to coming with me for the week. That way you could keep working along in secrecy and keep me informed on everything as you find out about it.”
I paused, thinking about spending a week in Vegas with Marshall, working closely with him. He’d just been so gentle and nurturing to me just now, as if I was a newborn infant. It was surprisingly inviting to me, though. I began to believe there was more to him than raw sex appeal, a dynamic face and body, and eccentricity.
“I’ll be ready to go. Just let me know the details, Marshall.”
“Pack for a week and be ready to leave tomorrow morning at 12 noon. We’ll take the jet over and get settled in.”
“Do you want me in before that?”
“No, that won’t be necessary. You’ll have your work cut out for you this upcoming week.”
“Okay,” I said. I looked at Marshall and tried to determine why the gentle man had gone away so abruptly and the dominate decision maker had returned. He could switch gears in a single breath.
“I’ll be ready.”
“Excellent. Well, I’d suggest that you call it a night. I’ll make sure all these documents are packed and on the jet to make their way to Vegas with us tomorrow. Don’t keep me waiting when I get to your apartment.”
“Would it be easier for me to meet you at the airport?” I asked.
“No, I’ll pick you up at your apartment,” Marshall said. He turned and walked out of the room.
As ordered, I packed up my things and headed to the apartment to pack and get ready to go. I wasn’t excited about calling my father and telling him I’d be gone to Vegas for a week with Marshall Kent, but I had to. After all, it was firm business. My dad, like most people, had heard of the infamous personality of Marshall and was hesitant that this account was sending the lamb, in this case me, to the slaughter. I knew my dad trusted me and that was the way dads acted, but I couldn’t help but heed his warning a little bit. If Marshall made a move toward something other than business what would I do? And would he do to me what he’d been doing to that actress that one day? I hope so , I thought. I couldn’t have had more confusing signals going on in my brain at the possibilities that came with the question of Marshall making a move on me. Time would tell, I guessed.
Chapter 7
I’d eaten an early lunch before Marshall had picked me up—actually his chauffeur had picked me up. Apparently Marshall had some last minute details to attend to so he’d sent someone for me, which disappointed me. I guessed I was expecting him to show the sensitive sweet Marshall side I saw yesterday. Not the all-business one. The minute we met at the airport and boarded Marshall’s jet the attendant brought out a gourmet plate of lunch to him, which he began to eat greedily. I couldn’t help noticing that he looked incredibly sexy when he put the grapes to his lips though before tossing it in his mouth and chewing it hungrily. Finally, three platefuls later, he was done and he looked up at me, showing that he was satisfied. He ate as sensually and as enthusiastically as he had sex, I thought.
“A good lunch is just as essential as breakfast to a productive day,” he said.
“That’s why I ate.”
“I cannot help but wonder if you ate enough. Oh well, if you’re not hungry, you’re not hungry. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you change your mind though. There’s plenty of food for you here.”
“I won’t. Thank you, Marshall.” I smiled at him, wondering how he could eat the way he did and keep in such great shape plus keep his white shirt immaculate the entire time. He should eat naked, I thought. My thoughts of late had no sort of decorum at all. It was like my inner voice was trying to break through and tell me that I needed to ravage this man regardless of what happened afterwards. It would be worth it.
“What’s on your mind?”
“You,” I blurted. I immediately blushed, knowing that sounded rather suggestive.
Brad Strickland, THOMAS E. FULLER