Page 40 of The Sweetest Devotion

It seemed pretty gritty for a man of his stature, but something told me he wasn’t completely white-collar. The idea didn’t fit him anyway.

Cain didn’t seem like the type of man who bluffed. He’d nonchalantly spoken of murdering a man’s child over “chips” like it was another day at the office.

“I don’t know, Jay,” I admitted. “He didn’t seem to be playing around.”

“Typical,” Jadyn huffed. “You’re supposed to be a good girl and keep it ‘nice and tight’ for him while he has his fun in Vegas.”

Oddly, I scrunched up my nose in Cain’s defense. “He said he wouldn’t cheat on me.”

Jadyn deadpanned as she looked my way, not impressed. “Uh-huh.”

Men who were the loudest about being faithful typically did end up being two-timing cheats. Gaius hadn’t cheated, but he was only at the beginning of his career. Sometimes I wondered how long we would’ve managed with his lifestyle of away games and gorgeous groupies. There were things I didn’t do in the bedroom. A certified “pillow princess,” he liked to joke about my preferences. Maybe he would’ve gotten bored of me. Perhaps Cainwould.

“I don’t think he’s kidding about that,” I said.

“Hmmp.” Jadyn hummed and rested her chin on her palm. “You should call Keith.”

Keith. Ugh. My life was a twisted mess, and a guaranteed release after a round with him sounded like true bliss.

“I-I shouldn’t,” I stammered to say.

Jadyn wiggled her brows. “You should. I mean, fuck Cain—at least once, but on the real, this whole thing is entrapment. You look stressed out.”

“Iamstressed out, Jay,” I countered.

“Nothing relieves my stress like some good ol’ fashioned dick,” Jadyn concluded. She grabbed her drink that was sitting on the table between us. A virgin Shirley Temple. She fished out a cherry and popped it into her mouth. “You deserve a little yummy on the side for what these assholes in suits are putting you through. Just be extra careful with how you move.”

I couldn’t have Keith in a romantic setting, not that I was interested with the current state of my life, but a little fun would help make this whole ordeal bearable.

“What’s he look like again?” Jadyn pushed for more.

I thought of Keith and bit my lip at his mental image. Even just picturing him caused me to lose my breath and squeeze my thighs together. “He’s six-three—big, and has all these tattoos on his arms.” I blew out a breath, not forgetting the most important detail. “He has the meanest face I’ve ever seen, but he’s really handsome.”

Jadyn whistled. “Sounds like a man who doesn’t play.”

Keith definitely didn’t give off the vibe that he did. His aura reeked of grown man energy.

I sighed, feeling silly. “He’s probably got someone already.”

Jadyn pouted. “Yeah, I wouldn’t entertain him then.” She tossed me a look. “But if he doesn’t?”

“You’re so bad.” I giggled as I grabbed my phone, half contemplating going through with it. I’d stored his number under the aliasAuto Repairas soon as I’d hit a red light after pulling out of the garage last week. At the time, I didn’t want to take any chances if I clumsily lost his card.

“Do it,” Jadyn encouraged as she instigated from the sideline.

This was ridiculous.

A few hours away from Hampton Hills to just breathe and be reckless was juvenile, but I wanted it. I wanted it badly.

Without thinking too deeply, I gathered my phone, pressed Keith’s contact, and dialed his number.

My stomach launched itself to my throat as the phone began dialing out. My anxiety was on a high the moment he picked up.

“Hello?” he asked, his tone was alert, curious. His deep voice in my ear set my blood on fire.

“Keith? This is Kennedy,” I spoke up, hoping and praying my voice didn’t give away how nervous I was. How shy I felt. I never propositioned men for sex. I was used to it being the other way around. Keith was intimidating, but I would not let my fear deter me. I needed to relive that feeling of total liberation from last Sunday.

“Oh, what’s up?” he drawled on his end.

---