Page 13 of Devilish

He stared at the gold skeleton key. “That’s the key to…your house?” He looked up at me in confusion.

“Yes.”

“I’ve never seen one like that before.”

“I’m not sure you’ve noticed by now, but I’m a little…over the top. Eccentric, perhaps.”

“But…”

“Yes?”

“Why would you give it to me?” Wide, grey-blue eyes met mine, and it broke my heart a little.

I leaned forward and pushed the key toward him. “Because you’re welcome in my home, Kai. Take it.”

His hand shook a little when he reached for the key, gripping it tight in his palm.

“Feel free to do whatever you want,” I said. “If there’s anything you need to do or anywhere you need to go. If you just want to stay here and relax. Look around. Raid the fridge. The house is yours.”

Kai’s mind was close to exploding, I could sense that, so I took that as my cue to go get ready. I came out of my room minutes later, ready to head out, and found Kai sitting exactly where I’d left him.

I picked up my wallet and phone, then scribbled my number down on a piece of paper and showed it to him.

“In case you need me for anything. This phone here”—I pointed at the antique phone on the wall—“it’s not just for looks.”

Kai nodded as I headed to the door and pulled it open. I was just about to step out when I stopped and looked back at the beautiful young man who had now moved into the center of my living room.

“Have a good day, Kai. I hope you’ll be here when I get home.”

And with that, I shut the door.

6

KAI

ISTARED DOWN at the key in my hand and traced over the “L” with my thumb. Of course Lucien wouldn’t have a regular key. That wouldn’t fit with what I’d learned of him over the last few hours.

Vintage tea sets. Chandeliers in every room. That black silk robe he wore…

I pushed that image right out of my head. Lucien was… Well, he was sexy. Even questioning his intentions didn’t make me oblivious to that fact.

I wasn’t going to let myself think about that, though. He’d been nothing but kind so far, and the last thing I wanted to do was take advantage of the situation.

He gave me a key.

Why would he do that when he didn’t even know me? What if I was a thief? He had priceless artifacts, so that was a lot of trust to give someone he’d just met. Maybe he was of the mindset he’d just buy more. Everything could be purchased for a price, and he wasn’t lacking for money.

I tucked the key into the pocket of the silk pajamas he’d given me to wear and then rolled up the sleeves. Even though the clothes were several sizes too large, they felt so good that I neverwanted to take them off, and they sure as hell beat the tight, barely there outfit Rupert had forced me to wear last night.

Fuck.Rupert…

My stomach twisted, all of the slices of toast I’d eaten threatening to reappear as I wondered what would happen now. What he would do when I saw him again. Would I be cut off completely?

Slamming my eyes shut to block out the thought, I forced myself to focus on the now and not about all the what-ifs. It was too much, too scary and overwhelming to think about right now. Deep down I knew if I had to, I could start all over. I’d done it so many times, and I could do it again.

But right now I couldn’t sit here and think about Rupert. Not about how upset he probably was or what he might or might not do.

I wasn’t there. I was here. Somehow, magically, in this beautiful home, wearing beautiful clothes, safe and warm and off the streets. Belly full. A key in my pocket. And the whole day to do…

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