Page 23 of Hers to Love
She eyed the man’s jacket, draped over the chair at her desk. Every time she passed it, she smelled him. Earth, musk, and strength…with just the sweetest hint of pine. Her breath caught again as anticipation stirred in her belly.
As desire for his kiss radiated through her.
Kori groaned and put her face in her hands. Last night… Last night she practically threw herself into Marshall’s arms. Crying and whispering his name. It was tantamount to an invitation. After she had told him the story about Brigham? How could she have stood there, in front of her door, waiting for her boss to kiss her? Why didn’t she back herself into her room?
Furthermore, how in the world was she attracted to Marshall? Yes, he was taller than her five foot nine frame. Yes, he had an amazing smile that was too inviting for its own good. Yes, his body looked fit beneath his clothes, like he spent the right amount of time in the gym.
And no, he wasn’t too old. Well, maybe, but the way her heart had banged against her chest last night, ordering her forward and into his arms… Her body clearly didn’t mind his age. She didn’t either, finding his company interesting, his touch soothing as she spoke about Brigham.He was so thoughtful to ask for a raise.
He wasn’t perfect—nobody was—but she could tell that he was trying. The last two weeks had been stressful for them both, but Marshall showed up to work on time, every day, and with an attitude of determination.
And most of all, he knew where the line was and didn’t cross it.
That’s what made her respect for him grow. He was the one who had stepped back although she could’ve sworn his eyes had desired the same unspoken plea in her own heart.
Kori, how could you have let this happen?
After ordering her legs to move, Kori made it into the office. She swallowed some headache medication, a night of tossing and turning leaving her temple pounding, and settled into her morning routine. Then she saw the note. A handwritten yellow sticky at the top right edge of her desk calendar.
Already in meeting. Will text you with anything important. Marshall.
Kori breathed a sigh of relief at the delay in what was sure to be an awkward interaction. He was already hard at work before she had set foot in the building. If she could only avoid him for the rest of the day…
Maybehewas avoiding her, she mused as she returned to her desk after her third meeting that morning. Here he had hired someone with a black mark on her professional record, who could possibly damage the reputation of his company and end his career. Whatalmosthappened last night would confirm any suspicions. Could he be rethinking the raise? What if he had taken his concerns to the board?
The board!
They had to have known who she was. Kori was amazed she hadn’t been fired. She glanced at the clock on her computer screen. It was nearly lunchtime. Still enough time for her to be fired today.
She had to get over this…this attraction she had to Marshall. It wasn’t healthy for her and he wasn’t in a position to be in a relationship even if he wanted to. He drank entirely too much, and he was still bitter over his divorce.
And he’s Sabrina’s father!
Kori groaned and let her head fall onto her desk. The vent near her head blasted the sweat on her neck dry. The soft, meditative music from her computer speakers numbed her mind to the impossibility.
It couldn’t happen. It just couldn’t happen. What would Sabrina think if Kori told her that she’d fallen for her father? Well, ex stepfather.
But still…
They would never be friends again. It was…icky.
Kori snapped up, took a deep breath, and gathered the file folder on her desk. No more daydreaming about her gorgeous, icky boss with perfect wavy hair, a dimple she could jump in, and whose voice whispered to her heart to take a chance.
She’d run out of chances like she had jobs.
This was her last one and she wasn’t going to screw it up by falling for her boss.
She still had a job to do, and she was going to do it, no matter how embarrassing. She didn’t have to look into his gorgeous light blue eyes. Didn’t have to be swayed into la-la land when he smiled at her. Her body didn’t have to tremble when his knee-melting baritone voice said her name. Her subconscious wasn’t going to have any more power to torment her while she slept.
Yes, she’d spent the night dreaming about him. His laughter, his arms around her, his kiss…
Kori stomped her way to Marshall’s office. When no greeting came after her knock, she walked in and let out a breath. He wasn’t in. Probably in another impromptu meeting, which was pretty much his schedule since the start of the day.Good.Time away could make them forget what had almost happened. She’d gain the courage to smile and say “sir” like their souls weren’t bonding.
Her eyes caught a missing piece of furniture. The liquor cabinet that sat prominently between the armchairs near the window was gone. Replaced by a small table that displayed a plant and what looked like a pitcher of cucumber water. Kori blinked. She scanned the office and even snuck a peek behind the secret closet door. No cabinet.
Had he gotten rid of it? When? Her heart warmed and respect for her boss climbed. She’d told him what drink did to people, and he had gotten rid of the booze. She found herself smiling, mood lightened.
When she returned to her office, she started to draft a quick email to tell him how much she liked the plant but stopped herself. Less communication was better. She wanted to leave little chance of her emotions growing more attached to this handsome, thoughtful man who had listened to her.No!She also had to stop admiring him and assigning positive adjectives to him—starting with handsome.
