* * *
When I exit the library later that evening, I immediately spy the limo parked at the curb. A hint of exasperation sweeps over me. I know that if I want to be with Devlin, I’m going to have to deal with his overprotectiveness and give up my vision of the ‘perfect life.’ I’ve realized that those ideals that I’ve always tried to steer my life towards are no longer realistic. Still, Devlin is going to suffocate me if he doesn’t ease up a little.
As I approach the limo, the door opens, and Devlin gracefully climbs out and watches me walk towards him. He begins to smile when he sees my disapproving expression. When I’m close enough, he says, “I have a surprise for you to make up for this morning.”
I falter with surprise. This was the last thing I was expecting. When he holds out a hand, I willingly accept it and let him help me into the limo. Once we’re settled in the leather seats, I can’t help but recall the last time I was in here and what we’d done. Part of me wouldn’t mind repeating it, but I can sense that this isn’t the time to begin something we’re both going to want to finish.
It’s still light outside as the sun’s rays begin to wane, but the light is on inside the limo to make up for the evening shadows, and I can see Devlin’s expression clearly. I clear my throat and ask, “Where are we going?”
He smirks. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
He’s up to something, and I’m going to have to patiently wait to see what it is. I turn my head and watch out the window, curious to see where we’re going as the limo makes its way through the congested streets.
When we come upon Fifty-Ninth Street and Sixth Avenue, the limo pulls over. We’re near an entrance to Central Park, and three horse-drawn carriages are waiting to pick up passengers.
The door next to me opens, and I see Aiden. He smiles and holds out a hand. I accept it and step out of the limo with Devlin following behind.
I look at Devlin with confusion, and he takes my hand and walks me over to one of the carriages. He begins speaking to the man standing beside it, and I realize this is the surprise.
A smile forms on my lips as I turn and allow my eyes to dance over the white, open-top carriage and the beautiful horse that is patiently waiting.
When Devlin touches my arm, I tug my eyes back to him. He’s smiling as he motions that he’s going to assist me into the carriage. I can’t contain my excitement as he helps me onto the seat and settles in next to me, slipping an arm around my shoulders. I snuggle in close, feeling more content than I have in a long time.
The driver hops up into the front seat, and a second later, there’s a brief tug as the horse begins to make its way towards the paved entrance of the park.
I look at Devlin and find his eyes on me. “I’ve never claimed to be perfect. I’m going to mess up here and there, but I’ll always apologize,” he tells me.
His apology brings a smile to my face, and I tilt my head and brush a kiss along his cheek. He, in turn, presses a tender kiss to my forehead. Then we settle in to enjoy the sunset carriage ride.
Both of us are quiet as we admire the scenery. The Belvedere Castle is beautiful and turns out to be my favorite part of the ride. Though the bridges, fountains and statues come in a close second.
The setting sun makes a beautiful backdrop, and I find myself wishing that I had a camera. When I mention this to Devlin, he shows me that my phone has a built-in camera. From that moment on, I make it a point to take pictures of everything we pass by that I deem photo-worthy. I also manage to snag a few pictures of Devlin, who apparently hates having his picture taken but suffers through it without too much protest.
After the carriage ride, Devlin whisks me to a restaurant that has an outdoor courtyard with tables surrounding a gorgeous fountain. It’s quite romantic with candlelight on each table. The other tables are strategically placed far enough apart to give the illusion of privacy.
It’s not easy to read Devlin’s lips, and a few times, I text because I can’t put together the few words I’ve managed to decipher. He looks crestfallen that he’d chosen a place that has proven to be difficult for communication, but I reach over and take his hand in mine, squeezing it.
Careful to keep my voice low since I know my tone is different, I say, “I absolutely love every part of this evening. Thank you.”
He brings my hand to his mouth and kisses it as his eyes blaze at me from across the table.
I dare to give him a naughty smile. “I’m looking forward to dessert.”
Heat fills his gaze. “Me too,” he says slowly and deliberately so that there’s no mistaking what he’s saying.
The rest of our meal is torturously slow, and when we finally exit the restaurant and climb into the limo, I’m aching for him.
As the limo pulls away from the curb, I pick up my purse and pull out my phone. I’m feeling a bit daring this evening, especially when Devlin has gone out of his way to show me how much he cares. I type, Tell Aiden to drive around for a while. I press send and watch him avidly.
Devlin’s slowly learning that just because I can speak, that doesn’t mean it’s the only way I’m going to communicate. It’s a lot of pressure remembering how to articulate everything, so I’m content to switch it up with texting, and when I’m around Keagan, I enjoy ASL.
He pulls out his phone and glances at the screen before going still. His eyes shoot to mine, and I can see the hunger in them.
I arch an eyebrow, waiting.
As soon as he ends the call and tosses the phone aside, I make my move and climb onto his lap. Gone is my shyness. If there was any left, he took care of it the other night when he’d had his face between my thighs.
Tonight, I want to do the exploring, the tasting. I want him to know that I am open to trying anything, and that my deafness doesn’t mean I need to be treated with kid gloves. If there’s something I don’t like, I’ll let him know.
Devlin’s hands settle on my hips as he looks up at me, intuition gleaming in his gaze. “I take it you know what you want.”
“Mmm,” is all I say as I lean down and brush his lips with my own. His lips part beneath mine, and as I explore his mouth, my fingers work at the buttons of his shirt. When the last button is undone, I break the kiss and ease back as I open his shirt. He’s wearing a white shirt beneath, and I shoot him an annoyed look and yank at the hem.
He has the nerve to chuckle at me with amusement before he eases out of both shirts and tosses them aside.
The sight of his tanned, sculpted chest distracts me, and I run my hands over his pectoral muscles. He’s so strong, and all mine. It’s the best feeling in the world, and I lean in and brush my lips against his jaw. He swallows as I run my tongue over his pulse and then down his neck. My hands continue to explore as I make my way further down his body.
The ridges of his abs taste salty and just right. As I swipe my tongue along his body, I begin working on the waistband of his pants. Then, I kneel between his legs and smile up at him as I lower the zipper. The large bulge hidden behind the material tells me that he’s more than ready to play.
His eyes are heavy-lidded as he sits there, allowing me to do as I wish.
I carefully ease his erection from his pants and briefs, and I test the heavy thickness of him in my hand. The skin feels like velvet, and I carefully run my palm up and down him. His hips tense, and I look up to see that his expression is gritted with need.
Good.
It’s nice to be in charge for once.
I lean down and swipe my tongue along the thick bulb of him at the tip, and then open my mouth wide and take him further past my lips. I did a little internet research on my phone, and I know to suck on him like a lollipop. Curious to explore the rest of him, I capture the smoothness of his balls in my palm and gently play with them.
Wanting to see Devlin’s reaction, I flick my eyes up and see that he has his hands braced on the seat beside his hips, and his body is tense, a muscle throbbing in his cheek. He looks like he’s ready to explode, and it’s likely he is. A vein is evident in his neck, and he begins to shake his head, warning me to stop.
Yeah, I don’t think so.
I shove my hand inside my pants and beneath my panties until my fingers are coated with my desire. Then, I draw them out and drag my wet fingers along his length, slickening it. I begin to suck up and down as I move my hand along his base. Before I can do anything further, Devlin’s yanking himself out of my mouth and shoving me onto the limo’s floor.
I look up at him with surprise and see that he’s losing control—but in the best way possible. His hands are ripping at my pants, yanking them and my panties down. With eagerness, I part my legs as he hurriedly rolls on a condom before plunging himself into my folds. I arch my hips, anxious for more as I wrap my arms around him and hold on tight. He grips my hips and thrusts into me, quickening the rhythm until our hips are frantically slamming together as we desperately try to reach our pleasure.
When I come, it’s as if the world explodes, and I swear I blackout for a few seconds, because when I come to, Devlin’s hovering over me with concern.
I slowly give him a satisfied grin.
That was so damn good.