Anytime Darlin' (20 page)

“Apple juice.” She held out her hand. “Thanks.”

Jake handed her the bottle of ice-cold juice and watched her tilt her head back to drink. He thought she had a lovely neck. She downed it quickly and asked for another one. Jake handed another to her. He should have been paying more attention, he admonished himself. Devlin had never been a big eater, but he should have seen to it that she at least had something to drink today. However, from the moment he laid eyes on her at the airport, he’d had only one thing on his mind, getting inside her. He stirred at the thought, telling himself to knock it off.

“Here.” He removed her towel and helped her into the robe, taking care to avoid brushing his erection against her. He turned his back and pulled off his own towel, flipping on the robe quickly.

“You’re suddenly shy?” Dev laughed. “After what we just did, one would think neither of us had any modesty.”

Jake felt himself blushing. Only Devlin could make him blush. This was the person Devlin was meant to be, before her uncle got hold of her. His heart jumped at the notion that she’d overcome that monster and everything he did to her. She’d somehow managed to come to terms with the loss of her loved ones and made a life for herself. She had a future. Jake wanted to be part of it. He turned to face her and saw pure joy in her eyes.

“No,” he said, teasing. “It’s just that there are a lot of things I want to do to you, and I’m trying hard not to do them all at once.”

Devlin burst into laughter and fell into his arms, rubbing herself shamelessly against him. She was still giggling ten minutes later when the food arrived, while he was still uncomfortably erect. She had to answer the door.

Impatient, Mary waited for Devlin and Jake to arrive. She and Ken had come early so Ken could deposit a case of wine with the bartenders. Though the cocktail party was hosted by Mike’s friends from the department and Beth’s friends from the high school where she taught, Ken had recently attended a week-long medical seminar in San Francisco, and he offered to bring back a case of wine. Mary looked around for her husband, anxious. She heard from Mike earlier that he’d run into Devlin and Jake in the hotel lobby. He said they seemed to have reconnected. Mary wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

Devlin was like a little sister, and she was very protective of her. When Dev lived with Jason, it was easy to keep tabs on her. It had grown harder over the past couple years. Mary urged Devlin time and time again to get a big, mean dog to keep with her on the property near Grinnell. The thought of Devlin out there alone made her very nervous. Despite the fact that there had been no sign of William Franz in over four years, you never knew what could happen to a young girl living alone. Woman, Mary corrected herself with a sigh. Dev was a young woman. She had her own life to live, her own choices to make.

Mary worried about Jake too. She’d known him a long time, and he was one of her closest friends. Tough as he appeared on the outside, inside he was vulnerable. Mary knew how much it cost him to leave Devlin alone. What if things didn’t work out for him? What if Devlin no longer felt the same? What about the internship in Paris? It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Devlin. If they became involved, would Jake insist she give it up? Mary loved them both, and she didn’t want either of them hurt. Devlin had been through too much already, while Jake had kept his distance from her for over four years, exactly as Mary had asked him to. She didn’t know if he could be patient for two more years.

Ken brought her a glass of ginger ale, teasing her about her preoccupation.

“They’re fine,” he said.

Mary knew he’d admitted to Jake that he’d forgotten to relay his phone message to Devlin years ago. Well, now she could only wait and see. It was out of her hands.

Jake and Devlin were fashionably late. They didn’t plan to be late. It simply took them both a while to get ready. Watching Dev devour her meal gave Jake great pleasure. She wasn’t much of a meat eater, but she voiced no complaints about his double cheeseburger, rare, with the works. Between the two of them, they finished the milkshakes and two orders of fries. Jake was pleased that he only ate a quarter of Devlin’s grilled cheese sandwich. She ate the rest. After they set the tray in the hallway, the scene felt almost domestic.

They shared the sink as they brushed their teeth. Jake watched Devlin apply moisturizer while he shaved. She even felt relaxed enough around him to do her makeup. He’d never before paid attention to any woman putting on makeup. But Devlin’s technique fascinated him.

She asked his opinion. She said, “Which do you want me to emphasize? My eyes or my lips?”

He looked at her, confused by her question. She laughed.

“I don’t usually wear makeup. I think it makes me look like a clown. But when I do, I like the focus to be on one feature, either my eyes or my lips. Which do you prefer?”

“Lips,” replied Jake, staring at hers and licking his own, his cock instantly at attention.

“I think so too,” she said, and she went to work with color and a brush.

Jake had no idea watching a woman apply makeup could be such a sensual experience. He sat on the edge of the tub, transfixed, as Dev bent close to the mirror. He was tempted to lift her bathrobe and make use of that delectable little ass extended in his direction, but he resisted and kept his hands to himself, enjoying the feel of his arousal, imagining how he would sate himself with her later.

In mere minutes, Devlin had finished. She was right. His eyes locked on her lips. If he knew she wouldn’t have to take the time to do it all over again, he would have kissed her senseless. She brushed her hair back from her face.

“You like it?” she asked with a smile.

“That would be an understatement,” he replied, rising from the edge of the tub with his hands clasped in front of him.

“Really? Let me see how much you like it.”

She wrapped her hands around the lapels of his robe and pulled it apart, her aquamarine eyes focused directly on his. His erection jutted toward her. Devlin moved her hands down his sides and his body responded, arching forward, seeking the touch of her hand. He felt her long fingers brush the tip of his cock. Jake closed his eyes, and a moan escaped his lips. Devlin’s hand pressed against his mouth. She thrust a finger past his teeth. He licked her. He sucked her fingertip, and he heard her groan in response. Then her finger was gone. His eyes still closed, Jake felt her open her own robe and slide her bared body down his muscled chest and tight abdomen. He knew what she was about to do, and he wanted it. But he was afraid for her. Devlin had never divulged the entire story of William Franz’s assault, but Mary told him she suspected that he’d not only raped her, but he’d forced himself upon her in other ways.

Jake reached down to stop her, but she pushed his hands away.

“No, let me.” She licked him as if to reinforce her words.

“Devlin, God knows I want this, but…”

In answer, she took him into her mouth. Jake groaned, enveloped by her moist heat and softness. He threaded his fingers appreciatively through her curls. He didn’t press on her head or hold her. He was a big man, and he wanted her to decide how much of him she could take. He wanted Dev to feel in control. Jake soon discovered that she was very much in control. She gripped the base of his erection with a firm hand, her lips and tongue moving along his length. Her other hand caressed his scrotum, holding it, kneading. She sucked him, milking him, caressing him, using her teeth along the ridge at the tip. The sensations she evoked were so intense he thought he might die of pleasure.

As Jake neared his climax, he cried out her name. He tried to push Devlin away, reluctant to come, but she clung to him, almost humming with him deep in her mouth. He could feel the vibrations throughout the length of his cock. He wanted to stop himself from moving, but he found he had no control. With a groan, he thrust into her warm, willing mouth. Devlin sucked him, hard, and he came just as hard, helpless. Jake’s knees nearly buckled.

“Oh God, Devlin.”

* * * *

After a moment, she removed her mouth from him. Licking her lips, she looked up at him. Jake was beautiful in ecstasy. She’d watched him come, and he amazed her. Devlin had never done this with a man before, not willingly. Not since
he
made her do it. She pushed the thought away immediately. Jake was not her uncle.

Devlin knew from the beginning she could trust Jake. Even with the most intimate actions. Even with this. She trusted him not to hurt her, not to degrade her, not to force her. She was aware that he’d let her control the pace, until he lost his own control. She’d done that to him, made him lose control. The thought made her smile. Jake was silk over steel, and he tasted wonderful. Salty, tangy, and most definitely like himself. She was so aroused by what she’d just done that she’d almost come the moment he did.

Jake lifted her to her feet with his strong hands, and he kissed her.

“I’ll get you for this,” he teased, whispering in her ear, “later.”

“Oh, really?” she asked grinning against his shoulder. “Three times in one afternoon isn’t enough for you?”

Jake pulled her back and leaned his forehead against hers. He gave her bottom a feeble swat. “You’ll be the death of me, girl.”

Jake McKenna entered the room with a striking woman on his arm. She was tall and willowy. “Leggy” would best describe her. And the short, backless emerald green silk sheath dress she wore showcased the length of her legs very well. Only Shauna noticed the faint scars on both thighs, and she realized that Devlin Barre had returned. Apparently, she was with Jake. There was no mistaking the possessiveness in his hand on the small of her back, the protectiveness in his stance, and the challenge in his eyes as he gazed around the room. His very walk dripped testosterone. Shauna had worked closely with men long enough to recognize a man who’d gotten exactly what he wanted.

She realized years ago that Jake McKenna wanted Devlin Barre. It seemed Devlin wanted Jake equally as much. She smiled to herself as she thought of the ribbing she would give Jake. But she decided she’d wait and catch him alone. Devlin had been a favorite of hers since she first saw her fighting for her life in the ICU. Shauna would never give her a hard time. She’d find an opportunity to talk to her later, to find out how she was doing.

Shauna also had no intention of letting Devlin know that, after four and a half years, her uncle’s name had surfaced barely a month ago. A copy of his passport turned up during a raid on an illegal child-brothel in Bangkok, although no one matching his description was arrested. If Devlin was lucky, he’d gone back into hiding. If she was luckier still, he was dead. Yes, Shauna mused, dead would be a very good thing for William Franz.

She hoped Mike hadn’t said anything yet. She’d find an opportunity to talk to him before the evening was over, make sure he kept quiet. Monday would be soon enough to tell Devlin. Shauna would find out where Devlin was staying and meet with her later. Let her enjoy the weekend. Shauna doubted Franz would have the balls to set foot in the States again. He’d have to be crazy or a fool. So far, he hadn’t given any indication that he was a fool.

* * * *

Devlin and Jake entered the hall. Devlin’s steps slowed. This was the first time she’d been in the same room with so many people who knew what had happened to her. She felt Jake’s eyes on her. Glancing up, she saw his concern.

“I can do this.”

Jake smiled and laid a warm hand securely on the small of her back, letting her know with one touch that everything would be all right. He would be with her, just like he’d been there for her before. Devlin reminded herself that tonight was not about her. It was about Beth and Mike. The guests were unlikely to mention her past.

Mary and Ken were waiting. Devlin greeted each of them with a hug.

“You look gorgeous, honey,” said Mary, standing back to admire Devlin’s dress. “While I, on the other hand, resemble a beached whale.”

“Are you kidding?” exclaimed Devlin. “You are the prettiest pregnant woman I’ve ever seen! Look at you, still tiny, all baby.” Devlin assessed Mary’s belly. “It’s a boy.”

“And how do you know that?” asked Ken with a grin.

“Easy. Mary looks like she swallowed a basketball. My mother always said, ‘If you carry high and in front, it’s a boy. If you carry low and wide, it’s a girl.’ This one’s a boy for sure. My mom looked just like this when she was pregnant with David.” Devlin caught herself and stopped speaking.

Mary put an arm around Devlin’s waist, changing the subject. “You are still so thin. Let me get you something to eat.”

“You are such a little mother. Actually, Jake and I just ate.” Dev glanced over Mary’s head at Jake. He winked at her. “And I’d like to find Mike and Beth. I got to see Mike this afternoon, but Beth wasn’t with him. Come with me.” She took Mary’s hand, and they headed off together.

* * * *

“Well?” asked Ken, eyebrows raised. “You don’t look too shabby.”

“Thanks,” said Jake.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Me neither.” Jake grinned. “You’ve been extolling the virtues of that wine for days. What do you say we go get some?”

* * * *

Mike Jones toasted his fiancée, very satisfied. He was finally making a commitment to Beth, the woman who’d captured his heart, the woman who completed him. He felt like he’d played the matchmaking role of his life this weekend in bringing Jake and Devlin back together. He was the one who suggested to Beth that she ask Devlin to be a bridesmaid, not that Beth needed much convincing. She adored Devlin and was happy to include her in the wedding party. Beth had always believed Devlin and Jake were meant for each other. She agreed with Mike—it was about time somebody threw them together. Then they could sink or swim. It looked to Mike like they’d spent the afternoon swimming.

Four years ago, Mike knew there was something special between the two of them. Even from what little Jake told him, the connection seemed stronger than ever. The distance and the years apart hadn’t changed a thing. But they were older now. The way Mike saw it, the timing couldn’t be better. There was nothing more romantic than a wedding for proposing another one.