Page 47 of Wild Rivals

Striding from the room, my vision blurs around the edges. I aimlessly stumble down the corridor. My breath feels short. I’m lightheaded. Is this what a panic attack feels like, or am I just so consumed by my guilt that it’s eating me up from the inside?

There’s no getting around signing this contract. I know this, but there has to be a way I can right my wrong.

“You okay?” Grayson asks from behind me, his tone laced with concern.

I’ve made it to the small kitchen in our office building. My hands are braced on either side of the stainless-steel sink. I stare down at the gleaming basin and the dirty coffee mug inside it.

“Yeah. I just needed a drink,” I reply, the words sounding hollow to my own ears.

“There’s water in the boardroom, Wy.” It’s an observation, but it’s coated in concern. Grayson pauses, and I can tell he’s deciding if he should push for more before asking, “What’s going on?”

I turn to face him. For a split second, I consider not telling him anything. I weigh up whether lying to him is for the best, because how can I tell him that I had sex with my enemy? Twice.

But this is Grayson. The pillar of our family from the age of twenty-one when our dad passed away. He’s always been there for his siblings. I know, deep down in my gut, that he won’t judge me for sleeping with Maddie. Hell, he might even have some advice on how to get her out of my head. Although whatever his advice is clearly didn’t work very well for him, considering he pined over Avery for twelve years.

I close my eyes for a moment, gathering the courage to admit to myself, more than anyone else, that Maddie Hart has gotten under my skin and I’m not sure how I feel about it.

“I had sex with Maddie,” I announce, watching him as the words hang in the small space between us. What surprises me more than anything is how I don’t want to take them back, how I feel lighter than I have since it happened, because I got to tell someone about it.

Shock flitters across Grayson’s face before he schools his features. “As in Maddie Hart?”

“One and the same,” I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning back against the counter.

“Like, last night?”

I shake my head. “It’s happened twice in the last two weeks.”

Grayson scrubs a hand over his jaw and nods. “Okay.” The corner of his mouth lifts in a smirk as he adds, “I mean… she’s not the worst person you’ve slept with.”

I roll my eyes and turn back toward the sink. “I should’ve kept my mouth shut. Honestly, I thought you of all people would understand what I’m telling you.” I grab the glass I abandoned on the counter and turn on the faucet with a bit too much force. Water splashes my front, soaking through my shirt. “Fuck,” I exclaim.

Grayson’s hand lands on my shoulder. “Look, I’m sorry for teasing you, but I think you’re making this into a way bigger thing than it needs to be. I assume you’re feeling some kind of way because of this deal, and that will pass. This is business, Wy.”

I move away from him and to the doorway, desperate for some space. He doesn’t get it and I can’t blame him. This isn’t like me at all. A sense of hopelessness creeps under my skin, but I push it down and say, “You’re right. I’m thinking too much into this. I can separate the two.” I can’t.

“It’s okay if you want to step back from this. Kade and I can handle it.” His gaze assesses me, as if he’s searching for any hint that I might fuck this up.

“No, I’m fine. It just feels like she’s wormed her way into my head and it’s…” I pause, searching for the right word.

“Different?” Grayson offers.

“Yeah. That’s one way to put it,” I sigh, hating the way she’s making me feel so out of control.

Grayson comes to stop in front of me. “We’re not signing anything today. Why don’t you go home or go for a ride and clear your head and then, when you’re ready to talk, I’m here for you, with no judgment. I promise.”

Maybe getting out of here isn’t such a bad idea. I think I need to go find some peace of mind with this deal and there’s only one person who can give it to me right now.

29

MADDIE

There’s a knock on my office door as I’m reviewing the invoices for a corporate retreat in a couple of weeks. “Come in,” I call, making a note of the outstanding balance so I can email the finance department of the company this afternoon.

Mona opens the door, a wide-eyed look on her face as she says, “Wyatt Wilde is here.”

My heart stutters and I stand, smoothing my hands over my jeans. What the hell is he doing here? A ball of anxiety forms in my stomach.

“Did he say what he wanted?”