Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 132031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Fuck it. He had to get used to it. He missed Abi and Mae.
Desolation replaced the anger as he pulled his mother’s contact number up and pushed call.
Chapter 27
Still reeling from the sweet, tender kiss, Cash tucked his wallet back into his slacks pocket and grabbed the large sack of new-to-him clothes. He reached for the supposedly used Doc Martens that he swore looked brand new. Dev hadn’t been far off on the price of all these clothes. After wearing nothing but thrift store goods for his young life, Cash had sworn he’d never buy another piece of used clothing. What a bad decision that had been.
He’d spent forty dollars and some change and had a week’s worth of outfits. Even better, this bag had caused Dev to kiss him as if he were the most irresistible man alive. He might not ever wear anything else again.
His heart searched for Dev before his gaze did. Between the overhead fluorescent lighting in the store and the darkness of night, Cash couldn’t see out the windows. He pushed through the front door and scanned the parking lot. He didn’t see Dev there either.
With a jiggle of the wrist, he turned his wristwatch so that he could see the time. It was half-past eight which meant they’d spent many hours inside the store, finding and trying on his new wardrobe.
His forward stride slowed as he spotted the outline of Dev’s body in the distance, just beyond his car. He paced back and forth, away from prying ears and eyes. He spoke quietly into the phone, seemingly unaware of Cash’s approach. Though Cash doubted that Dev was truly unaware, which meant they were back to Dev’s disdain and distance. Great.
It didn’t stop Cash from staring. Dev. Devilman. The handsome biker had worn his cut for the entirety of their day. He gave off the air of his well-chosen nickname. Nothing had changed in the man’s beauty except Cash might add the word smooth to the many adjectives used to describe Dev.
He wasn’t sure how a man who barked the word fuck in every conceivable way could be considered effortlessly charming, but Dev pulled it off.
At the trunk, Cash put the boots down on the pavement and fished out his key fob. His gaze locked on Dev’s as he walked. Just that small stare caused him to fumble with the buttons on the fob.
Dev, with his long gait, took maybe ten steps one direction before he turned and returned on the same course. His natural strut, so full of fire, oozed swagger. Dev was comfortable in his own skin. What a fascinating trait.
And he voluntarily kissed me again.
Whether or not Dev wanted to believe it, that tender kiss was more than show for an irritable old lady’s comment. Their connection was undeniable.
How had they come together again? What space-time continuum mishap kept putting the two of them together?
He knew that answer before he spoke the question. Dev had saved his life. Now it was his turn to save Dev’s.
Why hadn’t Cash left college and come to Dallas to find Dev then? He always wanted to know more about the guy. Dev had stayed in his heart since he lay injured on the street, looking up into those compelling blue eyes, Dev begging him to hold on.
Fear, pain, and uncertainty had kept him away. Dev’s bigger than life persona was just as shiny back then as it was today.
Fate had tied them together. That was the only viable explanation to describe him being right there, right then.
He mashed the open-hatch button, drawing Dev’s gaze in his direction. His footsteps halted. They stared at one another. More than anything else, he found he wanted to bare both his head and his heart to this man. Make Dev understand why Cash was doing what he was doing.
If they worked this case carefully, Cash had the ability to save the entire family from the hurt headed their way.
If he and Dev could find a way to forge this path together...
If Dev stopped fighting and took a chance at trusting Cash, they could end this swiftly and go on with their lives.
“What?” Dev shouted defensively, louder than required for the fifteen steps separating them.
Cash didn’t respond. He dropped the clothes in the trunk then picked up the boots, placing them inside too. He had to get a grip on all these wayward thoughts. Dev’s volatility always rested on the side of anger. Cash shut the trunk as the sounds of gravel crunching on the parking lot came toward him.
Dev didn’t say a single word, only opened the passenger side door to drop down into the seat. The door slammed shut harder than necessary.
If he really did own this car, he’d be mad with how hard the door had been closed.
No, he wouldn’t. Dev could do whatever he wanted. Cash would still be held spellbound by the man. Be proud to have him by his side.