Chapter Six – Devon
Devon woke at six in the morning to his phone ringing on the coffee table beside him. It took a moment to remember why, exactly, he was sleeping on the couch. Then the kiss and the whole deal with Mindy came back to him.
The ringing stopped, then started again immediately. He answered with a blurry “Hello?”
Bret spoke quickly and Devon didn’t even catch half of what he said. Something about him and Mindy on television. “What the hell are you going on about?”
“Put it on channel forty-seven,” Bret said, then hung up.
Mindy opened the door, one eye open, the other squinted shut. “What’s going on?”
“Come sit down and let’s see.” He patted the couch as he sat up to search for the remote.
He flipped the television to channel forty-seven. A reporter was speaking and the headline was “Devon Jennings in a romance with Bret Cassidy’s little sister, Mindy.” Then the video of the two of them kissing came up on the large forty-two-inch television.
The two of them watched the TV in silence. Damn, watching the two of them kiss, the way she had wrapped her arms around his neck and responded to his attention, it was hot. He glanced at her and she was watching him, her cheeks red as a hot pepper.
They both looked away at the same time, back at the TV.
His phone rang again and he pushed the button to answer the call. It was the band’s manager, Chet. “Sorry to call so early, Dev.”
“No, it’s cool. I was already up. What’s going on?”
“First of all, the record label called. They’re very pleased that you took their advice. Mindy looks like a nice girl.”
Devon cast his eyes toward her. “She is.”
“Well, this was a brilliant plan. Which leads me to the second thing. You might as well let me talk to her because I need to get a press sheet ready. People have already started calling my office to find out more about her.”
Devon put his hand over the phone. “Our manager, Chet, wants to talk to you. They need to get some info on you.”
“Me? Why would anyone want to know about me?”
“Comes with dating a rock star, sweetheart.” He told his manager to hold on, then handed her the phone.
She left the room with the phone, and Devon took a quick second to appreciate her legs as she walked away.
Him wanting her was a wrinkle neither of them needed. The kiss had sealed the deal—he had to have her. Just once, to get it out of his system. He’d seduce her, while they were alone in their hotel room over the next few days. He hadn’t had to work so hard for sex in a long time; it would be a novel experience. And so worth it.
Either way, now that this had hit the news and the press was in love with the two of them as a couple, they were stuck together for a while.
He had to remember, he couldn’t let himself get too attached to her. This was a one-shot deal. He was too much of a screw-up to open his heart to someone as kind and giving as Mindy. And he’d only ever been hurt when he tried to trust someone, like Natasha. Hell, even his old man didn’t want anything to do with him. He’d destroy any good feelings she might have toward him.
***
It was nothing but a photo op, Devon kept telling himself. Taking Mindy out to dinner and to the zoo, pretending like he was a normal guy on a normal date—it wasn’t real.
They got a kitchen table at an exclusive restaurant in…hell, he didn’t even know where they were. Chicago, maybe? Once you were on the road, the days and the cities blurred together.
They held hands going in, as photographers snapped their picture. He opened the door for her and pulled out her chair at the beautifully set table. It was odd: being “with” Mindy seemed to be doing more for his popularity than dating someone famous, like Natasha, ever had. And it made him feel like shit. He hated using Mindy this way. She deserved better than him, with his fake dates. The kiss—that had been real, though.
“You have something on your mind,” she said, shaking out her napkin and placing it in her lap.
He took a sip of water before he answered, trying to put into words something he didn’t quite understand himself. It wasn’t like him to care so much. “That I hope this isn’t something you’re used to.”
“The news outlets calling out for a picture? Not exactly something that happens at college.”
“Not that.” He took her hand across the small table because they were in public, so he could and she wouldn’t tell him no. “Being used for your pretty face and wholesome personality. I hope you’ve been romanced. You deserve that, Min. Real romance.”
She stared at him, blinked once or twice. “Sure. I’ve had romance before.”
“Good. So how is it you’re without a man right now? I imagine your attention is in pretty hot demand at your little college.”
“First of all, my college isn’t little. It’s a state university. Second of all, I’m not so in demand that I don’t have time for a faux summer fling.” She gave him a secretive smile, and dimples deepened in her cheeks.
Devon sat back in his chair as the waiter brought their appetizer. Their menu was at the mercy of the chef tonight.
Mindy leaned forward and picked up her fork. “So this is really smoked foie gras and pigeon?” she whispered.
He grinned at her, took a quick bite with his fork, and chewed thoughtfully. “It’s actually delicious. Try it.”
She gazed at him, and her perfect breasts rose and fell with a deep breath. She took a small bite onto her fork, blew on the steaming morsel, then popped it into her mouth. “Oh! That really is good.”
“I told you so. Now you have to try at least a bite of everything he sends over. Besides” —he glanced toward the bustling cooking area— “they’re watching, so we have to at least pretend to enjoy it.”
She swallowed and took a sip of her wine. “Good point.”
They drank, ate and laughed through the next two courses. She told him a little more about her experiences at college, though she didn’t mention any boys. Maybe she was being discreet? Still, her anecdotes about what a normal life looked like were like water for him—refreshing and cool. He’d forgotten what it was like to be a regular guy.
She made him remember that hungry younger man, willing to work as hard as it took for even a moderate amount of success. He missed those days. Just him and the guys. And Mindy, hanging around, watching them practice in the garage and telling them they were the best band ever.
When dessert came, she smiled with a shake of her head. “Goat’s milk sherbet. Seriously? I’m game if you are.”
“Why not, Mindy? Live life, be daring. Take a chance.”
“On dessert?” Her cobalt blue eyes twinkled from the laughter they’d shared.
On me. “Sure.” He took his spoon out and held it aloft, above the sherbet. “Ready?”
“Yes.” She opened her mouth and he spooned the sherbet through her waiting, full lips.
She closed her eyes and swirled the sherbet around on her tongue. “Mmm.”
Her face was killing him right now. He wanted to be the one who put that look there. He wanted to kiss her senseless, touch her until she cried out his name.
Tonight, he’d kiss her for the cameras, take every chance to touch her, and when they went back to the hotel room, he’d make his move. He could tell by the way she responded to his touches that she wanted him as well. He’d take her, and they’d both be satisfied.