Page 7 of Flawless Foundations

"Ah, well then take the night and don't worry about work. Enjoy your dinner." The advice rolls off his tongue so effortlessly that I find myself feeling just a tad calmer.

Pursing my lips in thought, I narrow my eyes at him. "Right, do you take that advice often?"

His deep, smoothing chuckle causes me to squirm in my seat. "Nah, I'm too cool to let work bother me like that." My face hardens, and he winks. I roll my eyes.

A beep comes from his wrist, and he glances at it. "Well, hang in here, Bex. I got to run."

He turns on his shiny black Oxford and exits the building. Not without a wave and goodbye to the doorman, as he passes.

Ugh. I find that man incredibly frustrating. And sexy. Which makes me ten times more annoyed with him.

He disappears out into the darkening New York night just as my phone beeps with my own alert.

Marshal:I'm here. Not coming up.

I take a deep breath.I will not strangle anyone of the opposite sex tonight. I'm better than this.I repeat this mantra as I stand and walk out into the evening. Marshal's driver Sam nods and opens the door for me, and I slide into the town car. Marshal is typing away on his phone. But as I settle in, he tucks his phone away into his chest pocket of his suit jacket.

He looks me up and down, and when he smirks, I know he likes my outfit for the night.

I'm wearing a navy trench dress. It's cut and fits like a trench coat, but it hugs all my curves just right. It's one of those dresses that look hideous on the rack but on, it fits fantastically, and it's one of my favorite dresses.

"You look amazing, Becca." He leans in and kisses my cheek. "But not what I would have picked out for a business dinner." He zeros in on my bare legs, yeah, no hose for this girl, before he pulls his phone back out and begins texting again.

"Thank you, Marshal. Fortunately for me, you don't get a say in what I wear." The jab slides right out of my mouth and the words stir into the space between us.

I expect a snarky response, but he emits a deep chuckle. "Very true, dear Becca." When nothing else is said, I look out my window and try to block everything out that has put me in a shitty mood. I close my eyes, shutting out the lights and business of the outside world.

Breathe. Breathe, Becca.

I'm not the kind of person who gets worked up easily. I'm just in a chapter of my life that I'm ready to close. I'm ready for a new career. A new boyfriend, well, I'd have to have one first. I'm not sure that I'm really feeling my time with Marshal anymore. I just need to regroup and set myself straight.

I let out a breath just as the car comes to a stop. The door swings open, and Sam helps me out of the vehicle. Once out of the car, Marshal leads me into Amore. The hostess must know him, as he doesn't give a name, and we are led toward the back of the room to our table. White linen drapes over the tables, all precise lines and elegant tableware. Our table is empty as we arrive, and Marshal holds out a chair for me. A single-page menu is handed to me and I'm reading the very slim nightly offering when I hear a familiar voice.

"Mr. King, thank you for joining us," Marshal says, standing from the table.

A deep, masculine chuckle fills my ears. "Please, call me Levi. Mr. King makes me feel old." I pull my menu away just as I see Levi shake Marshal's hand and then motions to the seat next to me. My eyes dart to a gorgeous brunette; who's wearing a black pencil skirt and white blouse. She smiles at me as she takes a seat. That's when Levi focuses on me. At first, his eyes widen in surprise, but his smooth, panty-melting smile slides into place. Damn that smile.

"Becca, it's so nice to see you again." His voice is dripping with humor and challenge. Like he's urging me to give him the attitude I threw his way only thirty minutes ago.

"Mr. King." I smile back. Two can play this game. He bites back his grin as he causally unbuttons his suit jacket and sits down, never taking his eyes off me. He's so smooth that I get lost in his movements.

"That's right, the two of you know each other." Marshal breaks through the moment. I pull my eyes from Levi and force myself to look back at my menu. "What a small world." Marshal chuckles at that. I glance his way, and I can tell he's not at all surprised and suddenly, I wonder if I was played. Marshal found out I was connected to the Kings, and suddenly I'm requested to attend a business dinner with the one and only Levi King.

Making eye contact with Marshal, I study him. He looks completely free of guilt and just winks at me before focusing on the woman seated next to me.

"Forgive my manners, I'm Marshal Tame." He leans forward to shake her hand across the table. She mimics him but giggles and blushes. I hold in my sigh. Really? Is it necessary to fawn over someone else's wealthy attractive date when she's here with her own?

"My name is Steph Deluca, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Tame," she purrs.

"The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Deluca. But I insist, call me Marshal."

She giggles some more. I really hope she gets the giggling under control. Burying my nose in the menu, I steal a glance at her. Her light brown locks are curled and hang past her shoulders. She's got nice hair, her color work had to cost a pretty penny. She laughs lightly, which is a nice change from her schoolgirl giggle, and I realize that I've missed what was said as she glances toward me with unease in her eyes.

I lower the menu and peer up to see Levi staring at me. Mirth dances in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I was focused on the dinner selection." I picked out what I was going to have a while ago.

Levi just shakes his head and peruses his own menu. I glance at Marshal, and he's focused on Levi. What is he up to? I wish I would have asked more about this meeting. After we all get a chance to look at the menu, we order, and Marshal wastes no time diving into business. He and Levi talk, and I attempt to follow but when they start talking logistics and time frames. I let my eyes wander around the table. Steph looks as if she is following the conversation, but at times, I can read her expression enough to know she's out of her depth here. She doesn't contribute, but occasionally, Levi will ask her a question and she will offer an answer. That's when I realize that she's not a date but someone he works with. But she looks at him like she's seen him naked. I shift in my seat. I wonder if they are sleeping together. Does that affect their working relationship? Emmy hasn't mentioned him seeing someone. I ping pong my eyes between the two, trying to determine if they are, in fact, an item. But for the life of me, I can't read anything from him when he looks at her. Every once in a while, Levi will catch me watching him, and when he does, his eyes fill with mischief.

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