Page 56 of Rival Desires

“Don’t play dumb with me,” I snapped. “You only won that competition because you were flirting your butt off with Nadine.”

His expression hardened. “Are you seriously accusing me of cheating to get the Seaworth account?”

“If the shoe fits,” I shot back, practically vibrating with anger. “Who knows what kind of insider info you got while cozying up to Nadine.”

Cory stiffened, his eyes turning to ice. “Be careful with unfounded accusations, Rylee. None of my employees got the boot for unethical behavior.”

The words hit me like a blow, and I took an involuntary step back, hating him for saying it and myself more for it being true. I forced the words out: “That wasn’t me. And I didn’t sanction what Sergio did. And yes, you’re right, I fired him for it!”

“Why are you even telling me–”

Before I could interrupt, a large body stepped between the two of us, and Cory stopped mid-sentence.

“I think you need to leave, Ms. Palmer.” The deep voice was calm, even … and firm. There was no arguing with the owner of that voice.

I tilted my head back to look up at the imposing figure of Fury Gracen looming over me. I wasn’t intimidated…but suddenly realized that I was making a scene in the middle of a rival company’s office where all the employees could see and hear me.

Dammit.

This was so much worse than drinking too much at a bar and drunk dialing a booty call. Worse than pretty much any embarrassing thing I’d ever done in my entire life.

Without saying another word, I turned around and walked away, taking the stairs so I didn’t have to linger by the elevators. My face burned, and I could feel tears forming in my eyes, clouding my vision. By the time I reached the front doors, the angry tears had spilled over, and I was wiping them from my cheeks. As I stepped out into the cool April morning, I was vaguely aware of bumping into someone – a woman – and I mumbled an apology that I wasn’t sure she heard. I didn’t care, though. I just needed to get out of there.

In fact, I didn’t ever want to see Gracen & McCrae again.

EspeciallythatMcCrae.

THIRTY-ONE

Cory

My head spun as Rylee stalked away. Of all the weird things that happened today, Rylee’s confrontation was the weirdest. I understood she was upset about losing the account, but her accusations made no fucking sense.

“What was that all about?” Fury asked as he turned toward me, concern on his face.

“We got the Seaworth account,” I said.

Understanding showed on my cousin’s face. “She’s pissed because that idiot who worked for her screwed everything up by screwing Nadine.”

I shrugged with a grin. “Wouldn’t you be?”

Before Fury could even reply, a familiar voice drifted from behind him.

“Cory?”

My brows knitted together as Fury moved aside, and there stood Becky, a look of uncertainty etched on her face.

“Becky? What’s the deal? You’re just popping up here again?” I blurted out, sounding more abrupt than I’d intended. The day’s chaos had left me frazzled, and my manners were clearly taking the hit.

“I brought you lunch.” She raised a small cooler, her lips quivering ever so slightly. “Unless you’ve already got plans...”

I suppressed a sigh and the urge to massage my temples. “Becky, I’m swamped today. Sorry, there is no time for a midday feast. And seriously, stop bringing me food. It’s starting to feel a bit...odd.”

“Oh.” A single tear welled up in her vivid green eyes.

Great. Just what I needed. What is it with the women in my life today? Has everyone lost their minds?

“How about I walk you to your car?” I suggested, trying to be the gentleman.

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