Page 7 of Devour

“You needed a room for the weekend, that’s why you’re here.”

She fidgets with her hands. “Yeah…with my grandmother as you are already well aware of.” Her voice begins to rise. “She’s supposed to be staying with me. Is she staying here, too?”

“We’ve already established I’ll be your roommate for the weekend. I’ll even wear your grandmother’s clothing if that’ll make you more comfortable.” Her face is adorable with her nose scrunched up and the corner of her lips pointing down in a mixture of disgust and confusion. “Those were your original arrangements, correct?”

“You’re so fucking weird,” she whispers. Maeve takes a moment to rub her temples. “I don’t have time for this and I can’t afford this.”

“Did they ask for your credit card?” Before she can answer, I continue, “No. She gave you a key card tomyhome.”

She stands up. “Tell me why you brought me up here. Where’s Gram? What the hell is going on?”

Her temper excites me far more than it should. That conservative, America’s sweetheart dress and demeanor isn’t fooling me. It did at first, but I see right through her. Hell, she’s not even wearing underwear. Playing with her while acquiring a new business deal is going to be fun.

“I noticed tension between you and the two clowns downstairs.” Her eyes narrow and her lips pinch together. Sore topic. They must really get under her skin. I continue to tell her my proposition. “I can help with that. I can have them kissing your ass until their lips are chapped. In return, I intend to be your plus one for Vincent Goodman’s wedding.”

She sits back down and crosses her legs. “I can get you invited. No need for all the theatrics.”

“I have an invitation,” I bite out. I’m only mildly offended she doesn’t want to go along with what I’m offering. Most women would fall to their feet for a date with me. I clear my throat and continue, “I hadn’t intended on being your fake fiancé, that was the result of a misunderstanding. But I think we can make this work in both our favors.” Which is the only reason I’m going to let that idiot keep his job. She continues to stare at me as though I’ve lost my mind. Before I can further explain, the elevator dings. “My first surprise for you is here.”

“First surprise? Because you sending me up to your room under the pretense it was my room wasn’t a surprise?”

I ignore her remark. I’ve only granted access to three people for the elevator this evening. The stylist, makeup artist, androom service. The door slides open and three people exit with a rolling cart of fruit and wine, and another cart with a garment bag hanging, steel cosmetic box, shoe box, and jewelry boxes.

“Welcome,” I tell them and then gesture to Maeve. “Here she is. Allow me to introduce you to the lovely Maeve Goodman. My fiancée. Pamper her as though your life depends on it.”

“Of course,” they say in unison.

Maeve stands. “Wait. Nicholas. What’s going on?”

I hurry over to her and take her hand. “Oh, I see we’re no longer strangers. First-name basis. I like my name on your lips.” I kiss her knuckles and then drop it. “I’ll return soon, my date.” When she looks murderous, I decide to toy with her even more. “My future bride. Enjoy yourself.”

“Nicholas.”

I step back into the elevator and press the button for the bar. “Have fun, Little Bit.”

Her eyes widen and her mouth drops open in shock when I use her grandmother’s nickname for her. I give her a wink right as the elevator doors close.

The bar is a gray blue color with parts of the walls in velvet. Mirrors and old-style lamps with shades decorate the walls. The theme is Victorian meets contemporary. Everyone is dressed in glitter and designer brands, so it’s no issue at all spotting the one I seek.

Journi Reign.

Her hair is pulled partly back with a few dreads hanging loose. She’s wearing a neon pink crop top, sans bra, leather pants, and hot pink heels. Journi is laughing loudly and she sits with the lady of the hour, Maeve’s grandmother. As I approach,she notices me and her smile widens. Journi holds up her shot glass filled with what looks like Pepto Bismol.

“Nick! You’re just in time. Want some Pink CadillacPuss-say?” Not only did the whole bar hear her, I’m sure the casino did as well.

“That explains the color,” I grumble as I accept the shot glass from her. Journi only quirks a brow at me and holds the shot up in a salute.

After we down our shot, Journi pats my shoulder and leans in. “Thanks for picking up my car. I can’t believe I forgot it at the airport.”

“Really?”

She waves me off and then points to Maeve’s grandmother. “This one is a hoot. I can’t believe you picked them up. It’s so not like you to offer rides.”

Gram pats her arms. “You haven’t seen my granddaughter yet.”

Journi leans in to me. “Psst. I heard something. Are you now engaged?”

“Something like that.”

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