Steal the Light (Thieves #1)(42)

Dev smiled softly, but he was so serious that I knew he was handling me with care. He gently brushed away my tears and came close to me. “Know this, Zoey Wharton, I will take care of you. I have every intention of having you, and when I say have, I mean f*ck, but in the sweetest way possible. I will f*ck you and love you and after, I will hold you. You won’t regret letting me have you, sweetheart. I will make sure you are satisfied in and out of our bed. I vow this.”

It was as serious a promise as a Fae could make. “Are you always this way with your lovers?”

His chuckle was rich with amusement. “No, I don’t normally pledge my devotion before I’ve even kissed a girl. You’re different. Most of my lovers want my body. They want simple pleasure and kindness and maybe a gift or two. But you need more. You need commitment before pleasure, and if that’s what you need, then I’ll give it to you. I want you, Zoey. I don’t think you understand how much.”

I took a deep, steadying breath. I wasn’t sure I could believe him, but I wanted to. He was close now, and I could feel the heat coming off his body. My heart started to pound with anticipation, and I really wished I had been able to put on some makeup. I’d found a pair of jeans and a tank top I kept in my old room, but there was no makeup to be found, not even a tube of lip gloss.

“It’s too soon.” My voice was barely above a whisper as I let my eyes take him in. God, he was beautiful. It was a masculine beauty, but there was no other word for it. His eyes were sensual and greener than any mere human’s. His dark hair was thick and slightly unruly. Last night it had been perfect, but this afternoon it looked lived in. I preferred the more casual Dev. And those lips…

I looked down to avoid staring at them. I was barefoot. I barely came to the middle of his chest without heels. He took my arms in his hands. I shivered slightly, but it had nothing to do with cold. He pulled me into the cradle of his body and held me there.

“I think you’re wrong,” he murmured. “I think it’s the perfect time, Zoey.”

It was the sigh that did it. Dev sort of sighed and let his head drop to mine. It was a sound of deep longing fulfilled, as though he wanted to be here with me and now he was content. My heart felt so full at that moment that I couldn’t stop my arms from winding their way around his big, warm body and relaxing against it. It felt so good to fall into him. In that moment, I felt safe and loved and wanted.

Dev was smart enough to let me take the lead. He treated me like a shy deer he wanted to feed by hand. When I pulled back and looked up at him, he didn’t pounce. He let me guide him down toward my lips and stood still while I haltingly explored his mouth. His lips were soft against mine. I pressed our mouths together in a chaste kiss. I’d always worried that Daniel would be the only man who could ever make me want him. This notion was now firmly put to rest as every nerve in my body came to life and sang a glorious chorus.

I tentatively let my tongue glide against the firmness of his mouth. Those lips were plump and I sucked the bottom one into my mouth, tasting him, feeling my power. The shudder that went through him satisfied me deeply. He let me have my way with him, allowing my tongue an easy entry. He tasted like mint, and I knew he had hoped this would happen. Knowing he’d thought about this, planned for it, made it easier for me. I pressed my body against his and felt how happy he was to be here with me. His cock was already hard and rubbed against my belly, promising all manner of comfort and pleasure.

“Zoey.” He groaned and pulled away slightly. “Sweetheart, you’re really short.”

I laughed. His neck was at an awkward angle due to our height differences. It must have been uncomfortable. “Sorry about that. I could stand on a chair.”

I tried to find a solution to our problem because stopping our impromptu make-out session wasn’t something I wanted to do. I felt alive around him. My worries melted away the minute he laid a hand on me. I wanted more of this feeling.

“I can handle it.” He lifted me with one arm, and I suddenly found myself sitting on the kitchen counter, my legs dangling. Dev shoved himself between my legs, and we were finally at the perfect height. He pulled me close, his hands on my ass, nestling himself between my legs.

His hand slid up, tracing along my back and upwards. Dev gently cupped my face and looked into my eyes. “I don’t want to push you.”

His voice had a slight desperation to it. Every woman, even one with very little experience, can translate that tone. It means please, please, please let me…

I smiled. “I think you can push me a little.”

And then I wasn’t thinking about demons or stolen money or lost loves. I was thinking about that long silent voice that was suddenly screaming at me to kiss and lick and let this man do whatever he wanted to with me. Dev let himself go now, and he was suddenly everywhere. His tongue seduced mine. His hands explored. His fingers ran up from my hips, skimming along my side until he found his way to my breasts. My nipples were hard points begging for his attention. I wanted his mouth on me, his hands roaming. The center of him pressed against me, seeking entry despite the barriers of our clothing. He was not a small man. His cock was large and blissfully erect. That glorious erection nudged insistently through the denim of my jeans. I let my legs wind around him and gave myself over to the moment.

“Please, Dev.” It had been so long. I hadn’t even touched myself. I’d been utterly alone.