Page 97 of Blake

Devon kissed him again, putting every feeling she wasn’t quite ready to say aloud into the gentle pressure of her lips. He responded with a tenderness that made her eyes sting.

It was the first time in maybe forever that she’d found something she truly wanted. And though she was afraid of how much it would hurt to lose it, Devon was beginning to think loving Blake Savage was worth the risk.

He held her closer. Kissed her deeper. Her pulse raced as her body ached with need.

A shrill electronic wail shattered the moment in an instant.

Devon jerked backward with a wince. “What the hell is that?”

The alarm sounded again, followed by a mechanical voice ordering residents to evacuate the building.

Blake was already on his feet. “Fire alarm.”

“Seriously?”

She was beginning to think the universe hated her.

He crossed to the door and opened it. Somewhere down the hallway, another alarm blared.

Then she smelled it.

Smoke.

Blake’s expression changed instantly. “Dev, get your shoes on. We’re leaving.”

“What about Willow?” She stood, ignoring the throbbing in her head as she reached for her sneakers.

“I’ve got her.”

Blake retrieved the cat carrier from the hall closet while Devon grabbed her purse and her phone. Willow apparently sensed trouble because she darted beneath the coffee table the moment Blake approached.

“Not now, furball,” he muttered.

Despite everything, Devon almost smiled.

Blake scooped up the protesting cat and secured her inside the carrier. Then he grabbed his weapon from the end table where he’d set it after he got home.

“Stay with me.” He slid the gun into the holster at his hip and pulled the hem of his shirt down to conceal it.

“Where would I go?” she asked sarcastically. “It’s not like I was planning to go sightseeing.”

With a smirk, he opened the door and checked the hallway. Smoke drifted near the ceiling.

People were already moving toward the stairwell to Devon’s left. Some carried children or pets. One woman a few yards to their right struggled with a frightened little boy who refused to move.

“Stay here.” Blake handed Devon the carrier.

He went to the woman, crouched beside the boy, and spoke quietly. Whatever he said worked, because the child immediately took his mother’s hand and began following her lead.

Blake returned, picking up the carrier and guiding Devon toward the stairs.

The alarm continued its relentless shriek, making her already aching head pound harder. Her shoulder throbbed beneath the strap of her purse, and Willow voiced her displeasure from inside the carrier. By the time they reached the lower floors, the scent of smoke was even stronger than before.

Someone shouted that the firefighters were already pulling up outside. Blake kept one hand against Devon’s back as they descended. She didn’t miss the way his gaze slid back and forth in a constant swivel.

A few short minutes later, they were stepping through the lobby’s main doors and onto the sidewalk outside.

Devon filled her lungs with the evening’s fresh, cool air. Fire engines lined the street. Red lights flashed against the surrounding buildings, and firefighters hurried toward the entrance.