Page 45 of My Ruthless Opponent

He carries my thrashing body effortlessly and manages to open the door and kick it shut without dropping me.

The room is pitch black. It’s silent except for the sound of my labored breath.

The music and chatter from outside don’t reach us. Or maybe I can’t hear it over my frantic heartbeats.

Raleigh hits the light switch.

My clutch purse falls from my clasp when the blinding light of the room catches me off guard.

Before my eyes could adjust to the sudden assault of brightness, Raleigh sits me down on the counter.

That’s when I take in the surroundings. We are in a bathroom.

Raleigh then bends down and collects my fallen clutch. Instead of handing it to me as any other sane person would, he tosses it on the counter beside me.

Enough! He can’t just mistreat me like this.

I grab his lapel and jerk him toward me.

“What do you think I am? A rag doll for you to rearrange me to your liking?”

His nostrils flare as he eyes my hand fisting his jacket before he slides them up to mine.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” His tone is smooth like silk but it carries a darker edge.

“Are you threatening me?” I fire back.

If he thinks he can scare me, he doesn’t know what I am made of. Life has toughened me up and there’s hardly anything that scares me.

So instead of loosening my grip, I reach up with my free hand and grab the other lapel.

His mouth twists in a cruel grin, showcasing his dimples. “It’s a warning, princess.” His hands take possession of my waist, our bodies brushing together. The scent of his cologne floods my nostrils. Woodsy with a hint of spice.

I am so close to him that I can feel his breath on my lips. Close enough that I can feel his heat.

“Warning, huh? And what exactly would you do if I walk all over that warning of yours, Mr. Jackson?”

Instead of answering me, he bends his head.

He stops within inches of my mouth. Just shy of pressing his lips to mine.

It reminds me of how he kissed the corner of my mouth in front of Mr. Smith.

This man is dangerous. He can do anything just to prove his point. Raleigh Jackson is evil. He is pure menace with his tantalizing lies and deceptively charming dimples.

He is ridiculously handsome and he uses it to his advantage.

I have seen countless models and actresses we signed for advertising assignments fall for him. Saw them coming back for more knowing he can only give them a good time.

I never understood what he used to do to make the powerful women of Hollywood fall to their knees begging for his attention.

Up until now.

I don’t like how he makes me feel.

I despise how his close proximity is affecting me.

I loathe the fact that he remains unaffected while my body is at war with my raging hormones.

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