Page 35 of Mad Rivals
“And I would if I really believed there was nothing there. But Kenny, he brought you your Starbucks order.” She raises her brows pointedly. “That means something.”
“It means he knows my order. That’s it.” I shrug.
She shakes her head. “Dudes don’t remember shit like that.”
“We have the same order. He’s just playing a game. He’s pretending to be interested so he can take what he wants and drop me in the end.”
She pulls a face that clearly tells me she doesn’t believe that for a second. “Do you really think that?”
Now that I’ve said it aloud, it’s honestly what makes the most sense. I studied the photos of him online, and when he’s been photographed with a date, it’s almost always a tall, thin woman with long, dark hair.
I’m only five-foot-five, and my hair is decidedly blonde.
What if thatiswhat he’s doing? What if he’s not interested at all in me, but he’s acting like he is so he can steal valuable information from VBC? What if he’s going to try to take on the entire project and steal residential out from under us?
We signed contracts. He can’t do that.
But that doesn’t mean he can’t learn a few trade secrets or figure out where our weaknesses are so he can pounce later.
I finally blow out a breath as I lift a shoulder. “I just don’t trust his intentions.”
“Okay, say he’s untrustworthy and he’s just playing a game to take what he wants from you. Would it really be so bad to play the game with him? To take a few things of your own?” She wiggles her brows slyly.
“Are you suggesting I sleep with him?”
She shrugs without responding.
“How would that help things?” I ask.
She purses her lips. “Have you seen that ass of his? It’s not gonna hurt things, bitch.”
I laugh. “You’re too much.”
“I’m aware.”
“So are you sleeping with Lance yet?”
“No!” She’s nearly defensive, and that’s my first clue that she already really likes him.
But now sex is on my brain, specifically sex with Madden, and I’m not sure how to get that out of my head. I don’thaveto let feelings get involved…but that doesn’t make it a good idea.
I shake my head without any words as I shake that thought right out.
No.
It’s a terrible idea.
Sex will always complicate things, and we have to work together. I can’t.
No matter how much I want it.
Playing his game would be dangerous. I don’t think I could have sex with someone as hot and intriguing as he is and keep my emotions out of it. Especially not when I started smiling just looking at his text messages yesterday.
I feel like I’m so screwed. Everything in me tells me we’re supposed to be enemies. I’m supposed to be keeping him at arm’s length.
And yet…every time I see him, he piques my interest just a little more.
Of course Clem had to bring up the fact that he brought me coffee. My exact order. Of course she recognized that.
