Bluffing the Devil

chapter 14



More than an hour after beginning my explanation as best I could give it, I finally stopped. "So, are there any questions?"

I was expecting much worse. Some cussing, some throwing of fits, but was really proud of my gaggle for keeping calm. No one interrupted me the entire time, and let me have my say to try to explain things as best I could.

"You just dreamed Devin into existence? It works like that?" Carly asked, wide-eyed.

"I am not sure how that part worked out. I asked God to make him real, to bring him from my dreams, and He did, I suppose. I'm trying not to panic or freak out over the gift He gave me and just accept that I am one of the luckiest people in the whole world right now," I said with a goofy smile on my face, as I reached out for Devin's hand.

"So do all demons just happen to look like walking Sex Popsicles?" Rhea asked out of the blue.

"Yes, we do. Care to have a lick?" Rey asked leaning closer to Rhea with his usual sultry smile.

"Dude, behave yourself, both of you!" I shouted and snapped my fingers at them playfully.

"What? I was just curious, geez. Fault a girl for curiosity," she faux-complained. Every few minutes, her eyes would search Rey as if she were trying to find something wrong with him, or see if she could find a tail or another head on him. "That could explain a lot about why sexy dudes usually turn out to be the a*sholes in relationships. I mean, they can't help it. It's ingrained in them, and they are ruled by the head bitch of Hell."

"You know what they said about that cat that got all curious," I slyly reminded her.

"All I know is satisfaction brought it back. I mean, that’s all I'm sayin'," she replied with a giggle and then looked down suddenly at the carpet as if something had stolen her interest. Nice tactic.

"You met the Devil, Alexia. Wow. What was she like?" Carly asked, sounding a lot like a reporter at that moment. Her eyes hadn't gone back to normal, human size the entire time I had spoken. She was starting to look like cartoon character at this point.

"She was a little smug, really sexy, and I don't know, I guess she was just normal considering her position in the world," I answered honestly.

"Lexi, what about Jamison?" Rhea asked and everyone's attention flocked to my face.

"What about him babe, Jamison is gone."

"Yeah, but if Devin and Rey were killed and are demons that can come back, can Jamison come back, too?"

Her question hit me hard. I hadn't even thought of that at all. Devin squeezed my hand for comfort and my eyes searched his. I could see it was scary for him for her to ask me a question like that. It was scary for me, too. I hadn't even considered if Jamison could come back. I hadn't thought of anything outside of what was currently going on. I was in love with Jamison for as long as I could remember. I didn't feel love yet for Devin, but he was in my life right now, and I wasn't going to squander that either.

"Honestly, I have no idea if he can or not. I know he would want me to be happy, no matter what though."

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to make you second guess, I'm just wondering if we could somehow get him back with us. You know none of us are the same without him."

"Don't be sorry, babe. I know. I think if it were something easy or something possible, he would have come to me, don't you think? I mean, I asked God for someone to come to my life that would support me through everything and be my rock. He sent me Devin, not Jamison." I chose my words very careful so as not to offend his memory, tarnish the love in my heart for my friends, or their love for him. "Jamison was my heart and true love. People are put into your life for a reason. Without him, I definitely would not the woman I am today. God called him Home when it was time for him to go. I would not change that at all. Rey and Devin were taken before their time and forced to do things they didn't want to do. They've managed to escape and get a second chance. I don't know for how long, why, or anything else. I just see it as a gift."

"You're right. I really am sorry for asking, I just didn't know if anyone was going to say it or ask it," Rhea continued. "I know how much Jamison meant to you. I just didn't want there to be any question or confusion later, you know?"

"Yes, I do know. Thank you, babe." I jumped up and pulled Rhea into a tight hug, then I held my hand out to Victoria to join the hug, and then to Carly also. "You girls mean the world to me. We have all had our share of horrible times, but together we can make it through anything, okay? I've got your back 100% and I know you've got mine. I know this is a lot to take in, and I'm just really impressed that you are all so calm and accepting. Thank you. I don't know what I would do without you guys."

"Love you guys!" Rhea said.

"Me too," Victoria added.

"Glad to be a part of the group," Carly chimed in at the last second before I released everyone from my kung-fu grip type of death squeeze.

"Okay, those pastries were incredible and all, but I need some steak! Who's with me?" I chirped.

Of course, the two guys eyes lit up and were ready for that. Rhea also chimed in, "Uh duh, me. I always want a plate full of meat, are you kidding me right now?"

Victoria cringed, but agreed to go. Vegans tended to get all in a tizzy when you said you want meat, but she knew there would be something for her wherever we went and she would not be force-fed something with a face. I pinky promised that always.

Carly agreed that dinner sounded great, but she wanted to tell us the best places to go. As the foodie in our group, we just rolled with whatever she said usually. She never steered us wrong when it came to food.

I headed to my room to change into something appropriate for going out and realized that Devin had only himself with us. No clothes, no things, nothing. I suddenly felt bad and turned to say something when Rey held his hand up.

"I got it under control, woman."

"Okay, thanks bro! You're the best."

"Yeah? Tell me that later when I show up here with this dude some clothes that look like he belongs on a kids television show," he joked. "No seriously though, I got it. I was just thinking the same thing. It won't take me long. I know everywhere to shop here. Be back in a flash." He was out the door before I could offer him money or anything.

"I'm going to help him," Rhea chimed in as the door clicked closed.

"What? You hated him an hour ago, now you want to go shopping with him?" I'm sure my astonishment did not go unseen.

"We have to make sure that slimy bastard comes back with clothes for Lover Boy, or we will never make it out to eat, right? And I'm getting hungry. This is for everyone," she added as she trotted toward the door.

"Taking one for the team, Rhea?" Victoria jeered. "Mhm, I bet."

Our fit of giggles must have been lost on her as she shut the door quickly behind herself.

"Well, I guess that means we have some time to waste before they get back, why don't you get a shower, and I will straighten things up out here and then get changed in a bit?" I asked Devin.

"I have a slightly better idea, love. You join me in the shower, then we will get dressed together if the clothes ever arrive, if not, we will just stay in towels or sheets or whatever we want, and we can clean later or even tomorrow?" He pulled me quickly to his chest and dropped a powerful kiss to my lips to accentuate his point.

"You do look filthy," Carly added, assisting him. "You two love birds go on, I will clean this little mess up."

"I will help her," Victoria volunteered. As the messiest of all of us, for her to offer her help meant she either was dead bored, or was truly trying to give us some alone time. I suddenly loved her extra for it.

"Okay fine. You know, these expensive hotel showers are tricky anyway, I should go give him a hand," I said with a wink to my girls.

"Yeah, I mean, I think you should use much more than your hand, but that's totally up to you, babe," Victoria bellowed as I closed the bedroom door.

"She has fantastic ideas, love," Devin said with a low grunt as he pushed me against the bedroom door. "I don't know what has happened to me, but since you were defending Rey and I to your friends and really standing your ground, I have been very turned on. You are a force to be reckoned with. I love this side of you."

He leaned in and kissed me roughly. His tongue teased the seam of my lips and begged for entrance. After only a brief moment of guarding my lips, I opened and let him in. He tasted like coffee, sweet cream pastries, and man. The deliciousness of him wrapped around all of my sense and I lost myself in the kiss.

Before I knew what was happening, he picked me up and carried me to the bathroom. I wrapped my arms around his shoulder to hold him to me, not wanting him to let me go. His lips never broke contact with mine for the entire trip. He never lost his footing once and I felt safe in his hands.

He placed me on the counter in the bathroom as he finally broke the kiss. Our foreheads were together, and I could feel his breath dancing across my lips still.

"Shower? I hear it's really complicated to turn this thing on. You know, I might need someone to show me how to use all of those gadgets and things in there also," he said with a sly grin tiptoeing itself across his face.

"Those gadgets are simply called soap and water. You're a big boy, you can handle it." My words were pushing him to the shower alone, but my body was screaming for him to just take me in with him. I already had a shower, but wouldn't mind getting dirty again before having another.

"You know, I'm really exhausted from the trip here and could use some help," he grinned.

I knew getting in the shower with him would be delicious. However, I also knew that I had friends in the next room that could hear and if I am being honest, I'm no field mouse in the sack. They would hear me screaming for sure.

"I would rather keep my friends ears and hearts thinking as innocently of me as possible, if that’s okay with you. The tournament will be finished soon and we will go home and you can have your way with me as often as you like," I teased, then realized again that I had something completely embarrassing. "That is, of course, if you want to go home with me. I naturally assume and shouldn't and I just… yeah. Okay, I'm going to shut up now."

"You assume I would want to be with you at your home? How dare you think I would want that when I am only here on this level of existence because of you," he mocked with a chuckle. He put his hands on either side of my face and tilted it up so I could look into his eyes. "I would love nothing more than to be with you, if you will have me."

A tear threatened to make its way into my vision and I rubbed it away. "That sounds pretty good to me."

His smile melted my heart every time I saw it. This time was no exception. "Well, now that we have that all squared away, can you really help me with the shower. I checked it out earlier while you were in there rescuing Rey, and it really is all weird."

"What, really? Of course I can. You just turn this and flip that and bam! Water!"

"Yes, but as you reached in to do it, I had one hell of a view from this angle. Thanks for that," he said and gently spanked my ass as I walked by.

I stuck my tongue out at him, "Such a guy!"

"You don't complain any other time!" he called out to me as I entered the bedroom to change and force myself to stay out of the bathroom. I decided to go with one of the few cute pieces of clothing I had with me, a simple little black dress. I went to the vanity and sat down to fix my hair to look at least a bit presentable. It was going to be the first time Devin saw me out with my friends and I wanted him to know that I wasn't always just bumming around in sweat pants and tank tops.

I looked in the mirror and could see the steam reflecting from the bathroom. I could smell the body wash, and suddenly felt sad that his amazing scent was going to be washed away and he would smell like me later. Then, I giggled to myself for having such a girly thought. This was not me at all. I felt odd, but good to even have thoughts like that. I had never noticed how Jamison smelled or cared what I looked like when I went somewhere with him. I didn't feel that I was in love with Devin, but I was definitely enjoying having someone around that made me feel new things and wish for more in life.

I quickly threw my hair up in a golden, decorative butterfly clip covered in stones. Then I slipped on the bracelet my father gave me for college graduation. It was crystals, topaz, peridot, and an antique green charm in the center. I wore it for luck at many tournaments. Tonight I wanted to wear it to have something of my family on me, when I was planning to have such a great night out with my friends. Then hopefully win tonight's poker game, and head home as a champion on many levels.

I glanced in the mirror again to see the steam still billowing. I smiled knowing that Devin was enjoying his shower as a free man. I put a touch of mascara on my lashes, a dab of blush on my cheeks, and lip gloss. I was a simple girl in every aspect.

I checked myself once over in the mirror and was proud of the outcome of my efforts.

"I will be waiting for you in the other room, baby. I'm sure your clothes will be here soon," I called to Devin as I was walking out the door.

"I love when you call me baby! Okay, I'm just enjoying some alone time in here since my woman won't honor me with her presence in the mist," he joked back.

"Maybe later if you behave," I retorted with a grin and stepped through to the other room.

"Ooh la la, hot stuff," Victoria said as soon as she saw me. "I feel a little underdressed."

"Pfft, you look beautiful as always," I disagreed; my usual stance on almost any subject that Victoria complained about.

"Well, thank you. Love what you've done here. This is all flashy and sexy. I'm surprised. Where did you get the shoes?" she asked while checking out my newest purchase.

"I got those when I went shopping with Carly the other day before we headed up here. She forced me to get them and said that a sexy shoe could disarm a man in seconds. Since I'm all about protection, I figured, why not?" I giggled.

"Food and shoes is all that, that girl loves in life," Victoria giggled.

"And us, she loves us. Where is she anyway? I know she is going to have a comment about my awesome hair," I said striking an embarrassing pose.

"Oh no no no. Put that pose away. See, you want people to be seen in public with you, you can't go all Vogue on us, okay? Please?" Victoria was nearly begging. "Oh, and she went to the corner market. She said she needed something for later. I don't know what that means, but she should be back any second now."

"She is always prepared, that one. She must have been a Girl Scout. I forgot to ever ask her that. Maybe later! Oh and I promise not to dance in front of anyone while we are eating dinner," I vowed.

"Uh no, that left too much room in the rest of the day for you to act like a fool. You must edit yourself, lady," she forced.

"Okay, ummm… I promise not to dance or sing or maim anyone while we are out, as a group, unless they deserve it. Better?"

"What sort of offense would someone have to commit to have to suffer through you singing something? That's not even right to threaten that, dang!" Victoria's voice was nearly cracking with hysterics. "We could create signs and put them up as warnings to people who enjoy keeping their food down."

I plastered a fake-hurtful face on and pretended to cry, "But… but… Victoria! I just wanted to be a superstar like all the rest of the pop singers. If they can do it, surely I can!"

"You might be right about that, but let's just not chance it, okay honey?"

"Okay fine, I’ll just stick with what I know!"

"Being sexy?" Devin questioned as he poked his head out of the room wearing only a towel around his waist. The steam wafted out of the roof around him, creating a very sexy image that I was sure wasn't wasted on Victoria as well.

"No, poker and violence," Victoria answered for me.

"Violence? She's as timid as a field mouse," Devin said with a sweet grin.

"Ha! She hasn't needed to spar with you or otherwise attempt to dismember you yet. You're lucky!" Victoria said as she walked toward the kitchenette. "You guys need anything?"

"No, I am saving myself for dinner. I'm starting to hit starvation mode though, where is everyone?" I could hear that I was about to become whiny when the suite door opened and Rey and Rhea barreled through laughing, and generally being very buddy-buddy together.

"Well, aren't you two the friendly bunch?" I asked with a wink to Rey. "Must be one of the 1%, hmm?"

"Seems so," he agreed and handed me a huge bag of things. "There are underclothes, pants, shirts, boots, shoes, and a few other things in there as selections. While we are out, we can hit some stores and things to get him some more stuff. I wasn't sure of his style, so I just winged it." He looked over at Devin with a head nod, "Hope you don't mind, bro."

"No dude, thanks. Whatever you got will work. Just need something to cover up my sexiness before Alexia plays slice-and-dice with some strangers face. I hear she's prone to violence."

"You have no idea!" Rey agreed and I grabbed the remote off the table and tossed it at him. "See? Violence. I did a nice thing and still she tries to hurt me with things!"

"It was that or watch the rest of that horrible football game! What sort of person wants to watch a San Francisco and Seattle game anyway?" I said, placing my hands on my hips and quirking my eyebrow in a blatant act of team-bashing hatefulness.

"Um, sinfully amazing people do. That's one of the best rivalries ever. What is wrong with you? Are you about get girly on me? Stop it. Stop it right now!" Rhea shook her finger at me to scold my awful taste in football teams.

"Bro, you're going to have to work on your girl. I don't know if I can maintain a friendship with someone that likes some team named after their town milling industry whose uniforms make them look like deficient bumblebees, seriously." Rey apparently had been paying way too close attention to conversations and had enough ammo to harass me back, even about what sports I watched. Just like any other typical male. Demon or not, that guy was just like everyone else. Annoying and in need of a beating.

"It's ok, dude. I feel your pain. Imagine I am going to have to be the one that watches that lame team now! Do you know how terrible their quarterback is? Maybe they would let me play for them. I can't possibly be any worse!"

"Okay, enough of the rising bromance! Go get dressed so we can eat!" I shouted as I pushed Devin to the other room with his goodie bag in hand. "We will see if we can find Carly on the way out. Was she at least dressed and ready when she left?" I asked Victoria.

"Yeah, she had on a cute little dress and heels. She was sharp, you know how she is. She put a lot of effort into that outfit tonight, I'm sure she's not wasting it. We had plans together, but you know how she is, babe, flighty, random, unavailable. Don't hold your breath for her to be there. She will show up when she's good and ready," Rhea stated matter-of-factly.

"Okay, good and yeah, I know. Her random side trips often make her late for things, but we always entertain ourselves, no biggie." If I was truthful, her showing up late all the time and not really caring about our plans upset me and hurt my feelings often, but it wasn't worth fighting about or pointing out to her. The three of us always rocked out our night no matter what.

"Give me a few also, while Devin is getting ready and I will change, too," Rhea added as she dashed off to her room to change.

Victoria and I looked at each other with wide eyes and I mouthed, "What the??" to Victoria. She returned the sentiment. Rhea was not a girly girl either. None of us, besides Carly, were. For any of us to get dressed up for a night out was rare. For all of us to do it, something was definitely different. It felt nice to want to get dressed up, and be together and have a good time without stressing about the game or anything else.

"What time does our tournament start tonight?" Rey asked, as if in my thoughts.

"It started at 9pm. We have tons of time," I assured.

"Yeah, I don’t even want to go, but I will since I made final table and all. Plus, it will be great to kick your ass now. I always enjoy kicking your ass." His grin didn't even annoy me for once.

"You say always like you have done it every time. I've handed your ass to you many times, don't front!" I argued back playfully.

"Yeah, whatever. Women can't play poker," he said just to get a rise out of me.

"I'm not a woman, I'm a ninja!" I struck a dangerous looking pose and everyone joined in a round of laughter at my expense. "Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence, jerks!"

We all continued to giggle and poke fun at each other until Rey came out of the room. His hair was still damp and hung slightly over one eye, making him appear shy. The shirt Rey had brought him was the exact shade of blue of Devin's eyes and made him look incredibly sexy. The pants and shoes were clearly choices directly from Rey's Italian fashion sense. Nearly everything Rey ever wore was high-end fashion, expensive, and Italian made.

"You tried to make Devin be one of your sidekicks, also?" I teased.

"No, woman. I gave that man a bag full of awesome and hoped he would put it together properly. He gets an A for this class. Next class will be in how to make women weak in the knees," he goaded me.

"Maybe you should let him teach you that one?" I poked back.

"You two are like brother and sister, I swear," I heard Rhea complain from the other side of the room.

We all turned to see her walking toward us in a pastel babydoll dress with the cutest wedges I have ever seen. Her hair was pulled up in a twist and secured with a simple clip. The blue streak in her hair (this week) was blended in, but also matched the blues in the dress. She looked demure and sweet. I had never seen her look like either of those things.

"Wow, Rhea. You look incredible!"

"Geez, don't sound so shocked. It's not like I don't own clothes, I just never have a reason to wear them anywhere," she added and glanced toward Rey. It looked like she was seeking his approval. Another thing I had never seen her do before.

If she wanted his approval, she didn't need to wait a second more. "Wow, sweetie. You look amazing. Care to join a demon for a bite to eat? I promise it won't be you that is dinner, this time," he said with a slight grin as he offered her his arm.

To my shock, she accepted his arm!

"Thanks. Okay let's go before everyone has a fit or dies or something," she said rushing us out the door.

"Do I need to make a formal invitation, love?" Devin asked me moments later.

"No, of course not, let's go get some grub!" I said giggling.

"That's my girl," he said happily as he grabbed my hand, laced our fingers together, and walked toward the elevator.

"Our mission is to hunt down Carly so she doesn't miss out on the food. You know she will cuss us if we leave her out when there is food involved," I said with a giggle. The round of agreement behind me was enough to ensure me that everyone was on board.