A Demon in Stilettos (10 page)

Johns’ lowered his gaze. “Perhaps, someone was.”

He kissed Coy’s lips. With eyes wide open, she accepted his touch. As soon as he nuzzled her neck, she crooned. Johns opened his eyes and ran his gaze over Coy’s face. “I want you to understand how special,
you
are.” He kissed her again, brushing his lips against hers. “Do you feel the magic?”

Coy withdrew, panting softly. Her lips tingled; she bit her moist bottom lip. “I never dreamed you’d ever want me. So to me, that’s magical.”

Johns drew back and gazed into her eyes. “I’m nothing special, either. In fact, I’m honored you experienced so much for me. The other Coy was a reflection of your true feelings. Correct me if I’m wrong.”

Ashamed, Coy receded. “Did she tell you, she loved you?”

Johns closed his eyes in amusement, but said nothing then he reached for her hand. “Her actions spoke volumes. If you were attracted to a different man, she would have lavished her attentions on him. She constantly told me,
I pleased her
. I’m sure she meant that, in more ways than one.”

Kneeling, Johns reached for the dangerous stilettos. “We can’t leave these lying around.” He gathered them into his arms. “Let me dispose of these. The longer you wore them, the more they became a part of you.”

“Heavenly father.” She shook her head. “I can’t help but feel sorry for myself. I wish we could return them, but they come with stipulations. Now, I know why.”

“Well, we can’t leave them here. What if you get the urge to,” he raised both brows. “—you know.”

“Wear them? No. At this point, I don’t blame you. Take them away. They’re terrifying. When I think of all the people I hurt, I can hardly look in the mirror. If I were to put them on again, there’s no telling what could happen.”

“True.” Johns scratched his head. “I need to call the hospital and check on Erin.”

Surprised, Coy widened her eyes, then frowned. “Poor Erin. She tried to warn me.”

“It’s very unlikely that that Coy would have listened to someone like Erin.”

“Wow. Call her Naughty Coy. I should call her Evil Coy.”

“Tell you what.” Johns started toward the kitchen. “I’ll need a black garbage bag and some duct tape. I think I know how to keep this naughty lady inside.”

Immediately Coy shot him a look. “So you saw something!”

He cast his eyes toward the floor and sighed. “Yes.”

“Oh my.” Her voice quivered. “What did she look like?”

Johns grinned and bumped the shoes together. “Let’s just say, you’re much prettier.”

Coy slightly relaxed. “Eeww. You’re such a kidder.”

Chapter Eleven

After the shoes were wrapped in a plastic bag and bound with duct tape, Coy gave the bag to Johns for safe keeping. “Well, I guess you can go now.”

“Will you be all right?”

“I think so.” She stroked her leg against the other. “I guess this is goodbye.”

“What are you saying?” Johns placed his hand on the doorknob, turning sharply, he faced her.

“I’m saying, I know who I am, and I know what I am. I’m not your type. Admit it,” she uttered.

“Coy. I know this is hard to believe. But, I’ve always found you intriguing.”

She averted her eyes. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Coy. I really want to be with you.”

“How could you? I’m none of the things
she
was.”

“She…” He shrugged.

“Let’s not…”

“Listen.” He moved toward her. After placing the shoes on the table, he lifted her chin. “Don’t do this to yourself. I truly care for you.”

“How could you?” She turned her gaze from his.

Johns grabbed Coy in his arms.“Stop it, Coy!” He kissed her tenderly.“I intend to see you again.” He kissed her once more. “And again.”

* * * *

When Coy returned to work, she pushed her glasses on her nose, hung her head, then took the walk of shame. Working quietly, she made it through the morning. Erin was still in the hospital, so her area was covered and quiet. At noon, Coy cringed.
The cafeteria will be filled with curious onlookers. They’ll all wonder what happened to make me snap
. Gathering her courage, she decided, it was none of their business.

With her tray in hand, Coy moved through the lunch line, got her utensils, then strolled toward her little table in the corner. People gawked and some pointed, but Coy continued to walk. After sweeping her hair behind her ear, she prepared to eat her meal. Suddenly, a shadow hovered over her. With her heart racing, she glanced up in horror. When she realized the figure was Johns, she relaxed. “You scared me, Dr. Johns.”

Looking as handsome as ever, Johns extended his hand. “Please join me for lunch.”

Coy shuddered. “What? I can never eat at
that
table, again.”

Johns drew back and cocked his head to one side. “Why not?”

“Only doctors eat there.” She stuck her plastic fork into her fish.

“Trust me.” He nodded then scrunched his nose. “It’s fine.”

Johns assisted Coy by picking up her drink. He caught her elbow, then ushered her toward his table. When they were settled, employees started to stare. Immediately, the Chief of Staff, Dean Simmons, sat down at their table. His assistant Aaron Spivey sat beside him. Simmons slapped Johns on the back. “Johns. How are you, my boy?”

Johns glanced at Simmons and winced. “I’m great, and you?”

Simmons unwrapped his utensils. “Are you still coming to the Surgeon’s Ball? It’s gonna be a blast, just like last year.”

“Sure.” He winked at Coy. “I’m securing my date as we speak.”

Coy gasped. She looked into Johns’ jovial eyes then shook her head.

“Oh,” Simmons mocked. “You lucky dog. You’re taking Coy VanAlstine.” He elbowed Johns in the ribs. “Can’t say I blame you, hint—hint.”

Johns reached across the table to grasp Coy’s hand. “Yes. I’m taking Coy. I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather be with.”

Ignoring Coy, Simmons continued to talk. “Mmm boy! You’re in for a good time.” He turned toward Spivey, gave an obvious wink then grinned.

“Excuse me.” Johns stood up, picked up his tray, and then nodded for Coy to follow. He never looked back, but being curious, Coy did. Their faces were pale, their expressions utter confusion.

Strutting toward another table Coy whispered. “You didn’t have to leave.”

Johns slammed his tray on an empty table. “And you don’t have to be violated by pencil dick bastards.”

Her shoulders tightened. “I expected as much, Lincoln. I’m getting what I deserve.”

“No.” He shoved his tray and folded his arms on the table. “You’re an angel. And they will treat you as such. You’ve been through enough!”

“Thank you. That’s so sweet, but you really don’t have to take me to the Surgeon’s Ball. I understood what you were doing. You’re trying to save face, huh?”

“Coy. You need to learn something about me. Those fools mean nothing to me. I don’t care what they drive, or what schools they attended. In my book, they lack something
you
already possess.”

Coy adjusted her glasses. “Do you really mean that?”

Johns nodded. He narrowed his eyes into a glint.

“I’m going to cry.” She fanned her face with her fingers.

“You’re a lady in every sense of the word. Nothing about your past matters. Now, don’t worry your pretty little head about anything. I’ll be damned if I leave you alone to face those gibbers. I’m guiltier than you are. Hell, you didn’t have sex by yourself. I was willing,” he thumped his chest through his lab jacket. “I deserve half the fault.”

“I know,” she said shyly, holding her yeast roll, “but I don’t know what to say. You’ve already put your job on the line for me.” Coy tossed her roll upon her tray. “I need to turn in my resignation and move on.”

Johns widened his eyes. “You’ll do no such thing,” he snapped.

Coy tugged her ear and elevated her voice. “Why not? I’ve caused nothing but trouble—for the both of us. ”

“Calm down, sweetheart. It isn’t your fault.”

“Please! Lincoln! I can’t take this anymore. Each day, ducking and hiding.”

Johns placed his finger across her lips, she grew still. “Together, Coy. Together. We’ll face this, together.”

When he removed his finger, Coy smiled. “You’re so wonderful. How can I thank you?”

“By
not
quitting your job.”

Coy grinned sweetly. “Are you still going to the ball?”

“Yes, and so are you.”

“Why are you defending me? Those are your comrades, your buddies.”

Johns ran his fingers through his hair, moistened his lips, then faced Coy. “What I’m going to say is something you
need to know
.”

Nodding, she widened her eyes. “Okay.”

“Of all the animals in the world, I hate the jackal most of all. Do you know why?”

Uncertain, Coy shook her head anxiously. “No.”

He narrowed his eyes and leaned toward Coy. “It’s because the jackal waits for other animals to kill its prey, then it steps in, and gorges himself on the kill.Something that’s already been stalked, killed, then half-eaten.”

Coy chewed then swallowed loudly. “Wow.”

“The people who run this center are jackals. They have no life of their own so they get pleasure by mocking the pain and sufferings of others.”

“O…kay.” She turned to face Simmons and Spivey who were busily eating their lunch. “Now, I know.”

“You
will not
be food for jackals.” Folding his arms, Johns gave a cynical grin. “Trust me.”

Chapter Twelve

Arriving at the ball, Coy walked slightly behind Johns, clinging nervously to his arm.She never imagined Johns giving her a second glance, now she was
his
special guest, a privilege she hardly expected.

An expensive black tux accented Johns’ rugged features. He was the total package—intelligent, affluent, smooth, and sexy to no end. Why didn’t she feel fortunate? Admiring the side of Johns freshly shaven face, Coy realized he was everything she’d ever dreamed of. It was her good fortune; he even cared for someone like her. Parting the chatting crowd, she snuggled securely against him.

I’m here with this gorgeous man, yet I feel like a cheap whore
. Taking in the multitude of prosperous individuals, Coy gazed around the banquet hall.
I’ve never seen so many snobs in one room. I can almost hear what they’re thinking. They’re probably saying, just look at her. Isn’t it a pity? She doesn’t deserve someone like Abraham Lincoln Johns. She probably doesn’t know a dinner fork from a salad fork.—Stop it Coy!Just stop it. You’re just as good as any of these people. They’re having a good time. They aren’t worried about some little lab rat from the research center. If I could dismiss this feeling, I would probably enjoy myself.

After Coy’s little pep talk, she felt no better. The band was playing, but Coy couldn’t hear a single note. Arm in arm, Johns led her across the room.Each step moved Coy closer to her verdict. Would they hurl insults at her? No matter what Johns had promised, she was on her own, with no protection.

Holding Coy around her waist, Johns seated her in a chair—a beautiful chair, a chair fit for a princess. “Don’t be nervous. I’m going to get you a drink. I might get stopped a few times, but I assure you, I will be back.”

In formal attire, doctors and their wives were dressed to the teeth. Johns told her she looked like an angel, but somehow, she didn’t feel like one. Now, she sat in the corner, her eyes darting throughout the crowd. True to his word, she watched Johns move from doctor to doctor. He seemed to enjoy himself.

Wearing a revealing champagne dress, Coy laced her fingers in her lap, feeling completely out of place.
I wish that woman hadn’t spent most of my money. I could have worn something more appropriate. Just look at me—my breasts are exposed. The cocktail dress is too short. And the sequins only bring attention to the low-cut lines of the back.

Unfortunately, none of her clothes were to her liking. She thought of the evil stilettos, and her heart raced. Perhaps it would take time for her mind to heal. Before she noticed, Johns was standing above her, holding a drink. “Did I tell you how stunning you look tonight? That color makes your skin simply glow.” He sat down beside her. “I didn’t mean to leave you alone. I had to say hello to a few guys. And now, I’m all yours.”

“All mine?” She reached for the drink.

“Unless you want me to strike up a conversation with Padgett or Simmons.”

“No. I appreciate you making time for me.” She tugged at her earlobe.

“Don’t be nervous. No one in this room is more important than you.”

“Aw, you’re so sweet.”