Page 112 of Cuffed By Love

“That’s what I thought, but it seems someone knew and found your letter and tore it up. Where did you leave the note for me? Did you see anyone before you left?”

Devin looks thoughtful, his eyes narrowing. “I left the note by the phone in your house. On the notepad, your mum used to keep there. I knew you would look there because you always threw your keys on that when you walked in.” The fact he paid enough attention to notice that made me smile. “The last person I saw was Skylar. She bumped into me as I was coming out of your house. We said goodbye, and I left.”

“Wait a minute. Sky knew you were leaving?” Dev nods and takes a sip of his wine. “Why the hell didn’t she tell me? She mentioned nothing about seeing you before you left.”

Devin shrugs, “I don’t know, babe. If I’m honest, it doesn’t surprise me one bit. Never trusted her. She always had this devious streak about her that didn’t sit right with me.”

“You knew she was like crushing hard on you? I’m talking borderline obsessed.” Devin’s face twists with disgust.

“Don’t remind me. I’ve dodged no one as much as I did that girl. She was relentless.” I smile when Dev shudders. “Anyway, moving on. So, you went on a hunt for the letter, huh?”

I nod, staring down into my almost empty wine glass. “I did. I was gutted when I found it torn up.” I look at him and find him smiling. “What did you put in that letter, Dev?”

Devin exhales, and his smile falters a little. He reaches out to take my hand in his and licks his full lips. “Maybe someday I’ll tell you.” He declares, turning my hand so my palm was facing up and drew slow circles in the centre of my palm.

By the time we got back to the hotel, it was well after midnight. Devin’s suite was on the same floor as mine but on the opposite side of the building. We wait side by side for the elevator. The hotel lobby was empty save for the hotel staff. The elevator announces its arrival with a loud ding, and the doors swing open. I stare inside the car apprehensively; Devin sensing my hesitation takes my hand and pulls me into the elevator. I stand with my back against the mirrored wall, one hand holding the bar behind me, the other clasped tightly around Devin’s.

We ascend, and I stare at the numbers changing at the top. “Breathe,” Devin whispers in my ear. I hadn’t even noticed I was holding my breath until he said something. I exhale and try not to think about the tightness in my throat. If I think about it, I’ll panic, and when I panic, I can’t breathe, and it feels like all the walls are closing in on me. “Come here. Relax, Tinks, I’m right here with you.” Devin turns me, so I’m facing him instead of staring at the changing numbers, which only adds to my anxiety.

Our suites were on the twenty-fifth floor, and this elevator wasn’t the quickest. Or did it just seem slow to me? Every second felt like an hour to me. When Devin pulls me close, I press my forehead to his chest and try to focus on my breathing while he peppers gentle kisses atop my head. The rhythmic beating of his heart calms me.

“Breathe, Mira. You’re in control; deep breath in and exhale. Feel your body relax when you exhale.”

I hear Levi’s soothing voice in my head, coaching me. The loud bell of the elevator starts me from my breathing exercise. I look up at Dev; he smiles. “You did good.”

“I was moments away from passing out. I focussed on the sound and the beating of your heart; it was oddly calming,” I assert. I can already feel the heat rising from my neck up to my cheeks. I wish I would just get over this fear already.

“It will get easier the more you do it. And you can use my heart to appease yours anytime you want, Tinks.”

I follow him out of the elevator, smiling. “Careful what you wish for.” I quip, nudging him playfully with my shoulder. “I had fun today, King. I forgot how much fun you can be when you’re not riding that stick so far up your arse.”

Devin laughs and shoulder bumps me back. “Leave it to you to give me a compliment and insult me all in one sentence.”

“Someone’s got to keep you modest.” I retort. “Well, I’m this way,” I add, gesturing with my head toward my room at the end of the dimly lit corridor.

“I’ll walk you.” He offers, placing his hand at the small of my back while we walk. The nerves in my stomach bunch up together not only from his touch but the possibility of him kissing me. After all, that is why men walk women to the door after the date. Not that this was a date or anything.

Good Lord, shut up, Mira.

The closer we get to my door, the harder my heart is beating. I let my hair out of the ponytail it’s been in all day and brush my fingers through it. We reach the door to my suite, and I pull out the keycard from my pocket and turn to look up at Dev. His lips curl into a lazy grin, his light, delightfully sweet brown eyes gazing piercingly into mine. “So, I’ll meet you tomorrow morning at breakfast in the Executive Lounge?”

Devin wets his lips, his eyes never leaving mine. “Mhm, eight o’clock.”

I nod, holding his gaze steadily. “Goodnight, Dev.” I push up on my toes and drop a quick, innocent kiss on his cheek and pull back.

“Goodnight, Tinks.” Devin steps closer, dips his head, and brushes a lingering kiss on my jaw. A part of me was really hoping he would kiss me, and I almost whimper in displeasure when he pulls away, taking his body heat and smell with him.

We exchange smiles, and I unlock the door and walk into my room as Devin backs away slowly, eyes still on me until I close the door. Once it clicks shut, I lean against it and close my eyes. Every single nerve in my body was pulsing with red-hot want. I not only want him, but I also crave him. “Oh, God.” I groan. Fuck it. Before I could talk myself out of it, I pull the door open. My heart somersaults when I see Devin already striding toward my room. His step slows for less than a second when he sees me. His expression shows a mixture of surprise and desire, his demeanour, his dark, lustful gaze intense as he approaches me.

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