Page 40 of Coldhearted King

After leaving the meeting, I return to my desk and finish the plan I’ve been working on. I stay a little later to apply finishing touches so I can move to the next one on Monday.

It’s dark by the time I finish, and I hurry out of the almost empty office, eager to get home and switch my mind off for the weekend. As I exit the elevator into the foyer, my feet stutter to a stop. Cole and his brothers are standing outside the expansive glass doors, all three of them dressed in tuxedos, obviously preparing to attend some kind of formal event.

A lump forms in my throat, and my resolution to forget what happened comes crashing down. Cole made no effort to see or talk to me this week and he didn’t come to our meeting today, but he’s available to attend some party or other with his brothers.

I’m such a fool. For all my protestations to Alex—and to myself—I’d convinced myself that Cole’s actions meant something when they obviously didn’t. For all I know, he puts his tongue in women on a daily basis.

I hover away from the glass doors, waiting for them to leave—too embarrassed to walk out and see him, particularly with his brothers around. A black limo pulls up and the three of them get in. Cole climbs in last, and as he turns, he looks back into the building, his gaze colliding with mine.

I flinch, humiliated he’s seen me lurking here, obviously watching him. His eyes bore into me for a second before the driver swings the door shut, severing our connection.

I swallow hard as the big black car pulls away, my cheeks burning and tears pricking the backs of my eyes. This last week has been one of the worst of my life. First Paul and Philippa, then Cole. I just want to go home and pour myself a glass—or several—of wine and forget the last seven days ever happened.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

DELILAH

Iwalk into the office on Monday, refreshed and ready to be productive. After drinking wine with Alex on Friday night, then going out for another night of dancing on Saturday, I’m determined to put everything to do with Paul and Cole behind me.

When my phone rings midmorning and I see it’s Cole’s PA, my pulse leaps, even as my stomach twists.

“Hello,” I answer.

“Good morning, Delilah. Are you available for a meeting with Mr. King?”

My mouth goes dry, and I need to clear my throat before I answer. “Yes, of course.”

“Come on up, then.”

I hang up, then stand, wiping my sweaty palms on my skirt. When the elevator deposits me on the top floor, I smile at Samson, hoping my nerves aren’t showing on my face.

“He’s expecting you. You can go right in.” He nods toward the office.

When I knock and hear his deep voice telling me to come in, butterflies take flight in my stomach. I enter and close the door behind me, then quickly step away from it. I don’t need a reminder of being pressed against it a week ago. Stopping in the middle of the office, I interlace my fingers, hoping my face is as expressionless as his.

“Good morning, Miss West,” Cole says, his vivid blue eyes sweeping over me.

“Is there something you want from me, Mr. King?”

His gaze flashes to mine, and my breath hitches. Why did I say it that way?

“Yes,” he says, nodding to the chairs in front of his desk. “I want you to sit.”

Letting out a silent sigh, I take a seat in one of them.

He surprises me by asking, “How are you doing after...?”

I blink at him. Is he asking me how I am after he made me come last week? A blush creeps over my cheeks.

His brows draw together. “Has Paul bothered you at all?”

Oh. He meant how am I after finding out my boyfriend cheated on me. Of course he doesn’t care about how I am after orgasming in his office. If he’d cared about that, he might have been in touch sooner.

“Paul’s kept to himself. He’s been professional.”

Cole nods, then stands and walks around to my side of the desk, leaning back against it and crossing his arms as he regards me. I stop my eyes from dropping to his broad chest. Why does he have to look so incredible in a suit?

“I’m flying to Chicago at the end of this week to represent the King Group at a black-tie benefit gala. I plan to visit the hotel site while I’m there. Since you have a site visit scheduled soon anyway, it makes sense for you to come with me. And since we’ll be there together, I’d like you to attend the gala as my plus one.”

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