Rivals to Lovers

n in revealing clothes clinging to them. The room was thick with the smell of cigars and cigarette

led a woman in a short skirt onto his lap, unapologetically

ting that fiancée of yours right

chest, "Oh, so you've got a girlfriend and you'

ooked surprised, then giggled, pressing her lips against his in a kiss that quickly turned passionate. The others barel

. A waiter's voice came through: "Excuse me, Mr. Hawthorne. There's a young woman

interrupted. "Fiancée? I already told her

suite, her presence casting a cold silence over the room. Everyone stopped what they were doing, looking a

h, Lena walked stra

clothes and settling herself next to him. Stellan leaned back lazily, eyeing Lena wi

rt, Lena lowered her voic

yebrow, feigni

ad praised him, saying he was a great match, and Stellan had pursued her fervently. Eventually, she agreed to

dopting a softer tone. "Stellan, cons

t it straight." His voice

eep her composure. "I'm not here to cling

ryone knows your family's drowning in debt. Why

usiness my family b

ruction deals. After all this time, I haven't gained a damn thing from being with y

ily dealt in real estate, while Stellan's supplied construction mater

e. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, watching her h

you were adopted, I wouldn't have wasted my time. You li

adoption to anyone. Then, suddenly, they and her brother had disappeared, leaving her to fend for herself as the family business crumbled. But she s

h a sly grin. "She came all this way-why no

s gaze roamed over Lena, his tongue p

t it felt like she wa

, sitting back with his legs apart, the invitation clear.

e picked up the lighter on the table, kneeling on the couch

f. Relaxed, he waited as Lena lit his cigarette. He took a long drag, exhaling the smoke in her fa

reath, and moved her slender hand toward hi

lower yourself? Trying to play the chaste w

ul stare fueling her frustration. She pulled her knee off

sted in the money?" he s

red marks left on her

rug. "Fine, but don't come

under her breath, "I should've just t

ouldn't be a more entertaining show. Suddenly, the dr

leaned in, asking, "Wan

I've got other plans." He tapped his li