Page 7 of Playing My Rivals

I push myself off the couch to give myself some space. “You were cyber-stalking me to get dirt on me. That’s a great way to work on our relationship.”

This woman drives me out of my mind.

“Why are you dodging the question?” Dorothy stands and follows.

“I’m not dodging it. I just don’t see the point. It won’t happen anymore, so the question is pointless.” I go into the kitchen and take a glass out of the cabinet.

“My question isn’t pointless. I want to trust you, so I need to know that other women won’t be a part of your life while you’re with me. You can’t date anyone else if we make a go of this.”

“As if I would want to date anyone else. Don’t you get it? I love you, so going on dates with other women won’t happen anymore.” I place the glass down, knowing this next part may end my chances with Dorothy. “Except with Ava. We have an agreement.”

Dorothy’s gaze dials in on me and a wildfire burns in her emerald eyes. “And what exactly is this agreement?”

I lower my tone to calm her down. “Don’t get all riled up. It’s not like that. I agreed to help Ava get noticed so she could land a modeling contract. She and I go on pretend dates when the media is out taking pictures. Just like the time I took her out when we were at the board meeting. It’s nothing more than that.”

“Have you ever been with her?” Dorothy leans against the counter in the center island with her arms crossed over her chest.

Fuck this question. I can’t win.

My shoulders go slack. “Beauty, why are you doing this? What have I done that has you doubting my faithfulness to you?”

“Nothing, but seeing you on all these sites pictured with woman after woman hurts. They’re beautiful.”

“None of them have anything on you.” I go to her and rest my hands on her hips. “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world. I love you and I wouldn’t do anything to sabotage us.”

“Promise?”

“Yes. I promise.” I take a chance and lean down, giving her a signal.

She responds and moves toward me. I press my lips against hers. Everything else disappears. This kiss is the only thing that matters.

Her tongue grazes over my lips. She makes my blood race. I want to lift her and carry her into the bedroom.

She must sense it and pulls away. “Let’s take this slow.”

I don’t like the sounds of that.

Worry fills her eyes as she studies my face. Knowing she tends to run when I overstep my boundaries, I shift away from her. I’m trying to be a better man for her, which means no more manhandling, no matter how scared I get.

“What does taking it slow mean, Dorothy?”

“It means I want to take things slower. If we jump back into bed together, everything returns to how it was.”

“What was wrong with the way it was? I seem to recall you enjoyed yourself as much as I did.” Frustrated, I trek back to the window.

She joins me at my side. “That’s true, but sex isn’t our issue. It’s the other stuff that needs to be resolved. I can’t be seen with you, so if you’re being photographed with other women, it’s going to piss me off.”

I’ve got to get her to see that Ava is a part of this and is nothing Dorothy needs to worry herself with. That thought alone has me trying to stabilize my blood pressure.

“Other than Ava, I won’t be on dates with anyone. It won’t happen anymore.” I turn to face Dorothy.

She tilts her head. “What do you get out of helping her?”

“She gets information I need.”

Please let Dorothy drop this.

If she pushes, I’m fucked.

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