Page 5 of Rivals Next Door

“Yeah, I knew she was a rich princess, but I don’t give a shit about Bryce. I think I have a shot with her.”

Lincoln raised his eyebrows. “Then go for it.”

I didn’t believe in the whole love at first sight thing… until now. Olivia would be mine soon. That last lingering look she gave me confirmed it.

3

OLIVIA

Present…

The world tilted on its axis the moment I saw Alexander Knight, and it had yet to right itself. I was still reeling from shock and the barrage of memories that assaulted me. Youthful dreams, laughter, passionate nights… love.

I never thought I’d see my college flame again, especially in my office with him threatening to take everything from me. As I stared at the door that Alex had marched through, I couldn’t help thinking about how great he looked. He was different though.

While he still had the same mischievous glint in his intense blue eyes, he had a harder edge as if he’d become more serious and… colder. Was that my fault? I raked my fingers through my hair and inhaled deeply as I tried to steady my racing mind and rapid pulse rate.

Alexander Knight was behind the takeover of BioTech… I still couldn’t believe it. Of course, I knew who he’d become. His billionaire status was well known, and so was his title of playboy. There wasn’t a gossip or entertainment site that Alex hadn't been mentioned on.

The masses adored him—especially women—which wasn’t surprising. It was his personality that reeled me in when we were kids, after all. Alex had the kind of charisma that was a seamless blend of humor and sexual magnetism. His bad boy edge made panties drop… It certainly made mine drop. Plus, when you got to know the man behind the devil-may-care exterior, he was easy to fall for. He was compassionate and extremely smart. Sometimes too smart for his own good…

What had me in a chokehold was that he was the threat to my company. Rumors had swirled about someone moving to swipe BioTech away. When I saw no way to save it, I considered willingly selling it to the anonymous billionaire who had his eyes on us.

If I discussed things with him, maybe he’d have some compassion and continue my mission as well as keep the current employees. The entire time, I thought the mystery billionaire was James Winchester, a prominent figure in the business world. I met him back in college because he and Alex were friends. I’d also had a handful of run-ins with him for business. He seemed like a decent guy. I thought he’d be the one to walk through my door this morning. Seeing Alex instead almost made me faint.

I knew he resented me… I could practically feel the animosity coming off him. Upsetting him with my arrogant front hadn’t been a good idea, but I’d been so pissed by the way he strolled in here as if he already owned my company. I had a few months left to turn things around, and I’d fight harder than ever to hold on to BioTech. There was no way I’d let my ex-boyfriend swoop in and win.

However, despite my indignation, it was hard to forget that Alex Knight was the only man I had ever truly loved. It didn’t take long for me to fall for him…

Twelve years ago…

“Back off, will you? I’m busy,” Bryce said as he huffed his annoyance.

My face almost caught fire when several pairs of eyes zeroed in on us. Bryce tended to get loud when he was inebriated.

I glowered at him but didn’t respond with anything that would prolong my embarrassment. “Fine. I’ll get myself home.” I made my way to the exit.

The house vibrated with the ear-splitting music, and there was hardly room to walk. I couldn’t wait to get out of this hellhole. It was about a fifteen-minute walk to get back to my apartment, which was off campus.

Bryce picked me up for his frat party. I should have known better than to rely on him to take me home when I was ready.

The fact that he didn’t even stop me from leaving irked me to the bone. The asshole was really going to let me walk alone at this time of night?

“You know what…?” I turned around and walked back to my dick of a boyfriend… soon to be ex. I was tired of Bryce and his douchebag ways. I couldn’t believe I dated him for six months.

Okay, maybe I could believe it. I only started dating him to please my father. Bryce’s father and my old man were acquainted. Dad told me that Bryce was a suitable boyfriend because he was in my social class and would be a prime candidate for a husband in the future. I studied Bryce, who held a red cup full of beer in one hand. As he chatted animatedly with his frat buddies, beer sloshed over the cup’s rim each time he staggered.

Ugh. The drunken idiot. For someone who acted like he was better than the general population because he grew up filthy rich, he had zero class. What was worse, he treated me like shit. Dad didn’t care about that though. All he cared about was me making moves to expand the Brentwood empire. I’d do just about anything to please Dad but to continue dating Bryce, the jerk…? Fuck that.

I shouldered my way through the throng of drunk guys and girls until I reached him. He gazed at me through glassy eyes. Crooking my finger in a come hither motion, I watched as a goofy grin spread across his face. As he leaned closer to me, some of his frat buddies hooted and whistled. What a bunch of fools. As if I’d make out with the likes of Bryce in a crowded room. He’d never feel these lips on his again.

When his ear was pressed to my lips, I said, “We’re done. If you call me again or show up at my place, I’ll castrate your sorry ass. Got it?”

He drew back and gawked at me and then he hiccuped. “Your dad won’t let that happen, sweetheart,” he slurred. “We’re already as good as married. You belong to me, Olivia.”

I snorted. Sadly, in our world… he was onto something. My dad was going to give me shit for breaking the connection between the Brentwoods and the Mercers, but he’d have to get over it.

“You wish, asshole,” I hissed. With that, I wheeled around and marched away.

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