Chapter 4 Collision course

Celina prided herself on staying calm under pressure, but Jake Hawthorne was testing her limits.

By the time Thursday rolled around, the Kingsley deal consumed every waking moment. Late nights blurred into early mornings, and Celina had barely left her office. If she wanted to win, she had to stay ahead. Letting Jake outmaneuver her wasn't an option.

Mia bustled in, balancing a tray of coffee and a folder. "I updated the client outreach strategy. But..." Her voice trailed off hesitantly.

"But what?" Celina asked, already bracing herself.

Mia shifted awkwardly. "Jake sent over a revised proposal this morning. He tweaked the analytics section-and it's solid. Really solid."

Celina scowled. "Of course it is. He loves showing off."

"It's more than that," Mia said cautiously. "He's working just as hard as you are. Maybe harder."

The thought gnawed at her. Celina had always believed her drive set her apart, but knowing Jake was matching her effort unsettled her more than it should have. She refused to let him win. Not again.

"We'll double down," she said crisply. "I want a full client profile analysis on my desk by tomorrow morning."

Mia gave a wary nod and left. Alone, Celina slumped in her chair and sighed. She needed a break. More than that, she needed a plan.

---

That evening, the clink of glasses and soft hum of conversation filled the Montgomery Club. Celina had no intention of relaxing-not when Jake was scheduled to meet Kingsley representatives here.

Dressed in a sleek black dress that hugged every curve, she swept through the marble foyer, eyes scanning for her target. She found him easily enough.

Jake was leaning casually against the bar, exuding that effortless confidence that irritated her to no end. His dark navy suit fit like it was tailored specifically to tempt her, and worse, the Kingsley executives looked thoroughly charmed by whatever smooth pitch he was delivering.

Of course, he was charming. He always had been.

Squaring her shoulders, Celina approached the group. "Gentlemen," she greeted with a smile that was all professional polish. "I hope Jake isn't monopolizing your time."

One of the executives chuckled. "Miss Monroe. Jake was just telling us about his vision for brand diversification. Impressive stuff."

"I'm sure it is," Celina said sweetly. "But vision without execution is just daydreaming. And we both know execution is my specialty."

Jake's lips curved into that maddening smirk. "Always so competitive," he murmured, his voice low enough for only her to hear. "Missed that about you."

"I'm not playing," she snapped under her breath, though her pulse quickened.

"Aren't you?" he countered smoothly.

Before she could respond, he shifted the conversation back to Kingsley, painting a picture of seamless collaboration. Celina hated how easily he could switch between taunting her and dazzling everyone else.

But two could play that game.

When the Kingsley group drifted toward the dining area, she stepped closer to Jake. The scent of his cologne-dark and warm-wrapped around her senses. "You think a few smooth lines will win you the contract?" she challenged quietly.

His eyes darkened with something sharper, more dangerous. "No. But it's fun watching you try to outmaneuver me."

Her jaw tightened. "I'm not losing to you again."

"Is that what this is about?" He leaned closer, the heat of his breath grazing her skin. "Still holding that grudge, Monroe?"

"Don't flatter yourself," she bit out, though her heart pounded against her ribs.

He chuckled, a low, rough sound that sent a thrill through her veins. "I don't need to. You're already thinking about me."

The air between them crackled. His nearness was a challenge-a dare she wanted to ignore but couldn't.

"I think about crushing you," she said sweetly. "And when I win, maybe I'll send you flowers."

Jake's gaze drifted lower, lingering for just a beat too long. "If I didn't know better," he murmured, "I'd think you liked getting under my skin."

Her breath hitched. This close, she could feel the tension vibrating between them. It wasn't just rivalry-it was something darker, hotter, and far more dangerous.

"Don't confuse ambition with attraction," she said, though her voice wasn't as steady as she wanted.

"I never do." His smile was slow, wicked. "But I'm starting to wonder if you can say the same."

Before she could retort, one of the Kingsley executives called Jake over, leaving her flushed and furious.

---

The next morning, Celina arrived at her office early, hoping to reclaim the upper hand. Instead, she found another coffee on her desk.

Same order. Same note.

Still not a trick. –J.

Her heart did a traitorous flip. She refused to soften. This was war, and no amount of overpriced caffeine would change that.

Later that afternoon, her phone buzzed with a message from Catherine.

Catherine: Dinner tonight? You need to vent before you implode.

Celina: Only if there's wine.

When Celina arrived at their favorite bistro, Catherine already had a bottle of red open. "You look ready to kill someone," she observed dryly.

"Jake," Celina said without hesitation. "He's everywhere. And worse, he's good."

Catherine laughed softly. "Still rattling you, huh?"

"I'm not rattled," Celina insisted. "I'm just... focused."

"Right," Catherine drawled. "Focused on winning, or focused on him?"

Celina shot her a glare. "Don't start."

"I'm just saying," Catherine teased, sipping her wine. "The tension is palpable. Maybe you should embrace it."

"Embrace it?" Celina scoffed. "I want to strangle him."

"Is that what we're calling it now?" Catherine grinned.

Despite herself, Celina laughed. "You're impossible."

Catherine raised her glass. "And you're in denial. Cheers to that."

---

Back at her apartment that night, Celina couldn't stop replaying her interactions with Jake. The way his gaze lingered too long. The heat beneath his smooth words. For years, she'd buried whatever complicated feelings she had toward him under layers of resentment.

But those feelings were clawing their way to the surface.

And if she wasn't careful, they might consume her.

Celina grabbed her laptop and pulled up the latest analytics. Work. Focus. Anything to push him out of her head. But as she analyzed the data, a new realization hit her-Jake wasn't just keeping up with her. In some areas, he was ahead.

Her stomach twisted. She hated losing.

Determined, she opened a fresh document and began revising her proposal. If he thought he could beat her, he had another thing coming. Because if there was one thing Celina Monroe never did-it was back down from a fight.