Free Bad Girl Lessons by Seraphina Donavan, Wicked Muse

questions, “What the hell are you doing?”
    “What do you mean?”
    Reed shook his head. “You’ve been in love with her since we were kids, man. You can deny it all you want to, but I know! I was there. She’s rebounding from Trevor and from being literally left at the altar!”
    Jackson scrubbed a hand over his face. “I wasn’t really thinking. It just sort of happened and no, I’m not going to tell you what happened. You know me better than that. So, I’m just going to let it play out and see what happens.”
    “It’s your call man. But when you’re crying in your beer a month from now, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    They stopped talking abruptly as Evie returned to the table. Reed stood, “I’ll have some papers for you to sign by tomorrow afternoon. I’ll come by the museum.”
    Evie smiled at him, “Thank you, Reed. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all this.”
    He shrugged. “Don’t mention it. I should tell you that this is icing on the cake for me. I’ve hated Trevor’s guts since kindergarten.”
    Evie’s expression was baleful as she responded. “Why didn’t someone warn me about him?”
    “Because you’re stubborn and it would have just made you dig your heels in,” Jackson said. He tossed several bills on the table and then took Evie’s hand.
    As they walked out, Evie could feel the stares of the other diners on them. She knew that there were people wondering why he was with her, there were also people wondering if perhaps Jackson was the reason Trevor had left her at the altar. She also knew that every time she stepped into public with Jackson, people were reporting it back to her mother. It was worth it, she decided. Whatever anyone said, she couldn’t remember being happier.
    After helping her into the truck, Jackson slid behind the wheel. Noting her curious expression, he asked, “What are you thinking?”
    She smiled at him, and leaned over to press her lips to his, “That things have a funny way of working themselves out.”
    “Are they working out for you to spend the night at my place?”
    “I need clothes… Everything is at my apartment. Why don’t you spend the night with me? Assuming you don’t mind the boxes.”
    “Is there a bed?” When she nodded, he said, “That’s all I need.”
    Fifteen minutes later, they were walking into Evie’s apartment. While she went to shower, Jackson stripped down to his jeans and began to explore the small space. The off white walls and beige carpet weren’t exactly a decorator’s dream. Evie’s antique furniture and brightly upholstered couch looked out of place in the drab apartment. Heading back into the bedroom, he sat down on the edge of the bed and listened to the sound of the shower running. He wanted to join her, but then she was probably shaving her legs and doing all of those things that women pretended they didn’t have to do. Smiling, at the thought, he allowed his curiosity to get the better of him and opened the drawer to the tiny, painted nightstand. While his own contained a stash of condoms and the latest issue of Playboy, Evie’s was a treasure trove of feminine touches. A pair of earrings that she’d forgotten to remove before bed rested atop an embossed leather journal. A bottle of expensive and sweet smelling lotion was also in there. He sniffed the lotion, recognizing Evie’s favorite scent.
    At the back of the drawer was a little wooden box. Unable to resist the mystery, Jackson opened it and a wolfish smile spread across his face. Nestled inside the box was a small, silver vibrator. He heard the shower turn off, and quickly replaced the box, cupping the toy in his palm. With his most innocent expression, he waited for Evie to come out of the bathroom. He was not disappointed when he saw her. Her hair had been brushed out into loose waves, and she wore a black silk robe that only reached to her mid thighs, leaving the long expanse of her legs bare. It parted to reveal a tiny swatch of