Page 32 of Puck Me, Valentine
I stay there, reeling. It’s the most erotic thing I’ve ever known. The weight of him, the reality of it.
But then, the ice returns.
Devlin pulls me up, his voice quiet and almost angry. “After you said this was your first time… none of this is supposed to be happening like this. I shouldn’t have let this happen. It’s all new to you, that’s why you’re so keen to rush.”
The realization hits me like a bucket of cold water. I scramble away from him, pulling the sheet over me.
“You… you only behaved differently after the hallway,” I whisper. “You’re only talking about my lack of experience. You’re only doing all this because I was a virgin and now you feel responsible?! Is this just some stupid duty to you?”
Devlin’s expression is heavy. “Sweetie, believe me, if there is any duty on my part, you can’t even imagine what lies behind it.”
“Stop talking to me like I’m a teenager!” I jump out of bed, fuming. “You’re acting like this because I’m inexperienced.”
“I’m responsible for you,” he says flatly.
“It’s all because of Sasha, isn’t it? Because of my brother?”
Devlin stands up. “Forget about your brother when it comes to us. Sasha knows how I feel about you,” he says, his voice turning into steel.
I freeze. My pulse thuds in my ears. “Sasha… knows? Since when? I only told him I was gayyesterday, and I didn’t even mention you.”
“Sasha knows how I feel. He’s known for a long time.”
“What do you mean?” I laugh bitterly. “That you think I’m an annoying brat?”
Devlin looks like he’s holding back a flood. “Your brother is observant. He is smart. That’s why he is my best friend, by the way. He knew how I feel. You imagined I hated you becauseyouhatedme. It’s ridiculous. I’ve never felt a single negative emotion toward you, Val. Not one.”
I whisper, “You’re making a mockery of me. How did he react? Sasha knewwhat?”
“We talked about it once. We understood each other,” Devlin replies tensely.
The betrayal burns. “I’m so glad you boys sorted it out. Great. You and my brother made some pact? Some decision about how to handle ‘naive little Val’? You kept me in the dark while you decided my future?!”
Devlin stares at me, silent. He has no intention of explaining further.
“Go away,” I say, my voice cracking. “Go. I’m stupid and naive. Thanks for the lesson. Again. You don’t need to feel responsible anymore. I’ll find someone else to ‘practice’ on, so I can lose my virginity properly.”
In a blur of motion, Devlin is on me. He lunges, his hands caging my face with a grip tight enough to sting.
“I’ll prove it every damn day if that’s what it takes,” he hisses into my face. “I’m never letting you go. Never. And yes, you’re my responsibility now because you’re mine. Every inch of you. You’re mine. Mine. Mine! Only mine! From start to finish.”
He leans into my ear, his voice a dark, shaking whisper. “If you ever even look in another man’s direction, he’s dead.Understand? You have no idea how sick I am for you. I haven’t slept for weeks. Only you exist. Only your eyes. But I’m trying to keep control. So cool off until tomorrow.”
He turns and walks out. He doesn’t look back.
I’m glad, because if he had, I would have chased him. I would have kissed him despite the anger.
“I’ll cool down when you stop telling half-truths!” I yell after him.
He stops at the threshold but doesn’t turn around. He steps into the hall, and the door shuts.
The lock clicks loudly.
11
Chapter 11
The week crawls by like an injured animal dragging itself to safety.
