Page 50 of Suddenly Tempted
Darcy smiled softly, not wanting to say all her fears out loud in case it made them true.
“Let me tell you something,” Devlin went on. “Something else you won’t read anywhere. Something absolutely nobody knows about me, other than my mum.”
A sudden gust of wind shook the cabin and Darcy leaned in towards him as if he might provide shelter, tugging the blanket up to their chins. Devlin wrapped his good arm around her, and despite the topic of conversation all she could think about was those lips, and how good they had tasted. She tore her gaze away, meeting his eyes instead.
“I’ve only had three girlfriends in my life.”
Darcy frowned.
“What?” She wondered if he was lying to her, trying to put her at ease after what had just happened between them, but his face was open and honest.
“Three,” he said again. “One when I was a teenager. Delia and I were together for years. Then I was with another woman, Anna, in my early twenties.”
“Then there was Claudia, right?” Darcy asked, feeling a wave of jealousy pass over her. “Claudia Romano. The supermodel.”
Devlin nodded, his face growing stony. Darcy had read a few stories about their tumultuous relationship, about the fights and the make-ups and the million-pound holidays. She was fairly sure it was reported they’d been engaged to be married at one point.
“She’s beautiful,” Darcy said, looking at the ceiling. “All long limbs and glossy hair and perfect features.”
What had she been thinking, kissing this man, having sex with him? He was used to dating the most amazing women in the world. Why on earth did she think she was special enough to join their ranks?
“She was voted the most stunning woman in the world at one point, wasn’t she?” Darcy went on, not able to stop the comparisons.
“Two years running,” said Devlin, which didn’t exactly help. He took a deep breath, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Darcy watched his face twist as he thought through what he was going to say next.
“Claudia was the perfect model, yes,” he said. “But she wasn’t beautiful. Not really.”
“Not if you’re more into bog trolls and Jabba the Hut,” she joked, looking away again.
“Hey,” he said, tilting her chin towards him. “Eyes on me.”
Devlin looked at her with a stare that stopped her in her tracks as he carried on talking.
“She really wasn’t beautiful. I mean, I found her attractive in the beginning, but it soon wore off. Her beauty was superficial, all hard edges. She really wasn’t very nice, you know.”
He dropped a kiss on Darcy’s lips.
“You were together for years, weren’t you?” she asked. He nodded.
“Six, nearly,” he said. “It was okay, if that makes sense? Grew into something I was comfortable with. Neither of us showed the other much affection, but that suited us, you know? But when I ended it she sold stories about us to the press. She knew I liked my privacy, to hide behind the image I had created, but she sold the stories anyway. She likes the front page and the celebrity status too much. I provided that.”
“I’m so sorry, Devlin,” Darcy said. “So . . . the press, all those articles about you, the supermodels and movie stars. They’re made up?”
“They’re just stories,” he said. “I go on dates, sure, but they never lead to anything serious. It’s not worth the risk. We have a few drinks, let the papers take their photos and concoct their lies. Then we part company.”
“And the women go along with this?” Darcy asked.
He nodded again. “They have to. They have to sign a non-disclosure agreement before I will even see them.”
“So they don’t talk about you in your pants eating cereal?” Darcy asked, smiling sadly. “Why do it?”
“It all feeds into my reputation, and that’s why my clothes sell and my business is so profitable.”
“No,” said Darcy, taking his good hand and holding it between both of hers. “No, that’s not true. Your business works because you do. Your clothes sell because they’re amazing, because you put so much of yourself into them. That story you told me, about making the dress for your mum. It was beautiful, and you put the same care and love into everything you design. It’s there in every stitch, in every fold, in every seam. Trust me, I’ve tried on a few Devlin Storm dresses in my time — not that I’ve ever had nearly enough money to buy one — and they’re amazing. They’re life-changing. These hands are why your clothes are so wonderful.”
She kissed his cheek and rested her forehead against his. “This mind is why you are so creative, and so successful. Forget about your reputation for a moment. People see your clothes and they see your soul in everything you make.”
Devlin eyes grew heavy lidded, never leaving hers. His chest rose and fell steadily.
