Page 58 of Coldhearted King

She stands there for a moment, watching me, and even now I’m fighting the urge to go over there, shove my hand up her skirt, and push my fingers into slick heat.

“I have to go,” she says.

“Okay.”

She hesitates another second, but when I don’t say more, she turns and slips out the door.

I lean back in my chair and pinch the bridge of my nose.

What the hell is going on with me?

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

DELILAH

Alex puts down her wineglass. “You turned down a night in a billionaire’s penthouse for me? I’m flattered, but you shouldn’t have.”

“Yes, I should,” I say, taking a sip of my wine. “He’s very...overwhelming, you know? I mean, doing something like this in the first place is not like me. I can’t let myself get completely sucked in by him, because he’ll just chew me up and spit me out. I also really can’t afford to screw up this job.”

Alex’s brow crinkles. “Then why are you doing it?”

I run my finger around the rim of my glass and let out a sigh. “I’m not sure. I’ve never felt anything like this, you know? I’ve never been...swept away by anything or anyone. I’ve always done the smart thing.”

I’ve spent my life achieving one goal after another, but there’s a price for that level of commitment. One I wasn’t sure I’d thought twice about paying until the first night Cole touched me. He showed me another side to life I’d been missing in my single-minded drive to secure financial futures for my mother and myself.

“Yeah, I get that. You’ve been so focused on work ever since I met you, so I don’t hate the idea of you doing something that gets you out of the office. But...”

I brace myself. “But what?”

“As hot as he is, and as much as I’ve been pro having the sexy billionaire give you multiple orgasms, I can’t help but wish someone other than him had swept you off your feet. After everything you’ve said, he doesn’t sound like the most emotionally available man around.”

“If it’s just a casual fling, does it matter if he’s emotionally available?”

Alex’s smile is gentle. “If I thought it would stay just a casual fling, I’d agree with you, but you know how these things go. Usually someone catches feelings, and from what you’ve told me, it doesn’t sound like it’s going to be Cole.”

I pause as the waiter brings out our meals, placing the pasta-filled dishes in front of us. As delicious as it looks, I don’t dig in straight away. “I was with Paul for months and I didn’t fall for him.”

Alex swallows the mouthful she’s already taken and raises her brows at me. “I wouldn’t exactly compare Paul to Cole.”

I laugh. “Good point.”

Alex reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “As long as you’re having fun and guarding your heart.”

I squeeze back. “I am. I’m doing both things.”

“Good.” She goes back to eating. “So, what’s the plan? You’ve turned him down for tonight. Will you accept his next offer? Or maybe you should go into his office tomorrow, lock the door, and take him for a ride.”

I snort. “That might be a bit more advanced than I’m capable of at the moment.”

“Learn by doing, Dee. Learn by doing.”

I swirl strands of spaghetti around my fork. “I might work my way up to that lesson.”

“Fair enough.” She raises her wineglass with a smile. “Well, here’s to having fun with a hot, hung billionaire.”

I laugh again and clink my glass against hers. “Cheers to that.”

And to living life more fully than I ever have before.

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