Page 40 of Beyond Question

Too loud.

Too strong.

Too successful.

Well, screw that.

When I left one of the Big Five publishing empires to begin Turn the Paige, everyone thought I was crazy.

My old boss even went as far as laughing in my face, the damn prick.

And look at me now.

Not just a seat at the table, but a goddamn achievement award.

Because I have achieved what so few have.

And, in doing so, I have dethroned the great Cabot Reed.

I lick my lips, then roll them between my teeth as I look over at Cabot, trying to keep my satisfied grin from breaking free. I’m proud, no doubt about that, but actuallygloatingis beneath me.

That’s not to say I didn’t do a little dance when I received the news—something I hope Rylan will take to her grave.

My eyes flick to Travis on the other side of Cabot and I suck in a breath.

His gaze is sointense, watching me with a knowing glint in those pale green eyes.

Did he see me gloating? Does he know?

Can he tell?

No, he can’t possibly know the thoughts going through my head.

As I hold his gaze, he tilts his head to the side, then his eyes drop to my mouth, and whether or not he knows the thoughts going throughmyhead right now, there’s no mistaking what’s going through his.

A shiver skates down my spine and my cheeks warm.

Remind me not to get caught alone in a hallway with him tonight, lest I allow myself to succumb to the desire that’s been building between us since I kicked his ass in that baby shower memory game all those weeks ago.

And you know what? Fuck it. Maybe Iwillget stuck in a hallway with him later.

Maybe I’m tired of pushing him away.

Chapter Fourteen

Travis

Had I been responsible for planning this evening, Paige would be on a date withme, not that one-pump chump over there, but whoever did the seating chart deserves my thanks regardless, because even if she’s not by my side where she belongs, I have a perfect view of her across the table.

But even better than placing me across from the woman I haven’t been able to stop thinking about for the past three weeks? Placing this year’s Rising Star in Romance award winner at the same table as last year’s is entertainment of the finest kind and someone on the planning committee is an evil genius. Or an idiot, but whatever—the result is the same and I’m loving every moment of it.

Either way, I tip my hat to them. You could cut the tension at this table with a knife and I’ve been quite entertained since the moment we all discovered we’d be seated together.

Not only did Rylan leave Reed Publishing to work for Turn the Paige, but now her boss has stolen Cabot’s award. No one has come close to dethroning him in over five years.

Paige got the girlandthe glory.

It’s entertaining as hell.