Page 20 of Point of Contention

I hadn’t preyed upon Rylan.

I’d fallen for her.

“It was wrong how it happened,” I admitted, “and I handled everything incorrectly, but my feelings for Rylan were real.Arereal.”

Rylan sucked in a breath, but dropped her gaze again.

As much as I wanted to pull her against me and tilt her chin back so I could look into her eyes, I knew I needed Greer on my side if I wanted Rylan to make the right decision about the internship program, so I’d have to restrain myself and put my needs aside for now.

Based on that kiss and how receptive she’d been to me, I had renewed hope that we’d survive this, but I couldn’t rush it. First things first.

“Look,” I said, lifting my hands. “I want Rylan to return to the internship; that’s why I’m here. I think that, if you truly love her—and I suspect you do—you’ll agree that walking away from such an important opportunity is a mistake. She’s derailing her career and throwing away something that she’s worked very hard for. I don’t think you want to see that happen any more than I do.”

“And if I can convince her to go back…” She narrowed her eyes and canted her head to one side. “Where will you be? She doesn’t want to see you.”

I rolled my tongue over my teeth. Everything about Rylan’s appearance, her body language, the way she’d kissed me like doing so gave her the ability to breathe again told me her friend was dead wrong; but I could play along. “I will leave her alone, if that’s what she wants.”

“It is.” Greer smirked.

“Greer!” Rylan snapped. “Stop speaking for me.”

My eyes flicked to Rylan, then back to Greer. I tilted my head, gauging my opponent. I could prove to her what a farce that was right here and now, prove to her how much Rylan did, in fact, want me, but I could also be patient. Turning to Rylan, I said, “You will work with Blanca in editorial for the rest of the program. You have eight weeks remaining; they… won’t be spent with me.”

She looked up at me then, meeting my gaze, and the pain warring in her brown eyes cracked another fissure into my heart. Why was she so intent on fighting this thing between us? My gaze flicked to Greer and I wondered how much of this was her doing. Had she convinced Rylan to be ashamed of what we had?

“Cabot,” Rylan finally said, bringing my attention back to her. “Can I think about it?”

“Yes, of course.” Relief coursed through me. “I’ll give you the weekend.”

After a long moment, she nodded. “Okay.”

“Okay.” I held her gaze for a long time, then said, “It was good to see you.” Turning quickly, I opened the door and stepped out onto the stoop. When the door closed softly behind me, I tilted my face to the sun and inhaled the deepest breath I’d taken in days.

Rylan was coming back to Reed Publishing, where she belonged.

And for the first time in days, I knew she’d soon come back to me as well.

There was no denying the chemistry between us.

And there was no denying the love in her eyes.

Chapter Seven

Rylan

As soon as the door shut, I exhaled and tilted my head back as I leaned against the cool wood. I could still feel his lips on mine, his palm burning into the skin of my neck. His cock a solid rod between us, reminding me of what he could do to me and in what ways.

And God, I wanted that.Neededthat. Neededhim.

I craved his touch even more now that I’d felt it again.

“Ugh, don’t tell me you’re all lovesick over him again.”

As if I’d everstopped.

I opened my eyes and glared at my best friend.

Her eyebrows lifted. “Whoa, settle down, killer.”

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