Page 135 of Hateful Games

“So, take it.”

He eats the distance between us, grabs the back of my neck, and seals his lips with mine. It happens too fast for me to react and I grip his forearms as he softly kisses my mouth. Sucking and kissing my bottom lip, he flicks it with his tongue.

Tilting my head and holding it still, he deepens the kiss and explores the inside of my mouth. Our tongues colliding, and I melt in his embrace. Just as quickly, he pulls back.

I shove him back, panting hard. “Stop that.”

“Can’t.”

“Try.”

“You kissed back, Rose.”

The denial dies in my throat. Because damn it, it’s true.

Taking victory in my silence, he roots me to the spot with a possessive look and finally leaves. I caress my lips with my fingertips, still tasting him.

And hate myself when I don’t erase it.

Chapter Thirty-six

Nova

What I feared the most is finally happening.

Another major account we had recently acquired got stolen by my rival from right under our noses over the weekend. Apparently, someone leaked sensitive information about our client. A breach of trust of this proportion leaves no room for negotiating with them to stay.

With the size of our firm, it shouldn’t have even occurred in the first place.

My gut tells me it’s the same mole from last year.

Their timing was perfect, making sure I was distracted with the wedding.

Right now, a hit of tobacco will calm my head and help me focus but I can’t find myself to touch the packet of cigarettes I always carry. Suddenly, it’s the most disgusting thing in the world.

I scrub my hand over my face before buzzing my assistant, Radha, and telling her to send Samarth, who is the head of cybersecurity, to my office.

Honestly, this disaster couldn’t have come at the worst possible time.

My team and I have been working on acquiring one of the biggest construction companies in the Middle East for months. We’re in the final stages of negotiating and finalizing the deal. After the news of the leaks gets out today, all the progress I made will go down the drain.

Getting to the bottom of the situation is my priority for today.

Over the phone, I wasn’t able to get much information and I want to know exactly what occurred so I can brainstorm and take the necessary actions. Someone is covertly sabotaging us. I need to know their motives. They’re obviously not scared of getting caught. Or perhaps overconfident in their abilities.

Is it a disgruntled employee? Are they working alone? Who could possibly have a vendetta against me in my own company? Or were they approached by someone from the outside? So many fucking questions and zero answers.

Usually, these seedy and underhanded games were played by Mihir Kapoor but ever since the engagement, things have been quiet. Except I can’t tell whether or not it’s the calm before the storm. Hence, I wouldn’t rule him out at having a hand in this.

A knock sounds on my door.

“Come in.” I look up to see Samarth step inside. His face grim. I motion for him to sit while I remain standing. “Tell me.”

“Whoever it was, they logged in using an ex-employee’s credentials to access the confidential files of all the new accounts.”

“Who was it and why were their credentials still active?” I calmly ask but inside, I’m seething. A tiny negligence and the blunder caused me millions of dollars.

“It was your old assistant’s desk. Someone in HR messed with his last working date which led to his account remaining active.”

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