Daring Devlin (Lost Boys #1) - Jessica Lemmon Page 0,36

he complained about his surf and turf dinner! He didn’t like lobster. I felt like saying…”

I tuned her out, sorting my own cash and receipts while the other servers bustled around the kitchen behind us. It was around nine, early by restaurant standards. Melinda and I had been first in, which meant we were relieved of our dining room duties first, too.

Devlin hadn’t worked tonight or the night before. I didn’t have his phone number or any other way to reach him. But then, I’d kind of gathered we weren’t really “seeing” each other, so I shouldn’t be thinking of texting him anyway.

It didn’t stop me from scouring the Internet for a social media account under his name. No luck. He wasn’t cataloging his life online like the rest of us. Part of me wished he did. I… well, I missed him.

I turned in my cash and receipts to Chet, who was managing the floor tonight. He swept into the office ahead of me.

“Have your tables checked for cleanliness,” he said in his ever-present lisp, “and then you can go.” He settled into a chair in the small office. The last time I was in here with Devlin he’d had my pants halfway down my legs in a matter of seconds.

I tried not to think of him, but everything made me think of him. Being here, or being at home. I thought of him whenever I walked through my hallway. Or glanced into the hallway. Or thought the word “hallway.”

The door leading to the back parking lot swung open, letting in bitter, icy air. Miguel, one of the prep guys, lumbered in, the handle of a giant empty trashcan in one hand. I stepped out of his way en route to the stockroom. I heard the back door open behind me again a moment before strong fingers wrapped around my upper arm.

Devlin. My breath whooshed from my lips as he tugged me to him. Oh, he looked good. Cheeks red from the cold, jaw lined with a shadow of stubble. His black leather jacket and scarf were the same as the last time I’d seen him, but his jeans were black instead of faded blue.

“You off?” he asked.

Completely off, now that he’d shown up.

“Yeah. Yes. I mean, I am.” Wow. How did he do this to me? Every time. English was my native language, and I spoke clearly and concisely most of the time. Then he shows up and nothing but single-syllable words come out of my mouth.

“Rena, you’re all set,” Chet called, evidently finding my paperwork acceptable. “Dev, what’s up?”

“I have to talk to Rena about the schedule next week. You done in the office? We need a few.” His tone was casual, but my heart dropped into my stomach. Then between my thighs. At least that’s what I told myself was pounding down there.

“I’m not making another cut for an hour.” Chet flipped his keys against his palm and flicked a glance from Devlin to me. He left the door open. “Have at it.”

“Oh, we will,” Devlin said under his breath as Chet walked off.

Devlin gestured for me to go ahead of him and I did, feeling his eyes on my body the entire way. I couldn’t wait to be alone with him again. It’d been two very long days. He shut the door and plopped into the swivel chair, wasting no time clutching my thighs with his palms and pulling me close. So close that my breasts practically lined up with his mouth.

I tried to calm my thundering heart. And failed.

He grinned up at me, delicious and dangerous. Under the bright office lights, his bruises were barely visible. More yellow and green than black and blue. I tenderly touched his cheek.

“Lose the apron, sweetheart,” he said.

I untied my apron with shaking fingers, wondering what came next. Me, I hoped.

He undid my belt and then the button on my pants and I sent a nervous gaze over my shoulder.

“Lock the door,” he instructed.

I clicked the button on the knob. The sound seemed twice as loud as the hum of the ancient computer on the desk, and the pulse pounding in my eardrums.

Devlin unzipped my pants and one eyebrow arched in approval. I’d worn red silk panties. I didn’t know what possessed me. But in case I saw him tonight, I’d wanted to be prepared. Since I owned only the most utilitarian of undergarments, I bought these, and a few other pairs like them. I’d never bought sexy underwear