She clasped her hands in her lap. The problems they faced wouldn't disappear on their own—they would only worsen once her infatuation with him faded.
She didn't want to change him. It was his confidence and powerful personality that appealed to her, setting him apart from the boys she'd dated in the past. When it came to sex, he expressed his wants and needs more openly than she thought possible for a man reluctant to get emotional, and she loved that. However, there was always something in the background that kept her on edge, as if something frightening might happen.
Never one to have deep feelings for others, she found herself enthralled by him, pushing common sense to the back of her mind because he was exciting and gave her so much attention.
The reasons he appealed to her were also one of her biggest fears. How long could she balance her life? The shelter pulled her energy away from everything else in her life. Serge demanded even more from her. She was going to break. Serge had told her many times that he wouldn't lose, and she had promised to give everything to the shelter.
"Thank you for coming." Serge looked at his watch. "I'll have Suzanne fax the paperwork to you all on Monday."
Aubrey stayed seated while Serge shook hands with everyone. He never strayed far from her chair, and eventually, he leaned over, kissed her, and assisted her to her feet. She wrapped her arm around his back and leaned into him.
"Aubrey, this is Gerald Leven of Leven Associates. Every once in a while, he'll join me in a pickup game of basketball." Serge put his arm around her.
She rounded her shoulder, put her hand on Serge's stomach, and smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Leven."
A good-looking man with short blond hair and a fast smile, Gerald said, "Serge has spoken highly of you."
She tilted her head back and looked at Serge, raising her brows. Their relationship was new. When had he found time to talk about her?
Serge rocked back on his heels, squeezing her to his side. "I better get her home. See you tomorrow, Gerald."
"Later, Adams," Gerald said.
As they walked out of the room, down the hallway, and stepped into the elevator, Aubrey smiled. She still held on to Serge's middle, resting her head against the side of his chest. This was the first time they'd gone out in public as a couple, and she rather enjoyed everyone knowing she belonged to him.
"Happy?" He pushed the button for the first floor.
She nodded against him. "I am. I'm proud of you."
"Why?" he said.
"Just seeing you leading the meeting and the respect in the other men's faces. They like you. That's a huge compliment when you're the one in charge." She rubbed his stomach and tilted her head back. "And, I know how much work and time it takes to earn their confidence."
The elevator dinged. She stepped forward with him when he pulled her to the back corner. She looked up, and her lungs collapsed.
Polished in a black suit, white shirt, and powerhouse red tie, Harrington entered the elevator and stood three feet away from her.
"Curt," Serge said.
"Evening, Serge," Curt Harrington, bigger than life, put his hand out as the doors opened. "Late meeting?"
She stepped out of the elevator and turned her head away from him. Her heart raced, and her body seized in an awkward, jerky motion, as if seconds had taken a minute.
"Yes. The monthly meeting with the corporation." Serge's hand pressed against her side as the elevator dinged, and the doors swished closed. "I'd like to introduce you to—"
"Aubrey Haydon." Curt Harrington gaze narrowed, and he stepped closer. "How interesting it is to find you in one ofmybuildings."
She never looked at either man. At the mention of her name coming from Harrington's mouth, Serge had stiffened beside her.
"I'm sorry. You'll have to excuse me." She broke away and hurried across the lobby.
She heard Serge make his excuses behind her, but nothing would stop her from leaving the building. All she wanted to do was escape the man who'd made her life hell for six months.
