Page 73 of Tempted

I cut him off by pressing my lips to his. The kiss is desperate, full of all the fear and relief and longing that’s been building between us for months. He tastes like coffee and something distinctly him, and I never want to stop kissing him.

When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing hard.

“I don’t care about the age difference,” I tell him. “I don’t care about anything except how I feel when I’m with you. How safe you make me feel. How right this feels.”

“Atlee.” My name is a prayer on his lips.

“I was so scared he was going to hurt you,” I admit. “When I heard you come in, all I could think was that I’d put you in danger too, and I couldn’t bear it.”

“Hey.” He tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes. “Listen to me. Nothing, and I mean nothing, was going to stop me from getting to you today. And nothing ever will. You understand me?”

I nod, tears spilling over again.

“I promise you,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “I am never going to let anything happen to you again. You’re minenow, Atlee. Mine to protect, mine to care for. And I don’t give a damn who has a problem with it.”

The possessiveness in his voice should probably scare me, but instead, it makes me feel cherished. Protected. Loved.

“Yours,” I agree, and the word feels like coming home.

He kisses me again, gentler this time but no less passionate. And as he holds me in the aftermath of the worst night of my life, I finally understand what it means to feel completely, utterly safe.

Devlin Nelson is going to be the death of me, but he just might be my salvation too. And I’m ready for whatever comes next, as long as he’s by my side.