Page 64 of Blank Canvas

Right now, this moment, is different.

Tonight is the first time I want to explore and be explored beyond impassioned kisses and hands fondling parts through clothes. Tonight, I want to be more than the woman Devlyn can’t take his eyes off of. More than the woman he holds in his arms. I want to be the woman he can’t get enough of. The woman he never lets go of.

His kiss travels from my lips to the line of my jaw. Every press of his lips to my skin, along my jaw, down the column of my throat sends a ripple of heat and leaves an unfamiliar, but desirable tingle in its wake. Each kiss sears me, brands me, marks me in a new way. And I love every single one. Yearn for the next kiss he gives.

With a gentle tug, Devlyn inches up my top and bra, peels them away and drops them to the floor. My breath comes in short bursts as goose bumps blanket my exposed flesh. On instinct, I cross my arms over my chest. Hide my bare breasts as my line of sight drops to Devlyn’s still clothed body.

He paints his fingers along my jaw then tips my chin up. Warm affection greets me in his gentle green eyes. “Please don’t be embarrassed. Not with me.” His lips press mine and vanish too soon. “You ravish me, Shelly.”Kiss. “Rob me of sight and sound and thought.”Kiss. “Inspire me more than anyone or anything.”Kiss. “And as hard as I fought against this—against being yours, against you being mine…”Kiss. “Subconsciously, I knew we’d always be more than friends.”Kiss.“So much more.”

Fire licks my skin as my arms fall away. Devlyn steps closer, cups my cheeks in his palms, and kisses me slow and deep. As his tongue tastes mine, I take the hem of his shirt in my fists and slowly push the fabric up and over his head. The moment his chest is bare, he molds my body to his. Snakes an arm around my rib cage. Digs his fingers in my hair. Tilts my head and devours every whimper bubbling in my throat.

It’s too much and not enough.

Devlyn drops his hands to my hips and guides me until my legs bump the mattress. I trace his hip bones with needy fingers. Move to the dip on either side of his spine just above his waistband. Journey up his back and memorize the corded muscles beneath my touch.

The kiss breaks as I drop to the bed. Eyes locked, I press my hands into the fluffy comforter and inch back on the bed. Beneath my breastbone, my heart rattles my rib cage while my lungs beg for air. Devlyn leans forward, his hands on either side of me on the bed as he kisses the curve of my neck.

“Beautiful,” he whispers, breath hot on my skin.

His lips travel to the hollow of my throat, kissing me once, twice, three times before drifting lower. An arm comes around my waist, his palm in the middle of my spine, and then he leans into me more. Guides me to lie on the mattress. Shifts me up the bed and near the pillows. Crawls up my body and cages me in.

Then his lips drive me wild again.

My eyes drift closed as each sensation stirs new life in my veins. I fist his hair as he paints my skin with his lips. Kiss by kiss, his mouth deviates from my midline. Leaves a trail of tingles as he moves toward my left breast. A rush of adrenaline spikes my bloodstream as my heavy breaths fill the room. My fingers in his hair curl tighter.

“Breathe, Shelly.” He inches up the bed and pins me with his gaze. One breath at a time, my breathing settles. His greens dart between my blues a moment before he swallows. “Didn’t think it was possible, but I’m more lost in your starry eyes.” Eyes wide open, he presses a heady kiss to my lips. “My Andromeda.”

Caught off guard by the reference—or perhaps, nickname—I tilt my head and study him a beat. A smile kicks up the corners of my lips. “Ruler of man, huh?”

Devlyn shrugs as his own smile appears. “Ruler of man. The only constellation I see when I look in your eyes.” His face grows more serious. “Ruler of my heart.”

“Devlyn…”

He captures my lips with his and rocks his hips against mine. “It’s true,” he says, cupping my cheek. “And I admit it without shame.”

Heat radiates from the center of my chest as I lift off the mattress and kiss him. Trailing my fingers down his abdomen, I pause at his jeans. Trace the tip of my finger along the hemline, hip to hip. Relish in the shiver of his body and stutter in his breath at my touch.

Then I unbutton his jeans. Drag the slider down the teeth. Separate the fly and expose his cotton-covered bulge. Palm his thick erection, go wide eyed at the length and freeze.

Devlyn rears back enough to catch my gaze. “What’s the matter?”

I shake my head. Embarrassment heating my cheeks as I bite back my words.

“If you want to stop…”

“No.” My headshake grows panicky. “I want this. You. Us.”

He presses a chaste kiss to my lips. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”

My pulse quickens for an entirely new reason. “It’s just…” Devlyn doesn’t push me to speak. Hovering above me, he gives me a moment to formulate the words to explain my suddenly tense muscles and obvious anxiety. I rotate my head slightly, enough to lose eye contact. “Nerves. It’s just nerves.” I swallow and close my eyes. “Then I… felt how big you are and I freaked out,” I mutter in a rush.

The room goes quiet. Too quiet. Silence with Devlyn has always been comfortable. Soothing. A balm I never knew I needed. But now, his silence feels like a bomb ready to detonate. An explosion of disappointment and concern. Something I have never felt with anyone.

“Look at me, Shelly.” I take a deep breath and roll my lips between my teeth. “Please.” His voice barely audible.

On another deep breath, I open my eyes. He takes my chin in his fingers and brings me back to his line of sight. And what I see in his eyes is the complete opposite of what I expected.

Warmth and hope and something akin to love. I swallow and pray he doesn’t hear the action.

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