Chapter 3

Serena spent the rest of the afternoon thinking of different ways to make Damien regret accepting the job. The more she thought about the way he had looked at her with complete indifference, the more irritated she became.

Every man she had ever met had either tried to impress her or flirt with her. Some couldn’t stop staring; others stumbled over their own words just to get her attention. Damien had done neither. He had looked at her once, just once then looked away as though she were nothing more than another client.

She hated it, no. She hated him. A slow smile curved her lips as an idea formed. Perfect.

She picked up the small bell on the side table and rang it. A maid appeared almost immediately.

“Yes, Miss?”

“Tell my bodyguard I want to see him in the sitting room.”

The maid nodded and hurried away. Serena settled comfortably into the large cream-colored armchair near the window, crossing one leg over the other as she opened the novel she had been reading earlier.

She had barely finished a page when steady footsteps echoed through the room. She didn’t bother looking up.

“You called for me?”

His deep voice was as calm as ever. She almost scoffed, he looks like he is full of pride though he is an ordinary bodyguard.

Serena turned another page before finally lifting her eyes. Damien stood a few feet away with both hands behind his back, his posture straight and relaxed. Even standing still, he looked intimidating.

“Yes.” She closed the book and smiled sweetly. “I’m craving coffee.” She said,

He looked at her for a second. “I’ll have one of the maids prepare it.” He said and started to leave.

“No.” She shook her head. “I want you to make it.” She said, making him stop on his track.

Silence stretched between them. Damien studied her face as though trying to decide whether she was serious. Apparently deciding that she was, he gave a small nod.

“As you wish.” Without another word, he turned and walked out. Serena blinked. That was easier than expected.

A few minutes later he returned carrying a white porcelain cup and placed it carefully on the table beside her.

“Your coffee.” She picked it up slowly, took a small sip, then wrinkled her nose.

“It’s too sweet, are you trying to give me diabetes?" Damien looked at the cup.

“I’ll make another.” He picked it up and left. Serena smiled to herself. Maybe this wouldn’t be so difficult after all.

Several minutes later he returned with a fresh cup. She lifted it, blew gently across the surface, and took another sip. Then she frowned.

“Now it’s too bitter.” Without a word, Damien reached for the cup. She handed it to him with an innocent smile.

“Third time’s the charm, make sure you didn't make any mistake again" She said.

He looked at the cup for a long moment. Then, instead of taking it away, he set it down on the table. Serena frowned.

“Aren’t you going to make another one?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he started walking toward her, slowly, calmly. One step. Then another. The smile on Serena’s face slowly disappeared.

“What are you doing?” She asked fearfully, even the look on his face was scaring her so much though she try to hide it.

He didn't respond to her, he kept walking. She laughed awkwardly.

“Damien? Don't move closer to me" She said but Still nothing.

Her heartbeat began to pick up as he stopped directly in front of her chair. She instinctively leaned back.

“I said the coffee wasn’t even that.....”

Before she could finish, he planted one hand on each armrest of the chair, trapping her without laying a single finger on her.

Her breath caught in her throat. His face was suddenly much closer than she had expected close enough for her to notice the faint scent of cedarwood on his cologne, close enough to see the tiny scar near his jaw, close enough to feel strangely aware of every beat of her own heart.

“What…” Her voice came out much softer than intended. “…are you doing? I will tell my father"

His dark eyes held hers without wavering.

“I’m making something very clear.”

His voice remained calm, yet every word landed with quiet authority.

“I was hired to protect you. I was not hired to be your servant.”

Serena opened her mouth, but no words came out.

“If you want coffee, ask one of the maids.” He leaned just a little closer.

“If you want to test my patience, today will be the first and last time.” Her fingers tightened around the armrest beneath his hand.

She wanted to argue. She wanted to remind him whose house this was. Instead, she found herself staring into his eyes, unable to form a single sentence. Why was her heart beating this fast? Why couldn’t she look away?

After what felt like forever, Damien finally straightened. The sudden distance between them allowed Serena to breathe again. He adjusted the cuff of his sleeve as though nothing unusual had happened.

“Dinner is at seven.”His tone returned to its usual professional calm.

“Don’t leave the house without informing me.” Then he turned and walked toward the door. Just before stepping outside, he paused. Without looking back, he added,

“And Miss Whitmore…” He called.

She swallowed. “…yes?”

“The coffee wasn’t too sweet. It wasn’t too bitter either.” Then he walked away, leaving the room as quietly as he had entered.

Serena remained frozen in the chair, her eyes fixed on the doorway long after he was gone. Finally, she lifted one trembling hand and pressed it against her chest. Her heart was still pounding.

“What…” she frowned, completely confused by her own reaction. “…was that?”

It was at that moment that Serena Whitmore realized she had just met a man who refused to play by her rules. And somehow… that only made her want to win even more.