Daring Devlin

by Jessica Lemmon

  Daring Devlin

  Lost Boys, book 1

  Jessica Lemmon

  Lemmon Ink

  Daring Devlin is a work of fiction. Names, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Copyright © 2020 by Jessica Lemmon www.jessicalemmon.com

  All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Jessica Lemmon under Lemmon Ink.

  Cover concept: Jessica Lemmon

  Cover design: Passion Creations

  Nicole, this one is for you, my friend.

  A Note from the Author

  Years ago when I wrote Devlin’s book, the new adult genre (as well as first person point of view) was uncharted territory for me! I was trying something new, which scared me a little, but I knew I had to write the story in my head begging to come to life. Devlin, the bad boy, and Rena… the reformed bad girl. I couldn’t resist.

  Now, some 30+ books later, I was given the opportunity to republish Devlin’s book. I couldn’t pass up the chance to polish up the manuscript and make it sing. At the time I wrote it, I did the best I could with the knowledge I had, but now? Oh, now, I knew. I could slay it. But, would I still love Devlin and Rena the way I once had?

  Turned out that yes, yes I did.

  This new version of Devlin’s story has been retitled, recovered, and shined up. And the ending—oh, the ending, you guys—it’s exactly as it should have been all along. I’m incredibly grateful that I had a second crack at it. And even more grateful to present it to you, dear reader.

  Happy reading,

  * * *

  Jessica Lemmon

  www.jessicalemmon.com

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Rena

  Devlin

  Rena

  Chapter 2

  Devlin

  Rena

  Chapter 3

  Rena

  Devlin

  Rena

  Chapter 4

  Devlin

  Rena

  Chapter 5

  Rena

  Devlin

  Rena

  Chapter 6

  Rena

  Devlin

  Chapter 7

  Rena

  Devlin

  Chapter 8

  Rena

  Devlin

  Chapter 9

  Rena

  Devlin

  Chapter 10

  Rena

  Chapter 11

  Rena

  Chapter 12

  Devlin

  Chapter 13

  Devlin

  Rena

  Chapter 14

  Devlin

  Rena

  Chapter 15

  Devlin

  Rena

  Devlin

  Chapter 16

  Rena

  Chapter 17

  Devlin

  Rena

  Devlin

  Chapter 18

  Rena

  Chapter 19

  Rena

  Devlin

  Chapter 20

  Rena

  Craving Caden Preview

  Craving Caden - Prologue

  Craving Caden - Chapter 1

  About the Author

  Also by Jessica Lemmon

  Chapter One

  Rena

  The first time I’d seen Devlin Calvary, I held my breath until my chest inflated like a party balloon. Today hadn’t been any different. The moment I saw his profile when I strode in, I ducked my head and ran for the kitchen. He was like the sun: hot, and he made me squint if I looked directly at him.

  Other than the flooring good looks of my boss, my new job had started without a bang. Oak & Sage hadn’t hit a dinner rush yet. My drill-sergeant-like trainer, Melinda, and I were attempting to stay occupied as well as stay out of shift manager Chet’s sight.

  “How can anyone take him seriously with that lisp?” she spat. Melinda spat everything. She reminded me of an angry cat most of the time.

  I frowned, dusting the broad leaves on one of the fake plants lining the top of the empty booths where she and I were cleaning. Well, where I was cleaning. She was gossiping about everyone she laid eyes on. I didn’t like her all that much, but she was the only coworker I really knew here. I missed my friends at the recently gone-out-of-business Craft Palace. Right about now, we’d be opening a shipment of new scrapbook paper and dishing about the cute delivery guy.

  “What if he dated a girl with an ‘S’ at the beginning of her name?” Melinda said, an evil smirk on her face. “Like… Sarah. ‘Sthara, you’re stho sthexthy.’”

  I tried not to laugh, but it was funny. Mean, but funny.

  “Nervous about tonight?” she asked as I moved to the next plant. “It’s your first time alone.”

  “No, I think I can do it.”

  “It’s a lot of pressure. Don’t underestimate a Thursday. It’s twice as busy as Friday but in fewer hours. Plus, you have a three-table section.”

  I glanced at her uneasily.

  “And your tables aren’t in the direct path of the kitchen, so you’ll be double-timing it back there most of the evening.”

  I blinked at her. “Are you trying to freak me out?”

  She smiled, her eyes holding a lazy-cat look, then her gaze slid over my shoulder. I watched as her smile turned… something. Almost lusty. Then I realized why.

  It’s him.

  Crazy as it sounded, I could feel whenever he approached. I clutched my dust cloth when his low, commanding voice washed over the air and etched into my skin.

  “Melinda, help the hostesses roll some more silverware, will you?”

  Devlin Calvary. General manager of Oak & Sage, though I would swear he couldn’t be much older than my twenty-two years. The youngest man who’d ever been in charge of my paycheck was dressed in a suit. He always wore suits rather than the khaki-and-button-down-shirt combo Chet wore. I guess to show he was in charge. But let me tell you, Devlin didn’t need a suit to alert anyone of his authority.

  I ran a gaze up and down the length of his lean body, appreciating his height, broad shoulders, and the air of power and control emanating off him like expensive cologne.

  When his long, dark lashes gave me a once-over, I felt my throat close off. I’d been introduced to him in passing when Chet hired me. Devlin had merely tipped his chin in acknowledgment.

  He hadn’t spoken a word to me since.

  “Sure thing.” Melinda pointed to me. “Unless you’d rather Rena do it. She doesn’t know how to do anything else.”

  I glared at her, but she didn’t see me, as she was attempting to blind him with the bazillion-watt smile pulling her shiny, red lips. Devlin’s bored expression remained, his chiseled jaw firm.

  “Just you. Rena’s…” He lifted his brows and studied the cloth I’d clutched against my chest like a kerchief. “…petting the plants.”

  Melinda snapped her head around to me, her dark blond ponytail flicking behind her like the end of a very short whip. He walked away and I continued “petting” the fake orchid in front of me as I watched his legs eat up the long aisle leading to the kitchen.

  “You may as well forget about whatever fantasy you’re cooking in your head,” she sneered.

  I shook my head in fervent denial—like I suffered any delusions that someone as hot and powerful as Devlin might look at me twice. I knew who I was. I wasn’t the type of girl who snagged
the attention of a guy like him.

  “He doesn’t date the help,” she continued. “He flirts with me, but I’d never.” She cut a look in the direction he’d disappeared, biting her lip. A brief flicker of longing lit her hazel eyes before she muttered, “I don’t have any interest in him.”

  Oh, the lies she told. I rolled my eyes as she walked to the hostess station. I knew damn well that Melinda, or any other female in this restaurant, would trade an ovary to be under Devlin’s intense blue-eyed stare for fifteen minutes.

  To be under him, period.

  Devlin

  I cut through the clatter of silverware and tinkling of crystal glasses wearing a smile on my face. Oak & Sage Restaurant had been my second home for as long as I could remember. My dad opened it when I was in diapers, and I’d cut my teeth on the corner of table 31. You could say I was born into this life. Along the way, I had inherited another.

  We were busy tonight, even by Thursday standards. I smoothed my tie and buttoned my jacket. As I stepped out of the way of an incoming server carrying a platter of ribs, I nodded at the guy sitting at table 31. Benny was one of the regulars, his shirt buttons nearly popping as he polished off a very large piece of chocolate cake. He lifted his fork to signal he had money for me, but my sights were set on Sal Crawford, the older man at table 36.

  Mr. Crawford sawed into an overcooked rib eye—why patrons insisted on ruining a forty-dollar steak by ordering it well-done was beyond me—and gestured at his wife, who primly flaked her salmon and listened with half an ear.

  I’d never be the kind of prick to say I had it all, but I had it pretty damn good. When my father died, he left Oak & Sage to me. I was eighteen at the time, and his friend, Sonny Laurence, taught me the ropes of running a restaurant. Thanks to our history, and my being Sonny’s go-to guy in this small town, I knew every degenerate who placed bets within a fifty-mile radius.

  But “degenerate” wasn’t a term I’d use to describe the Crawfords. They were wealthy, thanks in part to me, I reminded myself as I approached the table. Which made this visit almost pleasant.

  “Sal.”

  “Devlin,” he greeted, cheeks rosy from the bottle of Merlot on the table. At my arrival, his wife perked up, batting her lashes and adjusting her pearls. Never mind I’m thirty years her junior, Annabelle Crawford would have me for dinner instead of the fish if I said yes.

  I wouldn’t.

  He patted his mouth with a black cloth napkin as I leaned over the table and winked at his wife. “Anna. Looking beautiful this evening.” My lips tipped into a wry smile and her hand landed on mine.

  “Oh, you.” She toyed with one of her earrings. Women were one of the things I was really good at. The other was what I did to them to make them howl. Too bad for Anna. Another ten years closer to my age and I could’ve had her clawing the bedsheets.

  “I believe we have business to attend to,” I told Sal. Mrs. Crawford fished a small compact from her giant purse and powdered her nose, intent on ignoring this part of the meal.

  He nodded, his lips twitching slightly at the sides. I made people nervous. Not that I was some massive block of muscle with a thrice-broken nose or anything, but I was the man with the power. I carried the weight of Sonny Laurence, and had a frame that was six-two and two-twenty to back that up. In a town like Ridgeway, Ohio, reputation was worth more than any fortune Crawford could amass.

  “Next time”—I reached into my jacket pocket and Sal’s eyes widened the slightest bit—“I’ll be the one collecting from you.” I proffered an envelope with curly gold script on it that read, Gift Certificate, but we both knew it contained a few cool thousand Crawford had won fair and square. “Sonny says hello.” Which was code for, Call him to place a bet today.

  Sal smiled, receiving the message, and accepted the envelope. Mrs. Crawford shut her compact with a snap. I pressed my palms together in typical manager-of-a-restaurant fashion and said, “Your meal is on me this evening.” I raised a brow at Sal. “I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.” I flicked a glance at the envelope.

  “A pleasure, Mr. Calvary.” He nodded. Once. A sign he’d be calling Sonny later to give back some of those crisp hundreds in his hand now.

  I turned for Benny’s table to relieve him of the eight hundred dollars he owed Sonny feeling the slightest bit smug. Sal had addressed me as Mr. Calvary. Twenty-four years old and I garnered more respect than an orphaned kid from West End had ever dreamed.

  This was the game. Thanks to Sonny, a game I’d mastered.

  Rena

  My fingers shook over the computer screen as my mind threw information at me at ninety miles a minute. I looked down at the scrap of paper where I’d written my table’s order, and suddenly, I couldn’t make out my own handwriting.

  Is that an L or an R?

  A server behind me huffed his frustration. I blew out a breath and closed my eyes, willing my pounding heart to calm.

  You’ve been through worse traumas than the Thursday night rush at a restaurant.

  So much worse.

  Centered by that reality, I threw the guy behind me a smile. He shook his head. I was the new girl impeding his progress and he didn’t appreciate my learning on his time. After I’d keyed in the last dish, I realized I had no idea how to take an item off the baked potato. I practically felt the angry vibrations at my back as I navigated out of one menu and clicked on another.

  Beside me, a few other servers blurred by, shouting to the guys on the line, filling baskets with warm bread, and calling “Corner!” as they rounded the blind-spot wall leading to the dining room.

  It had to be here somewhere. Sour cream, sour cream…

  “Come on!” the impatient server behind me shouted.

  I flinched, backing out of the on-screen menu and preparing to let the server go ahead of me when a hand landed on the touch screen in front of my face. A wide hand with blunt nails, not perfectly manicured. I caught the flash of a black opal cuff link as the jacket slid away when he tapped the screen, selecting three buttons I couldn’t have told you the name of if you put a gun to my head.

  I inhaled, the smell of soap obliterating the cacophony of food smells behind me. There was only the scent of clean man, only the feel of heat enveloping my body.

  I peeked over and caught the sharp angle of Devlin’s jaw, full lips, and lashes shadowing his cheeks as he squinted in concentration. He flicked a look over to me, those summer-sky-blue eyes freezing me in place as I struggled to breathe. Inhale. Exhale. I’d been doing it since birth but somehow needed to remind my lungs how to pull in air.

  With a blink, he turned back to the screen, punched the order in and brushed by, just a whisper of expensive suit against my restaurant-issued, dry-cleaned cotton shirt.

  “Move!” came the server’s shout behind me.

  I stepped aside, shakily closing my little black waitress book. I hazarded a glance to the side and saw Devlin’s tall form disappearing around the corner, and my heart leapt into my throat.

  Devlin. Since I’d started working here last week, he’d been occupying my mind. Which might have explained why I still couldn’t navigate the touch screens. His medium-length black hair and contoured lips were distractions. Even if he hadn’t had a pair of cerulean blues or walked with a proud, straight back, his face set like steel, there was something about him I responded to. On a cellular level.

  I’d gone home after my first shift wishing I could have met him at a bar instead of a restaurant where he was my boss, but then, I’d never have been as close to him in a bar as I had been a moment ago. Outside of this restaurant, his arms would be dripping with elegant women, and there was no way I’d be one of them.

  Devlin Calvary was best left to the fantasies of my feeble mind, not the reality before me.

  “Whose side work is butter?” The shout sliced through the kitchen and brought me out of my daydream.

  “M–me.” I raised my hand as I turned toward the voice.

  Melinda stood at th
e computer, hands on her hips, looking disappointed. Her brows slammed down and she banged an order into the touch screen with blurring speed.

  “Remember your training?” she asked without looking at me. “You have to do your side work in between taking care of your tables.”

  Heat reddened my face from a combination of anger and embarrassment, but I stayed silent.

  She faced me, her full-frontal fury intimidating, but I straightened my shoulders, refusing to become her whipping girl because she’d been given an ounce of power. She lifted a small ramekin of whipped butter—the last one—from a tray next to the bread oven, then tipped the stainless steel mixing bowl next to it to show me it was empty.

  “I’ll take care of it.” I didn’t have time to “take care of it,” though. One of my tables needed a refill. I can handle this. I closed my eyes and thought of Joshua’s funeral.