Page 15 of Serena
“I told you to carry it with you at all times. It’s yours. I have plenty.”
I take a deep breath.
“Well, I don’t want it. I don’t want gifts from you. I’m pretty sure your fiancée wouldn’t like the idea of you giving other women gifts. You can give it to someone else. Maybe someone on that list you frequently use.” He doesn’t move or say anything, just stands there, but I can feel the anger radiating off him.
“She isn’t my fiancée. She—” I hold my hand out.
“Stop, I don’t care. It’s none of my business who or what you do with your personal life. I came to return the knife. You don’t owe me any explanation.”
He actually does, but to hell with him. He won’t get the satisfaction of knowing he got under my skin.
“To be clear, you and I aren’t anything but two professionals who work together. As far as the weekend is concerned, you gave me a ride home at the insistence of my friends, and I appreciateit, or we can pretend like it never happened. But I will not be part of whatever game you’re playing. If I remember correctly, you have a list of women you can play those games with or your fiancée.” I turn around and walk out.
I make it back to my office, and just when I’m about to close the door, Ian barges in, closes the door behind him, and locks us in. It didn’t cross my mind that he would follow me. He swiftly closes the distance between us, putting both of his hands on my waist, and presses my chest to his. I’m overwhelmed by his entirety and the tight grip he has on me. Usually, being so close to a person, let alone a man like this, would trigger me into a panic attack, but I don’t feel any of those signs. I finally remember where I am and school my features. He leans down so close that his lips are inches from mine.
“You always have to have the last word, don’t you?”
I can see he’s holding back his temper. We don’t want the whole office to hear this. Whatever this is.
“Not always, but seeing how much you dislike it makes me want to do it more,” I bite back.
“That mouth is going to get you in trouble. Instead of filling it with those smart-ass comments, I’d like to see it filled with something else.” Did he just insinuate what I think he did? His presence is too much. His hands on my waist are burning through my skirt. I need to take control of this situation. Closing my eyes, I take deep breaths and lay my hands on his chest. His hard chest. I try to push him back, but he doesn’t move. This man is built like a concrete wall. He sees my struggle and smiles. He is so arrogant.
“What game are you playing?” I yell because I’m tired of this.
“There is no game, Hermosa.”
“Really, because I don’t even know you. We met weeks ago, and this…” I use my finger to point between us, “This doesn’t make sense. So again, what game are you playing?” He openshis mouth to respond, but we’re interrupted by the sound of a ringtone. He pulls out his phone and answers it, one hand still gripping my waist.
“Speak,” he demands. Fuck, that’s hot.
I can’t make out who’s on the other side of the phone. I’m too focused on getting my breathing under control, but his eyes never look away from me. The intensity of them makes me feel hot, and I can feel my face flush under his stare. All of a sudden, he pulls back. As soon as he loses his grip on my waist, I step back to give myself space. He reaches into his pants pocket and hands me the pocketknife. When I don’t take it, he ends the call and pockets his phone. Then he proceeds to force my hand open and places the small weapon in it.
“There is an emergency, so I have to leave for a couple of days.” He raises his hand and cups my cheek. The action is so tender and intimate, it catches me off guard. Like everything this man does.
“This isn’t a game, Serena.”
He walks out of my office. Leaving me here. My mind is a mess, but if anything, my work has always been a distraction from everything else in my life. Claudia knocks on my door. “Hello, Ms. Nerva. Phoenix Marketing is ready for you in the conference room.”
Making my way down the hallway, I’m distracted by Ian’s abrupt departure. What was the emergency? His mother? It’s public knowledge that she’s ill, but no one knows the specifics. The family has done a great job of keeping information away from the press. Should I check on him? Shou?—.
“Serena?” I see familiar blue eyes looking back at me. I freeze.
The first man I ever loved is right in front of me: Byran Carson. Better known as the man I lost my virginity to. Who fucked me for a whole summer and left me without so much asa goodbye. The man I saw at the gala. This man is one of the reasons why I’m so broken.
What is he doing here?
“Byran, what are you doing here?” He looks around the room as if the question will answer itself. To his left sits a young woman with a blonde pixie cut; her name tag reads Elena. To his right sits, who I assume is, the other member of their team. He’s an older man with gray hair and a beard, named Greg.
“I’m here with Phoenix Marketing. I’m part of the team that’s working on the new rebranding,” he says.
Shit. I didn’t pay attention to who was part of the team. Since I had nothing to do with the contract, I didn’t bother to check. My heart rate is increasing, and my hands are trembling. Byran is a massive trigger for me. I need to step away. I’m trying to catch my breath. I quickly excuse myself and hurry to the restroom. The dizziness is setting in. I make it into a bathroom stall and sit down, leaning my head between my legs, like I’ve done countless times. I start to count and remind myself tobreathe. I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting here. I hear a knock on the door, bringing me out of my haze.
“Ms. Nerva, are you all right?” Selma asks. Taking a deep breath, I stand and open the stall. Selma stands there with bottled water. “Here, I thought you may need this.” She places the drink in my hand. The coolness of the drink feels good in my clammy hands.
“Do you need me to get someone?” Her voice is full of concern.
“No, please don’t. If you could please keep this between us,” I slightly plead.
