Page 58 of It Started With a Scarf

I walked into his office. The other side of it was lined with windows, and I could see that he had the shades drawn where we were hidden from anyone outside. His desk was in a private spot, and I smiled at the sight of him sitting comfortably behind it. He leaned back in his chair and gazed at me with an appraising stare.

"Can you grab the lock on that door, please? I wanted to talk to you about some personal business, and I'd rather not be disturbed."

I was suddenly aware of the area in my lower core. There was a warm, electric feeling there and I tried to regulate my breathing as I crossed to the door and pressed the button to lock it. That lock brought back memories of some of my most blissful moments, and I was all hot and bothered with anticipation as a result of using it.

"Am I in trouble?" I asked innocently.

"I mean… you're really hard to reach sometimes."

"My phone was in here, and my walkie died."

"I know."

He was staring at me with a straight face, but he didn't mean it.

I crossed over to him. He was serious and powerful and determined, and I loved seeing him sit at his giant wooden desk. He worked hard and deserved the business to thrive like it was. He was sitting there being stoic, and I was aching to get next to him.

"I haven't seen you all day," I said, going over to him.

His legs were propped open, and I sat gingerly on his lap, resting my hand on his arm and looking down at him. He leaned in, lightly burying his face on my sleeve.

"You smell like the pool," he said, breathing in through his nose.

"I was in there for two hours," I said. "Fran couldn’t make it to her aerobics classes today."

"You taught water aerobics?"

"Yes," I said smiling. "And I loved it, it was fun."

I was keenly aware of the fact that I was sitting on his lap. I could feel the warmth of his body underneath mine.

"I think it's time we just get married, Marley. People are starting to notice you more, and with this podcast airing, I know people will know about you living over at the track. I just don't want you to—"

"Yes."

"Oh, really? I wasn't finished."

"You don't have to finish."

He pulled back and focused on me. "Do you know what I'm asking?"

"To move up the wedding?"

"Yes, or at least to have you move out of the place here and get closer to my house. In my house."

"Which one?" I asked.

"In my house."

"Fine, let's move up the wedding," I said.

"Are you just saying that because you can tell I'm about to explode right now?"

"I'm saying it because I'm about to explode," I said with a smile. "But more than that, because I love you. I love you the most of anybody in the world. Any human. I have to love God more than you. But that's good for you. I better go, though, my love. I told Blake I'd go talk to Mrs. Thornton."

"You better go? I haven't even gotten what I called you in here for."

"Oh, my schedule? Let me see…" I leaned in and kissed him, right on his mouth. I took his top lip into my mouth, sucking on it gently for a second before pulling back. "Mm, my schedule seems clear. But let me check one more time." I leaned in and kissed him again, holding the side of his face, and letting my mouth gently connect with his. Again, I took his lip into my mouth. This time it lasted a little longer. "Yeah, I'm all clear. I'm, my schedule is real clear. I can do anything you want."

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