Page 19 of Devoted (Love and Burlesque #2)

CHAPTER NINETEEN

VIVIAN

Freak like me.

D on’t you fucking look away, Knight.

As I strip my robe off completely, I discreetly keep my eye on my phone, watching Knight at war with himself as he sits in the tree outside my window.

A few nights ago, I installed a hidden camera facing the tree he’s currently in. It’s not really for catching evidence of Knight stalking me; I already know it’s happening. This is because I want to mess with him when he’s doing it.

Revenge is a bitch and all.

At least I called off Nosferatu tonight. Giving the little raccoon a bunch of snacks put him in a friendly mood. As much as he might deserve it, I’d rather not have Knight falling out of my tree again.

I wish the stubborn man knew I’d happily welcome him in if he knocked on the front door. I want him, too—he knows it now—yet he’s still pushing himself away and trying to push me away at the same time.

Time to take matters into my own hands.

Oh, wait, that’s a good idea. Cupping my breasts, I lift them slightly and drag my hands up, shivering a little when my palms graze over my nipples. Everything feels extra sensitive right now, knowing Knight is watching me.

My hands continue upward, caressing my shoulders on their way up to let my hair loose from its half-up, half-down messy bun. Once my hair is free, I fling the black scrunchie onto my worktable and shake my hair back and forth to match the rhythm of my body.

I don’t usually get ready in my workroom, but now that I know this is Knight’s preferred peeking spot, I think that might change. Turning around, I bend over with an exaggerated arch to my back and reach for my dress for tonight.

The fall weather hasn’t turned too cold yet, so I’m taking advantage and wearing this little piece tonight.

The black dress has a faux belt at the waist, making the short skirt flare around my hips.

My favorite part of the dress is the mesh sleeves with intricate floral patterns that give a witchy vibe.

When I face the window again, I start wiggling into the dress, which in turn, causes the rest of my body to jiggle like I’m on a roller coaster.

There was a time I was self-conscious about my body, especially growing up with the ‘00s fashion. I’ve always been in this weird in-between size.

Not quite small enough for XL at most stores, but not quite big enough for 1X at plus-size stores.

It wasn’t until I learned the term midsize that I realized the term was what described me.

Over time, I’ve grown to accept and love myself, including the jiggly parts.

With the way Knight licks his lips and rubs his hand over his thigh on camera, I’m thinking he likes those parts, too.

I can feel his struggle to stay decent over the screen, and a smug smile spreads on my lips, knowing I’m the cause of it.

Little does he know, I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing him touch himself as he watches me.

Scratch that—I’d really be into seeing it.

With a final zip of my dress and a quick check of my makeup in the closet door’s mirror, I snatch my phone on my way downstairs.

Parting myself from teasing Knight sucks, but I do have a commitment tonight. He doesn’t need to know that commitment is a book club meeting and that I haven’t had an actual date since my last semester of design school.

I’m saving my next date for Knight, once he gets his head out of his ass.

Just to mess with him a little more, I type out a quick text to his work number. He should be at the club tonight and not outside my window, fighting the urge to jerk off in a tree. So texting him this late isn’t weird at all.

Knight Adler - Boss Text

Vivian

See you during the show for your fitting tomorrow!

The drive to the coffee shop Ezekiel picked for our book club meeting this week is quick and uneventful. Before starting my car, I checked my phone to see if Knight was going to follow me, only to see him rubbing his face in what looked like frustration.

In the back of my mind, a sadistic side of me is still purring in satisfaction when I park my car in front of the cute coffee shop.

Stepping into the shop, I immediately spot Ezekiel, Emma, and Harriett huddled in a corner booth. Waving hello, I point at the counter to let them know I’ll be over as soon as I order my drink.

As I’m waiting for my hazelnut latte, I think about how funny it would be if Knight found out I was hanging out with his mom and cousin instead of going out on a date.

After our first family brunch, Ezekiel was talking about a new fantasy book he was starting to read—a Beauty and the Beast retelling—and we all decided to pick it up with him.

We had to remind him how most people don’t read as quickly as he does, so here we are, a few weeks later, all read up and ready to discuss the world of the Enchanted Vale.

“Who is Ben Barnes?” Ezekiel asks, and both Emma and Harriett gasp at him.

“Oh, you are gonna learn today, honey,” Emma tsks, taking out her phone as she begins to give Ezekiel a rundown. While they scroll together, I scoot in next to Harriett and hug her once I’m situated.

“How are you doing, sweetheart?” Harriett asks.

Every time she checks in with me, I can feel the genuine interest radiating from her.

On the surface, she and my mother can come off the same—professional, stern, maybe a little detached, too.

But with Harriett, she is all warmth from a special kind of tough love when you get to know her.

“I-I’m doing okay,” I stammer, flushing slightly when replaying my little striptease not even thirty minutes ago. Can you fucking imagine if I told her the truth? I was just dancing in my underwear while my stalker watched. Oh, and that stalker happens to be your son.

Jesus Christ, Vivian.

“How are you?” I ask, deciding that a polite question is a lot better than divulging the truth. I set my annotated book on the table as Harriett tells me about her day at work.

We all fall into pleasant conversation, sharing a dozen mini-pastries between the four of us as we talk about the happenings in book one and theorize predictions for book two.

As I look around the table, I realize we’re a little bit of an eclectic group, varying in so many ways, but still fitting together much like Rosalina and her princes in the book.

Other than a few people I met in design school, I don’t have many friends outside work. I’m beyond grateful to how seamlessly the Adlers accepted Emma and me into their world.

There’s only one more Adler to get on board.