Page 32 of Hers to Love
In the same vein, Gregory Kaye found nothing but fault in his three daughters. As the eldest, Kori had experienced the most criticism. She was supposed to be a model for her younger sisters, and she was held up as a whipping boy instead. She’d never been looked at with such love and acceptance until Marshall.
Love? Was it love she was seeing? Or just bloated appreciation? Either way, she’d take it, never realizing before how much she needed it. But she didn’t want it to be a crutch. She had a long life ahead of her, God willing, and couldn’t rely on a man to puff up her self-worth.
And what she felt in return for him had less to do with her self-worth and more to do with desire. To feel his arms around her, his lips conjuring delicious need that filled every inch of her.
“The board already ordered me to fire you,” he said quietly.
Her heart plunged and her voice croaked. “They did?”
His intense gaze bore into her. “I refused. Does that not mean anything?” He took a step forward. “Kori, do you not understand what you mean to me?”
She was beginning to. He had put his job on the line for her. What had the board offered him in return? His job, maybe? Whatever they did or didn’t offer him, he had refused and kept her employed. How much more trouble did that cause him?
“I think you should. Fire me.”
His eyes bugged. “Are you crazy!”
“Do it in front of the board. That’ll convince them that you’re serious about your position.”
“No,” he stated firmly, shaking his head. “Not happening.”
“Don’t you see?” She gripped his biceps. “They won’t let you leave after that.”
“You don’t deserve that, Kornelia. And if you think you do, then you’re wrong.”
His eyes had darkened like the sky before a major storm. It thrilled her that he would take such a risk for her, but it pained her all the same because of what he would be giving up for her. “Marshall, I’m only thinking of—”
His arms drew her firmly into his chest.Yes, her heart cried. She would follow him off the cliff, and whatever was below, they’d face it together. Their lips came within a breath when the frantic voice of the attendant shattered their dream.
Chapter 15
Marshall rushed toward the front of the plane, ignoring Jarod’s suspicious glare. He sensed Kori was on his heels. He stopped a passing steward who was yelling for him to return to his seat and put on his seatbelt. They were taking off.
“What’s going on?” Marshall demanded.
“Rebels are on the runway. We’ve got to get out of here, now!” the attendant shouted. She then ran toward the back and disappeared behind the curtain.
Marshall tightened his seatbelt, and Kori did the same.
“They better get us out of here,” Jarod said from his seat. “I’m not getting paid to be in a warzone.”
“Relax,” Marshall commanded. The plane picked up speed, jerking them around as it ran over bumps along the runway. “We’ll be fine.”
“You can’t promise that,” Jarod snapped.
“I can promise to put you to sleep for the duration of the flight if you don’t shut up,” Marshall replied in a cool tone, his hard gaze on Jarod. Jarod looked away, his pale face a defiant grimace.
The plane’s nose lifted, and they were in the air. Kori let out a sigh of relief. She slipped her hand beneath his arm and gripped it. Marshall wanted to cover her hand with his own, but Jarod’s eyes were only a few feet away. Marshall inched closer to Kori to hide her hand with his body.
“Looks like we took off just in time,” Kori whispered.
Marshall winked at her. “Why are you trying to jinx it?”
Kori chuckled and squeezed his arm. “I’m not! I’m glad we made it, but I’m sorry we didn’t get to spend any time in Bendola.”
“Same here. They have a gorgeous beach—”
A loud noise erupted right outside the plane, which violently tilted in response. They let out sounds of shock.
