Read This Time, Forever for Free Online Page A

the scent of his fingers filling her nostrils. Hand soap. That’s what he smelled like.
    â€œFace it, you’re still smitten with me.”
    She shook her head.
    He smirked.
    She darted sideways, all but yelling, “Don’t touch me.”
    That was when he decided to start the car. Marley heard his deep chuckle over the sound of the engine.
    â€œThis is turning out to be an interesting day.”
    â€œI mean it, Linc, if you ever touch me like that again…” But he backed the car out of its parking spot so fast she found herself yelping in surprise.
    â€œWhat?” he asked, giving her a movie star grin.
    â€œWhat will you do?”
    â€œAsk Gil to have you fired.”
    He shook his head. “You won’t do that.”
    â€œYes, I will.”
    â€œBecause if you do,” he said, droning on as if she’d never spoken, “you’ll have to admit the reason why.” He wagged his eyebrows at her devilishly.
    â€œI refuse to discuss the matter with you further.”
    â€œBecause you know I’m right.”
    â€œJust drive,” she said, fed up with the situation.
    Humiliation. That’s what she felt. Because deep down she knew he was right.
    â€œShould we just skip lunch and head right to a hotel?”
    That did it.
    â€œStop it,” she said firmly. “I don’t know what makes you think I haven’t outgrown my crush on you, but I have. So, please, let’s do our best to keep things on a professional level, okay? My job is to find you a sponsor, and come hell or high water, I’m going to do that. But if you make this difficult for me, if you insist on giving me grief about my past, I’ll hand your sponsorship problem over to another person, someone less qualified. Someone who might not succeed where I will.”
    The words had the desired effect. She saw his mouth tighten, the smile evaporating like water on hot asphalt.
    â€œThat sounded suspiciously like a threat,” he said.
    â€œIt was.”
    He pulled onto the main road. “Where to?” he asked again.
    â€œAnywhere,” she said.
    And wished anywhere could be far away from him. Despite her show of bravado, Marley knew she wouldn’t do as she threatened. She was too much of a professional for that. But she’d had to get him to stop. If he’d kept up his teasing, she might have done something foolish, like tell him he was right.
    She still wanted him. Badly.
    But she could never admit that. Not now. Not ever. She’d already made a fool of herself over him once before. She refused to do so again.
    Â 
    T HE VISIT to the local Shelter Home Improvement store proved to be as difficult to endure as their first meeting with Sharon. But the difficulty was no doubt compounded by the tension between her and Linc. They’d managed to get through their lunch, despite the fact that Marley had lost her appetite. But they were both on edge as they finished up the tour.
    â€œI’ll see you later tonight,” Sharon said with a wide smile as they stood outside the store.
    â€œThank you so much for your time.” Linc smiled politely.
    â€œYou’re welcome,” Sharon said, her eyes sliding up and down Linc in a way that made Marley want to shout, “See! See what she just did!”
    But Marley couldn’t do that. Instead she moved forward and held out her hand. “See you at dinner tonight.”
    She was beyond relieved when they were finally allowed to walk away.
    â€œWhew, I’m glad that’s over,” Linc said when they were outside and on their way to Marley’s car—no, unofficially Linc’s car—as the sun started to sink beneath the horizon. “You were right,” Linc said. “Sharon’s interest in me is more than professional.”
    Marley drew up short. “You see it now?”
    Linc nodded. “I do.”
    Her shoulders went slack with relief. “I’m so glad to hear