Tears swim in her eyes as she looks up at me. “I’m trying to know that, but it’s so hard.”
“Let me make it easy for you.” I kiss her forehead, the tip of her nose, her cheeks, her mouth. I taste her and love her and ravish her with my tongue until we’re both panting for breath. When I pull back, I feel like my heart wants to shatter itself against my ribs. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Diamond.”
She shakes her head slowly. “Not possible. You own that club and—”
“And I’ve never seen a single woman I’ve wanted. Never. Not until you stepped out on that stage. You’re perfect just as you are. Anyone who told you different was lying to you. Small, pathetic men will tear down a woman just to feel something, to feel powerful. They aren’t. But you are, Diamond.”
She blinks, and a tear rolls down her cheek. “You think I’m powerful?”
“I know you are.” I kiss her tear away, softly this time. “I just need you to know it too.”
10
Diamond
I’m starting to think Devlin doesn't actually need an assistant. That or I really am fired this time because I passed out on the job. I yawn, sitting up from my accidental nap. I never knew orgasms could make you so sleepy. This sofa didn’t help either; it’s way too comfy for an office. I blink the sleep out of my eyes, noticing his desk chair is empty. I peek around the room, but Devlin is nowhere to be seen.
I find my shoes placed together on the side of the sofa. He must have taken them off my feet when I passed out. I smile at the sweet, small gesture. It’s not one I’m used to. I slip them back on and go in search of Devlin. I tell myself it’s because I need to find out what work I’m supposed to be doing and not because I want to be near him.
“You’re awake,” a dark gray-haired woman chirps, popping up from a desk when I peek my head out of Devlin’s office. She pushes her blue jeweled glasses up her nose. “Mr. Harrigan had me get these together for you. I put them in order of which came with the highest recommendations.”
“Excuse me?” I ask, confused.
“Sorry. I guess I should introduce myself first. I was late this morning. I had some errands to run. I’m Evelyn.”
“Diamond.” I take her outstretched hand. Her warm smile has me returning one.
“Mr. Harrigan had me pull some information on local veterinarians. He said to give them to you so you could make an appointment to have them check over your cat.” She hands me a folder. “I made a few notes on some of them based on their reviews.”
“Thank you.” I hold the folder close to my chest. This is one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me.
“Is there anything else I can get you?”
“Devlin?”
“I’m right here, doll face.” I turn to see him striding down the hallway toward me. “Are you feeling okay?” He wraps one arm around my waist, pulling me into his big body. The back of his hand comes down on my forehead. I love that he dotes on me so much.
“I’m fine.” My face starts to flush, knowing people are watching us. “Is there something I should be doing?”
“We’re about to head out. I need to be at the club tonight.” His fingers trail down the side of my face gently. I’m starting to think something weird is going on. Devlin is so different from any other man I’ve met in my life.
“Okay,” I agree, turning my face away from him. “Thank you again, Evelyn.”
“Always happy to help. I’ll see about the rest of your requests, Mr. Harrigan.”
“You can have them delivered to my place. I’d rather her try them on there or the club even.”
“I should have the clothing within the hour. I’ll tell them to take it to the club instead.” Evelyn gives me a wink as Devlin guides me back out of the building, where a vehicle is waiting for us.
“What clothing was Evelyn talking about?” I finally ask when we get into the SUV. I pull at the hem of my skirt, wondering if he hates my clothes. I don’t love them either. My skirt doesn’t fit the best and is nowhere as nice as what Evelyn was wearing, but it’s all I have. “You’re not buying me anything, right?”
“You have a clothing allowance. It was part of our negotiations earlier,” he reminds me. Right. He was giving me a lot of things he really shouldn’t be. I’m scared to reach out and take them. Afraid that this is all too good to be true and will disappear.
“I feel bad. I haven’t done any work at all.” I fidget with a loose string from the end of my skirt. He takes my hand, his fingers tangling with mine.