Page 21 of Love to Hate You

“You can use the conference room until I find something.”

“Then where will you have meetings? Around me and all my stuff?”

“This is the President’s office. If anyone moves in here, it should be me.”

God, she loves rubbing my nose in the fact that she’s Interim President. “You’re just gonna have to move all your crap out in three months, so why bother?”

Her eyes darken to a silvery blue and shoot daggers, sharp points dipped in hate. “You know what your problem is, Beckett?” she says and stomps over, pointing a finger at me. “Your ego. It’s bigger than the goddamn Empire State Building.”

“That’s not the only thing about me that's big,” I say, voice far too low. I’m walking a very thin line here, but I can’t help it. Her snapping eyes and acidic tone make me want to push her and throw her off her game. And the last thing she expects is any sexual interest on my end. Sabotage, bickering and pettiness, sure. But the fact that I suddenly want to pin her up against the glass window and kiss the holy hell out of her…

No, definitely not. And I like to keep her guessing.

A dark brow shoots up and she quickly realizes she’s too close and breathing hard. Charlie takes an unsteady step back and quickly composes herself. “That’s right. Sexual innuendos will seal your fate real fast. So, keep ‘em coming, genius.”

“Maybe,” I say, meeting her gaze head-on. “But you’re so much fun to rile up, Charlie. Sometimes I can’t resist.”

“Is this all just a game to you?” she asks, hands on her hips. “Because if your intention is to stir the pot and cause problems, I’m not playing your game. I have better things to do– like run a billion-dollar corporation.”

“Ever think you’d be happier if you loosened up a bit?” I ask. The personal question is probably going to get me into some trouble, but who cares? It’s not like our relationship could get any rockier.

“How dare you?” she hisses.

But I’m on a roll and can’t seem to stop. “Maybe take a day off? Eat some carbs?” My gaze dips to the soft tendrils that touch her neck. “Wear your hair down?”

Her hand flies up to touch the gorgeous blonde hair all twisted up at the base of her neck. It’s clear my words have thrown her. But only for a moment and understanding glints in her pretty eyes. “You’re purposely trying to get under my skin.”

Her confidence returns full force, and she walks right up into my face and pushes her finger against my chest. Emphasizing each word. Hard.

“I’m warning you, Nash. Do not fuck with me.”

I grab her hand, my fingers wrapping around hers in an iron grip, holding her hand against my chest. “What if I wanna fuck with you?” She sucks in a sharp breath and her soft vanilla scent surrounds me making me a little crazy and saying things I shouldn’t. Things I have no business thinking about, much less admitting to her. But, God, I love pushing her. “Huh, Charlie?”

“You’ve lost your mind,” she whispers, blue eyes bright.

“Or maybe I’m seeing things clearly for the first time.”

She scoffs. “I don’t even know what that means.”

When she tries to pull her hand away, I tighten my grip, and go for broke. “It means you’re fucking gorgeous and you’re putting all kinds of dirty thoughts in my head.”

“Stop it.” She tugs harder and when I let go of her hand, she wobbles back on unsteady legs. I automatically reach out to steady her and she jerks away. “Don’t touch me.”

Alright. I’m clearly fucking up.But this attraction to her is going to be my undoing. I don’t know where the hell it came from or how I’m supposed to deal with it. “Charlie-”

But she backs away from me, blue gaze wary. “I know what you’re doing. You’re playing mind games with me, but I’m too smart to fall for it. So next time, save your fake compliments. Or better yet, shove them up your ass. Because this office is only big enough for one of us– and that’s me!”

When a man clears his voice, we both snap our heads around to see Simon Fowler, a partner, standing in the doorway. “I think the board will be the one to determine that, Ms. Langley.”

Charlie flushes and it’s clear she’s embarrassed being caught for what she just said. Hell, it’s a good thing he didn’t walk in a moment sooner and hear my lewd comments.

“Of course,” she murmurs.

“Don’t mind us,” I say. “We have a history of verbal sparring. It keeps things entertaining around here.”

I try to play it off, but Simon doesn’t look convinced. “Just to be clear, neither of you have it in the bag. Whoever impresses us the most within the next three months will become President and CEO.”

Charlie looks down and humbly nods but I don’t feel quite as willing to bow down to this guy. This was my dad’s company, and I should be first in line as successor. I think Simon Fowler should recognize that fact. “It’s all just a silly formality, isn’t it, Simon?” I ask. “After all, my name’s on the door.”

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