Page 108 of The Rival's Obsession
“You’ve got four more days,” I say, eyes locking on hers. “Four more days until the board vote. If you want me out, bring something better than this weak-ass slander next time.”
I walk out of the room and leave the doors open behind me.
Let them sit in it.
Let them stew in the tension they created.
I head straight for the elevators, vision tunneling, chest tight. My hand smashes the call button harder than necessary—like the force could burn off some of the rage simmering just beneath my skin. I need air. I need out. I need a fucking cigarette and a wall to punch.
Then I hear Grant’s voice.
Firm. Authoritative. And… something else.
Something I’ve never heard from him when it comes to Corrine.
Anger.
“If you ever pull something like this again,” he snaps, “I’ll have your resignation before you can finish your first accusation.”
My head turns slightly, not enough to look back, but enough to feel the impact.
He’s defending me. Protecting me.
That’s new.
“You don’t meet with my partner without me,” Grant continues, each word clipped, deliberate. “I told you those charges were for the kid’s tuition. And you go on a witch hunt?”
For a beat, my chest fucking opens.My partner.
For a second, I let myself believe this isn’t all an elaborate setup.
That he’s not on her side.
But the elevator dings.
The doors open, silver jaws inviting me in. I step inside, throat tight, tongue bitter.
My hand slams theLobbybutton. I don’t care where I’m going—just that it’s away.
The doors start to close, sealing me into silence but just before they shut, a hand slices through the gap.
The doors jolt, then reopen and Grant steps inside.
The moment the doors seal shut, I snap.
I don’t give him a chance to speak.
Don’t give myself time to second-guess.
I grab the lapels of his suit jacket and pull him toward me—hard.
Our mouths crash. A collision of years. Of silence. Of everything we never fucking said.
It’s not soft. It’s not tentative. It’s a storm we’ve both pretended didn’t exist.
I feel his breath stutter, his lips tense—surprised for a second?—
Then he kisses me back.
