Chapter 10
“See you tomorrow!” Margaret, one of the other vet techs, called out, as Devyn headed out the door. She waved back at her but kept her eyes on Lucky. He’d pulled into a space outside the clinic and had texted her to let her know he was there.
She hadn’t yet told the veterinarian that she wanted to work full time. Devyn wasn’t sure why she was hesitating. She supposed it was because she wasn’t yet fully convinced things with her and Lucky would work out.
Oh, she wanted them to work out. But somehow, in her life, something always seemed to go sour right when she thought things were fine.
The last thing she wanted was to put her coworkers and the vet in a lurch if things got weird between her and Lucky.
She wouldn’t be able to stay and see him all the time.
She absolutely couldn’t stomach seeing him dating someone else.
So, she was hesitating. It was cowardly of her, but she wasn’t comfortable enough with everything to go all in…yet. Devyn hoped tonight might change her feelings. Going that final step might solidify in her mind that they really were a serious couple, and she could commit to staying in Texas.
“Hey,” Lucky said in that low, rumbly tone that always got her all hot and bothered.
“Hi,” she returned as she climbed into his truck.
“Have a good day today?”
“Yeah. I got to cuddle a litter of the cutest kittens. Oh! And I got to hold a greyhound puppy. They’re like unicorns.”
“Yeah?”
“Uh-huh. There aren’t many around. I mean, there are, but not many that are brought in to regular family vets. Because of the racing circuit, most are raised with their littermates for over a year, and outside of racing, most are bred as show dogs.”
“So there aren’t any puppies outside of racing?” Lucky asked.
That was another thing she loved about him.
He always seemed very interested in whatever she had to say.
He never brushed her off. “No, of course there are. There will always be backyard-bred puppies of every breed, someone wanting to make a quick buck. Greyhounds aren’t exactly in high demand as far as family pets go, so there are fewer puppies.
But you should’ve seen this little guy. He looked a lot like any other kind of puppy, so it’s hard to believe they grow up to be as big as they do, and with such long legs. ”
“You love what you do,” Lucky said.
“What?” Devyn asked in surprise.
“You love what you do,” he repeated. “It’s obvious. You light up when talking about the animals and you have so much compassion for them. I could listen to you talk about your four-legged clients all day.”
Devyn knew she was blushing, but couldn’t help it.
“I just…animals have such a huge capacity for love and forgiveness. I’ve seen the most abused and neglected pets lick and cuddle up to the very people who’ve beaten them.
And you’ve seen it yourself with Angel and Whiskers.
People don’t trust as easily when they’ve been hurt. ”
“What about you?” Lucky asked.
“Me?” Devyn asked, feigning confusion and stalling for time.
“Yeah, you. You didn’t say it this morning, but I know your brother targeting you for money for his gambling addiction has to hurt.
Has it made you less trusting? More wary of people in general?
I’m only asking because I didn’t know you before you got to Texas, and I’m trying to figure out what makes you tick…
and how hard I’m gonna have to work to get you to trust me. ”
“I do trust you,” Devyn said, and she meant that one hundred percent. “I wouldn’t have told you about Spencer if I didn’t.”
“That means the world to me, sweetheart,” Lucky said, reaching over and taking her hand in his. He rested their clasped hands on the console between them and rubbed his thumb over her skin soothingly.
“And to answer your question, not really,” Devyn said.
“I’m an optimist at heart. I have a tendency to think people are generally good…
unless they show me otherwise. I’m sure that’s not very smart, and I should probably protect my heart better, but I don’t think I want to go around thinking everyone is out to get me, or is a liar and a cheat. ”
“How about I be the cynical one in this relationship? I’ll be the one who thinks that, and I’ll have your back when necessary. You can be the light, happy-go-lucky half, and I’ll be the sulky brooding half.”
Devyn got goose bumps hearing him talk about them as a couple. But she laughed. “You aren’t broody or sulky. And I’m not sure that’s even a word.”
Lucky smiled over at her. “I like you exactly how you are, Dev. I don’t want you to change.
I’m sorry your brother’s been on your case, and I’ll do whatever you need me to in order to get him to back off.
And I’ll even try to convince him to get some professional help, if only because I know it’ll put your mind at ease. ”
“Thanks,” Devyn whispered. This man…gah…he was killing her. But he was also making the decision to sleep with him very easy.
She wanted him. Wanted to experience his focused attention in bed, because she knew it would be just as potent as when they were simply having a conversation, like now.
“What do you feel like for dinner?”
Food? She couldn’t think about anything other than finally being able to check out the tattoo he had on his right shoulder, up close and in person.
She’d seen it when they’d all gathered at Grover’s new farmhouse a while ago.
He’d taken off his shirt because it had been warm, and he and the rest of the guys were tearing down an old barn on the property.
She knew it was black, but not exactly what it looked like.
Devyn’s mouth almost watered at the thought of exploring Lucky’s body. She might not be all that confident in her own sex appeal, but she had a feeling when she felt Lucky’s skin against her own, she’d forget all about what she looked like.
“Dev?” he asked with a knowing smirk on his face. “Dinner?”
“I don’t care,” she said. “Anything.”
“Anything?” he asked, the shit-eating grin growing.
Devyn did her best to get her libido under control.
She couldn’t exactly jump him the second they were inside his townhouse.
Angel and Whiskers would need to be tended to, fed, and she needed to shower and change.
She had dog and cat hair all over her scrubs and probably smelled like the inside of a dog kennel.
“I don’t know what you have. I’m not super hungry though. What about stir-fry?”
“I think I’ve got enough veggies to swing that. Rice?”
“Absolutely. I know the trend is anti-carbohydrates right now, but I love me some carbs. Besides, I could use some more padding anyway.” Devyn gestured to her chest self-consciously.
“You aren’t seriously putting yourself down, are you?” Lucky asked.
Devyn shrugged. “I’m not exactly Dolly Parton.”
“Thank fuck,” Lucky said, squeezing her hand.
“I’ve already told you this, but you’ve obviously forgotten.
I like you exactly how you are, Dev. You’re tall and willowy, and you turn me on so much, my cock’s been hard for what seems like months.
You move like you’re totally in tune with your body.
Not only that, but you laugh when something’s funny, you get emotional when you see one of those ads for the ASPCA and they show abused animals.
If your tits were bigger, you’d be top heavy.
You’re fucking perfect, Devyn, so don’t you go thinking I want anything different.
I can’t wait to see what I’ve been dreaming about for months, up close and personal.
And I know without a doubt you’re going to blow every one of my fantasies out of the water.
So if you want rice, that’s what you’ll get. ”
Devyn released a long breath. She wished she had a recorder going, so she could replay what he’d just said in the future, when she felt insecure about her body. “Okay.” It was all she could think to say.
“Okay,” Lucky agreed. “You are staying the night tonight, right?”
“If that’s all right,” she said shyly.
“It’s more than all right,” he told her immediately. “And just to get this awkward part out of the way, I’ve got condoms. Bought them two days ago. Not to rush you in any way, but because I wanted to be prepared so I could keep you safe.”
“I’m on the shot. The birth control injection that’s good for three months at a time,” Devyn told him. She was just slightly embarrassed by the topic, but still relieved that he was bringing it up now.
“You okay?” he asked.
Devyn frowned in confusion. “Okay?”
“Yeah. I know you aren’t dating anyone, and some women go on birth control to control heavy periods or because of extreme cramps and stuff, or because of ovarian cysts. So are you okay?” he asked again.
“I’m fine. I started on it in my mid-twenties because it seemed like the responsible thing to do for someone my age, who was actively dating.
The last thing I needed was an unwanted pregnancy.
I like knowing when I’m going to get my period and how long it’ll last. It just became part of my routine. ”
Lucky squeezed her hand. “Right. I haven’t been with a woman since months before you arrived. I’m clean; we get tested by the Army regularly. I can show you my latest test results.”
Devyn squeezed his hand. “I don’t need to see them. I trust you.”
He smiled over at her. “That means the world to me. But I’m gonna show them to you anyway.”
“I’m clean too. I need to find a new doctor here in Texas, but I get a yearly exam.”
“That’s good.”
Devyn debated what she was about to say, but finally decided just to go for it. “So…if I’m clean, and you are too…And I’m on birth control…are the condoms necessary?”
When he didn’t immediately answer, she felt stupid. “Yeah, it’s probably for the best. I mean, no birth control is one hundred percent effective, and it’s just smarter if we play it safe.”
They’d arrived back at his townhouse by now, and Lucky pulled into a parking spot in front of his door. He turned off the engine and immediately turned to her. He reached out and pulled her toward him with a hand behind her neck. Without a word, he kissed her.
It was a possessive move, and he took complete control of the kiss.
Her head spun, and all she could do was hang on as Lucky took her mouth. When he finally pulled back, the intense look he gave her made Devyn shiver.
“I’ve never made love without a condom before,” he said, shocking the hell out of her.
“Never?” she whispered.
“No. Never trusted a woman enough to do that. And honestly, haven’t really felt the need to.
But with you? I’d kill to get inside you bare.
But I don’t want you to offer that unless you’re sure you want a long-term relationship with me.
Because I already know you’re going to ruin me for all other women, Devyn. ”
God. He was killing her. “I want that,” she said softly. “I want you. Just you.”
Lucky shut his eyes as if he were in pain. Then they immediately opened once more. “You’ve got me. Come on, we need to let Angel and Whiskers out, then I need to feed you. And if I don’t get out of the truck in the next ten seconds, I’m gonna take you right here.”
Devyn giggled. “I’ve never done it in a car before,” she teased.
“Fuck, you’re killing me. Have mercy, woman.” Lucky leaned forward and kissed her once more, a fast, hard kiss that wasn’t meant to entice, before he turned to climb out of the truck.
Devyn hopped out on her side with a huge smile on her face.
Being with someone had never been as easy as it was with Lucky.
She couldn’t deny she felt more at ease now that they’d had the birth control talk.
She hadn’t mentioned she’d never been with a guy who hadn’t worn a condom.
Granted, she hadn’t slept with all that many men in the first place, but she had a feeling Lucky wouldn’t want to hear anything about that.
He was a typical alpha male in that sense. But that was all right, Devyn was perfectly happy not knowing about his previous love life either.
A part of her couldn’t believe this moment was actually here. She’d wanted Lucky from the first time she’d met him; she’d just kept those feelings to herself.
But tonight, he’d finally be hers. Or would she be his? She didn’t know, but in the end, it didn’t matter. How this would turn out, she also had no idea, but she’d do whatever it took to hold on to him. She knew a good man when she saw one, and Lucky was one of the best.
Smiling to herself, she took Lucky’s hand when he held it out, and they walked hand-in-hand to his front door.