Chapter Ten

Aria waited behind one woman for the ladies' room. She didn't need to use the toilet, but needed to stretch her legs, powder her nose, and try to cool off after seeing the hotness that was Devon Mann.

She was rooting around in her clutch when she sensed someone's presence nearby. Assuming it was another woman for the restroom, she took a step forward to close the gap in the line.

“Excuse me.”

A deep sexy voice interrupted her thoughts. Turning around, her mouth dropped open. The Devon Mann was standing next to her, and possibly talking to her. “Yes?”

He stared into her eyes. “I saw you earlier, but didn't want to interrupt your dinner, I just wanted to tell you I'm a fan of yours.”

Aria looked around the hallway just as the woman in the line in front of her turned to check things out. She, too, had her mouth hanging open. Aria was glad it wasn't just her alone looking foolish. “Devon Mann is a fan of mine?” She barked out a laugh.

“Yes, why's that funny? I saw you perform at the festival the other day, and I enjoyed it.”

She sobered since he seemed serious enough. “Oh, uh, thanks?”

The restroom door opened, a woman exited and almost tripped when she spotted Devon. Good, so all women acted that way around him. She didn't feel so bad now.

He leaned against the wall next to them, and nodded at the woman in front of her. “Bathroom's free,” he told her.

Aria could tell she didn't want to go.

“Thank you,” the lady murmured, and walked in the room, closing the door inch by inch until her face disappeared from sight.

He chuckled.

“I bet you’re used to that.”

“To what?” He looked puzzled.

“Women acting crazy around you.”

He shrugged. “Eh, I don't even notice half the time, not until someone points it out.”

“See, normal.”

He nodded. “I suppose. I get it, I'm a public figure, but I'm a man, too, a human being. I'm sure you get a bit of that too, though.”

“A bit of what?” She frowned at him.

“Fans gawking at you.”

“No, can't say that I have. Well, not adults, a lot of little girls, though. I love being someone they can look up to. I'm afraid the art of dance is dying in these parts.” Her sad musings shifted the mood from the upbeat awkwardness.

The woman exited the restroom. “All yours.” She paused by them and pointed to the door.

When the woman didn't leave, and stood there staring at Devon, Aria didn't like it. “I'm okay, I just wanted to stretch my legs.”

The lady shook her head and left, but not before taking Devon in from head to toe. Twice.

Aria watched Devon as the woman boldly eye-fucked him right there in front of her. “Wow, could she be any more obvious?” she asked when the lady was out of view.

Devon shrugged. “Is that guy out there your boyfriend?”

“Not really, why?” She shook her head.

“Not really?”

“No, there's no label for us. If I had to put a label on it, I'd say we're good friends. Why do you ask?”

“Friends with benefits?”

“That's a personal question.”

“One you're not denying.”

She dropped her gaze.

He pulled away from the wall and stepped toward her. “I'm sorry. Let me start over. I want to ask you out to dinner, but if you have a boyfriend, I don't want to intrude on that relationship.”

“Oh.”

“So…can I ask you out?”

Her heart felt like it would pound its way out of her chest. Either that or she'd faint. And then the scent of his cologne washed over her. “Uh, no, sorry, it's not a good time right now. Too much going on in my life.”

He didn't say anything to that, just bent his head, looking toward their feet.

She was thankful she’d had a pedicure since her feet were exposed in her strappy sandals. They were in rough shape from dancing so much to prep for the festival.

“Can I give you my number, and when life's not so rough anymore, you can call me?” Devon sounded hopeful.

Could a man of his stature really be interested in her? “Why? Why me?”

“Well, for starters, I find you attractive, and I'd like to get to know you better. And my date tonight, she's just a friend. There's nothing between us.”

“I'm not a groupie or anything like that.” She tried to convey she wasn't an easy lay.

“I didn't think you were, you're too classy for that.”

“Thank you, but I don't give my number out, not even to the Devon Mann’s of the world.”

“Very smart. I understand.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet, and rummaged around. His fingers passed by a condom, and Aria's cheeks went hot. “Here it is.” Devon pulled a business card from behind some cash. “Do you have a pen?”

“Yes.” She pulled a pen from her clutch and handed it over.

He scratched out the phone number printed on the card and flipped it over. “This is my manager’s card, don't call him.” He chuckled. “He'd be pissed. My number is on the back.”

“Your personal number?”

“Yes, my cell, and I'm sure I don't need to ask, but not many people have this number, so please keep it to yourself.”

“Yes, of course, but I'm not sure I'll call. At least I can't promise.”

“That's fine, just think about it?”

“Sure.”

His face lit up in a smile, and he pressed the card into her hand and held on for a moment, rubbing his thumb against her knuckles. The pad of his thumb was rough with a callus, just like she had on the bottom of her feet from dance. The thought made her smile.

The mood was broken when a few women came giggling down the hall toward them. Their faces lit with enthusiasm directed toward Devon.

A sigh whispered from his lips. “Please call,” he said, quietly. “Can I ask your name?”

Evidently, hers was the one he really wanted to know.

She hesitated. “I guess it's only fair, I have yours, but I'll only give my first name.”

“I'll take it.”

“Aria,” she whispered.

Pulling away, he turned to exit the hall, but the women stopped him, asking for photos and autographs. He obliged, but the smile he wore, while genuine, wasn't the smile he had shared with her only moments ago. The one for her seemed much more intimate. She waited behind them in the small hall, quietly savoring his glancing at her every so often with a sparkle in his eyes.