Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 574(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 574(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Cash let the words fill his heart. He was the very same way. “Trace is awful nice looking.”
Dev grinned, reading him and his insecurities like a book. “Couldn’t wait to get rid of me only to realize how much you like havin’ me around, huh?”
He shook his head, knowing a lie from his lips would be obvious. He started to turn away. “We have too much work to be done to get sidetracked.”
Dev wrapped an arm around him, yanking him forward, drawing his focus. Dev stepped into him, their chests bumping as Dev got in his face. “I only got eyes for one guy. I’ll do my best to make sure he remembers that he kicks everyone’s ass in the looks department. Now come to my apartment and spend time with me alone.”
“I planned to go workout,” he said, his gaze drawn to Dev’s perfect lips.
He shook his head. “Kiss me like you want to then tell me we’re good.” Dev’s free hand landed on his heart as if that was where Cash needed to speak the words from.
“Dev…”
“I expected my pretty boy to greet me downstairs when I got home.” Dev’s pitiful voice was reminiscent of a bad nineties sitcom. “I figured I fucked up pretty bad to keep you away. I’m sorry. I don’t always get how my actions hurt people. It’s been so long since anyone cared about me like that. Now kiss me, show me we’re solid.”
Dev puckered his lips.
Cash’s brows furrowed as he stared at Dev and those perfect lips.
The man he loved was crazy and quite possibly manipulative.
“It’s rude to leave someone hangin’ when they’re doin’ their best to figure out what’s wrong. If it’s about Trace, seriously, he’s got nothin’ on you.” Dev puckered again and waited.
When Cash didn’t comply, Dev’s brow furrowed too.
“Seriously, dude. What more do I say? I’m into honesty and monogamy with you. I’m sorry that Kreed dude materialized out of thin air. I thought the timin’ of me goin’ up was fifty-fifty. I figured I’d have at least a few minutes when my old man took off. Dixie, the skank, was on his sled when he left.”
“I’m into monogamy too,” Cash whispered. His haggard voice was raw from a day full of worry and jealousy. “None of this is me. I’ve never been jealous of anything. Then this morning I dressed in an effort to make you notice me. I’m determined to end this case, but you haunt me. I got nothing done today.”
“Same. Now kiss me.” Dev puckered again and cocked a challenging brow.
Cash grinned and started to shove a hand through his hair to sweep it off his forehead. Dev clasped his wrist, stopping him.
“Leave it. I like it down. Makes you less godlike. More like the rest of us humans. I’m not askin’ you again.” He leaned in and placed a quick kiss on Cash’s lips. “Joe, you can come out now. We’re headin’ to my place.”
“Are you sure?” Joe called from down the hall. “I’ve already seen way too much of you two.”
Dev grinned triumphantly.
“Let’s call it a night,” Cash called to Joe. Dev’s arm tightened around him, drawing him flush against his body.
“I have a new condition to add to my list of conditions to work with the federal government.”
Cash’s heart drummed in his chest at the sweet look on Dev’s face even as he understood that the last few minutes could have been a lead-up to another crazy-filled negotiation tactic.
“What’s that?”
“We need to talk more in the day. My boyfriend needs to come to the shop like he used to do and just sit there with me while I work. Take me to lunch. Let everyone know who I belong to,” Dev said, staring him straight in the eyes.
“Seems like a hefty concession…” he teased while every anxiety inside him fled, nothing but the intensity of his love shining through.
When Dev palmed Cash’s sac and cock, he firmed under the touch. How could he not?
“See? I knew I shouldn’t come out,” Joe said from nearby. Cash looked over Dev’s shoulder to watch Joe circle back around and head to his room again.
“I have another condition,” Dev called out, loud enough for Joe to hear. “Cash is officially movin’ into my apartment. You can have the bigger, better bedroom, Joe.” Dev bumped his chest, causing him to take a step backward. Dev moved past him, heading for his bedroom. “Let’s get your shit and move it over. I’ve seen your clothes haul. It won’t take long.”
Chapter 19
One week later
“I’ve already bought your Christmas presents,” Dev said to Mae on the video she’d initiated. “Based on the list you gave me two weeks ago then ten days ago then seven days ago then three days ago…” Dev countered, not exaggerating in the least about the ever-changing list.