Chapter 24 A loud sound echoed through the room , startling Delilah awake . She blinked a few times , disoriented , before realizing she was sprawled on the bed . Vinters Marco was gone . Her gaze flicked over the disheveled pillow beside her , the blankets tossed aside as if he had just left . Her long auburn curls now hung in tousled waves around her face , and she absentmindedly pushed them out of her eyes as she slowly sat up . She exhaled , leaning back against the headboard , and let the events of last night replay in her mind . A sly smile curled on her lips as she remembered the warmth of Marco's body wrapped around hers . " God , his arms felt amazing around me . " She could still feel the gentle pressure of his hands on her , the heat of his skin seeping into her own . 000 % 13170 Chapter 24 " I love how he smells ... all masculine and sexy . " N She closed her eyes , savoring the memory . It wasn't just the physical closeness , it was the way it made her feel ... safe . " Why did I feel so safe with him ? " That thought gnawed at her . She wasn't supposed to feel like that . Delilah Flynn didn't need safety , didn't crave protection . She was the one who controlled every situation . Yet here she was , reliving a night where , for the first time in a long while , she had let her guard down . She groaned , frustrated with herself . Marco was just supposed to be fun- a way to satisfy her cravings . He wasn't supposed to make her feel vulnerable . A smirk tugged at her lips as she thought about how easily her mind was wandering back to his touch . " I wonder if he'd be up for taking things further ... " Her fingers danced over the empty side of the bed where he'd been . 12.16 % 13170 Chapter 24 " Mmm ... those muscles ... " She bit her lower lip . " I bet he'd look even better without that pajamas . " A flash of the dirty dreams she'd had about him crossed her mind- dreams that now felt like tempting realities . She imagined what might have happened if things had gone further , the heat between them rising to something much more than just cuddling . Damn , Marco's got some serious skills ! Her cheeks flushed , and she shook her head , laughing softly at herself . " Stop it , " she murmured aloud , scolding herself . " You're a seductress , not a schoolgirl . " Yet the warmth spreading across her face betrayed her . Who knew cuddling could be so addictive ? She sighed , running her hands through her hair . A sudden loud ping echoed from her phone on the bedside table - the same sound that had woken her earlier . She snapped out of her thoughts and grabbed the phone , the screen flashing with a notification from Shh , I Tame Real Men . 13170 Chapter 24 Her eyes widened in recognition . It wasn't just any notification ; it was the sound that meant a new client had signed up . Her smile widened , excitement bubbling inside her . She quickly slid out of bed , rushing to the bathroom . Thoughts of Marco's lingering touch were swept aside by her drive . Business first . She took a quick shower , throwing on a new set of clothes , her clutch slung cross - body as she descended the stairs . She could feel the hum of adrenaline as she prepared to head to the café to meet her new client . Wounting As Delilah reached the bottom of the staircase , she saw Marco sitting at the dining table . } He was casually sipping coffee , his eyes scanning the morning newspaper , while Mrs. Hayden , their housekeeper , served breakfast . Marco's eyes flicked up as he heard her footsteps , locking with hers for an instant . 40 $ 19 13 170 1447 Chapter 24 For a heartbeat , the world narrowed to just the two of them . 11 28 Wethers Her pulse quickened , remembering the warmth of his embrace , the way their bodies had fit so naturally together . Then he broke the connection , his gaze returning to the newspaper . " Morning , " he muttered , his voice cool and detached , as if nothing had happened between them . Delilah's stomach tightened for a second , a small pang of disappointment settling in . She shouldn't have expected anything more . Marco was ... complicated , and their moment last night was fleeting , a one - time thing . Still , a part of her wished for a different reaction , maybe a playful smirk , some hint that he hadn't forgotten either . But she brushed it off quickly . She was stronger than that , and she didn't need to be weighed down by unmet expectations . Delilah straightened her posture , keeping her head high as she continued her descent . BO 780 13170 Chapter 24 245 ( Vo Mrs. Hayden's back was turned to her , but the older woman stiffened as soon as Delilah's footsteps approached . The housekeeper's hand trembled as she placed a bowl of soup on the table , so much so that she accidentally knocked it over . The bowl tipped , spilling hot liquid across the table . " Oh no ! " Mrs. Hayden gasped , panic flooding her voice . She hurriedly grabbed a cloth to clean it up , muttering apologies under her breath . " I'm so sorry , sir . So sorry . " Delilah's eyes narrowed slightly as she watched the woman's frantic movements . Something was off . Mrs. Hayden had never been this jittery before . Her anxious fumbling as she cleaned the mess only made it more obvious . Delilah's lips curled in a knowing smile . She knows . Mrs. Hayden must have read Delilah's black book - the one with all the names , dates , and details of her secret job . 67.78 % 1317 Chapter 24 20 Vers " So , the good housekeeper has been snooping , " Delilah mused , walking slowly toward the dining table . She didn't feel burdened by it , not really . Mrs. Hayden could panic all she wanted , but Delilah's secret job had been kept private for a reason , and it was far too late for anyone to try and use it against her . " Morning , " she greeted casually , her voice calm as she approached Marco . " I need to head to the café . I've got a meeting . " Marco glanced up , his expression neutral . " Alright . See you later , then . " Delilah nodded , her eyes flicking toward Mrs. Hayden , who was still anxiously wiping the spill from the table . Before she turned to leave , Delilah took one last glance at the housekeeper . Mrs. Hayden's gaze was fixed on her , wide with fear . Their eyes met , and Mrs. Hayden quickly averted her gaze , lowering her head in submission . Delilah suppressed a chuckle . 87.36 % 131703 Chapter 24 The fear in Mrs. Hayden's eyes only confirmed what she already suspected - the woman had read everything in that black book . Still , it didn't bother her . 208 Wouthers If anything , it amused her . She was far too happy about the new client to let anything , especially the housekeeper's meddling , ruin her morning .