Read The Lawson Boys: Marty for Free Online Page A

matched
hers.
    This time he
snapped the paper briskly.
    Belle folded
her arms beneath her breasts, which caused the generous mounds to
swell against the bodice.
    Give him his
due, Marty’s gaze faltered only briefly. His mouth quirked at the
corner, the dimple appearing.
    “Come,” he
coaxed, his voice deep and oozing masculine confidence. “Tell
me.”
    “Tell you
what?”
    “Honey, you’re
The Other Woman. Everyone is wondering who you are. That’s why you
don’t want to go out now.”
    “No. I said I
don’t feel well.”
    “That’s the
sensation of the butterflies in your belly having a panic
attack.”
    Dropping all
pretence, she glared at him. “What do you want, Martin?”
    “Ooohhh,
Martin. My mother calls me that when I’m in trouble.” Dropping the
newspaper onto the table, he stuck both hands into his pockets and
rocked back on his well-shod heels. “Am I in trouble, Belle?
Because I rather thought it was the other way around.”
    “Then you’d be
wrong. Trevor was in trouble. I’m just fine.”
    “If you’re just
fine then you don’t feel sick, your butterflies aren’t having a
panic attack, and we can go out for dinner and drinks.”
    “No.”
    “Yes.”
    Frustrated, her
emotions a jangled mess, Belle slammed her hands on her hips.
“Look, I appreciate you keeping your mother happy, but-”
    “Oh, honey, I’m
not taking you out to keep my mother happy.” His smile flashed
white against his tanned skin. “I’m taking you out because I like
you.”
    Her mouth fell
open.
    “I also know
you’re scared stiff that someone will recognize you, but you can’t
hide in the house forever, Belle. Now get your things and lets
go.”
    “Are you
listening to me? I said-”
    “I’m
listening.” Walking past her, he smoothly slid his arm around her
waist and brought her along with him, tucking her into his side as
he did so. “Now here’s what I propose. We skip the expensive club I
was planning on taking you to, we go to some cheap dive no one who
mixes in Trevor or Melissa’s company would ever dream of going to,
we have a nice meal and some drinks, you relax, and we enjoy
ourselves.”
    By the time
they got to the foyer, she’d regained her senses and dug her heels
in. When Marty looked down at her inquiringly, she said, “I don’t
think this is a good idea.”
    “If you don’t
go out, Mum will start to get suspicious. She’ll think I did
something to you.” His eyes gleamed a little wolfishly. “I promised
her that I’d be good.” His face saddened a little, though his eyes
retained the twinkle. “Come on, Belle. You’ve had a rather nasty
start to your holiday and I’m here to see that you enjoy tonight.
All you have to do is eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”
    Looking up at
him, she couldn’t stop the sad droop of her shoulders.
    “Or talk.” His
gaze softened, and reaching up, he gently stroked her cheek with
his thumb. “Or not. Just come and relax, Belle. We’ll go somewhere
you can relax and not be afraid of being recognized. Okay?” He held
up three fingers in the Boy Scout salute. “I promise to
behave.”
    “Your Mum said
you’d never been a Boy Scout.”
    He made a
motion of crossing his heart with one finger. “Better?”
    Looking up at
him, Belle could see the sincerity in his expression. All amusement
was gone from his handsome features and was now replaced with
concern.
    Yes, she could
stay in this house, holed up, thinking about Trevor and his
treachery. Or she could go out and relax for a few hours. Marty,
she was certain, would ensure she was okay. If he didn’t, it would
reflect on his family and that was one thing she knew a Lawson
never did.
    Besides, didn’t
she deserve a nice evening with a handsome man after what Trevor
had done to her? After all, she’d done nothing wrong, so why should
she be the one hiding?
    She smiled up
at Marty. “Okay.”
    His grin was
instant. “There you go.” Picking up her lace cardigan and clutch,
he handed