Page 45 of Rival Desires

“As if you’ve never used your looks and sexuality to get your way.” His expression morphed into an ugly sneer. “Batted your eyelashes, flaunted your assets. Dropped some not-so-subtle hints about getting into bed if someone just played along.”

My cheeks burned but with rage, not shame or guilt. “If you want to avoid a sexual harassment suit, I strongly suggest you stop right there while I’m still feeling generous.”

“Generous?” He shot up and gave me the middle finger. “That’s what I think of your so-called generosity.”

My half-open door swung wider, and in strolled a pair of security guards. “Your assistant mentioned there’s a former employee who needs a gentle nudge off the premises,” said the older one, his eyes locking on Sergio.

“That’s correct,” I replied, smoothing my skirt and praying my hands weren’t trembling like leaves. “He has ten minutes to empty his desk and hand over his keycard before hitting the road.”

Sergio shot me a venomous glare but kept quiet as the guards led him away. Just as they turned the corner, he hollered,“You’re a fucking bitch!” The trio had barely disappeared when he shouted, “You’re all a bunch of bitches!”

I sauntered over to my door and peeked out. My employees had gathered like a flock of curious birds, watching the spectacle.

Before anyone could pepper me with questions, I retreated to my office, shut the door, and returned to my desk. The weight of the situation pressed down on my shoulders as I sat and buried my face in my folded arms. All the progress I thought I’d made on the project, the potential of the Seaworth account, and the pride I’d felt in my business vanished, eclipsed by the actions of one arrogant jerk and my own failure to manage my staff.

For the first time since setting foot in Palo Alto with stars in my eyes, I questioned if I’d bitten off more than I could chew and had made a colossal mistake.

TWENTY-FIVE

Cory

The next day, I dragged myself into the office, totally zombie-like and desperately in need of caffeine.

Once I plopped down at my desk, my brain was still buzzing on overdrive from Becky’s surprise appearance the previous night. I mean, who does that? She had the gall to waltz into my office with a slab of meatloaf, trying to woo me. The whole situation was beyond bizarre, like something out of a cheesy rom-com.

I gave my head a good rattle, attempting to shake off the annoyance that was fogging my brain. This was going to be a long day.

I palmed my trusty coffee mug, ready to guzzle down some caffeinated goodness, but alas! It was as empty as my social calendar on a Saturday night. Warner, my usual savior, was MIA from his post.

Not one to be deterred, I set off on a quest to the breakroom. I was just a few steps shy of the promised land when Warner’s voice wafted towards me.

“You must be kidding me. Hooking up with a prospective client? And not even trying to keep it hush-hush?” I heard Warner say.

I slowed my pace, even as my heart started to race.

“Not exactly the image a new business should be going for,” Jules chimed in. “I’m dying to know how many of our ex-clients Palmer Money Management managed to lure in with the same tactics,” she added.

My stomach dropped. I didn’t have to wonder who they were talking about - it had to be Rylee and Bennett. Anger and jealousy boiled up inside me at the thought of her being intimate with him. After our last night together, I thought we had moved past manipulating each other, but clearly, Rylee was still using her feminine wiles to get ahead.

I clenched my fists, crumpling the papers I was holding. Rylee seemed so sincere when she said we should stop wasting time fighting each other. Had that just been a ploy to throw me off while she went after the Seaworth account by any means necessary? The thought of her with that sleazeball Bennett made me want to puke.

I passed on coffee and trudged back to my office, sinking into my chair. I sucked in a few deep breaths, trying to chill out and shake off the jealousy zapping my brain. Maybe I was just being paranoid, right? Bennett could’ve been spinning tales to get back at Rylee for turning him down. But that nagging doubt was already sprouting like a weed in my mind.

I had to know the truth, even if my feelings for Rylee had blinded me to her ambition. Until I had some answers, I couldn’t have any distractions. I had to stay focused on winning, no matterwhat. The stakes were sky-high now, and I couldn’t afford to lose.

I noticed Warner coming back, and I stormed to his desk. “I need you to find Bennett Seaworth,” I said, my voice low and insistent.

Warner nodded and turned to his computer. “I’m on it.”

A few minutes later, he looked up from his screen. “Looks like he’s out playing golf at the Palo Alto Country Club.”

I grimaced. I hated golf, but I was willing to make an exception for this. “Thanks, Warner,” I said, already heading for the door.

The drive was a breeze, with barely any traffic to slow me down. I crossed my fingers that the rest of this mission would be just as smooth.

As I rolled up to the country club, my heart was thumping. This place was massive, with green lawns that seemed to go on forever. It was like a golf oasis, but I wasn’t here for a round of eighteen holes. Nope, I was on a quest for some answers.

But there was a problem: I wasn’t a member, and they wouldn’t let me waltz in and start causing a scene. I was, pacing outside the gates like an idiot, trying to devise a plan, when I noticed a delivery truck pulling up to the side entrance, and an idea struck.

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