Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Are you okay? I knew I should have gone with you this morning,” Kai continued to coo in his ear. “This is the last time I’m letting you out of my sight.”
“And who are you?” the cop demanded.
“Kai Smith, Devlin’s boyfriend,” Kai snapped.
“We just started dating seriously,” Devlin quickly added in case the various cops started comparing stories. When he’d been interviewed about the body in his house, he’d said that he wasn’t seeing anyone, that only he and his son were ever in the house.
“I arrived early yesterday morning after Dev called me about the incident in his house.”
“So, you were with him all day?” the cop prodded.
“Yes, we were in his home together all yesterday and last night. I can vouch for his whereabouts until about…what?” Kai had turned his dark eyes down on him. “Fifteen, twenty minutes ago when you left for your jog?”
Devlin could only sort of blink at Kai and wordlessly nod. He really was good at acting like the doting, attentive boyfriend. What had happened to the shy, unsure man he’d had dinner with last night? Not that he’d necessarily trade that Kai in for this one. He liked knowing that this strong, confident, dangerous guy had things that made him nervous and unsure. It made him more human and a little less perfect.
The cop continued to pepper Devlin with questions, but they felt easier to answer with Kai right there, pressed against his back, holding him in arms that promised to protect him from both the killer and the police.
In the end, the cop confirmed that Devlin didn’t know the woman who’d been discovered. He then turned to Kai and repeated the question. Devlin shifted in Kai’s arms just enough to look at his face. Without flinching or blinking an eye, Kai looked down at the woman and shook his head.
“Never seen her before in my life.”
But he was lying. Devlin would have put money on the fact that Kai was lying. It wasn’t anything he’d seen in his face or heard in his voice, but there was something. Maybe he’d felt it in the body pressed so close to his own. He could also just be guessing since Kai had known the dead man in his tub.
The cops allowed them to leave after that. Kai remained close, his arm wrapped around Devlin’s waist as he ushered him through the gathered crowd of people and reporters. No one tried to speak to them or stop them. Of course, that was likely thanks to the threatening vibe Kai was giving off.
“Sorry about being so sweaty,” Devlin murmured when they were away from the largest group of people. “I doubt anyone is looking now. You can let go if you want.”
“What if I don’t want to?” Kai asked. His voice had become soft and tentative again, the way it had been at dinner.
“Really?”
“Yeah. When I got your text, I nearly panicked, and I don’t panic, Dev. You had to have been close to the killer while in the park, but I wasn’t there to protect you. I feel like I need to hold you for a little while. Do you mind?”
“No.” That was the easiest question he’d had to answer in what felt like forever. It was weird to go from horror and revulsion to complete elation in so short a time span. His heart flipped in his chest when Kai called him Dev, and now Kai admitted to wanting to hold him. Yes, this was a nearly perfect moment.
“I’m sorry. I should have gone with you. I was just afraid that I was crowding you. I wanted to give you some space.”
“It’s okay. You couldn’t have known this maniac would do this.”
“I should have.”
Dev shook his head. He wanted to argue more, but he knew there was no point to it. Kai was going to continue raking himself over the coals. Devlin needed to distract him.
At the car, Devlin was once again surprised; Kai didn’t simply unlock the doors to his rental car, but he actually walked Devlin to the passenger side and opened the door for him. He stood there holding it until Devlin was seated and properly buckled in before gently closing the door, as if he didn’t want to be parted from him longer than absolutely necessary. The gesture and care touched him deeply. More than he’d thought possible.
He sat quietly, sort of wallowing in the feeling for as long as possible. He didn’t know what it meant or even if it was going to last longer than this drive, but it was nice. He felt precious. Treasured. Cherished.
Something he’d never felt with Adam. His husband had always made him feel loved, but their lives had always been so busy, rushing from one job or task to the next. But Kai was so slow and deliberate in his actions. There was no missing this feeling.