Chapter 13
LAILA
Ihad no idea that a charming little mountain ski chalet would be able to pull out all the stops for Valentine's dinner. But apparently a few extra staff members materialized out of thin air to rearrange the main floor so that every couple got a private nook with a table for two.
The dining room is divided up with tall potted plants, china cabinets, and a few strategically placed curtains.
Two couples are seated in the sitting room, a beautiful tapestry hung between them.
Mrs. H. seated Devin and I on our own in the library.
There's a roaring fire, a bottle of champagne, and a little silver bell in case we need anything else.
It truly feels like a first date, maybe because we're dressed up. Devin looks stunning in a beautifully cut black suit with a dark cherry and black tie. Meanwhile I’m wearing a deep red dress with a thigh slit that I didn’t think would be quite as revealing.
In the store, I was standing demurely in front of the mirror.
Now that I’m seated with Devin beside me, the fabric falls open, inviting him to touch my thigh constantly.
I have no idea where the soft jazz music is coming from. But that, combined with the crackle of the fire and the way Devin's eyes are riveted on me… A shiver runs through me every time I think about later tonight, even though I want to make the most of every second right now.
Devin strokes my thigh, his fingers firmly pressing on my sensitive skin until my legs spread slightly.
"I messed up a couple of times with your bosses," I murmur quietly. "Do you really think it's smart for us to get caught doing anything questionable right now?”
Devin pulls his hand away to take my palm in his. His eyes turn serious.
“Laila, I’ve been an asshole over this whole thing, and for that I'm truly sorry."
"I don't know what you mean."
He twines his fingers through mine, squeezing gently. “I've never socialized with the people I work with. I've always wanted to keep my private life private. Two distinct, separate entities." He grimaces. "Even though my private life has never been very interesting to begin with."
He hesitates, staring down at our hands before meeting my eyes again. "I thought that putting one over on them would be an easy way to get ahead. The whole thing should have blown up in my face. But you're so charming and lovely that they forgave me."
He lifts my hand, kissing the back of it. "Baby, I promise you that I will never put you in this kind of position again. I will never throw you into a situation where you're not prepared. Never encourage you to do anything that might make you get flustered."
"Thank you. That means a lot to me." I take a deep breath, then smile. "To be fair, I've wanted to come out of my shell for quite a while. But since the nearest available comparison is Megan, who is the most outgoing person I've ever met…"
"You felt like it was an all or nothing deal?"
"Exactly."
Devin's eyes light up with a devilish grin. "I think I have a brilliant idea. May I take you on a date Tuesday night?" Before I can answer, he laughs. "Actually, no. I would like you to go to Ray's Diner at seven. I'm going to accidentally run into you, introduce myself, and we can start fresh."
My fingers squeeze his, and I smile, shaking my head. "No."
His face falls. "No?"
"No. I mean, I would love to have dinner with you at Ray’s and have a quiet date where we chat and catch up on this whole getting to know each other thing. But I don't want to start all over from scratch."
Devin is grinning again. "And why is that?"
"You know why."
"Oh, for sure." He flashes another one of his deliciously handsome but devious grins. "I just want to hear you say it."
"Oh hell,” I say, rolling my eyes. Leaning toward his ear, I whisper, "I was kind of hoping we could share that bed in…a new and different way."
He kisses each knuckle along my hand. "You're saying that you don't want to just sleep with me. You want to sleep with me?"
I nod.
“You know I need to hear you say it."
I hesitate, glancing nervously toward the doorway.
"Absolute honesty, remember?" He gives my hand a little shake. "Say it."
Devin is so eager that I burst into laughter before leaning close and whispering, “I want…” I almost begin to babble incoherently, but Devin releases my hand to rub my lower back gently.
"Take your time," he murmurs encouragingly. "Always tell me everything, my love."
My love. A crackle runs through my heart and mind, shattering my fears. Everything else falls away when I hear his rich voice saying those words.
"I want you to make love to me," I say quietly but clearly. "I don't care that we've only known each other for a few days. It's Valentine's Day. We have a beautiful room in a magical chalet. I want you."
He nuzzles my throat, then kisses along my collarbone before murmuring, "And I've wanted you from the second I laid eyes on you, gorgeous."
Then he sits up straighter, meeting my eyes. "Yes, it's too soon. Yes, it's a bit crazy. No, I don't care. We know what's right, don't we?"
I nod just as a server comes in with a plate of desserts underneath an elegant glass dome.
"These are all for you," she smiles. "So you should feel free to take the tray and the wine to your room…in case you want a midnight snack later."
She takes our empty plates and turns on her heel, disappearing out the door.
Devin stands, taking the plate and the bottle of wine. "Can you please grab the glasses, my love? I might be thirsty after eating your sexy pussy again."