The Office Rival: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

“You all right there, cowgirl?” Clive asks.

I nod, bright red with embarrassment.

“I know, it’s taboo, right? I mean it is pierced right on the tip. I can’t wait to see what it feels like inside.”

Clive laughs. “Why don’t you just tell him you want to do the horizontal tango?”

“Because, Clive, I have, and he says soon. Lord knows what he’s waiting for. We’ve kinda been fooling around for weeks but he always appears distracted.

I’m not a gossiper, but I am desperate to get answers, so I bring it up. “What about Trina?”

“The chick who cried after they had sex. Apparently, he was off his face that night. They were flirting for weeks.”

What the hell does this all mean? He flirts with Trina, then fucks her when drunk or drugged. He hasn’t sealed the deal with Dee, but he screws me in the alleyway without any thought.

Do not read any more into this. It means nothing, and even if it were something, I don’t think of him that way. It was just a mistake. A big, fat huge mistake that should be listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the worst mistake ever. Haden’s reputation with women is enough for me to forget all about him. I wanted a rebound, and that’s what I got.

My thoughts are like poison, slowly seeping through my veins until I am consumed wholly by thoughts of the evil one. I need to stop this madness now. With Clive and Dee busy discussing genital piercings, I take out my phone and find Marcus’ number. I am straight to the point, asking him to meet up for lunch tomorrow. He responds immediately, naming a place and time.

Whatever Haden’s problem is with Marcus and me being friends, he will have to overcome it. A week into being single, and already there is drama. This is not what I had in mind when I broke up with Jason.

Marcus is sweet, friendly, and hopefully, drama-free. And to top it off, it feels good to sweep Friday night’s regrets under the rug.

Just like I had said—swept, vacuumed, and in the trash the Jerk goes.

Seven

The next day, Marcus shows up at the office, midday on the dot. Since the last time I saw him, just short of twenty-four hours ago, I had forgotten how good-looking he is. Wearing a black-striped business shirt paired with charcoal pants, his tattooed arms are completely covered, and one would think he was some corporate mogul.

But I know how deliciously dangerous he is underneath.

He sits casually on my desk, and we briefly chat while I gather my purse, ready to head out for lunch. With him so close to me, my senses have picked up that he’s wearing the same cologne Jason once wore. I’m trying my damnedest to remember my reasons for wanting more than Jason, scared to admit even to myself that it may have been a huge mistake on my behalf. Yes, I got that all from a bottle of Hugo Boss.

I stand up, straightening my dress when the Jerk invades my cubicle. Today, he is not wearing a tie, exposing his smooth, tanned skin. Dropping my gaze, a sudden flush of warmth spread’s throughout me.

“Fancy seeing you here, cousin.” Haden has stretched his arms wide, blocking our exit.

“Well, if you see a gorgeous woman like Presley, you ask her out,” Marcus responds with a cocky grin.

The two of them watch each other intently, but I swear at this moment they are having a full-on conversation in their heads. I’m certain it involves boxing gloves and Brad Pitt standing in the corner of the ring saying, “Welcome to Fight Club.”

Haden stands firmly with his arms crossed. “She just broke up with the love of her life.”

“Uh, wait a minute. Now you’ve got my back?” I laugh in his face, infuriating him even further.

Knowing that I am playing with fire, I grab onto his forearm to move him out of the way.

Ignore it’s hard. Damn! his muscles are hard. Jesus Presley, jump ship now.

In front of me are two younger men vying for my attention. Never had I thought I would be in this situation. Perhaps, I have done this all wrong. My interests in men should expand to the older generation. But then I think of my Dad, and unwillingly—I cringe at the thought.

“I believe Dee requires your attention.” Leaning in further, I whisper in Haden’s ear, “Not sure why you’re holding back from her since you had no problem unleashing on me.”

Pulling myself back, his head draws back quickly, eye’s w

ide with raised brows.

My work here is officially done.