I wish I could kill him twice.
“No, it’s nothing serious,” Kate said. “I’m fine. What about you?”
“I’m all right,” Devlin said, dismissing her.
“You are not all right!” Kate cried. She leaned over, looking at the long furrows across his belly and chest.
“Well,” Devlin admitted. “Even though my mighty shifter metabolism is working overtime to fix this, I probably should see a shifter doctor. Most of my blood is all over this alley.”
“Here,” Kate said, taking off his jacket and wrapping it around his shoulders. She touched his cheek, looking into his eyes.
“Thank you,” he said, holding the jacket closed. “I still think we should get you looked at. You’re very banged up.”
“Oh, I agree,” Kate said with a breathy sound that could be a laugh. “But I’m not getting medical attention until you do.”
Devlin shook his head. Her determination to look after him, as well as herself, only made him love her more.
“I need to check on my driver and make sure he is alright.” He said, looking over at the limo.
They found the driver unconscious but alive, laying across the limo’s front seat. He had a large gash on his head where he had been hit and a row of claw marks down his face and across his shoulder and chest.
Since none of them were in good shape, Devlin called for some of his people to help get the three of them to the shifter clinic, dispose of the tiger, and clean up the area.
“So, what now?” she asked, looking around the alley. She shuddered, averting her eyes from the dead tiger.
Devlin reached out, putting his arms around Kate. Even though he was covered in blood, she snuggled up to him, happily pressing her body against his while they waited for help.
“Now, we get started on those hopes and dreams that we both have for the future. If you still want to, that is.”
Kate smiled as she looked up at him. Devlin touched her cheek gently, bending down to kiss her softly. He could tell by the way she returned the kiss that she was in a hurry for all the future would bring, just as much as he was.
TWENTY
KATE
Kate lay next to Devlin, staring at him. He was still in a deep sleep after working such long hours at work over the last week. She didn't expect him to wake up anytime soon.
Devlin had beaten Phil over two weeks ago now. She could still remember that day so vividly. After they got home from the clinic, she helped him shower. It was like he was painted in blood. She remembered it running down the drain, and her heart leapt into her mouth.
After he showered, she helped him to bed, and he was out like a light. He slept hard, and she was sure nothing could wake him. She had stared at him for some time before she fell asleep herself. She looked over his features taking in how relaxed he was when he slept. She loved him. She knew that.
Devlin cared about her and loved her just as deeply, if not more. It warmed her heart to know that he wanted a future with her, even if they were going to have bumps in the road.
"Are you staring at me?" Devlin asked, blinking his eyes at her. She often found herself staring at him whenever she could. He often caught her.
"Of course not. That would be weird." She shook her head. "There was just something on your face."
He smirked, pulling her closer into his arms. He kissed her, and her entire stomach flipped. She melted into him, never wanting the moment to end.
As much as they both wanted to stay in bed, she and Devlin had shit to get done, starting with the donation to the charity he promised her.
They both lost and won the bet. She wasn't sure when exactly she fell in love with him, and neither really cared. So, he promised to make the donation if she promised to allow him his part. They both agreed.
She pulled herself up and looked over her shoulder. "Come on, Devlin. We have a long day, and you said we were having a party later tonight. We have much to do before we can attend that. I need to run home and get ready, and you need to get ready for your phone call to Gerri."
Devlin bounced up, shaking his head. He grabbed her hand, pulling her back to him. "How about we just lay in bed instead. Neither of us has to leave, and we can have all the fun we want."
She liked the idea, but she knew better. She turned to him, narrowing her eyes. "I don't fall for things that easily. You promised to call Gerri, and we can't be late for our own party."