Chapter 4

Michael

I was restless today after enjoying lunch with Delila. I decided to leave at six and passed the common room used by the photographers, pausing when I heard Delila’s name. I paused and Lauren said something about a shoot in Central Park. “Where is the shoot?” I demanded from the doorway as everyone turned to gaze at me in surprise. Lauren raised a pink brow and smirked at me.

“By the strawberry fields. Robert took Delila out there to help him on a shoot tonight. Word is she’s got some talent.” Nico replied as he shared a look with Lauren.

“Thank you.” I turned to leave and heard their whispers as I continued to the elevator. I knew that my questioning anything about a woman in this environment would cause a stir since I’d kept my distance as of late. The fact that we went to lunch together definitely made staff think I was sleeping with her.

I wasn’t, but I wanted to.

I was going to get some take out and work from home when I left. What I ended up doing was driving to the park and grabbing a hot dog before walking quietly through the park. It was evening now, and the sun was setting, casting shadows around the park. I wondered what the hell people would be doing here at night for a shoot but reminded myself that I worked for a modeling agency. Every photographer that I employed likely took on some side work for friends. Delila would as well.

I heard the sound of voices near the fields and stood back in the trees to observe. There were some lights set up and a natural backdrop of grass and trees. It was a great place to shoot. A couple stood close together as Robert and Delila conferred together. She looked focused and happy, making me stare her down for several moments.

The people moved beside a tree and he pulled her into his arms as Robert handed Delila a camera. She took it and stepped back a few feet, aiming the camera towards them as Robert called something out to her.

I never knew women that called to me the way Delila did. Watching her work was like an addiction, taking in every movement as she bent and stretched. She was sexy as fuck and I leaned against a tree to keep watching,

The shoot took just over an hour and they started to pack up. I assumed at this point that it was an engagement photo and the couple hugged everyone before leaving the park holding hands. Robert led Delila out of the park and I followed slowly, watching them laugh together. If he wasn’t openly gay, I’d be jealous, but Robert was a flamboyant character. He was one of my best though.

Robert asked her if she wanted to share a cab with him as I paused on the dark trail. It was now or never. I could let them leave or offer her to drive her home, revealing my presence here. She was just opening her mouth to speak when I felt my feet step forward. “I can give you a ride home.”

They both looked at me in surprise and Robert smirked at me. “Taking a late walk?”

“I was in the area for a meeting. The weather is nice.” She was looking over my work clothes and pressed her lips together slowly as she considered my offer. “What are you doing here?”

“I had a shoot, and she assisted. She’s a great photographer.” He said as he smiled warmly at Delila. That was different for him to do. She obviously charmed everyone that she met. “I have a date. Cab or no?” He looked at Delila with a questioning gaze.

“I’ll go with Mr. Mason.” She spoke softly, gazing at the ground.

“That settles it. Have fun and take care of her.” Robert shot me a warning look before he walked away, hailing a cab. She stared up at me and I smiled down at her. She was about five inches shorter than I was and I wanted nothing more than to kiss her like my life depended on it.

“I have a car parked nearby.” I told her as she licked her lips.

“Why are you here?” Delila asked me with dark eyes.

“I walk here sometimes. It relaxes me and when I eat at a local place nearby, I take advantage of that.” I wasn’t ready to tell her that I essentially followed her here.

“Where is your car?” She pressed as I sighed.

“In that garage over there.” I pointed at a garage and she looked, still seeming hesitant. “I just want you to get home safe. I don’t have any bad intentions with you.”

“Fine.” She agreed as I offered her my arm. She stared at me a moment and walked where I pointed, and I snorted before following her. I was coming on strong and probably scaring the shit out of her. I caught up, and we walked side-by-side in silence. “Do you do this with every woman you work with?”

“As a matter of fact, I don’t. You’re different.” I confessed, making her stop and stare at me. “You were from the start.”

“Michael. I need this job badly. I’m trying to build my career. Sleeping with my boss isn’t going to win me any fans.” Her voice was pained, and I knew how right she was as need filled my body.

“I know all of that. I own the fucking company, Delila. I’m struggling with this as well.” I admitted as I reached out to touch her arm. “Let me take you home. I need to know you got there safe.”

She nodded, and we continued to the car, walking slowly. I felt the desire that I saw in her eyes coming from her body. I knew that Delila wanted me as well. I just didn’t want to push her too far too fast. I led her into the parking garage and to my new Range Rover, opening her door for her.

“Thank you.” She told me as I made sure she was settled inside before closing the door. When I was inside and the engine was running, she looked at me. “I almost took you as a man that had a driver. I’ve seen a lot of that here.” I chuckled, and she tilted her head at me. “What is it?”

“I have one for special occasions. His name is Phil.” I admitted as she giggled. It broke the ice a bit, and I relaxed into laughter myself. “He’s been with the family for years. My parents use him most of the time and he takes my kid sister around.”

“How old is she?” Delila asked. I responded and asked where she lived. I knew that her neighborhood wasn’t good from researching her information, but the apartment was more run down than I expected. I stopped on the curb and looked at it with dread as Delila shifted in her seat. “This is me.”

“Are you safe here?” I asked as she sighed and slowly looked at me.

“It works for now. I got it with my sister when we came here together, and it was what we could afford. She’s moving out soon, and I am considering another place.” Delila sounded annoyed, and I took in the apartment again before gazing at her. She looked beautiful in the light from the street lamp.       “Michael. What’s happening here?”

“I wish I knew. I just can’t stop it.” I told her as I reached out to stroke her cheek gently. Delila shivered and gazed at me with wide, fearful eyes. “I’ve never wanted someone the way that I want you.” She leaned into my hand and I leaned in to brush my lips against hers. Delila sucked in her breath and I pressed my mouth against hers again. Our kiss was slow, but the sparks were burning me alive as I felt her returning it. I kissed her harder, and she pressed against me, parting her lips for my eager tongue. I slid my free hand over her shoulder and down her side, feeling the swell of her breast as she moaned against my lips. I groaned as she pulled away, trying to hold on to her face as she sucked in several deep breaths.

“I have to go in. This is too much,” she told me in a rough voice as I took in her flushed cheeks and swollen lips. “I need to think this over.”

“I’ll be thinking about you all night,” I promised her before claiming her mouth again. “I’ll walk you up to your door, Delila.” I left the car reluctantly and opened her door, reaching my hand out to help her to her feet. I kept holding hers as we walked the short distance to the front porch, linking our fingers together. Once there, I stared into her eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I kissed her again, softly. She pressed against me and I wrapped my arms around her waist.

“Good night. Thank you.” Those were her last words before she slipped inside, walking through the building as I watched her through the glass. This place was bad, and I vowed to find a way to get her out of here sooner rather than later. I turned to return to my car once she was out of sight, leaning against it until I saw a light flick on. I stayed there until someone stood in the window, looking down. They pushed the curtain aside, and I saw that it was Delila. She waved and then blew me a kiss before letting the cloth fall back into place.

I caught it and slipped into my car, returning home slowly. I knew that I was getting in deep here and we might both suffer. I made my rules for a reason but fuck me if Delila wasn’t irresistible. I parked in my garage and went up to my condo, dropping my keys on the counter. It seemed so empty here right now and I made my way to the wall of windows to look over Manhattan.