Katia
The next morning, I awoke before Devin. We’d fallen asleep, tangled in the silk sheets of my bed. My blackout curtains were drawn, and even though the light was as dull as it would have been in the late evening, I knew it was probably around nine or ten in the morning.
I’d always loved to sleep in. Back when I was growing up, my mom had always told me that sleeping in made me lazy, but I didn’t care. It was the one vice I’d maintained all through childhood. I wouldn’t have admitted this to anyone, except maybe Devin, but I was sure that going through leukemia at such a young age had something to do with it, too. After all, I could still close my eyes and remember what it felt like to have poisonous toxins flooding through my body. What they don’t tell you about cancer is that the treatment makes you wish you were already dead.
I yawned and stretched and curled up closer to Devin’s warm body. My air conditioning was pumping arctic air into the room since I could never sleep unless it was freezing, and Devin’s warm body was a comfort. I loved the way he smelled; even when he hadn’t smoked in a couple of days, I could still catch the faint whiff of tobacco clinging to his hair and clothes.
“Mmmn,” Devin groaned, but he didn’t wake as I slid my hand over his body and pulled him close. We snuggled, and I wrapped an arm around his shoulders, fitting myself against his back. I smiled to myself. Who would have guessed that cuddling Devin was one of life’s greatest pleasures? I’d never been much of a snuggler. I didn’t enjoy spending too much time with guys after sleeping together. It was usually awkward. After the passion and romance had died down, I had a hard time wanting to even look at them. I even had a routine going. After I’d have sex, I’d make some coffee and hint that I needed to get some sleep. Most guys didn’t take the hint so easily, though, so then I’d pour myself a big steaming mug and say that I had a lot of work to do.
That would usually do the trick. By the time my coffee had cooled to proper temperature, I’d be alone again.
I’d always been called a bitch, an ice queen, and a “frigid woman.” I didn’t exactly enjoy those nicknames, but I knew they were given for a reason. Sure, it went against what popular culture taught us: all women want is a snuggle and a cuddle and a giant engagement ring from Tiffany’s. I’d always been so focused on my career that snuggling up and wasting time with some random guy just didn’t appeal to me. I mean, we’d had sex. They’d made me come, they’d done their job. That was it. I didn’t want a boyfriend, at least, not unless Zac Efron magically became single and showed up at my front door wanting a date.
But now, unfortunately, I didn’t feel any of that unattachment. When I looked at Devin’s sleeping face, his big hooded eyes, his scruffy chin, I felt something strange and warm come to life beneath my breast. This wasn’t exactly a great thing, I knew. It was alien and strange. It also made me uncomfortable. What about Devin was pulling me in like this? Why wasn’t I just able to stand my ground and say ‘go away, I’m not interested’?
Because you are interested, a nasty little voice said in the back of my mind. You’re way too interested, and you want this guy around for the long haul.
I swallowed nervously. Lying here and worrying wasn’t going to fix anything. I knew that if I wanted to calm down, I’d have to go take a long hot shower. My eyes flicked over Devin as I sat up in bed and swung my legs over the side. He was breathing very slowly and snoring softly, but he didn’t even stir as I climbed out of bed and wrapped a satin robe around my body.
Shivering, I walked to my bedroom door and slowly swung it open. As I walked down the hall, I half-expected Devin to leap out of bed and follow me. I was almost disappointed and surprised by the time I’d made it to the master bath without his heavy footfall behind me.
The shower was still damp from the day before. I grinned and blushed as I remembered the sensation of Devin’s rough hands trailing all over my body, making me feel more desirable than I’d ever felt before in my life. There was something about him, a certain rough way of his, that left me wet and wanting more. Even now, sore as I was, I couldn’t help but think about how nice it would be if Devin woke up and decided to surprise me in the shower.
Humming to myself, I plugged my iPod into the shower speakers and put on the newest Shakira album. The music energized and refreshed me, and soon I was dancing in the hot spray of water, soaping my body with one hand. I’d always loved the ritual of bathing. Something about it was almost as good as getting dressed up in a designer gown and having a professional do my make-up. In a way, it was therapy that a star like me craved, and right now was no exception. As I dipped my head under the rainforest spray, I closed my eyes and moaned softly as warm water soaked through my thick hair to my scalp. Rubbing shampoo into my hair, I groaned softly and massaged my head with my long fingers.
This was the point in my grooming ritual where I very nearly forgot about everyone but myself. But annoyingly enough, Devin was still on my mind. Damn! I thought as I rinsed my hair and reached for my professional leave-in treatment. Why the hell can’t I stop thinking about him?
My heart skipped a beat in my chest as I opened my eyes and massaged the conditioning treatment into my long, blonde locks. Something about my own touch on my scalp made me think of Devin’s hands on my body again, and before I knew it, I was starting to get wet. My lower belly clenched with arousal, and I felt my nipples stiffen under the soapy spray of water.
Now, I couldn’t wait to finish washing up. I rinsed my hair under the shower stream and stretched. Leaning against the wall, I placed my hands against the tile and braced my legs until my spine popped. I sighed and moaned as the feeling of exquisite release shook my body. It may not have been as good as being in bed with Devin, but it was definitely a close second.
I wrung my hair out and turned off the shower before grabbing a plush towel and wrapping it around my naked body. As I toweled my hair off, I reached forward and wiped the foggy mirror with my hand. I frowned at my appearance. Something about the way I looked with wet hair had never felt particularly satisfying to me, especially when I wasn’t wearing any makeup. I remembered that once I’d done a shoot for Sports Illustrated, and they’d put me in a bright bikini with tons of eyeliner and dampened my hair. I’d cringed when I’d seen the results. I didn’t look hot at all, more like a drowned mess who badly needed a blowout.
But Devin won’t care, I thought. A secret smile played across my lips as I thought about the way he’d looked at me the first time he’d ever seen me naked. The hunger in his eyes had been the most obvious, sexy thing in the world. I realized that I’d always wanted a man to look at me like that, but even though a lot of men did, it hadn’t ever felt fulfilling until I’d met Devin.
I shook excess water out of my hair and rolled my eyes. I didn’t know what the hell was wrong with me. I was being stalked! Yet, all I could think about was Devin. His smoky dark eyes. The way his scruff clung to his chin. The way his big strong hands moved over my body with confidence and ease.
I sighed softly. There was no doubt about it. I was a goner.
I peeked into my bedroom and let out a little sigh when I saw Devin curled up in my silky bed. The blackout curtains were still doing a good job of keeping all the excess light away, but I could make out Devin’s outline. He was lying on his side with his head under a pillow, snoring softly, his arm wrapped tightly over his face. I grinned. It was so cute; he looked like a little kid. I made a mental note to ask him about why he slept with a pillow over his head like that. The first time I’d seen him do it, I was worried that he was going to somehow suffocate. But now, I was used to it.
My insides felt all hot and fluttery as I sat down gingerly on the edge of the bed. Devin’s snoring paused briefly, then continued. I smiled as I let my towel drop to the floor and tucked my feet up underneath me. The silk sheet was cool, and a musky scent was emanating from the bed and my grin grew wider as I recognized it as the smell of Devin and myself together.
Devin grunted in his sleep. He rolled over, keeping his face tucked under the pillow. I’d been planning to seduce him immediately, but I couldn’t bear the thought of waking him up now that I was actually back in bed. As I tugged the sheet over my hips, I wrapped an arm around Devin’s waist and pulled him close. He snuggled against me without waking. I closed my eyes and put my face against the back of his neck. Breathing in Devin’s scent was enough to relax me; it was better than taking a Xanax.
For a few moments, I thought I was close to falling asleep again. I sighed softly and snuggled closer into the mattress. My wet hair was starting to feel uncomfortably chilly and I wriggled my head around on the pillow, trying to find a comfortable spot when the damp wasn’t pressed against my scalp.
Suddenly, there was a buzzing. With a groan, I sat up and clapped a hand to my forehead. My phone was on the nightstand, plugged into the charger and twitching like a fish. If I didn’t make a grab for it, it was going to clatter onto the floor and surely wake Devin up. As quickly as I could, I launched myself to the right and grabbed my phone from the charger. Without looking at the screen, I slid my finger over the lock and held the phone to my ear.
“Hello?” I said quietly. “Anya, you know you shouldn’t be calling me this early! I hate being woken up!”
I expected my assistant, Anya Bellaire, to respond with a snappy comeback. Even though Anya and I had been working together for years, we still got on each other’s nerves. We were closer than sisters, but we never forgot about our professional relationship, which did sometimes make things awkward. I knew Anya loved me, and she’d probably just forgotten about the rule. After all, most adults don’t sleep until eleven in the morning every day.
“Anya?” I hissed when there was no reply. “What the hell? Did you pocket dial me again?” I rolled my eyes and pulled the phone away from my ear. My stomach lurched to the side as I tapped the screen.
It wasn’t Anya. It was the same unknown number; the same asshole who had been harassing me before. With a nervous gulp, I pulled the phone closer to my ear.
“I just want you to know that this is unacceptable,” I said as calmly as I could manage. “In fact, my bodyguard is here, and he’s going to hurt you unless you leave me alone.”
Puffing out my chest in pride at how I’d handled the situation, I smirked and waited for an answer. It was probably nothing. Probably just some little kid who wanted attention. I half-expected a whiny voice to complain before hanging up. But there was still silence. I swallowed nervously; something about the silence made me feel even more nervous than I would have been with a response.
I swallowed. “Hello?”
A sound made me jump. I almost dropped the phone into my lap. Instead, I held my breath and listened quietly to the earpiece.
There was the sound of breathing – heavy, labored breathing. Like someone had been carrying heavy boxes up three flights of stairs, someone who hadn’t worked out in over a year. I gasped sharply and hung up, dropping the iPhone into my lap with a cry of fear.
Devin was awake immediately. He’d thrown the pillow to the side and his dark blue eyes were alert and focused. He didn’t look like he’d just woken up; he looked like he’d just gotten out of a fight, breathing hard and ready to defeat his attacker.
“Katia!” Devin’s voice thundered. “What the hell happened?”
I swallowed nervously and stared at him. My wet hair clung to the back of my neck, and I was aware for the first time since coming into bed that I was nude. But Devin wasn’t even looking at my chest; his eyes were locked to my own, staring me down. If I hadn’t been completely and totally panicked, the attention would have been enough to make me blush.
“Katia, what the fuck?” Devin asked softly. “Did he call again?”
I nodded, glancing down at my lap and staring at my iPhone. It was hard to believe such an innocuous, beautiful little object could cause so much stress and alarm.
“Yeah,” I mumbled softly. “I was in the shower, and I’d just come back to bed.” Nervously, I grabbed my phone and flicked through the missed calls. “He didn’t call when I was out of bed,” I added. Licking my lips, I threw my phone to the side. “I don’t know what to do,” I admitted. “Devin, what the hell is going on? Why won’t he leave me alone?”
Devin didn’t reply. He pulled me into a hug and wrapped his strong arms around my body. “Katia, he’s a sick man,” Devin said. “But we’re going to keep you safe.” He pulled away, and I realized that he had an erection under the sheets. But all of my desire that had built up during my shower was fading away, and I knew that I couldn’t try to seduce him now. It wouldn’t work. He was clearly focused on my stalker, and I was too freaked out from that damn stupid phone call.
Devin climbed out of bed. I admired the sculpted cheeks of his ass as he pulled on a pair of plaid pajama pants. They hung tantalizingly low on his body, showing off just enough of his hips to make me want more. I blushed when Devin caught my glance.
“Hey,” Devin said. “Come on, Katia. Let’s go make breakfast. Hell, I’ll do it. You want an omelet?”
I raised my eyebrows at him. “You know how to make omelets?”
Devin looked wounded. “Baby, of course I do,” he said smoothly. A burst of warmth rocketed through my veins at the way he said ‘baby.’
“What?” Devin asked. “You’re staring.”
“It’s nothing,” I said with a smirk. I walked over to my dresser, knowing that even though sex wasn’t in the cards for the immediate future, Devin’s eyes were clinging to my naked frame.
“Bullshit it is,” Devin retorted. “What’s on your mind?” I glanced over at him, and he was still smirking at me. “Tell me, Katia,” Devin said. “It might pertain to your safety, in which case it’s abso-fucking-lutely my business.”
“It’s nothing about that,” I said. I pulled a pink satin peignoir from the dresser and wrapped it around my body. “It’s just – well – I used to hate being called babe.”
“Should I stop?” Devin leaned against the doorway and crossed his muscular arms over his chest. “Is it something that really bothers you that much?”
I shook my head. “No,” I said. “I actually – well, I actually kind of like it now.” I sniffed. “I used to bite guys’ heads off just for calling me that, and now it’s like…” I trailed off, blushing. “It’s like I want to hear that in your voice all day. I just really like it.”
Devin smirked. “Come on, babe,” he said. “Time for omelets.”
Twenty minutes later, I was staring down at the crystal plate in disbelief. A perfectly fluffy and folded omelet rested in front of me.
“I didn’t even know I had eggs on hand,” I mumbled as I reached for my fork. “Are you serious?”
Devin smirked. “I have to cook for the guys sometimes,” he said. “Y’know, back at the clubhouse.”
“You cook omelets for your bike buddies?” I covered my mouth with my hand so Devin wouldn’t hear me giggling. “That’s too much. Do you guys sit around with cute little linen napkins, too?”
Devin rolled his eyes. “Eat your damn breakfast before it gets cold.” I watched as he liberally dribbled hot sauce all over his omelet before daintily cutting a piece away with a shining-silver fork.
“This is good.” I chewed and swallowed, savoring the rich taste of cheese and butter. Devin had included some sautéed mushrooms and peppers, and that along with the tangy scent of cheddar was enough to make me drool even though I’d already started eating. He’d even garnished the top with a fresh sprig of parsley. The whole damn thing was incredible. I couldn’t believe it. I was even scraping the plate for traces of butter and cheese when I was done.
Devin grinned as he reached down and took my plate. “So, you liked it?”
I tried to keep from begging him immediately for a second omelet. “I loved it.” I groaned and looked down at my lap. “And my thighs already look bigger!”
Devin chuckled. He set the plates in the sink and began rinsing off the grease. “And I used real butter, too. You’re gonna have to starve for a week in order to make up for eating that.”
I sat up straighter in my dining room chair. “Well, that’s fine,” I said. “I don’t mind. It was worth it.”
“Maybe later, I can make dinner,” Devin said. He frowned. “I gotta make a call,” he said. “I’ll be right in the dining room. Just stay here, okay?”
I nodded. As he left the room, I felt a small wave of panic wash over my body. I shivered. I knew I was being ridiculous, but with Devin around, I just felt so much safer. It was crazy to admit that I felt alone after he’d merely left the room.
You’re really losing it, I thought as I glared down at my hands in my lap. Next thing you know, you’re gonna tell him that you want him to move in full-time.
Devin’s voice was low and gravelly from the dining room. I couldn’t understand him very well, but I had a feeling he was talking to someone from his club. My heart sank as I heard his commands become more serious with each passing second. I knew that this situation wasn’t sustainable; after all, it wasn’t like Devin was hanging around because he wanted to. I was a job, a virtual package. I was the reason he was getting paid and the reason he’d be able to help his club. I swallowed as I remembered our conversation from the other night: Devin wasn’t here because he wanted to be. It was just because I was paying him more than any of the other guarding gigs available.
After what felt like an eternity, Devin joined me once again in the kitchen. We sat down at the table in my breakfast nook.
“So, what was that all about?” I leaned forward and crossed my arms, pushing my breasts together into a nice cleavage. “You were on the phone for a while. You never struck me as much of a chatty guy before now.”
Devin shook his head. It was clear that my jokes weren’t going to work on him at the moment. “I called Troy, my right-hand guy,” he said. “I told him that he really needs to work on finding out who this asshole is.”
“Oh,” I said softly. “Do you think he’ll find out soon?”
Devin got up from his chair and walked around the table. He pulled me into his arms and stroked my hair. “I don’t know, babe,” Devin said. The sensation of his hot breath against my neck was enough to send shivers down my body.
“But you’re staying?”
“I can’t leave you now,” Devin said. My heart leapt. For a moment, I wondered if he was going to confess to having feelings for me. “You know I couldn’t do that, Katia. I can’t leave you alone and vulnerable. That’s not fair to you, not until we find out who this asshole is.”
“Oh,” I said softly. “Devin, I’m scared. I really thought that everything was over now. Things have been so quiet for the past few days.” I groaned in his arms as Devin pulled me closer, pressing his groin against my hips. He wasn’t hard, but I could feel his cock through the thin pajama pants and it was all I could do not to shove my hand down stroke him until he was rock hard.
“I know, babe,” Devin said. He kissed the top of my head. “But I’ll stay here until you’re safe. You don’t have to worry about anything bad happening. I’m right here next to you.”
I nodded. I didn’t feel safe; I felt numb. I knew that I shouldn’t want someone stalking and harassing me, but as soon as it was over, Devin would be gone. I wondered whether or not I’d feel safe after all of this was over. Just because it happened once didn’t mean that it couldn’t happen again, and suddenly I had a flash of fear. What if I spent my whole life falling in love with unavailable men just because they were guarding me?
Devin slipped his fingers under my chin and tilted it up until my eyes were staring right at his. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, and I moaned softly as Devin crushed my head to his. Our lips met. His tasted like butter and salt, and slowly, Devin slipped his tongue into my mouth. The sensation of his body against mine and his mouth on my own made me weak in the knees. I closed my eyes and felt them roll back into my head as Devin nibbled on my lower lip and stroked my tongue with his own. He was such an incredible kisser. So desperate, so hungry.
Like he really needs me, I thought as I kissed Devin back with equal ardor.
Devin wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me gently into the air. I wrapped my legs around his strong, muscular abdomen. As he carried me into the bedroom, I was barely aware of moving through time and space. Being held in Devin’s arms was the most comforting feeling in the world. It wasn’t even being safe; it was more like being completely tucked away and hidden from the world. It was like Devin and I were the only two people left alive, and we somehow had to nourish our connection, make it grow by loving each other.
Devin set me down on the bed with a gentle thud. I tangled my hands in his unruly dark hair and tugged his head close to mine. My lips felt raw, flayed in the cool air of the bedroom before Devin’s hot mouth plastered itself against my own. As he climbed on top of me, my back crushed against the silk of the sheets. They’d cooled since we’d woken up together, but now I could feel the material heating underneath my body with the intense passion that swarmed around Devin and me.
“Mm, God,” I moaned softly into Devin’s mouth. He sucked on my lower lip, sending sensational thrills through my body, and slid his hands down my silky lingerie. My breasts sprang to life at his touch, and I felt my nipples grow stiff and sensitive as Devin brushed against them through the fabric of my peignoir. He knew exactly how to touch me. His touch was both rough and gentle, – and I closed my eyes and arched my back as Devin’s hands glided over my stomach and between my thighs.
“You’re so sexy,” Devin growled. He leaned closer and nipped at my neck. Then he slowly began to suck in a tantalizing way that filled my body with erotic fireworks. I knew I should push him away because I’d have a big hickey if I didn’t, but the sensation was too pleasurable. I began to writhe and twist against Devin’s body. He gripped both of my wrists with one of his large hands and pinned them over my head until my fingers were grazing the headboard. As Devin spread my legs with his free hand, he crawled in between them and pressed a knee against my silk-covered labia. I moaned loudly and threw my head back. My wet hair clung to my forehead in unruly strands but for once, I no longer cared about what I looked like. Devin lowered his face to my chest. He nuzzled my stiff nipples through the pink silk and I groaned, desperately wanting him to take the aroused flesh into his mouth. Finally, he began gently sucking one of my hard nipples through the thin silk of my peignoir. It felt incredible. Tiny fireworks exploded between my legs as Devin continued to gently rub his knee against my crotch while sucking on my nipple.
Straining against his grip, I tried to move my arms, but Devin held me firm. I had the overwhelming sensation of pleasure, enhanced by the fact I couldn’t move at all. Instead, I groaned and shifted my hips against his body. I wanted more, more, more – I wanted all of Devin. I wanted him to fill me with his cock, to cum inside of me until he was drained and dry and exhausted. Growling with lust, I finally managed to free my wrists from Devin’s grasp. Reaching down, I slid my fingers down the waistband of his pajama pants and pulled them away from his skin.
When I saw his hard cock, I gasped again. He was so beautiful. He was the sexiest man I’d ever seen, clothed or naked. Naked, he looked like a statue of a Greek god. His flesh was like sculpted marble, like the finest and most costly material in the world. As I slid my hands down his perfectly muscled torso, Devin groaned softly in the back of his throat. The sound was just enough to jolt my arousal into overdrive, and I tangled my fingers in his pubic hair and gently tugged until he’d crawled closer between my legs.
I smirked up at Devin as I slid my hands down my body and parted my silk peignoir. As he pressed the head of his hard erection against my soaking labia, I moaned and arched my back. I wrapped my legs around Devin’s waist to pull his cock inside of my pussy. I was so wet that there was already a massive wet spot underneath of me on the silk, and Devin’s cock felt so good. As he slid inside of me, he let out a loud moan of delight.
Devin leaned over my body. He was breathing hard, and I could feel his chest heaving with the effort of his arousal. As he moved against me, his cock slid all the way inside until he was buried to the hilt. I moaned and squirmed; the sensation was overwhelming and incredible. I could barely breathe as Devin began to pulse his hips on top of me, gliding in and out of my soaked pussy with incredible ease.
After a few seconds, I felt my own breath begin to catch. Tightening my grip around Devin’s waist, I pressed my hips against his and began to rock my body in the same slick, sensual rhythm. We moved together like a well-oiled machine, Devin pumping in and out of me like a piston. His cock filled me so perfectly that it seemed as though we had been designed for each other. As Devin tangled his fingers in my hair and yanked my neck back, I let out a shuddering moan. His hot lips and tongue found a sensitive spot on my neck, and I cried out with pleasure as his tongue swirled warmly over my skin.
The room was soon filled with the heated, musky perfume of lovemaking. I closed my eyes and breathed in it, savoring the scent of Devin and myself together. His fingers found my nipples and began toying with them; as he pinched one nipple between his thumb and forefinger, I grunted softly and cried out. The sensations that filled my body were so incredible that I could barely stand it. I was having trouble breathing. Somehow, holding oxygen in my chest made the delightful fireworks between my legs seem all the more powerful, but I gritted my teeth and ground my hips against Devin’s frame with all of my might.
Suddenly, Devin pulled away. Before I could ask what had happened, he dug his fingers into my hip and flipped me over on the bed. Devin slapped the insides of my thighs, and eagerly, I spread my legs again. As Devin mounted my thighs, his soaked cock slid inside me. I gasped at the sensation of being taken from behind; it was somehow even stronger than when I’d been lying on my back, seconds before. Devin tightened his grip around the back of my neck and furiously fucked me as we bounced together on the bed. My face was buried in his pillow, and I bit the pillow to stifle the moans as Devin’s fingers slid around to the front of my body. Seconds later, I felt his strong grip rubbing my clit.
It was too much to bear. I held my breath until I thought I was going to explode from lack of air. The delicious exploding pangs in my lower belly reached an all-time high, and I let out a loud wail into the silk pillowcase as my fierce orgasm began to tear through my body. Devin could feel it, too. He was shuddering and bucking on top of me, his cock pulsating with the force of his own perfect climax.
I’d had orgasms before, but nothing like this. It was even better than the last time Devin, and I had slept together. Our bodies moved in a furious rhythm, milking each other of all energy and lust. I groaned in delight as I felt Devin’s cock spasm once more inside of me. As he pulled out, I shivered on the silken sheets.
Devin rolled me onto my side, using my hipbones as a handlebar. “Hey,” he said. He smirked at me. “That was incredible.”
I licked my lips; they were salty with my sweat, and the remains of breakfast. A thick musk hung heavy in the air, and I breathed in, saving each moment.
“It was,” I said softly. I could feel that my face was hot and flushed. My heart was still thumping in my chest, and I was shaking from the insanely powerful orgasm that had just ripped through my body like a hurricane through a small beach town.
“What’s wrong?” Devin frowned. He ran a hand through his dark hair, making it stand on end. I giggled. He looked so silly like that, even with his dozens of biker tattoos. “Is everything okay?”
I nodded. “I need to talk to Anya,” I said. “You think I could go out to lunch with her?”
Devin’s frown grew deeper. “That’s not a good idea,” he said. “Come on, Katia. You know that. Don’t be stupid.”
“I feel better,” I insisted. It wasn’t exactly a lie because I did feel much better about everything after having such amazing sex with Devin. But now I was worried about something else entirely, and it wasn’t something I wanted to discuss with Devin.
“I don’t give a shit if you feel better,” Devin said. His tone was infuriatingly calm, and suddenly I felt a hot burst of anger explode in my chest. “My job is to make sure that you stay in one piece, and I don’t know how sure of a deal that is if you plan on goin’ out all the fucking time.”
“What the hell?” I stood up and put my hands on my naked hips. The chill air in the room was enough to make my nipples grow hard once more, but I knew I had to ignore the way Devin was looking at my body or else things would be even worse. “You can’t control me, Devin!”
“I know,” Devin said. He licked his lips. “God help the man who tries to control you.” He smiled with his mouth, but his eyes stared hard and angry. “What the hell is so important about seeing Anya right now, anyway?”
I frowned. “I have a very important schedule, you know,” I said. I walked over to my dressed and pulled out a pair of jeans and a sweater. Without putting on panties or a bra, I slid the jeans over my hips and buttoned them smoothly over my flat tummy. Devin’s eyes didn’t leave my body as I pulled the sweater over my head and smoothed my still-damp tangled of blonde hair.
Devin rolled his eyes. “Whatever,” he muttered. “Call her and set something up. I’ll stand guard outside while you eat.”
I blinked. I hadn’t actually expected him to agree. Even though that was exactly what I’d wanted to hear, it hurt somehow. It made me think that Devin didn’t even care. It reminded me that I was just a job to him.
A job and a warm hole, I thought as I wrapped my arms tightly around the sweater covering my abdomen. And that’s all I’ll ever be.
With Devin’s eyes still watching me, I picked up my phone and dialed Anya. Bless her, she answered on the first ring.
“Katia? Is everything okay?”
I nodded, forgetting temporarily that Anya wasn’t in the room to see me. “Yeah,” I said softly. “Hey, do you feel like getting a coffee?”
“Right now?”
“I have to talk to you,” I said. “It’s important.”
“Don’t you just want me to come over there? I have some things for you anyway. Katia, you’ll need to go through your closets and pick out some things to donate. Remember, the Youth Charity auction is coming up! Last year, those shoes you wore in the Vogue photo-shoot landed over three hundred thousand dollars, remember?”
I had to laugh. Anya’s excitement, though not infectious, reminded me again how great at her job she was.
“Okay,” I said. “I mean, coffee first. Then maybe you can come over, and we’ll pick out some stuff for the auction, okay?”
“Okay.” Anya paused. “I’m downtown. Feel like meeting me at The Coffee Shack?”
“I’ll be there,” I said dryly. “See you in twenty.”