Page 60 of (Un)Rivaled

“Fuck what Laurel wants,” I bit out. “You’re the one I care about. You don’t have to meet with her unlessyouwant to. I’ll make sure of that.”

She hummed in agreement but said nothing else, continuing to stare out the window. However, that overwhelming anxiety was no longer seeping out of her pores, making the drive a little less tense.

Devyn squeezed my hand as we followed the directions, turning onto a dirt road about twenty miles outside of town. While most of the snow from the storm had melted, it left behind slick conditions, and even my truck was struggling to stay on the right side of the road.

“Distract me,” Devyn said, her voice soft and tense. “Please, Gray. Tell me something that’s going to make me think happy thoughts and not about dying in a fiery car wreck.”

“Shit, Ace, you think I’d let that happen?” I shook my head, about to promise something I could never uphold. But I’d picked this truck for a reason, and it was made for handling this kind of terrain. Plus, with Devyn in the passenger seat, I was being extra cautious. Not only because driving made her nervous, but because I was savoring every minute we had together.

“Please, Gray,” she pleaded, her hand so tight around mine, she was cutting off circulation.

Fuck, now I had no choice but to comply. Something shifted in my brain when Devyn said the wordplease. I would do anything if she asked. Toying with her fingers, I smirked in her direction. “Keep thinking aboutyou in the shower last night. I’m never going to go in there again without getting hard. The way you took me, baby...” I sighed, looking over at her. “You’re going to be the death of me, Ace.”

“Happy to be of service,” she chuckled, but the sound was forced. She glanced behind her, then turned back with a sly smile. “You know, that back seat looks very roomy. Maybe we could pull over and test that theory.”

Without another thought, I turned the steering wheel and brought my truck over to the side of the road. My hand moved to the back of Devyn’s neck, dragging her over to kiss me. Her lips collided with mine, and I held her tight, needing the feeling of her against my skin. Devyn was my addiction, and I had no interest in being cured. She tasted like cinnamon and vanilla thanks to her latte from earlier, and the sweetness of home. It was perfect. Everything about this woman was, even the things that drove me insane.

I forced myself to pull away, even though my entire body rioted in complaint. “I meant what I said, Devyn. You don’t have to do this, but I think it would be good to clear the air with Laurel, figure out how you two can work with, instead of against, each other.”

“Fine,” she groaned and dropped her forehead to my chest. “I know it’s the right move, but the idea of seeing Laurel…” Her voice trailed off. “I don’t know how I’m going to react. I’m still so pissed at her. I’m afraid I’m going to say something so hurtful–” She looked up and searched my eyes. “What if I say something I can’t take back, and she never forgives me?”

I held her tight, bringing her head back down to my chest. Her hands gripped my shirt, holding me so close, I barely knew where she ended and I began. Kissing the top of her head, I said, “You have every right to feel that way.And if you feel yourself getting upset, let me know, and I’ll get you out.” She nodded against me but made no effort to move. So, I kept holding her, willing to stay there as long as it took. “I have you, Ace. Always.”

About half an hour later,Devyn calmed down, and we got back on the road, getting closer to our destination. I didn’t know if it was our talk or just us stopping to breathe for a moment, but my wife was back to her usual self, busting my balls and mocking my shitty taste in music.

The GPS signaled our next turn, telling us we were approaching our destination. We both froze, staring out at the antiquated motel in the distance. It looked like something out of an old horror movie, with its seventies-style sign flickering in a random rhythm, and the muted orange tones. It was enough to make me slow my truck down before pulling into the entrance, suddenly unsure if this plan was such a good idea.

Devyn chuckled at my side. “Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet now.”

“I just…” I sighed, running my hand over my beard. “I need a minute, Devy.”

She crawled over to my side, pressing against the center console so she could get as close as possible. “Hey, all the same things apply to you. If you want to go, we go. No explanation needed. I have your back just as much as you’ve got mine.”

I nodded as I took her hand. “You and me, right?”

“Now, he’s getting it,” she chuckled, bringing myknuckles to her lips. “You know, maybe what we both need is an incentive to play nice during this meeting.”

“Incentive?”

She smirked at me. “I meant what I said about testing out that theory. We’ve fucked on almost every surface of your house, but we haven’t tried your backseat yet. Maybe that could be our reward after the meeting.”

I reached out and dragged her to me, capturing her lips yet again. Not only was the image of her sprawled out in my backseat making my dick impossibly hard, but I also just needed to touch her. To feel her. To remind myself why we were in this fight, what I had to lose.

She placed her hand on my chest and pushed me back slightly. “I saidafterthe meeting.”

“I know, Ace,” I said, dropping my forehead to hers. “Just to feel you, to remember this is real. That you’re here with me.”

“Always,” she promised. “But we really should get in there. I’m already stressed about having Laurel and Tomas in the same room.”

“Fine,” I groaned but smiled at her so she knew I was teasing. “But I’m holding you to that promise.”

“Good.”

As I shifted back onto the road, a thought washed over me, making my stomach clench in jealousy. I had no right to know how Devyn spent her time when we were apart, and I meant what I told her earlier. I’d never begrudge her for living her life, but I also needed to know what I was walking into.

“So Tomas…” I sighed, focusing on the road ahead of us. “Did you two ever…”

“No,” Devyn blurted out. “We flirted on my first daybut quickly realized we didn’t have any kind of spark. I care about him as a friend. That’s it.” My shoulders relaxed at her words, glad I wasn’t going to have to sit across the table from one of her past lovers. The one I’d already met was enough. “Honestly, I only dated a couple of people after you,” Devyn said quietly. “And nothing serious. It was too hard when…” Her voice trailed off, and I dared to look at her.

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