Kate angled her chin. “Yes. But that’s not really the point.”

“Then what the hell is the point?”

“The point is you indicated, and obviously feel, there’s nothing between us but sex. I require more than that in a relationship. I demand more than that. Loyalty, fidelity, affection, respect. I expect a man to be able to say—without tripping over his own clumsy tongue—that he and I are dating. That he cares about me.”

“Damn it, it’s been nearly ten years since I dated anyone. You’d think you could cut me some slack.”

“Then you think wrong. Are we done here?”

“Man, you’re a hard case. No, we’re not done.” He yanked her to her feet. “I haven’t been with anyone else since you. I don’t want to be. I’ll make a point of making that crystal clear to Jerry or anyone else. I care about you, and I don’t appreciate being made to feel like an idiot because I don’t have a good handle on it.”

“Fine. Now let go.”

“If I could let go, I wouldn’t be standing here wanting to strangle you.”

“You insulted me. You insulted us. You’re the one who should be strangled.”

“I’m not going to apologize again.” He dragged her toward the door.

“Apologize? I didn’t hear any apology. What are you doing?”

“Just be quiet,” he ordered as he shoved the door open, continued to pull her down the corridor.

“If you don’t let go of me, this minute, I’m going to—”

The wind was knocked out of her when he simply hauled her up and over his shoulder. He clamped her legs still with one arm, yanked open the front door with his free hand.

“Have you lost your mind?” Too shocked to struggle, she shoved her hair up out of her face as he strode with her across the porch and down the front steps. “Have you completely lost your mind?”

“The minute I started thinking about you.” He scanned the street, spotted a woman coming out of the apartment building. “Excuse me! Ma’am?”

She glanced over, blinked. “Ah…yes?”

“This is Kate. I’m Brody. I just wanted you to know that we’re dating.”

“Oh, my God,” Kate whispered, and let her hair fall again.

“I see. Well…” The woman smiled, offered a little wave. “That’s nice.”

“Thanks.” Brody shifted Kate, set her on her feet in front of him. “Would you like to keep going, or are you satisfied?”

She couldn’t get the words out of her mouth. Simply couldn’t shove them from where they seemed to be stuck in her throat. She solved the problem by rapping a fist against his chest and storming back into the building.

“Guess not,” Brody decided, and strode in after her.

Chapter Nine

He caught her an instant before she could slam her office door in his face. Not that it would have stopped him now that he was revved up.

“Not so fast, honey.”

“Don’t you call me honey. Don’t you speak to me.” She rounded on him. “You’re nothing but a bully. Manhandling me that way. Embarrassing me on the street.”