Devil's Deal

by Michele Arris

  “It will be nice to finally have all of the renovations done. So far, I like what I see. You’re very talented, Bailey. Your portfolio is impressive. You might consider starting your own interior design company.”

  “That takes money, and right now, my focus is on paying off my student loans. Maybe in ten or fifteen years, I’d consider opening my own business.”

  “I can help.”

  Her response was a rapid shake of her head. “Thank you, but no thanks. My mom often says that money is the demon to end all friendships.”

  “Say that again.”

  Puzzled, she frowned. “What? Which part?”

  “I hear a hint of southern charm in your voice whenever you quote an idiom.”

  “There isn’t.” Bailey looked away shyly for a moment, mainly because his tone tended to take on a smooth pulse that curled her toes whenever he stared unblinking into her eyes.

  “There is, and I like it.” Smiling, he placed a light kiss on the back of her hand. “As for me assisting you in starting your business, it would be an investment into what I know to be a sure success.”

  “Nope, but thanks.” That got things casually back on track. She crossed her legs and noted his eyes homed in, lingering there. “So, Mr. Marx, are you an only child? I would guess that you are.” His focus was back on her face.

  “And why would you think that?” he asked, but not before taking another subtle glimpse downward.

  “You’re used to getting your way.”

  “What do you call this? I’ve allowed you to dictate everything about this date of ours.”

  Bailey laughed. “Did you hear yourself? You’ve allowed.” His frown had her head cocking back in laughter. She then asked, “Well, are you an only child?”

  “I have a brother and a sister, Landon and Chelsea. I’m the oldest and Landon is the youngest.”

  “I guess I stand corrected. I read about your father ... his heart attack, several years ago. My condolences.”

  “Thank you.”

  He stared at her a moment, then chuckled lightly. She frowned, perplexed. “What’s funny?”

  “I was waiting for you to start in with the questions—the Marx family scandal. They all do.”

  Insulted, she glowered with stark understanding. “Comparing me to your other women, Mr. Marx, is not a smart thing to do on a first date.”

  “I simply meant that I’m often asked about the down and dirty details. And I don’t have other women, by the way.”

  Yeah right. “Whatever you say. That brings me to ask, why me?”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “Why are you interested in me? From what I’ve seen online, I don’t fit the mold for you.”

  “Perhaps that’s why you do fit.”

  When he didn’t elaborate, simply sat there with those steel-blue eyes tightly shielded behind his unblinking stare, she let it go.

  “That matter regarding your family’s ordeal is your business, not mine. So we have Logan, Lucas, and Landon. I guess the letter L is very popular in the Marx family.”

  “It’s a tradition on my father’s side that the first born bear a name that starts with an L. However, it was my father’s desire that both of his sons would have L names. Enough about me. I’ll ask you the same question. Are you an only child, Miss Walters?”

  He slid over, hooked his thumb beneath the spaghetti strap of her top on her left shoulder, and lightly stroked the pad across her skin. “You’re beautiful,” he uttered softly before his head lowered and his smooth lips feathered along her collarbone.

  With her heart racing, Bailey tried to concentrate on not showing how much his touch affected her. It lasted all of one second as her strap was slipped off her shoulder.

  “Uh, will I have to sit up front with your driver, Mr. Marx?” Bringing her strap up, she reared back and smirked at seeing the rigid scowl that washed over his face at the notion of her sitting with Isaac.

  She tried to redirect them back to their casual, comfortable discussion. “I have a younger brother, Caleb. He graduated this past May from UNC. My parents, well, more my dad is annoyed because my brother has decided to take a year off before securing a solid job. My mom is just thrilled to have him living at home again. Oh!” Suddenly, the car swerved a sharp right, throwing her across his lap. Bailey gave a look out of the window.

  “Sorry, boss,” Isaac said over the intercom. “A group of teens rushed across the lane on skateboards.”

  “No worries,” Lucas dimly answered back without pressing the intercom for Isaac to hear him.

  He inhaled deeply through his nose, and Bailey turned to him. He’d sniffed her hair. His gaze shifted downward to her hand resting on his right thigh. The muscle flexed beneath her palm. Goodness! It was like gripping steel. That throb in her core started up again. Her cheeks warmed as she sat back in her seat. “Sorry.” Her jumbled brain couldn’t come up with anything better with the smoldering look he was now giving her.

  “Don’t be.”

  “We’re here.”

  He looked out the window. They were in downtown D.C. near the Washington Monument. Scores of people littered the grounds watching a band perform on an outdoor stage. A jumbotron gave everyone a front row seat.

  Not bothering to veil his displeasure, he looked at her with a frown. “An outdoor concert?”

  “You don’t like concerts?”

  “I do, when it’s held in an air-conditioned building, and I’m sitting in my nice, comfortable, private balcony suite.”

  “Well, you’re in luck because the concert just ended.” She pointed to the band walking off the stage. “I had no intention of us coming here for the concert.” Getting a confused look, she said happily, “We’re going to watch a movie. Thursday night is Movie on the Mall night. Every Thursday, from mid-June through August, a movie is played on the jumbotron.” She waved a hand at her duffel bag. “I brought us a blanket to sit on.” She then directed his attention back to the window. “See, everyone is cordoning off their spots.” He looked around at the hoard assembling on the lawn. His grimace practically knitted his brows together. “Well, what do you think?”

  “How about we go back to my place and watch a movie in my theater? Name a movie, any movie. I can get prereleases of any movie you wish to see.”

  “I want to see Men in Black 3. That’s what’s being played tonight.”

  “Really! Not even R-rated?” Still frowning, he shook his head as he looked out at the sea of people.

  “It can’t be R-rated. There are children present.” Bailey observed him look out at the crowd with a shudder. “Not fond of kids?” she asked, and he visibly flinched at the sight of the children roughhousing upon the grass.

  “You don’t see yourself someday having little Lucas or some other L name running around that big house of yours? I assumed that’s why you bought the property, given its size and location. Quite honestly, I would’ve pictured your taste to be some swank, downtown high-rise penthouse.”

  “I have several of those. I bought the Chevy Chase property because I like the location, six acres that would sell well. I certainly don’t intend to fill it with rug rats.”

  So he doesn’t like kids. That little Get to Know You was a bit disappointing.

  “You said whatever my heart desired. I want to watch the movie here. Or we could call it a night if you like. I have to work tomorrow. I can get to bed early.” She looked at Isaac standing in wait outside the door. “Shall we go or not?”

  “I’m up for that, us getting to bed early, that is,” he joked, and she playfully punched his shoulder. “How about we make a deal, princess? If I do this, you agree to go out with me again, and I get to pick the place, anywhere I choose.”

  Princess. Bailey couldn’t help smiling at the endearment. He was very charming. That devilish look he was giving her was also her red flag to be wary, but the quizzical part of her was curious as to what he would have in mind ... other than the obvious. “Okay,” she found herself
saying.

  “When in Rome,” he uttered, picked up the duffel bag, got out, and helped her out. She came in close, ran her palms down his forearms to his hands, entwined their fingers, lifted up on her insteps, and planted a kiss on his cheek. His eyes brightened with a look of surprise by the intimate gesture. She then thanked Isaac for the drive, and he smiled widely with a nod.

  “Let’s find a good spot.” Seeing Lucas’s objectionable look out at the crowd, Bailey took his hand and led the way.

  There were vendors selling popcorn and an assortment of food and beverages. Releasing Lucas’s hand, she jogged over to a beverage vendor and asked for two bottled waters, then realized her wallet was stuffed in the bottom of the duffel bag. Turning, Lucas stood behind her holding up a twenty. He gave the man the bill and said to keep the change. She scooped up the water bottles, made their way down the line of vendors, and stopped at a popcorn cart. Before she could say anything, Lucas stepped up and ordered a large tub—no butter. He handed the woman a twenty, and again, said to keep the change. Bailey grabbed a wad of napkins and turned to him.

  “Ready?”

  Lucas picked up the popcorn tub and looked out at the clutter of people. “Really, Bailey?”

  “They don’t bite. Come on.”

  She chose a spot far back and away from the crowd for Lucas’s benefit, then took out the blanket and spread it upon the grass. “Mr. Marx, you’re a very generous tipper.”

  He sat down beside her. “Is this how you spend your Thursday evenings off? Is that why Kevin was pissed? Did I take his place on the blanket?”

  Bailey removed her flip-flops to get comfortable. “Kevin and I were here for—”

  “Now I sure as hell don’t want to be here,” he muttered as he looked around at the crowd, his look of his displeasure absolute.

  She sighed. “I was going to say it was to celebrate Sienna’s birthday. There were twelve of us.”

  “I see.” A wad of barbed wire cloaked those two words. Was that a hint of jealousy that she heard? “When does this thing start?” he asked.

  “This thing should start any minute,” she answered mockingly, and he met her eyes briefly before returning his attention to the crowd, looking very uncomfortable.

  Night had come. The lights of the jumbotron flickered on.

  Bailey regarded Lucas’s bored comportment as he tossed one piece of popcorn in his mouth at a time. She faced him and sat back on her shins, wondering if she should just call the evening a bust. It was a mistake to bring him here. This was obviously not his cup of tea. “Have you seen this movie before?” she asked him.

  His cell phone chimed. He pulled it from his pocket and checked the text message. “It’s Kara updating me on a matter. And no, I haven’t seen it.” He was about to stick the phone back into his pocket when she took it from him and straddled his thighs with her back against his chest. Bailey brought his right arm around her waist and turned her face to his with a smile.

  “Let’s take a picture to remember our first date. Unlock it.” He entered the passcode. She pulled up the camera app and held it out in front of them. With a tilt of her head to his, offering a big smile, she snapped the shot. Taking a look at the picture, she sighed, disappointed. “You didn’t smile. The first pic is what counts.”

  He was about to wrap his other arm around her, but she gave him back his phone and got off his lap. She then began removing his loafers.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m making you more comfortable.” She placed his shoes next to the duffel bag, and then massaged his sock-covered arches. “Better?”

  Though he shrugged in reply, her fingers working his insteps seemed to take the stiffness out of his bearing.

  She straddled his thighs again, coming face to face with him this time, unbuttoned the cuffs on his sleeves, and folded each neatly up his forearms. “How about now? Much better?” she asked as her hand slipped inside his shirt at his shoulders and began a firm massage of the tight muscles. The light express of breath he made eased her own tension.

  “You seated on my lap, touching me, hell yes, much better.” He took hold of her waist and tugged her to him. Her breasts teasingly brushed his chest. Their gazes held with his mouth a mere whisper from hers. “What now, princess?”

  “The movie is about to start.” Bailey gestured with a thumb over her shoulder as if she needed to show proof. “Oh!” Catching her by surprise, he effortlessly spun her around and maneuvered her to sit between his legs. “Lucas, what—” She tried to get up, but he wrapped a beefy arm around her waist, making it clear she wasn’t going anywhere. “Lucas.”

  “Oh, it’s Lucas now? Before it was Mr. Marx this and Mr. Marx that,” he laughingly teased, tickling her, and she giggled and squirmed to get free. He held her close, sheltering her body within the solid form of his.

  Bailey tilted her head back at his shoulder and looked up at him. So handsome he was. Unable to help herself, she placed a light kiss upon his cheek. “Popcorn?” With their eyes on one another, she fed him, and allowed her index finger to dip in and touch his tongue. Wearing a playful grin, he gently nipped and sucked the tip. A distinct shudder ran through her.

  “A word of caution, princess. Be careful of what you start.”

  “Meaning?” she asked and chewed on her bottom lip at the sound of his voice taking on that familiar sexy pulse.

  “I have a rather large appetite.” He took into his mouth the full length of her index finger, suckled for long seconds, and then nipped and kissed her palm on up the underside of her wrist, his hot, compelling gaze upon her never wavering.

  Her heavy pant could not be contained.

  Good God!

  Chapter Fifteen

  Bailey was enjoying herself. She sat contently between Lucas’s legs, resting back against his heavily muscled chest, taking pleasure in the feel of his strong arms secured around her.

  Over the past two hours, they chatted throughout the movie, and each comfortably and without thinking, fed the other popcorn. It all felt natural—easy between them—as though they were longtime companions.

  He’d been quiet for some time as he brushed his cheek alongside her left temple. She looked up intending to ask if he was all right, but lost her train of thought when their eyes met. They stayed like that, simply gazing with no words spoken as long seconds passed. Suddenly, as clear as the full moon above, a startling awareness seemed to glow bright between them.

  Bailey moistened her lips as she stared at his pretty mouth, desperate for a taste, waiting—wanting—yearning for him to kiss her. Kiss me, damn it. Her eyes came back up to his with intent to be bold.

  “I-I like being here with you.” Chicken. She didn’t have the courage. He was looking at her with such penetrating intensity, her heart sputtered, and a maelstrom of emotions welled up inside her. A deep inhale and slow release helped to calm her pattering pulse. Am I seeing in his eyes what I want to see? As afraid as she was to chance her heart again, one thing was certain: I want this man.

  “Bailey, I’ve enjoyed being with you, too.”

  Was she right in her assumption? Unable to restrain herself a second longer, slowly, cautiously, her mouth met his. Her hand skated up hard muscular pecs and over broad shoulders, circling around his neck. His mouth opened—offering—his tongue chased—capturing, returning her kiss with heads angled sharply in eager need to deepen the kiss.

  Her hand moved to the back of his head, silky, dark tresses slipping through her anchoring fingers as she turned in his arms enough that her right breast pressed into the solid wall of his chest. It seemed to spark a charge. Their kiss quickly turned urgent—greedy—desperate, awaking their pinned up desires like a lightning bolt.

  He reared back somewhat and brought her nearly on top of him. Both hands moved in a slow caress along her spine to her buttocks and squeezed as he pressed her into the jut of his hips. That had her breaking their frenzied kiss.

  “Bailey,” he breathed out in hurried
pulls with eyes heavy-lidded, his lust for her apparent.

  “We ... we shouldn’t do this here,” she said, her breathing just as labored. “All of these people ...” She surveyed the crowd to see if anyone watched them. It didn’t appear so; nevertheless, uncomfortable, she moved from between his legs. “We can’t.”

  “You’re right, not here.” With his focus locked on her, he took out his cell phone. “We’ll be at the curb in ten.”

  “We’re leaving? But the movie isn’t over.”

  As he moistened his lips, that hot, telling look of desire in his eyes was her answer. “Hell yes, it’s definitely time to go.” He stood up and hastily slipped his shoes back on, then crouched, and quickly guided her feet into her sandals.

  Seeing that he was on a mission to get them gone posthaste, she grabbed the empty water bottles and popcorn tub and then sprinted over to a trash receptacle.

  He made quick work of folding the blanket, shoved it into the duffel bag, and then turned to her. “Let’s go.”

  She was tugged along this time.

  • • •

  Seated in the car, Bailey stared at him. “Lucas, the movie only had a few minutes left to go.”

  “I’ll make it up to you. We’ll finish it another time.”

  She followed his eyes like that of a predator roaming slowly over her body. “I’m talking ten or fifteen minutes at most.”

  “The way you kiss, trust me, I wouldn’t have lasted that long.” He slid over, took up her left hand, and planted a kiss in her palm. “Thank you for taking me out of my comfort zone. It’s not often I allow my insecurities to be tested.”

  “You mean never allow, I’m sure.” Bailey didn’t object to his arm circling her waist to bring her next to him. He then brushed his lips feather light over hers and murmured, “I allow it with you.” The tip of his tongue traced her bottom lip before he captured it between his lips, sucking her flesh.