by Morris, T M
“You must have read my mind. I’ll get my things packed,” Lucy turned toward the hallway.
“You don’t have to act so anxious to leave.” Devon growled right behind her ear.
She spun around and swayed a little before catching her balance. “We need to get back to the real world, Devon. We can’t stay in this cabin pretending we are the only two people left on earth.”
He took her in his arms and kissed her on her upturned mouth before he muttered against her lips, “I don’t see what the problem is with pretending we are the only ones left, Lucy.” He kissed her again until she responded.
Lost in his kiss, she struggled to regain some of her senses and pushed against Devon’s broad muscular chest. She grew anxious when he refused to let her go. “Please, Devon, don’t kiss me. We can’t. We just can’t.”
“Now, do you understand why we have to get out of here?” Devon growled, “I can’t be around you without wanting to hold you and kiss you—love you.”
“Then maybe we should agree to keep a good distance between us?” Lucy sounded defeated even to her own ears.
“Yeah, right. How are we supposed to work together, then?” Devon’s mood became even darker as he pushed himself away from her and toward the kitchen. “Hurry and pack will you? I want to stop at the project site on the way and gather some samples before we head back to Nashville.”
“Fine. I was going to pack before you had to go and kiss me.” Lucy grumbled.
“Just pack, Lucy.” He stormed out the door to finish loading the truck.
“What’s the matter with him, now?” Lucy muttered. She went and threw her few belongings into her overnight bag. Making love with Devon had ruined the wonderful gift of friendship they shared.
Chapter Eleven
Lucy pushed through the door adjoining her office and Devon’s only to stop short. Eyes wide she exclaimed, “Oh! Excuse me. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I—I didn’t know you were…busy. I’ll come back later.”
Devon looked from a shocked Lucy to a smug Sydney in his arms. He dropped his arms and backed away quickly. “It’s not what you think. Sydney was just leaving. She tripped.” He ran his hands through his hair in frustration.
Stepping close to him Sydney planted a kiss on his swiftly-turned cheek. Hiding a flash of anger she smiled as she rubbed up against him in a very feline manner reminding Lucy of Slinky. “You don’t have to explain to the help, Devon. I’ll call you later, honey, to arrange a time for you to pick me up for the thing we’re doing. I know I’m looking forward to it.”
Devon stepped away from her again. “I told you, I’m not going to escort you to anymore of those uppity black-tie fund raiser things. Find another man to harass. I’m not interested. I told you.”
Sydney pouted. “But Devon, you know it’s useless to deny what we have, especially since your only doing it for her benefit.”
“You don’t have to explain anything to me. I’ll be in my office. I’ll have those reports ready for you…whenever you’re ready, Devon.” Lacy backed through the door and closed it with a snap.
She flopped into her chair. Why was she feeling jealous? Devon was free to do whatever he wanted, with whomever he wanted. Just because they made love once didn’t mean he had feelings for her and it wasn’t as if she encouraged him to have any either. Why should she expect him to feel anything for her just because she felt something for him? She felt a lot and it scared her. It made her feel sick.
Devon knocked and opened the door. “Lucy, it’s not what it looked like.”
“I told you, you don’t have to explain anything to me. What you do is none of my business. I’m your employee, remember? I answer to you. You don’t answer to me.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders and searching her eyes he said softly, “It’s not all that you are, Lucy, and it’s not enough either.”
Now it was her turn to pull away. “You know it’s all I’ll ever be to you, Devon, your employee. Don’t make this more difficult than it has to be.”
“More difficult?” He was incredulous. “You have no idea how difficult this is for me. I want us to be together but I won’t push you. It’s killing me, but I won’t push. Where are those reports?” He grabbed up the stack of paper she indicated and stormed back through the connecting door and slammed it.
“You’d think I’d told him I was leaving or something worse.” She muttered as she turned her chair around and returned her attention to her work. She had a difficult time, however, because her thoughts kept straying to the man on the other side of the door.
A few hours later Lucy sat behind her desk with her head in her hands as she fought the onset of a rare migraine headache. She could see the blinking lights mimicking lightening bugs, and she swore she could hear the dust mites yelling and laughing; they were having a party. She needed to finish the report which was spread all over her desk. It had to be done by Thanksgiving. She checked her calendar. Two days.
She needed to concentrate. Concentrate? Between the migraine headache and her constant thinking about Devon she made little progress.
The pain in her head exploded into a full-blown migraine. She laid her head on top of the piles of paper and moaned. Was she destined to live her life alone and miserable, in love with a man she couldn’t have?
“Lucy, do you have—are you okay?” Devon asked as he came through the adjoining door between their offices and knelt down beside her chair.
“No, I’m not.” Lucy murmured as a wave of nausea overwhelmed her. She almost knocked him off his feet as she raced to the ladies’ room. She made it, just in the nick of time, into the first stall before she hurled her breakfast into the bowl.
“Lucy, honey?” Carmella tapped on the stall door.
“Yeah?” Lucy grimaced as another spasm caused her to retch again.
Carmella waited for Lucy to come out. She held a cold wet paper towel and began to dab at Lucy’s forehead. “Are you down with the flu, dear?”
“No, I have a migraine headache.” Lucy whispered. The pain, the ringing in her ears, the lights blinding her; it was all too much. Lucy wheeled around and lunged back into the stall.
The next time Lucy came out Devon was waiting for her. “Aunt Carmella said you were alone in here.” He explained when she gave him a stunned look.
“What do you want?” Lucy whispered as she rinsed her face with cold water trying to regain some scrap of control. She rinsed out her mouth too, before she felt able to look up.
“I came in here to tell you I am taking you home as soon as you feel you can leave this room without throwing up.” He groused, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
“I’ll be okay. I’ll be able to go back to work in a few minutes.” Lucy struggled to sound brave. “I just need a minute to regain my composure.” As soon as she ended her sentence she grimaced, and dodged back into the stall. She heard the door to the ladies’ room open and hoped he was leaving.
“Oh.” A strange female voice exclaimed.
“I’m with her.” Devon said.
“Okay?” The woman sounded unsure.
“I’ll be okay. Just wait outside, will you?” She retched again.
“Fine.”
“No.It’s okay.” The woman said. “I’ll go down to the second floor.”
Lucy heard the door open and close again as she retched one more time. She waited a couple of minutes before she emerged from the stall, hoping Devon had exited with the woman. No such luck.
“You look awful, Luce.”
“Gee, thanks. You look wonderful too.” She sneered.
“You need to, at the very least, take some migraine medicine.” Devon whispered trying not to cause her any extra pain.
Lucy groaned, “I think it’s at home.”
“Well then, it’s settled. I’m taking you home,” he said as they left the ladies’ room and headed back into the office where he guided her toward a chair in the reception area. “I’ll be right back with your
things. Aunt Carmella, I’m taking her home. If any important calls come in just call my cell. I’m not at all certain I’ll be back in this afternoon and if Sydney calls, tell her to find someone else to take her to her…charity…wine…gala thing.”
“I’ll take care of everything here, Devon. You take care of our Lucy.” Carmella said with a wink and a smile.
Devon glowered at his aunt a moment before he grumbled, “Let me get her things so I can get her home.”
Carmella continued to smile while he went down the hall to Lucy’s office to retrieve her coat and purse. He also passed through his own office and grabbed his jacket. You could never quite know what to expect the weather to do in Tennessee this time of year. After all, three weeks ago they were stranded by an ice storm. Blasted ice storm had turned his life upside down.
He raced back to the front office to find Lucy had not budged from the chair and was looking even worse. Once again he felt the familiar tightening in his chest. If he could take her pain away, he would in a heartbeat. He helped her into her coat, and with a nod to Carmella he guided Lucy to the parking garage elevators.
Lucy floated along, half-aware to what was happening around her. She knew Devon was touching her and her head was overloaded with excruciating throbbing pain. She thought it odd how she felt comforted more by his touch than knowing he was taking her home so she could take the bitter-tasting migraine medication. She leaned against him allowing him to bear most of her weight as the elevator doors slid open. She let out a heavy sigh.
If he minded having to half carry her he didn’t say anything. He punched the button and soon they were exiting the elevator into the garage. Devon led her to his truck and lifted her into her seat. Within moments Devon was speeding down the interstate headed southeast of town.
Lucy lived in a condominium complex just outside the city limits. He had been there three times before. Once on the day they first met, when he had helped her with her car. He had followed her home without her knowledge. He wanted to make certain she arrived home without incident. The second time was the evening Jordan Lancaster had come to the office threatening to undermine his business if he didn’t get rid of Lucy. Devon wondered as he drove along if he had been in love with her from the start. The third time had been the same night someone broke her windows.
The thought of a man walking through Lucy’s home while she was locked in her bathroom on the phone to emergency dispatch still made his stomach roil.
Without opening her eyes she whispered, “Devon? Do I need to give you directions?”
“No, sweetheart. I’ve got it all under control. I have been to your place before, don’t you remember? Lean back and rest. I’ll have you home in no time.” His voice was soft and comforting. In response Lucy further slumped over in her seat resting her head on his thigh. Devon sucked in a ragged breath. Lucy had an incredible way of torturing him without even trying.
He pulled into a parking spot in front of Lucy’s condo and turned off the engine. He looked down at her, brushing her hair away from her face. She was so beautiful and sweet even in incredible pain. He whispered, “Lucy, we’re here in front of your house. Where are your keys?”
“Um, my keys are in my purse.” Lucy mumbled as she sat up and reached for her purse.
“Here,” Devon took the bag from her, “I’ll get them if you don’t mind me riffling through your belongings.”
“I’m past caring and I have nothing to hide.” Lucy whispered, “Just get me out of this blasted sunlight. Why I never get one of these on a cloudy day is beyond me.”
He was uncertain, but he went ahead. He opened her purse and looked inside. He was thankful there wasn’t anything in it he didn’t mind seeing, just the usual: wallet, cosmetic case, hairbrush, checkbook, paper bits, receipts, and at the bottom were her keys along with about three pounds of loose change. He left her sitting in the truck and went to unlock the door.
He was back and opening the passenger side door hoping she didn’t have time to notice he was gone. “It’s all right, darlin’. I’m right here. Come on now let’s get you into bed. . Here, let me help you.” He lifted her into his arms and carried her into the house. He nudged the door closed as he asked, “Do you want to go to your bedroom?” She nodded as he mounted the stairs. “Where is your medicine? I’ll get it after I see you’re snuggled in your bed.”
Lucy couldn’t remember where the medication was, so he said he would find it. He pulled off her shoes and tucked her in. Before he left the room, Lucy whispered, “You are very good at getting me into bed.”
Devon smiled. He was at a loss for words. Lucy had surprised him with what she had said.
Lucy dozed while he searched the bathroom and kitchen for the pills. It took him awhile to find them and return to the bedroom with a glass of water. He fussed with her pillows and tucked the covers back around her as he said, “Now then, I’ll leave you to rest and I’ll pick you up in the morning; since your car is at the office.”
Panicked, Lucy clutched his forearm, “Please, Devon, don’t leave.”
The now familiar wrenching feeling leapt into his chest and wrung his heart as if it were a wet dishcloth. He choked, “You want me to hold you?”
Lucy stared at him through pain-filled emerald eyes, “Please, Devon, don’t leave me alone right now. I need you.”
His heart was in his throat. Devon lowered himself onto the bed next to her and allowed her to snuggle into his arms. He told himself to be careful not to read too much into the situation. She would no doubt send him packing as soon as she felt better. He whispered into her hair, “Is this comfortable for you?”
“Yeah.” Lucy yawned and snuggled closer before she continued with a sigh, “You know, Devon, it would be so much easier to love you if you weren’t my boss.”
What did she say? Did she say she loves me? No. She said it would be easier to love me if I wasn’t her boss. He had to know, so he asked, “Is my being your boss making it too difficult to love me?”
He held his breath as she took a moment before she managed an answer. “No. No. It would be easy to love you no matter what.”
Devon’s heart leapt with joy—Lucy loved him. Or at least she said it would be easy to love him—which wasn’t an actual admission of love. So he asked, “Are you saying you love me?”
Lucy didn’t answer.
“Lucy?” Devon lifted her chin to look into her eyes. Disappointment fell on him like a ten-ton weight. She was asleep. Devon would have to wait for an answer.
Lucy woke up a few hours later, alone. She looked around her bedroom with a vague remembrance of the morning’s events. What had she said to Devon? Why was she expecting to find him still here lying with her in her bed?
Lucy rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands. She felt as if she had a hangover. “I need coffee, strong coffee.” She muttered as she stumbled out of her bedroom. Running her hands through her hair she went down the stairs and into the kitchen. She plodded to the counter to find coffee already brewed. With a shrug she poured herself a large mug, skipped the cream and sugar, and walked into the den.
“You know, I could have stolen everything you own for as much attention you pay to who’s in your house.” Devon said from the couch.
Lucy shrieked, almost dropping her mug. Coffee went splashing to the floor. “Devon! You scared me!”
“You didn’t see me sitting here?’
“No. I didn’t. I thought you had left, and yes, I am feeling better, thank you.” She turned back into the kitchen to retrieve a dishtowel.
“You begged me, begged me Lucy, to stay with you in your bed.” Devon teased her watching her mop up the spill with her foot then how she tossed the towel in the sink.
“I did not.” Lucy slumped on the couch right next to him and leaned her head against the back cushion.
“Oh, but you did, Luce. You even told me it would be easier to love me if I weren’t your boss.” Devon declared.
Lucy froze. What did she say
? She didn’t tell him she was in love with him, did she? She narrowed her eyes to slits, “Devon, what game are you playing? I said no such thing.”
Devon’s eyes bored into her own as he said, “You did Lucy, and I’m not going to let you out of this conversation. I need to know. Do you love me?”
“Devon, you are my employer—my boss. I can’t love you.” Lucy fidgeted under his gaze; she struggled not to meet his smoky blues.
“Nevertheless, do you love me?” Devon drew her into his arms. Lucy struggled against his strong chest as he silenced her protest with his kiss.
Even though she thought to resist—she could not. She responded with passion, clinging to him as if her life depended on it. Devon deepened his kiss. Lucy moaned with pleasure, as Devon slipped his hand under her shirt and cupped her breast. Lucy struggled to regain her senses and began to push him away, “Devon. I can’t allow a repeat of last month. I can’t. I just can’t. It’s not right and you know it, besides you’re my boss.”
Devon sprang to his feet and paced around the small living room, “Lucy, do you want me to fire you?”
“What?” Lucy was incredulous, “You can’t fire me—I’ve been doing an excellent job.”
“That’s just it Luce, you have done an excellent job.” Devon studied her face as he continued speaking. He tried to hide his frustration but he failed. “You have done an excellent job of confusing the hell out of me.” He didn’t even wait for a response. He stormed out the door, shutting it behind him, taking care not to slam it. Man, I told you to watch it; he thought to himself as he slammed the door of his truck. He banged his fists against the steering wheel. Why did I ever offer to share the cab with her? My life was so much simpler before we met. It was also so much emptier, Doofus. Devon turned the key switching on the engine. He squealed the tires as he sped out of the parking spot and out onto the road.
Lucy sat for several minutes in complete shock. What had she said? With a heavy sigh she stood, gathered the two empty coffee mugs and headed for the kitchen. She tried to think about what she had said to Devon earlier in the day as she washed the cups and rinsed out the coffeepot.