Out of the Shadows Read Online Free PDF

Lark’s melodic voice rung in his ears, speaking a
soft hi. Devon paused on the steps out of sight. His attraction to Lark baffled
him; there was no explaining it. The need to claim her, to know her, strengthened
each time he saw her. This was a new experience, having never felt an allure
like this before.
    Lark seemed nice and was beautiful,
but he did not do relationships. People always found a way to betray or hurt
you. Or worse, they became a weakness.
    Devon inhaled, and steeled himself, as he walked into the
front room.
    “Ah, Dev, I’m sure you remember Lark,” Rick said upon him
entering the room.
    “It's nice to see you again.” He nodded.
    The dress she wore clung to her
perfect body. Her unique scent of cinnamon-vanilla wafted in the air. She
looked exquisite with her hair down. Long blonde waves framed her round face. Sapphire
eyes shined brightly, the hue of the dress bringing out their color.
    “You probably don’t recognize him all cleaned up. This is
the boy who had the dirt bike accident years ago.” Rick nudged Lark a smile on
his face as he brought her to stand next to Devon. “I’m certain you remember
that.”
    Devon watched as her blue eyes flicked to him widening. The
event not something likely forgotten. What did she think seeing him again? Had
that moment affected her as much as him? Her calm lilting voice still echoed in
his head at times. Perhaps that explained the attraction. She was the light in
one of his unpleasant memories.
    Her blue eyes roamed over him and he saw the recognition on
her face the moment their eyes connected. “Oh, I thought you looked familiar.”
    Rick clapped Devon on the back. “Devon always was one to
find trouble. Still does, but he’s a good kid. He and Gene had many good summers
here together.”
    “That we did,” Gene smiled, from his spot on the brown
leather couch. Gene was a year younger than Devon, and they had found lots of
trouble to get into as youths.
    “You’re in for a special treat tonight. Emily is making
dinner,” Rick said happily. “I don’t think Luigi’s is going to know what to do
without our big order.”
    “Does she need any help with dinner?” Lark asked, hanging
her purse on the old-fashioned wood coat rack in the corner.
    “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind, let’s go see.” Rick motioned
for her to follow him.
    Devon watched as the two left the room. His eyes didn’t miss
the way her dress swayed or how it revealed her long smooth creamy legs. Stop
thinking about her like that!
    Gene followed his gaze. “She’s a pretty girl, but she’s
become like a sister to me, so hands off, Dev. My dad kind of adopted them
after their parents died a few years ago. It was like losing another brother
for him.”
    “Didn’t cross my mind,” he lied. The thought of Lark
writhing beneath him had definitely crossed his mind on more than one occasion.
He’d dreamt about her nightly after the accident for months. Now, she would
probably become a reoccurring star in his dreams again.
    “Right. It’s been a few years, but I know how you operate. Wine
and dine them for a few weeks until you get bored. Then cut the poor
unsuspecting lady loose. Unless you’re going to tell me you’re looking to
settle down.”
    “I’m not looking for anything serious.” At least that was
the truth. “With everything going on I don’t even have time to wine and dine. My
main priority is Emily.”
    ***
    “I don’t think this kitchen has been properly used in
years,” Lark explained watching Emily. “Rick’s late wife Beatrice was an
amazing cook. I know the guys make boxed and frozen dinners, and we order in
from Luigi’s on Sundays, but this kitchen was made for so much more. I don’t
think I’ve seen a real meal prepared in-” she paused, biting her lip, trying to
recall. “-I can’t even remember the last time.”
    It was a shame too. The kitchen was
beautiful with ornate marble counters. A rack of expensive pots and pans hung
from the