Page 72 of The Renter

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I love how strong he is. “Don’t you dare slip.”

He growls after entering me fully. Slowly thrusting his hips, he nearly takes himself all the way out before thrusting back into me with force. Slamming his lips into mine, we kiss as he picks up the pace.

“Knowing my handprint is on your ass. I love that. I love that you’re mine.”

55

Watching the keynote from the sound booth, I’m in the optimal place to take pictures and video clips for Harris Ventures and Cryptoball’s social media teams. Adam looks poised and polished. His suit screams bespoke, and his posture is engaged and friendly. Declan is more relaxed in the same button-down and jeans from this morning.Does he feel like they were made for him?

Declan and Adam play cat and mouse; each of them stays on theme but takes opportunities to assert their domain expertise and challenge the other. The audience is eating up the conversation. It feels candid and raw—without them deviating from the agenda. I can’t help but think there’s a competitive undercurrent.

I tap Kelsey a text with a photo of them on stage.

Dani Sommer

I hate you for introducing me to Why Choose novels.

Now that would be the dream—both of them in a competition to please me. I need to get Declan out of my thoughts.It’s nevergoing to happen.Adam likes me for who I am and is doing nothing but helping me get what I want. The money from the keynote and all the new connections from this conference are exactly that. Declan says he would want me if I changed. Why would I change for him?

Off stage, Adam is buzzing, shaking hands, and mingling. By his side, I’m introduced to C-suite level people from major companies throughout the country.

“I’m familiar with PFAS,” I say. “My?—”

Adam cuts me off. “She used to run a clothing line that was rooted in sustainability. We actually invested in it years before I met her.”

“We need someone that is already up to speed on changing consumer demands,” the shorter guy says.

“I’ll give her your contact info, and you two can set up a further discussion,” Adam says, shaking his hand.

“What was that?” I squint my eyes at him after the guy walks away.

“Sorry, I’m not used to being in the back seat.” This dynamic of both of us in a professional setting and him being who he is—it’s something I’m going to have to get used to.

“They’re fucked though,” Adam says under his breath, checking a text on his phone. “I wouldn’t work with them.”

“Why’s that?”

“They will be wrapped up in class actions for the foreseeable future. They’ll end up selling off each brand and rebranding where they can.”

Who needs an MBA when you have Adam?

“Declan is heading back to Chicago,” he says, looking up from his phone. “Time to make hay while the sun is shining.”

“I—” Pausing, I hope this doesn’t start a whole thing, I tell him, “I don’t want to do any more projects with him or Cryptoball. It’s too weird.”

“Okay.” He nods. “I won’t push it again, even though you did the perfect job.”

56

After what seemed like hours of shaking hands and having small talk, we went to Greg’s room. He has a similar chalet to ours, basically a massive condo. It’s the unofficial after-party, I think, looking around at the couple dozen scofflaws breaking the conference rules.

“What’s your plan when Adam is back to work?” Greg asks, pouring me a whiskey.

“What do you mean?”

“He won’t have this much time to give you.”

“I’ll also be growing my business.” I squint at him.