Page 114 of Delilah In Discretion

“First of all, he will never be allowed in your room—”

“Which is why we were out here! All we were doing was talking. We didn’t want to wake up the kids.” Ivory trailed off, and eventually, panic rose in her face as she pleaded her next words. “Please don’t tell Dad! All we were doing was talking. If he finds out, I’ll never see him again!”

“You’ll obviously see him, Ivory. He’s Kimi’s brother.”

Ivory shook her head. “But you know Dad!! He’ll overthink things, and we won’t even be able to look at one another until we’re thirty!” she said, sighing.

Jin spoke up after a moment. “Hang on a minute… We’re not in the wrong here, becauseheshouldn’t even be here.” He pointed to Archer.

I bit my lip nervously as Ivory narrowed her eyes at us as the reality of the situation finally dawned on her.

“You’re dating!” she yelled, and I groaned.

“Yes, okay! We are, but this isn’t any of your concern!”

Ivory stood up and tilted her head. “Well, you have no right to get upset at me and Jin if you’re doing the absolute worst and dating our enemy!” she voiced.

Archer’s face contorted at the remark as I rubbed my temples.

“I’m sorry, Ivory. I shouldn’t have assumed anything, and you’re right. My situation is far more intense, and I should not be a hypocrite about it. Now go inside, please. We’ll talk about this later.”

She nodded, and Jin stood up. “You won’t tell Dad, right?” she asked, and I shook my head.

“I won’t tell if you won’t.”

Ivory nodded as she went inside, Jin not too far behind her. I felt arms around my waist, and I sighed as I placed one of my hands in Archer’s hair as I leaned into his hold.

“I feel like we’ve been finding out a bit too much lately. First, it’s Uncle Eugene, then it’s Ivory and Jin, and all the while we’re figuring out all of this, more people know about us. It’s only a matter of time before word gets out to my father and... I don’t think I’m ready for that yet.”

He nodded and pulled me in closer. “Let’s go on a vacation… a honeymoon, if you will,” he whispered.

I bit my lip as a smile came to my face. “We’re not married, Lockwood. I think you’re just purposely trying to forget that fact.”

He chuckled as he turned me in his hold and caressed my face.

“I’m serious, Princess. I’ll take you wherever you want to go… I know you, Delilah. I know you’re beginning to feel overwhelmed with everything you’re learning and trying to hide. Let me be the one to relieve your stress and worries.”

I listened to his thoughtful words, and a sad smile broke out on my face as tears came to my eyes. I wrapped my arms around him once again and shook as a small sob threatened to make its way through. He wrapped his arms around me and shushed me silently.

“It’s just too much sometimes. I’m afraid I’ll lose you, and I don’t want that to happen,” I whispered.

He shook his head. “Your father will not make or break this relationship… he’ll have to come to terms with it eventually, sweetheart.”

I nodded as I pulled him closer, my tears beginning to slow.

“...Take me to Bora Bora,” I muttered, and he chuckled as he placed a kiss on my neck.

“You’re so spoiled. Do you know that?” he asked, and I shrugged.

“You enable me, so there’s no reason for me to deny it.”

He smirked and rubbed my back with his other hand.

“I was planning this. I know how stressed you are, and I know how much pressure everyone is putting on you—including myself…” He trailed off and I shook my head as I held his face in my hands.

“You’re perfect. After working all day, you still find it in you to visit me and invite me on a ‘honeymoon.’Thank you,” I whispered.

He placed a quick kiss on my lips before pulling away. “By the way… George let me in and told me to be quick,” he muttered, and I scoffed as I slapped his shoulder.

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