Page 24 of Hooked on Marshall

“It’s not that I don’t want to,” I whisper. “But like I said before, you’re my boss.”

“Do I have a no fraternization policy here at the Alehouse?”

“No.”

“Do you intend on making a career of working here?”

“No,” I say again.

“Then there is no reason we can’t be in a relationship, Lana,” he says. “Unless, of course, you don’t want to be.”

“I didn’t say that,” I say quickly.

“Then what do you say? Do you want to give us a try?”

Tears fill my eyes at his words. Because everything he said about me is exactly how I felt when I met him. But it was such an emotional time, and I was still reeling from what happened with Jonas that I tried to put up a wall. A wall that Marshall has single handedly crumbled in the last two minutes.

“Okay,” I breathe.

The corner of his mouth twitches, but no smile erupts.

“Say the words, Lana,” he growls. “I want to hear them.”

I giggle, then give him what he wants. WhatIwant.

“Yes, Marshall,” I smile. “I want to give us a try.”

“Thank fuck,” he sighs.

I start to laugh, but he cuts of the sound with a deep, searing kiss. A pitiful moan leaves me as my hands fist in his shirt. As soon as he swipes his tongue into my mouth, he drops his hands from my face and pulls me into his lap. Then he bands his arms around me and pulls me tighter against him. I relish in the feel of him. Not to mention this kiss. But when the back door opens, I pull back and scramble off his lap. But he catches my hand to keep me from bolting completely.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he says in a low voice. “Sit down and let me get your laptop so you can show me what you’ve been working on.”

“Oh,” I breathe. “Okay.”

I sit. Then he presses a soft kiss to my lips before going to the break room to get my things. He chats with someone for a few minutes before he comes back in. Then he sets my things down on the worktable and waves me over. I settle in a chair beside him and log back in to open my file.

Then I start in with the explanation.

The reference to the Joneses and keeping up and the possible eating challenges we can do along with the menu changes and a loyalty rewards system for customers. I’m rambling, I know, but I’m really excited to take this and run with it.Ifhe likes it. So, when I’m done talking, I just sit back and wait. Several minutes pass before he says anything.

“Wow,” he breathes. “I didn’t expect anything like this.”

“Is that a good thing?” I ask.

“Hell, yeah,” he laughs. “This is far beyond what I was expecting. I love it. And I want you to run with it.”

“Really?”

“Yes,” he says with a sexy smile. “Really.”

“Okay,” I squeak. “I’ll get started as soon as my shift ends today.”

“No.”

“No?”

“No,” he grins. “You’ll get started now. If we get too busy, I’ll call someone in to cover. From now on, I want this to be your focus.”

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