“Whatever, Oliver. This is getting old real fast.”
My phone beeped with a text message from Liam.
“Good job, bro. See you tomorrow.”
Scott pulled up to Laurel’s apartment building and she got out in a huff, walking away without saying good night. What the hell was I doing? Why was I still with her? I didn’t love her, I wasn’t in love with her, in fact, half the time, I couldn’t stand being in the same room with her. I needed to end things and fast. All I could think about was the look on Delilah’s face when she got into that cab. She was angry, I could tell. She had the same look on her face that she had when she came back from the bathroom and found Laurel sitting in her seat. If that damn fundraiser wasn’t tomorrow, I would have told Laurel to leave and ended things with her right then and there. She had no business showing up the way she did and I knew she only did it because Delilah was there.
I walked up the stairs and straight to Delilah’s room. I lightly knocked and prayed she was still awake. I needed to apologize to her.
“Come in,” I heard her say.
When I opened the door, she walked from the bathroom and looked at me. She was so fucking sexy standing there in her pajamas.
“Oliver, what are you doing here? I thought you were at Laurel’s?”
“No. I dropped her off and came home. I wanted to apologize to you for tonight.”
She walked over to the dresser and picked up a bottle of lotion. “There’s nothing to apologize for.”
I stood there, frozen for a moment. She was so innocent and sweet. I couldn’t hold back anymore. The beast inside me erupted as I hastily walked over to her and grabbed her face, smashing my mouth into hers, tasting and feeling the softness of her beautiful lips. I had just crossed the line.
Chapter 19
Delilah
It happened so fast. His lips on mine, slipping his tongue inside and me letting him. I reciprocated at first, but then I pushed him away. I didn’t want to. I didn’t want his lips to leave mine, but it wasn’t right. He looked at me as shock swept across his face.
“I’m sorry, Delilah. I didn’t—”
I put my hand up and turned away. “Don’t. Don’t apologize. We went out and had too much to drink. It’s the alcohol, Oliver, and I get that. That can never happen again. I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m the one who fucked up.”
“You didn’t fuck up. Please don’t think that.” God, this was killing me and my eyes were starting to tear up.
“I don’t want things to be awkward between us because of this.”
“They won’t be. Go to bed. Sleep it off and we’ll pretend this never happened. I promise. It won’t be awkward.”
“Good night, Delilah.” I heard the door shut and I turned around, holding my fingers to my lips, which were still pulsating from his feral kiss.
I climbed into bed, almost shaking from the feeling that overwhelmed me with just the mere touch of his lips. I wanted him, and if I would have let him continue, we would have had mind-blowing sex. I know we would have. I didn’t want to stop it, but I had to. He had a girlfriend, maybe not a nice girlfriend, but he still was with her and I would be known as the girl he had cheated on her with. Plus, he was my boss and I needed this job. What if we slept together and things changed?
I had a fear of relationships. As I grew up, my mom gave me that fear with all the different men she slept with and getting pregnant by four different guys. I don’t ever remember my mom having a boyfriend. She said relationships were toxic to the soul because they changed people. Thinking back on it, look at what it did to Oliver and how it changed his views. Did I ever truly believe what my mom said? I think subconsciously I did and that was why I wouldn’t date anyone long enough to find out for myself. I had never depended on anyone to take care of me. I was the caregiver my whole life and I was fine with that.
The next morning, I opened my eyes and looked at the clock. It read eight fifteen. I jumped out of bed, threw on a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt, and flew down the stairs to find Sophie.
“Clara, where’s Sophie?” I asked in a panic.
“She’s out with Mr. Wyatt. They went down to the bakery to get some fresh bagels. Are you okay, Delilah?” She poured me a cup of coffee.
I sat down at the table and put my hand on my forehead. “Yeah, I’m fine. I didn’t mean to sleep this late.”
The front door opened and Sophie ran into the kitchen, throwing her arms around me. “You’re up.” She smiled.
“Yeah. I’m sorry, Soph. I didn’t mean to sleep so late.”
“It’s okay, Delilah. We got in late last night.” Oliver gave me a small smile.
“Me and Daddy walked down the street and bought bagels with cream cheese.”
“Did you have fun?” I asked as I pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.
“Yeah. Do you want one?”
“Maybe later.”
Oliver set the plate of bagels on the table. “They’re still warm. That’s when they’re the best. You should have one now.”
“Thanks. Maybe I will.” I reached for the salted bagel.
****
Oliver
I tried to play it off as if nothing happened last night. As if I never kissed her and that it was all a dream. But the truth was, I did kiss her and it was a kiss that I would never forget. I wanted more of her. I needed more of her. To be inside her and make her come was my only desire. As the day went on, I worked in my study and didn’t see Delilah the rest of the day. When I walked upstairs to take a shower and get ready for the fundraiser, I stopped outside her door and listened to her sweet angelic voice as she sang a song and strummed her guitar. I was nervous about tomorrow. We’d be driving Sophie to Kelsey’s house in Vermont. Sophie being in the car would ease things, but the five-hour ride home alone with Delilah would be awkward.
I went to Sophie’s room and stepped inside. “Are you all packed for Aunt Kelsey’s?” I asked her as she moved the paint brush up and down the canvas.
“Yes, Daddy. See? There’s my suitcase.” She pointed to the corner of the room.
I sat down on the edge of the bed and asked her to come sit on my lap. She did as I asked and looked up at me with her beautiful green eyes.
“Are you sure you want to go tomorrow? Because if you don’t, I can tell Aunt Kelsey you’re not ready.”
“It’s fine, Daddy. I can’t wait to see the horses.” Her grin was wide.
“Okay, but if at any time you want to come home, you are to call me. Deal?”
“Deal.” She wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a hug.
The door opened and I gasped when Delilah stepped inside in her evening gown.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were in here.”
Sophie jumped up from my lap and ran over to her. “You look so beautiful,” she said. “Daddy, look at Delilah.”
“I am, princess.” I smiled.
Her black, sleeveless silhouette gown with the beaded side panel took my breath away. The way the dress hugged her hourglass figure and accentuated her five foot nine frame aroused me. The way her brown hair lay in soft waves over her shoulders made my cock rise even faster. I gulped as I stood up and placed my hand in my pocket, trying to control myself.
“Well?” She smiled. “What do you think?”
“It’s a beautiful dress and you look very pretty.”
“Thank you. The best part,” she said with a wide smile, “it was on clearance.”
I let out a light laugh. “I better go and get ready. Liam will be here soon to pick you up.”
She gave me a small smile as I left the room.
Chapter 20
Delilah
Watching Oliver help Laurel from the limo made my stomach churn. His limo pulled up to the Waldorf Astoria a few moments after Liam’s did.
“You nervous?” Liam asked as he grabbed my hand.
“A little.”
“Don
’t be. You’ll do great and everyone will love you. Are you going to be on your best behavior tonight where Laurel is concerned?”
“I’ll try, but if she starts anything, I’ll finish it.” I smirked.
“Well, if that happens, make sure I’m around. I’d love to see you take that bitch down.”
We got out of the limo and Oliver turned and looked at me as Laurel hooked her arm in his.
“We got this.” Liam winked as he held out his arm for me.
We entered the grand ballroom and I was speechless. From the opulent lightening, floral arrangements, and white covered tables, I felt like I was transported into another time. Liam and I walked over to where Oliver and Laurel were standing. If she was trying to make it obvious that she was looking me up and down, she did a good job.
“Hello, Laurel. You’re looking mighty spiffy this evening.” Liam smiled.
“Shut up, Liam.” She scowled.
Her strapless red dress was stunning. Too bad she ruined it by wearing it. The guests started to pour in. About three hundred of them, to be exact. I had invited Jenny and Stephen to attend and to represent her father’s fruit market. She said they would love to donate to such a worthy cause. She walked in and Stephen wasn’t on her arm; Jonah was.
“Hey, you two.” I leaned over and gave them each a hug.
“Stephen has the flu. So I asked Jonah to accompany me.”
“Bummer about Stephen. But bringing Jonah was an excellent choice.” I smiled.
Oliver walked over to me and lightly took hold of my arm. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to steal this beautiful lady for a moment.”
“Sure. We’ll catch up later.”
“I just wanted to tell you that you’ll perform after dinner. We’ll be eating in a few minutes. I’ll make a speech and then introduce you.”
“Okay.”
“Are you okay? Are you nervous?”
“I’m good. I’m always a little nervous before a show. Nothing I can’t handle.”
He smiled at me and then led me over to the table where we were seated for dinner. He sat down across from me, next to Laurel, and I sat next to Liam. There were two other couples sitting with us from Wyatt Enterprises. After finishing a five-course meal, Oliver got up and made his speech for the night with Liam and I went to the side of the stage. As soon as the clapping began and I was introduced, I stepped onto the stage with my guitar and began to perform. My nerves had finally settled after the first couple strums of my guitar. I prayed to God that people would enjoy my performance. As soon as I started to sing, the room quieted. After performing a few songs with the guitar, I moved over to the piano and began to sing my cover of “Let Her Go” by Passenger and a few other songs. I had a fun idea, so after finishing my last song on the piano, I stood up while everyone clapped.
“I would like to do something fun and introduce you to my friend, Jonah, who is an amazing musician. Jonah, will you join me up on this stage? If you’re a Johnny Cash fan, sing with us and show us your dance moves.”
He walked through the crowd with a smile on his face and jumped up on the stage. I handed him my guitar and we performed the song “Jackson.” The attendees began to dance and everyone was having a great time. Once the song was over, the crowd whistled and clapped. Jonah and I took a bow and walked off the stage. Liam walked over to me and picked me up, hugging me and swinging me around.
“That was fucking amazing! You had these people moving.” He smiled.
“Thank you.”
I looked across the room as Oliver stood there and stared at me with a grin across his beautiful face. As soon as Liam put me down, I gave Jonah a hug and thanked him.
“No problem, Delilah. You know I love doing gigs with you.” He kissed my cheek.
Jenny was drunk as she stumbled over to me. “Super duper amazing!” She held up her hand and we high-fived.
“I think I better get Jenny home. She’s wasted.”
“Good idea.” I laughed.
I gave her a hug and told her that I’d call her. The guests were starting to leave and I looked around for Oliver. I didn’t see him anywhere and I didn’t see Laurel. I asked Liam where the restrooms were and he escorted me because he needed to use them as well. As we entered the hallway, I saw Oliver and Laurel standing there arguing.
“Uh-oh,” Liam spoke.
“Just ignore them.”
But being Liam, he couldn’t. “So what are you two lovebirds fighting about now?” he asked.
“Get the fuck out of here, Liam. We don’t need you putting your two cents in, Laurel shouted.
That made me angry. “Don’t talk to him like that.” The Chicago girl was emerging and I didn’t care where we were.
“Can the two of you please just go?” Oliver asked.
“Don’t you ever tell me what to do, nanny!” Laurel snapped.
I took in a deep breath and turned around, walking away slowly. Liam wasn’t giving up.
“Are you seriously going to let her talk to us like that?” he asked Oliver.
“You heard your brother; take your fucking whore and get out of here.”
I stopped. That was it. She had been pushing me for far too long and her choice of words at that moment was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I turned back around and didn’t even stop to think about the consequences of my actions.
“You’ve called me a whore for the last time, bitch!” I yelled as I decked her right across the face and she fell against the wall. “Shit!” I yelled as I shook my hand in pain.
Oliver and Liam stood there in shock as they stared at me. Liam busted into laughter and took hold of my arm.
“Let’s get you some ice for that hand.” He turned around and looked at Oliver. “Someone needed to put that bitch in her place.”
We walked back to the ballroom and he grabbed a bunch of ice from the pitcher and wrapped it in a towel from behind the bar. He led me out to the limo and, as soon as we got inside, he placed the towel over my hand.
“You, Delilah Graham, are amazing and full of surprises. Did you see the look on her face? God, I wish I would have videotaped that.”
I didn’t say a word because I was ashamed of what I had done, but she pushed me. I would assume that, as of tomorrow, I would no longer have a job. There was no way Oliver was going to condone me hitting his girlfriend.
“Take some aspirin for the pain and get some sleep.” Liam smiled as he helped me out of the limo.
“Thank you, Liam.” I gave him a friendly hug.
“You’re welcome. You better get up to your room before Oliver gets home.”
“Do you think he’s pissed?”
“He shouldn’t be. If he is, then he’s nothing but an asshole. She had it coming. I would have done it myself many times over, but it’s wrong to hit a woman. Unless it’s a woman hitting another woman.” He smiled.
I went to the kitchen, got a new batch of ice, and wrapped it in the towel. I wasn’t home ten minutes and Oliver walked in. Shit. Shit. Shit. He came into the kitchen and stood there with his hands in his pockets.
“How’s your hand?” he asked.
“It’s fine.”
He walked over to me, picked me up, and set me on the counter.
“Let me see.” He removed the towel and examined my swollen knuckles. Then, bringing my hand up to his lips, he softly kissed each one.
My heart was racing faster than the speed of light. What was he doing?
Chapter 21
Oliver
I wanted to take her pain away. I softly kissed each of her swollen knuckles as she stared at me. Placing her hand on her lap, I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers. There was no more holding back. I needed to fuck her and, this time, she wasn’t stopping me. Her soft lips parted as my tongue entered her mouth, greeting hers as they tangled in delight. My hand grasped the nape of her neck, deepening our erotic kiss. She pulled back and stared at me.
“Do you have any idea how bad I want your body???
? I asked breathlessly. “How bad I want to be inside of you? You’re so beautiful, Delilah, and I need to fuck you,” I pleaded.
“You have a girlfriend, Oliver.”
“Not anymore I don’t. I broke it off before I sent her home.”
“Then do it,” she whispered as she stared into my eyes and ran her finger across my lips.
I lifted her from the counter and took her hand, leading her up the stairs and to my bedroom. I shut and locked the door behind me as she walked across the room. I took off my bowtie and unbuttoned my shirt, while she slowly took down the straps of her gown and let it fall gracefully to the floor. She stood there in nothing but a pair of black lace panties, her nipples hard from the excitement that was about to come. I slid my shirt off and tossed it on the floor while slowly moving towards her. She was perfect and exactly how I imagined. She had the body of a goddess and I was going to explore every inch of her. I got down on my knees and softly kissed her stomach, running my tongue in circles around her belly button, with my hands planted firmly on her hips. She moaned and I became more excited. I’d been wanting her since the first day I saw her and now my fantasy was becoming a reality. Reaching up and firmly grasping her breasts, my mouth went farther down until it reached the top of her panties. As I kneaded her beautiful perky and natural breasts, she took down her panties. I gasped as her perfectly shaven pussy stared at me.
“Fuck, Delilah. You’re so beautiful,” I whispered as my tongue circled her clit.
She let out a moan and placed her hands on my head. She wanted this just as badly as I did, which turned me on even more. Before getting in too deep, I stood up and passionately kissed her lips while picking her up and then laying her down on my bed. My mouth traveled to her breasts, licking and sucking on each hardened peak. Moving downwards, I spread her legs and placed my face between her thighs, taking in the wetness and excitement before me. Her quiet moans were almost making me come. Placing my lips on her clit, I plunged my finger inside of her, causing her to arch her back in ecstasy. She tasted better than I imagined and I needed to thrust my cock inside her immediately.