Page 10 of Rival to the Billionaire

I slide my other hand around her waist and press her closer to me. "Do you think anyone sees you as more than a gimmick?" I ask. "The CIO who got her shot through nepotism? Through growing up with the Andersons, through being a glorified secretary for my brother Derek. I'm going to tell you the truth: They don't. And as pretty as you are, I don't think anyone wants to take a second look. Not without asking themselves why you have the job you have."

She looks at me a moment longer, not saying a word.

And then she sighs. “I don't know why I'm wasting my time arguing with you. But if you want to dance, then dance. If you don't, get lost."

She turns her head and looks out into the crowd. The music is throbbing like a heartbeat, and there's no easy way to get free of me. And right now, I'm not feeling the urgency to leave.

"In case you're interested," I say, "what I'd really like to do is put you in your place. I think we all have people in our lives who put us down. And it's not because they're being manipulative or selfish…sometimes they have good intentions. Me? I’m just trying to make sure you don’t embarrass yourself when I prove you wrong.”

"It sounds to me like you think you're capable of persuading everyone around you, Ryder. Your problem with me? I don't give you that gratification."

I don't say anything. I don't let go. She's turned away from me, and I know she's not going to look back. My head is next to hers, our faces close. Her voice is just a whisper now.

I haven't really looked at Jenny Forde in a proper setting before. We're always in the office, and she's always in her uniform. White blouse. Black stockings. Black skirt. Hair in a bun. Red glasses.

Only tonight…the glasses are gone, and so are the stockings. And as I stare at her, I remember what I often ignore about Jenny…

She's gorgeous.

Her cafe au lait skin. Straightened ginger-red locks. This emerald dress hugging her curvy, slim figure.

To have her attention, even if it is ire, all to myself is an intoxicating sensation.

The rhythm of the music gives me courage to keep moving with her, dragging her body with mine, her hand clasped within my palm.

I'm no longer thinking about the argument that started this.

I can't think of anything other than this moment and how her curves feel against mine.

She turns to look at me again. "If you think you're going to humiliate me into giving up about denouncing this app, then you're sadly mistaken," she replies.

I'm close now, close enough that I can see her pupils dilate as she stares up at me. A ball of sudden awareness squeezes in my gut, but I ignore it all the same.

"I know what I'm doing with you," I say. "And you're right, I'm not trying to help you. I'm trying to put you where you belong. You don't belong here, Forde.”

Jenny sighs as I hold her near, our bodies brushing one another’s. “You belong on your knees,” I tell her, “begging for my forgiveness when this app of mine breaks records and fills our coffers. You belong doing what Derek used to pay you for: being a good secretary. But that's it. And that's all. Leave the tech part of this to the professionals, and one day, you might be able to step out of that role and do something on your own. And when you do, I'll be the first to congratulate you. Until then, understand one thing: No matter what you do—I. Don't. Care."

I've hit the nail on the head, getting her attention. She stands a little straighter, gripping my hands. She looks at me for a moment more, a look that promises vengeance and more. Her breasts heave up, catching my attention again.

"You should have done this a long time ago," she says, her voice trembly, challenging me. "You should have found some way to have taken my job. To have taken me on as a personal project. Because now that I know who you really are, I'm going to scrap this app of yours and hire someone else. Someone who will build it much better than you."

She steps forward and squeezes my hands again before jerking them free of hers. She scoffs. “And if you think you're going to get anywhere, trying to bully me, think again," she says, her voice unsteady, her eyes burning. "Because I know what it's like to be bullied by you. Grade school taught me that. You think you know what my place is? You don't. You don't have any idea what I'm capable of.” She pauses, staring me down. "Have fun at the conference. It'll be your last good show before it all explodes in your face."

She turns on her heel and walks away.

But even as she walks out of sight, I still take heed of the things she's said to me.

Lady…there are a few more lessons I'm going to have to teach you.

Some things are best when they're learned the hard way.

With that in mind, I look ahead to Forde’s impending disappointment when I blow everyone away with the app.

I absolutely can’t wait.

ChapterFour

JENNY

---