Page 78 of House of Payne
“Like he’s my jailer?” I mumble. “It doesn’t matterhowhe looks at me. There are so many reasons why getting involved with him is a bad idea.”
Miss Deveroux grunts noncommittally. “Well, honey, no one ever said it was a good idea. But even bad ideas can be good.”
“How?”
Miss Deveroux rummages through a drawer, and her voice is muffled when she speaks again. “Having the best sex of your life, for starters.”
I blush. “What makes you think I haven’t?”
She glances at me and chuckles. “That’s obvious from a mile away.”
I push myself off the wall. “Well, you’re wrong. Noah is great.We’regreat.”
“Uh-huh.” Miss Deveroux snaps the drawer shut and stands up. “Sure, you are. Well, anyways. Like I said, I think it’s only a matter of time, but tell yourself whatever you need to.”
Together, we step out of her office and move down the dimly lit hallway. I listen to my list of tasks for the day, occasionally offering a nod. When she’s done, Miss Deveroux steps behind the bar and disappears in a flurry of movement and color. I sigh and head off to start cleaning the first room.
I’m halfway through my tasks when someone calls my name.
I freeze and turn slowly, unease creeping up my spine as I recognize the tousled blond hair and cruel, dark eyes. He is dressed in a button-down shirt tucked into a pair of tight jeans, and a pair of expensive Italian loafers.
There’s no mistaking who he is.
I’d recognize Noah’s friend, Steven, anywhere.
“I thought it was you.” Steven has a twinkle in his eyes as he advances. I clench my hands into fists, and my eyes dart around for a way out, but he has me cornered in a cramped corner of the hallway.
Shit.
Of all the people to run into, Steven is the last person I want to see.
I’m not entirely surprised he’s here, though.
His dad’s name not only got him through the door, but it probably allowed him to do whatever he wanted while he was here.
“At first, I told myself it was just someone who looked like you, but I’d recognize that ass anywhere.” Steven leans forward, his smile sending another chill through me. “Being here suits you.”
He’s baiting me, but I won’t let him.
Steven raises an eyebrow. “Cat got your tongue?”
I square my shoulders and look at him. “What do you want?”
He throws back his head and laughs. “I always had a feeling about you. You’re not the good little girl you pretend to be. You like it rough.”
I give him a cold look. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Steven smiles again, and bile rises in my throat. “Noah doesn’t knowyou work here, does he?”
I lift my chin. “Of course, he does. Noah and I don’t keep secrets from each other.”
The last thing I need is for Noah to find out from Steven.
I don’t like Steven, and he has me where he wants me.
I need him to keep my secret, but I’m afraid of what kind of favor he’ll ask for in return.
Men like Steven don’t do anything for free.
