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“Are you okay?”
“Yes, sorry. I just didn’t know.” Clearing my throat, I offer him a smile as the elevator comes to a stop. I try to hide my face as the doors ping open.
“I’ll cover you.” DeLuca smiles, and I bite my lip. He holds his arm out, and I hesitantly move toward him.
“Thanks.” Hooking my arm through his, I drop my head, and we walk quickly through the foyer and towards the staff area.
“Lauren!” Felicity’s voice grates.
I groan, and he chuckles. “Not right now, Miss,” he replies, escorting me away from prying eyes and to the locker room. I can hear how busy it is from out here. Whimpering, I look around for somewhere else to go, and seeing that the meeting room door is ajar, I walk on and push inside. DeLuca follows me in. “Perfect.” He smiles, looking around. He places his bag on the table and pulls a chair out for me. “Take a seat.”
“I really appreciate you doing this,” I say quietly. He gives me a thorough check-over and even goes as far as to check my blood pressure and oxygen levels. He lifts my face to inspect the swelling, and his thumb rubs down my cheek in a caring gesture. My eyes bounce to his.
“You know, even with all this bruising, you are an incredibly beautiful woman,” he imparts gently. His Italian accent is very light, but it catches on the word beautiful.
“Oh.” I blush, adding more colour to my already bruised face.
“What is going on!” Cain barks, making me jump guiltily in my seat.
“Nothing!” I blurt.
DeLuca is far more relaxed. He stands slowly and turns to my boss, unfazed. “All her vitals are okay, and the swelling is looking a little less prominent.” He turns to me. “Your bruising will fade. It may take some time. Any concerns go straight to A&E.”
“Okay. Thanks, Dr DeLuca.”
“Matteo.” He smiles, and I press my lips together to stop from grinning like a damn schoolgirl. He is far easier to handle than my boss.
“That’ll be all,” Cain growls. DeLuca’s jaw flexes, and I sit quietly as he packs his things away. I give him a little wave as he exits the room, leaving me with my grumpy boss.
“You know, you're kind of miserable,” I inform him coldly when I find he is glaring down at me. He buttons his jacket and shoves a hand in his trousers, fighting a smirk.
“Thank you for your observation.”
“I felt it was only fair, as you seem hell-bent on pointing out my pitfalls,” I retort. “Why are you here?” I ask suddenly. Why does he keep following me?
“I came for the verdict.”
“Still pale,” I snap, and he laughs deeply. Cain leans back against the wall, and I get a full frontal of his long, athletic body. His jaw is angular, and his lips are full. His hair is a light brown blonde, and his eyes are as bright and cold as a winter morning. Predominantly frosty. I shiver under this steady gaze.
“I pushed a nerve, I see.”
Is that what he wants? To better me? Well, he can go to hell. “Nope.” I throw a wan smile and stand. “I need to meet my friend. Excuse me,”
“Excused,” he murmurs, as I slip past and leave him in the room.
Amberley rushes out of the locker room and barrels towards me, pulling me into a hug. “I want all the details,” she whispers in my ear.
“I’m kind of still reeling,” I whisper back.
The meeting room door opens, and Cain appears. With us in the way, he squeezes past, cupping my hip as he does. “See you Monday, Lauren.” He gives Amberley a polite but impersonal smile, and I stare after him. My hip feels the sting of his touch. A physical reminder imprinted into my flesh as if the bruising to my face wasn’t enough. Amberley frowns at me in question, but I shake my head, pretending everything is fine.
“Come in here,” I tell her, heading back into the small meeting space. “Look at my face,” I whine.
“It’s pretty shocking,” she admits, unloading the makeup on the table. “Details now,” she demands, grinning. I spend the next half hour giving her a complete rundown with her sitting gobsmacked and, more concerningly, silent. “It’s just a huge mess. Do you think I should still look for another job?”
“No, you love it here. I love having you here.” She holds up a compact mirror, and I check my reflection.
“Thanks.”
