Denise Stone

Kels Stone

Avery Soko, a bright-eyed and ambitious do-gooder, is on the cusp of getting her dream fundraising job at the Oceanic Research Organization. Luca Navarro, a former corporate lawyer with an extravagant tie collection and an irritatingly handsome smirk, holds Avery's future in his very large hands. When he calls with the news of her rejection, Luca seems to revel in crushing her dreams.

But Avery will do anything to pursue her passion, even accept a job at a struggling start-up. Her spell of bad luck finally changes when a competition is announced at a grandiose gala that could save her and her new team from going under. Of course, Avery's least favorite person, Luca, also joins the running for the multimillion-dollar prize.

At the height of the competition, Avery and Luca realize they've met their match. Will the tense moments, absurd attempts to out-do each other, and the string of games and bets they've concocted turn into a series of failures, or will it make them into something more than adversaries?

Water Under The Bridge

Abigail | 

"Whatever you ask of me, I will give you," I promise. Her moans form into screams of pleasure. "Over, and over, and over again."

There is a familiar challenge in his voice, causing my common sense to surrender to the promise of something reckless brewing between us.

Keira 💫

Sometimes you have to grab life by the neck and choke it real good.

Lily, who happened to be working the night shift, poured me a generous glass of wine and listened to me vent about my overbearing ecology professor. Then she told me about a guy she was seeing who brought her an annotated book every time they hooked up.

Why must people always turn work into their social playground?

Our dates stand together. The contrast between their appearances is almost amusing. The taller woman is fresh-faced, and her bright smile complements the incredible detail of her physique. Her arms are easily the size of my calves, and I’m deeply interested in her workout routine. She towers over her friend, practically hiding her from view. 

“Dude, she can squat my body weight. It’s extraordinary.” Where most men I know would cower at such an achievement, Nico’s face lights with excitement.

You sound like me and well I see why I don't have friends now lol. 

But for some reason, no one seems like that I'm careful. No offense, but you can live life amazingly without getting out of your comfort zone so... Scales always tip toward carefulness. 

“Just because you’re careless doesn’t mean you get to make my life a mess too.”

Avery’s chest rises and falls slowly as a tempest erupts behind her eyes. The corners of her mouth lift in a slight smile as her stare falls to my lips. The wetness of her tongue finds my thumb, where she teases the skin with a tiny lick.

“Do you always have something to say?” she breathes, not pulling away from me.

“Only when you’re so keen on talking back.” I stretch the moment between us like hot taffy. 

This is either going to be the best or worst decision I make in my life but I don’t falter. 

My mouth crashes into hers. The weeks of aching to feel her in my arms pour into the kiss.

“I’m taking you home, Avery.” “Home?” I question. “The bet was just a kiss, Navarro.” 

A fit of venomous anger returns to invade me. Slithering through my body and morphing into something rotten. 

He stretches his right arm onto the light post, towering over me. My breathing shallows in my chest, and I smell the alcohol mingling between us. 

Luca’s lips brush over my neck, and I arch toward his warm touch. He finally nears my ear. 

“Let’s get one thing straight.” His voice spills into me. 

“When I kiss you again, you’ll remember every single fucking second of it.” 

I gasp, but he continues, his free hand steadying me. 

“I promise that each one of your moans, your breaths, will pour out of you willingly. Because I know you want me as much as I need you.”

Dude Luca makes me want to have butterflies ngl. I wish I felt something but everything feels so platonic now. 

But I'll admit I really want a rivals to lovers story that ends similar to this 😩😩

However, I am a bigger fan of enemies to lovers because I'm not the smartest lolol. 

“I dedicated the better part of my adult life working toward the opportunity at ORO. How could you?”

 “I didn’t agree with her decision,” he barks. “But I’m happier to have you as my equal and my teammate than as another employee.” 

I’m too focused on Joanna to even process his last words. 

Another pause as he puts together a response. “She thought you were too young,” Luca finally admits. 

“Full of ideas, not life experience.” I cringe. 

Age has never been something I felt insecure about, even when I was the youngest person in the room throughout my career. It gave me an edge, more ideas, and a different perspective. 

“I drew up the paperwork to hire you the next day, but—” 

“Of course, what don’t you understand?” I finally notice the pained expression on his face. 

“You’re fucking brilliant, Avery. You make me want to be a better person with your relentless optimism.”

 The words soothe whatever was building inside of me until the alcohol swirling through my veins begins pulling me into another haze.

Water Under The Bridge quotes

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