A Demon in Stilettos Read Free Page A

sure, you’re okay?”
    “Thank you. I’m fine, now.” she said. The doctor slowly removed his hands.
    “Watch that floor,” he warned, walking away.Before pulling on the cafeteria’s door, Johns turned to face Coy. He nodded, giving Coy one last glimpse of his tawny, well-defined face. Straight dark brows hovered over sensual, deep-set eyes. Although his upper lip was shapely and thin, his bottom lip was wide and succulent.
    Coy’s heart was racing. Although she had been working at the center for eight years, Johns was only hired a year ago. Fortunately, his office was on her floor. Since then, she yearned for Johns touch. Unfortunately, their first touch came by accident. Even if he never spoke to her again, he’d made her day.
    After the women stepped inside the elevator, Erin pushed the button to the 7 th floor. “Hardly in his league, Coy.” She shook her head. “That Lincoln will never park in your vacant garage.”
    “I know.” She pushed her large glasses back upon her nose, then stuck her nail between her teeth. “But I can dream, right?”
    When they reached their work area, Erin pushed the doors open, and then slung her purse into her locker. Securing her hair, she placed a sterile bouffant cap upon her head. “Really Coy. Sometimes, I wonder about you. I know you had the perfect childhood. Two supporting parents, and one sexy big brother, but…” Erin started toward the sink to wash her hands, “what part do you not understand? Perhaps, I can help.”
    She held her hand under the antibacterial soap dispenser, then scowled. “No one wants you. You’re a lab rat, okay. To top it off, you’re clumsy, too. There’s nothing hard about what I’m saying. We’re like the snails in Johns’ fish tank. We eat his crap, find his jewels, then dispose of his waste. What part of out of your league do you not understand?”
    “Look Erin.” Coy placed her soapy hands under the warm stream, then lowered her eyes to accommodate Erin’s short stature. “Each day you remind me of how unworthy I am as a human being. And you do this in the name of friendship. If I believed what people said about me, I’d blow my brains out. I know my self-esteem is low. But I intend to work on that. Lincoln has been here almost a year. As far as I know, no one has made a move on him, yet.”
    “There might be a reason for that.” Erin stepped on the lever to the trash receptacle and the top popped open. She tossed her damp paper towel into the trash.“If you want Lincoln Johns, you’ve got to step up your game.”
    Coy paused. “Step up my game?”
    “Men like Johns love powerful, confident women.” Erin pointed to Coy’s drab clothing and dull hair style. “Look at yourself. Be honest. With your caterpillar eyebrows, and your unkempt lips—do you really fit that description?”
    “No, but…” Her eyes followed Erin’s movements.
    “Girlfriend. If Doctor Lincoln Johns looks at you twice, it’s probably because you’re standing in front of a gorgeous woman. Grow some confidence.”
    Coy gave her a sidelong glance. “Confidence.”
    “Yeah. Even with my bad acne, I have more confidence than you. You—on the other hand, have none. You’re socially inept. A lab rat—a geek—a brain with adolescent legs.”
    “Enough,” Coy warned, reaching for a pair of latex gloves. “My personality is not on trial here.”
    “Of course, you aren’t a bad person—just a little antisocial. Believe me, that’s not in your favor.”
    Coy opened a new box of surgical masks. “Today is my lucky day. I’m going to throw myself in Johns’ path, I promise, he’ll notice.”
    Erin stared into Coy’s large brown eyes. “You like beating yourself up, huh?” She snatched a sterile mask from Coy’s box.
    “Just watch,” she chuckled. “I’m going to bend him to my will.”
    Erin shook her head. “You seem desperate and needy.” Erin pushed her aside. “Needy women are man repellants. Come up with something