Page 41 of Coldhearted King

I stare at him. This is not what I expected at all. He has nothing to say about what happened between us or ignoring me for the week after, but he wants me to accompany him for a night or two, away? “I’m not sure...I mean, I do need to see the site, but...”

He frowns. “What’s the problem, Miss West?”

I stand, needing to gain some kind of equal footing. “Do you think it’s a good idea, after...after last week.”

He drops his arms. “I think it’s a very good idea. That’s why I suggested it.”

I swallow past my dry throat. “If you’re asking me because you think we’re going to repeat—”

His brows slam down. “I’m asking you because you are the architect working on this site and having you travel with me on the company jet rather than flying out separately makes good logistical sense. I’m asking you to attend the gala because I need a plus one, and I don’t want to worry about organizing someone else. And since there will be plenty of people there from the industry, it will do you good to attend.” He shakes his head, his scowl deepening. “Do you honestly think I need to manipulate a woman into having sex with me?”

My jaw tightens. “No. I’m sure you don’t.”

He regards me with a frown. “Do you have an issue with me, Miss West?”

“No,” I automatically reply, but then everything that’s happened overwhelms me, and I fling my hands in the air as it all comes pouring out. “Except maybe it would have been nice if you hadn’t disappeared off the face of the earth after making me come last week. What we did was completely unprofessional, and I had no idea what to think about it. Paul had cheated on me, we did...that, then I didn’t hear from you or see you for the rest of the week. You didn’t even come to the team meeting. And I saw you—” I cut myself off, not wanting to remind him of how I’d been lurking and watching him and his brothers get ready to go to some kind of event. “Anyway. You may be used to screwing employees in your office then forgetting they exist, but that’s not the kind of thing I’m used to. I felt...”

He stares down at me with inscrutable eyes. “What did you feel?”

It’s too late to go back now. A shaky breath rushes out of me. “I felt alone.”

His gaze locks on mine, and I cringe inwardly at everything I’ve admitted. Without a word, he turns and heads back to his side of the desk. But he doesn’t sit. He leans forward and braces his hands on the surface, his eyes boring into mine. “I had to fly out to our California office Monday night. I was there all week, putting out fires. I flew back Friday afternoon, in time to attend the engagement party of a long-time associate.”

I wet my lips. “Oh.”

“And I didn’t know making you come went along with the need to update you on my whereabouts at any given time.”

He sits down and rubs his hand over his mouth and chin, and I remember how he did the same after making me orgasm. Heat pools low in my core, and I mentally slap myself.

I’m so out of my depth with this man. Everything in my life has gone off the rails since I slept with him all those weeks ago. Although, admittedly, what happened with Paul had nothing to do with Cole.

Regardless, I have to stop letting my emotions get away from me around him. He’s obviously used to this kind of thing, so making a big deal of it is just going to make me look immature. If he can act as if nothing happened between us, then so can I.

“I shouldn’t have said anything. It won’t happen again.” I keep my gaze level and fixed on his, even though all I want to do is walk away and pretend none of this happened.

“Don’t worry about it.” He watches me, his eyes dark. “Now that we’ve cleared that up, I expect you to be ready for an overnight trip to Chicago. The jet leaves at eight a.m. on Friday, and we’ll fly back on Saturday. I’ll pick you up.”

He doesn’t say anything more, just continues to look at me. I brush my damp palms over my skirt. “I’ll be ready. Is that all?”

“That’s all.”

I make for the office door as quickly as I can while maintaining some kind of dignity, but he stops me just as I’m about to turn the handle. “Delilah.”

I look at him over my shoulder.

His jaw works and he looks uncomfortable for the first time since I’ve known him. “I’m sorry that I made you feel alone.”

My brows arch high. I doubt he’s used to apologizing to his employees. I can’t help but give him a tiny smile. But I just murmur, “Thank you,” then leave.

As I wait for the elevator, I reassure myself that I can move forward from what happened between us. And I’m excited to visit the site. As much as photographs and 3D terrain models are usable for the initial designs, I’ll have a much better understanding of the space once I’ve seen it in person. I’m not as excited about attending the gala since I have no idea what to expect and don’t have anything to wear. I’ll have to ask Alex if she can help me with that. We’re a similar size, and she has some great dresses. Hopefully she’ll have something to lend me.

Except, I don’t have to ask Alex to borrow a dress, because when I come back from my lunch break, there’s an envelope on my desk. Inside is a note from Cole, and a black-and-silver corporate credit card with his name on it. At least, I think it’s a corporate card. I flip it over, but there’s nothing on it except Cole’s name. I shake my head and laugh at myself. There’s no way Cole would give me his personal credit card. This must just be how VIP corporate cards look. I place it on the desk and read the note.

Miss West,

Use this card to purchase a dress and shoes for the gala on Friday night, as well as anything else you might need. Please remember you will be representing the King Group, so make sure you take advantage of the unlimited budget.

Cole

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