The Devil of Downtown (Uptown Girls, #3)

by Joanna Shupe

Spinning, she made a fist and punched the attacker’s throat. Hard.

OH WORM???? I like her already

Then she noticed his hands. He held a scrap of cloth and was using it to wipe . . . blood off his knuckles. My God. “Are you bleeding?” The side of his mouth curved. “This isn’t my blood. Please, have a seat.”

OH BOY

Mulligan’s expression shifted, a gleam in his gaze that hadn’t been there before. “Remarkable,” she thought he said under his breath.

REMARKABLE OH I'M SATTTTTTTT

“Doubtful. You seem the kind of man to keep people under your thumb, turning the screws.” The side of his mouth hitched. “I am fond of screwing.” She huffed out a breath and cocked her head. “Was that innuendo?” “If you cannot tell then I’ve clearly lost my touch.” “I thought I wasn’t your type?” He lifted a shoulder and shoved his hands in his trouser pockets. “The more you argue with me, the more ‘my type’ you become.”

OH THIS IS DELECTABLE

Justine was hell on a man’s confidence. If he were a weaker man, he might take offense. A slow smile spread over his face. Good thing he wasn’t weak. Not in the least.

ATTABOY JACK

“Do you trust me?” “Absolutely not.” That caused him to throw his head back and laugh. “Smart girl. Considering the thoughts running through my head at the moment, you’d be wise not to.” “What do you mean?” His head tilted as he perused her from head to toe. Something about the slow examination made her feel both hot and cold at the same time. “Impure thoughts,” he rasped. “About you.”

SCREAMING

Pitching his voice low, he asked, “Why are you really here this evening?”

OHHHH LORD

“You said I wasn’t your type.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I lied. Shall I prove it to you?”

I!!!! LIED!!!!!!!

She gave him a jaunty salute then started for the brougham. Good luck, wolf. Find another lamb to play with.

Obsessed with her actually

She’d offhandedly mentioned this factory to Mulligan during their lunch, including its location. He must have decided to come intimidate Mr. Bay into treating the workers fairly.

JACK MULLIGAN THE MAN THAT U ARE......

He lifted a hand and dragged the backs of his knuckles gently across her cheek. Her knees trembled, her body caught under his spell. Had she melted into a puddle on the sidewalk yet? “You have a good heart, and I admire you for it,” he said. “But you’ve been swindled, chérie, and I mean to make it right.”

Gotta be honest he's REALLY doing it for me

He dropped a twenty-dollar bill on the wood then held up three fingers behind Justine’s back, his brows raised meaningfully.

Why did this actually make me laugh out loud. He's so gone for her

She clutched Jack’s arm. “I cannot believe it. I won. I’ve never won anything before.”

Oh justine ilysm

“Fifty dollars.” Mulligan made a strangled noise in his throat. “Chérie, have I taught you nothing?”

Him calling her chérie does funny things to my insides

Heart pounding, he was utterly charmed. Dazzled. Unable to take his eyes off her. The young boy he’d never been wished to pick posies for her or dip her hair in ink. The man he was now longed to drop to his knees and suck on her clitoris until her eyes rolled back in her head.

HIS DUALITY >>>>

Eight pins tumbled to the back of the lane. Rye hustled to gather them while Justine jumped and clapped. Spinning, she pointed at Jack. “Take that, Mulligan!” Jack couldn’t help but grin back at her. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had this much fun.

I LOVE THEM SO BAD OH MY GOD

God help him if this woman ever decided she’d like a night in his bed. He’d probably come in his trousers.

SMDKSKDJSJDJSJ

She dropped into the chair next to him, her skin glowing from exertion. How in hell had he ever thought her plain?

I love moments like these. It's a testament to how far they've come

“You’re missing the lesson.” “I’d rather have a different lesson right now.” “What kind of lesson, cara?” “The one where you stop talking.” She didn’t wait. Rising on her toes, she crushed her mouth to his.

SLAYYYYY JUSTINE

“Mulligan,” she breathed, unable to say more than that one word. She hoped he understood what he was doing to her. “Jack.” “What?” Leaning in, he dragged his nose along her neck, and she heard him inhale. Was he smelling her? “Say my first name when you sigh like that.”

I'M MELTING

“I’d start by leading you to my bedroom. I’ve never had a woman there and I’m keen to see you spread out on my bed. I’d undress you, of course, until you were in just your stockings. Then I want to feel your silk-covered feet digging into my back as I’m tonguing your pussy.”

BRB SCREAMING INTO A PILLOW

“That was amazing,” she said. Her eyes were closed and she had a satisfied smile on her face. “I am glad you thought so, chérie. However, if you’re still capable of complete sentences, then that means I’m not quite done yet.” And he started the entire process all over again.

NEED HIM BIBLICALLY

She’d come three times before he finally poured her into Rye’s carriage and saw her off. The goodbye barely registered, she’d been so dazed. She remembered him kissing her sweetly, his mouth and tongue tasting of her, and saying he hoped she’d enjoyed herself. Hoped she’d enjoyed herself? Any more enjoyment and she’d have died.

JACK MULLIGAN YOU ARE AN ABSOLUTE STAR

Stepping closer, he bent and put his lips near her ear. “We’ll finish this as quickly as I can manage. Then you’d best be wet and ready to take care of those delicate things because they are aching for you.”

IKTR!!!!!!!

“Serving soup and handing out pamphlets hardly qualifies as the kinds of work she’d be involved in as a police officer.” Mamie’s eyes narrowed at his condescending tone. “Yes, taking bribes and looking the other way from crime requires a special skill.”

GET HIM MAMIE

Bringing his mouth to hover above hers, he whispered, “Shall we go to Bond Street, cara? Where I may spread you out on my bed and feast on your pussy until sundown.”

Oh my GOD

Everything in him told him to refuse. To keep her tethered tightly to him. Yet, how could he not give her everything she wanted, even if it took her away from him? Her eyes were full of hope, looking at him as if he could do anything. Could solve any problem. It made him feel like the most powerful man in the world, a god among men. He’d give his entire fortune to avoid disappointing her.

He loves her so much omg

“You are so lovely,” he murmured, cupping one of her breasts. “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

SWEET TALKERRRRR

“That’s it.” His thrusts turned rough and hard, drawing out her climax. “Good girl. Yes, keep coming. God, you are fucking beautiful. I don’t want this to end.”

MAN.

He strode to the washroom. “Don’t move, you glorious creature.”

I'm living for all his compliments he's literally my dream man

“There’s nothing to understand. I wanted to see you and this is where you are.”

I am in love with him your honour

His mouth hitched when she started toward him. Warmth shone in his startling blue eyes. “A ride, miss?” “I am looking for the bighearted, good-looking man who was inside a few moments ago. Have you seen him?” “Perhaps. Was there some sort of reward being offered?” She stepped closer, mere inches from him. “Most definitely. A large reward just for him.” Jack’s throat worked as he swallowed. “Then come aboard. We’ll see about locating him for you.”

Their banter is everythinggggg

He took a step back and her arm dropped to her side. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he said, “That’s a shame because I’ll do everything in my power to forget about you.”

GAGGED

He hadn’t stepped foot in his office since she left, the sight of the room like a swift kick in the stones. Returning to Bond Street was also out of the question. Probably time to find a real estate agent and sell it because he’d never sleep there again.

GODDDDDD

She’s not what I pictured for you. Kind of plain.” He lifted a shoulder and scratched his jaw. “Sometimes the plain ones are better to fuck, though. They try harder in bed.” Jack’s blood roared in his veins and he struggled against the ropes once more. “You son of a bitch.”

DEFENDING HER HONOUR JACK MULLIGAN I LOVE YOU

“I wouldn’t think twice if it meant saving you.” “Then you’re a fool!” Her skin burned, the words like a match to her insides. “No, I am in love with you!” she shouted.

YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

“I won’t do it, cara,” he said softly. “I watched you put yourself in danger, hold a man at gunpoint, and I was terrified that you’d be hurt and I wouldn’t be able to prevent it. Whatever this is between us ends today.”

What is this, angst city???