Chapter 7
Abigail
“Nice try by the way,” I said to Devon as he pulled me into his arms for a slow dance. The dinner part of the night was over. The food had been divine; I loved seafood, salmon being one of my favorites. Now the band took over and the dance part of the event was in full swing. It was surreal looking around me and seeing celebrities I’d only glimpsed on television and read about dancing around me as if they were just normal people. I understood that they are people like everyone else, but watching them on television or performing onstage made them feel like they were unreachable.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he responded, a devilish gleam in his eyes.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. You and that little contraption.” As soon as I said the words, he hit me with it, the little balls vibrating within my core and sending a shot of pleasure through me. This had been torture, and with each buzz of the balls I found myself wanting him more, but I wasn’t about to let him know that. The first couple of blasts had taken me by surprise and nearly sent me to my knees, but as the night wore on I was becoming much better at ignoring it, despite the throbbing of my pussy and the wetness between my legs.
A nice long, hot bath would do the trick when we got back home. If that didn’t take the edge off, then there was always masturbation. Unfortunately, I’d forgotten to bring my vibrator with me, so I’d have to go old school.
Devon pulled me a little tighter into his embrace. Damn, it felt way too good being held by him. Despite my annoyance over his little trick, it had still been an amazing night. And even though I’d never admit it to him, he was an amazing dancer; in his arms, I felt like the best dancer in the place. My fears had been unfounded; no one asked what I did for a living, and Devin had kept the conversations from going in that direction. Admittedly, he was a master at diverting conversation and making things go his way.
With a sigh, I slipped my arms up his chest and laced my fingers behind his neck. He was a devilishly handsome man and he’d only had eyes for me, which was surprising considering his reputation and the abundance of gorgeous, glamorous women around us. It made me special in a way that I hadn’t felt in quite a while.
The part of me who wanted to keep disliking him reminded me that he’d been with a lot of women; maybe he’d simply slept with all the women here already and lost interest. As much as I wanted to believe that little voice, I knew it was just me trying to come up with reasons to continue disliking him, as the last thing I wanted to do was fall for him. I couldn’t allow that to happen no matter what. He’d been perfectly clear after the month was over, his challenge would be over and he’d be done with me.
“Have you at least enjoyed yourself?” he asked.
I had to admit the truth. “I did. This was amazing, like a fairy tale.”
Devon chuckled, “I’m not sure I’d call it a fairy tale, but it was a decent event. The promotors and organizers did a good job and they raised a lot of money for their charity.”
“And it was for a good cause.”
“Very true. Though my company gives more than its fair share to charities. I do the events for the exposure.”
I couldn’t help it, I had to ask. “What about me? Like, questions about me. Won’t it hurt your reputation to not have some socialite or celebrity on your arm?”
He shrugged. “Nah. Not really. I’m here for the publicity of being here, not to show off whoever I might be dating at the time. The only time the press cares who I’m dating is if they are some higher profile actress, model or whatnot.”
I know his words were meant to reassure me, but they only made me feel like an accessory. It was a stupid way to think, I know. Just a month, and then I’d be a distant memory… That’ll all. My smile faded from my lips and I lowered my head to his shoulder. I almost expected to feel the buzz of the balls between my legs, but I didn’t this time. All I felt was the comfort of his arms around me and the heat of his hard body against mine.
I’d just keep my emotional distance from him and not let him get to me. He was a dog and a player, I couldn’t let myself forget that.
Just one month. Thirty more days.
~*~ TT ~*~
Abigail
“What’s the matter?” Devon asked as we rode his private elevator up to his place.
“It’s almost midnight,” I responded.
Chuckling, he gave me a teasing look. “You’re concerned that you’ll turn into a pumpkin if not home by midnight?”
“No. Isabella will be already in bed.”
“I should hope so, considering the hour. If she’s not, we’ll be replacing the nanny.”
With a huff, I shook my head. “You don’t get it. I’ve always been there for when she went to sleep to tell her good night and read her a good night story. She went to sleep without me.”
His brow furrowed as he stared at me. “I think she’ll get over it. Chances are she had so much fun tonight that she fell to sleep exhausted.”
Devon’s reasoning didn’t make me feel any better. Of course, she was getting older and maybe I was a little bit of a helicopter mom. She was all I had though. She was my life.
“That’s not the point.” The elevator dinged and the doors slid open to Devon’s penthouse. I quickly left the elevator, leaving Devon in my dust, which was quite an achievement considering the heels I was wearing. I was nearly to the bottom of the staircase when those blasted balls buzzed, sending a current of pleasure through me. It was so unexpected that I gasped out load and seized the banister to keep from falling to my knees.
Oh God, why was he such a cruel bastard? Bending down, I undid the straps on my shoes and pulled them off my feet. Once done I looked over my shoulder and gave him a dirty look. “Cute. The bet was for me to wear the balls for the event and that was it. We’ve left the event which means, I win.” I gave him a self-satisfied smirk. “Nice try though.”
“Oh, that was just the start...” He walked up to me and I refused to show weakness by backing down.
“You have no effect on me. I had a good time, yes, but you’re no further along to fucking me as you were the other day.” I was lying through my teeth. I wanted him. My entire body craved to be pressed next to his again. How could my body betray me like this? I hated the man, yet my body was screaming for me to be near to him.
Instead of taking offence, he grinned. “You’re not a very good liar, Abigail.”
“And you’re very presumptuous, Mr. Townstead.” I didn’t wait for his reply, turning to the stairs and racing up them. I expected to hear him coming up the stairs behind me, or the feel of the balls within me again. But I didn’t.
Reaching the top of the stairs, I turned to the right and headed for the room that was Isabella’s for our stay. The door was closed, so I gently turned the knob and pushed the door open, hoping it wouldn’t squeak – it didn’t.
As I entered the room, there was a faint yellow glow of the nightlight on the wall. Taking care, I crossed the room to the large king-sized bed. Isabella was small, but the massive bed made her seem even tiny. On tip-toes, I made my way to the bed, stopping at the side to peer down at her previous little face.
“Mommy?” she murmured, her eyes fluttering open.
Smiling, though feeling a little guilty over waking her, I perched myself on the side of the bed and brushed her hair out of her face. “I’m sorry to wake you, sweetheart.”
She smiled. “It’s okay, Mommy.”
“Did you have a good evening?”
“Uh-huh.” Her smile widened. “I had so much fun. There’s a HUGE pool downstairs and waterslides and tubes. So much fun!”
“How about the babysitter?”
“Nina is awesome! She even knows Ryan Cain! Isn’t that cool. He lives close to us! She said she might be able to make it so I can meet him. His niece is five-years-old too!”
“Is that so?” No wonder Devon knew Ryan so well, they were neighbors! Funny how he’d failed to mention that fact. Just another reason not to trust him.
She nodded. “Yup. It’s so cool, Mommy.”
Reaching into my handbag, I pulled out a napkin. Ryan had signed it for me to give to Isabella after I told him she was a huge fan girl of his. It paled in comparison with the nanny promising she’d be able to meet him, but it was the best I had to offer.
“I met Ryan tonight.”
“No way!” She sat up in the bed. I’d totally done it now; she was fully awake and excited to boot. Bad mother. Bad, bad mother. I should have saved this conversation for the morning.
I passed her the napkin. “This is his autograph. The best I could find was a napkin though.”
Grabbing the napkin from my fingertips, she looked at it in the dim lighting and then clutched it to her chest. “Thank you, Mommy!”
“You’re welcome, Sweetie.” I bent down and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry I woke you up and that I wasn’t here to tuck you in.”
Isabella shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Nina has all kinds of cool stories. I’m a big girl now. School starts in a few months.”
“I suppose you are.” As much as I liked watching her grow up, it seemed as though she was growing up way too quickly, and I couldn’t stop it. Another ten years and she’d be going off to college and starting her own life. And then what of me? Who would I be if I wasn’t Isabella’s mommy? “Go back to sleep, Isabella.”
“Okay, Mommy.” She nodded and sunk back under the blankets, passing me the napkin which I placed on her night-side table. She closed her eyes and almost immediately she drifted back to sleep.
I sat there staring at her for another minute. Maybe it was time for me to start dating again. At twenty-five, I was in the prime of my life, but time went fast.
With a sigh, I stood. I needed to get out of this dress and into something comfortable. I’d spent hours not being able to breathe properly, it was time to breathe easy again. And maybe I’d get that bath after all.
Walking to the door, I was surprised to see Devon standing in the entryway, a peculiar look on his face. “What’s up?” I asked as I approached.
“Nothing,” he replied, shaking his head. “I escorted Nina out and now I’m just waiting on you.” Backing out of the doorway, he allowed me to exit, closed the door to Isabella’s room and began walking down the hallway with me. Our bedrooms were next to each other. Coincidence? I think not.
We stopped in front of my bedroom and turned to face each other. It was getting seriously awkward right now. Had this been a normal date, I would have expected a good night kiss, but this wasn’t a date. I didn’t even know what this really was.
“So, ummm.” I jerked my thumb behind me at the closed bedroom door. “So, this would be my stop.”
“It would.” He took a step towards me, closing the distance.
My breath hitched and I felt my pulse begin to race. My gaze dipped from his eyes to his lips. I’ll admit, I’d been wanting to kiss him all night. So many times, as we danced and as he leaned into me to say something, I’d been so tempted to kiss him. But I didn’t. I’d half expected him to make the move, but he also hadn’t.
“It’s been a long night. I should go.” I put my hand on the door handle and gave it a twist.
Devon leaned into me and my entire body froze. Ohmygod, he was going to kiss me. I needed to pull away, but I couldn’t. But, I needed to.
His lips grazed the side of my neck and I had to grit my teeth to keep from groaning out loud. Was that intentional? I closed my eyes and envisioned why I’d been angry with him the other day. Bras and used condoms in the bedding. A different woman every night. He was a player and womanizer, and I was playing into his trap. That was all I needed to pull me from the trance he’d captured me in, and I twisted the doorknob. As soon as the door opened, I backed into it.
“Good-night, Devon.” I hit him with a smile. “I had a wonderful time. Thank you.”
Without waiting for him to reply, I closed the door. Was it rude? Yup. Did I care? Not at all.