Page 75 of The Guest Cottage

“Hmm,” she said. “If that’s how you react when irritated, I’ll need to bug you more often.”

A reluctant smile caught him off guard. “You deliberately set me off?”

“I like how you detonate,” she replied with a smile of her own. She, too, stood, and then walked with him to the front door. “Let’s make another deal.”

Temptation burned through him. “If it involves stripping off my clothes, I don’t have time.”

Her laugh was half snort, half surprise. “Unfortunately, I don’t have time for that either. If I want to catch Sandra, I need to make the call in the next fifteen minutes. Assuming her normal schedule has resumed, she’ll be heading out for a salon appointment soon.”

“I hope it goes well.”

“I just hope I can get a straight answer from her.” She stepped into the open doorway with him.

He’d like to think she was as reluctant to end their pleasant morning together as he was, but he could tell that Marlow had already moved on to business. It was one more thing he admired, her ability to compartmentalize tasks. He was sure that characteristic had helped to make her effective in business, too.

Looping his arms loosely around her waist, he prompted, “The deal?”

“If you decide you’re ready to move on, come right out and tell me. I can handle it, and it’s what I’ll do if I come to that conclusion.”

What the hell? There went his good mood, not that he’d let her know it. “So now I have to loop back to my earlier question. What did I do to put this in your mind?” Or was it somethingshewas doing? Was the relationship winding down for her?

No, he didn’t like that possibility at all.

“You haven’t done anything.”

Was that the problem? Was there something she wanted him to do? Knowing the mess she’d walked out of, did she need something more of him? A declaration probably wouldn’t hurt. “I like you, Marlow. I’m enjoying our time together.”

“Our time has been interrupted by my in-laws, and now Pixie, and then there’s the possibility of an intruder on your property.”

“None of that bothers me, and it’s been my impression that you’re dealing with it, too, taking everything in stride.”

She laughed. “Not in stride, no. My mother-in-law is like fingernails on a chalkboard. Pixie was a punch to the heart, but now I consider her a friend. And that intruder, well, he scares me, but I’m not a faint-of-heart type of gal, you know?”

It was impossible not to kiss her. “Yeah, noticed.” And he admired that quality in her most of all.

Bemused by the kiss, she licked her lips and then continued as if she had a specific point to make. “Those are my problems. . . but they’re somehow becoming yours, too. That wasn’t my intent.”

“So you’ve livened things up a little.” With a deliberately casual shrug, he tried to let her know he wasn’t worried. “I appreciate it.” And then to give her another declaration, he added, “You’re worth it.”

Pleasure brightened her eyes and added a slight curve to her lips. Then she stepped in close and hugged him. “You always give me the best compliments.” After another squeeze, she stepped back. “Still, if it gets to be too much, I want you to be upfront with me.”

Cort gave her a long look. “I’m not him, Marlow. I’m not weak. I don’t play games, I don’t lie.” When she was with him, he didn’t want her thinking about her deceased husband at all. “And I would never use you.”

“You’re nothing like him. I know that.”

Did she? As a Marine, he’d been taught to keep himself in check. That discipline had carried over into civilian life. It was now a part of him, like the color of his eyes or his need to remain active. “I’ve been told I’m hard to read.”

Expelling a breath, she said, “Sohard to read.”

He cupped her face. “How about I promise to always be upfront with you? On everything?”

“I would appreciate it. And I’ll be the same.” With a wince, she added, “That’s why you should know that I don’t want to leave Bramble, and I’m mounting a campaign to win over the town.”

Cort grinned. Did she think he hadn’t noticed? That anyone hadn’t noticed? Marlow wasn’t a subtle person when it came to her intentions. “The originals are pretty entrenched in their decision to keep the town from growing, but they also like you a lot.” And if she didn’t prevail, there were properties outside the town proper.

“As long as you don’t feel pressured.”

She often amused him. This was one of those times. “I know the difference between pressure and pleasure. You’re pure pleasure.”

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