Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 132031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Damn, he was attached. So attached. Too attached. He should recuse himself from the operation. Then maybe beg Dev to leave with him. Let them have a chance at something more than Dev’s complete downfall and destruction.
A lump formed in his throat.
He thought about the way he’d cleaned Dev when they were finished. Cash had soaped his hands, skimmed every inch of the biker reverently. Dev had let him, watching and relaxing into the touch. He had always dreamed of finding a connection like this. A give and take until they found what they liked, making it special for the both of them.
The double dipping peanut butter and jelly was going to be a problem though.
But why? Dev had a point. He ate the man’s ass every chance he got.
Cash had to get out of his own head. It didn’t matter how much he liked Dev. In the next day or two, it would all change.
He needed mental distance and pushed off his back, taking Dev to his. Dev was out and did little more than continue the turn, angling his body away from Cash.
The guy had a shit day.
Cash would make sure the agency took care of Dev financially.
First thing, Cash was cleaning this house. Maybe he should hire a grocery service. He could put that request in Dev’s paperwork too, and a housekeeper. Cash rolled from the bed, gathering the drawings still littering the floor. He hoped the girls had stayed out of this room. Dev was excellent at recreating their intimate moments into sheet after sheet of beautiful, erotic porn. He loved Dev’s drawings. He placed those on the dresser and quietly gathered the clothes off the floor before starting out of the room. He shut the door behind him.
The entire place was a mess. He kept going, picking up the dirty clothes until he opened the French doors to the laundry area. He could only laugh. Like everywhere else, he was knee deep in a mess.
His mother’s voice came to his head, saying what she always said to get him to help with the chores: Cleanliness is godliness. A small concession, but he did like to clean.
He lifted the lid to the washing machine. Thankfully it was empty. He loaded it full and started the washer before going in search of trash bags. Of course, the box was empty.
Cash went back to his place for cleaning supplies. All the cleaning supplies.
He doubted there were many inside Dev’s apartment.
Chapter 20
“I’m home,” Dev hollered before the back door to his mother’s kitchen shut.
He listened for a response, hearing nothing more than silence from inside the house. He glanced around the darkened kitchen. The only light on was above the large kitchen sink.
The newly decorated Thanksgiving cookies and cupcakes placed on four covered cake plates in the center of the massive island snagged his attention. His stomach growled his approval as he went that direction first before seeking out the girls.
He looked over the selection, quickly identifying who’d decorated what. Abigail’s designs sat to the right. They were all in different shades of black. Black icing, black sprinkles, a gothic vibe drawn on top. She had his love for art and the malevolent side of life. He snagged two of those, taking a large bite of one before shoving the rest of the cookie in his mouth.
To the left were Mae’s decorations. She went with the colors of the season. All fall themed with no real design. He could see the effort she used in trying to make each one perfect. He took two from her plate too.
His mother had the most delicious sugar cookie recipe. One he had loved for his whole life. At least one plate of cookies was coming home with him tonight.
Laughter from the other side of the house drew his attention. He started down the long hall, holding the cookies in such a way that the icing job didn’t get ruined. He’d learned that lesson the hard way last Thanksgiving. He’d stacked each one on top of the other in one hand. Both girls lost their minds at how easily he destroyed their creations.
It always amazed Dev how the women in his life tried to make him considerate and mindful. It never really worked until his daughters came along, and just like that, he tried to do better to please them.
Kids were a fucked-up mind game of devotion and love.
His mother had bought this house a few years back. It became her sanctuary. To Dev, the borderline mansion was big and sprawling while still feeling homey. She excelled in building a comfortable space. This home’s theme was modern bohemian chic. One of the sofas cost more than he spent annually on groceries.
The place beat the hell out of the two-bedroom shanty Dev had grown up in in the middle of the worst part of South Dallas.