Page 119 of Delilah In Discretion

I thankfully found what I was looking for. Slamming the drawer shut, I made a beeline for my office but stopped when “miraculously,” Luca made his way in front of me.

“What do you want, Luca?” I asked, annoyed, and he gazed down at me, his eyes filled with amusement at my expense as usual.

“Just wanted to see how you’re holding up.”

“As long as I can keep my distance from you, I find that I’ve been holding up pretty well.”

He took one step closer, and I took a few back, almost losing my balance from how fast I moved. He watched my actions and grinned.

“And despite your loathing,” he continued, his voice a low, almost teasing murmur, “I still find that resilience and stubbornness of yours quite alluring.”

“I’d say that indicates you might have a psychological issue.”

His grin only widened. “Maybe so. Unfortunately, you don’t see us together, and while I’d rather not make you despise me, it seems I might have to. You and Archer shouldn’t be together, and I intend to make that a reality.”

“And you and I should be together?” I asked, and he shrugged.

“In an ideal world. Yes.”

“You’re delusional,” I seethed.

He towered over me slightly as I looked up at him, remaining still.

“Be careful, doll. This little fantasy you and Archer live in won’t last long if you keep that attitude towards me.” I narrowed my eyes at him as he shrugged. “Besides,” he muttered, “are you truly pleased with a boy who cries and throws a tantrum when his older brother doesn’t want to be bothered with him?”

My face went blank.How the hell did he know?I began to think, but as if a switch went off in my brain, I jabbed my heel onto his shoe, causing him to step away quickly. I glared at him as I slowly approached him, to which he now started backing away, his smug demeanor faltering slightly.

“You don’t talk about myboyfriendlike that at all. You know nothing of his feelings toward his family, and you have no right getting involved in anything we do. So keep your fucking mouth shut, or my heel won’t just be stepping on your foot.”

“Ah... ‘boyfriend.’ So we’re on labels now?” Luca laughed, and I could practically feel the steam coming out of my ears.

I heard a throat clear, and Luca rolled his eyes as he looked over to the source.

“And the man of the hour returns.”

The footsteps approached, and I averted my eyes.

“You can leave now, Luca. You’ve done enough today,” Archer said, and Luca sighed.

“Not a problem. Congratulations on making things official.” He winked at me as he left the room, and I sighed as I turned and looked at Archer.

The door closed, and Archer smiled.

“Whatever happened to moving slow, Princess? Now I’m your boyfriend?” he asked.

I rolled my eyes as I walked over to him and placed my hands on his chest. “Don’t let it get to your head, Lockwood.”

He chuckled as he pulled me closer by the waist. “You know you could’ve broken his toe?”

I only shrugged. “And I was hoping I would, but there’s always next time... No one talks about myboyfriendthat way.”

Archer chuckled and leaned down to my ear. “I like the sound of that, Princess,” he muttered.

I rolled my eyes. “Of course you do.”

I smiled before he kissed my lips, instantly dissolving any lingering negativity from earlier.

Omniscient

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