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

to handle the potential for a kiss and was weighing scenarios when Albert leaned over and hugged her.
    “I had a good time, Julie. Maybe I could take you out some time?”
    It was exactly the outcome she’d wanted, a great low-pressure invitation from a guy who she’d had fun with. She was officially certifiable.
    “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said as she leaned over and hugged him again. “I did have fun, though. See you around,” she called as she got out of the car.
    He nodded and waited for her to enter the building, further proof that he was a good guy. Too good for her to mess with while she figured out what was going on with her mystery man. She’d been sorely tempted, the normality that Albert offered an appealing respite from the unnormality of her and D’yavol. But tempting as it was, she wouldn’t play games.
    Unlocking her door, she smiled. She had had fun tonight, so while her life was still far more confusing than she liked, she had managed to get away from it all for a bit.
    After closing and locking her door, she pulled her shirt over her head and sniffed it. Albert did like his cologne, but it smelled better on him, she thought as she scrunched up her nose and headed to the bathroom.
    A tap on her door stopped her midway.
    ••••
    S eething and rage-filled was probably not the best mood for a visit, but here he was. When she hadn’t answered the door earlier, he’d decided to wait, certain she’d be home shortly, feeling creepier and more pathetic as the hours slid away but equally determined to see her tonight. A giant man milling in the hallway would probably garner too much attention, so he’d settled in his truck with a clear view of the front door and waited. And waited more, until she and her companion finally pulled up, all smiles and hugs. The wrongness of seeing Julie with someone else hit him hard. That should be him, especially since the asshole had no idea how to treat a woman, sitting in the car while she walked to the door. Why didn’t Julie seem to mind? He’d never do something like that.
    You’ve also never taken her out, idiot , a little voice in his head whispered.
    And, righteous indignation aside, the voice was right. Did he expect Julie to sit around, content to wait for him forever? Well, truthfully, it was better than the alternative, but Julie didn’t seem content anymore. He had no choice but to act fast.
    He hopped out of the vehicle and made his usual circuitous entry into her building before knocking at her door.
    The pop of the dead bolts followed by the sound of the chain sliding and the creak of the door as she opened it were his only greetings as he entered and closed and locked the door behind him.
    Hands on her hips, she stood in the entryway in jeans, a bra, and no shirt. The stern look on her face suggested she would not appreciate his words of admiration, so he stayed silent but still admired the view of her rounded shoulders, her full—fuller than full—breasts nestled in the cups of her black lace bra, more beautiful because it didn’t try to titillate, the curve of her sweet belly, which felt so wonderful pressing against his abdomen as he pounded into her.
    “I hope you didn’t come here for that,” she said, her voice angry.
    “No, I didn’t.” He looked into her eyes. “Where were you tonight? And who was that man? What did you do with him?” He flinched at the slight pitch in his voice. He sounded angry and needy, which disgusted him.
    Her too, apparently, because her eyes widened, and a riotous expression covered her face in an instant.
    “None of your business. Good evening.”
    She headed toward the door, but he placed a hand on hers when she touched the doorknob.
    “I was worried when you weren’t home.”
    Shoulders shaking, she took two deep breaths and looked up at him, her face a mask of rage.
    “How dare you! What gives you the right to me a question like that?”
    “I thought we had an