24. Daniel
24
DANIEL
F rom what I heard this morning from Emily around the breakfast table, Rosie got pretty drunk last night, and she didn’t go home with anyone. This eases the dread that I’ve had in the pit of my stomach the entire night, wondering if I may have pushed her too far and that she did something stupid to spite me. Thank goodness she turned to alcohol and not another man’s cock. After last night, Rosie and I need to talk, that’s why I’m arriving unannounced at her office.
“Hi, Adina, isn’t it? I’m here to see Miss Hunt,” I say to her assistant.
“Oh, Mr. DuPont, I don’t have you down for a meeting today,” her assistant states and I can hear the panic in her voice.
“I was in the area. I grabbed an extra couple of croissants and coffees because I thought Miss. Hunt might need it after last night, heard it was a big one.” Adina’s eyes widen at my remark. “My brother and her best friend are together and live with me,” I whisper that last bit as if it’s a secret between Adina and me. She nods. “Wanted to have a chat about the Kent project now that we both have the time.”
“Yes, of course. Give me one moment.” She picks up her phone and calls Rosie. “Hi, I have a Mr. DuPont here for you.”
“Fuck,” I hear Rosie curse down the phone which makes me grin. “Send him in,” she says, not sounding happy about me being here.
“You can go in,” Adina states happily, pretending she didn’t hear her boss curse out the client. Rosie must be busy as the blinds to her office are pulled. I don’t even bother knocking and open the door.
“Good morning,” I say, greeting her warmly.
Rosie looks up from her desk with a glare. “Why are you so loud?” She winces as she grabs her temples. I chuckle, placing the croissants and coffee in front of her. Those green eyes light up as she grabs the coffee and moans as she takes a sip.
“Oh my god, how did you know I needed this?” She takes another sip.
“I’ll always know what you need.” Rosie stills at my comment and those emerald eyes narrow on me as she sips her coffee. “I have croissants, too, they’re delicious.” Pointing to the bag.
She peers into it and pulls out the flaky pastry then takes a large bite and moans around it, reminding me of the sound she makes when my lips are on her. My dick twitches to life. Now is not the time.
As soon as she takes a couple more bites and feels more like herself, those green eyes land on me. “Why are you here? Come to finish what you started last night?”
I stare at her, surprised by her statement and the snark attached to it, someone is testy today.
“Wasn’t expecting to be propositioned today by my designer, but if you want me on my knees then just say the word.”
Rosie stiffens. “What can I help you with?”
“Wanted to work out a time for us to head down to Kent. I need this project done. I love Louis and Emily staying with me, but they fuck like rabbits, and honestly, I need a safe space to run away to.” Rosie nods and tries to hide the smile that’s forming on her lips. “I would also like to be in there before the end of summer, which is around the corner. I’d like to use the pool at least once.”
“That’s going to be a tight turnaround.”
“Like I said in New York, I don’t need custom furniture. I want the house done.”
Rosie nods. “I’m not going to IKEA, though,” she grumbles, which makes me smirk.
“We’ve been talking about this project for months now. Unfortunately, things have gotten in the way so here we are.” I’m not trying to play hardball, but if I walk in on Emily and Louis doing whatever it is they are doing in my home again then I’m going to lose it.
She sits up straighter and nods. “You’re right. I’m sorry that I’ve let my personal life get in the way of this project.”
“It’s not only you, I have also.”
She gives me a small nod in acknowledgment of what we’ve been through with Emily. I can’t fault her for letting my project slide because I asked her to. It was something on my plate I couldn’t deal with at that time. “Let me see what I have on for the rest of the week.” She looks up at her screen.
“What I was thinking was we should head down Friday night after work, spend overnight at a bed and breakfast then get up early Saturday morning and do a run through. You can measure and do whatever it is you need to and be home by lunch or at least by the afternoon, so we can continue on with our weekend.”
Her brows pull together. “I don’t know if my staff can make that,” she says, looking at me.
“I would rather it be just us. Only time I’m free is this weekend.” Rosie stills at my request. “If you don’t think you will be able to finish the project or can work with me anymore, I can ask Ivy if she can take over.”
Rosie bristles at my tone, and her hand white-knuckle grips her pen. She’s probably envisioning stabbing me with it. “I’m sure I can move some things around to accommodate your request,” she says through gritted teeth.
“Great, glad we could come to an understanding.”
“Would it not be better to leave on Saturday?” she questions.
“I have plans Saturday night.” Lies. She stiffens, and I can see she wants to ask me what kind of plans “Do you think you are going to get all of it done in one day?” Rosie continues to grip the pen, and with the fire in those eyes that is directed at me, she is for sure picturing stabbing me with her pen.
“Yes,” she answers stiffly, clearly annoyed with me.
“I’ll pick you up after work and we can drive down together.”
Rosie starts to argue but decides against it. “Fine.”
“Great,” I say, clapping my hands together. “I appreciate you seeing me this morning. Enjoy your croissants.” I smirk, stand up, and walk out of her office without a second glance.