Page 44 of Rival Desires

I sucked in a deep breath, mentally reminding myself to keep it professional before letting it out in a dramatic sigh. “Look, Bennett,” I said, trying to keep my voice from sounding too strained, “I turned you down because there just wasn’t any chemistry there. I don’t sleep with people to get accounts, and I’m offended that you’d even think that’s how I do business.” I could feel my voice getting tighter, and I tried not to show my frustration. “Sergio wasn’t acting under my orders, I swear. I had no idea he’d even talked to your mom.”

Bennett let out a derisive snort. “Well, that doesn’t exactly instill me with confidence. What kind of company can’t keep its employees in line? Not exactly a glowing endorsement for someone handling my money.”

I had to bite my tongue to keep from reminding him that he didn’t have any money to handle until Nadine kicked the bucket. I had enough on my plate without adding to it because I couldn’t let a snide comment go. I’d had plenty of practice swallowing my pride, so I figured I might as well put it to good use.

“Well then, I guess I’ll just sit tight and wait for your employee-wrangling update,” Bennett said, practically dripping with sarcasm as he gave me a final, scathing look. “Good luck with that.”

He huffed out of my office like a storm cloud, and I watched him disappear into the elevator before turning to Mallory. “I need a freaking minute,” I said, slamming the door shut before she could even respond. I trudged back to my desk and fell into my chair, feeling like I’d just run a marathon in high heels.

“Ugh, dammit, dammit, dammit!” I groaned, slamming my hands against my desk hard enough to make my palms sting. I was this close to punching something - or better yet, someone. Specifically, Sergio. That guy was really starting to test my patience.

Yikes, I was seething mad. I’m not usually one to go all Hulk-smash, but Sergio had me feeling like a ticking time bomb. I tried to think back to any conversation we’d had since Monday that could’ve given him the green light for this nonsense.

And then it hit me like a ton of bricks. His comments about Nadine and their little fling from the past. Ugh, why hadn’t I stopped that right then and there? I felt a wave of guilt wash over me, and I made a mental note to never let that kind of crap slide again, no matter how talented or easy on the eyes the employee was.

The whole “boys will be boys” mentality was a load of bull, and I was done making excuses for it. I breathed and hit the intercom button. “Mallory,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, “could you please track down Sergio and send him my way?”

As I waited, I grabbed the necessary paperwork, preparing for the upcoming conversation. I’d give Sergio a chance to explain himself, of course. I’m not one to jump to conclusions based on hearsay, especially when it’s from someone like Bennett. But my gut told me he hadn’t been lying.

The only possible scenario I could think of was that Sergio had charmed Nadine and reminded her about their previous encounter, and honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if it had been a mutual seduction, but that didn’t change the fact that I couldn’t condone one of my employees getting cozy with a potential client.

A rapid tap on my door was followed by Sergio swaggering in, his posture and that cocky grin plastered on his face, saying he clearly expected a pat on the back. He was in for a rude awakening, though, as he seemed clueless about my earlier visitor.

“Sit down.” I didn’t bother sugarcoating it with a ‘please.’ I’d already exhausted my supply of fake niceties on Bennett.

Sergio’s strut hiccupped for a sec, but he quickly regained his cocky swagger and sauntered over to my desk. He plopped down, so laid-back that it only fueled my irritation.

“So, I just had a little chat with Bennett Seaworth.” I took a beat, waiting to see if Sergio would react, but his expression remained unchanged. “Care to tell me what went down between you and Nadine?”

Sergio puffed out his chest like a peacock, and his smirk morphed into a Cheshire cat grin. “I took one for the team.”

His words echoed in my head, bouncing around like a ping-pong ball on steroids. He’d used that same line when we’d first talked about him helping me win the challenge. Ugh. I’d brushed it off as a cheesy, lame boys club joke instead of taking it seriously. Big mistake.

“We had quite the thrilling and, let’s say, athletic night,” Sergio went on, another smirk playing on his lips. “I’m not surprised she sent Bennett over to hand us the account.”

I stared at him, my eyes wide with disbelief. That’s what he thought Bennett had come here to talk about?

He shook his head, a grin spreading across his face like this was some huge, hilarious prank. “You know, because she would probably be walking funny.”

“Just stop,” I blurted out, my voice laced with exasperation. “Seriously, just stop talking. You’re only digging yourself deeper into a hole.”

His eyes bulged, and all traces of smugness were wiped clean from his face. “Wait, what? I landed us the Seaworth deal, just like you asked.”

“Nope.” I shook my head, setting the record straight. “I wanted us to win the challenge Nadine threw our way. Beat Gracen & McCrae fair and square.”

“Oh, right.” He folded his arms, a sulky tone creeping into his voice. “That’s why you brought me on board, not because I had something up my sleeve you didn’t. Those Gracen & McCrae boys would’ve done the same if I hadn’t beaten them to it.”

I’d reached my limit. More than my limit, actually.

“You’re fired.”

“I should be...what?” His sentence trailed off as my words sank in, and his attitude did a quick 180. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! You can’t be serious.”

“You’re fired,” I repeated, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

“You’re kidding, right?” He gaped in disbelief. “I pulled off a win for us!”

“Nope.” I got to my feet, beyond exhausted. “Your job was to collaborate with me and follow my instructions to the letter. It wasn’t to have sex with a potential client because you thought that was the best move.”

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