Page 8 of Playing My Rivals

Her eyes narrow. “What kind of information?”

“Ava gets information from her dad and shares it with me.” I hold my ground and try to make her stop this line of questioning with my stare.

I pray this stops soon because I can’t let her know I’m getting uncomfortable.

She analyzes me. “Because he’s on the board?”

“That’s right.”

Her expression relaxes. “We all need business allies, so I guess I’ll accept her as an exception to the rule.”

“Thank you for understanding. And that’s all it is. Ava’s a business ally. Now, can we get back to us?” I slide my hands in my pockets.

“What about us?”

“The issue of us taking it slow. What does that mean?”

“I want to hold off from being sexually intimate. I want to see if we can build a stronger foundation than sex.” She reaches for my hand.

I want to resist in protest, but I’m also dying to touch her so I give it to her. “Some of the best relationships are built on a sexual foundation. I don’t see why ours can’t be as well.”

“Hunter, stop. It’s just for a while. No sex until we’re stronger as a couple.”

“Fucking fantastic.” I roll my eyes at the senselessness of it all. “How will you know when we’re stronger as a couple?”

“I just will.” She throws a beautiful smile my way. “Please don’t pout.”

My stomach hardens, and I pull my hand back. “No. I’ll promise you the world, but if you pull sex off the table, I’m going to pout. I can’t help it.”

She gently laughs. “Okay, pout all you want.”

“Thank you. I think I will.” I turn my head because I think she’s literally lost all sensible reason.

How can she not want to be with me that way?

We connect deeply during sex.

It was during our intimate time together when I realized I undoubtedly love her.

That thought gives me an idea to see if going slow is something we can do.

I face her. “Stay the night with me. Let me hold you in my arms and we can start building our foundation.”

She glances down to hide her face, but it’s too late. I saw her cheeks flush before they went out of view.

Hmm, that’s interesting.

Her body is giving off clues she still wants me sexually.

Now, how do I handle this?

“Come on and stay. I’ll pamper you all night long. You love it when I spoil you.” I dip my head to find her eyes.

Her gaze lifts to find mine. “I will on one condition.”

“And what’s that?”

“You and I can’t have sex. Me staying here is about bonding emotionally, not sexually.”

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