Chapter 9

Elli

We spend the day in bed. Fucking, laughing, cuddling, talking. And it feels like the most natural thing in the world.

At some point, Dev gets up to get us some food, giving me an excellent view of his ass and thick, strongly muscled thighs. Mine. He’s mine. And I’m his. I smile to myself. I’ve felt lost for so damn long, but now? It’s like I’m finally where I belong. It still shocks me that it’s with a cocky rockstar.

Dev is different than I thought he’d be. Confident and cocky, yes. But he’s also kind. Maybe not at first glance, but he has a good heart.

While I’m still waiting for Dev to return with something to eat, my phone buzzes, and I see it’s my sister calling. I sigh, wondering if I can avoid her any longer. I haven’t replied to any of her texts.

With another sigh, I pick up the phone. Before I can say anything, my sister screeches into my ear. “Oh. My. God. Finally! Why the hell didn’t you answer my texts? How could you not tell me you’re dating Devon fucking Wakefield? I’m your sister!”

I roll my eyes. Yeah, the sister that fucked my boyfriend behind my back and is now getting married to him. “Sorry, we didn’t want to go public so early on,” I make up, trying to keep my voice even. “But the paparazzi saw us, so…”

Mel scoffs. “Oh, come on. You could’ve told me. I’m family!”

I grit my teeth, trying to keep myself from telling her that I stopped seeing her as family when she went behind my back with Adam. “Sorry,” I say again, “as you can imagine, it’s a pretty delicate situation.”

“Ugh. Seriously?” I can almost see the steam coming out of her ears. “Tell me everything. Mom and dad want to know too. None of us can believe you’d keep something like this from us. And I can’t believe he’d date someone like you. I mean, no offense, sis, but he is seriously hot. He could have anyone.”

I grit my teeth, trying to calm the anger thrumming through my veins. Of course she had to get a dig in. “I can’t talk right now. Dev and I are about to have dinner. I’ll call you soon, okay?”

“Elli, you have to—”

I hang up.

“Who was that?”

I look up to see Dev standing in the doorway, carrying two plates piled high with pizza. Despite my annoyance with Mel, I can’t help but look at his crotch. He’s so damn big. I can’t believe he fits inside of me.

“Are you gonna answer my question or are you just gonna stare at my dick all day?” Dev’s voice shakes with suppressed laughter.

I glare at him but can’t stop the corners of my mouth from tugging upward. “I was talking to Mel. My sister. She’s, uh, a little irritated that she had to find out we’re in a relationship through the press.”

He plonks down on the bed and hands me a plate. “Why didn’t you tell her? I mean, I understand you’re not close, but…”

I take a bite of pizza and chew slowly. “I guess—well, part of me wanted to tell her, because I knew she’d be jealous. I told you, she’s always been obsessed with you. But…” I shake my head.

Dev slips his hand in mine. “But what?”

I graze his knuckles with my thumb, keeping my gaze fixed on the smattering of hair across them. “I knew she’d comment on how she can’t believe someone like you would date someone like me. How I’m not pretty enough for you. And even if our relationship is fake—”

“First of all, princess, this relationship isn’t fake. Not anymore. And don’t you dare say otherwise.” He pushes my chin up so I have to look at him. “You’re my girl now. End of story. Understood?”

His words make my insides turn to honey. “Understood.”

“Good.” He squeezes my hand. “And second of all, you’re beautiful and your sister’s a bitch.”

I snort. “She is a bitch. But she’s always been the prettier of us, and when she slept with my boyfriend—”

“She fucking what?” he growls, real anger flashing in his eyes.

“Yeah. They’re getting married.” And to my surprise, I realize it doesn’t bother me one bit. Not anymore.

Dev takes in a shuddering breath. “I don’t have the words to describe how much I want to make them pay for what they did,” he says, a furious edge to his voice. “Those pieces of shit.”

“Well, I’m glad.”