Twice Tempted

Chapter 2 - The new Job

DELILAH POV

The office was colder than I expected.

Not temperature wise though (although I swear the air con was on full power) but in the way everyone moved around silently, expensive shoes clicking against marble floors while assistants hurried past carrying stacks of files and coffee orders.

Nobody smiled.

I sat at my desk, sorting through unorganised paperwork scattered everywhere, trying to distract myself from panicking internally.

I could do this job, I needed this job. Easy peasy.

A shadow fell over her desk.

“Coffee”

I glanced up sharply.

Alex was stood in the doorway to my office, one hand in his pocket and his other holding a file thick enough to kill someone. His shoulders filled the space, almost blocking out the light.

He was more intimidating up close.

I swallowed, “uhh, yes. Of course”

“Black”

“That’s it?”

One corner of his mouth twitched slightly, as if he was afraid to show emotion. “You asking for my life story already?”

I could feel my cheeks starting to burn, “no sorry, I just meant -”

“Relax sweetheart” his voice lowered dangerously “I’m just kidding with you”

Sweetheart.

That word shouldn’t have affected me as much as it did.

I was brought back to reality by the thumping down of files.

“Schedule change. I need the Henderson contracts printed and in the boardroom within twenty minutes.”

Before I could respond, he’d already walked away.

I stared after him for a few seconds, before quickly picking up the files to get on with it.

ALEX’S POV

She was a distraction.

That was the problem.

I stood inside the boardroom pretending to read over case notes but my mind kept flashing back to the way her cheeks had flushed everytime I said anything.

Too innocent.

Too soft for this place.

Russo Law wasn’t kind to good people.

The door opening quietly brought me back to the real world.

“I brought the contracts”

Her voice was careful, almost nervous.

I turned slowly. Big mistake.

The fitted black dress she wore hugged every curve like it was designed specifically to test my self control.

My jaw tightened.

“Put the down.”

I saw her cross the room quickly, almost nervously. Her fingers shock slightly as she placed them down, but I saw it.

I stepped closer before I could stop myself. She froze.

“You nervous around me?” I asked quietly.

Her breath caught.

“A little” she whispered like a baby deer in headlights.

My eyes darkened.

“Good”

OLLIE POV

Later that evening, most of the office had emptied out.

Delilah rubbed her eyes as she started the mountain of paperwork on her desk. Her first day and she already felt like crying.

“Rough day?” I ask

She jumped slightly.

I lean against the doorway, my arms folded across my broad chest. Unlike Alex’s sharp suits and intimidating silence, I was more relaxed. My sleeves rolled up and tie loose.

I saw Delilah exhale softly before muttering, “you scared me”

“Sorry sweetheart”

The nickname sounded different to Delilah coming from him.

Lighter. Warmer.

“I didn’t realise personal assistants basically lived here” she muttered.

I chuckled, “you work for Alex Russo. The man barely sleeps.”

She smiled before she could stop herself, I saw it. Dangerous. Because I smiled back.

“You hungry?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

“I’m ok”

“That means yes”

Before she could argue, I disappear down the hall.

Delilah stared after him, confused. And confused about how she already felt comfortable around him compared to her new boss.

Five minutes later, I return, carrying a bottle of water and a sandwich.

“You’ll pass out otherwise”

“You really didn’t have to do that.”

“I know”

My fingers brushed hers as she took the food.

Tiny contact, but enough to make both their stomachs flip.

My eyes darken slightly, my gaze lingering on her a little too long. Then -

“What are you two doing?”

The temperature in the room dropped instantly.

Alex stood at the end of the hallway, jacket slung over one shoulder. Expression unreadable.

Delilah pulled her hand back instantly. I noticed but didn’t move.

“Keeping your assistant alive” I reply back casually.

I saw Alex’s eyes flick towards the sandwich before settling on Delilah.

“She’s still on the clock.”

Something tense passes between me and Alex, brothers. It never was easy working at the same place.

Something old. Something sharp.

Delilah suddenly felt like she was standing in the middle of a fight that she didn’t quite understand yet.