Page 73 of Her Devoted HERO

“Yep, I’m done. This isn’t my fault.”

“Just like that, huh?”

“Just like that,” she concurred. His eyes were sparkling. “Because you’re just that good Mr. Evans. Goddamn, fucking, dammit, this is not my fault!”

“Nope.”

She threw her arms around his neck and took a deep breath. “Okay, okay, okay. I’m putting that thinking to bed. It serves no purpose.”

She felt Dex’s shoulders shake.

“Are you laughing?” she demanded. He couldn’t possibly be laughing at a time like this.

“Damn right, I’m laughing. You fucking amaze me. I’m so proud of you.”

“Oh.” She sniffed. “Well, okay then.”

She sat back on the bed and looked into his dancing brown eyes. Well, she might amaze him, but still.

“About me being amazing. You like it when I’m a straight shooter, right?”

“Absolutely.”

“Good. Since you’ve brought up Austin, now I need to. I’ve got a problem. I need your help.”

“I’ll do whatever I can, you know that.”

Could he be any more wonderful? She took a deep breath. “Austin has gotten it into his head that I’m someone special to you. Can you please set him straight?”

“Huh?” Dex looked totally confused.

“I know, right? Can you explain how things really are? Tell him that we’re just... I don’t know what, but that it’s not a big relationship thing?”

Dex’s eyes got dark. “What the hell are you talking about, Poppy?”

“Don’t call me that.” She twisted, trying to get off the bed. He pushed down on her thighs, keeping her in place.

“Okay, Kenna, then. Explain to me what you mean that we aren’t in a big relationship thing because it sure feels like a big deal to me.”

She was talking before he even finished. “Look Dex. I know you’re doing the Navy SEAL protector thing, men like you can’t help it. You’re honorable. I get that. But you haven’t exactly been chomping at the bit to get back in my bed.”

“Haven’t been chomping at the bit?” He shook his head. Slowly he stood up from his crouch and planted his hands on either side of her. She had to lean back to look in his face. His smile was blatantly sexy and amused. “You’ve really got yourself tied up in one interesting knot Poppy.”

“Don’t call me that!” She shoved at his shoulders, but he didn’t move an inch.

“Kenna, you were a trembling mass of nerves after that video was sent. Then you went on a cleaning spree. I thought you wanted space.” His eyes softened.

“I thought.” She bit her lip. She was never in a million years going to tell him what she thought.

“What? What did you think?” he asked softly, kindly.

Fuck, she’d gotten it all wrong.

Time to save face.

“Just kiss me.”

“Poppy, you can trust me. Tell me what you thought.”