Once Bitten - C.M. Steele Page 0,15
the engine, he grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips. “I called Ian the second I hit the Miami shores. Then I rushed over here to you.”
My heart warmed at his revelation. I knew I’d been a fool, but my heart couldn’t handle the distance. “Are you going to go on another expedition?”
“No. At least not one that takes any more than a day or two; if that’s okay with you.”
“You know it’s your choice.”
“No, it’s our choice. You’re going to be my wife, and I refuse to upset you for no reason. I’m sorry about the past two months.”
“What do you have to apologize for? It wasn’t you who lied to me and played on my emotions, and more importantly, I never contacted you.”
“Why, babe? That’s been on my damn mind since the very first call.”
“Because I would have asked you to come back home.” I had no shame.
“And I would have come home immediately.”
“Exactly. It’s not like you don’t have a job to do. Those expeditions are important.”
“Nothing is more important than you. I wish I’d backed out at the last minute. We had enough people aboard to handle the trip.”
“Well, we’re together now.”
“That we are.” He kissed me hard before pulling out of the driveway and down to the highway. I would have invited my mother, but I knew she’d try to talk me out of it. They were on the same side when it came to Devin or any man who wanted to date me. I was too young to find love, according to them. At twenty-two, I wasn’t too young. Naïve? Yes, but my heart had won out.
Chapter Seven
Devin
“It’s going to be okay, Jamie.” I sensed her embarrassment. Bringing her hand to my lips, I kissed it. If I wasn’t in the middle of driving on a mission, I’d pull over and devour her mouth, claiming it like we both need.
“I know it is. I feel foolish for wasting so much time. I could have told you a thousand times that I loved you.”
“I knew you did, and that’s all that matters. When you had a hard time saying goodbye, I understood that it was because you didn’t want to be apart. I’d do anything for you and now our little one in there.”
“How did you know about the baby?”
“Did you think that I’d leave you here unprotected? I hired a small detail to keep you safe.”
“Wow, really? Did Mia and Ian know?”
“Yes, Mia has a full detail as well to keep you ladies safe. Especially after what happened with the bombing of Ian’s lab, there was no way I could leave not knowing you were safe.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because somehow I thought you might try to ditch them for fun.”
“Damn right.”
“I think that I saw one of them when I was in CVS. That’s how you knew about the baby, right?”
“I had a feeling, and you confirmed it for me.”
“Well, are they coming with us?”
“No.” I kissed her hand again before we entered the private entrance to the runway.
We parked in the hangar and then I helped her out. “Oh my goodness. I’ve never been on a private jet before,” she gasped.
“Just for you, Kitten. I need your mouth now,” I growled, sliding my hand into her hair, jerking her head back, and upturning her face to me. Shock and desire flooded her expression and then her eyes dropped to my lips.
“Devin,” she whispered
“You’re mine, Jamie.” My pulse raced as I tasted her soft mouth, swiping my tongue over her bottom lip. “Open up for me, my beautiful fiancée.” She gasped as I pushed my way in. I could spend the rest of my days kissing her. It always felt like the first time and I longed for more.
A throat cleared, reminding us we had a flight plan to keep. “I love you, Jamie.”
“I love and need you, Devin.”
“I’m yours—forever.” I took her hand and then, shocking her, I flipped her over my shoulder and rushed up the steps.
“Don’t drop me.”
“Never.” As soon as we moved to the lounge seats, I slid her down the front of my body and down into the chair. Stealing another brief kiss, I buckled her in and then took my seat beside her.
Ian gave the order to take off. “Ready, Kitten?”
“Absolutely.”
“So we’re going to get into the hotel and then change for the wedding. I packed everything we need,” Mia explained, settling herself into her chair with her tablet in hand, jotting down something we