Page 21 of My Office Rival

“That’s never happening again,” I replied and grimaced.

“What? I mean, yeah, it’s a bad idea, but why not? Did he do something?”

“He put it in the house rules. He actually saidno sexand made me write it down.” My face heated at the memory.

“What the hell?”

“Yep. He’s just as uptight as I remember. I guess he was possessed that night,” I whispered. “And the worst part is, he’s using my attraction to him against me. He’s already messing with my head.”

I flopped back onto the pillow.

“Oh yeah, he’s known for that. He loves to play psychological games with opposing counsel. I’m fairly certain he sent me dead flowers one deal, just to psych me out. It was fucking weird. Almost worked though.”

I shuddered. “I believe it. He keeps saying outrageous things and getting in my personal space. “Between that and the fact that the house feels like his…it already seems like I’m losing this deal.”

“That’s hot. The lack of personal space, I mean. Not losing. That’s the worst.”

“You are afreak,” I muttered. “Please stay focused. I need a strategy to deal with him.”

“You should take a page out of his book. Give as good as you get.”

“And what? Prance around naked? I don’t need any morereminders of our one night together.” Heat spread at the memory, but Margo was nodding.

“Exactly. Stop hiding in your room and show him the house is half yours. Take your space back, mess with his head. It’s what he’s doing to you.” She shrugged. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Um, let’s see. Gerald finds out and then I really get fired? Jason would totally rat me out. Or Jason rejects me. It’s in his rules, after all.” That would behorrible.

“Well, you need to do something. He’s ruthless and if he’s already got you this twisted up…” She trailed off and shook her head. “Fuck with his head and he won’t be able to see straight at the office. It might be your best strategy, actually.”

I didn’t even know if Jason Elliott could be thrown off his game. He reminded me of a lion. Magnificent to admire, but impossible to get close to.

“Maybe…” I trailed off and chewed my lip uncertainly.

“I just want you to win,” Margo added. “Brett is swaggering around like he’s next in line to make partner, and it’s starting to get to me. And he’s sniffing around one of your deals.”

“You’re kidding. I will fucking kill him,” I said vehemently. My blood heated.No one came for my clients.

“I know. I know. He hasn’t done anything yet, but just know he’s a weasel,” she soothed.

I sighed heavily. “I thought he might be. I just don’t know if I want to make partner.”

Margo was silent for a moment, and then she said quietly, “I know, and I hate to say this, but you need to figure it out. I don’t want you to be a victim of their stupid policies. You’re too good to be a victim of that. Crush the Closer, win that deal, and then come back and kick Brett’s ass.”

“Thanks, Margo. You’re the best.”

“Go get ‘em! Love you.” She hung up, and I flopped back on the bed, my throat closing. I needed this deal, and I needed this job. Finding something else was going to be a slog. I was back to square one after the latest rejection, and I didn’t know where to turn. I justneeded a break. At the moment, this firm job was the only stable thing in my life, and I refused to lose it because of fucking Brett or Jason.

My jaw clenched, and I sat up in a rush. Margo was right. I was not getting thrown off by aman. Not by the Closer. So what if he psyched out his opponents? I could do the same. I opened my suitcase and changed into something I knew would drive him insane.

13

JASON

Breathing in air that smelled fresh instead of reeking of exhaust was an unusual experience. My feet hit the ground in an easy rhythm as I rounded the corner back to the house. Normally, my runs included dodging pedestrians and garbage trucks, but here, my feet kicked up dust and each breath puffed out into a cloud in the still air.

My email pinged and I nearly threw my phone into the adjacent field. Mitchell would not get off my ass. The man worked every Sunday like clockwork, and normally, I did too. But I just needed one blessed hour of peace.

Because I was a workaholic, I pulled my phone out and scanned the message, my brows pulling together as I read.

---