Page 37 of Hers to Love
“Well…”
Marshall’s eyes narrowed. The seat near her bottom dipped slightly and she felt a pinch.
“Hey!” she hissed. She motioned with her eyes to Jarod, sitting on Marshall’s other side. Marshall lifted his chin, a triumphant smile on his face. He seemed completely unconcerned about their observer.
“How long do we have to be here?” Jarod asked from the other end of the seat. He rubbed at his already sunburnt forehead and made a face that indicated displeasure at the forthcoming pain and peeling.
“Should only be for the night,” one of Daemon’s men said from the front passenger seat. “Plane’s on the way. We’ve reserved rooms for you at the hotel. Flight leaves tomorrow morning at eight am Pick up’s at seven.”
“You’ll be able to get a good night’s rest,” Marshall added in a teasing tone.
Jarod snarled at him and looked away.
Within a few minutes, they were walking through the lobby of an expensive hotel abutting the Atlantic. Kori’s feet drifted to the window of a clothing store, her eyes going from the hemline to the collar of a blue and gold-colored dress with what Kori suspected was a traditional embroidery design. The hem was shorter to show off the knees, but dipped low to the ankles in the back.
Kori stepped inside the shop and read the label. A Kanga dress.
“You’d look lovely in that,” Marshall’s husky voice floated over her.
“You think so?” she whispered, not daring to look at him. Her heart thrummed, sending hot blood throughout her body. Through the display window she saw Jarod watching them.
He’d already seen Marshall kiss her. If he hadn’t already phoned back to the board, it would be all over the office tomorrow.We’re tempting fate.
And she shuddered at what fate would throw back. Her lawsuit with Brigham wasn’t settled; she couldn’t risk that outcome any further.
Marshall stood beside her. “Let me buy it for you.”
“I got a raise, remember? I can buy my own clothes.”
He faced her, his voice insistent. “I know you can, but it pleases me to…provide for you.”
She smiled sadly at him. “You’ve been doing that since before we met. I can’t ask—”
His hand cupped her elbow. “You’re not asking. I’moffering.”
She stepped back, instantly regretting the loss of his touch. “Thank you, sir, but I’d like to buy it myself.”
His neck arched away and he blinked a few times. “We’re back to sir? When did that happen?”
“It should’ve always been that way.”
“Kornelia,” he breathed, his eyes closing as his face tightened.
When she passed him, his hand caught her arm. How he could do that with his eyes closed, Kori had no idea.
Their eyes locked. “At least join me for dinner tonight. You can’t refuse food.”
“Jarod—”
“Can fend for himself.”
Marshall didn’t release her until she nodded yes. And a few hours later, she was walking across the lobby, watching unabashed pleasure fill Marshall’s features as his gaze dragged slowly down her body.
“You look…” he breathed, still not meeting her eyes.
“Thank you.”
He grinned, his cheeks flushed. “I am doing my level best not to say anything inappropriate about that dress.”
