Page 19 of Filthy Devil

I’m not sure why I tried it anyway, other than the simple fact that I was scared shitless… I still am. I have no idea what to expect or what is in store for me, but I know that trying to manipulate this guy isn’t the way to do it.

“I like that,” he chuckles. “Let’s go.”

“Wait,” I call out as he takes a step away from me.

He stops, and his gaze finds mine again. He holds it for a moment, then clears his throat as he waits for me to continue. I do. I scrape my teeth back and forth across my lower lip. Then I let out a long sigh before I speak.

“How am I going to pay you back for all of this? I have nothing, and I have no way to make money.”

I can’t believe that we are having this conversation in the middle of a department store, a buggy full of clothes andtoiletries, with people walking up and down the aisles and a random screaming kid in the background.

If it’s bothering him or if he even notices, he doesn’t say a word. Instead, he smirks, his lips twitching as he searches my gaze. “I could think of a couple of ways, James.”

Leaning forward, I place my palm against his chest, needing to touch him. He doesn’t look down at my hand. He lifts his own and wraps his fingers around my wrist, holding me against him.

“Oh yeah?” I breathe. “How?”

He lets out a chuckle, then lowers his head, and his lips brush mine, and I can’t help it. My breath hitches. I don’t know if it is because he’s so gentle or if it’s because he really does make me feel all kinds of breathy.

I think it’s because he makes me feel breathy. I’m not very experienced when it comes to men. I’ve only been with a few… and I’m discovering that they were boys. Definitely not men. Because the way Nash makes me feel when he touches me is almost otherworldly and not like anything I’ve felt before.

“Don’t worry about that shit, sweetheart. Let’s go and get this handled. The rest will work itself out.”

And then, without another word, he releases his grasp on my wrist, turns, and begins walking away. I follow a few feet behind him, my legs shorter and unable to keep up with his long strides. Although, I’m enjoying the view of his great ass, so I don’t mind too much.

When we reach the cash register, I don’t miss the look the employee gives him. She’s probably fifteen years older than me but is very pretty. She parts her lips and starts panting as she smiles at Nash.

“Aren’t you a good daddy, buying your daughter some new clothes for college,” she purrs.

I stare at her, almost slack-jawed. Not because she thinks he’s my father—he is old enough to be that—but that she wouldactually say that out loud. The petty side of me has a few things to say, but I’m not sure how Nash would react, so I keep my lips shut—for now.

“Yeah, I’m a good daddy,” he says, his voice silken and absolutely filthy.

That tone, the way he says that, is all I need to know. Wrapping my arms around his, I push myself closer to his side. Then I turn my head and tilt it to the side so that my temple is resting against his shoulder.

“He’s the best daddy. Especially when he makes me come,” I say, making sure to add an extra purr to my words.

The way her eyes widen in horror and her lips part is the best ever. I almost burst out into laughter, but I decide against it. Her cheeks tint hot pink as she finishes up. She doesn’t even read the total to us, and glancing at it makes me feel nauseous.

I’ve never spent a lot of money on clothes, and this is a hell of a lot, but Nash shoves his card in the machine as if it’s nothing, grabs the bags, and then walks away. I run after him, trying to keep up with him yet again.

NASH

Starting the truck engine,I look over at the woman who is sitting beside me. Slowly, she brings her gaze to meet mine, and without a word, we burst out in laughter. She lifts her hand to her lips, closes her eyes, and her shoulders shake when she opens them and leans forward over the center console.

“I seriously thought she was going to burst into flames right then and there,” James says between giggles.

I shake my head a couple of times, and my smile dies down as I realize that I haven’t laughed, truly laughed, in a hell of a longtime. Unless it was with one of my grandkids, but with a woman? It’s been a fucking long-ass time.

A long-ass time.

I like it—too much.

Facing the windshield, I start the engine and head toward the club. I still don’t know what the fuck I’m going to do with this woman, but for now, she can stay in the little apartment.

I know that the other men are going to want to put her to work. She would look amazing on the stage, but I don’t know if I could handle that. Seeing her naked body on display for dozens of men…

Gripping the steering wheel, I hear it crack beneath my grip.

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