Page 69 of Rival Desires

“You? Awkward? No. You just have a hard time flirting.”

I shrugged, attempting a bashful smirk. “Yeah, I do. I was a late bloomer. Didn’t lose my V-card till I was twenty, and that’s only ‘cause my brother Carson played wingman.”

“Not wanting casual flings is perfectly okay,” Becky said. “You’re after something real. Like what we’ve got.”

“Yes, exactly,” I said. “But as you say, it’s tough for me to fess up when I'm after someone like you. I kind of choke. Which is what happened yesterday when..."

I trailed off, giving her a chance to fill in the blanks.

“That’s why you did an about-face when I kissed you?” she asked.

Deceiving her like this, seeing the hope in her eyes might’ve made me feel guilty if she hadn’t been trying to off the woman I’d fallen in love with.

Fallen in love.

Damn.

“Yeah, freaking out is my default when a beautiful woman makes a move on me,” I said, trying to be calm. “Fury even told you that.”

I could feel Rylee’s gaze on me and wondered if she knew how much of this was true.

Becky took a step closer. “But you don’t have to freak out. I love you, Cory. I mean, I tried being subtle, but doesn’t the fact that I kissed you mean you shouldn’t be nervous.”

“It does,” I said. “Everything you did showed me how you felt…all those meals and stuff. It really meant a lot. No one’s ever gone to such lengths just to get my attention.”

The words felt wrong in my mouth, but I forced them out anyway.

“That’s exactly what I’m hoping for,” she replied, her grin growing wider and the gun slowly drifting downward, but still aimed at Rylee. “I knew we were on the same page. You always flash me that heart-melting smile when you see me, and don’t even get me started on your chivalrous door-holding ways.”

I resisted the urge to glance at Rylee, knowing it could spell disaster. I had to focus on Becky, keeping her gaze locked on mine.

“I’m sorry about the whole police charade,” Becky went on. “But honestly, it’s partially your own fault. You could’ve clued me in that you wanted me to take charge. Then I wouldn’t have had to go to such insane lengths to show you we’re meant to be.”

“It’s all water under the bridge,” I said, hoping my face wasn’t broadcasting my insincerity. “Everything’s worked out in the end.”

“Let’s never go through that again,” she said. “It was agonizing to say those awful things about you.”

I could practically feel the steam coming out of Rylee’s ears, and I silently prayed she’d keep her cool. I was just about to suggest that Becky send Rylee packing so we could have some alone time when everything went sideways.

“Let’s ditch the dead weight so the witch can’t meddle anymore,” Becky growled.

Time seemed to slow down, and every little detail became painfully clear against the encroaching darkness.

Becky’s face hardened, her eyes turning to ice, as she swung the gun upward, pointing directly at Rylee.

I reacted instinctually, launching myself sideways as I saw Becky’s finger tighten on the trigger. It was a pure reflex move without thinking about it, and I hoped it would be enough.

There was a thud that felt like I’d been hit by a freight train, followed by screaming and then...nothingness.

THIRTY-EIGHT

Rylee

It happened so fast I didn’t even move when Becky pointed the gun at me. Because one second it was aimed at me, and the next there was a loud boom and Cory was there and he was falling falling falling…

“No!” I screamed as he hit the floor, but it was like my body knew what to do before my brain could catch up. I lunged at Becky, every self-defense tip I’d ever read flashing through my mind in a split second.

In a swift motion, I pushed the gun to the side with one hand, ignoring the searing pain of the hard metal against my wrist. With the other hand, I landed a solid punch to Becky’s cheek. She let out a shrill scream, but I didn’t let it throw me off. I was laser-focused on getting that gun away from her.

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