Sweet Rivalry (1001 Dark Nights)(6)
Then again, why ask to be rescued since the man sure knows how to kiss a girl so it’s forever seared into her memory?
Beards, tats, tight asses, and searing kisses? That’s a great way to start with your head in the game, Harper.
He glances over my way and I immediately look down, not wanting him to know I’m here yet. But when I do, I notice that the only competitor I’ve added to my list on my perfectly white piece of paper is Ryder Rodgers.
And right on cue, as if I’m not paying him enough attention, his voice carries across the space and demands my attention.
I don’t look.
No doubt he’s smarter now, with more experience under his belt.
I won’t look.
More polished and professional.
I refuse to give him the satisfaction later of knowing I looked.
Smoother with his tactics and less brash with his decisions.
Dammit, Harper.
My eyes are on him, appreciating not only the sight of him and the way my insides twist because of him, but also the firing of the competitive edge inside of me.
We’re going to kill each other. The thought makes me laugh because if our interaction in the past is any indication, it’s not far from the truth. And that’s why I’m sitting in the back of the room with my head down and letting them assume I’m the glorified secretary from Meteor Development. Because if blood is going to be shed, I might as well draw the first drop and use surprise to my advantage to get it.
No one knows I’m back.
This bid just became so much more than numbers. The want to prove myself just increased tenfold. To the industry that let me down as a whole, and to the boy I had a crush on who never knew.
As if he knew I needed help refocusing on the task at hand, Mason Van Dyken, Century Development’s CEO, walks to the front of the room to welcome us. And that’s all it takes for that buzz of excitement to overpower every other thought I was having and redirect it to exactly where it needs to be, the project. The numbers. The details of what’s to come.
From my vantage point in the back of the room, I listen and take notes. Thoughts of Ryder fade to the background as I ride the high of being back in my element and welcome the firing of my competitive spirit after having suppressed it for so long.
When Van Dyken asks us all to introduce ourselves, the men seated in front of me begin. I recognize the names of competitors I’ve researched as the introductions continue around the room.
And this time I take notes.
“Brandon Tennison with Nograd.”
There’s silence as the rest of the room nods in greeting while silently scrutinizing him. The mental warfare has begun.
“Alan Danks with Developmental Solutions.”
More silence, more nodding of heads, as the introductions weave through the tables in the room from front to back.
“Ryder Rodgers, R Squared Management.”
I fight my own smile over how surreal it is to hear that name right now. And with the anticipation of what his face is going to look like when he realizes I’m not really that glorified assistant he has assumed me to be.
I’m the last person in the room for introductions and when it’s my turn to go, I keep my head down while all eyes turn my way. I can feel the weight of their stares as they look at the top of my blonde chignon. I wait a beat, allow them to assume I’m intimidated by this room full of powerhouse men that’s causing the pause…being the assistant and all.
They couldn’t be further from the truth.
And it’s going to be so fun rubbing their noses in it. Little do they know I’m not intimidated in the least. I live for this shit—proving those who underestimate me wrong. And the one person who knows that better than anyone in the room is the one this little show is intended for.
Surprise, Ryder. Look who’s back.
I clear my throat, slowly lift my face with a slight smile curling the corners of my aptly painted pink lips, and introduce myself.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen. I’m Harper Denton. Meteor Development.”
Chapter Three
Ryder
“Mr. Van Dyken,” I say as I cross the room and reach my hand out in greeting. There’s no way I’m letting Harper carry on her one-on-one conversation with him without stepping in to interrupt.
And damn straight, I want to turn to her, stare at her, and ask her what the hell she’s doing here when last I heard she was kicking ass in New York, but I don’t give a glance her way. I see her scowl though, know she’s pissed I’m cutting into her schmooze time with Mason, but I couldn’t care less. She had plenty of time to come up and say hi to me before Van Dyken started his spiel. But she didn’t.
And why not? Is the game that important to her she can’t say hi to an old friend? Typical Harper. She looks like heaven but is still cold as hell.
So she wants to start off like this and set the tone? She better bet that very fine ass of hers I’m going to follow suit. Difference is, this is my turf now so if she wants to play, she’s going to have to step into the ring first.
My ring. My rules. Not hers.
I’ll even be a gentleman and lift the ropes for her to climb in between.
“Ryder. So glad your company had the wherewithal to send their very best for the job.”
Hear that, Harper?
“I wouldn’t pass up this opportunity for the world. You have the lot of us on pins and needles waiting to find out why there’s so much secrecy over this project. We’re all eager to find out the face behind the mask that’s pulling the strings.”