Page 34 of Hers to Love
That was all it could ever be.
Marshall looked away from her anxious grin and cursed under his breath. Life had been fairly decent, but now it was in a full-blown nosedive with a jet engine attached. Thankfully, only one jet engine. He was a successful businessman who was unsuccessful in life and would have to start from the bottom again in both. He didn’t want to die with this plane; with it, he hoped to make a fresh start.
And he certainly didn’t want to lose Kori. If they survived this, he’d make it his mission to start his life fresh with her.
They followed the flight attendant’s instructions and put their heads between their legs. Kori gripped his hand, and Marshall squeezed back.
“Marshall!”
“I’m here.”
“I’m sorry for everything.”
He shook his head, constrained by his legs. “No deathbed confessions. We’re not going to die.”
Her head peeked out from behind her legs, and he saw her tearstained face. “I just don’t want to have never said it.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about.”
“Thank you for everything,” she whispered.
“Stop it!”
“What are you saying?” Jarod cried out.
Marshall groaned. Even with the plane going down, this guy was trying to dig up dirt on the two of them.
The plane shifted again, and this time, it was enough for all three of them to cry out. More papers went flying. Glasses that weren’t already shattered broke against the walls of the plane. The pilot’s voice came over the intercom saying a water landing was imminent and to prepare. Marshall’s and Kori’s gazes clung to one another and then…
Marshall felt himself being lurched to his right side and instantly felt a sharp pain around his middle where the seatbelt dug into his waist. Kori still gripped his hand, squeezing so tight it had gone numb. The pitch of Jarod’s scream reached a new octave, irritating Marshall’s inner ears.
After a few moments, the plane settled, Jarod finally stopped screaming, and Marshall rose up with a groan. Kori came with him, looking about frantically, her hair cascading wildly around her shoulders.
“Kori.” With a hand on her cheek, he guided her eyes back to him. “Are you okay?”
She clutched his hand and nodded. “You?”
“I think I broke my hip.”
Her eyes widened, and her hands went to his seatbelt.
Marshall chuckled. “I’m kidding, but the seatbelt is definitely going to leave a bruise.”
Her eyes were full of water when they lifted back to his. He threw caution to the wind. He no longer cared about the consequences. They survived a plane crash, for Pete’s sake. He was going to kiss the girl.
He cupped her head in his hands and drew her close. Their lips met in a passionate kiss. His lips lingered on hers, and then he placed kisses on her cheeks and the tip of her nose. He tasted salty tears and smiled against her lips. When he opened his eyes, over her shoulder he saw Jarod’s still-crazed gaze on the two of them. He had a story to tell the board.
Marshall moved his focus to the woman he still held. She was smiling up at him. “I guess you are okay.”
Marshall returned her smile. “Sorry about that.”
She shook her head. “I’m not,” she whispered.
“Neither am I.”
“I know.” She winked.
His hands dropped, and he frowned. “I am sorry about Jarod though.” His voice was low.
