Free First Taste (The Lust List: Devon Stone #1) by Mira Bailee

on. It’s okay.”
    He wraps an arm around me and makes for the door with his usual confidence and sense of authority. He pushes it open with enough force that the paparazzi waiting jump back and make space for us. I notice none of them get close enough to make physical contact.
    I keep myself focused on the car, getting in as fast as I can, and when I’m safely behind the tinted glass, my mind wanders to what just happened in the store. Devon was just being nice, right? He knew I was uncomfortable, so he did something kind to distract me. He hates Keenly and resents his family, so of course, he’d go out of his way to be passive aggressive.
    Devon opens his door, and I can hear he’s yelling at one of the camera guys. “…Like last time. You understand, dickhead?”
    He climbs in and slams the door shut. The clicking of shutters continues as we pull away. Then they rush back to their vehicles and race to catch up. I slouch down in my seat not wanting them to see even the top of my head.
    “You can just ignore them now,” he says, as if reading my mind.
    How can he just forget about them so easily? They’re following us. “I’m surprised they don’t get all in your face. I suppose there’s some humanity in them.”
    “That’s not them being polite. I’ve punched one too many. They know I don’t play games.”
    Oh. “So you just…hit them?” It’s almost comical.
    He doesn’t laugh. “Sure. I just hit them. Then I just got arrested. And then just had to do community service. And just had to deal with the aftermath from my father. And every moment was just covered in the same trashy tabloids those assholes sell their photos to, beginning the circle again.”
    It’s not so comical anymore.
    “You’ve truly never been involved with any of this before?” He smiles. “I think my first baby photos were even taken by them.”
    I shake my head. “I have no idea how you live the way you do. I’m not sure I’d want to if I had the choice.”
    “At least you’d have the choice.”
    He reaches over and lifts my chin to meet his gaze again. His hand, so soft yet powerful, matches the look in his eyes, and I can feel the heat radiating between us. “I like that about you.”
    “Like what?”
    “I know you’re not into all this. Yet, you’re curious what it would be like if this were your life.”
    Sure. What would it be like to date him? Are celebrities even the dinner-and-a-movie type of people? I highly doubt that. But I’m not the type of person who will find out. Even the fantasy of it all is too much.
    “I’m not curious. I’m perfectly content with my own…” I trail off, knowing whatever I said next would be a lie.
    And then Devon leans in, and his lips meet mine. My breath catches in my throat, and I give in to his kiss. Never mind, I am curious. I want to be a part of his life. I don’t care what goes with it. The cameras and the chaos. I’ll deal with it all if I can have this.
    …If I can have him.
    Devon Stone kisses with a sense of mischief. His warm lips graze mine slowly at first. But then he doesn’t hesitate to add enough force to pull my mouth open and tease me with his tongue. Running it along my upper lip, he brings all my senses to life. Then he crushes his mouth against mine, kissing me with urgency, only to pull away and leave me wanting more. So much more.
    I’m breathless and can’t think straight. What was that? Why? He could have any other girl, yet after three days of his strange behavior with me, he proves he’s even more unpredictable.
    “Mark. Take us to the docks, buddy.” He turns to me, his fingers tracing a circle on my knee. “I’ll take you somewhere special.”
    Okay. I don’t even care to ask where. I’d go anywhere with him.
    Holy shit. I’d go anywhere with him.
    I feel myself stiffen from that terrifying realization. No. That’s not an option. I have to speak up. “I can’t,” I blurt out. “Sorry. I’m working. I need to get back,