25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“You’re moving around so muchbetter than you were last week.” Elle watched Devon get out of the bed and walk to the bathroom. The light pink scars had faded to his natural skin color even more. Her eyes drifted to the brand seared into his skin.Funny how the memory of what happened doesn’t bother me as much as it did last week,she thought.My scars are fading too.
“I can feel your eyes on my ass.” He smirked at her over his shoulder. “Don’t be shy. You can look all you want.”
“Yeah, I know I can. As fine as it is, that’s not actually where my eyes landed this time.”
“You’re staring at my brand again. Does it bother you that much? Do you want me to have it removed?” He turned to face her, sincerely interested in her reply. Then he shook his head and chuckled when her eyes dropped to his package. “Hey. My eyes are up here.”
“It’s your fault for going commando and pantless.” She met his amused gaze and continued. “The brand doesn’t bother me. And no, I don’t want you to have it removed because that would mean more surgery and pain for you. A month ago, it may have freaked me out, but I can’t honestly say. It already feels like a lifetime ago. I’m just thankful everything worked out the way it did in the end.”
“Okay. If you’re sure.”
“I’m positive.”
“Now get your fine ass out of bed so we don’t miss our flight to Miami. I’m taking you home to meet the family of Steele.”
Packed and ready to leave, they climbed into the taxi and Devon gave the address. Elle looked at him, her eyebrows raised in question. “Private airport. I have a little surprise for you.”
When they reached the small airport, Elle stepped out of the car, and the private Steele Security jet on the tarmac immediately caught her attention. She helped Devon get their bags since he was still under strict orders not to lift anything heavy, and she’d packed her entire wardrobe for the trip.
“I’ve never been on a private jet before. This is exciting.”
“You really need to use your star status more effectively. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t have already had a private flight. Unless it means you fly privately with some other guy. In which case, you fly coach.”
“No one else will ever compare to Devon Kane,” she replied automatically.
“What?” He stopped walking and waited for an explanation. “You said that so offhandedly, like you’ve said it a thousand times.”
“I have—at least that many times. Whenever anyone encouraged me to move on, date someone else, tried to convince me there are other fish in the sea, that was my standard response. You have no reason to worry or be jealous of anyone. No other man has ever compared to you—and no other man ever will.”
“Just when I think there’s no way I could love you more, you prove me wrong again.” He bent his head and kissed her sweetly. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She beamed.
Devon took his seat while Elle examined every square inch of the private Steele Security jet. “Oh, my God—there’s a bedroom back here!”
Devon laughed at her excitement, thrilled he was experiencing it with her. Unable to sit still, he joined her at the back of the plane. “There is a bedroom. And it has a bed.” He leaned against the door and watched her, his libido kicking into overdrive.
“I know that look. You can stop devouring me with your eyes right now, mister. The flight attendant will know exactly what we’re doing back here. No, Devon.” She tried to sound stern, serious. But even she wasn’t that good of an actress.
“Elle, you worry way too much about what others think. What’s the worst that would happen if she heard us? She’d tell the rag magazines, they’d run an article saying you’re part of the mile-high club, and every man in the world would know it was with me. I don’t see the downside. But the upside is we get to have sex and join the mile-high club.” He closed the door behind him and advanced on her like a tiger stalking its prey.
Four hours later, they emerged from the bedroom in time to prepare for landing. Devon couldn’t hide his amusement over Elle’s red face every time the flight attendant approached them. “She knows what we were doing back there,” Elle hissed at him. “I’m so embarrassed.”
The ride from the airport to Noah’s secluded mansion passed quickly. Before she knew it, they’d turned into the driveway and the driver pressed the call button on the state-of-the-art security system. The gate slid open, giving them access to the grounds with no questions asked. Elle watched intently as the estate came into view.
“Devon, what’s going on? What are they doing?” She pointed to the odd scene on the ornate front lawn. In the middle of the expertly manicured and professionally landscaped setting stood four women, four men…and five large doghouses.
“Is it too late to pretend our flight was delayed?” Devon deadpanned.
“Yes, considering they can see us, and they’re already motioning for us to come to them.”
He sighed, resigned to accept his punishment like a man, and opened the door. “Here we go. Oh, before we get out, I’m sorry now for whatever Liz does or says.”
“Liz?”
