Hooped #5 (The Hooped Interracial Romance Series #5) Read Free

pulled me close under the covers, and
I felt myself starting to slowly fall asleep. I cuddled close to Devon and sank
down into the darkness, contented once more.

 
    Chapter
Two
    The next morning, it felt so good to wake up next to Devon,
to know that everything was absolutely clear between us, no secrets. We fooled
around for a little while—kissing and touching each other—but Devon pointed out
that I had class to get to, and suggested that he could make me breakfast
again, give us a chance to just hang out and enjoy each other’s company.
    I grabbed a quick shower while Devon cooked breakfast,
and when I joined him in the kitchen, saying hello to the few guys who were
already up and watching TV, he gave me the smile I was already starting to
love. He made scrambled eggs with cheese, toast, strawberries, and
bacon—somehow managing to put it all together in the twenty minutes since we
had parted. “I don’t think I’m even as good a cook as this,” I said, taking a
bite of the perfectly cooked eggs.
    “Aw, come on—I’m sure you’re no slouch either.” I
grinned.
    “I could make dinner for you some time ; that’d be a good payback.” Devon chuckled.
    “I know just how you can pay me back—and you don’t
have to chop a single onion to do it.” He stood, leaning over the table, and
kissed me on the forehead. He sat back down. “I’ve been thinking,” he said,
taking a sip of his coffee.
    “About what?” I ate a piece of bacon, sitting back in
my chair; I was both worried and not worried at the same time.
    “Well—about what you said last night. I don’t hold it
against you; I completely believe that you had no idea what kind of mess Kelly
was, or you wouldn’t have been friends with her, or gone after me, one.”
    “Right. I’m so sorry I didn’t come clean sooner.”
Devon smiled, reaching across the table and taking my hand.
    “And you trust me—you have no idea how much that means
to me.” He gave my hand a squeeze. “But obviously we have a lot more
connections than we thought. And I want this to be serious between us. I like
you a lot, Jenn. In fact…” he took a deep breath. “I kind of think I might love
you.”
    “Really?” My eyes widened. “You really think you might
love me?” Devon chuckled.
    “Is that so hard to believe? You’re amazing! You’re
smart and gorgeous and funny and just—great. All the guys are jelly.” Devon
grinned. “But if we’re going to be serious, we have to agree to be completely
honest from here on out—both of us.” I nodded slowly.
    “Yeah, not being honest hasn’t done us any favors yet.
If I’d been up front with you…” I shrugged. “But we can be honest from now on,
right?” Devon nodded, grinning so broadly, his eyes sparkling with happiness.
    “Finish your breakfast, maybe we’ll have some time to
fool around before you have to run to class.” I widened my eyes, feeling my
cheeks warm up with a blush.
    “In that case I can totally do without breakfast, you
know. I’ll be fine.” Devon laughed.
    “ No, you won’t.
Eat up; I didn’t cook this just to give it to those pigs in the living room. I
made it for you! And then we’ll go fool around until you have to run to class.
Deal?” I laughed with him.
    “Okay, fine,” I said, only a little disappointed.
“It’s a deal.”

 
    As I went from class to class, I thought about my
relationship with Devon. Everything felt so good and right; I was actually able
to focus through the lectures—which I hadn’t been able to do when things were
so up in the air, before. I was almost completely certain, after everything
that we had been through, that nothing could possibly come between Devon and me anymore. I was pleased that he had come to
me for help in passing the ACT, and I was even happier that he had been the one
to bring the idea of being completely honest to the forefront. He wanted us
both to be totally up-front with each other from now on; if he were planning