Page 52 of The Devil of Downtown

“Let’s try again,” he says, voice edged with steel. “Jump.”

My eyes close and I let out a soft gasp as his fingers disappear beneath the lace, teasing the wet ache, pinching my clit with the perfect amount of pressure until my breath splinters into a plea.

“How high,” I whisper before I can think.

He exhales slowly, satisfied. “Such a good girl.” His mouth brushes my throat—just a graze, then a bite that makes me tremble. The second he knows I’m on the verge of breaking, hesteps back, every inch composed, leaving me clutching the wall, shaking.

“Give me your phone, Ivy.”

The command in his tone cuts straight through the haze.

“Huh?”

“Your phone. Now,” he repeats, softer now, but no less dangerous.

I fumble it from my pocket, hesitating for a fraction of a second before handing it over.

“Unlock it.”

My thumb slips on the screen before it finally glows between us.

He types in a number, presses call, and his own phone buzzes a second later. Then he ends the call and slips mine back into my palm, fingers brushing deliberately against my skin before catching me by the wrist and tugging me close. His mouth finds mine—just a whisper of a kiss, nothing more.

“Now I can reach you,” he murmurs against my lips. “I’ll be in touch with your first task soon.”

He releases me just as suddenly, and it takes a second to steady myself.

He smiles, every perfect white tooth flickering in a flash of purple strobe. “I think I’m going to enjoy working with you, Ivy.”

“This is blackmail,” I mutter, my brain finally catching up.

“Call it what you like, sweetheart. But the truth is, now you’re mine.”

“Fuck you.” The words come out shaky, more breath than voice.

“All in good time, Ivy.” His smirk deepens as he backs away before turning and waving over his shoulder. “All in good time.”

I breathe only after he’s gone, pushing off the wall in a daze.

What the hell have I just signed up for?

And why the hell am I so excited?

“Ivy?”

I flinch at the sound of my name, turning to see Brody weaving through the crowd, flashing that grin that’s always been just a little too contrived.

“Been looking everywhere for you,” he says, breathless, like he’s sprinted across the city.

“I thought you weren’t coming.” My voice sounds strange, like it doesn’t belong to me.

He shrugs, his chunky rings catching the light as he pushes his hair off his face. “Finished my set early. Figured I’d swing by. Didn’t seem right missing your celebration.”

There’s an ache under his words that might once have meant something to me. Tonight, it’s just another cloud in the fog still curling in my head from Dane.

“Oh,” I manage. “That’s... nice of you.”

Brody grins wider, his hand on my lower back as he steers me toward the bar. “Come on, let’s get you a drink. You look like you could use one.”