The Devil’s Pawn by Elizabeth Finn Read Free Book Online Page B

it open, I’m happy to see Liz standing there. She bounces into the room and starts riffling through my new dresses, looking over each appraisingly. I take in her appearance, and I suddenly feel very out of place once again. I’m standing by in my old tattered jean shorts and T-shirt. At least my shirt is fitted and not one of the oversized holey ones buried in the dresser. Liz, on the other hand, is in another form-fitted dress with heels. Again her hair is impeccable, her makeup flawless. She is such a girly girl and pulls it off so incredibly.
    As she continues to riffle, she comments, “Not very … garish, are they?” She cocks her head to the side, studying my favorite gray dress. “Very … pretty.”
    And she’s right; it’s “pretty,” and quite frankly, I feel pretty when I see it. None of these dresses look anything like the short mini dress I was in all day today. They are exactly as Derek requested of Jacob, demure.
    Liz continues appraising the dresses one at a time, seeing the pattern emerge. Once she’s through them all, she looks at me curiously before speaking. “He doesn’t want you to look like a prostitute at all, does he? Hmmm. I wonder if that’s for his benefit or yours,” she says with a sly smile creeping across her face.
    With that last statement, she stands, winks at me, and leaves my room. I like Liz, and she is definitely my first friend in this place.

Chapter 6
    I wake after the sun has gone down and the night sky outside my window is brilliant with the lights of the city. After hanging each and every one of my dresses up earlier in the afternoon, I’d collapsed on the bed and fallen asleep instantly. I wake slowly and relaxed, and my phone rings. It’s Mr. Pennington. He tells me to come to his room and hangs up the phone before I have a chance to respond. I rush to the restroom, taking in my curls with a grimace. They are their ever-unruly selves, and I give up trying to tame them, not wanting to keep Mr. Pennington waiting.
    I consider changing into one of the new dresses, but am not sure I should take the time. Derek’s statement was to come to him “now,” and I’m guessing he expects his directions to be followed explicitly. As I rush across the hall and knock on the door of his apartment, my mind questions why he’s summoned me. It can’t be for sex, and that leaves little else that Mr. Pennington could want from me.
    He opens the door and stands aside as I enter. He’s watching me and taking in my appearance, and he’s not impressed. “You know, the dresses are only useful if you actually wear them.”
    I look up to see his raised eyebrows and dark eyes staring back at me. He’s as relaxed as I’ve seen him around me, and I think he might actually be more sarcastic than upset at my appearance.
    I apologize nevertheless. “I’m sorry. I just woke up.”
    He turns on his heel and walks away from me. “I know.” He was watching me again…
    I follow him as he walks to his bed and starts removing his clothes. I watch as he unbuttons his shirt and shrugs out of it before stepping out of his pants. He stands in only his black boxer briefs that I’d met earlier today in the car, and shaking his head once more as he takes in my appearance, he demands I take my clothes off. My body is suddenly prickling with fear. Truth be told, the warmth settling between my legs is telling me it might be just a bit of desire too.
    As my eyes question his, he reassures me. “Relax. I’m not going to fuck you. I know how to follow the doctor’s orders. I will, however, fuck you tomorrow night, and I expect you to show up wearing something other than … whatever the hell that is.” In exasperation, he indicates my clothing he so obviously doesn’t appreciate.
    I start removing my clothes as he watches, and once I’m finally standing naked in front of him, he pulls his underwear down and steps out of them. He is now fully undressed and standing in front of me. He is beautiful.