Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss. Maya Banks

to ear.

      “Guess what, guess what?” Brooke said breathlessly.

      “Oh, don’t make me guess. You know I’m horrible at it!” Ashley exclaimed.

      “I’m pregnant! Paul and I are going to have a baby!”

      Ashley’s shriek of excitement could be heard over the entire room. Devon winced then quickly glanced around as everyone stared their way.

      “Oh, my God, Brooke! I’m so excited for you! When? How far along are you?”

      “Just ten weeks. I had to tell you as soon as I found out, but then you’ve been so busy with Devon and then I heard you guys were getting married and I didn’t want to intrude—”

      “You should have texted me at least,” Ashley said. “Oh, Brooke, I’m so thrilled for you. I can only imagine how excited I’ll be when I become pregnant. I hope our babies are close together and can be playmates!”

      Ashley had grown louder and louder, her exuberance drawing the attention of the others, who cast indulgent smiles in Ashley’s direction.

      She was animated and talking a mile a minute, throwing her hands this way and that, and nearly crashed into a passing waiter. Only Devon’s and Cam’s quick lunge for the tray of drinks prevented complete disaster. Ashley continued, oblivious to the chaos around her.

      Then she impulsively hugged Brooke again. For the third time. Then she hugged Paul. Then she hugged Brooke again, the entire time wringing her hands in excitement.

      Cam chuckled and shook his head. “You’ve got quite the chore on your hands, Dev. Keeping up with her is going to wear your stick-in-the-mud ass out.”

      “Don’t you have somewhere else to be and someone else to torture?” Devon muttered.

      Cam glanced Ashley’s way once more and Devon swore he saw genuine affection in his friend’s eyes.

      “She’s cute,” Cam said as he put his wineglass aside.

      “Cute?”

      Cam shifted uncomfortably. “She’s sweet, okay? She seems … genuine and you can’t ask for more than that.”

      Devon stared agape at his friend. “You like her.”

      Cam scowled darkly.

      Devon laughed. “You like her. You, who doesn’t like anyone, actually like her.”

      “She’s nice,” Cam muttered.

      “But you don’t think I should marry her,” Devon prompted.

      “Shh, she’s going to hear you,” Cam hissed.

      But Ashley had already drifted away from Devon and was solidly ensconced in a squeal-fest with Brooke as others had heard the news and had descended. She wasn’t going to hear an earthquake if a fault suddenly opened up under the building and sucked everyone in.

      “If you think she’s so cute and nice, why the big speech about not being a martyr and getting married, et cetera?” Devon persisted.

      Cam sighed. “Look, I just hate to see her get hurt and that’s what’s going to happen if you aren’t straight with her. Women have a way of knowing when men aren’t that into them.”

      “Who the hell says I’m not into her?”

      Cam arched an eyebrow. “Are you saying you are? Because you don’t act like a man who’s into his future bride.”

      Devon frowned and looked around, making sure they weren’t overheard. By anyone. Least of all Ashley’s overprotective family. “What do you mean by that? You, Rafe and Ryan know the real circumstances of my relationship with Ashley but no one else does. I’ve given no one reason to suspect that I’m marrying her for any other reason than I want to.”

      Once again Cam shrugged. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe because I know the real story it’s easier for me to see that you aren’t as excited as your lovely bride to be is over your impending nuptials.”

      “Damn it,” Devon swore. “Now you’re going to have me paranoid that I’m broadcasting disinterest.”

      “Look, forget I said anything. I’m sure it’ll be fine. It’s none of my business anyway. She just seems like a sweet girl and I hate to see her get hurt.”

      “I’m not going to hurt her,” Devon gritted out. “I’m going to marry her and I’m damn sure going to take care of her.”

      “And you’re being summoned again,” Cam said, nodding in Ashley’s direction. “I’m going to take off. I’ll walk with you over to Ashley so I can offer my congratulations again and say good night.”

      Devon started in Ashley’s direction then listened attentively while she introduced him to one of her cousins—one of the many in attendance—and then waited while Cam said his goodbyes and kissed her on both cheeks.

      But the entire time, his mind was racing as he processed his conversation with Cam. Was he coming across as someone who was less than enthused about his upcoming marriage? The very last thing he needed to do was drop the ball when everything was so close to being in his grasp. Finally.

      He’d worked too damn hard and long to allow any slips now. If he had to wed Satan himself to seal this deal, he’d don the fire retardant suit and pucker up.