Page 60 of Rivals Next Door

“Alex,” I returned.

His eyebrows unfurrowed to make irritated arches. “Can I help you?”

Blinking out of the lustful haze I’d fallen into while I admired the work of art that was his body, I remembered why I knocked on his door. I wanted to gloat because he deserved to be told to his face that he lost.

I couldn’t hold back the smirk that crawled across my face. “I just thought I’d share some good news with my neighbor.”

He folded his arms and leaned against the door frame. His muscles rippled with his movements, almost distracting me again. “What’s that?” he asked.

“I had a meeting with Don Weaver today. I can confidently announce that I have a new business partner.”

His eyes narrowed but he remained silent.

“You know what that means, Alex?”

“Tell me, Olivia,” he drawled with his typical arrogant air.

He really believed that he was invincible, and I was immensely satisfied that I’d get to prove him wrong.

“You’re not getting your hands on my company. With my partner’s backing, we’re going to be stronger than ever. BioTech is secure, and you failed in your takeover attempt.” I smirked harder. “Just like you failed miserably in your devious attempt to rob me of my last lifeline.”

He glowered at me, and I reveled in the knowledge that perhaps he was stewing in anger about his loss. However, he straightened and his lips tugged up into a slight smile. “The fight isn’t over yet, Liv. Maybe you shouldn’t indulge in premature gloating.”

I snorted. “It’s as good as over, Alex. You may be filthy rich and have connections, but you can’t win against me and Weaver.”

His eyes practically bore holes into me. Those piercing blues would never fail to make me tingle in the nether region… even when we were having a pissing contest.

“Hmmm,” he hummed. “I guess you won this round. Congratulations, Liv.”

I squinted at him with skepticism. “I’d say I’ve won this entire war, Alex, because there’s no stopping me now. However, I admit that I’m surprisingly pleased that you’re not a sore loser.” In fact, he was more gracious than I’d ever even imagined.

“And it’s safe to say you’re a very obnoxious winner. Then again, I knew that… Princess.”

His use of his old moniker for me and the reminder that he knew me well because we were once so close did something to me. It tugged at my heartstrings and drove home how much I missed what I had with him. What if after all this mess, Alex and I could put our hard feelings aside and be friends?

That possibility appealed to me because if I couldn’t have him as a lover again, I’d be satisfied with being friends.

“Why are you being so gracious?” I asked as I squinted at him.

The Alex smirk that made women swoon was in full effect. “As you said, I’m no sore loser and maybe I admire your determination.”

“And?”

He chuckled. “And maybe I have a few more tricks up my sleeves.”

All of my smugness nearly crumbled to tiny pieces at his feet as a hint of panic set it. It was Alex I was dealing with, after all. The man had a calculating brain that any smart person should be terrified of. However, I hung on to my confidence, not allowing him to intimidate me. I bet that was what he wanted… to see me sweat. The devil probably had nothing up his proverbial sleeves.

“Right,” I drawled. “I was thinking that I could buy you a few drinks. You know, to celebrate my win and rub it in your face.”

Alex’s laughter floated through the hallway, tickling my eardrums and making my stomach dip and roll. I watched him through my lashes, kind of hating that I still found him so entirely attractive.

“You’re the only person I know who makes arrogance look good,” he said, giving me a once-over.

I swallowed my smile. “So, how about those drinks, business rival?”

He stared at me for a moment. He was so guarded that I couldn’t make out anything from his expression. “Throw in dinner and we have a deal. I’m famished.”

“I guess I can buy the loser a meal,” I said sweetly.

---