Page 18 of Devious Temptation
As I contemplate asking if she’s going to button up the shirt, she sits on the camel-colored leather couch, and it’s clear that the answer is no. The damn lump I can’t seem to get rid of grows larger. I swear I’m going to have to go to the doctor soon to see if it’s a condition I can get rid of.
Rhys begins pounding on the door again as he releases a string of curses that are barely audible through the heavy wood, and I feel the weight of the situation on my shoulders. “I’m going to tell him to let you cool off for a bit.”
Lucy snorts, shoving her fingers through her messy waves. “I don’t care what you tell him. I don’t want to talk to him.”
With a sigh, I turn the lock and crack the door open, bracing myself on the frame to prevent Rhys from bulldozing his way inside. His eyes grow wide with shock, his cheeks burning cherry red as he looks over my shoulder and sees Lucy sitting on the couch in my dress shirt.
“What the fuck?!” he shouts, trying to muscle his way past me.
I push him back gently. “Calm down. I think you both need a breather.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?! Lucy, get the fuck out here and talk to me.”
“Hey!” I snap. “You don’t get to fuck around on her and then talk to her that way.” I dig a finger into his chest. “Youfucked up, Rhys. She didn’t do anything.”
His eyes soften, chest deflating a little as he scrubs at his face. “Lucy, baby, I’m sorry. Please talk to me.”
“I havenothingto say to you.” I peer over my shoulderto see her glaring at him, my shirt falling open to reveal her near nakedness.
Rhys’ nostrils flare as he takes in her appearance. “Put some fucking clothes on when you’re around him!”
He tries to muscle his way past me again, but I shove him back once more and hide her from his view with my body.
“Of course, you’d take her fucking side. Look at her, prancing around in front of you in her lingerie. Bet you’re just loving this, aren’t you,Dad?” he sneers.
Instead of anger, a wave of sadness crests against my chest. “No, Son. I’m honestly not. I expected better from you. In fact, I’m disappointed.”
He shoves his tongue in his cheek before slamming his fist against the wall. “Fuck you!” he shouts as he leans into my personal space before stomping down the hall, swiping at a family photo. It falls and shatters, but he doesn’t stop. I wait until he disappears from sight before I turn and close the door, locking it in case he tries to get in again.
Silence fills the room as I turn to the minibar. There’s less Patrón in the clear bottle than I remember having, and I wonder if Lucy sipped on it while she organized what used to be my disaster of a desk. “I’m assuming you got dropped off?”
“Yeah,” she states softly while playing with the hem of my shirt. Nestling into the corner of the couch, she tucks her legs beneath her and pulls them in tightly, leaving her thighs uncovered and flashing the barest hint of purple silk underwear. “My phone is in my purse in the hall, so I was going to wait a while before calling someone to come get me.”
“I really am sorry, Lucy.” I hand her the drink and move to sit on the other end of the couch. Before I can even get settled, she throws the tequila back in one swallow, even though there are at least three shots in the glass. “Whoa, there. Slow down, rainbow.” I accidentally let the affectionate nickname I’ve never uttered out loud slip past my lips.
Her eyes meet mine over the rim of her glass. “Rainbow?” Her cheeks turn a shade of pink that highlights her hazel eyes.
I drain my glass, feeling the burn brewing in my own cheeks. Either from the whiskey or embarrassment—or both—I don’t know. Getting to my feet quickly, I take our glasses and pour us both another drink, offering an explanation with my back turned away from her. “You’re always wearing bright colors. Like a rainbow.”
You sound so fucking stupid, Lawson.
When I turn back around, a small smile parts her plump raspberry lips, and I can’t help but imagine how they taste. Or how they’d look wrapped around a part of me that is starting to become very partial to her.
You’re a bad man. You’re a bad father.
“I like it,” Lucy whispers.
As I retake my seat, she reaches for her glass, and our fingers brush, creating a spark that nearly causes me to drop the tumbler.
Our eyes lock on the spot where our skin touches before slowly moving upward—hazel meeting gray as the air thickens between us.
A thump on the door breaks the spell, making Lucy startle.
“Dad, you need to stay the fuck out of it and open the damn door!”
I can only imagine how it looked when he saw his girlfriend in her lingerie and my button-down. Regardless of Rhys’ transgressions, he’s undoubtedly feeling pretty damn betrayed right now.
“God, your son sucks,” she mumbles, scowling at the door.
