Page 39 of Devour

“Only special ones,” he tells me and then boldly licks the donut glaze from his finger.

“You’re too kind, Mr. Deschamps.” Gram is practically swooning.

“Now, Ethel. We agreed we’re past the formalities. I believe it was after a few shots of Pink Cadillac Pussies.”

My jaw drops. “What about his language?”

Gram reaches over and pats my hand. “That’s the name of the drink, dear.”

“Asshole is his middle name,” I quip back. “And what is he doing calling you Ethel?”

“Nicholas and I became very well-acquainted in Vegas.”

“But not as acquainted as we did, Little Bit.” He winks. He actually winks. “Speaking of, I’m eager to try your pie, Ethel.”

This son-of-bitch. “You keep your mouth away from her pie!”

“She offered it over the phone. That’s why I’m here. I told her I was coming to check on construction progress. And who am I to refuse a beautiful woman’s pie?”

The way he leers at me. The nerve of this guy. Gram starts to get up, and when her back is turned, I mouth, “That’s my grandmother!”

Nicholas grabs the leg of my chair and slides me closer to him. He leans forward and whispers in my ear, “I’m not going to devour Granny. Your sweet cherry pie is the only one I’ll be eating.”

Every nerve in my body comes alive as I register his strong hand against my upper thigh. I want to give in to the urge to touch him, but I know I shouldn’t. My grandmother believes she’s invited a nice man into her home, when really, she’s just allowed the big bad wolf inside. The question is why is he here? I don’t believe his lies for one second. I could tell her the truth, butI don’t want to upset her. More than anything, I want to protect her.

I nod. “I’m going to play nice, but as soon as Gram steps out of this room, I’m stabbing you with a kitchen knife.”

His gaze drops to my lips and then lifts to my eyes. A wry smile on his gorgeous face. “I deserve that for not calling to warn you I’d be in town. But then again, where’s the fun in that?”

“So you knew I was coming here.”

“Absolutely. I only gamble when I know I can win.”

“Then it’s not really a gamble, is it?”

“It’s a safe bet.”

“Well, you canbetthat before you leave here, you’ll regret ever showing up.”

“Bet.”

I hate him. I reluctantly turn my eyes from his hypnotizing ones to see Gram watching us. This is awkward. She places a plate of pie in front of each us. “Oh dear. Your coffee is low.”

“I don’t even have any coffee,” I grumble.

Gram chuckles. “I’ll get you a cup, dear.”

She places an empty cup on a saucer in front of me. Then she goes and picks up the pot of coffee. First, she fills up Nicholas’s and then leans over to get mine. That’s weird. Gram would never lean over someone. A howl of pain comes from Nicholas.

All down the front of his shirt and his pants, Gram has poured coffee. “Oh fiddlesticks! I’m terribly sorry. I lost my balance.”

I cover my mouth with my palm as I stand up so fast the chair falls over. “Gram, grab some towels!”

“No, it’s too much. Let’s take you in here.”

Gram tries to pull Nicholas up, but he protests. “Really. I’m fine. I was starting to feel a slight chill anyways.”

“Nonsense. Now get.” She points toward the guest bedroom.

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