[English] Love, Lust & A Millionaire

Love, Lust A Millionaire
Page 31



The next morning, I climbed out of bed at the crack of dawn. I quietly walked down to the kitchen and was startled when I saw Oliver leaning up against the counter, waiting for a pot of coffee to finish brewing.

“Oh. I didn’t know you were up already.”

“Good morning. Why are you up so early?”

“Not tired anymore, I guess.”

I couldn’t help but stare at him in his black pajama bottoms and no shirt on. He had the most amazing body. His ripped six-pack, rock solid chest, and well-defined muscular arms aroused me more than I cared to admit.

“The coffee will be done in a minute.”

“Great. I definitely need some.”

Things now felt awkward after last night and I knew this would happen. I never should have slept with him, but damn, it was good. The coffee was brewed and Oliver poured me a cup and handed it to me.

“Thank you.” I began to walk up the stairs.

“Where are you going?”

“Back to my room.” I turned and looked at him.

“I was going to sit on the patio and drink my coffee. You don’t want to join me?”

The confusion spinning around my brain was too much this early in the morning. “No. I’m going back up to my room. Enjoy your coffee.” I gave him a small smile and walked up the stairs.

Strength was all I had. There was never time to be weak in my life. Too many people had depended on me over the years and I always needed to keep strong for them. If I became weak, all would fall apart and I couldn’t let that happen. It was the same with Oliver. He depended on me to take care of Sophie and I needed to be strong for her sake, regardless of what a pompous ass her father was.

Chapter 22

I took a shower and got dressed before Sophie woke up. I wanted to be ready for her in case there was some last minute packing that needed to be done. As I left my room, I walked to hers and carefully opened the door. She was up and painting at her easel.

“Good morning, Soph.”

“Good morning.”

“What are you doing?”

“Finishing up this painting before I leave to go visit Aunt Kelsey.”

I walked over to the easel and stared at the picture that sat before me. It was of a woman standing in a garden of flowers.

“Who is that?” I asked.

“My mom. This is her in Heaven.” She smiled.

My heart ached at that moment as I stared at the painting. “My mom is in Heaven too.”

“Maybe she knows my mom,” Sophie spoke as she dipped the paintbrush in some paint.

“Maybe she does.” I kissed the top of her head.

“If you have a picture of your mom, I can paint her in Heaven just like my mom.”

I softly smiled as I stroked her long, blonde hair. “I would like that. Maybe when you get back from your trip.”

“Okay.”

I grabbed her suitcase from the corner of the room and set it on her bed. As I unzipped it, Oliver walked into the room.

“Good morning, princess. Are you almost ready to leave?”

“Hi, Daddy. Look. I’m painting a picture of Mommy.”

“I see that. It’s very pretty.”

I looked up and Oliver glanced over at me. I double-checked to make sure Sophie had everything and then zipped up her suitcase. Oliver walked over and took it from me. Our fingers touched and flashes of last night flooded my mind, sending my body into an aroused state. I quickly moved back.

“Sophie, are you bringing your paints?” I asked to escape the awkward moment.

“No. I changed my mind. I don’t think I’ll have time to paint.”

“Let’s go, princess. I’ll have Clara wash your paintbrushes.”

“Okay.” She smiled.

The Escalade Oliver rented was parked at the curb. He set Sophie’s suitcase in the back and we all climbed in. He looked over at me in confusion as he looked at the nylon zipper bag I threw on the floor.

“What’s in the bag?”

“Just a few necessities one might need in case something happens.”

“Like?”

“Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, a change of clothes, hairbrush, etc.”

His eyes narrowed as he ****ed his head at me. “You really brought all that?”

“Yeah. It’s always good to be prepared just in case. You never know what could happen.”

“If you say so.” He gave a small smile and pulled away.

****

Oliver

Even though Delilah explained to me why she packed a bag, I still didn’t understand why she did it. To be honest, I thought it was a little strange, but to each his own. As we drove down the highway, Delilah kept Sophie entertained by singing songs. It was a good distraction because things felt off since we had *** last night. My phone was sitting in the cup holder, and when it went off, Delilah looked at it. Laurel was calling.

“Aren’t you going to answer that?” she asked.

“No.”

“Want me to answer it?” She smiled.

“Are you nuts? No way.”

She turned her head and looked out the window. Sophie said she needed to use the bathroom, so we pulled over and stopped at a rest area.

“I’ll wait here for you. I have a phone call to make,” I told Delilah.

She grabbed Sophie’s hand and went to the bathroom while I called Laurel back.

“What do you want, Laurel?”

“I don’t want things to end. I love you and I want us to work this out,” she pleaded.

Love, Lust A Millionaire
Page 31



The next morning, I climbed out of bed at the crack of dawn. I quietly walked down to the kitchen and was startled when I saw Oliver leaning up against the counter, waiting for a pot of coffee to finish brewing.

“Oh. I didn’t know you were up already.”

“Good morning. Why are you up so early?”

“Not tired anymore, I guess.”

I couldn’t help but stare at him in his black pajama bottoms and no shirt on. He had the most amazing body. His ripped six-pack, rock solid chest, and well-defined muscular arms aroused me more than I cared to admit.

“The coffee will be done in a minute.”

“Great. I definitely need some.”

Things now felt awkward after last night and I knew this would happen. I never should have slept with him, but damn, it was good. The coffee was brewed and Oliver poured me a cup and handed it to me.

“Thank you.” I began to walk up the stairs.

“Where are you going?”

“Back to my room.” I turned and looked at him.

“I was going to sit on the patio and drink my coffee. You don’t want to join me?”

The confusion spinning around my brain was too much this early in the morning. “No. I’m going back up to my room. Enjoy your coffee.” I gave him a small smile and walked up the stairs.

Strength was all I had. There was never time to be weak in my life. Too many people had depended on me over the years and I always needed to keep strong for them. If I became weak, all would fall apart and I couldn’t let that happen. It was the same with Oliver. He depended on me to take care of Sophie and I needed to be strong for her sake, regardless of what a pompous ass her father was.

Chapter 22

I took a shower and got dressed before Sophie woke up. I wanted to be ready for her in case there was some last minute packing that needed to be done. As I left my room, I walked to hers and carefully opened the door. She was up and painting at her easel.

“Good morning, Soph.”

“Good morning.”

“What are you doing?”

“Finishing up this painting before I leave to go visit Aunt Kelsey.”

I walked over to the easel and stared at the picture that sat before me. It was of a woman standing in a garden of flowers.

“Who is that?” I asked.

“My mom. This is her in Heaven.” She smiled.

My heart ached at that moment as I stared at the painting. “My mom is in Heaven too.”

“Maybe she knows my mom,” Sophie spoke as she dipped the paintbrush in some paint.

“Maybe she does.” I kissed the top of her head.

“If you have a picture of your mom, I can paint her in Heaven just like my mom.”

I softly smiled as I stroked her long, blonde hair. “I would like that. Maybe when you get back from your trip.”

“Okay.”

I grabbed her suitcase from the corner of the room and set it on her bed. As I unzipped it, Oliver walked into the room.

“Good morning, princess. Are you almost ready to leave?”

“Hi, Daddy. Look. I’m painting a picture of Mommy.”

“I see that. It’s very pretty.”

I looked up and Oliver glanced over at me. I double-checked to make sure Sophie had everything and then zipped up her suitcase. Oliver walked over and took it from me. Our fingers touched and flashes of last night flooded my mind, sending my body into an aroused state. I quickly moved back.

“Sophie, are you bringing your paints?” I asked to escape the awkward moment.

“No. I changed my mind. I don’t think I’ll have time to paint.”

“Let’s go, princess. I’ll have Clara wash your paintbrushes.”

“Okay.” She smiled.

The Escalade Oliver rented was parked at the curb. He set Sophie’s suitcase in the back and we all climbed in. He looked over at me in confusion as he looked at the nylon zipper bag I threw on the floor.

“What’s in the bag?”

“Just a few necessities one might need in case something happens.”

“Like?”

“Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, a change of clothes, hairbrush, etc.”

His eyes narrowed as he ****ed his head at me. “You really brought all that?”

“Yeah. It’s always good to be prepared just in case. You never know what could happen.”

“If you say so.” He gave a small smile and pulled away.

****

Oliver

Even though Delilah explained to me why she packed a bag, I still didn’t understand why she did it. To be honest, I thought it was a little strange, but to each his own. As we drove down the highway, Delilah kept Sophie entertained by singing songs. It was a good distraction because things felt off since we had *** last night. My phone was sitting in the cup holder, and when it went off, Delilah looked at it. Laurel was calling.

“Aren’t you going to answer that?” she asked.

“No.”

“Want me to answer it?” She smiled.

“Are you nuts? No way.”

She turned her head and looked out the window. Sophie said she needed to use the bathroom, so we pulled over and stopped at a rest area.

“I’ll wait here for you. I have a phone call to make,” I told Delilah.

She grabbed Sophie’s hand and went to the bathroom while I called Laurel back.

“What do you want, Laurel?”

“I don’t want things to end. I love you and I want us to work this out,” she pleaded.

Love, Lust A Millionaire
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“There’s nothing to work out. We’re over. I’m sorry, Laurel.”

“You’re sorry? Well, I’ll have you know that I’m pressing charges against Delilah for assault and battery.”

“I don’t think that’s a wise idea. You may want to reconsider it.”

“Too bad, Oliver. I’m doing it. So tell your nanny she’d better be prepared to deal with the consequences.”

I sighed. “Laurel, I’m going to make you a deal. You are to forget about Delilah and what she did to you and maybe a certain story won’t be leaked regarding you and a certain Senator a couple of years ago.”

“Oliver, you wouldn’t.”

“Force my hand, Laurel, and see what happens. You are to stay away from my nanny. You aren’t even allowed to say her name. Do you understand me? If you hurt Delilah, then you hurt Sophie and I won’t let anyone, including you, hurt my daughter. The consequences for you if that story gets out will be far worse than the consequences for Delilah would be.”

“I hope you both rot in Hell.” Click.

I couldn’t help but let out a small smile as I placed my phone in my pocket. Delilah and Sophie climbed back in the Escalade and we continued our journey to Vermont. The ride was silent. Sophie fell asleep in the back seat and Delilah had her earphones in, looking out the passenger window. I kept looking over at her. It was taking everything I had not to run the back of my hand down her cheek. To feel her soft skin like I did last night.

****

Delilah

I pressed pause on my iPod and took out my earphones as I looked over at Sophie sleeping.

“How much longer?” I asked.

“About an hour.”

I couldn’t stop staring at him. The way he had his seat leaned back with his right hand gripped at the top of the leather steering wheel was so ***y. I was still mad at him for last night, but I was relieved that he broke up with Laurel.

“Did you call Laurel back?” I asked, expecting him to tell me it was none of my business.

He glanced over at me for a second before answering. “Yes. But if you don’t mind, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“That’s fine. I’m sure she’ll be pressing charges against me for punching her.”

“No she won’t. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“She seems like a very vindictive person. So I expect it.”

“Trust me, Delilah. She’s not pressing charges. She was going to until I threatened to expose a little secret of hers.”

“Oh. What kind of secret? I’m sure you won’t tell me anyway.”

“No. I won’t tell you, but it is one that will get her and a very influential person in a lot of trouble.”

It made me happy that he stuck up for me. “Thank you for defending me.” I smiled.

“No problem. I can’t have her pressing charges against my daughter’s nanny. Imagine what that would do to Sophie.”

I gave him a small smile as I heard Sophie stirring in the backseat. “Hey, sunshine. Did you have a nice nap?”

“Yeah. Are we almost there?” she asked.

“One more hour, princess,” Oliver replied.

“Can we listen to some music, Delilah?”

“Sure we can. Let’s see what’s on the radio.”

I was flipping through the radio stations and the beginning of “Midnight Train to Georgia” started to play.

“Oh. I love this song. Do you know it, Oliver?”

“Yes.” He smiled as he looked at me.

“Great. We can sing together.”

“No, Delilah. I don’t sing.”

“Daddy. Please sing with Delilah,” Sophie whined. “Please, Daddy.”

“Okay. Okay.” He laughed.

I began to sing and dance in my seat as I pointed to Oliver when it was his turn. He was enjoying it. In fact, this was the first time since I’d known him that I saw him having some fun. Sophie was laughing at us from the back seat. As the song ended, I placed my hand on his arm and he glanced at me with a wide smile.

“That was fun, Daddy! I like the way you sing.”

“Thank you, darling. But don’t get too used to it.”

Chapter 23

Oliver

As soon as we pulled up to Matt and Kelsey’s house, the front door opened and they walked outside. Kelsey didn’t like me and I knew this was going to make for an awkward situation. She called me a heartless manwhore because of Elaine. Even though Elaine’s family despised me, I did the right thing by not letting them know she had killed herself. The three of us got out of the car and Sophie ran up to Kelsey, giving her a big hug.

“God, I’ve missed you. Look at how you’ve grown. How are you, Sophie?”

“I’m good, Aunt Kelsey.”

Matt looked at me and extended his hand. “Hello, Oliver.”

I lightly shook it. “Matt. How are you?”

“No complaints.”

I looked over at Kelsey. “Kelsey. It’s good to see you.”

“Oliver. Thanks for letting Sophie come and stay with us.”

“You’re welcome. I would like you to meet Delilah, Sophie’s nanny.”

She gave Delilah a warm smile and held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Delilah.”

“Likewise.”

“Can I see the animals?!” Sophie exclaimed.

“Of course you can.” Matt took her by the hand. I followed them while Kelsey invited Delilah inside for some lemonade.

Love, Lust A Millionaire
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“There’s nothing to work out. We’re over. I’m sorry, Laurel.”

“You’re sorry? Well, I’ll have you know that I’m pressing charges against Delilah for assault and battery.”

“I don’t think that’s a wise idea. You may want to reconsider it.”

“Too bad, Oliver. I’m doing it. So tell your nanny she’d better be prepared to deal with the consequences.”

I sighed. “Laurel, I’m going to make you a deal. You are to forget about Delilah and what she did to you and maybe a certain story won’t be leaked regarding you and a certain Senator a couple of years ago.”

“Oliver, you wouldn’t.”

“Force my hand, Laurel, and see what happens. You are to stay away from my nanny. You aren’t even allowed to say her name. Do you understand me? If you hurt Delilah, then you hurt Sophie and I won’t let anyone, including you, hurt my daughter. The consequences for you if that story gets out will be far worse than the consequences for Delilah would be.”

“I hope you both rot in Hell.” Click.

I couldn’t help but let out a small smile as I placed my phone in my pocket. Delilah and Sophie climbed back in the Escalade and we continued our journey to Vermont. The ride was silent. Sophie fell asleep in the back seat and Delilah had her earphones in, looking out the passenger window. I kept looking over at her. It was taking everything I had not to run the back of my hand down her cheek. To feel her soft skin like I did last night.

****

Delilah

I pressed pause on my iPod and took out my earphones as I looked over at Sophie sleeping.

“How much longer?” I asked.

“About an hour.”

I couldn’t stop staring at him. The way he had his seat leaned back with his right hand gripped at the top of the leather steering wheel was so ***y. I was still mad at him for last night, but I was relieved that he broke up with Laurel.

“Did you call Laurel back?” I asked, expecting him to tell me it was none of my business.

He glanced over at me for a second before answering. “Yes. But if you don’t mind, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“That’s fine. I’m sure she’ll be pressing charges against me for punching her.”

“No she won’t. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“She seems like a very vindictive person. So I expect it.”

“Trust me, Delilah. She’s not pressing charges. She was going to until I threatened to expose a little secret of hers.”

“Oh. What kind of secret? I’m sure you won’t tell me anyway.”

“No. I won’t tell you, but it is one that will get her and a very influential person in a lot of trouble.”

It made me happy that he stuck up for me. “Thank you for defending me.” I smiled.

“No problem. I can’t have her pressing charges against my daughter’s nanny. Imagine what that would do to Sophie.”

I gave him a small smile as I heard Sophie stirring in the backseat. “Hey, sunshine. Did you have a nice nap?”

“Yeah. Are we almost there?” she asked.

“One more hour, princess,” Oliver replied.

“Can we listen to some music, Delilah?”

“Sure we can. Let’s see what’s on the radio.”

I was flipping through the radio stations and the beginning of “Midnight Train to Georgia” started to play.

“Oh. I love this song. Do you know it, Oliver?”

“Yes.” He smiled as he looked at me.

“Great. We can sing together.”

“No, Delilah. I don’t sing.”

“Daddy. Please sing with Delilah,” Sophie whined. “Please, Daddy.”

“Okay. Okay.” He laughed.

I began to sing and dance in my seat as I pointed to Oliver when it was his turn. He was enjoying it. In fact, this was the first time since I’d known him that I saw him having some fun. Sophie was laughing at us from the back seat. As the song ended, I placed my hand on his arm and he glanced at me with a wide smile.

“That was fun, Daddy! I like the way you sing.”

“Thank you, darling. But don’t get too used to it.”

Chapter 23

Oliver

As soon as we pulled up to Matt and Kelsey’s house, the front door opened and they walked outside. Kelsey didn’t like me and I knew this was going to make for an awkward situation. She called me a heartless manwhore because of Elaine. Even though Elaine’s family despised me, I did the right thing by not letting them know she had killed herself. The three of us got out of the car and Sophie ran up to Kelsey, giving her a big hug.

“God, I’ve missed you. Look at how you’ve grown. How are you, Sophie?”

“I’m good, Aunt Kelsey.”

Matt looked at me and extended his hand. “Hello, Oliver.”

I lightly shook it. “Matt. How are you?”

“No complaints.”

I looked over at Kelsey. “Kelsey. It’s good to see you.”

“Oliver. Thanks for letting Sophie come and stay with us.”

“You’re welcome. I would like you to meet Delilah, Sophie’s nanny.”

She gave Delilah a warm smile and held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Delilah.”

“Likewise.”

“Can I see the animals?!” Sophie exclaimed.

“Of course you can.” Matt took her by the hand. I followed them while Kelsey invited Delilah inside for some lemonade.

Love, Lust A Millionaire
Page 33



****

Delilah

Kelsey handed me a glass of lemonade and we walked out to the back and took a seat at the picnic table while Matt, Oliver, and Sophie looked at the horses.

“How has Sophie been?” Kelsey asked.

“She’s been great. She’s really smart. You should see how she paints.”

“How is she adjusting to living with Oliver?”

“She’s good. I’ve been spending a great deal of time with her.”

“Isn’t her father supposed to be doing that?”

I sighed as I stared at Oliver from a distance. “He told me that you don’t like him.”

“He’s right. I don’t. In fact, I can’t stand him. All Elaine wanted was a family and he led her on, making her believe that he loved her until she got pregnant, then he kicked her to the curb and refused to have anything to do with Sophie. Elaine dies and all of a sudden he steps up and wants to play daddy? He’s no good for her. She would do better if Matt and I were to raise her.”

“He’s her father.” I started to become angry.

“I know that, but it doesn’t make him a better parent.”

“Oliver is doing the best he can. He loves that little girl more than life.”

“The only thing he can do for her is provide her with material things.”

I took a sip of lemonade and before I could comment, Sophie ran over to me.

“Delilah, I got to pet the horse and Uncle Matt said that he’ll teach me how to ride.”

“That’s great, baby.” I pulled her into me.

Matt and Oliver walked over to where we were sitting. “Delilah, are you ready to head back? We have a long ride ahead of us.”

“Yeah.” I got up from my seat and gave Sophie a hug goodbye. “You’re going to have so much fun here. Be good and when you get home, I’ll take you to the museum.”

Oliver bent down and hugged her tight, kissing her on the head. “I’ll miss you, princess. Be good for your Aunt Kelsey and Uncle Matt. Remember, you can call me at any time. I love you, Sophie.”

“I love you too, Daddy.”

We said goodbye to Kelsey and Matt and climbed in the Escalade. I could tell that Oliver was somewhat off. Perhaps he was sad that Sophie wasn’t going back with us. He pulled out of the driveway and we headed on our journey back to New York.

“You okay?” I asked as I looked over at him.

“Yeah. I just didn’t think I’d be missing my daughter already.”

“It’s hard. I remember when Braden first went off to college. It was so weird not having him around. I felt empty inside.”

He looked at me with a small smile and reached over and squeezed my hand. “This will be good for Sophie. She should spend some time with her mother’s family. I wanted to wait until we were alone to talk about last night.”

“What about it?” I asked.

“I got the impression you’re pissed off at me for some reason and I would like to know why.”

I ****ed my head as I looked at him and narrowed my eyes. If he truly didn’t know, then he would have to keep guessing because I wasn’t about to have this discussion with him.

“Why would you get that impression?”

“Well, for starters, you wouldn’t have coffee with me this morning. Do you regret what happened between us?”

“Do you?” I asked.

He didn’t say anything as he looked straight ahead. “Listen, Oliver. You had just broken up with Laurel and you were in a vulnerable state. It happens. Sometimes a person seeks *** to make themselves feel better. I was there and we had ***. It’s not like it meant anything. It was a release for your pain and/or loss. To be blunt, it was just ***. So get over yourself and stop thinking I’m mad.”

“That was a little brutal, Delilah. Don’t you think?”

“No. You asked me a question and I gave you my honest answer.”

He needed me to tell him I wasn’t mad, so I did. I did it for the sake of our professional relationship as well as friendship. Did I believe that line of bull**** I just fed him? No. The truth was, it was more than just *** for me. I wished I had a switch that I could just flip and say no big deal. But I didn’t and, to me, it was on a whole new personal level. But I needed him to believe that all was good.

We were about two and a half hours into our drive and I suspected that Oliver got on the wrong highway because we had just entered Rockport, Massachusetts.

“I think you’re going the wrong way.”

“I know where I’m going. It’s the same route we took to Vermont.”

“Really? Why don’t you use the GPS and find out? Because I don’t remember going through Rockport.”

“Delilah, don’t be a back seat driver.”

I pulled out my phone and pulled up the GPS. I typed in our location and Manhattan, New York.

“Yep. You went the wrong way. It says here that Manhattan is four hours and sixteen minutes from here.”

“Impossible. Let me see that.” He took the phone from my hand and the Escalade started to shake. “****!” Oliver yelled.

“What’s wrong? Why is the car doing that shaky thing?”

“I don’t know. I need to pull over.” He sighed as he pulled over on the side of the road and the Escalade shut down. He tried to start it again and it was completely dead.

“You have got to be ****ing kidding me.” He got out and slammed the door.

Love, Lust A Millionaire
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****

Delilah

Kelsey handed me a glass of lemonade and we walked out to the back and took a seat at the picnic table while Matt, Oliver, and Sophie looked at the horses.

“How has Sophie been?” Kelsey asked.

“She’s been great. She’s really smart. You should see how she paints.”

“How is she adjusting to living with Oliver?”

“She’s good. I’ve been spending a great deal of time with her.”

“Isn’t her father supposed to be doing that?”

I sighed as I stared at Oliver from a distance. “He told me that you don’t like him.”

“He’s right. I don’t. In fact, I can’t stand him. All Elaine wanted was a family and he led her on, making her believe that he loved her until she got pregnant, then he kicked her to the curb and refused to have anything to do with Sophie. Elaine dies and all of a sudden he steps up and wants to play daddy? He’s no good for her. She would do better if Matt and I were to raise her.”

“He’s her father.” I started to become angry.

“I know that, but it doesn’t make him a better parent.”

“Oliver is doing the best he can. He loves that little girl more than life.”

“The only thing he can do for her is provide her with material things.”

I took a sip of lemonade and before I could comment, Sophie ran over to me.

“Delilah, I got to pet the horse and Uncle Matt said that he’ll teach me how to ride.”

“That’s great, baby.” I pulled her into me.

Matt and Oliver walked over to where we were sitting. “Delilah, are you ready to head back? We have a long ride ahead of us.”

“Yeah.” I got up from my seat and gave Sophie a hug goodbye. “You’re going to have so much fun here. Be good and when you get home, I’ll take you to the museum.”

Oliver bent down and hugged her tight, kissing her on the head. “I’ll miss you, princess. Be good for your Aunt Kelsey and Uncle Matt. Remember, you can call me at any time. I love you, Sophie.”

“I love you too, Daddy.”

We said goodbye to Kelsey and Matt and climbed in the Escalade. I could tell that Oliver was somewhat off. Perhaps he was sad that Sophie wasn’t going back with us. He pulled out of the driveway and we headed on our journey back to New York.

“You okay?” I asked as I looked over at him.

“Yeah. I just didn’t think I’d be missing my daughter already.”

“It’s hard. I remember when Braden first went off to college. It was so weird not having him around. I felt empty inside.”

He looked at me with a small smile and reached over and squeezed my hand. “This will be good for Sophie. She should spend some time with her mother’s family. I wanted to wait until we were alone to talk about last night.”

“What about it?” I asked.

“I got the impression you’re pissed off at me for some reason and I would like to know why.”

I ****ed my head as I looked at him and narrowed my eyes. If he truly didn’t know, then he would have to keep guessing because I wasn’t about to have this discussion with him.

“Why would you get that impression?”

“Well, for starters, you wouldn’t have coffee with me this morning. Do you regret what happened between us?”

“Do you?” I asked.

He didn’t say anything as he looked straight ahead. “Listen, Oliver. You had just broken up with Laurel and you were in a vulnerable state. It happens. Sometimes a person seeks *** to make themselves feel better. I was there and we had ***. It’s not like it meant anything. It was a release for your pain and/or loss. To be blunt, it was just ***. So get over yourself and stop thinking I’m mad.”

“That was a little brutal, Delilah. Don’t you think?”

“No. You asked me a question and I gave you my honest answer.”

He needed me to tell him I wasn’t mad, so I did. I did it for the sake of our professional relationship as well as friendship. Did I believe that line of bull**** I just fed him? No. The truth was, it was more than just *** for me. I wished I had a switch that I could just flip and say no big deal. But I didn’t and, to me, it was on a whole new personal level. But I needed him to believe that all was good.

We were about two and a half hours into our drive and I suspected that Oliver got on the wrong highway because we had just entered Rockport, Massachusetts.

“I think you’re going the wrong way.”

“I know where I’m going. It’s the same route we took to Vermont.”

“Really? Why don’t you use the GPS and find out? Because I don’t remember going through Rockport.”

“Delilah, don’t be a back seat driver.”

I pulled out my phone and pulled up the GPS. I typed in our location and Manhattan, New York.

“Yep. You went the wrong way. It says here that Manhattan is four hours and sixteen minutes from here.”

“Impossible. Let me see that.” He took the phone from my hand and the Escalade started to shake. “****!” Oliver yelled.

“What’s wrong? Why is the car doing that shaky thing?”

“I don’t know. I need to pull over.” He sighed as he pulled over on the side of the road and the Escalade shut down. He tried to start it again and it was completely dead.

“You have got to be ****ing kidding me.” He got out and slammed the door.

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I climbed out and walked around to where he was leaned up against the truck, pulling his phone from his pocket.

“Who are you calling?”

“The car rental place.”

Up ahead was a restaurant called Ellen’s Diner. I grabbed my purse and bag and began walking towards it.

“Where are you going?” he yelled.

“I’m hungry and there’s a diner up ahead.”

He ran and caught up to me. “How can you think about food right now? The rental place is closed and we’re stuck here.”

“That might be, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m starving. Let’s grab some dinner and figure out what to do next.”

He sighed and I silently smiled. We reached the diner and walked inside. The place was jammed packed, but there was one open booth in the corner. I grabbed two menus that sat behind the napkin holder and handed one to Oliver. He took it from me and gave me an unpleasant look.

“What was that look for?”

“I don’t understand how you can eat at a time like this.”

I laughed. “Time like what? You mean because the rental car broke down?”

“Yes.”

“It’s a minor thing. We’ll eventually make it back to New York.” I smiled.

The waitress walked over and Oliver asked her if there was a rental car place nearby. She replied as she annoyingly chewed on her gum.

“There’s a place about twenty miles from here, but it’s closed now. They’ll reopen tomorrow at nine a.m.”

He looked irritated and I ordered a coke.

“Now what are we supposed to do?” he asked me.

“How do I know? You’re the man. Shouldn’t you know these things?”

“I’ll call Scott.”

“Really? So you want to sit here for the next four hours for Scott and then drive four hours home? Does that make sense?”

“Then it looks like we’ll have to spend the night in Rockport,” he replied.

“Good thing I packed a bag.” I smiled as I held it up. “And you thought it was a stupid idea.”

“I never said it was stupid.” He winked.

When the waitress delivered our dinner, Oliver asked her where the nearest hotel was.

“Right down the road is the Yankee Clipper Inn, but good luck because it’s prime tourist season right now and all the hotels are pretty booked up.”

“Great.” He scowled as he looked at me. “Thank you. We’ll try there.”

He pulled out his phone and looked the number up, calling them to inquire about rooms. “If that’s all you have, then I’ll take it. We’ll be checking in shortly.”

As I was indulging in my cheeseburger, he hung up and placed his phone back in his pocket.

“So they have rooms available?”

“Yes, but only one. The people had to check out early due to a family emergency.”

“But we need two rooms.” My stomach started to flutter at the thought of staying in the same room with him.

“They don’t have two rooms. Only one. We don’t have a choice.”

“We wouldn’t be in this situation if you would have used the GPS to go home.”

“The car still would have broken down.” He narrowed his eyes at me.

“Yes, but we would have been closer to home.”

He sighed. “Finish your dinner so we can get out of here.”

I gave him a ****y smile as I took a bite of my French fry.

Chapter 24

Oliver

I took Delilah’s bag from her as we left the diner and headed down the road to the Yankee Clipper Inn. I had to admit that Rockport was a beautiful place.

“It’s pretty here,” I said as I threw her bag over my shoulder.

“I was just thinking that too.”

As mad as I was that the Escalade had broken down and we were stuck here, I loved the fact that it happened with Delilah. I wanted to **** her again more than anything else in the world. She was incredible last night and left me craving her even more than I already had been. I hoped she’d be open to having *** again tonight because being in the same room with her wasn’t going to be easy. My feelings had escalated beyond my wildest dreams and it terrified me. When we reached the driveway to the Inn, we stopped in front of it and looked up. The beautiful 1920s-style white mansion sat far back and on a small hill near the ocean.

“Are you ready to climb this hill, Mr. Wyatt?” Delilah smiled at me.

“I am if you are.” I smiled back and held out my hand. She took it and every nerve in my body jolted.

We walked inside and took note of the Victorian style décor that graced the interior of the place.

“Wow. This is beautiful, Oliver.”

I walked up to the desk and gave the man, whose name tag said “Bob,” my name.

“You will be in room number six on the third floor, Mr. Wyatt.”

“Thank you.” I graciously smiled as he handed me a gold key.

We walked up the stairs and I inserted the key into the lock. It was your standard doorknob with a regular lock. When we walked inside, Delilah went right over to the door wall and opened the sliding door.

“Oh my God, look at this view and listen to that ocean.”

I set her bag on the bed and walked over to where she was standing on the balcony. It was a beautiful sight.

“Haven’t you ever seen the ocean before?”

“Ha. You’re kidding me, right? You knew how and where I grew up. The only thing I ever saw were alleyways, garbage cans, and drug dealers hanging on the street corners. I need to go down there and feel the water,” she said in excitement as she flew out the door.

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I climbed out and walked around to where he was leaned up against the truck, pulling his phone from his pocket.

“Who are you calling?”

“The car rental place.”

Up ahead was a restaurant called Ellen’s Diner. I grabbed my purse and bag and began walking towards it.

“Where are you going?” he yelled.

“I’m hungry and there’s a diner up ahead.”

He ran and caught up to me. “How can you think about food right now? The rental place is closed and we’re stuck here.”

“That might be, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m starving. Let’s grab some dinner and figure out what to do next.”

He sighed and I silently smiled. We reached the diner and walked inside. The place was jammed packed, but there was one open booth in the corner. I grabbed two menus that sat behind the napkin holder and handed one to Oliver. He took it from me and gave me an unpleasant look.

“What was that look for?”

“I don’t understand how you can eat at a time like this.”

I laughed. “Time like what? You mean because the rental car broke down?”

“Yes.”

“It’s a minor thing. We’ll eventually make it back to New York.” I smiled.

The waitress walked over and Oliver asked her if there was a rental car place nearby. She replied as she annoyingly chewed on her gum.

“There’s a place about twenty miles from here, but it’s closed now. They’ll reopen tomorrow at nine a.m.”

He looked irritated and I ordered a coke.

“Now what are we supposed to do?” he asked me.

“How do I know? You’re the man. Shouldn’t you know these things?”

“I’ll call Scott.”

“Really? So you want to sit here for the next four hours for Scott and then drive four hours home? Does that make sense?”

“Then it looks like we’ll have to spend the night in Rockport,” he replied.

“Good thing I packed a bag.” I smiled as I held it up. “And you thought it was a stupid idea.”

“I never said it was stupid.” He winked.

When the waitress delivered our dinner, Oliver asked her where the nearest hotel was.

“Right down the road is the Yankee Clipper Inn, but good luck because it’s prime tourist season right now and all the hotels are pretty booked up.”

“Great.” He scowled as he looked at me. “Thank you. We’ll try there.”

He pulled out his phone and looked the number up, calling them to inquire about rooms. “If that’s all you have, then I’ll take it. We’ll be checking in shortly.”

As I was indulging in my cheeseburger, he hung up and placed his phone back in his pocket.

“So they have rooms available?”

“Yes, but only one. The people had to check out early due to a family emergency.”

“But we need two rooms.” My stomach started to flutter at the thought of staying in the same room with him.

“They don’t have two rooms. Only one. We don’t have a choice.”

“We wouldn’t be in this situation if you would have used the GPS to go home.”

“The car still would have broken down.” He narrowed his eyes at me.

“Yes, but we would have been closer to home.”

He sighed. “Finish your dinner so we can get out of here.”

I gave him a ****y smile as I took a bite of my French fry.

Chapter 24

Oliver

I took Delilah’s bag from her as we left the diner and headed down the road to the Yankee Clipper Inn. I had to admit that Rockport was a beautiful place.

“It’s pretty here,” I said as I threw her bag over my shoulder.

“I was just thinking that too.”

As mad as I was that the Escalade had broken down and we were stuck here, I loved the fact that it happened with Delilah. I wanted to **** her again more than anything else in the world. She was incredible last night and left me craving her even more than I already had been. I hoped she’d be open to having *** again tonight because being in the same room with her wasn’t going to be easy. My feelings had escalated beyond my wildest dreams and it terrified me. When we reached the driveway to the Inn, we stopped in front of it and looked up. The beautiful 1920s-style white mansion sat far back and on a small hill near the ocean.

“Are you ready to climb this hill, Mr. Wyatt?” Delilah smiled at me.

“I am if you are.” I smiled back and held out my hand. She took it and every nerve in my body jolted.

We walked inside and took note of the Victorian style décor that graced the interior of the place.

“Wow. This is beautiful, Oliver.”

I walked up to the desk and gave the man, whose name tag said “Bob,” my name.

“You will be in room number six on the third floor, Mr. Wyatt.”

“Thank you.” I graciously smiled as he handed me a gold key.

We walked up the stairs and I inserted the key into the lock. It was your standard doorknob with a regular lock. When we walked inside, Delilah went right over to the door wall and opened the sliding door.

“Oh my God, look at this view and listen to that ocean.”

I set her bag on the bed and walked over to where she was standing on the balcony. It was a beautiful sight.

“Haven’t you ever seen the ocean before?”

“Ha. You’re kidding me, right? You knew how and where I grew up. The only thing I ever saw were alleyways, garbage cans, and drug dealers hanging on the street corners. I need to go down there and feel the water,” she said in excitement as she flew out the door.

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“Delilah, wait!”

I ran after her. There was no sand. It was all rocks and I didn’t want her to fall. Once she saw the rocks, she stopped.

“Take my hand and I’ll help you down there.”

She put her in hand in mine and I carefully led her over the rocks and down to the water. She bent down and looked up at me with a smile as she moved her hands around lightly in the water. Watching the excitement on her face was overwhelming. Something that I took for granted and had seen a million times was so new and refreshing to her. I bent down beside her and placed my hands in the water as she turned and looked at me.

“Thank you for helping me down here.”

“It was my pleasure, Miss Graham.” Against my better judgment, I leaned in and softly brushed my lips against hers. I needed to feel her lips on mine once again.

****

Delilah

He caught me off guard with his kiss, but I didn’t care. I was happy to finally see the ocean and feel the saltwater, even if it was by accident because the Escalade had broken down. His kiss was soft but unsure. Unsure if he should have touched my lips. There was no doubt that I was falling more and more for him every day. I placed my hand on his cheek and smiled. He smiled back and took my hand, helping me up amongst the rocks as we walked back to the Inn. When we reached the room, my heart began to race as he placed his hands on my hips and stared into my eyes.

“May I kiss you again?” he asked.

“Why are you asking? You didn’t ask before.”

The corners of his mouth curled up into that sweet smile that I’d grown to love. “I’ll take that as a yes, then.” He leaned closer, and as his lips touched mine with force, I trembled. His kiss was untamed as his hands moved up and down my body. The feel of his tongue against mine sent shivers throughout my body and the excitement and longing for him brewed down below. I wasn’t stopping him, even though I should have after what had happened last night. His fingers gripped the bottom of my shirt as he broke our kiss and lifted it over my head. My hands fearlessly grabbed at his belt and as soon as I unbuckled it, I went for his button. He moaned as his tongue slid up and around my neck, caressing the edge of my ear and sending my body into overdrive. Unzipping his zipper, I slid my hand down the front of his pants, grasping his hard, beautiful ****, which had given me so much pleasure.

“God, Delilah,” he whispered as his mouth kissed its way down to the center of my breasts. He reached behind and unhooked my bra, tossing it across the room while he took my hardened nipple in his mouth. It wasn’t long before his hands unbuttoned my shorts and took them down along with my panties. The palm of his hand pushed against me as his thumb circled my clit. My breathing was rapid as several moans escaped me and he dipped his fingers inside.

“You’re so wet. ****. I need to taste you.”

He pushed me back on the bed and spread my legs as his mouth devoured me, his tongue flickering against my clit, causing me to climax. I grasped the bed comforter as I released myself. He smiled as he softly kissed the inside of my thighs before trailing up my torso and reaching my breasts, lightly taking them between his teeth and then licking to cool the sting. God, I was in Heaven and I never wanted him to stop.

“I want that sweet mouth of yours wrapped around my ****.” He stood up at the edge of the bed as I sat up and got on my knees in front of him and wrapped my lips around him, taking his manhood in my mouth. His moans became louder as I sucked up and down his shaft and swirled my tongue around, sending him into a frenzy after I started caressing his balls. His fingers tangled in my hair as he moved my head up and down.

“****, Delilah. Your mouth is amazing. I’m going to come any second. Watching you blow me is so ****ing hot. Oh my God,” he moaned as he pulled out of my mouth and came all over my breasts. He took my face in his hands and I lay on my back. He hovered over me and softly kissed me.

“We should clean you up.” He smiled and walked to the bathroom and grabbed some tissue.

He climbed on the bed next to me and cleaned his come from my breasts, smiling as he was doing it.

“That was nice. Thank you. But I still need to be inside of you.”

“What are you waiting for?” I asked with a grin.

He threw the tissue on the nightstand and grabbed his wallet, which was sitting there. He pulled out the condom and set it down.

****

Oliver

She looked like nothing except a goddess lying on the bed naked in front of me. I ran my finger around her lips and she took it in her mouth, sucking it as she stared at me. My **** was rising faster than the speed of light and aching to be inside of her. Pulling my finger from her mouth, I traced around her beautiful breasts, circling her already hardened nipples before making my way down to her tight *****. She moaned as I dipped my finger inside of her, slowly feeling my way around inside. Feeling the warmth of the wetness that emerged from her delighted me in ways that were unexplainable. She excited me more than any other woman ever had and the way I lusted for her was insane. I wanted to make love to her, not **** her any which way like an animal. I wanted to move slowly in and out of her, savoring each and every pleasurable stroke. My **** was hard and ready to explode. I reached over to the nightstand, ripped open the condom wrapper, and slid it over me. Rolling her on her side, I lay next to her, wrapping my arms around her and groping her perfect breasts as I slowly entered her. She gasped and I let out a soft moan. As I moved fluidly in and out of her, our bodies began to sweat. I lightly circled her shoulder with my tongue as my finger found her clit. It drove her wild as she turned her head and smashed her mouth against mine. She had me so hot I couldn’t hold back any more. As the orgasm consumed her body, I pushed myself deep inside her as I took pleasure in my release.

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Chapter 25

Delilah

God, my body was on fire. Still reeling from the effects of what Oliver did to me, I lay there as he pulled out and got up to dispose of the condom. I climbed under the covers with a knot in my stomach for what was to come next. Oliver walked from the bathroom and started to climb in next to me.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting in bed?” he spoke with confusion.

“Not in this bed, you’re not.”

“Excuse me?” He arched his eyebrow.

I took the extra pillow from the bed and threw it on the floor. “You can sleep on the floor or in that chair over there.”

“What’s going on here?”

“I wasn’t good enough to sleep next to last night, but tonight is different? Why? Because you can’t send me to my room?”

“That’s why you were pissed,” he said as he sat down on the bed.

“Damn right, I was pissed, Oliver. I felt like a hooker. ‘Thanks for the ****, now get out of here.’”

He sighed. “Delilah, listen to me. The only reason I did that was because of Sophie. I didn’t want her to find us together in bed. That wouldn’t be right.”

Okay. Now I felt like a complete ass. But it was his fault for not explaining that to me.

“I’m sorry. I should have told you that last night, and to be honest, I didn’t think about it and I seriously didn’t think you’d be mad about it.”

“I was more hurt, Oliver,” I spoke as I turned the other way.

“I wanted you to stay in my bed. I wanted to wrap my arms around you and fall asleep with your naked body against mine after the amazing *** we had, but I couldn’t risk it. What if she would have gotten up in the middle of the night and come to either one of our rooms?”

His words made me melt and, instantly, he was forgiven because he made a valid point. “You’re right and I’m sorry. Now get under these covers and hold me.”

He picked the pillow up off the floor and climbed in, wrapping his strong arms around me and pulling me tight against his chest. He was so warm and my body was heating up with desire.

“It would be my pleasure to hold you all night long.”

I smiled as I kissed his chest. This man, my boss, my friend, was making me feel like the most special person in the world. I wouldn’t take this happiness I felt for granted because I knew it wasn’t going to last. Nothing lasts forever.

****

I awoke to the sound of my and Oliver’s phone buzzing. I reached over and grabbed mine, as did Oliver. I had a text message from Liam.

“Where are you and Oliver? I thought you were coming back yesterday?”

“It’s Liam. Didn’t you call him or text him last night?” I asked Oliver.

“I forgot. I had something else on my mind.” He kissed the top of my head.

“The Escalade broke down and we had to spend the night in Rockport, MA. Oliver will explain.”

“Whoa. Are you two in the same room?”

“Yes.”

“It’s about damn time.”

I smiled and Oliver decided to call him. I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. When I returned, Oliver had just hung up with Liam.

“I have to call the rental place now.”

I climbed back into bed and on top of him, kissing his soft lips. “I think that can wait for now.” I smiled.

“As much as I would love to, Delilah, I’m afraid that was the only condom I had.”

“Oh. Well, you don’t have to worry about that. I’m on the pill. I have been for the past three years.”

“You haven’t been having ***. Why are you on birth control?”

“I used to get horrible cramps around that time of the month. Cramps so debilitating that I couldn’t get out of bed. The pill helps that.”

“Ah. I see. Well, I don’t feel safe without using a condom. So if there’s no condom, there’s no ***. I made that mistake once and I won’t make it again.”

I looked at him with a frown and climbed off of him. There goes my happy. I knew it wouldn’t last. He basically said he didn’t trust me and that hurt. In fact, it hurt more than it should have.

“Okay, then. Make your phone call. I’m going to take a shower.” I got up, went into the bathroom, and locked the door.

After my shower, Oliver was dressed and sitting out on the balcony. “Do you want to take one last look at the ocean before we leave?”

“No. I got my fix last night. I’m good. What did the rental place say?”

“They’re coming to tow the Escalade and bringing out another car for us. They’ll be here in about an hour, so why don’t we go downstairs and have breakfast first?”

“Okay.” I threw my stuff back in my bag, grabbed my purse, and headed out the door. Oliver followed behind and I made sure I stayed ahead of him.

“Why are you walking so fast?”

“I’m hungry,” I lied.

We reached the dining area and took a seat at a table for two. While waiting for our breakfast, I sipped my coffee while Oliver played on his phone. These next couple of weeks without Sophie being around were going to be strange. I was going to make sure I was busy so I didn’t have to think about him too much.

“I think I’ll give Kelsey a call and talk to Sophie to see how she’s doing.”

“Good idea.” I pulled my phone from my purse and there was a text message from Jenny.