Page 82 of The Billionaire's Rival (Bad Boy Billionaires)

“Let’s get cleaned up and go back downstairs. We’ll see what we’re up for later.”

For all that I wanted to fuck him again, we were both exhausted and fell asleep as soon as we got into bed. He did fulfill my fantasy by rousing me for a quick mutual jerk-off session. I felt like we’d only been back asleep for a few minutes when his phone buzzed, waking us up.

“It’s Miles,” he said, his voice rough from sleep.

I half-listened to their conversation, but my mind was whirling with the memory of telling Ford—a man, my rival, the one I’d turned down so rudely six months ago—that I loved him. He’d accepted it. He hadn’t laughed in my face or told me I was crazy or said this was nothing but fucking. He’d said he loved me first. Was that possible? Could I be that lucky?

There’d been something that pulled me toward him from the moment I met him, even before he made it very clear how interested he was, but I was terrified. I’d thought I’d just wanted to get the better of him. I’d thought he’d had it so easy. He worked when he didn’t even need to, then dared to act like he had bad days. I’d hated him for it, but the moment he stepped into a room, I’d been hyper aware of him. Getting a reaction out of him became my goal every time we were in the same room. The problem was, I’d been reacting to him just as strongly, if not more so.

When he ended his call with Miles, I didn’t wait for him to tell me what was up. “I know this situation is serious, and we’re in a hell of a lot of danger, but I’m so fucking glad I got handed this lawsuit. I’m so glad you’re stubborn as hell and so is Miles, because if I hadn’t been pushed to the limit, I might never have had the courage to kiss you.”

“Wow. That’s…I’m willing to push you to your limits anytime.”

“I bet you are.”

“Seriously. I’m thankful too.”

“So, what did Miles say?”

“He wants me to come meet with him and Carter so we can go over the plan.”

“Just you?”

Ford nodded. “You’re the main target, at least so far.”

“And he hates me.”

“Once he realizes you care about me and you aren’t going to ghost me when this is over, he won’t.”

“And if I did ghost you?”

“He’d have to fight me to be the one to kill you.”

“Wow. That’s….” I pulled him to me and kissed him, hard and demanding, letting him know I wanted to possess him fully. “I won’t. I…. Nothing has ever felt this good.”

“Damn right.”

“Are you really going to leave me here on my own?”

“My grandmother will be gone most of the day. You can go see my grandfather or hide out in your room. I’ll eat breakfast with you before I leave, and I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”

I had a sense of unease that wouldn’t leave me as we dressed and headed downstairs. It was reasonable that I dreaded running into Ford’s grandmother without him there as a buffer, but I could handle her, especially knowing that Ford was fully on my side, that he loved me. I shouldn’t be this reluctant for him to leave. No way was I turning into a clingy boyfriend. He needed to go, and Miles didn’t want me there.

I knew he would tell me everything they talked about when he returned, but no amount of reassuring thoughts could ease my nerves.

28

FORD

As soon as I entered Miles’s office, I could tell things were bad. Miles had been cagey on the phone about what was up, saying he didn’t have time to explain, but I’d understand why this meeting was necessary when I got there.

Miles and Carter were glaring each other, and Worth was there too. If they’d called him in, that meant this went beyond Montgomery Enterprises’ business, it was personal. It already had been for me because of Jay, but what had made it personal for everyone else?

I closed the door behind me. “What’s going on?”

“One of the men we’re after is Matteo.”

My eyes widened as I looked at Carter. “The man who took you captive?”

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