Page 28 of Hers to Love
Kori slid an inch closer, keeping her voice low. “You did nothing, sir,” she said earnestly. “I…I took no offense, and I’m grateful to be working with a boss that’s as professional as you. It…it was entirely my fault. I was emotional and—”
His hand briefly touched her thigh, branding her, and he pulled back. “Let’s just forget it, okay? We’re going to have our hands full in Bendola. We’ve got to stay focused.”
She nodded wordlessly. He was right. Whatever they were feeling it couldn’t be acted on, not now and certainly not ever. They had to concentrate on their jobs. One day at a time.
“Read this, if you haven’t already. I sent you an electronic copy.” He handed her the prospectus he was reading earlier. “Let me know your thoughts. And I’ve amended our schedule, if you want to look it over. If you have any questions, ask.”
“Yes, sir.”
Marshall’s closed lips tilted up briefly before he moved back to his seat and picked up his laptop.
Kori let out a breath and turned to the page in the prospectus that she had left off during their ride to the airport. Their flight was going to be a long one. She could finish reading this and give him some notes—if she could keep her eyes on the pages and not her boss.
Her fingers grazed where he had touched her thigh, the area still warm.
Kori cautiously glanced at Jarod, whose narrowed gaze was on Marshall. She smiled. Jarod had no chance. No reason to be mad. Marshall was in a different category altogether. One that appealed far more to Kori. If the guy didn’t get it, then that was on him.
About twelve hours later, they were on the ground and at the hotel. After dropping Jarod on his floor, Kori and Marshall rode the elevator up to theirs.
They stopped at Kori’s door before his, which was right next door.
Marshall lingered, and Kori waited for him to give her final instructions before their meeting tomorrow. It was already late, and Kori had refused to go down to dinner with Marshall, opting to order room service and get some sleep. Marshall had thought that was a good idea and, since he’d already forgotten to invite Jarod, figured it was just as well. Kori had tried not to snicker at Marshall’s “forgetfulness.”
“Kornelia, I wanted to apologize again.”
“No, please don’t, Marshall.” She dropped her bag on the floor. She placed her hands on his sagging shoulders. “I want you to feel comfortable working with me because the summer isn’t over yet, and it’s going to be a long one. Especially if the board plans on sending us overseas on these last-minute trips to test your fortitude.”
His lips slanted down to one side. “I’ll try my best to get a heads-up about them so it’s not too stressful for you.”
Kori smiled at him. “I’m not stressed. I thrive in working in a fast-paced environment, honestly. And I am comfortable with you, Marshall.”
The corners of his mouth twitched upward. “Must be if you’re calling me by my first name.”
Kori quickly dropped her hands and took a step back. Her cheeks warmed. “Sorry, sir.”
His face appeared pained, and his color paled. “Not as sorry as I’m going to be.”
Kori held her breath, hearing her heart thundering in her ears. Deep inside, she felt regret growing in her as well. Not for what couldn’t be, but for what his eyes told her was about to happen. His gaze dropped slowly to her lips.
Kori knew she should duck inside. She didn’t last time, and it had been a mistake. She had thought Marshall hadn’t wanted to cross the line, which was why he’d stepped way back.
But if she had to take a guess right now—he was staring at that line and debating whether or not to cross it. She hated this, because if he wasn’t her boss…if he was just someone she worked with, then she would’ve dared to break her no-office-relationship rule.
Just for a kiss.
Kori wet her lips.
At the same moment, she fell into his embrace as his arms went around her back. Kori tilted her head back. His warm lips gently brushed hers, the contact over too quickly.
Kori wrapped her arms around his neck and guided his head back down. The line was already crossed. No sense in not giving their all. His mouth crashed into hers in a passionate kiss that deepened as they tightened their hold on one another.
When at last it ended, they stared at one another, still embracing.
“Kornelia…”
His lips bore witness to her kiss, smudged with a faint burgundy stain. She pushed her curves deeper into his embrace, raised her eyes to his warm gaze and whispered, “Marshall?”
He swallowed, his lips twisting into a frown. “We…can’t.”
