Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
I laugh and pick up a red velvet. “Same.”
In all seriousness, I understand where she’s coming from. It seems I’ll never have that kind of true love. The kind my parents shared. With a man who holds my attention for the rest of my life. Out of nowhere, Devereaux pops in my mind, and I nearly choke on my donut. I don’t want to think about him.
The way he boils my blood.
We stuff our faces full of sugary sweetness, chitchatting about Vin’s impending visit, and before I leave for the day, Ashley pulls me aside.
“So, what are you going to do? Are you going to seduce Mr. Huxley?”
I nod. “I have to get somewhere with this investigation. Right now, I’m at a standstill.”
“Do you think that will work?”
“Well, I’ve never seduced a man, so I have no idea.” I’ve never been a seductress in my life. I wouldn’t even know where to start.
“Chloe, figure it out soon, before things get worse.”
“I’m trying.”
I leave the house, wondering if I really have the skills to seduce Devereaux Huxley. I need to remember I’m not Chloe Bardot. Right now, I’m Swan. Swan’s a seducing, sensual woman who has men fall at her feet.
Yes, I can do this.
Chapter 9
Chloe
* * *
“Will you watch my table?” I ask Luna when I step into the server station. “I need some fresh air.” I saw Devereaux slip outside, and I’m ready to make a move. With luck, I’ll catch him smoking again. As much as it pains my lungs, I’ll take him up on his offer and accept a cigarette.
Time to turn on the charm.
“Sure thing. And when you get back, I’ll go on a break.”
“Absolutely.”
I make my way through the back hall, past the kitchen to the door that leads to the back loading dock. The spot where I saw Devereaux last time. The moon hangs low in the sky, casting just enough light for me to see an empty loading area. I can still smell the smoke from his cigarette, even though I’m alone out here.
He’s not here. A small part of me deflates when I realize I won’t get to seduce him. What’s wrong with me?
He could be a killer.
This is nothing but a job for me.
Did he kill the girls?
I need to find out.
But it’ll have to wait, because if I don’t return soon, Luna will wonder where I am.
I head to the back door and when I walk through, cold liquid rains down around me and the sound of glass smashing at my feet startles me.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Panti Fabulous screams at top volume. Her tray of at least eight cocktail drinks is now all over my body. “This is for a VIP party,” she says with a pout.
Devereaux stands close, watching the exchange. “Have Raven remake your order, now,” he says to Panti.
She rushes off, cursing under her breath, her long brown ponytail swishing back and forth as she hightails it out of here.
Meanwhile, I’m soaked from head to toe. Sticky liquor—gin, rum, vodka, even beer—clings to my body. I shake my arms, trying to get some off while removing a drink straw that has stuck to my skin.
Devereaux stares at me with concern. “What were you doing outside? I know you don’t smoke.”
I scramble for a reason. “I had to take a call. Sorry.”
He tilts his head, his stare turning to disdain. “Was it the boyfriend?”
I blink, unable to form any words because if I say yes, my seduction plans will have to be put on hold because how will it look if I suddenly start flirting after saying I just got off the phone with my imaginary boyfriend?
His brown eyes smolder as he closes the distance between us. “Was it?”
I raise my chin in defiance. “It’s none of your business.” I keep my eyes connected to his, challenging him. He has no right to ask me who I’m talking to on the phone.
“Everything that happens under this roof is my business.” His harsh tone makes sure I understand he’s in charge.
I should just comply, say sorry, and head back into the club to do my job, but I’m soaked in liquor and this case is going nowhere, so I really am not in a compliant mood. “Outside isn’t under your roof.”
He doesn’t respond for a beat, and I expect him to fire me on the spot. “I should bend you over my knee and spank you for that sassy mouth of yours.”
My breath catches as an unsettling response to his threat happens in my body. A thrumming starts low in my core, tingling to my lower extremities. I picture his hand whacking my ass cheek and then soothing away the pain. Why does this man affect me like this?
I should hate him.
I do hate him.
What I loathe more than anything is that I’m aroused by the idea of him spanking me. I’ve never had a man speak to me this way. My two ex-boyfriends were a joke in the bedroom.