Devi Read online

  It faded before he could think much of it, and a siren’s smile lifted one corner of her all-too-kissable mouth.

  She halted before him and plucked the water bottle from his hand, uncapped it and took a healthy swallow. “Thanks,” she said, eliminating the lone, tempting drop on her lower lip with her tongue.

  He reclaimed his bottle when she offered it back to him. “I didn’t expect to see you again today,” he commented, taking a drink himself.

  “That statement implies you figured on seeing me again.”

  “I did. I do,” he amended.

  “I don’t even know your full name,” she whispered, stepping closer still.

  “Rhodes Liatos.”

  She studied him. “A Greek surname. Were you born there?”

  She prowled around him like a predator stalking its prey. So close to touching, yet not.

  “No.” His voice sounded deeper than normal. “The States. California, to be exact.” He stared down at her, realising he’d been right—she didn’t even make it to his shoulder. “What about you?”

  “Egypt is my land of birth.”

  “Exotic.”

  She shrugged. “To those not born there, I suppose so.” She lifted her head and locked gazes with him. “Are you going to ask me out this time or not?”

  He smiled at her straightforwardness. From any other woman it would have turned him off, but, coming from Devi, he liked it—a lot.

  “I’m getting around to it.”

  “Good,” she replied, watching him from beneath half-lowered lids. “Good night, Rhodes Liatos.” Devi backed away, did an about-face, and strode off without a backwards look.

  “Wait a sec!” he yelled after her.

  “Call me.” She rounded the corner and disappeared from view.

  He ran to the curve, only to discover there was no sign of her at all. No cars in the area—nothing. Muttered curses accompanied his trek back to his car. He reached into his pocket for his key and frowned in confusion when he withdrew a business card. Plain white, it read ‘Devi Petner’ in centred block letters, and underneath that, ‘Paediatrician’. Her business address and phone number were in one corner. He flipped the card over and found a handwritten phone number.

  “What a woman,” he said, replacing the card in his pocket and withdrawing his keys. He had a smile on his face for the entire drive home.

  Chapter Two

  The following afternoon, Devi lay in her hammock, enjoying the idyllic day. Her doorbell chimed and she sighed, reluctant to get up.

  “It’s open,” she called out.

  The familiar masculine scent that had surrounded Rhodes told her who it was before he’d even made it through the house. Turning her head, she watched him step out onto the patio.

  “Kind of dangerous, don’t you think, just inviting people in without knowing who it is?” he asked, giving her a disapproving look before putting a bouquet of flowers on the table.

  She almost laughed at that, but smothered it. He was concerned about her. How cute.

  Today, Rhodes wore khaki slacks and a dark blue polo-necked shirt. Licking her lips, she swung her legs over and got up from the comfort of her hammock. He glanced at her and swallowed. Hard.

  She knew it was her outfit. Cream-coloured gauze woven with gold threads made up her halter-top dress with its deep V-neck. Although the material reached the floor, slits in the skirt ran up to the tops of her thighs. With each step she took, one leg flashed through. And she knew it looked good on her—hell, it had been made just for her.

  “Cat got your tongue, Rhodes?”

  His forehead had a sheen of sweat on it.

  “No. That’s… It’s… Damn.”

  “I take it that’s a good thing,” she said with an assured smile.

  “Oh, yeah,” he rumbled. He flexed his fingers like he wanted to grab her.

  “Thank you.”

  He had to tear his gaze away from her nearly exposed chest. “What for?”

  “The flowers. They’re beautiful.”

  He acted as if he’d forgotten he’d even brought them. “You’re welcome,” he muttered, his gaze on her.

  “Something I can do for you, Rhodes?”

  “I came to ask you to dinner.” His voice still not as smooth as it had been.

  “You didn’t call.”

  “I wanted to see you.” His eyes burnt feverishly. “Luckily, I’m a resourceful man—you didn’t give me much to go on.”

  “You are that. I knew you’d find me if you wished to see me.”

  Warmth surrounded her at his admission. “I’ll go get changed.” She moved past him and headed towards the sliding door, then paused and glanced back over her left shoulder. “A little help?”

  He approached and stood behind her. His size made her feel dainty and protected. Without a word, she moved her hair out of the way. Her skin tingled from the light brush of his fingertips as he undid the bow holding up her dress.

  “There you go,” he whispered in her ear, his breath teasing her skin.

  “Be right back.”

  She let go of her hair and it swung back into place, covering her to the small of her back. He gasped as she left him there, in between indoors and out. Alone except for her dress, which had pooled at his feet.

  In her bedroom, she stood before her tri-fold mirror and stared at her reflection. Her nipples had beaded the moment he’d entered her house. On the whole, she had no use for mortal adults. The children she still held out some hope for, but adults, she…

  Well, that had been until Rhodes. She smoothed her hands down over her breasts and cupped them. The tips peeked out between two fingers on each hand. How would his hands feel? Would he kiss her breasts? Tug on the points?

  She tugged on the tips and a groan slipped out. Her eyes drifted closed before she forced them back open. Lowering her hands, she ignored the needs of her body in favour of deciding what to wear tonight.

  With a wave of her arm, she attired herself in a black and red halter-neck dress with a handkerchief hem. She left her hair loose around her face and put herself in black heels. Still staring at her reflection, she added some jewellery to her outfit. A gold necklace with a ‘Forever’ heart pendant with diamonds. Her earrings were gold drops with black and white diamonds.

  Her cartouche was around her wrist on a gold bracelet. She took one final look at herself, wiped from her expression the desire she had for the man waiting for her, and left the room to find him.

  Be good through dinner, then we can see where it leads.

  She tried to convince herself, but fell short.

  Rhodes had brought the flowers inside and was in the process of putting them in a vase when she walked into the kitchen. He glanced at her and gave a low whistle. Wiping his hands on a towel, he strode towards her, grabbed her by her upper arms and drew her in close.

  “I was this close to following you to the bedroom,” he whispered. He nuzzled her hair and pressed a kiss to her temple.

  “You should have. Although we’d not get dinner.”

  He lifted her chin with his index finger. Lowering his mouth, he pressed light, feathery kisses along her jaw. The final one, upon her lips, made her sigh with pleasure. He skimmed her lower lip with his tongue, then the seam, then delved inside.

  She opened with a moan of pure pleasure. This was what she wanted. Her pussy pulsed with longing and she moulded her body more tightly against his. He stroked along the insides of her mouth with his invading tongue and she purred, arching even closer.

  He broke the kiss and stared down into her eyes, still cradling her face in his palms. She could feel the calluses on his skin and it made her quiver with longing. He caressed her skin with his thumbs.

  “We should get going,” he muttered, still holding her gaze.

  “Yes.”

  She contained her disappointment and promised herself that soon they would be skin to skin. Deep within her, a fever for him burnt, and she vowed it would be quenched. His int
ent look told her he was having the same thought.

  He opened the door and led her down to an older-model, white Jeep Cherokee. His gentle touch as he helped her inside made her emotions towards him deepen further.

  Rhodes was unlike any other mortal man she’d met in her time passing as a mortal. Most never seemed to see past her looks. Or her money, once they figured out she was considered to be ‘filthy rich’.

  They enjoyed dinner at a quaint outdoor cafe. Devi soon noticed how well known he was. Many people called out greetings to him, which he returned, always taking the time to introduce her as well. She didn’t miss the way his hands seemed to linger on her when it was a man who approached the table to speak to him.

  “You live around here?” she asked as she watched him polish off the rest of her dessert.

  “My apartment isn’t too far. I used to work around here, too, so people know me.”

  His apartment. Her insides completed a few flips at those two words. As if he knew what she was thinking, he sent her a slow, sensual grin that only fanned the flames inside her. Even so, he didn’t rush, and after the meal he led her out to walk up and down amongst the stores that lined the area.

  She was standing staring into a display window at a sexy dress when he stepped against her from behind. He skimmed his strong hands down her silhouette, halting at her hips. He dwarfed her with his powerful physique and she actually felt protected, surrounded by his warmth. With a sigh, she leaned against his chest and smiled at him in the window’s reflection.

  “Let’s go.” He rubbed his stiff length against her.

  Turning in his embrace, she laid her arms along his shoulders. “Kiss me,” she breathed in a husked voice.

  He did as she’d ordered and she willingly gave herself over to the masterful way he dominated the kiss. As he thrust his tongue into her mouth, he flexed his fingers where they sat along her hips. There was a throbbing between her legs and she wanted his touch there.

  Rhodes jerked away, his breathing ragged. “Christ, you’re dangerous. We have to get out of here, or I’m going to take you right here against this window, to hell with the law.”

  Instinctively her power flared and she tamped it back down. Sure, she could shelter them from public eyes, but she wanted him in a bed. His or hers—it didn’t matter. Licking her lips, she enjoyed the remnants of his taste upon her.

  “A date that ends up in gaol. Hmm, I think I’ll pass,” she said teasingly.

  He chucked her under the chin and took her hand, leading her back to where he’d parked. The wind picked up and swirled around them. Since it had a bite to it, it provided her with an excuse to burrow closer to Rhodes as they moved through the crowd.

  The ride back to his place was comfortable. She held his hand and listened to him talk about what had brought him to Colorado from California.

  “I have a sister, Ria, who’s married with two kids. They live in Florida. Our parents are alive and well out in California. They’ve never wanted to live anywhere else.”

  “Sister older or younger than you?”

  “She’s younger than I am by three years. And her kids are five and three. Girl and a boy, respectively.”

  “Sounds nice.”

  A family was something she’d never thought she would have. Namely, because she was immortal and hadn’t found anyone she would like to spend all time with. She glanced sideways at Rhodes. But then again…

  Her line of thought halted as he pulled into his garage and lowered the door behind them. Ever the gentleman, he opened her door for her and assisted her out.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” he asked as they entered through his kitchen, flicking on lights as he went.

  “No, thank you.”

  She stepped out of her shoes and walked towards him, her gaze focused on the hard ridge that was mostly hidden by his slacks. Mostly. Raking her gaze up his body, she was met by smouldering eyes. She dampened her lips, reached out and cupped his hard cock in her hand.

  “I want you.”

  Rhodes didn’t know what to say. Hell, at that moment he wasn’t sure he could speak. The feel of her hand around his shaft was enough to freeze the logical and speaking parts of his brain.

  He covered her hand with his own and removed it from his body with great reluctance. Not giving her a chance to speak, he swept her up in his arms and carried her to his bedroom. He lowered her to the floor, then stepped back and stared at her.

  Devi Petner.

  This vixen, who’d left him as horny as hell since the first time he’d laid eyes on her. Then, at her place, when she’d dropped her dress on the floor and walked away from him as naked as a jaybird, he’d not been able to take his eyes off her firm ass and small waist. Now here she stood before him, lust in her eyes.

  Silently, he used one hand to undo the easy hook that latched her dress closed at her nape. Her large eyes were fixed on him. He trailed his hand down the smooth expanse of her back, found the zip and lowered it.

  The teeth parting was the only sound in the room aside from their breathing. He paused when he could feel the top of her panties against his knuckles.

  “It comes off if you let go,” she whispered.

  “I’m savouring this.”

  Yet he took a step back and, as she’d claimed, the soft, cottony material slid down her body to pool at her bare feet. Lust slammed into him harder than he would have believed possible. She stood there, unashamed of her nakedness, clad only in a gold thong. Breasts that would fit perfectly into his hands; hands that itched to cup them. To tug on those peaked tips. Lave and nip her breasts. To thrust his shaft between them while she pressed them together.

  His cock jumped in his slacks and he almost came right there. She captured her lower lip between her teeth and rolled it as she gave him a moment to just ogle her—which he did.

  “Your turn,” she said, her voice huskier than he recalled.

  He whipped his shirt off over his head and allowed it to fall to the floor. She took a step towards him, but he held up a hand and she stopped. Rhodes took several deep breaths and went to Devi.

  “My turn is right. I want to explore you, Devi. Lie on the bed.”

  She turned and he froze at the sight of her tattoo across the expanse of her back. An hourglass edged in black and gold, with grains of sand falling through the centre. The detail was amazing and intricate. Surrounding the top and bottom of the hourglass were symbols he didn’t understand, also done in gold.

  His view was restricted when she faced him again and scooted back on the bed. He moved to her side and crawled up the bed, looking, not touching her. Lying there beside her, propped up on one arm, he reached out and trailed his hand down her shoulder and arm.

  “You are so beautiful,” he murmured, blowing softly on her flushed skin. Goosebumps popped up on her shoulder.

  “Rhodes,” she said.

  “Yes?”

  “Touch me.”

  “I am.” He touched the drawn tip of her right breast with one index finger. “They look like chocolate kisses. I wonder—do they taste the same?” Her breath caught and she shifted, trying to instigate more touch, but he moved away. “No moving.”

  She stilled and he returned his finger, manipulating the nipple in small circles. Devi began to whimper. He bent his head and blew across the left tip while he caught the right between his index finger and his thumb. It drew up tighter.

  “Such perfect breasts.”

  “Please.” It sounded like a plea.

  He sucked the point into his mouth. Devi moaned, her back arching. He drew hard on the tip while he continued to tug and pull on the right bud, matching what he did with his mouth.

  She reached up and sank one hand into his hair, holding him tightly to her. Her skin smelt of a mixture he couldn’t identify—sultry, erotic and so powerful that it made him want to drive into her with one smooth stroke. He nipped and released her breast. She tugged on his hair but he ignored her. Leaving her breasts, he kissed h
is way down her belly.

  Laying his head against her flat stomach, he stared down the lower half of her body. Legs slightly spread, smooth and totally hairless. On her ankle he could see some ink from another tattoo. He slowly caressed the top of her thigh with his hand. He could smell the heady scent of her arousal on the air.

  His hand drifted over the juncture of her thighs. He moved back up so that he could see her eyes as he swirled his fingers closer and closer to her core. Flushed skin, parted lips… Devi flexed her free hand in the blankets, and tightened the one she had in his hair.

  Rhodes stroked his finger downwards. “Completely bare.”

  He slipped his finger between her lips and into the waiting wetness. Her mouth moved, but she didn’t make a sound. He pressed further. Her velvet walls hugged his fingers and he had to bite back a groan of his own. He withdrew and moved up to her clit. Her eyes darkened as he alternated playing with it and sinking two thick fingers inside her.

  “Stop teasing me,” she ordered.

  He withdrew his fingers from her haven and licked the thick cream from them. Her taste made his cock jerk again. Damn, he wanted to be deep inside her. Pushing up, he undid his belt and pulled it free. She never took her eyes from him. Soon he was naked, and she dropped her gaze to his jutting cock.

  He held his length and moved between her spread legs. Her pussy glistened with the juices of her desire. He moved his hand up and down his shaft, the large head damp from the pearly drops of pre-cum.

  “I need to get protection,” he said.

  She bent her knees, opening herself even more to his hungry gaze. “Hurry.”

  He grabbed a condom from the bedside table and quickly sheathed his hard length. Repositioning himself, he prodded at her entrance and bit his lower lip as the head slid into her heat. She was so tight—even for his fingers she had been. He didn’t want to hurt her, so he ignored the demons riding him to slam in, and inched his way in until he had filled her completely.