A loud thud stops his lips just under my ear.
“Give me ten seconds to tell whoever that is to go to hell.”
I nod as I watch him stalk to the door. Nerves dance in my stomach. What if it’s a woman who has already been here? I didn’t bother to ask if he’s involved with anyone. Why the hell didn’t I do that?
I face the door as he swings it open.
“Barrett.” A petite woman with red curls wags a finger in the air at him. “You can’t ignore me forever. Let me in.”
Chapter 36
Barrett
“What are you doing here?” I snap. “You’re supposed to be on your way to the airport, Mother.”
“Monica,” she corrects me with a pat to my forearm. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
Her gaze is locked on something behind me…someone behind me. This is not a scenario I imagined in my worst nightmare. I don’t need her getting in Bella’s face.
I take a step to the side to block her entrance and repeat the question she failed to answer the first time I asked it. “What are you doing here?”
“Introductions are in order, son.”
Goddammit.
I don’t try and stop her when she maneuvers around me, suitcase in tow. That’s not a good sign. If she thinks she’s camping here for the night, she’s mistaken. I want her out of my penthouse and out of the city as soon as possible.
“And you are?” Monica blurts out once she’s got a clear view of Bella.
Before she has a chance to reply, I step in. “This is my executive assistant.”
Bella’s gaze volleys from my face to my mother’s. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Adler.”
My mother approaches her, not offering her a hand or a smile. “It’s a pleasure, dear. I need time with my son, so if you’ll excuse us.”
Bella looks to me for guidance. The last thing I want is for her to leave. I want her in my arms tonight. I’m about to fight to make that my reality.
“We’re busy.” I direct my attention to Monica. “You’ll miss your flight if you don’t get to the airport within the hour.”
I have no fucking clue if I’m speaking honestly. I lost track of time right around the moment when Bella and I sat down to eat dinner.
“I switched to a morning flight.” Her gaze wanders the perimeter of the room. “I checked out of the hotel. I’ll be staying with you tonight so we can continue our discussion.”
Like hell she will.
“That won’t work for me.” I tug my phone out of my pants pocket. “I’ll call the hotel and book another room for you.”
Her hand trails over her forehead in an overly dramatic gesture of exasperation. “I can’t bear another night there. You know the food is not up to my standards.”
“Is anything ever up to your standards?”
The question flies over her head because she’s too busy sighing heavily to notice anything but the performance she’s giving.
“I should go,” Bella says, starting toward the dining room table. “I’ll grab my things and leave you two be.”
“No.” The word snaps off my tongue. “You’ll stay.”
Oblivious to what’s going on, Monica gives Bella a nod and regal wave of her hand in the air. “Very well, dear. It was lovely to meet you. Do take care.”