Page 52 of The Air You Breathe

I saw the aftermath of our sex and I couldn’t help but giggle. There was cake all over the table, there were broken plates and cups on the floor.

“Shit Darcy, I didn’t mean to do that. I’ll pay for everything,” Dev said, hugging me a little tighter.

“I think it was worth it, " I said, snuggling into him, turning my head to look at him. Dev’s eyes were full of warmth making him look so much younger than he really was.

“Come on mhuirnín, we definitely need a shower, but hold on cause I don’t want you to cut your feet up.” He turned me around, picking me up, holding me with one arm as he pulled his pants up.

“What does that mean?” I asked as he walked over the glass while I wrapped my arms around his neck.

Dev didn’t say anything right away, but I could see a blush making its way up his neck to his cheeks. I saw him swallow as he pursed his lips.

“It’s Gaelic for—” He bit his lip like he really didn’t want to tell me what it meant.

“Is it bad?” I asked, extremely curious.

“It means my beloved or my sweetheart,” Dev said, not looking at me, but I could feel the panic in his body language.

“Dev,” I said, as he opened my door looking around to find the bathroom off to the left.

He sat me down on the counter, to start the shower still not looking at me.

“Dev.” I pulled his arm to bring him back to look at me. I cupped his face. “What happened?”

He looked up before he looked at me. “I’m out of my element Darcy. I’ve never had a relationship; this makes me nervous that I’m going to fuck it up before it starts and I’ve never wanted anything more than you.”

“Are you asking me to be your girlfriend, Dev?” I asked, smirking at this big scary guy who gives off ‘don’t fuck with me’ vibes only to be a guy who’s nervous about the same things I am.

“I’m asking you to trust me and keep an open mind.” He cupped my face. “Give me a chance to give you what you need.”

I don’t know why, but this felt like it might be our defining moment. I nodded before I pulled him in for a kiss, showing that I trusted him.

21

DARCY

“I’m stuffed,” I said leaning against Dev at a pier that overlooked Lake Grande. Dev picked me up after his shift at the garage a few days after our dinner date at my house. He said he had a perfect place for dinner. I didn’t think about it much, until we pulled up to the lake and Dev had everything we needed for a picnic next to the lake on the pier. I suddenly realized I was missing romance in my life.

“I still have dessert,” he said, with his mouth full, but he had a glint in his eye.

“Yeah, not out here buddy, having sex in cold weather is not on my bucket list,” I said, pulling the blanket around me a little closer even though Dev was warm enough.

“We could always go back into the Impala.” Dev whispered into my ear. “I could suck that pussy in the back seat and then you could ride my cock until you come all over me.”

I shivered from his dirty talk.

“Or we could go home, and I can spend hours lapping at you like ice cream.” He tilted my face, giving me a smirk before he kissed me. It felt like a promise to do all the dirty things he could think of later. I nipped his lower lip before pulling away to see the last of the sun as it set. It gave the water beautiful hues of yellows, oranges and blues.

“Thank you, Dev,” I said, leaning my head on his shoulder. “I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a sunset.”

“I love this lake and it has been a while since I enjoyed being out here, but I can’t take credit for this. Ava made the suggestion.”

“She’s a smart girl. How does it feel to have your sister helping you get laid?” I joked.

“I’ll take any help that I can get,” he chuckled, nipping at my neck.

I squealed when he tickled my side, making me laugh until he kissed me again. It was like he couldn’t get enough of me, and I loved it. I shivered as a cool breeze swept over us and Dev held me a little tighter as he gave me one last lingering kiss.

“Come on, let's get going before you freeze to death.” He stood up, cleaning our mess and putting everything away. I helped fold the blankets, and we took everything back to his car.

---