Page 97 of My Ruthless Opponent

After the filming and photoshoot of my version of the First Round are done, we’ll be taking an hour-long break before moving to his.

He tucks my jaw-length strands behind my ear.

I am ready to bite his fingers off when he grits. “Don’t do anything that will make you regret it later, princess. Archer at 3 o’clock.”

My eyes widen. Slowly, I turn my head and find Archer leaning casually against the bar.

My jaw drops. He is wearing a light green shirt and white trousers.

But my jaw is dragging across the floor because his shirt is unbuttoned, his washboard abs on display, and Panama hat sitting on his head.

Damn. Archer Kim is hot. And he is looking straight at us. His sharp eyes moving between me and Raleigh.

I wave at him and he raises his tumbler before bringing it to his lips.

I make a mental note about convincing Archer to consider modeling for a side gig. He’ll make big money.

Raleigh grabs me by my jaw and turns my face to him.

He pins me with his eyes. I frown at him. He is glaring at me as if he didn’t want me looking at Archer.

Well, I couldn’t care less about what he wants.

He doesn’t get to ignore me then get all territorial.

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe he is playing the role of a jealous boyfriend right now.

I have to admit. He is good.

Well, then I guess I’ll have to step into my character as well.

Reaching up, I cup his jaw.

His stubble looks even darker. Is he growing a beard? I caress it and smile up at him. “I am going to walk back to my table. You have about ten seconds to disappear. If I find you anywhere near my setup again, I’ll assume you’re trying to sabotage my work. You don’t want to know what I’ll do to yours if that’s the case.”

“Threatening me?” His hand flies up to grab me by the back of my neck. Raleigh pulls me against him. “I am my own man. I will do whatever the fuck I want to do. The sooner you understand it the better.”

Pulling him in closer, I bunch his shirt in my fingers and go up on my tiptoes. “I had no idea the great RJ would stoop so low. If your creativity quotient had run out, you could have told me so instead of peeping for inspiration. I would’ve come up with something to help you.”

His arm encircles my waist and he pulls me tighter against him.

My breasts crush into his chest. I resist the heat that spreads through me. But it is a failed attempt. Because I feel the ache between my legs. It is intensifying with every breath I take.

I am fucked up. That’s all I can think.

This asshole was giving me the cold shoulder since morning and the moment he takes me in his arms, I am wet. So fucking wet that I am ashamed of myself.

Ashamed of having zero control over my body. I am so turned on that I despise how helpless it makes me feel.

What is it about this infuriating man? Why am I so disappointed with the fact that he hasn’t once smiled at me since morning?

His damn dimples used to stir something in my chest whenever he used to grin at me.

Everything was okay up until last night. Does he hate me that much?

He had hugged me last night on the beach. That doesn’t mean we became best friends overnight. But I thought we had called a truce. I felt warmth inside my chest at that time. He was there for me. A sense of safety fell over me and wrapped me up in a cocoon when I was in his arms.

I know he is attracted to me. I have seen the hunger in his eyes for me. Now that he knows I feel the same way, why is he retreating from the progress we made?

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