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you say that.”
    â€œI thought for sure she’d hand me her phone number before we left,” Linc said.
    â€œShe was something else all right.”
    They were in a shadow, and Linc’s afternoon razor stubble more pronounced. Damn, but he was sexy-looking. She blinked, then immediately chastised herself for having such a thought.
    Not again, remember? she reminded herself.
    â€œOh, well,” Linc said. “At least we get a free dinner.”
    Marley nodded. They were eating at The Plantation, a posh restaurant located along the outskirts of Atlanta. A former tobacco farm, the owners had converted the two-story antebellum mansion into one of the city’s best restaurants, with spacious suites upstairs, excellent food…at least according to the website.
    â€œMaybe we should make the best of it,” Marley said.
    â€œTruce?” Linc asked, holding out a hand.
    Marley stared at the limb, remembering the way his fingers felt against her mouth. Her body warmed up all over again. “Truce,” she said, taking his hand.
    It felt like clasping an electric fence. Marley had never touched him before, not like this. Their eyes connected. Marley saw his lashes flicker, quickly, but then he was looking away and stepping back.
    â€œI suppose we should head on over to The Plantation and check in,” he said. He didn’t wait for a response, just made a beeline for the car. Marley was left standing there wondering what had just happened.
    Had he felt it, too?
    It sure seemed that way, at least judging by the look in his eyes. Something had sparked in the depths of his gray eyes, something that’d made adrenaline rush through Marley’s veins.
    The drive over was quiet, Marley trying her best to think of something to say. In the end she gave up. If he didn’t want to talk, she wouldn’t push it.
    A few minutes later they pulled into a long drive lined by ancient trees. Sharon had suggested they stay there and Marley could understand why. The lavish interior with its twenty-foot ceilings featured a number of extravagant floral arrangements that took her breath away, one smack in the middle of the marble foyer. A black-clad lobby attendant pointed them toward the reservation desk. She was never more glad than when the hotel checked them in quickly.
    â€œI’ll meet you here in two hours.” She handed Linc his own room key.
    â€œMarley,” he said softly.
    Her whole body reacted to the timbre of his voice. The way he’d said her name…it sounded almost like a plea. When she looked into his eyes she saw something in his gaze, something that she’d never seen before. Desire?
    Her heart began to pound. “Yes?”
    But as quickly as the look came, it faded. “Thanks for doing this for me,” he said.
    That wasn’t what he’d been about to say. She would bet her life on it. “You’re welcome,” she said.
    â€œI mean it.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You’re really good at your job.”
    â€œThank you,” she said.
    Had that been interest in his eyes? Was it possible?
    Could he be attracted to her?
    â€œI’ll see you later,” he said, turning and walking away before she could reply.
    â€œYeah,” she heard herself mutter as she watched him disappear from view. “Later.”
    Â 
    A FTER TWO HOURS PASSED , an anxious Marley left her room with her heart in her throat. Every time she recalled the look in Linc’s eyes, her pulse began to pound.
    That had been interest in his eyes. She was certain of it.
    She found Linc standing by the entrance to the restaurant, his black pants hugging a body still honed by fitness, despite his injuries.
    â€œHi,” she said softly.
    â€œHello,” he said right back, eyeing her up and down.
    And, okay, she could admit it. She’d dressed up for him. When she’d packed this morning she’d grabbed a dress that she knew set her