The Rival
1372 Words
The address liam sends leads to a penthouse with floor-to-ceiling windows and a view that swallows the city whole. You step out of the elevator, clutching your clutch like a weapon, the tube of crimson lipstick burning a hole in its silk lining.
He’s waiting, shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows, a tumbler of amber liquid in hand. “Took you long enough.”
“Traffic,” you lie, striding past him. The space reeks of him—expensive leather, old books, and something darker. *Dangerous.*
He closes the distance, cornering you against the glass. “Still wearing red, I see.” His knuckle brushes the strap of your dress. “Brave choice.”
You slap his hand away. “Where are they?”
“Where’s the fun in rushing?” He nods to the wet bar. “Drink?”
“I’m not here to play house, Cole.”
“No?” His smile sharpens. “Then why are you here?”
The intercom buzzes, slicing through the tension.
liam frowns, thumbing the button. “I said no interruptions.”
A woman’s voice purrs through the speaker. *“Darling, you didn’t think I’d miss your little charity pet project, did you?”*
His jaw tenses. “Natalia. Now’s not a good time.”
*“Don’t be cruel. I’m already at your door.”*
The elevator dings.
You raise a brow. “Expecting company?”
He mutters a curse under his breath as the doors open.
Natalia Volkov glides in like a panther—all legs, ice-blonde hair, and a dress that costs more than your monthly rent. Her gaze flicks to you, sharp and assessing. “Oh. I didn’t realize you were… *entertaining*.”
liam’s mask slips back into place, smooth and unreadable. “Natalia, this is Aria. A… *colleague*.”
You extend a hand, sugar-coated venom on your tongue. “Charmed. Let me guess—ex-lover? Current mistress?”
Natalia’s laugh is a silver bell. “Both, depending on the decade.” She brushes past you to pour herself a drink, hips swaying. “liam never could resist a project.”
His eyes narrow. “What do you want, Natalia?”
“The same thing I always want.” She swirls her vodka, leaning against the bar. “Your undivided attention.” Her gaze lands on you. “But it seems I’ll have to wait my turn.”
You cross your arms. “Don’t strain yourself on my account.”
liam pinches the bridge of his nose. “Aria was just leaving.”
Natalia smirks. “Pity. She’s almost entertaining.”
The dismissal ignites something primal in your chest. *Almost.* You step closer to liam, fingertips grazing his forearm. “Actually, we were in the middle of something.” You pluck the tumbler from his hand, sip slowly, never breaking eye contact. “*Private*.”
His throat bobs.
Natalia’s polished facade cracks. “How… *quaint*.” She sets her glass down with a clink. “I’ll be in town through the weekend, liam. You know where to find me.”
The elevator doors swallow her whole.
Silence throbs.
liam turns, eyes blazing. “What the hell was that?”
You set the tumbler down.
He crowds you against the window, the city sprawling beneath your back. “You don’t get to play games with me.”
“Says the man who texts about *underwear*.” You press your palm to his chest, feeling his heartbeat rage. “Why? Scared she’ll realize you’ve gone soft?”
His hand fists in your hair, tilting your head back. “You think this is soft?” His hips grind against yours, the evidence of his lie hard and insistent.
You bite back a moan. “Prove it.”
His mouth crashes down, all teeth and fury. You claw at his shirt, buttons scattering. He lifts you onto the edge of the wet bar, your dress hiking up as his hands roam.
“Still laughing?” he growls against your throat.
“Keep trying,” you gasp.
The intercom buzzes again.
He tears away with a snarl. “*What?*”
Natalia’s voice drips honey. *“Forgot my clutch, darling. Be a lamb and send it down?”*
You hop off the bar, smoothing your dress. “Seems you’re in demand.”
He grabs your wrist. “Stay.”
“Why? So I can watch you juggle your harem?” You wrench free, snatching your clutch. “Hard pass.”
His laugh follows you to the elevator. “Run all you want, Aria. You’ll be back.”
---
The charity auction the next night is a minefield.
Natalia holds court at liam’s side, her hand lingering on his sleeve. They look like a Renaissance painting—all sharp angles and cold beauty. You sip champagne, ignoring the way your stomach knots when she laughs at something he murmurs.
“Jealousy’s a bad look on *you*, darling,” comes a voice at your ear.
You whirl. liam smirks, holding two glasses of champagne.
“Go to hell,” you hiss.
He presses a glass into your hand. “Already there. It’s climate-controlled and serves canapés.” His thumb brushes yours. “Dance with me.”
You glance at Natalia, now surrounded by admirers. “Wouldn’t want to keep you from your *priorities*.”
He steps closer, heat radiating off him. “You’re the only priority making me lose sleep.”
The band strikes up a waltz. Against your better judgment, you let him lead you to the floor. His hand settles on your waist, possessive.
“She’s watching,” you mutter.
“Good.” He spins you, his lips grazing your ear. “Let her see.”
You stumble, and his grip tightens. “Careful. People might think you care.”
His smile is all teeth. “Never.”
The song ends. Natalia materializes like a ghost, her smile venomous. “liam, darling, they’re starting the bidding.”
He doesn’t let go of you. “In a minute.”
She tilts her head. “Your father’s Mondrian is up next. You *wouldn’t* want to miss that.”
His grip slackens. You step back, chest tight. “Duty calls.”
He hesitates, something raw flashing in his eyes. Then he’s gone, Natalia’s hand on his arm.
---
You find her alone on the terrace later, reapplying her lipstick in a compact mirror.
“He’ll break your heart,” she says without looking up.
You lean against the railing. “Not interested in your warnings.”
She snaps the compact shut. “You think you’re the first to climb into his bed thinking you’ll change him? He’s a storm, *kiska*. You can’t cage the wind.”
You meet her stare. “Who says I want to?”
Her laugh is bitter. “We’ll see how long that bravado lasts.” She glides past you, pausing. “He’ll always choose power. Over you. Over me. Over everything.”
Your phone buzzes as she leaves.
**liam**: Rooftop. Now.
---
He’s waiting by the pool, tie gone, shirt open. The city lights halo him in gold.
“Speak,” he orders.
You stop just out of reach. “Natalia says you’ll break my heart.”
“Natalia talks too much.”
“She also says I’m not the first.”
He steps closer. “You’re not.”
“But?”
He cradles your face, calloused thumbs brushing your cheeks. “You’re the only one who makes me want to *stop* running.”
The admission hangs between you, fragile as glass.
You bridge the gap, kissing him softly. For once, he doesn’t fight—just sinks into it, tender and desperate.
When you pull back, his forehead rests against yours. “This is a bad idea.”
You trace his jaw. “The worst.”
His phone rings. The screen flashes *NATALIA*.
He silences it, tossing it into the pool.
Your laugh is startled. “That’s a $3,000 paperweight.”
“Worth it.” He lifts you into his arms, walking toward the penthouse door. “Now shut up and ruin me.”
Jealousy ignites, secrets unravel—but will this fragile truce survive the storm Natalia brings?
- Writer
