Page 9 of Twisted Devotion

I gape at him before grumbling, “Here’s hoping you kept the receipt.”

His lashes are still lowered when he smirks. “Now, that’s not very nice to say to your boss.”

I choke on a laugh. “You’re hilarious.”

He beams. “Thank you. Much better.”

I push away from the doorframe and walk closer, crossing my arms over my chest. “You arenotmy boss, Hawthorne. If anything,Iownyou.”

Nikolai’s words echo in my head.Keep him in line. I’m going to do just that.

He wets his lips. “Do you now?” His gaze travels the length of me, lighting my skin on fire. “I might be okay with that.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. Now—”

“My goodness, I had no idea you were here!” a middle-aged, mousy-looking woman says as she rushes into the room. Her cheeks are flushed and a light sheen of sweat lines her upper lip as if she’s been running around for a while. She makes quick work of pulling back her frizzy brown hair and smiles at Jackson. “I apologize, Mr. Hawthorne. I was upstairs preparing Miss Young’s room and didn’t hear the door.”

“It’s not a problem, Gloria,” Jackson tells her with a charming smile. “I was happy to greet our new houseguest.”

She wipes her hands on her apron and smiles at me, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “Can I show you to your room, Miss Young?”

I nod, grateful for the interruption. “That would be great. And please, call me Kelsey.”

Gloria heads out of the kitchen, and I go to follow her. But when I step forward, Jackson shifts in front of me to block my exit.

I suck in a breath, surprised he used the ability in such close proximity to his human employee even though she wasn’t close enough to see him do it. He made it look effortless.

As if it was as easy as taking a step to close the distance between us.

Maybe it was. Maybe for most fae who actuallyusethe abilities they have, it’s just that easy. I, on the other hand, try my best not to use them—especially shifting. Even during my early days of training, I hated it. The movement leaves my body tingling as if a strong current of electricity has just run through me. I shiver at the thought and force myself to meet Jackson’s gaze. It’s not difficult to do with him standing so close.

“For the record, my bed is the comfiest in the house,” he says in a low voice so Gloria doesn’t overhear.

I speak in a normal voice; I don’t care who hears. “For the record, let me be very clear with you, Mr. Hawthorne. I willneverspend a night in your bed. We clear?”

The corner of his mouth lifts like I’ve just offered him a challenge.Fuck.

I shake my head and walk away before he can say something that’ll make me do something I’ll get in trouble for—like punch him in the face.

Skylar better get here soon, or there may not be a need for my services.

4

Gloria leads me upstairs to the end of a long hallway with several closed doors. She lists off what each room is, but I’m not really listening. My mind is still reeling at the audacity of the man-child we left downstairs.

She stops at the last door on the left. “This will be your room,” she announces, opening the door. “As you see, it’s fully furnished. We can have anything else you need delivered.”

I step into the room and my eyes go wide. It’s less of a bedroom and more of a suite.

There’s a four-poster queen-size bed that’s calling my name—small tables on each side—with navy silk sheets and a mountain of pillows. On the opposite wall, there are two sets of double doors, and in between them, a vanity with a large mirror.

“The door to the right is the en-suite bathroom, and to the left is a closet,” she says.

I bite my tongue before I can swear in front of this kind woman. “That’s great,” I say instead, walking farther into the room.

I trail my fingers along the back of the couch facing a flat-screen television mounted to the wall. “This place is kind of insane,” I murmur.

Gloria offers a polite smile. “Mr. Hawthorne wanted you to be comfortable.”

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