“And I am looking forward to showing it to someone who will appreciate it as much as I do.”
I rolled my eyes behind them. Was this how we weregoing to spend our entire visit? Him fawning over her? And her… What? Enjoying it?
Fuck me.
We followed him into the climate-controlled warehouse that was more like an industrial art gallery. I’d never been inside, but I’d heard of it. On and on, Dimitri droned about different pieces and their merits, and Halle seemed completely enthralled.
“I have a few more pieces I think will be to your liking,” Dimitri said, but I’d had enough. We’d been wandering around for over an hour, and if I had to listen to him much longer, I was going to punch him in the face. “They aren’t here, but I’d be happy to give you a private tour this weekend.”
His thinly veiled intent was clear, and I was fucking done. I must have let out a noise of annoyance, based on the way Halle’s cheeks flushed with color. But she didn’t otherwise acknowledge Dimitri’s invitation.
While that was a relief, I still couldn’t believe he was asking her out in front of me. Well, notme. In front of her boss. But it was the only choice left to him since I wouldn’t leave her side.
“I think we’ve seen enough,” I said in a curt tone, eager to put an end to this. We’d seen enough art to fill every suite in my hotel.
Halle’s gaze snapped to mine, a warning in her eyes. I ignored it.
Dimitri was oblivious to Halle’s ire. He was too busy smirking at me over his shoulder. The fucking nerve.
Halle glanced at her watch. “I was having so much fun, I didn’t realize how late it had gotten. But we need to wrap this up so I can get back to pick up my son on time.”
“No rush.” Dimitri placed his hand on Halle’s lower back,and I fucking saw red. “I’m happy to resume our discussion at a later date.”
Not if I have anything to say about it.
Dimitri’s phone rang, and he glared at the screen, clearly annoyed by the interruption. “Excuse me.”
Once he was out of earshot, Halle spun on me. “What is your problem?” she hissed. “Why are you being so rude?”
I pulled her aside so we were hidden from the view of Dimitri’s office by a large sculpture.
“What’smyproblem?” Her back was to the sculpture, our mouths inches apart. “For someone who’s so intent on beingprofessional, you’re awfully flirtatious with Dimitri.”
She scoffed, turning her head to the side. “Jealous much?”
“Yes,” I blurted.
Maybe she’d been teasing, but I was serious.
She turned back to me, wide brown eyes meeting mine as her lips parted in shock. “Oh.”
Yeah.Oh.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Maybe I should just handle the negotiations from here forward.”
“Jasper.” She glared at me, fire and anger blazing in her eyes. “Don’t fuck this up. You have no idea how difficult it was to set up this meeting. I’m not going to blow all my hard work because you feel some ridiculous need to act like a caveman.”
“I’m not—” I took a breath and smoothed down my tie. That wasn’t what I was doing, was it?
Fuck.
She was right. I was being jealous and territorial, and I hated feeling so irrational.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. You clearly put a lot of effort into this, and I would never want to undermine your hard work.”
I could see how my jealousy had clouded my view of the situation. Dimitri’s flirting was annoying but not completelyinappropriate. But my behavior had been, and I couldn’t believe how quickly the situation had spiraled out of control. I had no right to be jealous, no claim over her. And the fact that I’d acted like I somehow did was deeply problematic.
“Thank you,” she said.
