Page 20 of My Beautiful Sin

I almost laugh. I don’t doubt Lamar’s talents as a police officer, but the thought that he would be able to bring a man like Devlin to his knees is amusing. What I do, though, is wince. “I’m sorry.”

“Unless you sent him on that particular mission, you don’t have anything to be sorry about. Detective Gage, however, has plenty to account for.”

“Devlin, don’t—”

“He’s your friend, so I’m cutting him some slack.” His voice is as sharp as a blade. “But the next time he comes into my place and proceeds to lecture me about—”

“What?” Since he cut his words off so sharply, I twist around, wondering if Lamar or Tracy has approached. But we’re still alone and out of earshot.

Devlin shakes his head, his features softening as he says, “Fuck, I’m sorry. He’s just looking out for you. I know it. It’s fine.”

“It doesn’t sound fine.”

He runs his fingers through his dark hair, unintentionally releasing most of it from the leather tie that holds it back. “It is. Truly. I’m sorry.”

I study him, knowing that he’s jealous of the friendship Lamar and I developed in the years that Devlin and I were apart. Years we can’t ever get back. And that’s why I decide that it’s the better part of valor to say nothing more than, “Thanks.”

“I don’t know what you’re thanking me for, but you’re welcome.” He studies me for a moment, then frowns as he grips my elbow. “Come with me.”

I hesitate, but Lamar has caught up with Tracy, so I don’t object when Devlin leads me outside and into a small alcove out of sight from the massive windows that provide foundation visitors with a view of the ocean.

“What are we—” But my words are cut off by a bruising kiss, hot and demanding. I melt against him, my body firing instantly as I crave more.

“Careful,” I gasp when he lets me up for air. “Get me too riled up, and you’re going to have a hard time slowing this party down.”

“With you, I never want to slow down.”

I hook my arms around his torso and press close enough that I can feel his erection. “I like the sound of that. The feel of it, too.”

“Naughty girl.”

“For you? I’ll be as naughty as you want.”

With an unexpected ferocity, his hand fists in my hair and tugs my head back. I gasp, not from pain but from the unexpected motion and from the wild intensity I see in his eyes.

“You’re mine,” he growls, and I melt a bit at the possessive tone. “Say it.”

“I am. Of course, I am.” I flash a smile, realizing he doesn’t yet know my big news. “I’m even officially staying in Laguna Cortez.”

His brow furrows as he releases his hold on me. “Officially?”

I nod. “I was going to stay anyway, obviously, but now I can stay with a paycheck. Roger told me that I can work from the West Coast. I’m even keeping most of my stories, except for the ones that are New York based. My arch nemesis is getting those.” I wrinkle my nose.

A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “I didn’t realize you had an arch nemesis.”

I lift a brow. “Doesn’t everyone?”

“Touché.” His voice is light, but I see a shadow cross his face. I think of that horrible text and regret the joke. Then the moment passes, and he clears his throat before saying, “So tell me more.”

“That’s pretty much it. I’m still on payroll, only I’m working from here. They’re going to publish the profile on the Devlin Saint Foundation—you’re very welcome—but I don’t get a byline.”

He winces. “Oh, baby, I’m sorry.”

“No. It’s okay.” I squeeze his hand. “Considering the trade-off is you, I have no objection. Besides, I thought about it, and I don’t want the fact that we’re together to suggest any sort of bias in the article. I want readers to see the DSF and understand it for what it is. Because it’s a really special organization, and the work you do is important.”

“It means a lot to hear you say that.”

“I’m only saying what’s true. But that’s the beauty of it. It doesn’t matter how much it means to you or me. What matters is what it means to all the people the foundation helps.”