Just For You, Sir (Doms of Decadence 1)

She opened her eyes, blushing slightly as she realized the sight she must have made.

“It’s delicious, best I’ve ever had.” Not that she’d eaten a lot of pie in her life. Her mother, then Stephan had kept a close eye on her diet. But they weren’t here anymore; Jacey could eat what she liked. And this pie was worth every penny she would be spending on it, even though she was trying to save every spare bit of cash she made.

She needed to see if Jimmy had any spare shifts at the diner she worked at. She couldn’t work anywhere that needed detai

ls like a social security number and address. Jimmy never asked her for any personal details, he paid in cash, and when she worked a shift she got a free meal.

At the moment, it was the most she could hope for.

“I hope Cece is going to be all right,” she said as she pushed the plate away, the slice of pie only half-eaten. She was full.

“Who is Cece and why were those reporters there?”

“You really don’t know who she is?” Jacey asked.

He shook his head.

“She’s a singer, really popular at the moment. You know, she sings that song, Raven’s Heart?”

Again, he shook his head, so Jacey sung him a few lines. He watched her intently.

“That was beautiful.”

She nodded. “Cece is a great songwriter.”

“No, not the song. Your voice. You have a fantastic voice.”

Jacey shrugged, blushing slightly.

“Officer Mast seemed to think she would be fine,” Derrick said, finishing off his slice of pie. “I’d like to know what caused her to crash.”

“I guess we’ll find out tomorrow, it’s bound to be all over the news.”

“I noticed you didn’t want to stick around once the reporters appeared,” Derrick said, leaning back. He sipped slowly on his coffee. “You camera shy?”

“Something like that,” she said warily. “I’m kind of tired; do you think we can get going?”

“Sure thing, love. My apologies. I shouldn’t be keeping you out so late. I’ll get Alice to box the rest of your pie up for you.”

He rose and grabbed the plates, taking them to the counter. When he returned a minute or so later, he had a small brown box in his hand.

He held out a hand to her and after a moment’s hesitation, she took it, allowing him to help her stand.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Umm, yeah. Oh, let me get some cash.”

Derrick just placed his hand on her lower back, steering her away. “No need. All taken care of.”

“Oh, well, let me pay you back.”

“Don’t even think about reaching for your wallet. When you’re out with me, Jacey, I pay.”

“This wasn’t a date,” she said as they stepped outside. Drat, it had grown colder. She was going to have to start getting to the shelter earlier so she could claim a bed.

Derrick held open the passenger door for her, handing her the box once she had buckled her seatbelt. “I know. But that doesn’t matter. When a woman is out with me, I pay. I don’t care who they are.”

He closed the door and walked around the car, to the driver’s side.