Page 106 of Blake

Blake’s smile lit up his entire face. It was the most beautiful thing she’d seen all day.

Maybe ever.

She slid her good arm around his waist and rested her forehead against his chest. For a long moment, neither moved.

Devon was the first.

She lifted her head and whispered, “Kiss me.”

He didn’t need to be asked twice.

Blake’s mouth settled over hers, warm and gentle. Devon leaned into him, letting the kiss chase away the lingering fear.

It didn’t vanish completely. Neither had the danger waiting somewhere outside. But something within her had changed.

She’d spent the last six months hiding, but no more. Devon decided it was time to be seen.

She slipped her hand into his and led him toward the bed. He stopped before they reached it.

“Dev, we don’t have to⁠—”

“I know.” She turned to face him. “And just so it’s clear, this isn’t about me being scared. I’m doing this because I love you, and I want you. And I’m tired of letting the bad things in my life steal all the things that are good.”

Devon stepped into his arms. The next kiss Blake gave her was different from the others. A quiet certainty that they belonged to each other.

Blake took his time, kissing her until the tension in her shoulders began to ease. She’d once believed being vulnerable meant giving someone the power to hurt her.

With Blake, it felt different. He wasn’t asking her to surrender anything. He was offering her a place where she could finally stop being afraid.

He reached for the hem of his shirt. Devon stepped back just enough to give him room to work. Blake pulled the soft material up over his head, and a second later, she forgot how to breathe.

She’d known he was muscular. It was impossible not to notice the broad shoulders and impressive physique beneath his clothes. But seeing him like this was a whole new experience.

Amazing.

And then there were the tattoos.

Devon had caught glimpses before today, but nothing had prepared her for the intricate black-and-gray artwork covering his left arm and shoulder. A magnificent eagle stretched across part of his chest, while other designs flowed together over his skin.

Her gaze traveled over the powerful lines of his chest and abs before returning to the tattoos.

Lord, have mercy.

Who knew a computer genius could look like that?

Blake caught her staring and grinned.

“You good?”

“Oh, yeah.” Devon nodded. “I’m good.”

I’m about to be even better.

He chuckled and drew her body close to his. Careful of her injured head, he brushed his fingers through a portion of her hair before kissing her again. His touch was gentle but filled with a warmth that made her heart race.

She slid her hand over his shoulder, feeling the solid strength beneath his skin.

Devon made the conscious decision to let the rest of the world go, including the past. Tonight, she refused to think about any of the terror she’d faced.