Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

JOY

"W e can always go to Greenfield or even Cooperstown,” I tell Devin when he turns his truck in the direction of Mittenville.

With how private he is, I was sure he would want to go somewhere else. If we show up together, we will certainly be the talk of the town. Being so close to Christmas, I expect many people to be out and about.

“Here is fine.” He shrugs.

“It’s really fine if you don’t want to.” I try to give him an out because people might get the wrong idea about the two of us. They might have believed I was working for him before he threatened my cousin. But now that I’ve moved in with him and we’re showing up downtown together, they're going to raise more than an eyebrow.

“Do you not want to go into town with me?” He glances over where I’m sitting in the passenger seat.

“I didn’t say that. I just know how people talk, and I know you don’t want to be the center of gossip.”

“Let ’em talk.” He seems so casual, I’m having a hard time believing my ears.

“All right,” I agree, but I’m not sure what to think about Devin. He makes my head spin while also making my heart race. “You think we can swing by the store too? We can stock up on a few things, or if not, I can go back later and do it myself.”

“I’ll take you,” he says with finality, and I swear there’s a possessive tone to his words.

“I don’t want to be a bother.”

“You’re never a bother, Joy. Besides, I like doing things together.”

“And I’m supposed to be your shadow.”

He told me yesterday that I would be following him around, and I wonder if maybe the reason is because he likes company when he runs his errands. I guess he shouldn’t have moved to the middle of nowhere and isolated himself.

“Yes,” he agrees.

I’m not the kind of person that shadows someone. It can be hard for me to keep my mouth shut when I’ve got my own two cents to give.

"All right. I already made a list, so it shouldn't take long." I wiggle my phone to show him. I'm enjoying his kitchen so much that I'm determined to make full use of it.

"Don’t worry, I’m not in a hurry."

I smile over at him. His words are always straight and to the point, but he says them with a drawl. It almost defeats the point, really. It's endearing, and somehow it turns me on. It’s such a weird thing to be excited by, but most everything he does excites me.

Devin pulls right into the center of town where there are a few stores that carry Christmas decorations. I’ll need to place an overnight order for a few other things, and although I wouldn’t normally spend so much money on something like this, Devin did say I could do whatever I wanted.

“Stay put.” He gives the command before stepping out of the truck.

What the hell is he doing? I watch as he goes around the front of the truck and then to my side to open the door for me. I’m surprised when he offers me his hand, but I guess I shouldn’t be. Devin can be bossy, but he's also a gentleman.

“Thanks,” I say, and he helps me down. I can already see people turning to watch us, and I try not to fidget under their stares. I'm not used to being the town gossip, but I guess that’s going to change.

"Are you sure you weren’t the one who didn't want to come to town?" Devin asks, his gaze fixed on me. He still holds on to my hand, and although I want to pull it away, I don’t.

“It’s fine.” I try to casually brush it off, but I’m having a lot of emotions right now. Why does people seeing us together bother me all of a sudden? I’m feeling shy, and I’m not used to that. Devin brings out things in me I didn’t know were there, and it’s like I’m vulnerable.

Devin gives me a slow grin. “I may not be good with women, but I know the word fine means you’re far from fine.”

I snort a laugh. He's not wrong, but I can't tell him that. Devin doesn't need anything else going to his head, and I'll never hear the end of it.

“Not good with women?” I roll my eyes at him. “Come on.” I start walking, but Devin still maintains an unbreakable hold. When he pulls me close, I collide against his body. Then his arm wraps around my back so that I stay there, pressed right up against him. “Devin.” I motion with my eyes that people are watching.

“Let ’em watch,” he says, and to prove that he doesn’t give a shit, his hold tightens. “You’re the only woman I care about.”

I stare up at him as his gaze burns into me. His tone isn't playful, and I think he's being dead serious.

There he goes again, making my head spin. A few hours ago, he was hurrying to get away from me. Now he’s making sure we can’t be apart. Damn, I like it. He feels good against me, and while I want to melt into him, I can't.

“You got me?” he asks, and I nod. “Say it, bunny.”

“You’re lucky we still have hours until I’m off the clock and can tell you where to stick your demands.” I try to sass at him and make light of whatever this is.

“Oh, you’re right about one thing. I’m damn lucky. Now tell me you get it when I say you’re the only woman I care about,” he orders again, not letting it go.

“I got it.”

Devin demanding I say it out loud settles the words deep inside of me. It's like speaking them into existence has forced me to hear the truth. I really mean something to him.

A slow smile spreads across his lips. “You’ve got it,” he agrees before letting his hold around my waist fall away while still keeping my hand in his. “Come on. We’re burning daylight.”

“Burning daylight?” I laugh, letting him lead me into the nearest store, Merry & Bright.

“Joy!” Becca calls from behind the register. She and I graduated together, and I heard she was working here part-time during the holiday season. “Now who is this you’ve got with you today?”

Becca blows a giant gum bubble as I peek over at Devin. Internally I’m cringing because I have no idea how he wants to handle this. I’m about to open my mouth to introduce Devin, but he does it for me.

“I’m Devin.” He gives her a nod.

“Oh right, you and Booker do cattle together, right?” She pops her gum and looks both of us up and down.

“Yeah.” Devin could not sound less interested.

“You two a thing or something?” Becca smacks her question, and I want to die.

“I work for him,” I say as shyness overwhelms me.

“Or something,” Devin responds at the same time I do, and I turn my head to look at him.

What does he mean by or something ?

“That so?” Becca laughs. “Cause Mr. Bright is my boss, and you’d never catch me out in town holding his hand.”

“Yeah, because his wife Merry would murder you.”

“You know what I mean.” Becca waves me off and blows another bubble.

“How about you mind your business?" I toss back at her, shaking my head.

I’ve never been on this side of gossip before. When you come from a small town and everyone knows each other, it makes the dating pool real shallow. I never dated because I didn’t want to be with a man every other girl in town has gone out with. I was never the center of gossip like Becca has been, on more than one occasion.

“How about I settle it for everyone?” Devin interrupts. “Joy is mine and lives with me.”

“Whoa!” Becca’s eyes widen, and then she’s grinning like she’s just got the hottest cup of gossip tea.

“Devin!” I hiss at him, but all he does is give me a lazy shrug of his shoulder.

The way he’s looking at me right now tells me he’ll do whatever he wants and doesn’t give a shit what anyone else has to say about it.

It’s stupidly hot.

How am I supposed to resist this man?