Page 7 of Rivals Next Door

My lips twitched with amusement. He was taking his proclaimed status as my future boyfriend very seriously. I liked Alex. I could tell that his arrogance didn’t come from being coddled and privileged. His confidence was raw and naturally masculine as if he knew he could get anything he wanted if he worked for it. He exuded bad boy charm while still being respectful.

“I’m single,” I announced.

His eyes were locked with mine, so I saw the satisfaction gleam in them. “Hmmm. May I give you a lift home, Olivia?”

I couldn’t refuse because, dammit, I wanted him to be my future boyfriend. “Weren’t you headed to the party?”

“Frat parties aren’t my scene either.”

“Then what are you doing here?”

“My friend Jamie is a part of this fraternity. I told him I’d show up for moral support since he hates these shindigs.”

“Then you should go inside.”

“He’ll understand when I tell him I skipped the party to ensure a lady’s safety.”

I snorted. “And they say chivalry is dead. I don’t want to put you out. I’ve walked home plenty of times. I’ll be fine.”

“There’s no way I’m letting you walk home at this hour… or ever.”

He cares that much, and he isn’t even my boyfriend yet… I wasn’t sure why my mind went there.

“My car’s parked over there,” Alex said.

I followed his gaze to a vintage black Mustang. “Wow, sweet ride.”

His eyes lit up. “I like a girl who appreciates cars.”

I found myself following Alex to his vehicle with no more hesitation. It was like he had sunk his charming hook into me and reeled me all the way in before I even realized it.

“How did you get that gorgeous baby?” I asked.

“It was my old man’s. I recently gave her a facelift. She is sweet, isn’t she?”

“Very...” I eyed the car, as I imagined myself speeding down the highway in it… with Alex beside me. Goodness, he had me hook, line, and sinker.

“I have a feeling I’ll be taking you for plenty of rides in my Mustang, Princess Olivia.”

My heart dipped and swooped as he opened the passenger’s door and held out a hand. “Are you really going to keep calling me that?”

He hit me with his charming grin that held a hint of mischief. “It’s fitting.”

I stared at him as I placed my hand in his. I sucked in a breath as attraction kicked me in the gut. He helped me inside as if I were truly royalty and then he sauntered around to the driver's seat.

When he got in, he reached over the console. My breath hitched because our faces were so close and I thought he was going to kiss me. What shocked me was that I’d let this virtual stranger kiss me. That was a first…

To my disappointment, he only reached for my seat belt and buckled me in. The simple action was foreign to me and so sweet that my heart almost turned into a puddle. I knew it right then and there… I was going to fall hard for Alex.

4

ALEX

Present…

“Alex, you fool. Why would you go through with it?” An indignant voice boomed from my phone’s speakers and resonated around my office.

It was my latest business acquisition… which was still in the works. I heaved a sigh and rocked back in my chair. Spinning it around to face the window, I gazed out at the city from my high-rise vantage point, briefly admiring the constant ebb and flow of pedestrians and cars weaving through the streets.

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