Two months later. Thursday afternoon, a livid Mira storms into Devin’s office. “Devin King!” Devin frowns and looks up at her, confused and a little scared, while she stomps over to his desk. “What are you full naming me for? What have I done now?” “Did you tell your dad I was moving to Singapore with you before the baby is born?” Mira questions furiously. Devin blinks and opens his mouth to speak while Mira places her hands at her waist and glares at him, waiting for a response. “I may have mentioned it.” “Oh, you did, did you? I didn’t realise agreeing to marry you would come with the consequence of you making decisions on my behalf!” Mira snaps hotly. Devin raises a brow and stands from his desk. “Mira, for God sake, I’ve been trying to have this conversation with you for two weeks straight, but you keep evading it.” Devin grouses, walking around his desk and stepping closer to his angry fiancée. “My dad asked me what our plans are if we’re going back to Singapore in a couple
April 8th, 2000,On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in April, the sun was beaming in London while five-year-old Mira Evans—dressed in her Tinkerbell costume—rode her pink and blue Tinkerbell bicycle, decked out with pretty flowers and pink tassels, up and down her street. Her long, mousy brown hair pulled up into pigtails, swinging as she rode along her road, humming to herself.A mover’s truck pulling up on the opposite side of the road caught her attention, and her pedalling slowed as she observed the people jumping out and moving boxes into the house opposite her own. Momentarily distracted, she hadn’t realised she was steering into a tree and went crashing into it before toppling off her bike and hitting the floor with a thud.Mira sits up and looks down at her scraped knee and pouts when she sees the blood seeping through her torn tights. Her large, almond-shaped, meltingly soft amber eyes glisten with tears at the sting of her wound. “Ouchie.” She hisses, blowing on it softly, w
MiraNine years later.“Mimi!”I groan when I hear my older sister’s voice shrieking my name from somewhere in the house. I bury my face under my pillow and sigh, drifting off to sleep again until my bedroom door swings open, and Ayla stands in the doorway. “Mimi!” She shouts and stomps into my bedroom.“What.” I sigh, my voice muffled from under the pillow. I whine when she yanks the duvet from over me, grabs my leg, and pulls me out of the confines of my warm, comfortable bed.“Ayla! I’m not done sleeping.” I complain, fisting the bedsheet and swinging my unrestricted leg to free my other leg clamped between my sister's hands, but I fail miserably when the bedsheet peels off, and I’m sliding off the bed. I give the sheet a nasty look as I fall off the bed with a thud.“Must I wake you up like this every damn morning?” Ayla complains, placing her hands on her hips and glaring down at me.“You tell me? Must you?” I glower back
DevinMira Evans—My Tinks, my almost, my first everything.They say you never forget your first. Whoever said that was right. It’s been nearly ten years since I last saw or spoke to her, but my heart still flutters like crazy at the thought of her, just like it did when we first kissed.Over the years, I often thought about jumping on a plane and flying to London to see her, but I could never bring myself to do it after the way we left things…the way I left things with her. One day I was happy and had everything I wanted, and the next, I was flying across the world to start a whole new life, leaving her behind.You’re not supposed to find your soul mate at five years old, but I did. Mira was my other half until I was ripped away from her. I waited months for her to call or email or even write to me, but she didn’t. I picked the phone up a million times to call her, just to hear her voice, but I lost my nerve every single ti
MiraThis can NOT be happening!I tear my eyes away from Dev and watch my father and traitor of a sister walk off. Furious, I go to follow them but come flying back when Devin doesn’t move with me. I hiss when the metal bites into my wrist. “This is ridiculous!” I gripe, holding up my hand and pointing to the handcuff around my wrist. “Why are you just standing there, Devin?”Devin frowns, “What do you want me to do?” “Helping me find a way to take these off would be a good start.” I quip, and Devin chuckles and shakes his head.“There’s no way out of these without the keys, Tinks.” He states and shrugs indifferently while I gawk at him incredulously. “Looks like we’re stuck together for a while.”I narrow my eyes while I look up at him. “You’re just loving this, aren’t you?” When he just grins back at me, flashing those pearly whites and dimples, I feel my anger triple.“Any time spent with you is a good time, sweet chee
MiraWe head to the cafeteria to have lunch, and when I tell you, I have never had such a hard time eating in my life. We sat there, elbowing each other because I eat with my left hand, and he eats with his right which are the hands that are bound together. Every time I bring the piece of chicken to my mouth, Devin lifts his hand to eat his burger, and I miss my mouth, resulting in the chicken flying off the fork and falling on my lap. “Devin!” I snap frustrated after the third attempt.Devin jumps and looks at me, along with the employees eating in the cafeteria at my outburst. “What?” He mumbles with a mouth full of his beef burger. I glare at him, practically seething, and honestly, if I were a cartoon character, you’d see steam coming out of my ears right about now.“What?” I slap his shoulder. “Are you kidding me?” I fume, gesturing to the chicken piece sitting on my lap, ruining my beige vintage
DevinNo one has ever gotten under my skin and affected me more than this wickedly beautiful five-foot-five girl standing before me. She frustrates me in ways I can’t even begin to explain. Have I mentioned that she’s insufferably stubborn? When Uncle Noah asked what happened between us to get us to this state, I saw the look deep in her eyes. It wasn’t that we ‘grew up or grew apart’ no—her mind went to the same place mine did. To the moment, we went from being friends to so much more. The night I made her mine, and I became hers.We never spoke about it after it happened, much like our first kiss under the tree at our favourite spot. We have too many moments left unspoken, and it’s no surprise that it’s caused such a rift between us. Is it even worth rehashing old memories and reopening old wounds? Are we ten years too late to resolve them now? What if I want to?I let my eyes wander over to Mira while she reads a document
Devin“Yes!” Skylar yelps excitedly. “I’d love to go with you.” I flash her a smile, and she melts on the spot, her eyes all gooey. “Great. We’ll discuss the details later. Text me later.” Skylar nods enthusiastically, biting her bottom lip. Oh God, I can already see the thoughts she’s conjuring up in her head. I look over at Mira, and she averts her gaze quickly and starts a conversation with Wyatt.The following day after football training, I was on my way out of the training ground behind our school when Logan and Dylan—another teammate come running up to me. “There you are.” I look over at Logan as I chug my bottle of water. “You took off quick. I was looking for you.”“Yeah, I got shit to do. What’s up?” I answer after I finish my water and dump the bottle in the bin as we walk past it.“Nothing good, Broski.” I frown, wiping the sweat off my top lip with my T-shirt.“Out with it then, fucking he
Two months later. Thursday afternoon, a livid Mira storms into Devin’s office. “Devin King!” Devin frowns and looks up at her, confused and a little scared, while she stomps over to his desk. “What are you full naming me for? What have I done now?” “Did you tell your dad I was moving to Singapore with you before the baby is born?” Mira questions furiously. Devin blinks and opens his mouth to speak while Mira places her hands at her waist and glares at him, waiting for a response. “I may have mentioned it.” “Oh, you did, did you? I didn’t realise agreeing to marry you would come with the consequence of you making decisions on my behalf!” Mira snaps hotly. Devin raises a brow and stands from his desk. “Mira, for God sake, I’ve been trying to have this conversation with you for two weeks straight, but you keep evading it.” Devin grouses, walking around his desk and stepping closer to his angry fiancée. “My dad asked me what our plans are if we’re going back to Singapore in a couple
EpilogueTwo weeks later.Devin King and Mira Evans stood in front of their respective families, both looking as fretful and tense as each other. Each member of the family watches and waits with the curiosity of their news.“Well…” Noah Evans— Mira’s dad urges. His brown eyes were darting from his daughter to his best friend’s son standing before him.“I’m pregnant.” Mira blurts out suddenly. Devin groans low behind her when everyone in the room, save for Ayla, goes stock-still.“Why do you keep doing that?” He utters to her quietly behind his hand. Mira shrugs helplessly and turns her attention back to everyone in the room gaping at her.“Come again?” Her father questions, his dark brows fusing together. “Did I just hear you correctly? Did you just say you’re pregnant, or am I having some sort of stroke right now?”“You’re not having a stroke, Daddy; I’m pregnant,” Mira says, chewing on her bottom lip.“Who is the father?” Kate, Mira’s mother, qu
Devin disappears inside, leaving me out on the terrace. I stood there trying to picture myself living here. I just couldn’t see it. Yes, we have a company here that I could potentially work at but living in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, you don’t know anyone. I’ll feel lost here. I mean, it’s a beautiful place, it’s clean, and the people are kind, but I know I don’t belong here. I want our baby to be born in the same country as its parents were. I want it to grow up around family. I don’t know how Devin and I will figure this out, but I truly hope we do for the sake of our baby, if nothing else.I’m lost someplace in my mind when I feel Devin come up behind me and hear him whisper in my ear. “Come with me; I have something to show you.”I follow him through the apartment toward the elevator. “Where are we going?” I ask curiously, and he smiles, lacing his fingers with mine.“You’ll see.” Devin pushes the button to the roof terrace, and I smile. He’s got that wi
“Damn baby, it’s nice to be missed by you,” Devin murmurs against my lips, and I suck on his bottom lip.“You saying you haven’t missed me?” I question, looking up at him through my lashes.Devin cups my face in his big hands and gazes into my eyes, his lips brushing mine when he speaks. “Like you wouldn’t believe.” A wicked smile. “I hope you’re not too attached to that dress.”I match his smile, sliding my hands under his T-shirt and raking my fingertips over his abs, revelling in the feel of every bump and ridge and the way his muscles spasm under my touch. “I have two more, just like it,” I affirm, dragging my index finger up the length of his erection over his light blue jeans. “Now, are you going to keep talking or are you going to take me home?” Devin makes a slow hissing sound and rocks against my finger, his cock demanding further attention.“Keep touching me like that, and I’ll fuck you in my car.” He groans, pressing a kiss to my rosy lips. I squeeze my thighs together when
Mira“Devin?”I wander through his penthouse apartment, awe-struck. It’s stunning. Open plan living room, with gorgeous crystal chandeliers, floor to ceiling windows with an incredible view. I trail my fingers along the dark grey marble island in the kitchen as I walk through. I go up the spiral staircase to the bedroom situated on the first floor. No sign of him anywhere. With a sigh, I walk over to the window and look out at the breathtaking view of Singapore stretched out before me.“Hi.” I jump and gasp when I hear a deep voice burr in my ear. “Welcome home.” I smile and sink against him when he wraps his arms around me. By home, he means his embrace, where he claims I always belong, not the apartment itself.“Mm, it’s so good to be home.” I lament, tipping my head back when his lips descend on my neck, licking, kissing and nipping at my flesh. My clothes start to come off, one item at a time hitting the floor until I’m nake
“I beg your pardon?”“My other boyfriend. Battery Operated Boyfriend. BoB.” I explain with a giggle when his face relaxes, and he curses.“You just killed my post-orgasmic bliss with your shenanigans, Evans. If you were here, I’d take you over my knee and give you a good spanking for teasing me like that.” Devin grumbles light-heartedly and gets up out of his bed. A light goes on, and he sets me down someplace. “Wait there. I need to clean myself up.” I grin, watching him move around. His firm and muscular bum comes into view, and I sigh lustily.“I really want to bite that bum of yours, King.” Devin’s laugh echoes in the bathroom. He leans over to look at me.“I’ll bite you back, Evans,” Devin utters, and picks his phone up.“Wait, wait! Let me see that hot body; I’m going to need it for visual purposes later.” I demand, and he flips his camera to face the mirror in the bathroom and flexes his muscles for me. Oh, hello, beefcake.“Oh, by the way, how would you feel about me coming ou
Mira“Peach, what’s up with you?”I sigh, staring at myself in the full-length mirror. It’s been a week since Devin left to go back to Singapore, and I’ve been miserable every second since. I force a smile on my face and pretend I’m fine, but the truth is, I’m not. I miss him. I miss his presence in my life. I miss his touch, his kiss, his smell. We haven’t talked about what our separation meant, but he still calls me to check how I’m doing. I’ve been overly emotional lately since everything that happened with Scott. I burst into tears all hours of the day. I’m mostly healed physically; emotionally, not so much, but I’m getting there. I’ve had a couple of sessions with my mother, which has helped.“I’m fine, Wy; I just don’t feel like going out. So you guys go ahead without me.” I state, turning to face him. Wyatt walks over to me and pulls me into his arms. I sink into his warmth and close my eyes. “You miss him, don’t you?” I nod wordlessly.“He’s not going to be back for months. Me
I pace the corridors at the hospital impatiently. Waiting for them to examine Mira. Everyone’s here, both our families, Wyatt, Lexi and Logan, all waiting to get the all-clear that she’s okay and not suffering some sort of internal bleeding or head trauma. I couldn’t be there because our families don’t know about us. Ayla’s the only one with her.“I want answers!” Uncle Noah barks furiously down the phone. “That lunatic almost killed my daughter again because you failed to inform us of his early release. He was serving a sentence for attempted murder. How could you let him out notifying none of us so we can protect her!” He shouts, pacing back and forth. “We’ll see about that. You’ll be hearing from my lawyer. Don’t you worry.” He grips and hangs up the phone. “Incompetent piece of…”“Honey, please calm down.” Aunt Kate tries to soothe him by rubbing his back. He utters something back about needing air and walks off.“Sweetheart, get your hand seen, too. It’s really swollen.” My mothe
DevinI glance down at my phone for the millionth time waiting for Mira to text me back, but she doesn’t. I got no answer from her call either. I’ve got this dreadful feeling in my gut, and I can’t shake it. She always responds to my texts, so why isn’t she replying.Me:‘Baby, everything okay?’ I sigh and bite my lip anxiously. Levi walks into the kitchen, and being the spiritual person he is, picks up on my unease and frowns. “What’s up with you?”I scowl at my phone and shake my head. “Something’s wrong. Mira’s not answering my texts or calls.”Levi opens the fridge and takes out a bottle of water. “She’s probably busy, or you’ve pissed her off again.” He utters, taking a long sip and licking his lips.I pin him with a firm look, and he rolls his eyes. “I’ve not done anything; we’re perfectly fine, thank you very much. When have you known Mira not to answer texts? Even when she’s angry, she sends something scathing back.”“If