After finishing our drinks, we walk back to the office so Charlie can meet up with Devon. Nearly an hour has passed, so I am certain he’s done with Slutty Long-Legs by now.
Once we near the door to the office, Charlie tugs at my arm. “I’m just going to get some water. Be back in a sec.”
I smile, nod, and walk through the door. The minute it shuts, Devon appears—looking really pissed off.
“Where the fuck have you been?” I open my mouth to answer when he cuts me off. “I pay you to be here to work—not to take breaks whenever the fuck you feel like it. Where have you been?”
I start to try to answer again when the door to the office opens. Devon glances up, seeing my brother. Immediately, his face softens.
“Charlie? Fuck, man. How are you?” They give each other manly hugs and strong pats on the back. “When did you get back?”
Charlie pulls away first, smiling. “Only a couple hours ago. I raced straight here to see Andi. I hope you don’t mind, but I stole her for a little while. You seemed, um, a bit tied up with someone else earlier.” Charlie hits his shoulder with a wink.
Devon grins mischievously. “Yeah, well, what can I say? The girl can’t get enough of me.”
When I groan out loud, their heads snap to me. “Oh, no. Please, go on. I just love hearing about your extra-curricular activities. Utterly fascinating.” I sit down in my chair, noticing that I was a little shorter with Devon than I should have been. I guess having my brother here makes me braver.
Smiling, Charlie walks toward my desk and sits on the edge. “No worries, sis. Remember who’s got the hot date tonight.” He winks. I almost fall off my chair. This is unlike Charlie in a big way.
“Date? What date?”
Uh-oh.
This is the exact reason I wanted to keep it a secret. Now Devon knows, and he doesn’t look happy.
“Andi has a date with a doctor. Apparently, he’s really nice. I think I may stumble by her place tonight to see for myself.”
There goes the eye-rolling again. I guess some things never change.
“But your brother just got here.” He gives me that look—the one people give when they want you to feel guilty as shit.
“Andi said she would cancel, but I told her not to.”
Devon gives him a horrified look. “Fucking hell, Charlie. Is that army of yours turning you soft?”
Charlie laughs. “No, man, but my sister’s not little anymore. I think I need to learn to cut her some slack. She’s an adult and can make her own decisions.” Charlie glances toward me with a smile. I can’t help but beam back at him. He has definitely changed.
Devon, looking indignant for a moment, seems to compose himself. “Come into my office for a bit and we’ll catch up. How long has been it been? Six months?”
Charlie nods. “Yep, and we’re not getting any younger.”
I huff. “Oh, please. How old are you guys now? Thirty-four? You’re not exactly old.”
Charlie gets up, leaning over my desk. “It’s still six months closer to being thirty-five. Once past thirty-five, you’re almost forty.” His eyes bug out of his head.
I laugh. “Well, at least you’ve got your health.” I glance down and then back at him to see his expression. It’s just how I thought it would look.
Laughing, Charlie shakes his head before turning toward Devon. “Right, mate. Lead the way.”
* * *
I manage to get to the end of the day pretty unscathed. After Charlie left, Devon kept himself in his office. I was glad. Sometimes, I hate his constant distractions. He can be a good boss at times, but others? Well, let’s just say I’ve had to have an extra backbone handy. In fact, it sometimes takes all my strength not to snap. I know he’s my boss, but there is no need to be an arrogant prick.
As the clock strikes five, I gather my things so I can get home in time to get ready for my date. I am actually looking forward to it. My social life seems to consist of Devon Jackson, my father, my brother, Devon Jackson, Ritchie, and did I mention … Devon Jackson?
“Going home?”
I jump, looking up. He’s actually smiling.
Why did my knees just wobble?
“Yes, unless you need me for anything else?”
He shakes his head. “No. If I think of anything, I’ll call you.”
I’m sure you will.
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I walk away as fast as my legs can carry me.
I hate the fact that he has this kind of impact on me. No matter how many times I try not to think about him running his hands all over me, it just happens. Sometimes, I even dream about him, and when I wake up in a cold sweat, clasping my legs together in blissful agony, there’s only ever one thing left to do.
I have been consumed by him since Charlie brought him home from school. That’s right; I’ve spent nineteen years obsessing over Devon Jackson. Of course, he wasn’t always around in those nineteen years. There were a few years when he’d fallen off the radar—eventually taking over his grandfather’s business after he died. By the time I saw him again, he was thirty-three, and boy did age look good on him! He just looks better as he gets older … if that is even possible.
In those nine years he was absent, I grew older, dated boys—whenever my brother wasn’t around—and lost my virginity at the age of nineteen to a college professor. And, no, I wasn’t his student. We actually met at a party through a friend of mine who was, though. We hit it off straight away and started dating. A month later, I lost my virginity to him. A year later, we broke up.
I often think that was my fault. I think all those years of obsessing over Devon have taken their toll. If I hear any news about him, my heart rate picks up. When I see his photo in the newspaper—usually with some leggy blonde—my heart sinks a little bit more. I’ve never truly gotten over him. When he asked me to be his PA, I knew it was my punishment. I still accepted the position, though. I can never escape the need to be with him, which I now know is stupid and adolescent. I’m a grown woman, yet I feel like a kid again when I’m in the room with him. It’s crazy, I know, but it’s true.
It takes me an hour to get home from work. The first two trains on the underground were packed, so I have to stand around waiting for another. By the time I walk through the door, I’m frazzled and in need of a drink. I only have two hours to get ready for my date.
“Andi, what took you so long? I thought you had a hot date with Doctor Lurve?”
I smile. At only twenty-six, Ritchie’s as handsome as they come. He’s tall, athletic, and has an arse that looks like it could crush a melon. His eyes and skin are dark because his father is black, but his mother is white. He doesn’t see them often, but he likes the fact that he has freedom down here. He loves London—especially the girls. All the giggling I’ve heard coming from his room over the last few months has been phenomenal. I don’t mind it, though. We have a pact to stay out of each other’s way when we have company. Not that he needs to worry about that. Thanks to my brother and now Devon, I have been a virtual virgin for most of my life.
As far as Ritchie and I are concerned, we hit it off straight away, but there was never anything sexual. We both acknowledged the fact that we found each other attractive, but it never went beyond that.
Ritchie fell victim to both my brother’s and Devon’s assaults as soon as he moved in. They calmed down when they realised he had no interest in me. I think they frightened the life out of him that day. Gradually, though, they have accepted him. I think it helps that they saw him with a few girls afterwards.
“The bloody tube was awful. I swear it gets worse and worse on that underground every day.”
Placing my bag on the counter, I take my stupid glasses off. I’m not at work anymore, so no more glasses that make me look like “Betty” from Ugly Betty. It’s going to be contacts from now on. I’ve been told they emphasise my brown eyes more anyway.
“Shall I get you a drink?” he asks.
Exhausted, I sigh. “Yes, please. I’m just going to jump in the shower.”
Ritchie nods as I walk off. Every day, I can’t wait until I get home to rip off my boring, conservative clothes. My skirts are always long, my trousers unflattering, and my blouses frilly, but Devon makes me wear them anyway.
Once I’m clean, I pick out a figure-hugging blue dress that hits just above the knee. I like it because it isn’t too tight. It’s just enough to show off my curves without making me look slutty. I want to be daring for a change. All these months of being repressed by Devon “Arsehole” Jackson are taking their toll. The real me wants out.
As I walk back into the living room, Ritchie looks up. “Damn, woman. Look at you!” He whistles as I turn around for him. He leers at me and licks his lips. I know it’s all for show, but I like the compliment nonetheless.
“You’re going to give that doctor a fucking heart attack.”
I snigger. “Oh, shut up, Ritchie. Where’s my drink?”
Ritchie smiles, bends over the coffee table, and hands me an ice-cold gin and tonic. “Just how you like it. Lots of gin, but not much tonic.”
We both laugh as I take the drink. I almost drown it in one go. Ritchie just gawks at me. “Thanks. That hit the spot.”
His expression changes from surprise to realisation. “Don’t tell me. Mr Fucking Holier-than-thou had another slut in his office?”
He can see right through me.
“No. It’s just been a stressful day.” I smile. “My brother’s back from Germany.” I hope he’ll pick up on that and change the subject.
“Really? That’s cool. I’m glad for you, Andi. I know how much you’ve missed him.” He takes a sip of his drink.
“He said he might pop by in a bit to check out my date. I hope he was kidding because that would be rather embarrassing.”
Ritchie’s about to answer when my phone chimes, alerting me to a text message. I walk over to pick it up, groaning when I see the name. Devon.
Don’t forget my package tomorrow.
I roll my eyes. Ritchie must have seen me because he steps closer. “Let me guess. The devil himself. What is he asking for this time?”
I show him the message. “He wants me to pick up his usual box of condoms I get him every Friday. Maybe I should write back.” I type, showing it to Ritchie when I’m done.
Yes, master.
He scrunches up his eyes, takes the phone, presses something, and then hands it back. “Done.”
My eyes widen when I realise he’s sent the text. “Ritchie, what the fuck?!”
He smirks. “He has to realise what a fucking numpty twat he’s being.”
I bite my lip. “Hopefully he won’t notice the sarcasm.”
Ritchie laughs, clutching his belly. “If he doesn’t, he’s a sandwich short of a fucking picnic. The guy’s an arsehole. You really need to cool it with him. Do your job, date this hot doctor, and forget all about Devon Jackson. A guy like that isn’t worth it. I mean, come on, Andi. He makes you buy him condoms for fuck’s sake. What kind of man does that?”
I snort. “I know. He’s a wanker, and I’m done talking about him tonight. No mentioning his name again.”
Ritchie clinks his glass to my empty one. “I’ll drink to that.”