Page 69 of Hope and Country

“Are you sure your mother wants me to come with you to this dinner? And what are we going to tell your parents? That we’re dating after I moved in with you over a month ago, the same night my stepbrother beat the shit out of me, and that since then, I haven’t stepped a foot outside except to confront him the night he got arrested, scared a cruiser would drive past your house and they’d recognize me?” I arched a brow. “They’ll stage an intervention. Think you went crazy and try to force some sense into you.”

Devon looked adorable with all her unjustified doubts.

How could she not see I was so into her? And that I was in for the long run. That nothing she or anyone else could say would prevent me from caring for her. And being there for her. And loving her with every piece of my heart.

My parents’ opinion didn’t matter. And it wasn’t as if my father had valuable tips to share in the relationship department.

She pouted, and I let out a soft laugh, kissing her lips so she wouldn’t believe I was making fun of her.

“First, we don’t owe anyone an explanation. You’re my girl. The woman I love.” I pushed her hair behind her shoulders with fingers itching to touch her soft skin. Everything about this woman mesmerized me. And most of the time, I still couldn’t believe she was here with me. “The details are ours. And don’t have to be shared. Second, my lawyers told us earlier the charges against Robbie are multiplying. They convinced the woman he assaulted in Memphis to press charges too. In addition to that dancer and the two women who came forward already. There are five of you now. And they are still tracking down the ex-wife to see if he assaulted her too. None of Robbie’s little Nashville police friends can help him out this time. You weren’t his only side-hustle. There might be more. Third, as long as you’re by my side, nothing will happen to you. Gus, one of Taylor’s guys, will shadow you any time you have to go out. You can’t lock yourself in forever. Soon you’ll start living again. When you’re ready. There’s so much out there I wanna show you. And I can’t wait for you to meet my friends. And my music family. Carter, April, Aisha, June, Sam, Dahlia, Stud. All of them. They’re not just business partners; they mean the world to me. They are my people. Don’t give Robbie that much power over you.”

Devon’s eyes clouded, and she blinked.

“I won’t. Told ya. I’m stronger than my fears. Soon I’ll embrace life as it was meant to be. I’m getting there.” She offered me a shy smile. “Riley, how did I end up with a man like you? I’m not sure what I did to deserve your love and affection. And strength. And selfless heart. I’ve been imposing myself into your life, and you never asked me to move out or anything. You never asked for anything in return.”

I failed to contain my grin as it took over my face.

“Because I want you here. Maybe I’m crazy, but deep down, it feels like I’ve known you all my life. As if I’ve been waiting for you. You’ll think I’m silly—”

Devon kissed my lips briefly to shut me up.

“It’s not silly. The moment my eyes landed on you in that bar, something unfolded in me. As if I’d found the missing piece of my heart. That I’d been waiting forever to retrieve. The one that had withered away after my mother passed. The most important part holding the secret to my happiness.”

I leaned in to kiss the bare skin of the curve of her shoulder.

“I love you, Devon. Stop worrying about what my parents will think then. Because I feel the same. If you don’t wanna go, I won’t either. My father and I aren’t on speaking terms.”

“What happened?”

“I’ve already told you my father is Curtis Burns, the country legend.” She nodded. “Growing up, he was my hero. He’d take me everywhere with him. On the road, at award shows. From the day I was born, country music has run through my veins. All I’ve ever wanted was to follow in his footsteps. But I can’t sing for shit, so I decided that I’d be better off as a manager. It suits me better anyway. I’m a people person. Two weeks before you appeared on my doorstep, I’d learned that my father had approached one singer I had my sights on and signed him under his new label, disregarding me. My father is a country singer, not an agent. And the night you came back into my life, I was drowning my sorrows after I’d learned that Anderson Ford—the singer I thought would sign with me—is my father’s lovechild. I didn’t know. My parents had been keeping him a secret from me all this time.”

“Wait. Your mother knew?”

I nodded.

“My father told her when he found out. They separated when I was about four or five years old, I think. I have no memory of it. My dad was gone on tour a lot. Sometimes we followed him around, but my mother wanted to give me a normal life, so we stayed home, and she enrolled me in school with all the regular childhood stuff. My father had an affair during that time. But later that year, my parents got back together, renewed their wedding vows, and have never left each other’s side since.”

“What was the point of telling you now?”

“Dear Dad was afraid I’d learn the truth, and I’d mess with his youngest son’s career out of anger. Or hurt.”

“That’s ridiculous. There’s no darkness in you. Evil isn’t in your blood. Believe me, I know what it looks like.” A memory passed in Devon’s eyes, but this time, she chased it away in half a second, her smile returning. And her eyes emptied of the terror that had lingered in them for so long. Even the night we met, there were hints of it. I just hadn’t known at the time what it meant. “What now?”

I shrugged. “Nothing. I’m not ready to face my father yet. It was a low blow when he poached Anderson from me. We were about to sign the contract when it all blew up in my face. My own father played me. Now I feel stupid for not knowing we were half-siblings. We look a lot alike, Anderson and I.”

Devon nested herself between my arms. “Fine, you’ve convinced me. I’ll hold your hand the entire time if it helps you. I’ll be by your side, no matter what. It’s my turn to be there for ya. If you wanna leave, you tell me, and we go. No questions asked. You won’t have to face him by yourself. You have me now. And I’ll have your back.”

“I’d like that. I enjoy having you around. And in my bed.”

I kissed her lips, and Devon’s arms circled my neck, deepening the kiss. My entire body pulsed against hers. Electrifying. Shooting fireworks. Igniting from my marrow. We made out a little longer. My thumb traced the seam between her legs, and she shuddered.

“Not now,” my woman said. “Or we’ll be late. Tonight, I’ll be your naked subject, so you’ll be able to pleasure me in any way you like.”

“Fuck, Dev,” I growled, removing my hand.

Devon gasped and writhed against me at the withdrawal of my sinful fingers. “Riley—”

“Tonight, baby. Your words.”