest.

“Put me down,” I insist, my voice firm.

Frenzy throws his head back and laughs, the sound so deep and rich that it reminds me of melted dark chocolate. The way he carries me, like it’s so damn easy, has me staring up at him. There’s not even a hint of strain on his face as he heads toward the couch and sits down with me on his lap.

“Frenzy,” he growls, the sound filled with displeasure, and I clear my throat, “I mean, Dean.” He grins at me like he’s won something; it’s kind of adorable. “Let me up, I’m too heavy.”

His eyes narrow dangerously and I still on his lap even though the look he’s giving me makes me want to squirm. His legs are thick underneath me, but I also feel something else that is very stiff.

My eyes widen. Is he hard for me? Really?

I’m tempted to ask, but I also don’t want him to tell me that I’m only imagining things.

“You’re not too heavy,” he insists. “You’re fucking perfect.”

I scoff and shake my head. I’m about to argue, but the heat in his eyes has me pausing. I whisper, “I’m not perfect.”

“I disagree,” he lays out there with a shrug, “but we don’t have to agree about this.”

With a sigh, I ask, “Why are you here, Dean?”

His chest puffs up like he enjoys hearing his name from me, but then he turns serious. “I’m going to make something very clear to you, Sugar.” I nod mutely, trapped in his dark gaze; I don’t think I want to ever be free again. “I knew something very important yesterday when I saw you.”

“What did you know?”

He closes the distance between us, our lips almost touching. It wouldn’t take much for us to be kissing. Do I want to kiss him?

Hell yes. Close the distance and kiss him until we both can’t breathe.

Sometimes my inner voice is a real hussy.

“I saw you and one thing became very clear to me.” He looks deep into my eyes, his voice rough and filled with sincerity. “You’re mine. You were always meant to be mine, Scarlett.”

I gasp and jerk away from him in surprise. He doesn’t let go of me; his hands hold me steady.

“I can see that I’ve surprised you,” he teases.

“You could say that,” my voice is high and tight. “You can’t be serious,” I try and deflect from what he’s just said.

He reaches up and gently pulls the band from my hair. My long curls spring into place around my head and I know itprobably looks messy and unkempt. The way Frenzy is looking at me tells me that he doesn’t care. There’s a look of awe on his face. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone look at me the way he is right now.

Frenzy gently runs his fingers through my curls and the stiffness in my body dissipates. I melt against him and let the comfort and warmth he’s offering wrap around me.

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