Chapter 241Eden"Thanks for coming to hang out with me." I wrap my arms around Devante's waist. "I missed our early mornings.""I did too, I'm gonna head home and go to sleep for a few hours.""You deserve it. Especially since you showed up right after work. I appreciate you more than you know."He drops his chin to my head, hugging me tight. "I'll be here when you close up.""You don't have to.""I want to, let me be a part of your dream too. You don't have to do everything alone. If anything has come of the situation with your gallbladder, I hope it's that you realize I want to be a piece of the solution, not a part of the problem." His words are firm, tone is serious."You've never been a problem," I argue. "You've always encouraged me and you don't know this, but I've been lonely a lot since I moved here. You've helped me not to be so lonely. In the beginning you were my only friend, D, and no matter what happens between us, I never want to lose that." Being vulnerable is

Chapter 243DevanteI pull my belt through the loops on my uniform pants, I let my eyes linger on the feast that's spread out in front of me. Eden lays against the bed, unashamed of what she's showing me. Her chest is a handful, not too much and not too little, her stomach tapers down into a "v" that showcases one of the tightest pussy's I've ever had the pleasure of getting my fingers inside. I give her a smile, and she gives me one back. Reaching behind me, I pull my shirt over my head, throwing it on the floor. Taking my uniform pants off, I kick them across the room. When it comes to my boxer briefs, I decide that I should err on the side of caution. Fucking up and blowing my load before I'm ready is the most embarrassing thing I've ever done and I have a feeling that I could do it with this girl easy. She's a bombshell in a package that's too small to contain her. Reaching down, I palm my erection as I climb onto the bed using my knees for support. Eden tries to scoot over to

Chapter 245Devante"I think I got it up high enough." Mason comes down off the ladder, placing his hands on his hips. We're putting up security cameras at the coffee shop, all of us working our own corner of the place. When I got the phone call yesterday about what happened to the shop, I immediately sent out a group text, and that's why we're all here today. Why Mason is shouting orders at his son. "Caleb, go in the back and check the monitors.""I guess no matter how old you are, you still have to pay attention to your parents," he mumbles under his breath, exasperation forcing him to rock back on his heels.A scoff works its way past my lips. There's so many things I want to say to Caleb. How lucky he is to live in this town where everyone knows everyone, and to have a relationship with his birth father. My relationship with my step-dad is good, but there's always going to be a missing piece of my life. I'm still grateful that the man who married my mom, married me too.Use

Chapter 247Devante"Where the fuck am I going?" Running an errand for Mason hadn't been on my agenda for the day, but I'd been the one to open my mouth at dinner the other night. Offering to do anything he needed because he'd helped my girlfriend.I grin. The term girlfriend is new. One I'm still getting used to. If anyone had told me when I moved this would be my life, I would've laughed in their faces. But lately, I'm discovering a lot of reasons to be grateful for being here.Looking down at my phone, I see that I'm supposed to go two more streets up. At the stop sign, I come to a complete stop and then proceed when I check to make sure no one's coming.As I cross the road, blue and white lights reflect behind me. "Son of a bitch." I'm in Calvert County, I know none of these officers. Quickly I reach into my glove compartment, get out my registration, grab my license from where I keep it over the visor, and place my hands directly on the steering wheel.Always where they c

Chapter 249EdenThis day has turned fucking shitty. Knowing Devante is upset over what happened last night. That he's retreating into himself, I hate it. I want him to come to me, but maybe that's going to happen later in our relationship. It's the catalyst as to why I'm not paying attention as I lock up the building and turn to head to my car.Normally I'm on high alert, paying attention to my surroundings, but this evening I'm into my feelings. Trying to figure out what the hell happened with Devante and how I can make it better. I don't notice the guy standing beside my car, not until we're almost face-to-face. "Mario," I gasp loudly."Surprised to see me, baby? Told ya you'd never be able to get fully away from me, or don't you remember that conversation."I do remember it. It was the night I left, only he didn't know I was leaving. He'd warned me what happened to people who crossed him. Some of them have never been found."Yeah, slightly," I manage to answer, trying to