Page 11 of Playing My Rivals

Who’s he kidding?

I know he’s watching me and how I am with Dori, so I’ve kept my distance. That day on the elevator, he pulled us into the complex lobby and demanded to know what we were hiding.

Dori was quick on her feet and told him she was crying because her fears of getting caught hit her in the face when they ran into me.

I explained she told me about her clause because I found her crying in our office after she learned I knew about their relationship. It seemed to calm him down, but he’s still watching us.

Trying to keep my distance is getting difficult. I’m almost at my breaking point. I can’t stop wishing she’d picked me. She never has in the past, so I don’t know why this one hurts more than the others.

Do you really want him?

I’m staring at her, sitting at her desk and working hard. She hasn’t looked my way once. I have to know if she still has feelings for me. It’s killing me not knowing.

I hate the idea of losing her forever.

A thought comes to me.

Maybe I still have a chance.

I stroll to the side of her desk. She has the latest version of the app pulled up. I move behind her and bend over so I’m near her, then lean close to her ear.

I point to an area on her computer screen. “This is the section we’re changing. It needs to be more alluring.”

I breathe in her vanilla and lavender scent. It makes me want her that much more. She pulls her hair over her other shoulder, exposing her neck. And I want to die. Necks are my weakness.

“How do we do that?” she asks.

“I don’t know. What do you think would make it more alluring?” My tone drops deeper.

She has to notice the change in my delivery. I’m giving her my best bedroom voice, hoping she’ll respond to me.

She turns her body my way and studies me. Her face flushes red, like the color of cherries. That reminds me of something, so I take it further, keeping my tone deep and sexy.

“Do you like cherries, Dori?”

“What do they have to do with making the app more attractive?”

“Sometimes, I think of them when I’m near you.” I stay bent over so our faces align.

“Why?” She swallows and glances back at the computer.

Her body is still facing me, but her head is turned away.

I lean closer and whisper in her ear, “Because I wonder if you taste like them.”

Her breath hitches, but she doesn’t move. “Jami, what are you doing? We’re working and this…can’t happen.”

“What can’t happen?” I move my hand to the desk and lean against it.

I try to catch her gaze. She’s breathing deeper and faster. She’s flustered, and it makes my blood run hot. I could devour her right here.

“Why are you doing this to me? Are you trying to…to… You know what you’re doing.” She glances back at me and the sexual magnet that pulls us together is firmly in place.

Her gaze roams over my arms and chest, then makes its way back to mine. A smile finds its way to my lips.

I stay in my position and keep my stare on her. “Do you think cherries are alluring? I do.”

We’re locked in on one another. I’m not going to fold, so I wait for her. She pulls in a deep breath and slowly releases it.

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