Page 50 of That Prince is Mine
When Sophie gasped, blinking back tears, Jeremy laughed as he refilled her empty glass. “If you’re not accustomed to soju, I would take it easy the first time around. It hits you fast and hard.”
“A little late for the warning,” Sophie said hoarsely, drinking ice water to soothe the burn.
“Take it easy, my ass. Don’t listen to him, Sophie.” Emma grinned slyly. “Michel can be your designated driver for tonight.”
“I’d be happy to drive,” he offered without hesitation. His friend could use a real night out. Even if she didn’t show it, being his one-woman security team was a tremendous strain on her.
“That won’t be necessary.” Sophie shot him a cutting glare that rivaled Jeremy’s. Her narrowed eyes seemed to say, You dare question my professionalism? “I’ll be drinking water for the rest of the evening.”
“So how do you guys know each other?” Jeremy asked.
“They’re childhood friends,” Emma rushed to answer for them. “They happened to come to LA at the same time.”
Michel glanced at Sophie, who shrugged. Emma had quietly insisted on Sophie sitting with the rest of them when they’d arrived at the restaurant. It made sense. It was easier to have Sophie just be his friend than to discomfit Jeremy by telling him she was his bodyguard.
Across the table, Emma snickered at something Jeremy said. They seemed exceptionally close. They even had their own unique vocabulary for bickering and teasing each other. Michel wasn’t at all sure he liked it, since Jeremy was basically but not actually her brother, as the other man had so helpfully pointed out.
Michel’s index finger tapped restlessly on the table as he watched their interaction with growing ire. Was he jealous? He was jealous. He’d never considered himself a possessive man, but his body shook with the raging need to shove Jeremy away from Emma. She is mine.
“Please excuse me for a moment.” He stood abruptly from the table and bolted for the lavatory.
What was the matter with him? Staring at himself in the mirror over the sink, Michel raked his fingers through his hair and tugged on a handful. He had to snap out of this. Did love make a thoroughly reasonable man lose his shit? Was he in love? He paced the small space of the men’s lavatory.
This was beyond forgetting himself in the moment like kissing Emma in the middle of the street. His control was truly slipping, and it terrified him. He’d arrogantly believed that he would be spontaneous and let love happen, all the while having full control of his emotions and actions. He’d been an absolute fool. He wasn’t even sure he was in love with Emma, but he already felt well and truly wrecked.
As he continued pacing, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and started. He was smiling. As his mind caught up with his heart, Michel felt a reckless calm settle over him. A woman who made him feel this way had to be worth it. He was still terrified, but he welcomed the feeling—he embraced the uncertainty—because no one ever said love would be easy. After splashing some cold water on his face, he walked out of the lavatory.
Jeremy stood guard in the hallway. “I thought you were pretending to go to the restroom to pay the check.”
“Why would I go behind everyone’s backs like that?” Michel blinked. “I would’ve offered to pay when they brought out the check.”
“Because it’s the oldest trick in the book.” Jeremy scoffed in disbelief. “Paying for the meal is a matter of honor for Koreans, and we’re not above engaging in subterfuge to have that honor.”
“I apologize for not understanding the seriousness of the matter.” Michel chuckled, remembering what Emma had said to him the first time they met at the café. We’re masters at paying the check before anyone else. “But it would be my great honor to treat everyone to dinner.”
“Too late, my friend.” Jeremy’s grin was all savage glee. “I paid while you were in the restroom.”
“Thank you for holding back your evil cackle,” Michel said dryly. When he turned to go back to the table, the other man placed a hand on his shoulder.
“What are your intentions toward Emma?” he asked solemnly.
Michel was taken aback, but he didn’t hesitate before answering, “The most honorable.”
“How honorable can it be if you’re planning to leave her in two months?” Jeremy sounded exasperated. And genuinely concerned.
“I’ll be leaving America in two months. Not Emma,” he said fiercely. “Temporary is the last thing I want.”
“That’s not what Emma thinks.” Jeremy held his gaze a moment longer, then sighed. “At least, that’s not what she wants to believe.”
Michel blocked the other man’s path as he made to walk out of the corridor. “What do you mean?”
“Unbelievable.” Jeremy smirked. “You’re going to have to work a lot harder to earn my trust. Until then, you’re not getting any more intel on Emma from me.”
The insufferable git. He had not been trying to get intel out of him. The man had offered the enigmatic statement on his own and Michel merely sought clarification. He still couldn’t decide whether Jeremy was being a good friend or if he was jealously guarding Emma.
“Were you two fighting over the check?” She gave them a stern frown when they returned to their seats.
“Nah.” Jeremy leaned back in his chair and flicked imaginary dust off his shoulder. “I wouldn’t call that a fight. He didn’t even realize I’d paid for everything when he saw me standing by the cash register.”
