“I’d like that.” The insides of my body are literally jumping for joy right now. I mean, if Devon wasn’t here, I’d totally be doing that. I get back to cutting his hair, knowing how he likes his hair cut. His hair is long for most men’s standards these days, touching the top of his collar when it’s freshly trimmed. Devon Anderson definitely has that bad boy appeal. I can tell he may have been wild in his past, but he seems to have settled down lately. Even in a big town like Vegas, everyone still seems to know what happens in the lifestyles of the not so rich and famous.
I look at the progress I’ve made in the mirror, running my fingers through the top until it trails to the ends. Devon’s head drops back in a moan. “Must have been a long trip,” I murmur.
“It wasn’t horrible, but the plane ride is always a bitch.” I roll my eyes since everyone knows any Anderson only travels first class.
“I saw that, Michelle.” We both laugh. He’s the only one that’s ever had an effect on my body with the way he says my name.
“Okay, fine. That wasn’t nice of me, but first class? That has to be a dream compared to coach,” I scoff.
“It is, though we still have recirculated air, and there still isn’t enough room for my legs.” He looks at his legs, and I know he’s not kidding.
“Well, hopefully, your week gets better. Does it look good?” I ask, knowing he prefers me not to put any product in his hair.
“Looks perfect, like you always do.” I take off his smock, balling it up in my hands, throw it in the basket to wash, and clean up my station as he stands to get the extra strands of hair that somehow always manage to get on you while you’re getting a haircut.
“Thank you,” I reply when I’m finished cleaning up. The two of us walk toward the check-in counter, me giving him his total, him over-tipping like usual.
“I wasn’t kidding about getting together on your days off,” Devon says huskily.
“I’d like that.” This time, my voice squeaks, and I feel like a teenager going through puberty.
The two of us exchange numbers, and before he turns to go, I tell him, “Goodbye, Devon.”
“Definitely not a goodbye, honey. I’ll see you later.”
I watch as he walks out; his tall form is lean and muscular. He’s wearing a pair of dress pants and a white dress shirt, both molding to his form. And, boy, does he look handsome. When he disappears from my view, I get back to cleaning up the salon. I’m ready to get home, throw a meal in the microwave, take a long hot bath, and slide into bed. I may be twenty-five years old, but my body feels much older.
3
Devon
I’m not one of those men that makes a woman wait around to see if they’ll call or not, at least not intentionally. I didn’t leave her shop until almost seven o’clock, so I damn sure didn’t call her last night, but it’s almost noon, and I know if I don’t call her this morning, it’ll be too late tonight.
“Hey,” she breathes through the phone.
“Good morning. Did I wake you?”
“No, I was lying on the couch and must have dozed off for a few minutes, which is horrible. I’ll never sleep tonight now. What are you up to?” I hear Michelle yawn through the phone.
“Sitting at the office, going over plans. I was thinking, if you have time, I can come pick you up, and we can have lunch if you’d like.”
“I wish I could, but I need to be at the salon in an hour. I get off early, though. Plus, after today, I have the next four days off unless something goes wrong. Shit, I better knock on wood right now, or I know something will happen, and then sleeping in will not be on my agenda,” she grouses until she must find some kind of wood to knock on.
I laugh but find myself knocking on my desk for her as well. “Nothing bad is going to happen. We can do dinner instead. You want to meet around seven?” I offer.
“Sure, I can meet you at the restaurant, or you can pick me up from my place.” There isn’t a hesitant tone in her bones, making me glad once again that I didn’t rush into this with her all those months ago. What they say is true; slow and steady wins the race.
“I can meet you at your place. We might drive around the desert, so wear something comfortable.” I want her relaxed around me. Sure, being the president of Anderson Construction provides a bit of wealth for me, but my parents raised me to be humble, even when I went through my downfall. I never flashed money around.