The Rivals - Vi Keeland Page 0,37
moved into the room she’d just vacated and declined housekeeping. So now my sheets smelled like her, and every time I went into the shower, I imagined her standing in the exact same spot bringing herself to orgasm. Between that and how I liked to secretly watch her in line at the coffee shop and working behind the reception desk, I was turning into a real creeper.
So when Sophia knocked on my open door, I felt like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
I cleared my throat. “Yes, Fifi?”
She rolled her eyes and walked in. “Why did you start calling me that in high school, anyway?”
I leaned back in my chair and tossed my pen onto the desk. “I don’t know. I said it once and saw that it got a rise out of you, so it stuck.”
She sighed. “Some things never change, huh?”
“Well, technically they do. These days you’re the one getting the rise out of me, aren’t you?” I winked.
Sophia smirked, but ignored my comment. She took a seat in a chair on the other side of my desk and crossed her legs.
Was it me, or did her skirt ride up a little higher today? This morning, when I watched her from afar at the coffee shop, she’d had her hair down, but it was pulled to the side so I had a clear view of the beautiful skin on the back of her neck. While she stood in line, her perfectly manicured nails gently grazed up and down from her hairline into her silk blouse. I’d assumed it was my vivid imagination, and she wasn’t intentionally trying to drive me crazy, but this afternoon’s skirt was a bit on the short side.
When my eyes rose to meet hers, I could’ve sworn they held a hint of a gleam. Yet she was all business when she spoke.
“So, I received the two quotes from my contractors. The estimates aren’t that different, but only one feels they could get the job done in the timeframe we need. Any chance your quote came in?”
“Actually, it did. I’ve only glanced at the bottom line, so why don’t we take a look at all three and see where things stand.”
We moved over to the round conference table to spread out, and Sophia and I exchanged estimates. It only took a quick look to realize both of her estimates were significantly lower than mine. While my contractor felt comfortable committing to get the work done in three months, he’d included a number of rush charges throughout. The only extra fees Sophia’s contractors charged were for things like required night differential and overtime.
While we were reviewing the estimates, Sophia’s cell phone rang. She quickly sent the call to voice mail, but not before we both read the name on the caller ID.
I felt a stab of jealousy in my chest. “I thought things were over between you and the boring Brit?”
She sighed. “Can we both pretend you didn’t see that just now?”
My jaw flexed. “If that’s what you want.”
Sophia nodded and went back to reading the estimates. A few minutes later, she pushed the papers aside. “Well, I think it’s obvious who we should use.”
Maybe on paper it was. But I hadn’t forgotten the way Travis Bolton looked at her. “It’s not always about the lowest bidder.”
Her tone was defensive. “I know that, but the Boltons are also the most confident that they can get the job done, and they have a great reputation and have never let my family down.”
“I’ll need to make some calls to ask around about them.”
Sophia’s lips pursed. “Whatever you need to do. But obviously the sooner we decide the better.”
Fuck. I wanted to suck on those puckered lips. We had an obvious history of our attraction heating up when we were pissed off, but at the moment I was confused as to what the hell I was even pissed about. Was it because my estimate was clearly the shittiest one? Or because her asshole ex had just called her? Or did the thought of Travis Bolton hanging around her while doing the construction here drive me a little bit nuts?
Sophia’s cell phone interrupted my thoughts again. We simultaneously read the name Liam, and I put my hand out, palm up. “How about I answer?”
Her eyes widened, and she sucked in her bottom lip. “What would you say?”
“Is it over?”
She nodded. “I want to bury the body deeper than eight feet.”
I flashed a wicked smile. I could