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I lean forward. “I expect you to organize a replacement liaison for Miss Grant immediately.”
“Yes, you can. Because if you don’t arrange it, I will. And I don’t think you want your senior partners to receive a call from me. I don’t care what you tell them to get the change made, but if it falls to me to do it, I’ll tell them exactly what the issue is. I can guarantee that won’t end well for you or Miss Grant.”
I cover my face with my hands. “He went down on me. While Paul was outside waiting to meet with him.”
A huge grin spreads across her face, and she barks out a laugh. “I hate to say it, but I like the guy’s style. Paul deserves it, the selfish asshole.” Then she notices my face. “What’s wrong? You can’t tell me you feel bad for him?”
Alex tips her head to the side and smirks. “Ah, my poor, naïve friend. You actually believe Cole went down on you out of the goodness of his heart? Because he’s some kind of sexual good Samaritan?”
“I’m flying to Chicago at the end of this week to represent the King Group at a black-tie benefit gala. I plan to visit the hotel site while I’m there. Since you have a site visit scheduled soon anyway, it makes sense for you to come with me. And since we’ll be there together, I’d like you to attend the gala as my plus one.”
“Delilah.” I look at him over my shoulder. His jaw works and he looks uncomfortable for the first time since I’ve known him. “I’m sorry that I made you feel alone.”
Miss West, Use this card to purchase a dress and shoes for the gala on Friday night, as well as anything else you might need. Please remember you will be representing the King Group, so make sure you take advantage of the unlimited budget. Cole
She stares at me, then lets out a short laugh. “I think that’s the first time you’ve made a joke. I mean, it was an awful one. But I like that you tried.” She throws a smirk over her shoulder as she turns to walk further onto the plot.
He leans down, his breath fluttering the tendrils of hair at my neck. “You look beautiful, kitten.”
“Delilah, look at me.” Cole’s deep voice is commanding enough to get me to turn toward him. “I told you back in New York that I don’t have to manipulate women into having sex with me, and that’s true. I brought you here because it made sense for you to join me. But I’m not going to lie, either. I want to fuck you again. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since you walked into the meeting room that first day, and I’m tired of fighting it.”
“Cole?” a female voice calls from down the hallway. “Cole, are you down here? One of the servers told me he saw you come this way.”
If I were any other man, I might get addicted.
“I want to fuck you again. I thought last night would get this out of my system, but there are still things I haven’t had a chance to do to you yet.”
I take in a shuddery breath, trying to get my head around what he’s suggesting. “You want to date me?” I wince at the small snort that escapes him. “I don’t date. But I don’t want last night to be it. I want us to work this thing out of our systems, and that takes however long it takes.”
“I know this is casual and temporary, but it has to be exclusive. If you decide you’re done, you need to tell me before you move on to someone else.” Understanding flits across his face. “The same goes for you,” he says. “I don’t want you letting another man touch you while you’re mine.”
“I can’t tonight. I’m having dinner with Alex. I’m going there straight from work.” She’s blowing me off to have dinner with another man? “Who’s Alex?” Even to me, my voice sounds rougher than usual.
“As hot as he is, and as much as I’ve been pro having the sexy billionaire give you multiple orgasms, I can’t help but wish someone other than him had swept you off your feet. After everything you’ve said, he doesn’t sound like the most emotionally available man around.”
Alex’s smile is gentle. “If I thought it would stay just a casual fling, I’d agree with you, but you know how these things go. Usually someone catches feelings, and from what you’ve told me, it doesn’t sound like it’s going to be Cole.”
He clears his throat. “I decided it would be better if she weren’t here, and she was due for some leave anyway.” His tone changes, becoming softer. “I was thinking of you, Delilah. I didn’t want to hurt you anymore than I already have. Can’t you see? I’m sorry for what I did. It was a terrible mistake and I regret it. Don’t risk your job just to get back at me. You know the type of man Cole is. He’ll break your heart worse than I ever could. All I want is a second chance with you. To show you how I’ve changed.”
“You didn’t have trouble jumping into bed with someone else, though, did you? Does Cole know you’re the type of woman to go out to bars and pick up strange men?”
“When I was in the London office, Philippa and I hooked up. It was only ever meant to be casual, and it ended when I came back home. Then you and I started dating. But when she came over from the UK, she let me know she wanted to continue our relationship. I’d hoped things would progress between you and me, but obviously they didn’t. Since Philippa made it clear she wanted us to pick up where we left off,
I’ve had enough of his pettiness. I have an answer about what happened, and I don’t want to look at his face anymore. I push my way past him and into the main office, only to grind to a halt when I see the figure standing by my desk. What is Cole doing here?
His finger moves in and out of me as we stare down at the plans in front of us. I struggle to form words. “He was . . . uh . . . wanting to know why I would be reckless enough to sleep with you. And then . . . And then . . .”
He doesn’t answer the question, only studies me, his eyes dipping to my lips. “Are you looking for an excuse to take him back?”
His fingers stop moving inside me, and he leans closer. “Good, because I’m not done with this sweet little pussy yet.” He leans a little closer. “And I have plans for her.”
“You’re coming back to my place tonight. Stay late. We’ll leave straight from work.” “I thought you had plans tonight.” “I did. Now I don’t.”
You’re obviously used to getting what you want when you want it. You obviously don’t care what you have to do or say to get it. So, if what you wanted when you kissed Jessica Friday night was a quick and easy way to get rid of the immature workplace hookup that’s been hanging around a little too long, congratulations. You got it.”
Maybe it’s better if she ends it anyway. I’ve got too much going on with work at the moment, and spending so much time with one woman might be a novelty, but that was always going to wear off eventually. So why the hell does my chest feel so fucking tight? The way her voice wavered when she told me I hurt her had sliced right through my ribs and into my heart. When was the last time anything had reached that frozen organ?
So I tell him. “She ended it. Just before you came in.” His brows shoot skyward. “She ended it?”
“You like her.”
It’s a statement, not a question, but I answer him anyway. “I enjoyed spending time with her, that’s all.”
“I hurt her.”
“Well, she obviously feels something for you if she was hurt enough to end things.”
“Are you planning to get her back?” Tate asks.
“Your architect. Are you going to make it up to her?”
“So if she’s single now, you won’t mind if I ask her out?” My eyes shoot to his, rage bubbling up in my chest. He’s more of a playboy than any of us. “Keep your fucking hands off her.” He’s still laughing when he shuts the door behind him.
“Hi, Delilah? This is Sophie. I’m Tate King’s PA.” “Oh, hi,” I say tentatively. “Tate would like to have a word with you in his office. Do you have a spare moment?” “Yes, of course.”
but Tate’s timing has me wondering if it has anything to do with what happened between Cole and me. Surely not. Billionaires have more important things to do than involve themselves in each other’s failed flings.
Tate is leaning back in his chair and smiling at me. My breath catches. I’ve never seen Cole’s younger brother up close before.
He chuckles. “You’re right. This isn’t something I’d normally handle. But I had an ulterior motive for asking you up here.”
“Let’s just say I wanted to meet the woman who had my brother in a less than pleasant mood yesterday.”
“To what do I owe the honor of this phone ca—” He stops, catching my eye and winking as he leans back in his chair. I frown and fidget with the sheets I’m holding as I do my best to ignore his private call. “Uh-huh. Uh-huh. I’m sensing some aggravation from you, Cole.”
“I was merely talking to Miss West about the marketing plans.” He listens for a moment. “I agree. That’s not my job. Which is why Delilah is going to drop them down to the team now.” He pauses again. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. This meeting is completely professional. My door stayed open the whole time. As you obviously saw when you walked past.”
The humor simmering under the surface of his expression fades. His gaze gets distant, and he nods. “Thank you, Delilah.”
As soon as I’d gotten off the phone with him, I’d been out my door and making an excuse to talk to Samson about something, just waiting for her to come down the corridor.
If Tate thinks I’ll let him have Delilah, he’s sadly mistaken.
“I apologized. I explained what happened. I told you I haven’t been with her since before I met you. And you’re giving me nothing.” With my other hand, I brush her hair off her neck so I can run my nose along the soft skin, breathe in her scent. “Do you want me to believe you’re done with me—with this—because I made a mistake?”
Her head falls forward. “You hurt me, and that’s not what this was supposed to be about. I think it might be better if we just let things go.” Shock rattles through me, followed by a swift sting behind my ribs. “What if I don’t want to let things go?”
“I don’t feel anything when I’m with Jessica. Sex between us has always been . . .” I shake my head. “Fucking cold and empty. It’s different with you. When I touch you, it’s pure fucking heat, and I haven’t had enough. I want more with you.”
