Page 102 of Delilah In Discretion

We neared a door that said “Employees Only,” and Archer looked around playfully.

“Keep a lookout,” he whispered, and I pretended to look around as he unlocked the door with the key. He grabbed my hand again and pulled me up the stairs.

I was expecting a boring rooftop, but my jaw dropped as the roof held a gorgeous rose garden. We slowed down as I looked around and gazed at the beautiful flowers. I let go of Archer’s hand as I approached the ledge slowly.

The view of the city made me speechless. New York was full of life and excitement, but the city felt different tonight—even more stunning. I turned back to look at Archer, and he held the same look of appreciation—only his eyes were fixated on me and nothing else.

“Getting in trouble on a rooftop wasn’t on my bucket list for tonight.”

He bit his lip. “Seeing you smile… is worth the risk.” He walked towards me slowly, and I intertwined both my hands in one of his as his other hand caressed my face.

“Even at the top of a building with one of the best views and standing in the middle of a garden, you still manage to keep me under your spell... You’re the most gorgeous flower in this garden. Nothing compares to you.” He whispered the last part, and I smiled as I brought his face down to my height for another kiss. He pulled me closer, and I sighed as he laced his fingers in my hair, deepening it further.

After a moment, we pulled away, and I continued to look into his eyes. “You sure know how to make a girl fall for you, Archer.”

“Well, you’re not just a girl, Princess,” he said with a wink, and I rolled my eyes at his words.

After about fifteen more minutes, he walked me back downstairs and led us to the door. The same waiter approached us, and Archer returned the key with a few extra hundred-dollar bills.

The drive back to Kimi’s was short, but it felt like forever, and I enjoyed every second. We reached her home, and Archer escorted me to the door.

Before he was able to even speak, Kimiko ripped the door open and glared at Archer.

“I’ve been worried sick! Do you know what time it is?” she asked, looking at the both of us as if we were children.

“It’s only ten fifteen, Kim-Kim.”

She rolled her eyes and grabbed my hand. “Fifteen minutes too late, if anything. I’m watching you, Lockwood.”

Archer crossed his arms. “Oh no, I’m shaking in my Armani suit. How will I ever feel safe again?” he said stoically, and I rolled my eyes at the two of them as I bid him goodbye and went inside.

I quickly went upstairs into Kimiko’s room to freshen up and changed into a simple long-sleeved shirt and black tights. Pulling my hair into a ponytail as I descended the steps, I flinched as I entered the kitchen, seeing my mother sitting at the kitchen island.

She grinned as she sipped her tea and glanced at me from head to toe. “How did it go?” she asked, and I sighed.

“Fine, Mom. It was fine,” I said with a small blush as I remembered our bits of slight intimacy, and she giggled.

“Well, the blush on your face tells one story, and the diamond bracelet on your wrist is definitely helping give all the details of it,” she observed, and I ignored her as I grabbed a bottle of water. “I’m glad you had fun,” she said genuinely, and I groaned as her eyes were pleading to give her some details.

“Ugh. Fine, I’ll tell you.”

She squealed happily, and as Kimi entered the room and took a seat beside her, I could only roll my eyes as they both stared at me expectantly.

Archer

As I walked into the house, the soft hum of conversation from the living room caught my attention. My father and Vivienne were sprawled on the couch, their voices carrying through the open door. I paused, deciding to listen for a moment before making my presence known.

“When are you going to stop being so bad?” Vivienne asked, her tone a mix of frustration and affection.

“Is ‘never’ a viable answer?” My father chuckled, clearly amused, and she pouted as she caressed his face.

“Try a little… for me? I have friends that I’d like to keep, you know.”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “I’ll see what I can do.”

She sighed softly. “I’ve heard that many times, Cal… but it’s fine. Just don’t be surprised when I’ve had enough and want my own space away from it all.”

“You can’t leave me, sugar… even if you tried, I’d find you.”

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