Page 65 of House of Deceit

“It was you. I was thinking about you,” I rasp.

He tilts my head up before smashing his mouth on mine. It’s a battle of tongues and teeth as we fight for dominance. My hands go back to his lush hair, roughly pulling it. Alec’s spicy scent envelops me as he grabs one of my hands and pins it to the wall above my head, linking our fingers. We break apart, panting. His gray eyes lock on my lips and I lick his taste off.

He runs his thumb over my bottom lip, pulling it down.

“Don’t forget you’re mine,” he says, circling his hips, causing me to moan.

“Whoever said I was yours?” I ask him, but the desire in my voice undermines the dig.

He smirks at me.

“I did,” he whispers back, giving me a searing, chaste kiss.

“We’ll see,” I tell him as we break apart once more. “Someone could come in.”

His entire body locks up before he unhooks my legs from around him, dropping me down to the ground. Once my legs are beneath me again, he paces around the small room, running his hands through his hair. He points a stern finger at me, anger etched on every pane of his body.

“This was a mistake that will never happen again. Keep your fucking hands and lips and everything else to yourself. Don’t finger fuck yourself anymore. Don’t entice Parker into kissing you to get a rise out of me.” His chest heaves as he stares me down, daring me to push back.

As his words register, piping hot magma-like rage erupts.

“You think I’m trying to use Parker to get to you? Are you fucking insane? You were the one who suggested we lean into a relationship for the audience! And guess what, you giant prick? I’m doing it because I want to win this, not just for the money, but so you get a shot at your dream! My stupid crush on you makes me want to do anything I can to help you. I thought you finally were going to admit you have a crush on me too, but here you are, pushing me away. Again!”

I straighten and look into his face, regret at his words etched there, but I ignore it. “But fuck this. I’m done. I’m going to win this game and it’s going to have nothing to do with you. You’re welcome, for being the one that will make it so you can finally realize your dream, you absolute asshole. And when you’re at your dream job, you’ll think about me every day and how I made that happen, but I’ll never think of you again once I’m free from this mansion.”

I storm out of the room as angry tears prick my eyes. The last thing I want is for that insensitive man to see any emotion from me. I immediately go to the shower and climb in, fully clothed. As the water soaks into my clothes, I let my tears out.

Instant regret grips me because she’s right. I do like her. I think I’ve liked her since she slapped me across the face. I want to run after her, but the rules against going into the mansion make me pace like a caged animal.

“Oh, hey man,” Parker says, walking into the interview room I should have vacated five minutes ago. “How’s it going? Charlie looked pretty upset.” His green eyes search my face, looking for the answer.

“Hey, man,” I seethe, “keep your fucking hands to yourself.”

“I haven’t touched you.”

“But you touched her.”

The smirk that lights his face makes a red mist creep into my vision.

“You fucked it up, didn’t you?” The laid-back demeanor leaves him and standing before me is the man chosen for this competition. “The only reason I touched her is because you suggested we play this up for the camera. Next time, don’t suggest that when you like the girl. And she would kill me if she knew I was saying this, but hurt her again, I’ll beat the shit out of you for her.”

“She’d probably do it on her own,” I tell him.

Frank, Parker’s wrangler walks in, and we make eye contact, the tension in the room obvious. He looks to his charge, the person who will own his loyalty for the time being.

“You okay, Parker?” he asks.

“Yeah, man. I’m good. I was just talking to Alec here.” He turns to me. “We good?” he asks me.

“Of course. Have a great interview, Parker. Frank.” I slip my wrangler persona back on and smile, clapping Parker on the back before exiting the room, but I shed it once more as I walk through the hallway and back to my office. Anger still sits within my stomach, but so does something else.

I’ve seen the thoughtful things she does for Parker. Bringing him a glass of water when she notices his is empty while they work out. Touching his arm when he seems out of sorts. Just little things. And then I think of our times together. The little things between us are there, but different. The way she lets me direct her. Own her. How she allows me to be myself, the fact she cares about who I really am. Our interactions are limited to this room, but maybe that’s better. Maybe it has allowed us the freedom to focus on each other.

Or maybe, this woman I’m falling for is not meant to be mine outside of this room. I know one thing, though.

I would be lucky to have her.

My phone vibrates in my pocket as I shut my office door behind me. Fishing it from my pocket I accept the video call, Lore’s face filling my screen.

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