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Marley couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
    â€œYou sure you don’t want to grab a bite to eat with us?” Marley felt compelled to ask.
    â€œI wish I could,” Sharon said with a disappointed smile. “But we’ll connect again in about an hour when I take Linc on a tour of one of our stores. Afterwards we’ll head out for dinner.”
    Marley had known that was the plan. Still, she wasforced to sound excited as she said, “No problem. We’ll see you in an hour, then.”
    But the moment they stepped into the warm sunshine she couldn’t stop herself from saying, “Jeesh. I think I just witnessed the world record. I’ve never seen a woman bat her eyelashes more times in the space of an hour.” Marley stabbed the unlock button on her key chain more forcefully than necessary.
    â€œReally?” Linc said, sounding surprised. “I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.”
    That stopped Marley in her tracks. “You’re kidding, right?” she asked, but they were forced to move forward when a car headed toward them. They stopped in front of her car, Marley handing the keys to Linc absently. “Linc,” Marley mimicked. “I’m you’re biggest fan.”
    Linc laughed. “She didn’t say that.”
    Marley’s teeth ground in irritation. “No,” Marley reluctantly admitted. “Not those words exactly, but she couldn’t have been more obvious. She has the hots for you.”
    â€œDoes not,” Linc said as he headed for the driver’s side door.
    Marley didn’t move. “You’ve got to be joking. You’re telling me you didn’t notice.”
    â€œNo,” Linc said, opening the door and sliding inside.
    Marley had no choice but to do the same, but once she’d settled into the slick leather seat and pulled on her seat belt, she muttered, “Then you’re blind.”
    Linc laughed again. “And you’re sounding awfully jealous.”
    She jerked upright so hard the seat belt checked herin the neck. She grimaced and pulled the thing away from her skin. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
    â€œWhere are we going?” he asked.
    She waved a hand imperiously. “I don’t care. You decide. Something fast. I wouldn’t want you to be late for Little Miss Biggest Fan.”
    He rested a hand on the steering wheel and turned toward her. “You really don’t like her, do you?”
    Marley drew back. It finally registered that she sounded like a jealous harpy. Lord help her. Half a day in the man’s company had her right back where she’d started years ago…lusting after Linc Shepherd.
    You are not lusting after him.
    But wasn’t she? Just a tiny bit? If she were honest with herself she’d have to admit she found him sexy. Frankly, she really didn’t blame Sharon for batting her lashes at him.
    â€œI’m just worried she might have an ulterior motive in wanting to sponsor you.”
    He still didn’t start the car. Marley hoped that he would, and that he’d drop the subject. Because the way he was looking at her sent a frisson of awareness through her that had her wishing she could roll down her window.
    â€œYou’re worried I find Sharon attractive.”
    â€œI am not!”
    He smirked.
    â€œLinc, stop it,” she said, sitting upright and straightening her jacket. “I’m no more worried about that than I am jealous. Now. Let’s get going. We only have an hour.” Dratted man still didn’t start the car.
    â€œYou still want me.”
    Her entire body burst into flames, from the tip of her toes to the top of her needed-some-new-highlights hair. “Let’s go,” she repeated, deadpan.
    â€œYou still want me and you’re angry that someone else wants me, too.”
    â€œLinc—”
    He covered her mouth with his hands. Marley gasped, drew back. He followed her,