Page 34 of Rival Desires

I shook my head. “Nah, I’ve got it under control.”

Jules leaned back in her chair, a sly smile playing on her lips. “Well, if you need anything, you know where to find me.”

As I walked away, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the look she gave me and her words, held a hidden message. The playful lilt in her voice made me wonder if she was flirting with me, but I didn’t have the luxury of dwelling on it. A meeting awaited my presence, and tardiness was not an option.

The emergency meeting trudged along, each department head taking their turn to present analyses and projections as we collectively tried to resolve the discrepancy in BiosynTech’s portfolio.

The account manager was wrapping up his latest findings when my phone buzzed with a text from Rylee. Since I couldn’t answer her in the middle of the meeting, I half-heartedly tried to ignore it, but her name danced across my mind like a Vegas marquee. Our unfinished business hung heavy between us, a tangle of unspoken words and unresolved tension. I needed to see her, to try and make sense of the whirlwind of emotions she’d stirred up in me.

Those sizzling flashbacks of Rylee and me came roaring in, making it damn near impossible to concentrate on the monotonous meeting. I could practically hear her moans from that unforgettable night at the gala, a melody that had me grinning ear-to-ear like a lovesick puppy. And let’s not even go there with that sultry, mischievous gleam in her eyes when we snuck into the dressing room, ripping each other’s clothes off ina feverish whirlwind. That electrifying, risqué escapade still had the power to send my heart racing.

Just as I was getting lost in another X-rated daydream, our lead financial analyst snapped me back to reality. “There,” she said, jabbing her finger at a formula. “This should have been done every quarter, not just once a year. Once we fix that, the numbers should match up.” A wave of relief swept over me as the team nodded in agreement. At least the mistake was something we could fix.

With a sigh and a loose tie, I escaped to my office, collapsing into my chair like a marathon runner at the finish line. As I leaned back and shut my eyes, there she was again - Rylee, taking center stage in my mind. I couldn’t help but replay those steamy moments, her breathy moans and trembling body etched into my memory.

I uttered a groan, trying to adjust myself discreetly in my chair. This was going to be a challenge, but hey, I had to try. Buckle up; it’s going to be a long day.

Just then, there was a knock on my door. I quickly sat up and composed myself. “Come in,” I called out, hoping my voice didn’t sound too strained.

The door opened, and Warner walked in, with a stack of papers “Hey, boss,” he said, a triumphant gleam in his eye. “The finance team verified the miscalculation. We should be able to present a revised report to BiosynTech by tomorrow.”

I nodded, my pulse quickening. “Excellent. Draft an email outlining the error and our proposed resolution. I want full transparency on this.”

As he turned to leave, my phone buzzed again, the screen lighting up with Rylee’s name. I hesitated, my thumb hovering over the message.

I mustered the courage and suggested we grab a drink after work at The Tipsy Tap, a quaint little watering hole nestled in the heart of Palo Alto. With its dim lighting, dark wood accents, and snug velvet booths, it seemed like the ideal spot to have an honest conversation. She was on board, and I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the chat later.

As the clock inched its way towards 4 PM, I had muscled through a good chunk of my workload. I decided to slip out a tad early and get a head start on the evening. But no sooner had I made up my mind, than Jules came rapping on my door frame with those darn reports from Fury that needed my approval. Fifteen minutes later, I was running behind schedule when I finally threw on my jacket, the plush fabric whispering against my fingertips, and made a beeline for the exit. A cool breeze welcomed me as I stepped outside, sending a heady mix of jitters and exhilaration coursing through my veins. The electric hum of Palo Alto was in full swing as I navigated my way through the crowd to the cozy little pub, the mouthwatering scent of street food wafting through the air, mingling with the faint hint of exhaust.

Stepping up to The Tipsy Tap, my heart beat against my ribs like it was revving up for a reunion with Rylee. I gave the heavy wooden door a shove and was hit with a wave of ambiance equal parts booze and pheromones. The joint buzzed like a hive of chatter and clinking glasses, all bathed in the soft glow of mood lighting.

I squinted through the dimness as I hunted for Rylee. The post-work crowd was thick, making it a challenge to spot her. Butthen, as if the universe decided to cut me a break, there she was. Nestled in a corner table, her back to the door, she was nursing a martini.

My breath got all caught up as flashbacks of our steamy moment came rushing back. I had to give myself a mental slap to stay focused on the mission: patching up our work relationship and, who knows, maybe even checking out this crazy chemistry between us.

I slid into the chair across from her, trying not to notice how plump and round her hips were under that snazzy pantsuit. “Hey,” I blurted out, sounding out of breath. “Sorry I’m late. I got stuck with paperwork.” I raked my fingers through my hair, feeling like a nervous wreck.

She peeked up at me, her amber eyes blazing with a combo of resistance and...could that be interest? “Alright, Cory,” she said, “I figured you got something you wanted to tell me, so let’s hear it. I want all the cards on the table.”

TWENTY

Rylee

I took a slow sip of my martini, already my second since I got here, savoring the burn as I regarded Cory across the table. A part of me still wanted to claw his eyes out, but another part was intrigued.

Cory cleared his throat, looking uncharacteristically nervous. “Look, I know things got heated between us. But I think we may have both jumped to some wrong conclusions.”

I cocked an eyebrow, waiting. This ought to be good.

“I accused you of using dishonest tactics with the Seaworth account. That was wrong of me. You’re clearly a principled person.”

Now, it was my turn to shift uncomfortably. I hadn’t expected him to lead with an apology.

“And our intimate encounters...” Cory paused, a slight flush creeping up his neck. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them.”

My pulse quickened at the memory of our trysts. As much as I hated to admit it, neither had I.

Cory met my gaze, his eyes filled with a mixture of vulnerability and determination. “I know this might sound crazy, but I think we have a real connection, Rylee. One that’s worth exploring without the nonsense of this rivalry getting in the way.”

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