The Devil You Know

by Morgan James

  I glanced down and wrinkled my nose. “My cousin, Rose, is getting married. I was kind of obligated to come here for the bachelorette party.”

  “Would that happen to be Rose Norman?”

  I turned surprised eyes on him. “You know her?”

  Xander dipped his chin. “She’s marrying my friend Aaron.”

  “Small world.” I grinned. “Is that what brought you here, too?”

  “It is. Are you a bridesmaid?”

  “Yep.” I rolled my eyes. “I don’t even know why I’m here. We’ve never even been that close. I’m only here to round out the dozen attendants she needs.” I made a face. “Seriously, who does that? A dozen bridesmaids and groomsmen?”

  Xander’s eyes twinkled with mirth. “It’s a hell of a lot, that’s for sure. Thank God I’m not in the wedding.”

  My heart dipped, and I pushed the irrational pang of disappointment away. “You’re not?”

  He rolled the glass between his hands. “Nope. I ship back out of here in a couple days.”

  I digested that bit of information. “Are you in the military?”

  “Yep. So why aren’t you out with the girls?”

  I blinked at the abrupt change of subject. I’d learned from past experience that men generally loved to brag about themselves, especially hunky alpha males such as Xander. He’d thrown me for a loop twice tonight already, and he intrigued me on multiple levels. Turning my attention back to him, I jerked a thumb toward the Strip. “They hit up a gentleman’s club down the block. I decided I’ve seen enough penises this year.”

  A deep chuckle fell from his lips. “Sweetheart, that’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.”

  A smile lifted the corners of my mouth. “Sad but true.”

  “Maybe you’ll change your mind.”

  Was that an invitation? I quirked a brow at him. “And what about you? Not hanging out with the guys?”

  His shoulders tensed the slightest bit. “I... don’t do well in loud, crowded spaces.”

  Right. Sympathy swelled in my chest and I glanced around the bar. “If you want to leave—”

  “No way.” He bumped his shoulder against mine. “I’m having a good time right here.”

  I dipped my head, heat blossoming across my cheeks at his compliment.

  “Anyway.” He seemed to struggle for something to say. “That’s quite a dress.”

  Back to that again? Admittedly, I’d drawn several sets of eyes when I walked in here, though probably not in a good way. I was pretty sure more than one guy thought I was for hire. I almost regretted not changing, but if this gorgeous man next to me wanted to discuss my chosen attire for the evening, I was game. I grinned cheekily. “You don’t like it?” Those gorgeous blue eyes followed my movement as I ran a hand over the tight bodice and ruffled skirt that flared around my thighs. “It’s ridiculous, but she wanted us all to match.”

  “It’s a little much.” Xander laughed. “Don’t get me wrong, darlin’, you’re killing that dress. I think every man noticed you the second you strolled through the door.”

  I blushed and covered my smile by taking a sip of my drink. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “Good, I meant it as one. Lucky me, I beat them all over here.” His eyes bored into mine, and I squirmed under the scrutiny. The man exuded sex appeal, and my mind automatically strayed to steamy nights and rumpled sheets. He’d be a fantastic lover—strong, sure, and confident. He’d be able to pick me up with no trouble at all. I didn’t have much time to contemplate the thought as he spoke again. “I like you, Lydia. Tell me more about yourself.”

  “Well.” I bit my lip for a moment. “I own a bridal salon back home called Something Blue. It’s fairly new, so it takes up a lot of time. But I love it.”

  “Ah, a romantic.” He shot me a grin, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

  With a conciliatory shrug, I admitted it. “I love helping women find the dress of their dreams. It’s symbolic in a way, I think. The perfect dress is the beginning of a good marriage. As a woman, I know what makes me happy—what makes me feel good. I think the same should apply to a marriage. Communicating how you feel and never settling for less than what makes you happy.”

  Xander nodded appreciatively. “I can see that. So you were engaged to the lyin’, cheatin’ fool?”

  “Unfortunately.” I made a face. “He was more my mother’s type than mine. She seemed to think he was perfect for me.”

  “So why did you go along with it?” Those bright blue eyes drilled into me, and I nervously licked my lips. Clearing my throat, I shifted my gaze away from him.

  “I don’t know. I just... everyone kept saying how wonderful he was, and I thought maybe it was me that was wrong. He looked so perfect on paper, I had to be missing something. I kept waiting to feel more for him, but it just never happened. My mother told me I wasn’t trying hard enough, that I was being blind and stupid.”

  Xander lifted a brow. “I have a feeling that you’re a lot of things, Lydia.” His voice was low and gravelly, and the sound curled around my heart. “But stupid is most definitely not one of them.”

  “Well, Jessica obviously saw something in him that I didn’t.”

  “Yeah. The dick she was sucking,” Xander deadpanned. I couldn’t help the snort that rose up, and I covered my mouth with one hand to stifle my laughter. He grinned back at me, then the smile slipped away. “Seriously, though. You’re better off without him.”

  “I know.” It was true, and I felt no remorse as I made the admission.

  “I have a personal question for you, if you don’t mind.”

  “Um... okay?” My brows lifted the slightest bit at his serious tone, and unease skittered down my spine.

  Xander studied me. “I can understand why that would hurt you. But you don’t seem... heartbroken.”

  “I guess I’m not really,” I admitted. “I kind of knew deep down something was wrong. I just didn’t know it was... that,” I finished lamely.

  His eyes narrowed on me, and he picked up my hand. “You’re a smart, beautiful woman, Lydia. You said it yourself—you know deep down what you want. And it wasn’t him. Your mother said he was perfect for you. But what did you feel? Did you really think he was the right man?”

  “I...” I bit my lip. Was he right? Maybe in the back of my mind, I’d been hoping that, with enough time, Shawn and I could work things out. But in my heart of hearts, I had to admit—it wasn’t true. I didn’t love him. I swallowed hard and said what I’d never admitted out loud. “No.”

  “Well then, here’s to a fresh start.” He gestured to my glass, and I touched it to his. Xander’s arm muscles rippled as he lifted his glass to his lips, and I couldn’t tear my eyes from his neck as he swallowed the fiery liquid. Good Lord. He had muscles everywhere. Even his muscles had muscles. What would it be like to have those arms wrapped around me? The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

  With a sudden start, I realized I was staring. I snatched my gaze away, turning my focus instead to the shot glass in my hand. “To fresh starts.”

  Xander, I learned, was Texas born and bred, hence the sexy-as-sin drawl. He’d enlisted in the Army and had completed his training in special forces just a few years prior. He’d been deployed all over the globe on missions he couldn’t speak of, to places he never wanted to see again. But he was doing it for the greater good. His parents had both been big into charity and had died on a mission trip almost a decade earlier.

  “I figured going into the military was my way of giving back,” he said. “We help eliminate these terrorist cells that control people and take innocent lives.”

  I tossed back my third shot—or was it my fourth?—and laid a hand on his knee. “I think that’s fantastic. You’re a good man, Xander.”

  “You think so?” His gaze slid over me, and my body warmed from the inside out.

  I nodded. “You’re a total catch. Any woman would be lucky to have you.”

  “Yeah?” A
sexy little grin tugged at the corners of his lips.

  Warning bells went off in my mind, but fuzzy from the alcohol, I tuned them out. “I deserve to let loose and have some fun, don’t I?” I stared at Xander and he looked back, his expression a mixture of amusement and concern.

  “Of course you do, darlin’. What did you have in mind?” He turned to face me, one foot planted on the floor, and extended a hand to help me off the tall barstool.

  I stepped down and moved into the vee of his legs. He watched me with an eagle eye, and his hands moved to my hips, gripping me tightly. “You all right there, beautiful?”

  I grinned up at him and he pulled me closer, lifting my arms to loop around his neck. “Perfect now.” I leaned my body into his and rose up on my toes, pressing my lips to his. He reciprocated, his lips soft and warm, the kiss demanding. I pulled back just enough to speak against his lips. “The night is young, cowboy. What do you say we get into some trouble?”

  Keep reading Lydia and Xander’s story here!

  Also by Morgan James

  Quentin Security Series

  The Devil You Know – Blake and Victoria

  Devil in the Details – Xander and Lydia

  Devil in Disguise – Gavin and Kate

  Heart of a Devil – Vince and Jana

  Tempting the Devil – Clay and Abby (Fall 2021)

  *Each book is a standalone within the series

  Frozen in Time Trilogy

  Unrequited Love – Jack and Mia #1

  Undeniable Love – Jack and Mia #2

  Unbreakable Love – Jack and Mia #3

  Frozen in Time – The Complete Trilogy

  Deception Duet

  Pretty Little Lies – Eric and Jules #1

  Beautiful Deception – Eric and Jules #2

  *Each book can be read as a standalone

  Sinful Duet

  Sinful Illusions – Fox and Eva #1

  Sinful Sacrament – Fox and Eva #2 (Summer 2021)

  *Books are best read in order for maximum reading pleasure

  Bad Billionaires

  (NOVELLA SERIES)

  Depraved

  Ravished

  Consumed

  *Each book is a standalone within the series

  Standalones

  Death Do Us Part

  Escape

  About the Author

  Morgan James is the bestselling author of contemporary and romantic suspense novels. She spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book, and she loves all things romantic, dark, and dirty.

  She met her own husband when he crashed a friend's wedding (Just kidding. Kind of...) and they've been together ever since. They currently live in Ohio with their two kids and an adopted mutt that sheds like crazy.

  Here are a few fun facts: She can swear like a sailor. She loves to bake but hates to cook. She loves a man in uniform. She pulls inspiration for her stories from real life. Her husband is the absolute best, supplying her with infinite one-liners. Like her characters’ dialogue? There’s a good chance that those conversations have really happened!

  Find Morgan on Social Media

  https://www.authormorganjames.com

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