Chapter Twenty-eight
I ’m buried in a mound of paperwork when my phone rings, startling me. I blink at it for a few seconds before realizing it’s Haley.
“Yes, Haley?”
“Sorry to bother you, but lunch was just delivered for you.”
Frowning, I tilt my head even though I know my assistant can’t see me. “That’s weird. I didn’t order anything. Did you?”
“Nope. It wasn’t me. I was just getting ready to come see what you wanted me to order when they dropped it off.” Haley seems just as perplexed as I am. “It’s from that Chinese place you love. I checked, but there isn’t a note or anything. ”
“Hmmm … Well, I’m not going to let it go to waste. Bring it into my office?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll bring it in just a second. There’s a call I need to answer first.”
I roll my eyes when she hangs up without another word. I wonder who’s ordering me lunch. I guess it could be one of my parents? Or maybe Wyatt? That seems like something he would do. After all, he knows how easy it is for me to forget to eat when I get lost in my work, but that’s part of the reason I hired Haley. She always makes sure I eat.
I push away from my desk as Haley knocks on the door before throwing it open. I meet her at the table on the other side of my office, sitting while she pulls the food out.
“They sent all your favorites. Fried potstickers, egg drop soup, orange chicken, and sweet and sour chicken.”
My eyes widen as I take in all the food. “Make yourself a plate, Haley, because there’s no way I’m eating all of this.”
“Thank you, Lila. I was hoping you’d say that.” She picks up the two plates she brought in, handing me one before piling hers high with food. “So you really have no idea who sent all your favorites to you? Did you start seeing someone and not tell me?”
My cheeks heat, a blush likely covering my skin as I duck my head.
“Holy shit! You did! How could you keep something like this from me?” Haley sets her plate down, the food long forgotten, as she drops into the chair next to me. “Spill.”
“There’s not much to tell.” I shrug. “I finally pulled my head out of my ass and told Wyatt I love him. Then I asked him to move in with me.”
Haley throws her head back as she cheers. “Hell, yes! That is one hot incubus, and he’s head over heels for you. It’s about damn time. So you think he’s the one who sent it?”
I shrug again. “Either him or one of my parents. I don’t know who else would send me food. Now, go take your break and eat. Forward your phone to mine.”
“I’m pretty sure you should eat, too.”
“I’m going to eat, but I can answer the damn phone if it rings. I don’t pay you enough to skip your lunch.”
She scoffs. “You absolutely do. I’m the best paid personal assistant in town, but I’ll go sit in the break room and eat if it’ll make you feel better.”
“It will.” I pile food onto my plate and pull my cell phone out of my pocket.
LILA
Did you or Dad send me lunch?
MOM
No, but if that’s something you need, I’m happy to do so.
LILA
No, thanks. Someone sent me Chinese from my favorite place. I figured it was one of you.
MOM
It was probably that incubus of yours.
LILA
I’m texting him next.
Love you.
MOM
I love you too.
It had been a long shot that either of them would’ve sent me food anyway. At least now I know who to thank.
LILA
Thanks for lunch.
WYATT
???
LILA
You sent me Chinese for lunch?
WYATT
Wasn’t me.
LILA
Huh. That’s weird. Mom said it wasn’t her or Dad either.
I don’t know who else would send me lunch.
WYATT
Maybe you have a secret admirer.
Or some not-so-secret admirers?
All I can do is stare at my phone.
Did one of the guys send me lunch? Why would they? And how would they know my favorite dishes or my favorite Chinese restaurant?
Shaking my head, I decide it doesn’t matter who sent me food. I’m going to enjoy the hell out of it, and that’s all that matters.
It’s not like it’s likely to happen again.
Except it does happen again. Every day that week, food is delivered for my lunch from one of my favorite restaurants. Then, the week after that, the notes start arriving along with it. At least at that point, I know who is sending the food.
We know you said not to contact you, and we’re really not. We just wanted to make sure you were being taken care of.
-Aidan, Carter, Oliver, and Ty
We hope you’ re having a good day at work.
-Aidan, Carter, Oliver, and Ty
We thought you might like something sweet like you to go with your lunch. Enjoy!
-Aidan, Carter, Oliver, and Ty
We hope work isn’t too crazy. Make sure you’re making time for yourself.
-Aidan, Carter, Oliver, and Ty
We’d do anything to earn your forgiveness. All you have to do is tell us what you need, and we’ll make it happen. Have a great day.
-Aidan, Carter, Oliver, and Ty
Lunch isn’t the only gift they’re sending either. At least, I assume the gifts are from them as well. Wyatt says they’re not from him, and it’s not like I have anyone else knocking at my door.
It starts small with a bouquet of raspberry dahlias—my favorite flowers. Then comes a set of bath salts and bubble baths in my favorite scent: vanilla lavender. They follow it up with cashmere blankets that are to die for. My favorite wine. A tumbler with a beluga on it. Honestly, they send so many gifts I have no idea what to do with them.
It’s not like I need someone buying stuff for me. I make excellent money. If I want something, I buy it for myself, but there’s something about being gifted things I don’t need.
Over the last few days, I could’ve sworn I saw them when I was out and about. I know they were at the grocery store last night. I ran into them on the breakfast aisle.
It’s almost like I can’t escape them, and part of me doesn’t want to.
So, yeah … I’m a fucking mess, still unable to decide if I can move past the hurt .
But, fuck if all their gifts aren’t softening me toward them.
“Are you ready, Lil?” Wyatt’s voice jerks me out away from my thoughts, my eyes meeting his in the mirror.
“Ummm … yeah. Almost. I just have to finish my makeup.“ I hold up the eyeliner before leaning back in to finish it up. A few coats of mascara, and I’m ready to go.
It’s Friday night and Wyatt is taking me out on our first official date. I told him it wasn’t necessary, but he insisted, and who am I to tell him no?
I pull on my heels and straighten my barely there black dress before turning to face my lover. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re the hottest woman in the realm.” He leans down to kiss me, pulling me flush against his body. “Maybe we should stay in. Who needs to go out? I can just rip this excuse of a dress off your body and make you feel good all night.”
I’m slightly out of breath. The kiss might have been brief, but he’d infused it with his incubus magic, setting my entire body on fire.
“Uh uh.” I push against his chest until he steps back. “It was your idea to get dressed up and go out tonight. I put in all this effort, so we’re going out. Plus, you look hot as hell, and I need to show off my man.”
Wyatt grins, waggling his eyebrows at me as he runs his hands down his black button-up shirt. He’s paired it with a pair of black pinstripe slacks that look amazing against his tanned skin. His blond hair is styled messily, making him look like he just climbed out of bed, and this motherfucker is wearing eyeliner.
Hot damn. Why is that so hot?
“I have no problems with you showing me off, babe. But know this, I’m going to be showing you off just as much. We look good together.”
“Hell, yes, we do. Now, let’s go get some dinner. I’m starving.”
We end up at our favorite steakhouse, and I’m practically salivating by the time we’re seated. There’s just something about a good steak.
Wyatt is just about to push my seat in when I hear a familiar voice call out. “Lila? Wyatt?”
I jerk my head to the side to find the four men I can’t get off my fucking mind—mainly because they won’t allow me to—sitting at the table next to ours.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I mutter, glancing up at Wyatt, whose eyes are on the other men. Forcing a smile to my face, I scan my eyes over the four of them. “This is unexpected.”
Carter nods. “We love this place. All we’ve been doing since we made it back to Quion is work and hanging out at the house, so we figured we’d have a night out on the town. See how things have changed in the last ten years.”
“We’re doing the same thing,” Wyatt says, leaning over so he can shake each of the guys’ hands. “Well, not seeing what’s changed in ten years, but the night out. We’re having dinner and then heading to a club that a buddy of mine owns.”
“It’s our first date,” I say sharply because it sounds entirely too much like Wyatt is about to ask them to join us, and that’s not how I want this night to go.
Wyatt shrugs. “That’s kind of true, but the more the merrier, right? Would it be okay if we joined the tables?”
The host looks between him and the other guys before nodding. “Of course, sir. It would be our pleasure.”
Wyatt helps me out of my seat as the host waves over someone else to help him move our table to connect to the guys’ table .
“What the fuck are you doing?” I hiss, digging my elbow into his side.
“Hey, now. There’s no reason to hurt me. They’ve really been trying, babe. What’s the harm in spending some time with them?”
Narrowing my eyes, I consider just walking out. If I wanted to spend time with them, then I would. I feel like he’s forcing it on me, and I’m not okay with that.
“It’s really good to see you, Lila.” Ty’s voice is soft, and I can’t help seeking him out. He’s sitting at the end of the table where they’ve just joined ours.
He doesn’t seem quite like himself, but he looks a lot better than the almost catatonic state he was in when they left my house a few weeks ago. His mouth quirks up at the corner in some semblance of a smile before he turns back to his menu.
Damn it.
I’m going to sit down and have dinner with them, aren’t I?
Blowing out a breath, I allow Wyatt to lead me over to the table and sit beside Ty. “I’m going to need a drink—or twenty.”
Wyatt grins. “I think we can handle that. ”
Which is how I end up having dinner with the men who destroyed me ten years ago.
By the end of dinner and my third drink, I’m no longer freaking out over them being here. In fact, I’m the one who invites them to join us at the club.
Now, I’m on the dance floor, squished between five hot men who can’t stop touching me. It’s driving me absolutely insane.
I feel like I’m going to burst into flames at any moment. My panties have been soaked since the first dance, and they’re not getting any drier.
“Are you alright, Lil?” Wyatt murmurs against my ear, his hot breath sending a shiver down my spine and causing a whimper to spill from my lips. “What’s wrong, babe? Are you all hot and bothered?”
I spin around to face him, throwing my arm around his neck so I can drag him toward me. “You know I fucking am. What the hell are you going to do about it?”
Wyatt smirks, lifting his head to look at the others. “It seems my girl is ready to head home. Will you be joining us?”
Did he just invite them over to fuck me?
Why does the idea of it just make me wetter?
Fuck me.