Page 55 of Keeping a Warrior

“This is healthy for them, I swear. They’re both broadening their horizons.” He shot her an irrepressible grin. “So I just wanted to pass on me and my wife’s appreciation of you.”

Devon reached out and gave him a shove. “So glad I meet with your approval,” she said sarcastically, “and fuck right off with the pictures of me, okay? Stop it.”

“Ha.” Aaron pointed at her as he started walking backward toward the plane. “I really like you, Lowe. Just sayin’.”

She flipped him the bird, and he laughed aloud as he finally trotted away.

“So what was that all about?”

Heat surged low in her belly at the sound of Rhys’s husky voice behind her. Slowly, she turned to face him, her whole body tingling at the memory of their dance, how he’d felt against her. “Just talking. He’s a goof.”

“He is.”

They fell silent, shuffling their feet, until Rhys said softly, “You okay?”

“Yeah.” Pursing her lips in confusion, Devon asked, “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“That guy last night...”

“Oh.” A surge of excitement rolled through her. “I can’t really talk about it yet. But it’s good,” she rushed on, seeing his brows draw together in concern. “It’s really good.”

And holy shit, it’s everything I’ve ever wanted.

He nodded, his eyes steady on her face. “I, uh, I’m also really sorry.”

Devon blinked. “Sorry for what?”

Cramming his hands in his pockets, Rhys hunched his shoulders. “Almost answering the phone on you before we’d said a proper good-night.”

A proper good-night.

Devon’s eyes fell on the arm she’d held on to as they walked home. It’d been so warm and strong, and she’d been so tired...

“No worries,” she whispered, that pesky arousal racing through her again.

He lifted his head. “It was rude. I hate it when someone interrupts what I’m saying to check their phone. Makes me feel like chopped liver.” He paused. “Did I make you feel like chopped liver?”

Devon was about to deny it, when she remembered Aaron’s words about Lani not being honest with him. So she said, “Maybe a little.”

He flinched. “Ugh, I knew it. I’m sorry, Devon.”

“Don’t be. I’m usually not one to dance and run, either.”

Rhys laughed. “You don’t? Noted.”

“For next time.”

“Got it.” He smiled, then gestured toward a pile of gear sitting not far away. “Need to get my shit loaded. See ya on the plane?”

“Yep. Save me a seat.”

With a wink, he turned to sling the largest duffel over his shoulder before grabbing another one in each hand. Devon watched him go, appreciating the bulge of his biceps, the play of muscle in his powerful back. She shivered at the memory of how gently he’d held her on the dance floor, how he’d asked permission before even touching her.

It’d been a long time since she’d felt so cherished and safe.

Then she shook her head as if to clear it. Reality check, idiot. Nothing’s ever going to come of this. You know that, right?

How could it? He was fresh off a long-term relationship, and she’d just had the opportunity of a lifetime dropped unexpectedly in her lap.