Page 37 of The Stranger

She lifts one shoulder. “He doesn’t mind.”

He.

“I bet he doesn’t … go and change.”

Her hands move to her hips as her sass comes out to play. “Into what exactly? My pyjama shorts?”

“There’s nothing else in your suitcase?”

“No.”

“What about the tights you were wearing yesterday?”

“They’re dirty.”

I blow out an exasperated breath. “Why do you have your suitcase?”

“Because I’m taking it to work with me. I don’t have any clothes for the office tomorrow, so I need to go home when my shift is over.”

“Hmm,” I hum. I should feel relieved that she’s leaving, but surprisingly, I don’t. “Leave it here, and I’ll bring it with me when I pick you up tonight.”

“I don’t expect you to drive me all the way home, Spencer.”

“It’s non-negotiable, Delilah.”

“Ugh.” She abandons her suitcase from where it sits and enters the kitchen. When she comes to a stop in front of me, she reaches up and takes the coffee out of my hands. “Can I have one of these?” she asks, bringing my mug to her lips and taking a sip.

If anyone else dared to pull that move on me, I’d be livid, but this isn’t just anyone …it’s Delilah.

Chapter 13

Delilah

The drive home on Sunday evening is quiet. Spencer obviously isn’t in the mood for small talk, and I’m okay with that. I’m tired and looking forward to a long, hot shower and some sleep. I’m young and reasonably fit, so I thought I’d breeze working seven days a week, but I’m only fourteen days in, and I feel like I’ve hit a wall already.

By the time we pull into my driveway, I’m struggling to keep my eyes open. “I appreciate you coming to get me,” I say over a yawn as I reach for the door handle. “And bringing me home.” My movements are sluggish at best.

“Let me get that for you,” he replies, hastily removing his seat belt and then exiting the car. Once he opens my door and helps me out, he collects my suitcase from the back seat. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says, glancing towards the house. When his eyes meet mine again, he reaches up to grasp my chin between his forefinger and thumb, slightly tilting my head back. “Your sister is watching us through the window,” he whispers as heleans in and places his lips directly over mine. They are so soft … so warm.

The kiss is completely unexpected, but surprisingly, I don’t hate it.

When he draws back, his gaze moves from my mouth to my eyes, and there’s something about the way he’s looking at me that lights me up from the inside out. A shiver runs through my entire body when the pad of his thumb softly skims over the place his lips just touched. It’s a gesture so intimate I feel tears sting the back of my eyes.

The moment is gone as quickly as it came, as he retreats a step and shoves his hands into the pockets of his trousers. “Good night, Delilah.”

“Good night, Mr Prescott.”

He stands there and watches me until I’m safely inside. Only then does he climb back into the car and drive away. I know this because, after closing the front door; I peeked out of the side window and watched him leave.

He kissed me.

I can’t believe he kissed me.

I reach up, placing the tips of my fingers against my lips, and when I do, I feel them curve into a smile. I know it was all an act for my sister’s benefit … but it didn’t feel fake, it felt like something more.

My moment is broken when the She-Devil herself comes storming down the hallway. “I always knew you were a loser, but I never would’ve picked you for a whore.”

“Excuse me,” I snap, spinning around to face her. The look she gives me might be murderous, but I can clearly see by her red puffy eyes that she’s been crying. Is there trouble in paradise already? “That’s rich, coming from the likes of you.”