Page 79 of Rivals Next Door

She laughed. “Of course not. You’re the White Knight, and I’m…” Her eyeballs rolled around as she considered.

“Annoying,” I finished.

Her cheeks flushed crimson and she threw her arms up as she groaned, “I know. I’m sorry. I’ll go find something to do far away so you can concentrate.”

As she moved to get up, I snagged her wrist and pulled her back into her chair. I suddenly felt like a dick for being annoyed because I knew she was likely going stir-crazy right now. Control freak that she was, her mind was probably in shambles over this entire Weaver situation that she had no control over. Plus, there was also the issue of her worrying about me buying her out of her company.

As I studied her and took in the dark circles under her eyes, guilt kicked me in the balls with the force of a freight train. “Sit down, Liv. I didn’t mean to sound like a dick.”

She sat back down, looking a bit uncertain but relieved. “I hate feeling useless.”

“I know,” I said softly as I tenderly tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear… I just couldn’t help myself. “But you’re not. You’ve fooled Weaver into believing that you’re still on board with the merger. You’re like a spy getting intel directly from the source. That’s pretty badass.”

She offered a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. I bet it was because she was still anxious. Letting out a sigh, I pushed my devices aside and tugged her chair closer.

She opened her mouth to speak but my lips crashed down on hers. Instantly, she melted with a soft sigh and kissed me back. As usual, we lost ourselves in each other. Her hands tangled in my hair and she let out a low moan that resonated with desire. That desperate need always flared between us even with the slightest touch. It was crazy and a little scary.

“Alex…” she breathed.

I pulled back enough to allow her to speak.

“What are we doing here?” she asked.

“I’m helping you relax. We both know this is the only way to lessen your nervous energy so I can get back to work. I have to fuck the anxiety out of you.”

“Oh, my god.” Amusement rang in her voice. “After all these years you haven’t gotten a filter.”

I reached for the top button of her blouse. “Seeing as how you’re uptight enough for the both of us, I don’t need one.”

She glowered at me, yet there was blatant carnal anticipation in her eyes, and she didn’t stop me when I continued to undo her buttons.

Our gazes locked and the air got thick with raw sexual energy. Still, I asked, “What’s the matter? Don’t you want me to? Fuck away your anxiety, that is.”

Her skin flushed a pretty pink and her chest rose and fell rapidly. I bit my lip to hide my smirk.

“Well… if you think it will help, why not?” she panted.

My grin broke through and in an instant, I was on my feet and plucking her out of her chair. Her gasp and giggles as I all but sprinted to her bedroom with her in my arms made me smile harder. For the moment, I forgot how dangerous it was to get wrapped up in Olivia again.

29

OLIVIA

Every cell of my body still tingled with the after-effects of intense pleasure. My breathing was just getting back to normal as Alex and I lay in my bed. He was on his back with his fingers laced behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling. I lay on my side, watching him and the emotions he probably didn’t know were visible flit across his masculinely gorgeous features.

I could practically see the battle raging in his mind play out on his face. I saw it every time we ended up here… naked in bed… or on any surface of his apartment or mine. I saw his regret each time, yet this is where we always ended up. When I could no longer bear to see the evidence of his distrust of me, I turned onto my back to stare at the ceiling too.

“How are you feeling?” Alex asked, breaking the silence.

“It’s safe to say my anxiety has dissipated.” My anxiety about the fate of my company anyway. Now, I was anxious about something entirely different… Alex and me and the fate of my heart.

“Then my job here is done,” he hummed.

I snorted. He did a damn awesome job too. Multiple orgasms in quick succession was a hell of a relaxant. “Alex?”

“Hmmm?”

“Obviously, you hate it when we end up naked and sweaty.”

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