by Nana Malone
His eyes darted to the door, then back to her. “I have to go.”
“No. You're not going anywhere. Besides, it's warmer in here than it is out there.”
She turned to go, and he called out, “Why are you helping me?”
Delilah shrugged. “Because everyone needs help sometimes.”
He'd stayed in the hospital that night, and she'd acted as sentry over him, but in the morning, she'd gone to the bathroom, and he'd been gone when she got back.
Her whole family had thought she was nuts, but she refused to let him go. He needed help. It had taken two weeks of pestering her father, and both of her parents trying to talk sense into her. She'd tried everything from begging to reminding them how altruism would make them feel good. She’d even recruited her brothers in on it.
Eventually, she'd gone hard for the fate angle. Finally, her father had given in, and they'd gone looking for him. After school, he'd picked her up and driven her around the general vicinity of the restaurant until they found him again. This time, he'd been sleeping in an abandoned archway of a store.
When Nate had woken up to find Delilah staring down at him, he’d given her an education in foul language. It had taken her years before she'd been able to comprehend what he’d said to her. Her father had come over and told her to wait in the car.
She'd had no intention of going anywhere without Nate. “Hurry up and convince him, Dad. Mom's making chili for dinner tonight, and he looks hungry.”
Both Nate and her father had stared at her as if she'd gone insane. And to look back on that day, the adult her would also think she was totally Cookoo’s Nest. But she hadn't been willing to leave him there on the streets to fend for himself. And even if her father had said no, she would have gone on her own. Something about Nate's eyes had spoken to her. He was hers to save, and she wasn't letting him go.
That night, Nate had moved into the apartment over their garage, and her life had changed forever.
Delilah struggled for air, and her muscles burned with liquid fire. She pushed herself for another half mile before she finally slowed the speed. She might not like it, but she had to work with him. She certainly wasn’t going to ask Jake to take her off the assignment. She wasn’t that much of a coward.
Yes you are.
She could deal with him, right? Who was she kidding? The only way to deal with Nate was head on. Unlike him, she wasn’t a runner.
She hit the stop button on the treadmill and hopped off. Quickly, she checked the time. Seven thirty. The two of them needed an honest chat. Somewhere public, where he couldn’t confuse her senses with his sex appeal.
###
Nate tried to pretend he wasn’t nervous as he waited at the bar for Delilah. Never mind the sweat on his palms. That was just an illusion. He checked his texts again for another one from her, telling him to forget the meeting. Instead, there were two email notifications on an account he rarely checked. Both from his brother Trent. Both one-line emails. And both were variations on the same theme.
You need to call me back.
We need to talk. Don’t blow me off.
Icy dread laced up his spine. He’d have to deal with his brother. Usually Trent could be put off for a few weeks, maybe even a couple of months. But it looked like he wasn't going to fade into the background until Nate was ready to deal with him this time. He wanted something now.
Nate didn’t need this. Not when he was about to attempt this crazy shit with Chase. From the sounds of it, if Nate tried to ignore him any longer, it would be ugly. And he couldn’t afford ugly right now.
Growing up, Trent had always been in trouble. No doubt because their mother was rarely around. And when she was, she was so high she didn’t even know they were there. Or worse, she was so high she had some John with her.
Nate barely suppressed the shudder at the memories. It was best not to think of her. The last time he’d seen her, he’d been covered in blood, and she’d been screaming, “You killed him, you killed him,” as he ran from their ramshackle apartment. Bile rose in his throat as he thought of her John pawing at him, grabbing for him. It had been safer for Nate on the streets than in that excuse for a home. That was until Trent started using him as an errand boy and courier for his dealing.
Nate shook his head. He was not going to let his past interfere with his future. He wasn’t that same kid.
Right on time at eight-thirty, Delilah strolled in the front door of Prohibition Bar, looking like she meant business. She looked sexy but aloof in her pink wrap top and her leggings. The boots were by far his favorite piece of the ensemble. His mind immediately conjured up images of her wearing nothing but those shoes.
Easy. That won’t help things. He groaned and tried to think of something, anything, to cool himself down. Kissing her today had definitely been an error in judgment. One he’d pay for with restless nights for the foreseeable future.
When she approached, he stood. “I have to say, I was surprised to get your text.”
She nodded but was careful not to touch him. Fine by him, he didn’t need a hard on for the rest of the night. Problem was, Delilah had always been his Achilles heel. Seeing her again brought back all the old feelings. Protectiveness. Longing. Fear. A part of him was so tempted to go it alone and tell her to forget the CEO makeover. He had to keep distance from her, or he would endanger everything he’d worked so hard for.
“You caught me by surprise today. I don’t like surprises. So I figured it would be a good idea to clear the air.”
Clear the air? Right, that thick, foggy, murky stuff that cocooned them and wouldn’t let them out. “Yeah, okay, have a seat.” He signaled to the bartender. “What do you want to drink?”
She turned her attention to the bartender. “What I want is a Gin-Gin Mule, but what I’ll have is a Club Soda. I’m learning that I should keep my wits about me when I’m around you.”
A smile tugged at Nate’s lips. “Just now picking up on that?”
She shrugged. “Call me a slow learner.”
“Are you hungry? They serve food too.”
Her stomach growled, and she ducked her head. “Sorry. I skipped lunch.”
Nate frowned and handed her a menu. “That's a bad habit to get into.”
“I was working.”
“Busy woman.”
Their gazes held for just a moment, and she quickly looked away. With a sigh, he put down his drink and placed a hand on her knee.
She jumped, and he snapped his hand back. Dumbass. He dragged in a steadying breath. “Delilah, before you start, I wanted to apologize. I know I owe it to you, and I don’t want to go any further pretending it didn't happen and not dealing with it.”
She sighed, and her shoulders visibly relaxed. “I couldn’t agree more. If we’re going to work together, that can’t happen again. We need to keep it professional. Having you touch me confuses things. I can’t focus on turning you into a spit-polished diamond if there’s all that other bullshit in the way.”
Nate cocked his head. “I wasn’t apologizing for the kiss.” There was no way in hell he was going to apologize for that. It had been the first time in over seven years that he'd done something purely because he wanted to, without a care to the consequences or what it would mean, or if he would have to lie to anyone later.
Delilah already knew most of the worst things about him, and her family had taken him in, in spite of all that. At her insistence. So kissing her had felt like freedom. Like going home again. Of course, she probably didn't see it that way. “I'm not sorry about the kiss, Lila. You’re probably pissed about it, but in all honesty, I wouldn’t take it back. And given the opportunity, I’d do it again.”
She narrowed her eyes, and it made him want to grin. “You really haven’t changed, have you?” Delilah always fought dirty when she was angry. And with brothers, who could blame her? He'd learned early on that if he was going to take her on, he'd better come wearing a cup.
Nate glanced down at her legs as she cro
ssed and uncrossed them. She might deny it, but he knew he had some effect on her. He could only hope she was suffering half as much as he was. He'd been on edge since he'd walked out of her office today.
He cleared his throat. “I’m trying apologize for leaving the way I did. I know you were probably confused and worried, and I’ve wished a thousand times that I could have called and at least told you I was okay.”
She stared down at his hand. When she spoke, her voice was tight. “But you didn’t call, did you?”
Fuck. This was not a conversation he wanted to have. “With the whole Trent thing, I knew he would give you his version of the truth. I didn’t think you’d hear me out. I never meant to put you and your family through anything.”
Her voice was soft as she turned her attention to her glass. “They were your family too. Do you know how long Mom cried for you? Do you have any idea how long Dad looked for you? He used to drive me around on the weekends and we'd search. He checked missing persons reports, and John Doe morgue reports, just praying it wasn't you. He treated you like you were one of his. He was so proud when you got into college.” There was a quiver in her voice, and Delilah shook her head.
He hated that he’d put that sound there. Wished that there was an apology strong enough. But how could he tell her he’d been doing her family a favor? Sparing them from the pile of crap masquerading as his baggage. “I wish there was something I could say.”
Delilah squared her shoulders. “I just—I’m sorry. I thought I could do this.”
She stood, and his mind made a mental grasp for her. “Lila, please.”
Her stride was brisk as she strode away, shaking her head. Shit. He couldn’t let her go like this. “Lila, wait.”
But she didn't even slow. He caught her as she slid into the revolving door, and he stepped in behind her.
“Nate.” She didn't turn to look back at him.
But there wasn’t much room in the door, so he knew she could feel him pressed against her back. “Just tell me one thing.”
“What?”
“Are you still thinking about that kiss?”
The sound of her sharp inhale filled the quiet space around them. Slowly, she turned to face him. “I cannot do this with you. Do you realize I could lose my job if Jake ever found out about today? I’ve fought too hard to get here. This job is all that matters to me. There are rules. And I broke one by letting that kiss happen. I can’t do it again.”
His gaze dropped to her ripe lips. She had a point. He had to get shit under control. Problem was, now that he’d tasted her, he wanted to do it again. “Answer me, Delilah. If it wasn’t against the rules, would you let me kiss you again? Because since leaving you, it’s all I’ve been thinking about.”
She brought her gaze up to meet his. Her pupils were dilated. He had to leave her alone. Any more time in her presence, and he was going to crack open his chest and give her access to his heart. His body swayed into hers. He needed to taste her again, prove that it wasn’t an illusion. He leaned in.
Delilah gasped and turned around.
He didn’t want to let her go, but he had no choice. As he pushed the door button, he prayed he hadn’t pushed her away. He needed her to pull this crazy scheme off.
Chapter 6
Delilah placed her fingers to her lips. Even a day later, she could still feel Nate’s lips on hers. Taste him, feel his arms wrapped around her like he never wanted to let her go. Heat pooled in her core, and she groaned. Attempting to clear the air hadn’t helped.
“Earth to Dee. Oh, sister, where art thou?”
Delilah blinked her sister, Mia, into focus. “Shit, sorry, Mia. I’m a little distracted.”
Mia tucked her hair behind her ear and said, “You’ve been distracted all lunch. You didn’t even seem to notice when I said I’d started having hot sex with my boss.”
Delilah snapped to attention. “Your hot boss? Your hot, married boss?” Mia had been working as an assistant television producer since graduating from NYU. When she’d gotten promoted to the show Love Reality, Delilah had gone to visit her and met the person in charge of her sister’s livelihood, and the man had been scorching hot. But also very married.
“Would you relax, Dee? I was kidding.” Mia laughed. “I was trying to see if you were paying attention, and you clearly weren’t.” Mia chuckled. When her sister laughed, she laughed with her whole body. Delilah always loved that about her.
“Sorry. I’m a little distracted.”
Mia shoved her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “Is this man distracted or job distracted?”
Delilah absently licked her lips and cursed the fact that they still tingled. Damn him. One kiss, and Nate had left her whole body vibrating for days after. “Job distracted.”
Mia narrowed her eyes. “Uh-huh. ’Cause I have to tell you, it looks like man distraction, but if you say so. Oh, have you told Mom you’re not coming to her birthday dinner on Sunday?”
Delilah groaned. Her mother was going to kill her. Once a month, all the family that was local went to their childhood home for dinner. She’d missed the last two months already. And this was her mother’s birthday. She’d already planned a make up spa weekend with her, but she had a feeling that wouldn’t cut it. “I’ll call her. I swear.”
“You’d better. You know her when she’s pissed. Besides, most of us are starting to wonder if you’re a myth. Sure, I see you, and I know you see Dylan, but that’s only because we drag you out of your office. You can’t work yourself to death without stopping for fun every now and again.”
Delilah knew better than to tell her sister it wasn’t work that had kept her from going home the last few months. She’d been avoiding the inevitable ‘When are you going to get married/get a boyfriend/stop working so hard?’ questions. With eleven brothers and sisters, it was par for the course, but still.
When her mother had remarried, Delilah had never imagined her life would include a hoard of new siblings. John had two sons, Dylan and Derek. As if that hadn’t been enough Brady-Huxtable fun for them, starting with Nate, they had fostered, then adopted eight others. Delilah loved her family and made it a point to call often, but going home was always a little overwhelming. Especially when she never had anything new to report except clients.
But one thing was for sure. She certainly wasn’t going to tell anyone about this particular client. Delilah didn’t want to be the one to dredge all that up. After all, what would she say? “Hey, Mom and Dad, I found Nate. He never bothered to reach out ’cause he didn’t feel like it.” Yeah, she’d just go ahead and keep that little bit of information to herself.
Delilah cleared her throat. “I know. And I’m not. But you’re really one to talk. The land of reality TV love must keep you hopping.”
Mia flushed rosy under her café-au-lait skin. “It does. But at least I make it home when I’m called. You buck the system.”
“So who’s the new bachelor this time around? Or are you on the women’s round? I lose track.”
“Honestly, so do I. But it’s that football player, Adam Hetherington.”
Delilah knew him well. Her firm had kept him out of the news often enough, thanks to his penchant for drinking too much. But she kept her mouth shut. “I’m sure more than one woman in the office is trying to figure out how to be one of his choices.”
“Not me,” Mia said. “I like my men a little more sincere.”
Delilah nodded in agreement. Her sister had a point. “Yeah, tell me about it.”
Mia studied her quietly for a minute. The intensity of her soft blue gaze made Delilah squirm. Mia saw too much.
“Do you want to tell me why you keep rubbing your lips?”
Delilah should have known she wouldn’t be able to duck the questions. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Mia smirked, making her sky blue eyes dance. “Right? This is me you’re talking to. I tell stories all day. I can spot when someone has one to tell.”
Delilah
struggled with how much to tell Mia. Not like her sister would ever see Nate again. “If I tell you this, this is going in the bank vault. Do you understand?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Spill.”
“That new client? I kissed him. Or rather he kissed me.”
Mia’s brows shot up. “Sister, that must have been some kiss. Or at least I assume it was good, if you’re still touching your lips.”
Delilah groaned and covered her face with the napkin. Maybe if she sat like this long enough, she could erase the kiss, erase the need that coursed through her blood now. Except, it had been some kiss. Now her emotions were twisted into a mangled mess with no hope of untwining them. “The man knows how to kiss. I can’t lie. But it can’t happen again.”
“Why the hell not? You deserve to have some hot and juicy man cake in your life.”
“It’s complicated.”
“What can be so complicated? Hot man kisses you. You stop thinking, and you go for it. Even I know that, Dee.”
Delilah covered her face with her hands. “I can’t go for it.”
“Come on, Delilah, live a little. Or rather, let me live vicariously through you. Why can’t you have a little fun?”
“For starters, I don’t trust him.”
Mia pondered that for a moment before speaking. “How is that different from any of the other men you date? You have some seriously insurmountable walls, big sis.”
“We have a history.”
Mia leaned forward and pilfered a French fry from Delilah’s plate. “Even better. Hot ex-sex. Have some for me, would you?”
Delilah barked out a laugh. “First of all, I’m not sleeping with him, and it wasn’t like that.” She paused. “He could break me. There is no way I want to go back there.”
“Everyone’s been hurt before, Dee. You can’t shut off any new possibilities. Maybe things with this guy will be different.”
“I doubt it.”
“What else is wrong with him?”
Besides him being sexy and irritating and untrustworthy, and a manipulative liar and the kind of guy who will only hurt and disappoint? Nothing. “He’s all wrong. Not to mention a client. If anyone ever found out, I’d lose my job. Add to that, I turn sows’ ears into silk purses for a living, and it’s easy to start believing he’s something when he’s not.”
