Her mouth opened, and she stared at him. "What are you afraid of? That some other man will hit on me?"
"They won't because you're mine."
She scoffed. "You're jealous."
"I'm not jealous." His mouth tightened.
She laughed. "Oh, my God. You totally are."
"Don't be mouthy." He shook his head and pulled into the underground parking garage below the Harrington building. "I take care of what's mine. You're mine. And, since we're on the subject, I don't want you hugging or kissing any of the men when I introduce you."
"Yes, sir." She fought a grin. "I'll try to control myself."
He parked in the first open spot, slammed the car into park, and turned. He hooked her neck and hauled her toward him until the seat belt dug into her chest before her amusement ended. His hold on the back of her hair stopped her teasing.
"I'd kill anyone who touched you," he said, between clenched teeth. "Think before you do something stupid and get someone killed."
"I-I was joking," she said, hating the way her voice shook.
"I'm not." He tugged her closer. "I told you there were parts of me you'd hate. This is one. I don't share with anyone."
She blinked, unable to look away because he was in her face. So close, he could kiss her, but he wasn't moving toward her, and his eyes were cold.
"I was only teasing you," she said.
He remained silent and continued holding her. "Don't push me when it comes to something I own. You won't like the results."
She pulled away, and he let her go. Her heart raced, and she rubbed the back of her neck. He hadn't hurt her, but the vehemence of his actions scared her.
He shut off the engine. "Are you ready to go in?"
"No." Tears burned her eyes.
He let his hands fall in his lap. She swallowed repeatedly to keep her emotions from escaping. Dealing with Serge's wishes and the possibilities of running into Harrington upset her stomach.
She leaned forward. "I think I'm going to be sick."
Serge placed his hand on her back. She flinched. When he remained touching her, she closed her eyes. If it weren't for what they'd shared the last two days, she'd walk away. She wanted the tender man who held her at night. The one who saw to her pleasure before his own. The one who carried her from room to room and spoke of the future together. The one who called her Bree.
Such a stupid shortened name, but she loved it when he called her that. She inhaled deeply through her nose and exhaled through her mouth. She could do this. For him.
After tonight, she'd be home and have time to understand why she was so indecisive about Serge. She'd finally figure out what caused her to fear losing him one moment and wanting to run from him the next.
"I'm ready," she whispered.
He undid her seatbelt and kissed her forehead. "Good girl."
The pressure in her chest eased, and she waited for him to open her door and lead her into the building. In the elevator, she held his hand. On the fifth floor, she glanced at him, and when he leaned over and kissed her forehead, she relaxed.
Inside the conference room, she nodded politely and sat beside Serge. While he talked, she took her chance and looked around at the other men who lined the table. When she completed the inspection, her whole body relaxed.
Curt Harrington was not in attendance.
Maybe tonight's meeting would be the last one she had to attend in this building, and her worry over facing the man who'd made her life hell for months as they dealt with a bidding war would go away. She gazed up at Serge as he stood before the other men.
He caught her looking and winked. The weight of the evening and the tense situation in the car faded into the background. How he conducted himself around others impressed her, and if she'd been in the right frame of mind, she'd have remembered everything he'd said. It was simple to forgive him for the few moments he pressed her into an area where she wasn't comfortable.
But she wasn't a fool.
