Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 123825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
“I’m just sayin’,” Dev teased, grinning broadly. Alec watched the two men for a second then dropped his gaze to the freshly inked ring finger on Key’s left hand. Just seeing the perfectly etched symbol had love and pride swelling in Alec’s chest and joy filling his heart. The pressure of Key’s strong hand on his thigh comforted him and reassured him with a gentle squeeze of solidarity.
Dev rolled his shoulders then his neck before the burning started on his finger again. He was ready to be done with this part. Devilman had been working diligently for hours. The guy was truly an artist and had unbelievable skill, not to mention the patience he’d shown during this entire process. First, he had worked on Key’s massive back tattoo for a couple of hours before starting on Alec and giving him his first ever tattoo—Key’s name in bold, fancy lettering, scripted directly over his heart. Now they were at the end, almost finished with the identical ring tattoos representing the vows they’d promised to each other in a civil ceremony held yesterday afternoon.
The fact that he had become comfortable with Devilman coming to their new home was a testament to how cunning and extremely sneaky the guy was. At least once a month since they had moved to Westlake, Dev somehow managed to make it inside Key’s large workshop completely unnoticed by the elaborate security system Alec had installed on their fifteen acre property and, even more impressive, he’d made it past their always vigilant guard dog, Nash. His bark was definitely worse than his bite, all show and no action—but where the pup did excel was in clearing a room, even in his sleep. Alec cringed at the times he had suddenly woken to the horrible smells coming out of the precious dog who slept in bed with them every night.
Alec turned his attention back to Dev, watching as the guy skillfully worked the tattoo gun over his skin. He’d not fully explored Dev’s covert techniques that allowed him to slip by undetected, but he now understood why Key had gotten so freaked out over his safety where the Disciples of Havoc were concerned. He could only imagine what those bikers could do with that kind of stealthy surveillance ability. Maybe he didn’t really want the answers. Perhaps, there was something to be said about ignorance being bliss after all.
Alec had gotten past the initial worry and the unexpected twinge of jealousy that had sparked when he’d met his lover’s best friend for the first time. It had only taken a couple of minutes of being in the same room with both of them for Alec to realize Dev wasn’t who Key wanted. Dev was good-looking with that model surfer look, but edged enough on the hot, rough biker side you couldn’t help but steal a second glance. Dev was definitely easy on the eyes, and even more surprising, the guy had a quick wit that kept everyone laughing. It was refreshing to see how close Dev and Key really were. The two men were truly like brothers. Key and Devilman were fluid and comfortable with one another, a familiarity that only came with time. They shared a bond closer than if they had actually been born family, a family which now included Alec.
Dev seemed to need Key’s friendship as much as Alec needed Key’s love. Alec was grateful Key had Dev. It had been Dev who hooked Key up with his first official custom bike restoration, and he’d just finished another one Dev had sent his way. Since that first bike, Key’s new business had taken off like crazy with projects scheduled out for the next eighteen months.
As Alec had predicted, he and Key spent most of their time in this enormous workshop, Key building bikes and Alec enjoying his favorite pastime, drooling over Key building bikes. He wasn’t complaining; he loved to watch Key do everything. They had also retained some of their old habits, like staying home a lot, and the always fun naked movie nights. Neither seemed to miss going out or having the public intrude on their sacred alone time, especially not after the long hours Alec spent working with Arik Layne Properties. The way he saw it, their time was their time. His time to be with Key.
“I thought you’d be a pussy,” Dev said, breaking the moment of silence, never stopping the movement of his hand.
Alec looked over at Key, waiting to see if his lover would defend his honor. He usually did, but this time Key only shrugged at him. “It’s fair. I wondered, too.”
“Thanks, guys. I’m not some pansy,” he said defensively.
“No, but you either love it or hate it.” Dev raised his head to give a nod to what Key had said.