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“Can I ask what it is you’re looking for?” My tone is slightly curter than warranted, considering who he is and who I am, but today is definitely not my best day. I just want to get back to my desk instead of loitering on this floor.
Tate leans back in his chair and smiles at me, and I blink a few times because his smile is equal parts charming and wicked.
“The marketing team wants some of the CAD drawings, the interior plans, and 3D renderings for some marketing ideas they’re putting together.”
My brows shoot up. “Okay.”
His mouth quirks. “Is there something wrong with that?”
“No, not at all,” I say. “I guess I’m wondering why me? And why you? Why didn’t this go through Paul? And why isn’t someone from the marketing team handling this? You seem a bit...senior to be the one taking care of this.”
He chuckles. “You’re right. This isn’t something I’d normally handle. But I had an ulterior motive for asking you up here.”
I tilt my head and study him as I wait for him to elaborate.
“Let’s just say I wanted to meet the woman who had my brother in a less than pleasant mood yesterday.”
Cole was in a bad mood yesterday because of me? I’m surprised he cared enough to let it affect him. And oh, god, Tate knows I was sleeping with his brother. My cheeks heat, but I don’t look away. I made a choice, and I won’t be ashamed about it.
I lean over his desk and start gathering my sheets. “So I guess you don’t really need to see these, then.”
Once more, his gaze goes over my shoulder, and this time a broad grin spreads over his face. I straighten and check behind me, but there’s still no one there. What is going on with him?
“Do you want me to take these to the marketing team? Or was that just an excuse to get me up here?”
“It wasn’t an excuse. The team really does need copies of these.”
“Okay,” I say. “I’ll just—”
His ringing phone cuts me off, and he smiles as if he’s expecting it. He holds up one finger and I stop what I’m doing, feeling awkward about listening in on his conversation.
“To what do I owe the honor of this phone ca—”
He stops, catching my eye and winking as he leans back in his chair.
I frown and fidget with the sheets I’m holding as I do my best to ignore his private call.
“Uh-huh. Uh-huh. I’m sensing some aggravation from you, Cole.”
My gaze jerks back to his as I realize who he’s talking to.
“I was merely talking to Miss West about the marketing plans.” He listens for a moment. “I agree. That’s not my job. Which is why Delilah is going to drop them down to the team now.” He pauses again. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. This meeting is completely professional. My door stayed open the whole time. As you obviously saw when you walked past.”
Was that why he kept looking over my shoulder? Had he wanted Cole to see me in here with him?
My anger is rising now. I’m not sure what’s going on between these two, but I’m not interested in being involved in the games billionaires play with each other. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am. I may have let myself get distracted by sex, but I’ve learned my lesson. Getting swept up in a man, especially a man like Cole, isn’t doing me any favors. Just like it didn’t do Mom any favors.
I reach across Tate’s desk and gather the rest of my plans. He eyes me as he continues to listen to whatever Cole is saying to him. I strangle the urge to walk out. Regardless of how irritated I am at whatever he’s doing, he’s still in a position of authority over me and I’m in a precarious situation as it is with what’s happened with Paul and Cole. So I stand there stiffly until he finally hangs up.
As soon as he does, I say, “If we’re finished here, I’ll run these down to marketing.”
Whatever he’s reading in my tone or on my face has the corners of his lips tilting up. I’m obviously not doing a very good job of hiding how I’m feeling, but he doesn’t say anything about that. Instead, he studies me, and I do my best to keep still under his scrutiny.
The humor simmering under the surface of his expression fades. His gaze gets distant, and he nods. “Thank you, Delilah.”
I get out of there, giving Sophie a small smile as I pass her desk.
To get back to the elevator, I have to pass Cole’s office. I hope I can sneak past without him knowing. My heart sinks as his PAs desk comes into view and I see a tall, broad-shouldered figure standing next to it.
