Page 196 of Surprisingly Us

My grandfather turns to Jerrod. “Financial affairs are a private matter, so if something is not directly related to foundation business dealings, then it’s not for discussion.”

Jerrod opens his mouth to argue, but nothing comes out. His eyes flash to mine briefly and before he strides past me and out the door, I catch the look on his face. It’s one that has matched the one in my mirror for the last five years.

Frustration, defeat, apathy.

Except I know Jerrod, and he doesn’t sit well with those things. Unlike my tendency to withdraw, he will only dig deeper, push harder.

For the first time since this whole thing started, I wish we could fix things between us. That we could get to the root of the animosity and pluck it out like the rambling weed that it is. I want to be board president and I want to end this feud with Jerrod. I hope both are possible.

CHAPTER 60

Colette

After searching nearly every room in Ward and Edith’s brownstone, I find Rhys on the third floor, a large open space that appears to be used as a sitting area and library. His large frame is spilling out of an overstuffed chair in the corner, a lowball glass, with an amber liquid and one large round ice cube in it, dangling from his fingers.

“There you are.” I ascend the last step and move toward him.

“Here I am,” he responds playfully, but I can hear the strain in his voice.

“I was beginning to think you left.”

His eyes follow my movements, his gaze lifting as I draw closer.

“I wouldn’t have. Not without you.”

His response makes my heart soar. Is this what it’s like to be in love? To have another person,your person, to depend on.

When I reach him, I step between his spread thighs, then reach to take the glass from his hand. He’s still watching me, hazel eyes burning with curiosity.

I lift the glass and take a sip of the chilled spirit, my throat constricting as it burns its way down.

The liquor tingles the back of my throat and I can’t help but cough.

He smirks. “Still not a fan?”

I shake my head.

“Are you okay?” I ask, setting the glass down on a nearby table, then slowly intwining my hands into his thick hair.

“Better now,” he says, leaning forward, his hands wrapping around the backs of my thighs as he rests his chin against my chest to gaze up at me. The tease of his fingertips on my bare skin sends a shiver down my spine. I’m still fascinated by how quickly my body comes alive under his touch.

Rhys’s hands explore me, rubbing my legs and caressing my ass before they settle at my front, dangerously close to where my panties are already damp.

While I’d love to feel those fingers dipping beneath my underwear, and I know he would welcome the distraction, there’s a reason he’s up here alone. My hands find his face, and I tilt his chin up until our eyes are connected again.

“I saw you leave with your grandfather earlier.”

Rhys’s jaw visibly tightens.

“Yeah, Jerrod accused us of faking our engagement. Saying the donation I made to Leg-Up was a way of compensating you for saying yes to my proposal.”

I’m surprised, but also not. The engagement was originally fake, I guess it still is, but Rhys didn’t even tell me about the Leg-Up donation, so it had no influence on my relationship with him. Fake or real.

“What did your grandfather say?” I ask.

“Ultimately, that we shouldn’t be digging into each other’s personal finances.”

Rhys pulls me down until I’m sitting in his lap.

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