Secretly Loved By The Dangerous CEO Chapter 13
Advertisement
Dane
Dane's amusement didn't last long. While Chris tried to pretend he wasn't embarrassed, and Delilah stammered apologies, Dane stepped up to see if Chris was okay, but quickly realized Delilah was the one who was shaking.
Chris had really frightened her. Why? Dane frowned. Chris hadn't done anything to hurt her . . . had he? Had something happened between them earlier that Dane didn't know about? Had she been feeling unsafe already?
The smile he'd been fighting dissolved.
"Please, rest assured, Chris, I don't make a habit of—" Delilah said, her voice too high.
Chris smiled, but his eyes were bright with anger he was trying to stifle. "Lila, seriously, it's fine. I startled you. Next time I'll say your name instead." And then the smile softened, changed. To Dane's disgust, it became that charming smile he always used on women he was attracted to. Dane's anger began to simmer again.
"I'm sure Delilah's grateful you won't sue," he muttered and Chris's eyes snapped to him. He knew that tone. Dane made sure to underline it with a pointed stare, before turning back to her. "Please don't worry about it, Delilah. Chris's head would need a much harder hit than that to get cracked." He tried to smile, but it was hard when her lips had gone white and her fingers trembled. He stepped closer, placing himself halfway between her and Chris. "Are you okay?" he asked quietly.
"Yes, of course. I'm fine," she said firmly, but her eyes were narrowed, her forehead pinched, and he had the distinct impression she was fighting the urge to pull away from him—didn't want him close. He took a subtle step back to give her more room and turned back to Chris. "Weren't you leaving?" he asked rudely.
Advertisement
Chris snorted and shook his head. "I was going to tell Delilah that we had a meeting in the morning. We're going over the new clients, assigning teams. She should be there for that, get to understand how the process works."
Delilah nodded. "Yes, yes. Good idea. I'll be there. What time?"
"Nine o'clock," Chris said.
"Thank you. And—again, I'm very sorry. It won't happen again."
"Stay in shape," Chris winked, apparently having successfully shaken his anger. "We might be able to use you on one of the teams." He grinned, but Delilah just nodded and looked at her hands, obviously not really listening. Chris's smile fell into a frown. He waited a moment, then opened his mouth.
"See you tomorrow," Dane said firmly. Chris's mouth snapped shut, and he shot Dane a look, but without argument, he turned for the door and left.
Dane used the papers on the floor as an excuse to give Delilah time to pull herself together. Kneeling, he turned away from her and started to gather them. She stared out the window for a moment, then gasped when she realized what he was doing. "Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry. I'll get those, Dane. You don't need to—"
"No, don't worry about it, Delilah," he said formally, putting a hand up so she would leave him to it. "Just breathe for a minute." He finished gathering the papers without looking at her, then straightened them on the table before he tapped them into a tidy pile and turned back to hand them to her.
She took them slowly. "Thank you," she murmured, then shook her head slightly and bit her lip. She started thumbing through the papers, rearranging the order and checking that they were all there. "We were going to discuss strategy," she said. "I think—"
Advertisement
"I don't mind telling you, Delilah, that I'm already confident in your capabilities. We can meet in the morning to go over whatever notes you make tonight. I think it's been a long day for all of us, and neither of us can leave yet. Perhaps the better plan would be for you to spend some time now putting together your thoughts, then you can fill me in tomorrow?" he tried to smile the way he'd been told good bosses smiled at their employees. A way that was supposed to make them feel like they were cared for.
But it seemed she never reacted like he expected. Instead of looking grateful, her eyes narrowed and her jaw went tight. "I do not need special treatment, Dane. What I did was unprofessional, and it won't happen again. But it's done now. So let's move on. If we can get some decisions made now, I can hit the ground running tomorrow."
He held her gaze for a moment. "You're shaking," he said bluntly. "I think it would be good for you to have a break."
"I'll have a break when the work is done," she snapped. "The news doesn't stop just because we've had a long day. And I can guarantee you Becky and her team aren't slowing down. Now," she pulled out a chair at the table. "Please, join me. This won't take long." She indicated the empty chair nearest him with a firm look.
Dane's lips pursed at her aggressive tone, but he decided not to fight her on it, and took his seat. Making sure she also relaxed into her seat. But he watched her carefully over the next hour as they filtered through plans and ideas.
She didn't know it yet, but the reason Dane Daniels was so successful in what he did, was because he knew women. He knew the look they got when they were afraid. He knew false courage—and false timidity. He knew how to tell the difference between the broken ones, and those that were merely weak. He'd grown up with a broken woman and discovered there were certain things that were universal when it came to identifying them.
And watching Delilah Farris now, he remained impressed at her strength. But he could also tell she'd been hurt. Frightened. Desperately at some point.
He was going to find out when, and how. He'd make sure she was safe if it killed him.
That was what Dane Daniels did.
Advertisement
Heavenly Farmer
Accidentally, Ye Xiaochen became new generation of Heavenly Farmer (Shen Nong), the treasure in the eyes of deities of three realms. Moon fairy’s rabbit eats only the carrots grown from his farm. The heavenly troop which was formed from the magical beans, came out from his farm. The ninth level elixir which was just released, he supplied the materials for it. Ye Xiaochen’s goal is to become the overlord of agriculture, not only in earth but also in whole three realms. I want the heavens to use agricultural products that I plant, I want all the sentient beings in three realms to eat food made from my vegetables, I want all the gods to give up the idea of only swallowing air and eat meals three times in a day just like a normal person.
8 1619D for Depression
''Look at me'' he said in a demanding tone, making me flinch.I hesitantly looked up, finding a per of dark orbs staring at my face.''See, it wasn't so hard now, was it?'' he said, half smiling at me.''I want to g-go home'' I chocked out, as the leftovers of my tears spilled out.He quickly nodded, cupping my face and wiping the pools under my eyes.''I know, I know'' he answered, looking at me worriedly.''H-home'' I said once again, as I tried to take a step forward away from him.He quickly step in the same direction, blocking my path.I felt my breath picking up again and I started to shake. Sensing my discomfort, he put his forehead on mine and whispered:''Breath with me. Ok baby?''Mature content ahead 🚨I do not own any of the images or gifs, that are used inside the story. All the credits go to their rightful owners.
8 90Gentleman's Agreement
A witty secretary, a self-absorbed boyfriend, and a demanding boss.What's missing?It's been a year since the affair between Mr. Hale and Ellie elapsed. Ellie has a new job, a new boss, and a boyfriend. The gentlemen that once caused an abundance of sex scandals, lies, and trickery to obtain the innocence of Ellie has come to a halt.But something is missing...A project will once again reunite Ellie and Mr. Hale as she encounters her past will somehow catch up to her and all truth will come to light. What else is there to do but make a Gentleman's Agreement.
8 147Sinful |Klaus Mikaelson||
One thing Audrey Gilbert was told when vampires started showing up in Mystic Falls was to stay away from them. Elena has made it perfectly clear that she doesn't want her younger sister to be involved with vampires in any way. Sometimes temptations over rule morality, and you find yourself giving into the sin.
8 248Regret The Rejection |✔️
NEW EDITION. REVISION IN PROGRESS"She turned her pain into power, her visions into victory.""Behind every bad bitch is a sweet girl who got tired of everyone's bullshit."A girl whose past overshadows the present. A boy who loves, but knows not how to show it.A girl who is tired and wants nothing more than freedom. A boy who doesn't want to let go.Family aren't the people you're born to, it's those you're willing to die for, they said. Good thing, Kiara Evergreen isn't willing to die for her family then, not when she's destined to deserve so much better.A tale of love, courage, determination and regret you'll never forget. • • • • •( Extended description inside... )__________________________________Peak Position : WW-1 | PN-1
8 276The Girl Who Stutters and The Boy Who Mutters
Abby has always just been identified as stutter girl. Her high school life was a complete disaster, she lived in her sister's shadow the entire time and any chance she had at having a social life was brutally murdered after Scott Rogers mocked her about her stuttering their very first day of freshman year. Scott is the quote on quote 'bad boy' of the school. Or at least that's what everyone else has him pinned as. He may be a huge flirt, but he sure doesn't sleep around. He genuinely only made fun of Abby that first day because he was curious, but then again with Scott his curiosity isn't always what he should lead by. Of course Scott and Abby went their separate ways after Scott got kicked out several weeks after the incident, and Abby was eternally grateful for that. She thought she'd never have to see her bully again since he had been shipped off to private school. But then college came along and with college comes new people...and maybe even a few old ones. What happens when not only are Scott and Abby reunited but they have to share a room? Could it be love? Hate? Follow Scott and Abby as they explore feelings they never thought they'd ever get the chance to experience and maybe even more than that. 9/21/17: #1 in Chicklit
8 159