Delaney figured if she was stuck at work then she would do just that … work. She had a fresh cup of coffee sitting beside her on her desk, her computer booted up, and reports on the screen. She kept herself busy as she listened to holiday music, something she normally didn’t care about, but that might help in getting her in the holiday spirit. It might cheer up her sour mood.

Unlikely, but whatever.

She was tired, had already been here longer than she wanted to be, and it appeared she wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon.

In the last hour the snow had started coming down even faster and harder. It was beautiful outside, but there was no way she’d be getting home tonight, not until the roads and sidewalks were cleared off, and they came and de-iced the front door enough to open it.

And the fact the heat lowered at midnight was just the cherry on top of the shitty sundae.

Leaning back and resting her head on the chair, she closed her eyes. She could fall asleep like this; just forget the fact she was locked in with Ivan. And as much as she hated that, she also kind of loved it.

After they let their manager know the situation once again on the landline, since their cells were shit at the moment, Delaney had checked out hotels within walking distance, even if it would have been hard as hell to get out the front door. There were none that had vacancies, and if they did they were far out of her price range.

She wasn’t about to spend—nor could she afford—five hundred a night at some ritzy hotel, even if the heat all but kicked off at midnight.

Hell, it couldn’t be that bad.

She did have a change of clothes in her desk drawer, something she always kept in case of coffee spills or any other wardrobe malfunctions. But a pair of dress slacks, another silk blouse, and some pumps certainly wouldn’t keep her warm.

A knock on her door had her opening her eyes and looking at Ivan. Instantly her eyes narrowed and annoyance set in. He leaned against the doorframe, two blankets in hand. The smirk he gave her was satisfied, and of course arrogant.

“Found these in the utility closet.” He held up the blankets. “Figure it will keep us warm enough.”

She was tempted to ask him why he didn’t shell out the money for a hotel room, or at the very least call someone to get the door fully opened and the sidewalk cleared off. It wasn’t like he didn’t have the funds. She had to assume he was staying here because of her, because he was trying to prove a point.

“You know, I could set us up at the Ritz Hampton and get us a room?”

It was like he read her mind, his smirk still in place, slowly growing into a full-on grin. She didn’t bother telling him, or at the very least reminding him, that it would be nearly impossible to leave the building let alone walk to the hotel.

But it seemed as if he were messing with her if the smirk on his face was anything to go by.

Damn him. That just pissed her off even more.

Call her stubborn, but she’d rather freeze to death than take him up on his offer, especially since he was grinning at her like he knew she would have agreed under any other circumstances.

“Great offer, but I’m actually going to have to pass. Although you’re more than welcome to leave. Surely it’s not too far a walk for you to the Ritz Hampton, and I’m sure you can wade through the inches of snow already piling up out there.” She lifted a brow now and smirked.

He didn’t speak for long moments, but then pushed off the door frame and stepped inside. He set the blankets on the seat in front of her desk and curled his hands around the edge of the leather backing.

“It’s okay. I wouldn’t think about leaving you here alone. Besides, I can use this opportunity to catch up on paperwork.” He stared at her for long moments. Then he had the audacity to wink at her before turning and leaving.

Delaney gritted her teeth, so infuriated with this man that she could scream.

But underneath her anger she also felt desire. Her panties were wet, her nipples hard.

Fuck Ivan Redken.

And fuck her desire for him.

Ivan knew he’d gotten under her skin, but that was the point.

There was something about Delaney Anna Croft that turned him on like no other.

He headed back toward his office and went straight to the minibar. He poured himself a scotch, contemplated making Delaney one as well, but knew she would decline.

Technically, they weren’t on the clock anymore, but she was stubborn and determined, focused on the task at hand.

That’s why he wanted her so much, desired her so badly. His whole life had been focused on work, climbing that ladder to get to the top, knowing that with his money and the power of his family behind him, he could get whatever he wanted.

But he didn’t want that. He wanted to work for what he accomplished.

Money couldn’t buy everything, and he knew that now more than ever as he watched Delaney bust her ass for her career.

She didn’t come from a prestigious family, didn’t come from money. Everything she had she worked for. She deserved this promotion, and he knew she would get it.

But he liked getting under her skin because it turned him on. So, making her think that the long hours he stayed back, the extra work he did was because of the promotion was just a farce. He did all of that because he wanted her, because he wanted to be close to her.

And now he had that chance.

They were essentially locked in this building together all night.

Sure, he could’ve really pushed them trying to make it to a hotel for the night. But he knew no matter what, she’d decline. She was too proud.

So, he’d stay here with her, if only to make sure she was safe. But he also had far more selfish reasons for hanging back.

And that was because he hoped for a chance to make Delaney his.