Page 110 of The Wrong Groom

I take an uncertain step back, but before I can disappear behind the door, Gabriel looks up and sees me. He seems to read my expression in an instant.

“Alexis,” he says, rising to his feet. His secretary stumbles away as he stands, a disgruntled look on her face. Gabriel doesn’t acknowledge her. “Is everything okay?”

I open my mouth, then close it, not sure what to say. I can’t speak my mind in front of her.

He glances at his secretary, then jerks his chin toward the door. “Jennifer—out.”

She scowls at his dismissal, a near-instantaneous reaction. Gabriel is focused on me, so he doesn’t see the irritation flit across her face. But I do.

“Of course, sir,” she says smoothly. She strides toward the door. As she does, she shoots me a stare that’s loaded with venom. I can feel the sting of her hostility, harsher and more biting than it ever has been before.

Then she’s gone, and the door is closed behind her. I’m alone with Gabriel, who watches me with concern, his brow furrowed.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

Heat floods my cheeks. I can’t tell him. It’ll sound so stupid, so petty. I bite my lip, shaking my head.

“Come on.” He narrows his eyes. “I know there’s something. You don’t have a good poker face.”

“It’s—it’s fine.”

He frowns. “Yeah, I’m not buying that.”

I sigh. It’s silly, really, to be so worked up over something like this, but I can’t ignore the evidence right in front of me. I’m not imagining things. I know Jennifer knows what she’s doing.

“I don’t like the way your secretary looks at you,” I admit in a rush.

He frowns, visibly taken aback. Whatever he was expecting me to say, it wasn’t that. I flush, my gaze dropping to the floor.

God, I’m such an idiot. Why did I say that? I should’ve made something up, something to satisfy him without causing any issues. It’s too late now, though.

“I know you told me that you could never love me,” I whisper, my heart feeling heavy, “and I know this thing between us can’t last. But as long as I have you, I… I want you to be all mine.”

He’s quiet for a long moment. Then he steps out from behind his desk, crossing the open space toward me. He places a firm hand on my hip, and slowly, deliberately, he walks me backward until the backs of my knees meet the edge of one of the leather chairs. I sink down into it, my heart racing as I look up at him.

He towers over me, large hands braced on the armrests as he leans close. “I am all yours,” he murmurs. “I don’t want anyone else.”

“Y-your secretary,” I say, forcing the words out. “She’s been cold toward me since day one. And she’s always lingering around you—flirting with you⁠—”

He frowns, tilting his head to one side. “Jennifer? Don’t worry about her. She’s fired.”

My mouth falls open in disbelief. “What?”

“I’ll fire her. Immediately.”

“You—you would do that?” I stammer. “Just like that?”

“Of course.” His expression is completely serious, no hint anywhere that he’s joking or exaggerating. “I don’t need anyone around me who makes you feel uncomfortable.”

Silence falls between us. I stare up at him, stunned and unsure how to respond.

“But… won’t she be angry?” I ask after a long moment, my voice more uncertain than I’d like it to be. “She’s worked for you for a long time, right?”

Gabriel’s eyes darken, his jaw tightening. “It doesn’t matter. If she can’t be respectful to my wife, she has no place here. I don’t want anyone to make you doubt yourself.”

I search his face, trying to process what he’s saying, what he’s offering. The unwavering protectiveness in his expression takes my breath away.

“Why?” I whisper, barely able to get the word out.