Page 85 of Cuffed By Love

What did I just do?

The moment my lips go and impulsively crash down on Devin’s, my mind goes into hyperdrive. Between Devin saving my life from almost getting ploughed down by that car and seeing that he still wears the chain he bought as a gift for my fourteenth birthday all those years ago. I couldn’t contain my emotions, and something inside took over, and before I knew it, my lips were on his.

Way to go and make shit worse, Mira. A big fat thumbs up to you, doll.

Thankfully my senses come rushing back, and I pull away before he can react to the kiss, or it went any further. I hold my breath while I wait for Devin’s reaction when his eyes flutter open, and he looks just as stunned as me. His lips part; those deep brown eyes exploring mine. “I’m so sorry.” I apologise pathetically and slide off the hood of the car. My legs contest, but I catch and steady myself. That did not just happen. I did not just kiss Devin King.

“Mira—”

“We’re going to be late,” I interject and open the car door, leaving a dazed Devin watching after me as I climb in. I mentally curse myself for being so stupid. That just made an already shit situation much worse. What is wrong with me? I mean, I was almost roadkill. It was the shock, or else I would never have kissed him. During the drive to the office, I kept my mouth shut and my eyes averted, unable to muster up the courage to look in his general direction. I keep replaying that moment in my head over and over, each one making me wish that car had struck me so I wouldn’t have to suffer through this humiliation. Jesus, he must think I’m an absolute idiot.

When we pull up at the office, I go to get out of the car but freeze when I feel Devin’s warm fingers close around my wrist. “Tinks,”

“Yes?”

“Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe we should have you checked over just to be safe.” He offers, his thumb caressing my pulse point in slow lazy circles, which causes my pulse to jump. I watch his thumb glide over my skin, and a warm glow engulfs me from my head to the tips of my toes.

“There’s no need. I’m okay, really,” I assure him. However, he doesn’t seem to be convinced. Our argument from before long forgotten. I can’t even remember what we were even fighting about. “Thank you, by the way. If it weren’t for you, I might not—”

Devin shakes his head, “Don’t even think about finishing that sentence. You’re here, and you’re well, and you don’t have to thank me for anything. Any person would have done the same thing.”

“Risk their own life to save me?” I query incredulously and shake my head. “I don’t think so. I suppose you are my gallant hero after all.”

Devin’s eyes find mine, and he smiles. I missed that smile. “Is that why you kissed me?”

Uh oh. Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I can feel myself going crimson, “Someone once told me that a kiss is a courteous way a princess should repay her gallant hero.”

Devin’s broad smile and the suggestive look in his eyes when he cocks his head and observes me forces the very air out of my lungs. “That person is very wise.” Devin’s deep voice burrs, his fingers combing through my wavy hair.

“Mm, he likes to think so.” I retort cockily, licking my lips. We stare at one another; the playful mood seconds ago vanishes when his eyes drop down to my mouth, and he bites down on his lower lip.

“We should head up,” Devin suggests. His Adam's apple jumps in his throat when he swallows hard, dragging his eyes back up to mine.

“We should,” I say back, spellbound, but we don’t. Neither of us makes a move to go anywhere. Devin’s long fingers tangled in my hair slowly skim down the side of my face, his thumb stroking the outline under my lower lip.

“Mira, I can’t stop thinking about how close I came to losing you today. If I was a second late to react and that car had hit you, I—”

A quivering breath flows from me at his affirmation. His deep voice, heavy with emotion that matched the earnestness radiating in his gaze and it shook me. I curl my fingers around his wrist and squeeze gently, “I know, but it didn’t. I’m right here, and it’s all thanks to you.”

Devin sighs, closing his eyes before he speaks, “If something happened to you, I never would have forgiven myself.”

“It wasn’t your fault. I should have looked before I run out on the road.” I tell him dismally, and Devin shakes his head sullenly.

“It was my fault. If I hadn’t been acting like such a prat, you wouldn’t have run off and…” He stops and lifts his gaze to mine. “I’m sorry for being such an arsehole to you. I just…”

“You just what?”

Devin licks his lips, and a troubled look fleets across his features before it vanishes. “It doesn’t matter; what matters is that you’re here, and you’re okay.”

I push aside the disappointment that surfaces yet again and nod. “Yeah. We should get going. We don’t have much time before our meeting.” I draw away from him and open the car door. Devin follows suit. I watch him as I walk around the car, and he holds up the handcuffs.

“Shall we?” I groan and hold out my arm. Devin chuckles and secures the handcuff around my wrist before he cuffs himself. “Ready?”

“You know we’re taking the stairs, right?” I say as I walk off, and he gapes after me.

“The fuck we are.” He grumbles, following me into the building. I make a beeline toward the staircase, but Devin yanks me back, lifts me off the ground, and proceeds to move toward the elevator.

“Devin put me down! We’re taking the stairs!”

---