Page 25 of Salacious Devotion

Dane draws in a deep breath, not moving an inch.

“It’s yours,” I tell him. “Mine is not that high-tech.”

He chuckles. “The thought of you without the latest phone is mind-boggling.”

“Yeah, well, it hasn’t been easy. Sometimes, I pace my apartment in computer-and-gadget withdrawal.”

“I’ll set you up with everything state-of-the-art as soon as we move to my penthouse.”

There’s a knock at the door. “That probably goes with the missed phone call,” I say.

Dane slides out of bed, grabs his T-shirt, uses it to wipe come off his torso, and then tosses it to me. He finds his briefs and bends to put them on. “Pull the sheet over you, baby,” he says as he leans over to kiss me.

I’m so dazed I didn’t even think of that. I sit up and pull the sheet over my chest while Dane flips on the lights and looks through the peephole. A second later, he opens the door.

Easton is in the hallway. “Hey, sorry to interrupt. I brought you some things.” The man is a godsend. I can’t believe how kind both brothers have been. He hands Dane a brown paper bag and a drink tray with four drinks.

Dane backs up. “Come in. I’m sorry we’re…”

Easton steps inside and smiles at me. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”

“You didn’t,” I manage.

Dane sets what I assume is food on the small table, and then Easton hands him a duffel bag that was draped over his shoulder. He looks at me again. “I borrowed some of Faye’s clothes. They should fit you well enough.”

“What did you tell her?” Dane asks.

“That one of our members needed some help. Nothing else. She understood. I don’t keep anything from Faye, so me not elaborating was all she needed to jump into action and know it had to be important.”

“Thank you so much,” I say. “I hope I get to meet her one day. I’d like to thank her myself.”

“You will,” Dane insists.

Easton heads toward the door. “Call me if you need anything at all. I know you have a lot to figure out. I realize it’s a mess without a simple solution. I’m here for you both.”

“Thank you,” Dane replies as he walks his friend to the door.

And then we’re alone again.

Dane opens the blinds, allowing natural light into the room.

“Shit.” I look around. “What time is it?”

Dane finds his phone and looks at it. “Seven. What time are you supposed to be at work?”

I blow out a relieved breath. “Ten.” I’ve never called in sick. I’m nervous about lying to my boss.

Dane comes over to me and sits on the edge of the bed. “Better work on perfecting your rough I’m-dying voice,” he teases before he yanks the sheet down and grabs my hand. “Shower first. Then food.”

I spot the steaming cups of coffee as soon as I’m standing. “Coffee first, then shower, then food.”

Dane chuckles. “Okay.” He opens a drawer in the armoire, grabs a clean T-shirt, and hands it to me. “I’m all for you wandering around naked, but I know you were never really into that.”

I pull the shirt over my head. He’s right. It’s one of the quirky things about me. I can scene publicly in a club, exposing myself to other members, but I always feel self-conscious wandering around nude at home.

He tugs me into his embrace. “You were always sexy as fuck, and you’re even sexier now, but if you feel uncomfortable naked, then don’t do it.”

I lift onto my toes to kiss him.

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