Free Devon's Discipline by Adaline Raine

armchair near the couch.
    “I used to cook with my mom and I miss it. The kitchen at my house is rather pitiful.” Devon wondered why he didn’t get her point. She wanted to spend time with him.
    “You’re welcome to come over and cook whenever you want.”
    “I’d love to when I’m back on my feet and all,” she smiled. Although last night’s scare still made her tremble a little, she felt safe here and didn’t want to leave.
    “How are you feeling now?” Matthews leaned back in his chair.
    “I think they broke my ribs.” Devon slurped a long noodle into her mouth. Most of her bumps and bruises had healed completely overnight, but her ribs, nose, and shoulder ached badly. Maybe it had been her time to go and join her parents. What an awful thought. If it were my time, I’d already be with them.
    “You were in very bad shape last night.” He poured out some sauce and dipped a wonton into it.
    “If you hadn’t rescued me from the end of your driveway, would I have died?” Devon twirled a long noodle around the chopsticks, then watched it fall back into the dish. “I mean, if they had brought me home or something?”
    “You had multiple broken and dislocated bones. Your chest and stomach were crisscrossed with bruises and you spit up blood more than once. I’m not medically inclined, but those are all serious problems. Let’s just be glad they brought you here.” His eyes darkened. “They at least made one tiny good decision, but it’s too bad I wasn’t outside when they did.”
    “You’ve been making odd comments today. Do you want me to be afraid of you?” Something about the way he looked at her made her realize she felt equal parts turned on and scared around him.
    “You wouldn’t be in my house eating take-out if I wanted you to be afraid of me.” A shadow of a smile played across his lips as he stood and collected their plates. “Though you should be more cautious.”
    “Okay, okay. Back to my earlier question. Do you find me as attractive as I find you?” Devon stood slowly, then got distracted by his movements. Simply cleaning the dishes caused the muscles in his arms to flex and she longed to run her hands over them.
    “You don’t know the answer?” Matthews scoffed as he approached and met her in front of the couch. “Really?”
    “You pushed me away again, but you never answered me.” Devon tapped her foot and twirled her hair around her finger as she waited for his answer. I’m so on edge! Just tell me!
    “I find you very appealing, and I know when I turn you on.” He licked his lips as he spoke, and true to his words, she found herself turned on immediately.
    “I read online somewhere that adrenaline is like ecstasy to a vampire.” She shrugged. “If a spike happens, along with other factors—”
    “Wait, are you going to start quoting high school statistics at me?” he snorted. “The amount of restraint you think I have is flattering.”
    “I’ve never thought about it before now.” The look on his face made her wet as he reached out for her.
    “If the temptation is so great, how can I stand here with your pulse on my tongue and not act on it?” Matthews tugged her against him.
    “I don’t know.” A sharp prickle of fear ran down her spine as Devon pressed closer and his grip tightened. “I’m not in a good spot at the moment.”
    “I agree with you.” He ran his cheek along her jaw and breathed in. His tongue found her neck again and she melted into him.
    “You pulled me closer.” She loved being held, but an undercurrent of panic sparked through her thoughts.
    “Not the smartest move on my part.” Matthews let go of her slowly. “I’m sorry.”
    Devon’s first instinct told her to dive to the floor, but he seemed to be in a scary mood. She bent down and slowly searched for her shoes but kept her eyes on him. In a one-handed quest she found them but slid each onto the opposite foot. She looked down, let out a long breath, and corrected her