East of Ecstasy (Hearts of the Anemo)

  She blew out a shaky breath and tried to keep from freaking out. Or over-sharing. She was pretty sure he’d reached his limit on talking about emotions. Fine by her, since she was still trying to wrap her head around the alternate-reality version of her life she seemed to have stepped into.

  Finally, he pulled away, just a little—enough to lean his forehead against hers, though his hands were still on her back holding them together. Eyes closed, he said, “I ate all your berries.”

  “The strawberries?” Anna smiled. “I know. Were they good?”

  His lips twitched. “Very. I’ll buy you more.”

  “What’s mine is yours, so thank you, but not necessary.”

  His eyes blinked open. Anna gasped. His irises, normally so dark they appeared black, looked lighter. Still dark, but she would’ve sworn they now bore an actual color. “Your eyes.” He frowned. “Go look at your eyes,” she whispered.

  Wariness filtered into his expression. “Why?”

  “I can’t be sure because of my colorblindness, but I think… Go look. Please?”

  He grabbed her hand and led them to the bathroom, flicked on the light, and stood in front of the mirror. Deep scowl, free hand fisted, muscles braced, he appeared ready to do battle. But then his expression changed. He leaned in—and his eyes went wide. His reflection met her gaze and his hand tightened around hers. “They’re purple,” he said around a thick-sounding swallow. “My eyes are dark purple.”

  Anna smiled, joy she didn’t fully understand making her heart swell. “Told you.”

  Devlin dropped to a knee in front of her and bowed his head against her belly. Words spilled out of him in a language she didn’t recognize, but the tone was reverent, solemn, urgent. Her heart recognized the significance of his words even if she couldn’t understand their meaning. She laid her hands on his head and stroked his hair.

  And realized she was beyond falling. She had fallen all the way for her broken god.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Devlin sat at the table in the Fallstons’ kitchen, an empty plate in front of him from the huge breakfast Anna had made, just for him, and thought he’d never been more full in his entire life. And he wasn’t talking about the four-egg omelet he’d just eaten.

  His body felt…it was almost indescribable. Lighter. Buoyant. But filled to the brim at the same time, especially his heart, which felt way too big for his chest. And his head too, which, with his usual rage and grief quieted, left more room for himself. Which didn’t even make any sense.

  But whatever it was, it felt good. And it was all because of Anna.

  Standing in the gray morning light of her bedroom, she’d waged war against his inner demons. And she’d won the battle, hands down. By the gods, his eyes had changed. It wasn’t the color itself that was remarkable, but the fact that they bore any color at all. Devlin rarely looked in a mirror, so his memories of his own appearance were few and far between. But as much as he could recall, his eyes had always been black—and that terrified him because it was one more similarity with his father. Well, at least partially—because sometime during the last year, the sclera of Eurus’s eye had turned black, too. It was so horrific to see that Eurus hid his eyes most of the time by wearing dark sunglasses. Half of Devlin’s resistance to mirrors at this point was fearing the moment his eyes fully blackened, too.

  But they were purple. Not the same. Just like…Devlin himself was not the same as Eurus.

  I am not Eurus, he thought to himself. Going as far as saying he was good? Nope. Devlin wasn’t there yet.

  Which was why he couldn’t quite tell whether Anna had won the war itself.

  But just then, Devlin didn’t even care, because he was powerless to do anything but bask in the warmth of the caring and belief and acceptance she’d given him. Who knew when he’d feel this way again? Or how long it would last?

  “What do you think, Michael?”

  A hand fell on his arm. “Michael?” Anna looked at him with pleading eyes.

  Devlin shook away the fog of his thoughts and gazed at Anna, Garrett, and Evan, who were all staring at him expectantly. “Sorry, uh, daydreaming, I guess. Think of what?” Realization smacked him in the forehead. “Oh, right. I agree with Anna. Until the building inspector gives the okay on the structural integrity of the house, I think we have to clear out.” This was the rationale Anna had come up with before they’d returned downstairs. Smart woman.

  Anna smiled at him, then looked at Garrett. “See, Dad? Michael agrees—”

  “Mikey, you really think this is necessary? I…I…” Garrett shook his head, a deep frown carved around his mouth. He clasped his hands together tightly in front of him.

  “I do…Dad,” he said around a lump in his throat. He hated deceiving the man, but it seemed the lesser of two evils compared with breaking his heart. “Hopefully, it’ll just be for a few days, and then everything will be back to normal.” If the gods were willing.

  “But…but…where would I go?” he said, panic rising into his voice like wind filling a sail.

  “You can come stay with me,” Evan said with a smile. Anna had pulled him aside before they’d gathered around the table to ask him if he’d take Garrett in for a few days. “I have a great guest room and a recliner with your name on it.”

  “And Evan lives just two streets away, Dad, so we wouldn’t even have to get in the car,” she said with a hopeful smile. Apparently, Garrett’s dementia made him fearful of riding in cars anymore, too. It was a battle Anna said she fought very selectively.

  For his part, Evan sat quietly and listened, a concerned expression on his face.

  “Hmph,” Garrett said, nailing Devlin with a stare. “I don’t like this, not one bit. But if you think I should do it, I will.”

  Such was the belief Garrett had in his son, apparently. A knot lodged in Devlin’s throat, so he nodded.

  “Anna, if you’ll give me some advice, I’ll pack a bag for Garrett,” Evan said, rising.

  “Of course,” she said. The two of them left the room.

  Garrett stared at him a long moment, then tilted his head as though he was analyzing Devlin. A niggle of unease twisted through his gut. “Whatever happens, take care of Anna. You hear?” Garrett said in an absolutely serious voice.

  Devlin schooled his expression even as Garrett’s words made his scalp prickle. How had Garrett managed to say something so appropriate to the situation they were actually in, without knowing anything about it? Though did it really matter? “You have my word,” Devlin said.

  A silent understanding seemed to flow between them after that. Garrett nodded.

  Anna returned maybe ten minutes later. “Everything’s set,” she said. “We’ll walk down as soon as you get dressed, Dad.”

  Only minutes later, they stood at the front door as Garrett attempted to psych himself up to go outside. “What would help you?” Anna finally asked, rubbing her dad’s back.

  Garrett looked from her to Devlin and back again. “You two.” Evan and Devlin each with a bag, they went out the door, down the porch steps, and along the sidewalk to the driveway. When they got to the wider pavement, Garrett wrapped one shaking arm through Anna’s, and the other through Devlin’s.

  The three of them walked in a row. Like they were a family.

  And though it was a stolen moment, just then Devlin truly did feel a part of something bigger than himself.

  Anna chitchatted with her father and Evan as they walked to the end of the street, crossed the intersection, and then approached the fifth house on the other side. Like the Fallstons’ house, this one was an older two-story with lots of what they called character—wide porch, colored fanlight over the front door, lots of carved molding and ornamental details.

  A dark-skinned man a little older than Evan stepped out onto the porch just as they started up the steps. Evan’s partner, Jake, Devlin assumed. “Good to see you, Mr. Fallston,” he called with a big, open smile.

  “Jake,” Garrett said. “Rave
ns on tonight?”

  “Yes, sir,” Jake said, holding open the storm door.

  Talk of football continued as Garrett shuffled into the house, the walk clearly having taxed him. Inside, Devlin kept Garrett company as Anna and Evan unpacked his belongings and got him settled in.

  Soon, Anna and Devlin were saying good-bye to Garrett and making promises to return quickly. Of course, Garrett thought that meant later today, which they’d purposely left vague with him because Anna thought any effort to explain that they’d be gone for a few days would exacerbate his stress. In reality, Devlin couldn’t yet estimate when they’d return and the Fallstons’ house would once again be safe. The good-byes were so strained and tense that Devlin couldn’t wait to get out of the house, despite the fact that a part of him burned with regret and concern for Garrett. But at least Anna’s father was out of harm’s way.

  Outside, Evan said, “I have to get my car, so I’ll walk back with you.”

  Unlike the walk of a few minutes ago, everyone was quiet as they made the return trip down the quiet street. Evan pointed out his car a short ways from Anna’s house, then turned and met Anna’s gaze. “Are you sure there’s not something else going on here?” Devlin cut his gaze to Anna, but the movement had been a mistake. Evan’s expression darkened. “There is, isn’t there?”

  “No, there’s nothing going on.” She smiled. “We just gotta deal with the house.”

  Evan frowned. “I mean this as a total compliment, Annalise, but you have always been a horrible liar.”

  Concern flashed through Devlin as Anna paled. “I…I…”

  “You have devoted your life to Garrett for years.” Evan’s gaze swung to Devlin. “And you come to town, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Bad News, and suddenly things are blowing up and you’re leaving Garrett at my house, which, don’t get me wrong. I’m happy to help. But, it’s so not you,” he said, staring at Anna.

  Heat skittered over Devlin’s hands. He did not appreciate the man’s tone with Anna right now. Not one bit.

  She shivered and hugged herself, and Devlin hated seeing that protective posture even more. Hated knowing that something he’d done was the cause of it. “Evan, I just need you to trust me,” she said.

  Evan swung a ring of keys around his finger. “That would be easier if you’d tell me what’s going on.”

  She planted her hands on her hips. “Asking you to trust me means doing it without needing me to explain. At least, not right now.”

  “Wow. Okay, then.” Without another word, he rounded the car, folded into the driver’s seat, and pulled away.

  Devlin’s presence had caused this deep rift between Anna and her long-time friend. Guilt slunk through his gut, especially as he caught the flash of hurt in Anna’s eyes.

  Sonofabitch.

  Anna whirled on him and pointed. “Don’t you dare apologize because none of what just happened was your fault.”

  Devlin blinked. Hip jutted to the side, eyes nearly blazing silver, a pink flush on her cheeks. Gods, she was sexy when she was telling him what to do. So, even though Devlin was sorry, he let it go and decided to take her at her word. “Okay.”

  She raked her hands into her hair, splaying the light blond in a pale waterfall above her head. The position highlighted her beautiful breasts and revealed a sliver of skin between her shirt and jeans. Anna flung her arms down in a huff and crossed them over her chest. “I’m sorry he talked to you that way.” She kicked at a stone on the sidewalk and stepped closer. “I could really use a hug right now.”

  Forcing himself to move as a human would, Devlin closed the distance between them, his eyes on hers every step of the way, until he folded her in his arms.

  Her heat slammed into his chest and her arms wrapped immediately around his back. “Oh, God, Devlin,” she rasped. “I was panicking and getting mad and I thought I was going to lose control. There was this pressure building inside me, and I could see the darkness coming, settling over the street and all the houses. If he’d kept asking I don’t think I would’ve been able to hold it back. I don’t know how you do it,” she rushed on, “how you possess this incredible power and keep it all bottled up inside.”

  Her words wrapped around him like a warm blanket. “Uh, have you seen your backyard lately?”

  A chuckle. Louder. She tilted her head back and let out a full-on laugh. A laugh that Devlin had caused. It was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard in his life. And Anna…she was the most beautiful sight.

  “I am sorry that happened, especially on top of leaving your father at Evan’s house, which I know wasn’t easy for you.”

  She nodded and released a long breath. “Thanks.”

  Their closeness and her softness and the fact that his touch seemed to ease her fueled arousal through his body. “I want to kiss you,” he said in an unusual voicing of his desires.

  She smiled up at him. “Well, what are you waiting for?”

  Grasping her face, he leaned down. Slowly. Closer. Keeping his eyes open so he could look into hers. Anna shuddered out a breath as her fingers fisted in his shirt, pulling and urging.

  Their lips were so close that Anna’s breath whispered across his skin. A small whimper spilled from her throat and her gaze went bright with need.

  Devlin kissed her.

  The minute their lips connected, passion ignited between them, hot and urgent and demanding. Devlin’s heart was immediately a jackhammer in his chest. The kiss turned almost rough in its urgency—not just him, but both of them. She sucked on his tongue. He bit her bottom lip. She pulled his hair and urged him closer, deeper.

  “Do we have to leave right away?” she whispered.

  The implication sank into Devlin’s mind. He hardened to the point of painful need. “Told them we’d be back this afternoon,” he said, pulling away to look in her eyes. Both of them were breathing hard, chests crashing into each other from how close they stood. “Tell me what you want, Annalise.”

  “You,” she said. “Now.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Hang on tight,” Devlin said as he made them invisible.

  Anna wanted to whoop in joy and exhilaration as Devlin whisked them to her house, under the gap in her front door, and into her bedroom. When he brought them back into their bodies, they were midair. A moment later, they bounced onto the mattress side by side. Laughter burst out of Anna’s chest.

  “Like that?” Devlin asked, kissing her throat.

  “Yeah,” she said, smiling and grabbing onto his shoulders. “Handy.”

  She scooted down so their faces aligned and found his lips in a breath-stealing kiss. He pushed the hoodie off her shoulders, and together they worked it free. Anna kicked off her sneakers and they thudded on the floor. She yanked at the back of his shirt, needing to feel his skin against hers. When he didn’t hesitate to help her remove it, white-hot triumph flooded through her.

  “I meant what I said, Anna,” Devlin said as he kissed her jaw and throat. “Lift.”

  She sat up a little, and he made quick work of her T-shirt and bra. When she lay back against the messy covers, he kissed a trail up her stomach to the valley between her breasts.

  His hands were huge and warm as they cupped and kneaded her breasts. “I haven’t done this in a long time, so I’m wound tight.”

  “It’s okay.” Her hands flew to his hair as he kissed circles around her right nipple. Anticipation of his lips and tongue finally focusing on the sensitive peak had her arching toward him. He flicked her tip once, twice, and she cried out. His mouth covered her completely and sucked and licked and nibbled until she was panting and writhing under him. “Need you,” she moaned.

  Devlin’s fingers worked at the button and zipper on her jeans. A shiver erupted across her skin, fueled by anticipation and adrenaline and pure, unadulterated arousal. He slid off the edge of the bed onto his feet and tugged her jeans off. “Gods, you’re beautiful,” he said, as he dropped the clothing to the floor. Standing between her legs, he caught one
ankle in his rough, calloused hand and lifted it to his mouth. With a groan of appreciation, he kissed and licked up her calf, to the soft, ticklish spot under her knee, and up the inside of her thigh.

  And then he hauled her body toward him until her hips were at the edge of the bed. Anna’s heart tripped into a full-out sprint.

  He leaned over her, his chest falling on hers, his hips providing a maddening friction against her core, and kissed her until she was certain she could live without oxygen or die happy trying.

  “Look at me,” he whispered, watching her as he kissed her. It was intimate and intense. And, oh, the light flaring behind his now-brighter eyes was so damn beautiful.

  Anna saw the question in his gaze. “I’m sure, Devlin.”

  Another searing kiss, like a reward, or a giving of thanks. As he rose, he dragged his hands down her body to her panties, leaving a trail of fire in his wake. When she lifted her legs, he made quick work of removing them and undoing the fly of his jeans.

  Devlin shoved the black denim down over his lean hips, and it was all that separated him from her hungry gaze.

  His cock stood straight out from his body, long and thick and heavy. Anna licked her lips and pushed up onto one elbow, then she wrapped her other hand around his length.

  He groaned and grabbed her thighs, his hands bracing as if her touch was almost too much to bear. She stroked him once, twice, twisting her wrist on each upward pull. Mouth open and face strained, Devlin groaned again and stilled her wrist in the manacle of his grip.

  “Fuck, you’re gonna make me come from touching me.”

  A thrill rippled through her stomach, and she moved her fingers as much as she could with Devlin holding her wrist. “So come.”

  “Anna,” he growled.

  “Let go,” she whispered, wriggling her hand.

  When he did, she smiled and continued stroking him, handling him so his head rubbed against her clit. He gripped her bent knees and watched her hand and trembled against her. His stomach muscles clenched and flinched and his hips started to move. And holy hell was he sexy to watch as his body tightened and shook in pleasure.