Read Online Devil's Plaything (Playthings, #1) by Lydia Rowan - Free Book Online

little over a year, but they had only talked briefly in passing. The other ladies at the hospital seemed impressed. Even in scrubs, he was impeccably groomed, the rich brown skin of his face a smooth covering over his chiseled features and equally chiseled body. His goatee even looked nice, and Julie generally detested facial hair.
    “Let’s run ’em, J!” Shayla said as she dealt the cards.
    Julie flashed another smile at Albert and felt warm at his returned wink.
    The game was hard fought, much closer than the others, but she and Shayla came out victorious, probably less of a feat since Carlos had spent more time flirting with Shayla than paying attention to the game. Shay got her flirts in as well, but she managed to keep at least some of her focus on the cards.
    “Carlos, it seems only fair losers get drinks.”
    Carlos smiled like a Cheshire cat. “Of course, Dr. Rodgers, but I think you and your partner need to give the table a break, let somebody else win.”
    “I won’t ‘let’ anyone do anything”— she looked over at Julie, who nodded—“but if you want to have a drink while I explain everything you did wrong in the game, I’d love to.”
    “Who could turn down an offer like that?” he said as they both stood and left the table.
    “So it looks like you’re stuck with me,” Albert said, his deep voice pleasing.
    “Looks that way. I could use a drink, too,” she said.
    Holding her hand, Albert led her through the crowded party, and after getting drinks, a beer for himself and a diet cola for her, he found them a couple of empty seats in a secluded corner of the porch.
    After a few moments of silence, he asked, “So, why don’t I see you around more, Nurse Julie?”
    “If you’re looking for a Nurse Julie, you might not see one for a long time. I’m a custodian.”
    She waited for some reaction, acutely aware of the hospital hierarchy, but there was none, a huge point in his favor.
    “And you probably couldn’t see me anyway through all the nurses and patients hitting on you.” He laughed, a pleasant enough sound. “I try to be nice to my coworkers. Some more than others,” he said as he looked into her eyes.
    “You trying to be nice to me?” she asked, giving in to full-on flirting.
    “I’m trying to figure out if you’re worth it.”
    Julie barely suppressed a groan and eye roll, but she continued, “Results so far?”
    “Oh yeah, you’re worth it.”
    She smiled, though his words took some of the fun out of it. D’yavol had always thought she was worth—No, she wouldn’t go there. She was having fun with a man outside, in the company of other people. She would not compare him with someone who wouldn’t be seen with her in the light of day and had only told her his name three weeks ago. She was going to have D’yavol-free fun tonight.
    Mantra in her head, she talked to Albert throughout the party and even played a couple of hands with him when she couldn’t detach Shayla from Carlos’s side. As the evening was winding down, Albert asked if he could escort her home. She found Shayla getting cozy with Carlos, and after a quick conversation in which Shayla proved that she was not drunk and was okay to drive home—hers or Carlos’s she didn’t specify—Julie agreed.
    As they drove, the pleasant conversation continued, though Julie was nervous about taking him to her neighborhood. For no reason, it turned out.
    “Wow, my grandmother lives about two blocks from here. I come over every Sunday for dinner. Small world,” he said.
    “It’s sweet that you spend that much time with your grandmother.” And Julie meant it. Devotion to family was something she found deeply attractive.
    “No doubt,” he said. “After everything she and my mom did for me, it’s the least I can do. And my grandmama throw down in the kitchen.”
    They both laughed, the sound filling the car as his pulled to a stop in front of her building. Suddenly, she was nervous. She hadn’t considered how