Free Envy by K.T. Fisher

in close and lets his finger glide from my ear lobe to the middle of my chin.
    “That was the best night of my life.” Devlin whispers. “I know you enjoyed it too, so don’t let whatever’s going on in that head of your ruin it.”
    I smile because I just can’t help it. “I did.”
    Devlin nods, breaking into a huge smile. “I knew it.”
    I laugh and Devlin does too. Our faces still so close that when my head dips down, I bang my forehead onto his and suddenly back away but Devlin stops me. His hand is behind my head, tangled into my hair and holding me in place. Our laughter dies and we look into each other’s eyes.
    We stay like that until I dare to look down at Devlin mouth. I really want to kiss him. I look back into his dark eyes and see his now looking at mine and without thinking my tongue licks along my bottom lip. He looks up into my eyes and there’s one second where everything freezes. It’s just Devlin and me, I have no worries or fears. I’m just here. So when Devlin drops his mouth onto mine, I don’t think. I return the kiss with as much desire as Devlin is giving to me.
    His other hand joins the one already in my hair, both tangled into my messy bun as I melt into him. Devlin’s deep growl does crazy shit to me and I just wish that our chairs weren’t between us. Devlin breaks away and leans his forehead onto mine. “Fuck you drive me crazy.”
    I don’t know what to say, so I stay quiet and it seems like that’s the best because Devlin leans closer again and kisses me gently.
    “Tasha?” I hear Lauren from inside the house. My lips break away from Devlin’s at the sound of her voice as she shouts her again. Devlin’s hand grips my jaw to stop me moving too far away and as Lauren comes outside, he tugs on my bottom lip with his thumb.
    “Devlin!” Lauren asks in surprise.
    Devlin looks down and checks the time on his phone. “Shit.”
    “I didn’t know you were coming around.” Lauren carries on as she walks into the garden.
    Devlin quickly stands, not noticing Lauren anymore but looking right at me.
    “Babe, I need to go.” He leans down to me and kisses me so fucking hard, all the air is wiped out of me. “I’m taking you out soon. No questions asked.”
    Devlin gives me a naughty grin and then one quick kiss before he leaves. He gives Lauren a quick kiss on the forehead too before walking past her and letting himself out.
    “Did I interrupt?” Lauren asks.
    I hadn’t realised I staring at Devlin leaving until Lauren speaks.
    “What?” I ask.
    “You two looked pretty cosy.” She smiles.
    I look down at my hands again to hide my burning face.
    “How was your first day?” I ask.
    “Amazing.” She answers. “How was yours?”
    “I didn’t have a first day.” I point out sarcastically and when Lauren tilts her head to the side and gives me her, don’t lie to me face, I give in.
    “Fine. I was innocently cleaning when Devlin bought me dinner.” I answer.
    “That was sweet.” She smiles. “And not at all what I would expect.”
    “Well I could say the same for Grim if I hadn’t seen it for myself whilst I’ve been living with you both.” I remind her.
    “True.” She nods.
    “We kissed.” I spit out.
    “Yes I saw.” Lauren giggles. “I’m happy for you.”
    “There’s no need to be.” I shake my head. “I can’t let it happen.”
    Lauren’s face falls. “What?”
    “I can’t let him near me Lauren, you know that.” I remind her.
    “Yes you can Tasha.” She pleads. “You more than anyone deserves to be happy.”
    “Are you forgetting what they did to me?” I ask. “You’ve seen the scars they have left me with.” Lauren stares at me for a few seconds and then kneels down in front of me. She reaches up and wipes the tears away that I didn’t even know were falling.
    “Yes I have and you should wear them with pride.” Lauren looks up at me. “Do not be ashamed Natasha, do you hear me?”
    “I hate them.” I cry. Lauren holds me