But his arm brushes mine as he passes, and I bite back a groan.
Get a grip, loser.
I head back to the security office, slamming the door behind me and making the other guards in there exchange warning glances with each other. But ten minutes later, when I've sent the guys off to do rounds, and I'm checking the overnight logs, a knock interrupts my brooding. "What?" I snap.
Darian slips inside, a tea tray balanced perfectly on his palm, with a coffee cup on it and a French press filled with delicious,tempting caffeine. "I thought you might appreciate this. Strong coffee, two sugars, cream—correct?"
He knows exactly how I take my coffee.
That's his job, dumbass, I remind myself.
But I still feel good about it.
"Yeah. Uh. Thank you."
"You're most welcome." He sets the tray on the desk, and pours out a cup. "I hope Mr. Lollo didn't cause too much trouble. You'll be pleased to hear he seemed happy with Chef's preparation of a second breakfast tray."
"Nah, he's not too much trouble, not for me. But…thanks for your help with him." I nod my gratitude as he passes me the coffee.
"Forgive me if this is inappropriate, but you seem a little distracted today. Is everything alright?"
You're the distraction, Darian, and no, everything is most certainly not alright."Just the usual chaos. Coffee should help."
He studies me a moment longer, then dips his head. "Of course. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do for you."
Oh, God. So many dirty fucking things you could do for me, D.But I just shake my head, and he slips back out the door.
This is my problem, not his. Something for my brain to sort out on its own. It's not Darian's fault he's so fucking adorable. With a sigh, I take a sip of coffee, and try to let it soothe me.
But it's no use. I can't stop thinking about him. About his shy smiles, the way he blushes when I tease him, how responsivehe'd be under my hands…Christ, I need to get ahold of myself—and not the way I did last night. Darian is off-limits, an employee I'm responsible for keeping safe. I can't let my attraction to him compromise that.
Because somewhere along the line, my fascination with the uptight butler became an obsession. I think about him constantly. Wonder what he's doing, who he's with. I find excuses to be the places he's going to be, needing the sight of him, the sound of his voice.
And it's only getting worse.
I should stay away from him, but I can't. Especially not at the moment, with the parley about to get underway for reals. Darian is a lamb among wolves in this place. Maybe he can handle brainless dickheads like Chops Lollo and even Donnie Russo, but there are far more dangerous men in this place. And just like he doeshisjob, making sure everyone in the Manor feels looked after, I have to domyjob.
I have to keep him safe.
CHAPTER 12
DARIAN
I practically float downstairs,warmth spreading through my chest as I replay Raffi's surprise at my reappearance with coffee for him, and the way he looked at me. I can't help but feel a little lighter, a little more alive, despite the dangerous events unfolding around me.
And really, all my worries last night seem so unfounded in the morning light. Who cares about Donnie Russo? I can deal with him, just like I dealt with Chops Lollo again in the kitchen when I went down to get Raffi's coffee. I found Chops hovering over Chef Laurent, who was overseeing a fresh breakfast tray made for Ms. Rochford.
"Where'd those strawberries come from?" Chops had grunted, eyeing them with suspicion. "They been tampered with?"
"Certainly not," Chef had snapped back.
"That toast is burnt."
Chef had seemed about ready to explode, so I hurried over from where I'd been preparing the coffee for Raffi. "Every dish is prepared with the utmost care, Mr. Lollo, but I'm sure Chef will remake the toast himself if you're not happy with it."
Chef Laurent had scowled, muttering in French under his breath. I followed him to the toaster, speaking softly. "Please, Chef. I know how much pride you take in your work, and these are difficult guests. But we only have a few meals to get through this weekend, and I'm sure Mr. Castellani is planning a very large bonus."
With an irritated huff, Chef had begun remaking the toast as I made a mental note to speak to Julian later about that bonus for him.
