Page 30 of Hers to Love
Brigham deserved what he was going to get—if Kori’s lawyer was worth her law degree. Marshall wrestled with whether or not he deserved punishment as well. And not just any punishment. He’d be called out and excoriated on social media. She was the employee, and he was the boss. If anyone should’ve had more willpower it was him because he had more to lose.
He’d thought they had come together at the same time. That the kiss had been mutual. He hadn’t considered himself wrong about that until this morning. And now he had a massive headache from going around in circles for hours.
When the meeting ended, Kori met up with Marshall and gave him a thumbs-up. “I thought that was a good presentation. What did you think?”
Jarod joined them. “Looked good to me.”
Marshall nodded. “I think this will be an excellent venture if the country can stabilize.”
Jarod snorted. “I don’t think that’ll happen anytime soon. With the fighting in the streets? There’ll be a full-blown civil war first. Then who knows how long that’ll last?”
“Way to bring the whole mood down, Jarod,” Marshall said dryly.
“Marshall?” One of the associates approached their group. “I hate to say it, but you and your colleagues should head to the airport immediately. We’ve just gotten word that there has been some fighting near there.”
“Are we in danger?” Jarod’s voice rose a notch.
Marshall and Kori exchanged a calm glance. Marshall expected Kori to be cool under pressure. She’d had enough training being Brigham’s lackey.
“We can’t say for sure. We don’t want to take any chances.”
“You’re being cautious,” Marshall said while gripping Jarod’s shoulder. “We appreciate it. We’ll get Jarod on board as soon as possible.” He winked at Jarod.
Jarod’s lips thinned while Kori sucked in hers, attempting to hide a smile. Her eyes met Marshall’s, and he read the appreciative humor in them.
Did that mean they were still on good terms? He hoped so.
Chapter 14
She had slept like a baby. A baby with sweet dreams.
It had been one of the most restful, peaceful nights of sleep she’d had since leaving Brigham’s company. Who knew all she had to do was get a kiss good night from Marshall to make that happen?
That kiss…
It had curled her toes, sent shivers all through her body, set off tiny explosions in her belly. Pressed deliciously against him, she’d felt the raging beats of his heart, and it had surprisingly matched her own.
She had thought she’d been the one to foolishly have these feelings, to have this crazy longing for him. She was supposed to have talked herself back into her room, but the gravitational pull between them was too much for her to overcome.
To be honest, she didn’t even try to fight it. For years, she had been so lonely. Meeting almost no one while working for Brigham, who had been insanely jealous of her time spent away from him. Her heart had been desperate for companionship, and finally she’d found a man whom she could put her trust in. She was learning to accept that she wasn’t the weak, useless girl her father had said she was, a girl who wouldn’t amount to much. She was tall and beautiful, so she might as well use that to her advantage.
She could never do that. What man would respect her? She didn’t want a man who mirrored her father—an abusive one who never met a woman he could respect. Life had dealt him an ironic blow: fathering three girls.
Kori settled back into her seat on the plane, and Marshall took the one opposite her. They had been trading glances throughout the meeting. He had looked uncertain about things, and she’d felt the same way. What did he think about the kiss? Was he sorry it happened? The only thing she regretted was their working relationship. Had she come here on a whim and met him, then it would’ve been different.
Except for Sabrina.
Kori put a hand over her eyes briefly and then tucked a few stray wisps of hair back into her updo. She didn’t want to appear upset. How had she not thought of her friend since the kiss?
Because Marshall had dominated her dreams. It was his strong, hard arms, his warm lips, his gorgeous eyes that had captivated her since she had closed the door on him. If only he knew she had wanted to run right back into his arms and kiss him. Tell him that everything would be okay. He had nothing to worry about.
And then invite him inside.
Kori rubbed the deepening crease between her brows. Not only was she a horrible friend, but she was also a terrible employee. Marshall was juggling losing his company and starting another one, and he had therapy.
And now this.
The girl who sues her boss for being unprofessional. A liability to any company who would risk hiring her. She had to convince him that she wouldn’t do that to him. The risk he’d taken would be rewarded.
