Free Make Me Scream by P.J. Mellor

stomach revolt practically before the words left her mouth.
    Gagging, she held her hand over her mouth and looked frantically around the apartment.
    Eyes wide, he pointed, and she ran, barely closing the bathroom door before losing the battle. The condom hit the water of the toilet with an echoing plop. What little lunch she’d had left soon followed.
    Weak, she leaned against the counter and turned on the cold water. After splashing her face, she rinsed her mouth and then helped herself to a fingerful of toothpaste from the tube on the counter.
    A light tap sounded on the door, followed by Devon’s concerned voice. “Are you okay? Do you think you should see a doctor?”
    She took her time refolding and hanging the towel, then opened the door. “Thanks. I’m fine. Just incredibly embarrassed.”
    “I’m sorry. I should have known better than to leave stuff like that lying around.”
    “Um, do you have a lot of need for…um, those things?” Maybe she should have stayed home. The guy didn’t look like some sex fiend, but you just never knew about stuff like that. “I should probably go now.”
    “Wait. You haven’t even had dinner yet.” He held up his hand when she began to protest. “I can’t eat it all, and Killer is allergic to shellfish. C’mon. You would be doing me a favor.”
    “You have a dog who’s allergic to shellfish?”
    He shrugged. “No, not really, but it sounded good, didn’t it?”
    “Well, I guess I could at least eat and help you clean up.”
    “Thanks.” He motioned her to sit and went back into the kitchen only to reappear a moment later with a steaming serving dish. From a basket on the table, he placed a little pastry bowl on each of their plates and then ladled the thick coral-colored sauce over it.
    He stomach gurgled its anticipation. “Mmm,” she said, hoping to cover the rumble of her stomach. “That smells wonderful!”
    “Thanks, I hope you like it.”
    She took a cautious bite of the sauce and had to hold back a moan of ecstasy. The delicate flavor of the shrimp blended with other flavors on her tongue to make her taste buds sit up and take notice. “Are those mushrooms?”
    He nodded. “Is there a problem?”
    Swallowing, she shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I just wondered.” She cautiously swallowed her bite. Man, she hated mushrooms. Always had. It was like swallowing slime.
    “Are you sure you’re okay?” Devon poured her another glass of wine after she gulped down the first one.
    “Yes.” She smiled her brightest smile. “This really is delicious. I’ve made Lobster Newburg before, but this has a different flavor to it, besides the fact that it was made with shrimp.”
    “I use a little extra spice to give it more kick.”
    Sweat broke out along her upper lip and forehead. She wouldn’t be surprised if her cheeks were heat flushed. She drank her wine in three swallows. “Delicious. Really unique.”
    He nodded, his smile transforming his features from cute to devilishly handsome. “Cayenne. About four times the amount called for, plus seafood cocktail sauce. And about twice the amount of cooking sherry, just to kick it up another notch.”
    “Well, you certainly did that.” She set her glass down.
    His opinion of Jamie had ratcheted up while watching her devour her meal. It was great to find a woman who liked to eat and had a healthy appetite.
    Killer chose that moment to crawl out from under the chair and yawn while he stretched. The dog spared little more than a glance at their company before coming over to sit next to Devon’s chair.
    “Not tonight, sport, we have a guest.” Devon looked over at Jamie, who was watching Killer with a strained look on her face. “He’s harmless, Jamie. Really. He just likes to be included, and shrimp is one of his weaknesses. I usually give him any leftovers.” He shrugged. “I guess I spoil him, but he has had such a hard time eating.”
    Her heart tugged at the expression on Devon’s face. What a