Sweet Rivalry (1001 Dark Nights)(20)
I nod my head, draw in a deep breath, and think back to what was supposed to be a carefree night out of fun. Connecting with Jay, a friend of a mutual acquaintance, and falling into bed with him after a night of laughter and incredible chemistry. Then walking into work a week later to find the big municipality job I’d just spearheaded massive efforts to acquire and won was none other than Jay’s to award. The shock I felt at being blindsided. The accusations that I’d slept with him to win the job when it was nothing of the sort. Being fired for violating a strict company policy about no fraternizing or exchanging gifts––sexual or otherwise––to secure a bid. My two years in purgatory at a different job, a different position in the same industry, but on the sidelines until now. My want for a change of pace, a new environment, and my deal with Wade that if I land this Century Development project for him on a consulting basis, then I get to keep the position with his company.
A nightmare. A whirlwind. A huge lesson.
“Yeah, well…that’s the breaks.” I try to play it all off.
“No. It shouldn’t be.”
“I appreciate the sentiment but it’s a fact.” I shrug. “Men don’t like strong women. They’re intimidated by them to the point they fear them, so when a woman stands her ground, it’s easier to get rid of her than rally behind her.”
“I disagree.”
I snort in disbelief. Not at him, but just at this conversation as a whole. I have calculations to finish, my heels are freaking killing me because he’s right—I have been strutting my stuff on purpose. Now I just want this conversation to end because anything he says isn’t going to change what happened, and I don’t want it to end because that means the night will be over when I still want his company. And that confession to myself is hard to make but so very true.
Even though a few feet remain between us, I notice his eyes darken as he carefully mulls over his next words.
“Regardless of who she is––a competitor, a friend, a lover, or even all three combined––I prefer a woman who’s strong. Someone I can debate with, a woman who can hold her own in an intelligent conversation, and one I can verbally spar with. I want to be met match for match. That’s what I find sexy, Harper.”
“I don’t believe you.” I reject the idea immediately, although the way he says my name––low and with inflection––causes chills to race over my skin.
When he chuckles this time, it’s a low rumble that fills the empty room yet punches me squarely in the gut. His tongue darts out to lick his lips while he waits to make sure he has my attention before he continues. “I want to be challenged. In and out of the boardroom.” His eyes lock on to mine and it takes me a minute to hear the word boardroom instead of bedroom.
But for some reason I think that’s exactly what he intended.
I’m flustered by the intensity of his stare and how my mind has conveniently bent his words. “I’ll challenge you all right. No worries there,” I respond and know I’m speaking about both the boardroom and the bedroom. “But will we be friends when all is said and done? It’s easy to say we will be, Ryder, but you’ve never walked a day in my shoes.”
His gaze flickers down to my heels and there’s something about his expression that tells me he’s thinking of my high heels like how I think of his beard.
He takes another step forward, so now he’s crossed half the distance between us.
“Those shoes look painful but sexy as hell. A double edged sword of sorts. Kind of like this whole situation with us pitted against each other is,” he says in a lowered voice, despite the fact we’re the only ones left in the war room. “Look, I know you’re probably as thrilled about me being here as I am about you…but that’s part of the dance we love, isn’t it? The competition and getting the numbers right. The battle for first. I bet you even have a full-size body poster of me hanging on your bedroom wall to throw darts at when you get frustrated at just how good I am.”
“A full size poster?” My smile is automatic.
“Yep, and I’m totally okay with it.”
“Please.” I roll my eyes but marvel at how this man can take this conversation through so many topics and still have me smiling.
He takes another step toward me.
“This longstanding rivalry we have here is based on mutual respect. With you back in town, this will most likely be a normal thing now. Us working in close quarters and vying against each other. There will be days you’re going to hate me and there are days I’m going to hate you. We will get in each other’s ways. It might get a little messy, but I’m going to be nice and you’re going to have to get used to that. Rest assured, I love a strong woman but have no problem going toe to toe with one. Getting a little dirty.” His grin is lightning quick and pulls on things deep within me it has no business tugging on. “We have a history and that counts for something with me. But at the end of the day, Harper, I have every intention of being the one who comes out on top.”
It’s my laugh that sounds off now and reverberates in the sexual tension slowly electrifying the air around us.
Ryder on top.
Coming on top.
Jesus. The vivid images and sudden ache those innocent words of his have just aroused within me are more welcome than not.