The Office Rival: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

“C’mon, Clive. How could women love it?” Haden questions, rudely. “I won’t argue about demand. Figures show there need to be more books in this genre, but I don’t get why women want to read about two guys’ dicks slapping each other.”

There are a few snickers, again from the men, but of course, the Jerk starts a heated debate. One that could have been easily avoided if he kept that mouth of his shut.

“Haden, get your pretty little head out of the lady garden. Women want to see lust and desire. They want to see acts that are unattainable.”

Clive has a good point, but I don’t want to admit it out loud. Vicky once showed me some random clip of two guys, and it was steamy, hot, and very taboo. There was something about it that intrigued me, not that I wanted to tell this to Jason at the time.

“Let the women in the room speak up, Clive,” Haden urges him.

There is silence until my name is called. All eyes are on me and the Jerk—who once again has put me on the spot.

If he wants to play dirty, he is messing with the wrong woman. I need to show him that the other night meant absolutely nothing. It did not affect me whatsoever to the point that I have moved on. I’m not Trina, nor Dee, chasing and begging for him to pay attention.

“Clive has a point. There’s something arousing about the image of two men. The sexual desire is, um… let’s say, raw and uninhibited. And many homosexual men have very appealing bodies.”

He looks amused, leaning back into his chair like an arrogant prick. He is no longer wearing his gym outfit, and I try not to stare at how sexy he looks in his crisp white shirt rolled up at the sleeves. All of this is a decoy which I need to ignore if I know what’s good for me.

“Can’t a man and woman have the same sexual desires toward each other?” he asks, mocking my point with a slight sneer.

“Probably. Depends on whether the guy’s a jerk or not,” I shoot back. “It all boils down to the build-up. From what Dee has summarized, the two men are sexually charged after years of denying their sexuality. Women love a good lead-up. It makes for a heated explosion. Excuse the pun.”

Everyone laughs, and I find my confidence in the ultimate stare-off, not backing down. He doesn’t back off either until Dee moves on, and the subject changes.

Focusing on a presentation proves difficult when you know someone is staring at you. Occasionally, I turn to look at Clive sitting next to Haden, and my heart skips a beat when the Jerk’s eyes lock onto mine. Pressing my lips together, I cross my legs and tighten my thighs to ignore the forbidden throb between my legs. My body is betraying me, something it hasn’t done in a long while.

After another hour spent talking about other projects, we filter out of the room. Clive has not stopped talking, having only just returned from a European vacation.

“We haven’t done lunch in ages. You free today, Pres?”

“Sure, Clive. Plus, we need to catch up on your vacay.”

He flashes me a wink and starts to ramble on about some Contiki tour until Haden interrupts us.

“Can I please speak to you?” His tone is demanding enough that even Clive raises his eyebrows.

Great, just fucking great. I knew there was no way to avoid it. I tell Clive I’ll catch up with him at lunch and wait until everyone leaves the room.

“What?” I finally say.

“What? Is this the game we’re playing?” he asks, extremely frustrated, running his hand through his hair again.

Don’t look at his hair. Repeat. Do not look at his hair.

“Ignorance is bliss. What else do you want me to say?”

“You don’t want to do the woman thing, drag what happened out, and talk about emotions and bullshit?”

“Nope. I’d rather not.”

My choice to remain tight-lipped is increasing his anger, and I’m getting off on it. With a burst of confidence, my steady gait appears to annoy him further.

“I don’t get you. You had no problem talking about your ex.” The way he says the word ‘ex’ sounds like he’s swallowing poison.

“Well, I’m done talking.”

His eyes focus on my lips. I sense he is biting his tongue, and in a matter of seconds, he will explode.

“Why were you talking to Marcus?”