Page 104 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

“Why don’t you need the rings anymore?” he repeated his earlier question.

“They were my reminder of Hunter’s and my mother’s betrayal,” I spoke low, my voice slightly shaking, my eyes never wavering from him. “Well, turns out she’s not my mother.” He nodded, and I guessed he was probably given a summarized version of what happened since I had only explained my relationship to my mother and what she did with Hunter.

“Lachlan,” the next words were harder than dealing with Hunter’s betrayal. “There was one thing I didn’t tell you.” He watched me, waiting and I swallowed hard before I continued. “When I saw them together, I turned around and left. I stopped in front of Hayden’s room.” My hand shook as I moved a piece of unruly hair out of my face. “I didn’t take him. I wanted to bring him along and never go back but… he slept so peacefully and I didn’t want to stir him up. I blamed myself for not taking my baby with me when I left that night. I thought I had time to come back in the morning and take him with me. I’ll never forget my baby, and I don’t want the rings as a reminder of their betrayal. I want to make new memories.”

“You couldn’t have known,” his voice and arms around me were a comfort. I nodded but guilt was a hard thing to shake off.

We watched each other, his heat seeping into me.

“Lachlan,” I was nervous to say the next words. “Hunter could have never compared to you. I never think about him when I’m with you, he doesn’t even cross my mind.”

“I can’t live without you, Eve,” he groaned and I felt all his agony in those words.

“Do you want to?” I asked hesitantly, and upon his questioning look, I continued. “I know I made mistakes and possibly ruined what we had. I should have trusted you but instead I let my past get in the way.”

I found my chest twisting in agony at the fear that he would want to live without me. I laid my hand on it, hoping to bring relief to it.

“No, I don’t want to live without you,” Lachlan’s words ignited hope. “When you came to my apartment, it hurt not to touch you. I wanted to take you and carry you inside, make you love me. You are the only one for me, Eve,” his voice was assuring. “From the moment I saw you at the elevator.”

I frowned. Did he not even remember we saw each other in his office for the first time?

As if he read my thoughts, he took my face into his hands and explained.

“When you came to work on your first day with your sister, that’s when I saw you. You had a panic attack and bolted, not even noticing me. For me though, it was as if the lighting struck me. From that moment, there was nobody else for me but you. ”

His whisper tickled the hairs on my neck.

“What about the brunette? Layla?” I was hopeful I heard it right.

“I told you Layla was never the one for me. She needed help with an estate she lost,” he replied to my silent question. “About the brunette, she is the wife of a friend. And a really good actress. I found out you’d be meeting Callen at that restaurant and I wanted to see you. I was desperate for a glimpse of you. I called the castle every day to hear about you, what you were doing, who you were seeing.”

“Why didn’t you come back? I hoped you would. I kept waiting.” It almost seemed like he was relieved and with each moment, hope grew stronger.

“I told myself you needed time,” he groaned as if in pain. “I hoped I’d see you at work and it would be enough to get me through my days and nights, but when Colin said you were not coming back, even that hope was gone.”

His arms tightened against me as he continued. “From the moment you laid eyes on me, I have been all over you, I wanted it all from you. I worried I pushed you too hard and too fast. I wanted to give you time to figure out on your own terms if you wanted me. Each day that went by was a misery. I wanted you to want me as much as I want you.”

My hand reached for his face, laid my palm against his cheek, and he leaned into it.

He said he can’t live without me.

“I don’t want to live without you,” I whispered with the heart in my throat. “I love you, Lachlan. I want you, every piece of you. And I love all of you. The last few months without you were hell.”

My heart thundered so hard, my need for him overwhelming.

“Eve,” his voice was warm and deep. I was unable to look away from his face, those grey eyes hungry for me. My body was so attuned to him, wanting him. His big hand gently took the nape of my neck, pulling me closer, his lips inches from mine. I closed the distance and kissed him gently… hesitantly.

His kiss turned desperate and hard, or maybe it was me that was desperate. My eyes fluttered shut, enjoying all the sensations his body so close brought to me. I pressed my body against his, desire overwhelming me. His tongue brushed against my lower lip and I eagerly opened to let him in.

“I need you, wife,” he whispered against my lips, my arms around his neck. His touch felt like heaven. Pressing my body against his, I wanted to be closer to his warmth I missed so much.

“I need you more,” I murmured and pressed my lips against him.

He stood up with me still in his arms. As he carried me, I kissed his neck, relishing in the familiar smell of him. His arms tightened around me and his lips found mine. His tongue pushed in, exploring my mouth, teasing. His mouth moved to my neck and a moan escaped my lips as I heard the door shut behind us.

He laid me gently on the bed, spread my legs, and his hands climbed along my legs and up my thighs. He pulled my black sweater dress over my head, leaving me only in my bra, panties, and sheer, silky black stockings. My fingers reached for his shirt and I started unbuttoning it with shaky fingers. My body was on fire, burning with every hot touch of his all over my skin. Like he was making me his all over again.

His mouth was on mine, while his fingers moved over my swollen sex. I moaned into his mouth and a shiver ran down my body. I knew he could feel how wet I was while his fingers were on my panties.

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