Page 61 of The Stranger

Me: Yes.

Simone: Should I grovel on your behalf?

Me: A simple sorry will suffice!

Once that’s sorted, I scan through the contacts on my phone and press call. It’s early, but Laura has a newborn baby … I can almost guarantee she’s up. This is one conversation that can’t wait.

I feel relieved I have the makings of a plan in place. It’s a start. I need to proceed with caution, being mindful not to inadvertently hurt Delilah, or make her feel rejected. It’s the last thing I want, but I need to put some distance between us for my own sanity.

An uneasy feeling settles in the pit of my stomach when nine o’clock approaches. Delilah will be here any moment with my coffee.

I had Simone schedule an urgent meeting with Christine from Human Resources, and I’ll head down there as soon as I see Delilah. I can’t avoid her forever. I’ve got to rip that Band-Aid off. At the very least, I’ll be able to gauge how she’s feeling this morning.

Is she feeling guilty like I do?

Or is she angry at me for what happened?

I suck in a sharp breath and hold it when the elevatordings, depositing her on my floor. I hear her high heels clicking against the marble a few seconds later as she approaches my office. My gut churns with anticipation.

The moment my gaze locks on her, my heart begins to race. She always looks beautiful, but she’s outdone herself today. She’s dressed to kill in a formfitting red dress that hugs her body like a second skin. Her long hair is down, styled in loose waves, and if I’m not mistaken, her makeup is applied heavier than usual—dark, smoky eyes and ruby-red lips.

She’s sex on legs, and judging by my cock’s reaction to her, he agrees.

A tight smile forms on her lips when her eyes meet mine. My worst fears are recognised when she pulls her shoulders back and tips her chin a fraction higher.We are not okay.

“Good morning, Mr Prescott. I have your coffee. The barista made it just the way you like it.”

I clear my throat before replying. “Good morning, Miss St. James, and thank you.”

Her greeting is formal, and if I’m reading her correctly, a tad cold.

My eyes track her every move as she carefully places the hot beverage on my desk. “How are you feeling this morning?” I ask.

A pink hue forms on her cheeks as she retreats a step. “I’m fine, thanks. I have a lot of work to get through this morning. Enjoy your coffee.” With that, she turns and hurries towards the door.

“Delilah!”

She pauses but continues to give me her back. “Yes.”

There’s no denying she’s upset with me. I desperately want to apologise for my actions last night, but I can tellshe’s in a rush to get as far away from me as possible, and this probably isn’t the place for that conversation.

Is she disgusted with me, or by what we did?

“Never mind,” I mumble.

I wasn’t sure how things would go once I saw her, or what kind of reaction I’d get, but I wasn’t expecting that.

Chapter 21

Delilah

Tears sting the back of my eyes as I seat myself behind the desk. Last night I was left feeling confused when he abandoned me outside my room and headed to his own. I tried not to read much into it, but when he was gone again this morning, my stomach sank.

I’d been hoping to hash things out at home, like adults, without dragging it into the office. I don’t want things to be awkward between us, but the fact he just acted like nothing happened ticks me off. I feel humiliated.

If he thinks last night was a mistake, be a man and tell me. After all, he was the one who started it by kissing me first. Maybe I took things a little too far by rubbing myself against him the way I did, but he was the one who repositioned me on his lap … it was as good as an invitation in my eyes.

Fucking men.