Devil's Toy

Chapter 2

I unlocked the front door to my apartment with shaky hands. I was miles away from the office, but it felt like he was still there watching me. I pushed open the door and locked it behind me quickly. The hair on the back of my neck stood the way it would if you were being chased.

I was fantasizing about the new partner, four seconds after meeting him. What the actual fuck is wrong with me?

I dropped my purse and keys on the floor and kicked my heels off next to them. 

And then I very loudly cursed in front of the new partner six seconds after meeting him.

I plopped myself on the couch and sighed.

I must be losing my mind.

I wondered what John must be thinking. He seemed far more frazzled than I was. Yet again, I did end up running out of the meeting AND just entirely leaving the office. But I wondered what made him so nervous. John is an outgoing social butterfly. He'll talk the ears off of a stranger. 

I replayed his demeanor changing in a split second. What is it about that guy...

My phone vibrated in my hand, a call coming in. Mariah's name flashed across the screen and I winced. I fucked up so bad.

Shit shit shit...

I slid the green phone icon across the screen excruciatingly slow.

"Hello?"

"What the hell was that?" 

"I... I'm not feeling so well, Mar. I suddenly got so nauseous I had to go before I threw up."

I didn't like lying to Mariah, but I was so embarrassed right now that there was no other option. What was I supposed to tell her? The partner turned me into a cat in heat?

She sighed, "I'm sorry. Uhm, do you need me to send anything over? Soup or medicine?" She always tried hard to make sure we felt seen and cared for. Mariah was a strict boss, but extremely kind. It made me feel so much more guilty.

"No, I have it all covered. Were the partners too upset?" I nibbled on my raw lip.

"They seemed understanding actually. Luke took your portfolio home with him though, don't know if you're okay with that. I thought he'd review it here. These guys work from home a lot."

"Okay okay, not too bad then. I was so worried. Uh, I guess it's fine if he took it, as long as he brings it back. So he wasn't upset?"

"No, neither of them were."

"Neither? There were more people in the meeting?"

"Layla. You must be sick. The two partners and their three head agents were there..."

"Oh right right. No, yeah. I'm so sick."

Mariah kept silent for a moment and I wondered if I'd worried her, "Okay, I won't keep you long. Luke wants to meet with each one of you starting Monday. Do you think you'll feel better by then?"

"Yeah, of course. I'll be there."

"Great. I need you to help him set up his office if you have time. Amy is going to be on vacation all of next week, and Lindsey in IT is backed up with their new server requests. Will you be up for that?"

"I'm sure I can manage." I suddenly couldn't breathe again. The thought of being alone with him was a bit scary. 

"Thanks, Layla. Hope you feel better." The line ended and I let my phone fall onto the couch.

I am so so so fucked.

In that room, it felt like his eyes had lit a fire around my body. Everything was so warm. And his red aura... It was powerful and bright, yet... Something about it was off.

I shook my head and got ready for bed. Every time I closed my eyes in the shower his eyes would stare back at me and I rushed to get out. I tucked myself under my covers and played soothing sounds on my phone. I let my eyes close.

"Layla?" His voice bounced in my mind. 

"Sir?" 

I could feel the warmth of his hands, each one grasping my thighs, caressing them. He pushed them apart, his lips leaving a trail of need along their path. I whimpered and I felt his lips form a smile against my skin.

"Tell me you need me, angel."

"I need you." The words were barely a whisper.

His sharp teeth pierced the skin of my inner thigh and I moaned.

"Louder for me."

"I need you, please," I begged louder.

His body moved up mine, making me whine. I wanted to feel him. 

The warmth from his hand wrapped around my neck, and his lips found mine. I moaned into his mouth, my body arching, trying to find him. The kiss was greedy and rough, his hand squeezing the air from my body. He bit down hard on my lower lip.

He pressed his lips to my ear. 

BZZZ BZZZ BZZZ .... BZZZ BZZZ BZZZ ... BZZZ BZZZ BZZZ

I jumped up and swatted at my phone. I turned off the alarm and threw it back under my pillow. 

It was a fucking dream. I'd known this man for approximately 10 seconds and I was having dirty dreams about him. 

I need to get laid or something because this is ridiculous. I laughed at my madness. 

I've been single for about three years. My last relationship was with my high school sweetheart. Too bad I caught him cheating on me with his childhood babysitter. Yup. You heard that right.

Now he's playing house with his 54-year-old girlfriend (weird) and his new stepkids (they're older than him).

He wasn't even remorseful when I confronted him. 

He had come home late from 'boys night' and slept in past his alarm. Once it started to go off and I realized he wasn't going to get up, I leaned over to turn it off just as she texted him. The test read "I'd forgotten what it feels like to be fucked like that."

The day before he had surprised me with a sunset picnic. He packed a basket. He picked my outfit. He set out a blanket and poured me a glass of my favorite wine. He fed me. He professed his ongoing love and devotion to me. 

I had stared at the message for what felt like an eternity. Our entire relationship replayed in my mind as if I was peering into one of those toy picture disk cameras you hold up to your eyes and click to change the picture. 

I moved in silence after that. I waited until he was at work and packed all my things and moved back in with my parents for a little while before I found this place. 

My phone started to vibrate again and it pulled me out of my memories. 

"Don't you know better than to call me at 9 a.m.?" I laughed softly.

"Hey, sweet girl," he chuckled, "I'll make sure these early morning calls come with compensation in the form of coffee."

"I love the sound of that. What can I do for you on this lovely Saturday morning?"

"I uhm, I don't know how to tell you this." John's voice became low.

My heartbeat quickened, "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. I didn't mean to worry you, love. It's just nothing too serious really... uhm... I just don't know to say this," he sighed, "shit... I quit the firm."

I stared at the wall.

"What?" 

"I quit, Layla."

"Why?" I felt betrayed for some reason.

"Hey, hey. Don't sound like that, sweet girl. After my awkward intro, the partners spoke about how they wanted to change the firm. It sounds like they're more than just partners. I tried discussing it with Mariah but she wouldn't give me any time. So... I just quit."

"Just because she didn't have time to talk?" 

"Obviously not, Layla. Those guys... I don't think they have good intentions. Mariah lied to us about something. I had to follow my gut."