Page 40 of Devour
“He’s fine,” I assure him, stroking his forehead.
“T-Rex…”
I smile again. “He’s here too. And as soon as you’re better, you can play with him. I promise.” He blinks slowly, eyes fluttering shut.
“Now sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
And he does. I stayed for a while watching him sleep before going downstairs to help Griselda with dinner.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Luca
I’ve become a stalker in my own home, watching Ariel and Noah through the glass door that separates Noah’s bedroom from his playroom. Before she heads to the kitchen, I catch glimpses of her—eating, laughing, chatting with Griselda.
The sound of her laughter drifts toward me, soft and effortless. It feels like music to my ears. My heart stumbles into an awkward rhythm.
I got what I wanted, what I thought I needed. I used her for my pleasure. I should be satisfied. But instead, I ache for more of her like a man starving.
I could’ve taken custody of my son and cut her off for good. I have enough to build a case, and the means to make it stick. I could pay off whoever I needed to. But I didn’t. I chose to keep her close like an addiction I can’t control. Not just for her safety. But because I want her near me. Always. Curious about what they’re saying, I inch closer, careful not to make a sound.
“He’s a chubby one,” Griselda says with a chuckle.
“Look at his two tiny teeth,” Ariel coos.
“He did a lot of damage with those two teeth,” Griselda laughs.
“You should keep that,” Griselda says,
“No… I—It’s not my place to,” Ariel replies, hesitant.
“Don’t be silly, my child.” Griselda gently removes the photo from the album and places it in Ariel’s palm.
I see her face light up then shift into something playful and mischievous. She sets the photo on a box on the countertop and continues flipping through the album, smiling to herself.
I want to join them. Desperately. But I stay hidden in the shadows, afraid my presence might steal the joy from her face. I know I forced her into this marriage. But watching her like this…
God help me, I suddenly want more. I linger a little longer before retreating to my study. I stay there for hours, long enough to be certain she’s left the kitchen, gone to bed, and, hopefully, fallen asleep.
When I finally emerge, I head to the kitchen for something to eat, then make my way to our shared bedroom.
She’s lying on her side, the soft amber glow of the bedside lamp casting golden shadows across her skin, the covers pulled up to her neck, her angelic face relaxed in deep sleep.
Only her face is visible, soft and untouched by the weight of the day. I strip down to my boxer briefs and slip into bed behind her, the mattress shifting beneath my weight.
At first, I lie on my back, eyes fixed on the ceiling, but sleep doesn’t come. My mind is too loud, too full of her. Or maybe it’s the way her presence sets something raw and dangerous stirring beneath my skin. I’ve never shared a bed like this with anyone and definitely not with someone I want to ruin and protect in the same breath.
Eventually, I glanced her way. She hasn’t moved. The blanket has slipped down to her waist, exposing the bare skin of her shoulder and arm. Something in me stirs—I want to be closer.
I move toward her, gently wrapping an arm around her waist. I brace myself for tension, for discomfort—after all, I’ve never had this much contact with anyone. It was always just a physical release with every woman I’ve fucked and there have been many.
But this feels different. I spoon her close, her back against my chest and her ass nestled against my thighs.
The silk of her lingerie is smooth under my hand, too tempting to ignore. I let my palm glide over it—across her waist, over her hip, gently cupping the swell of her breast. The jasmine scent in her hair fills my lungs. I had the bathroom stocked with jasmine-scented products earlier. It’s her favorite.
She stirs suddenly, her hips shifting, her backside pressing against my groin. I swallow hard, stifling the sound that threatens to escape.
I wait, holding still, but she doesn’t wake, it's just her body moving unconsciously. Carefully, I still her hips and draw in a shaky breath.
