Page 26 of Beautiful Enemy

Insolent. Instead of offering her the chance to play Debajo, I could’ve let her languish in the obscurity she brought on herself.

And she’s repaying me with insults.

When her lips twitch in a smirk, a jolt of lust snaps down my spine.

I said I wanted to bring her peace.

I take it back.

I want to shut up that mouth that delights in insulting me, my cock, and the empire I’ve built. To watch those dark eyes cloud when I shove her back on this table, drag the denim off her legs and make her explode on my tongue.

It’s the first I’ve wanted a woman this powerfully in months, the first I’ve pictured what it would feel like to take my pleasure alongside hers.

But it’s attraction.

Meaningless. Harmless.

It doesn’t need to control me.

I reach across her for the mug beside her computer. The next sip I take is better than the first. “No. Thank you.”

“For what?” Rae shifts back in her seat, wary.

“For the coffee.”

She growls at my back as I head for the stairs, sandwich in one hand and mug in the other.

This round goes to me.

But when her eyes linger in my mind long into the afternoon, I wonder if I’m wrong.

8

Harrison

Security at Debajo is surprised to see me twice in four days.

I make my way to the private balcony, waving off the offer of a drink. After the week I’ve had, though, I sorely want one. Between meetings and business dinners, plus an overnight to London, I’ve barely been home enough to confirm the villa still stands. But today I did my business, worked out, put on my suit, and here I am.

In fact, I have a plan to advance my business agenda that will happen this weekend.

I told Rae to take her power.

It’s about damned time I did the same.

The man who’s been avoiding taking my calls about his club can’t avoid me any longer…

He’s hosting a charity gala at his home, and I’m invited.

On my way in, I checked the door with Leni—lower than Thursday. It’s still early and a Monday, but we’re not going to be up on last week.

I shouldn’t be disappointed. There was no earthly reason to believe a twenty-something woman could do what my PR team couldn’t.

I didn’t even book her for the biggest nights of the week, reserving those for more established talent.

I’m listening to the opening DJ and entertaining a group of visiting businessmen from Australia in my booth when my phone buzzes in my pocket.

The letters blur at the sides as my eyes adjust in the dark.

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