This Time, Forever Read online

  “Does not,” Linc said as he headed for the driver’s side door.

  Marley didn’t move. “You’ve got to be joking. You’re telling me you didn’t notice.”

  “No,” Linc said, opening the door and sliding inside.

  Marley had no choice but to do the same, but once she’d settled into the slick leather seat and pulled on her seat belt, she muttered, “Then you’re blind.”

  Linc laughed again. “And you’re sounding awfully jealous.”

  She jerked upright so hard the seat belt checked her in the neck. She grimaced and pulled the thing away from her skin. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “Where are we going?” he asked.

  She waved a hand imperiously. “I don’t care. You decide. Something fast. I wouldn’t want you to be late for Little Miss Biggest Fan.”

  He rested a hand on the steering wheel and turned toward her. “You really don’t like her, do you?”

  Marley drew back. It finally registered that she sounded like a jealous harpy. Lord help her. Half a day in the man’s company had her right back where she’d started years ago…lusting after Linc Shepherd.

  You are not lusting after him.

  But wasn’t she? Just a tiny bit? If she were honest with herself she’d have to admit she found him sexy. Frankly, she really didn’t blame Sharon for batting her lashes at him.

  “I’m just worried she might have an ulterior motive in wanting to sponsor you.”

  He still didn’t start the car. Marley hoped that he would, and that he’d drop the subject. Because the way he was looking at her sent a frisson of awareness through her that had her wishing she could roll down her window.

  “You’re worried I find Sharon attractive.”

  “I am not!”

  He smirked.

  “Linc, stop it,” she said, sitting upright and straightening her jacket. “I’m no more worried about that than I am jealous. Now. Let’s get going. We only have an hour.” Dratted man still didn’t start the car.

  “You still want me.”

  Her entire body burst into flames, from the tip of her toes to the top of her needed-some-new-highlights hair. “Let’s go,” she repeated, deadpan.

  “You still want me and you’re angry that someone else wants me, too.”

  “Linc—”

  He covered her mouth with his hands. Marley gasped, drew back. He followed her, the scent of his fingers filling her nostrils. Hand soap. That’s what he smelled like.

  “Face 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.

  “This is turning out to be an interesting day.”

  “I 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.

  “What?” he asked, giving her a movie star grin.

  “What will you do?”

  “Ask Gil to have you fired.”

  He shook his head. “You won’t do that.”

  “Yes, I will.”

  “Because 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.

  “I refuse to discuss the matter with you further.”

  “Because you know I’m right.”

  “Just drive,” she said, fed up with the situation.

  Humiliation. That’s what she felt. Because deep down she knew he was right.

  “Should we just skip lunch and head right to a hotel?”

  That did it.

  “Stop 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.

  “That sounded suspiciously like a threat,” he said.

  “It was.”

  He pulled onto the main road. “Where to?” he asked again.

  “Anywhere,” 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.

  THE 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.

  “I’ll see you later tonight,” Sharon said with a wide smile as they stood outside the store.

  “Thank you so much for your time.” Linc smiled politely.

  “You’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.

  “Whew, 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 you say that.”

  “I thought for sure she’d hand me her phone number before we left,” Linc said.

  “She 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.

  “Oh, 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.

  “Maybe we should make the best of it,” Marley said.

  “Truce?” 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.

  “I 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.

  Th
e 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.

  “I’ll meet you here in two hours.” She handed Linc his own room key.

  “Marley,” 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.

  “I mean it.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You’re really good at your job.”

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Had that been interest in his eyes? Was it possible?

  Could he be attracted to her?

  “I’ll see you later,” he said, turning and walking away before she could reply.

  “Yeah,” she heard herself mutter as she watched him disappear from view. “Later.”

  AFTER 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.

  “Hi,” she said softly.

  “Hello,” 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 figure off to advantage. It was black with a neckline that showed enough to snag a man’s interest, but not so much that it could be deemed unprofessional.

  “You look nice,” he said.

  “Thank you,” she said, looking around for Sharon, who obviously hadn’t arrived yet. “You look nice, too,” she added.

  He wore an off-white button-down shirt that turned his skin a honey brown. He had smile wrinkles near the corners of his eyes, she noticed, and a tiny scar on his forehead. Was it from the accident?

  “Should we go on in?” she asked, because whenever she thought of what he’d been through, her stomach twisted. No matter how much she’d tried to loathe him over the years, she’d never quite managed to pull it off. And so when she’d heard about the wreck, she’d been overcome by emotion. She wouldn’t wish something like that on her worst enemy.

  “I don’t see why not,” Linc said. “We can ask the maître d’ to show her to our table.”

  Perhaps they should wait, Marley found herself thinking, but Linc was already off arranging matters. She wouldn’t mind sitting down. She hated standing around making small talk. At least if they were seated, she could pretend to be interested in her menu.

  “Off we go,” Linc said when he returned a few moments later.

  What other scars did he live with? she wondered. Besides the limp and his inability to sit in a passenger seat? But then she caught a glimpse of the room they were entering and she almost drew up short.

  “Wow,” Marley said as they were shown to their table. A number of heads turned as they crossed along the lush carpet, but Marley wasn’t certain if that was because of Linc’s good looks, or because he was instantly recognizable to NASCAR fans.

  “This looks great,” Linc said, taking a seat opposite her.

  “It does,” Marley echoed, instantly using the huge menu to shield her face. But as it turned out, they didn’t have long to wait.

  “Don’t you just love this place?” Sharon announced as she approached.

  Marley heard Linc say, “It’s beautiful, Sharon. And the food smells scrumptious.”

  “Well, you better order champagne to go with your meal because I have some terrific news.”

  And Marley’s heart stopped. She set her menu down.

  “Linc,” Sharon said after she took her seat and pulled closer to Linc. “I just got off the phone with our chairman of the board. It’s unanimous. Shelter Home Improvement has agreed to a two-year sponsorship.”

  Marley felt her breath catch.

  But she wasn’t prepared for the emotion she saw in Linc’s eyes. There was such a profound look of gratitude—and relief—that Marley felt tears come to her eyes.

  “Congratulations,” Sharon said, having obviously spotted the same thing because she leaned in and squeezed his upper arm. Her nails were painted bright red, Marley suddenly noticed.

  “Thank you,” Linc said.

  When the champagne came, they lifted their glasses, clinking them and making the crystal ring.

  “To a long and successful business venture,” Marley said.

  “I’ll drink to that,” Linc said.

  Perhaps it was relief. Perhaps it was how horribly she struggled with keeping her emotions in check, but for whatever reason, she found herself drinking a bit more than usual. She was pretty fuzzy-headed by the time they finished dinner. That was unusual for her because she never, ever drank during business dinners. It was unprofessional.

  “I think I should probably have some water,” Marley said when Sharon tried to pour her another glass.

  “Don’t be silly,” she said. “Let’s drink this down,” but she had eyes only for Linc.

  “Actually, I think I’m going to retire for the evening. We have to head back to town early tomorrow morning and so I think I should get some shut-eye,” Linc said.

  They did not have to leave early, but Marley wasn’t about to argue the point. Obviously, Linc really had come to the realization that Sharon was doing her best to attract his interest and was trying to put a stop to things.

  “I should head upstairs, too,” Marley said.

  There was nothing Sharon could say to that, at least not without sounding rude, and so Marley found herself standing, her upper body wobbling a bit. Linc came around and steadied her with his hand.

  “Easy there,” Linc said. “Your brother will have my hide if I let something happen to you.”

  Sharon’s eyes widened at the familiarity of the gesture, so much so that Marley found herself saying, “Linc’s like a big brother to me,” as they walked out. “I’ve known him since I was a teenager.”

  “Really?” Sharon asked, seeming a bit appeased by the explanation.

  “In fact, I used to have the biggest crush on him.” She opened her arms wide, nearly clocking Linc in the nose. “Ooo. Sorry,” she said.

  They were in the main lobby now. Linc had to steady her again when they came to a stop.

  “I’ll just bet you did,” Sharon said, eyeing the two of them together.

  “But he rejected me and I got mad.” It was one of those moments when you know you’ve had too much to drink, but you can’t help saying the first thing that pops into your mind. “So I set his race car on fire.”

  “You did what?” Sharon cried.

  Marley nodded, swaying a bit. She knew she would hear about this later, but hoped Sharon wouldn’t think any less of Double S Racing when the head of sponsor relations was clearly tipsy.

  Oh, well.

  “Yup,” she said. “Threw a shop rag inside and lit it on fire.”

  “You’re kidding,” Sharon said, sounding more and more horrified.

  “I didn’t mean to catch the whole thing on fire,” she said. “I just wanted to scorch Linc’s custom race seat.”

/>   “But one of the techs had just used degreaser to clean off the interior,” Linc provided.

  “Oh, no,” Sharon said.

  “It, too, caught on fire,” Marley admitted.

  “Before we knew it, the whole car went up in flames,” Linc said. “Not one of my best moments,” Marley said.

  “I bet not,” Sharon said, appearing genuinely amused.

  “She was a major pain in my rear when she was younger.”

  Was it the champagne she had ingested, or was that a look of tenderness in Linc’s eyes. No way. She was definitely imagining it.

  “Anyway,” Linc said. “I always try to keep an eye out for her.”

  “How sweet,” Sharon said, but it was obvious she didn’t really think that. She looked at Marley as more of an imposition, Marley could tell.

  “He is, isn’t he?” Marley said, painting a look of adoration on her face.

  “I guess we’ll find out,” Sharon said, suddenly all business. “Thank you for joining me for dinner,” she said to Marley. “Linc, we look forward to working with you.”

  “Same here,” Linc said.

  And then they were alone.

  “Come on,” Linc said. “Let’s get you to your room.”

  But when he turned away, Marley was struck by the notion that she didn’t want this night to end and, even more shockingly, that yet again her crush had come back—full force, and that she was just tipsy enough to act on it.

  “Oh, dear,” she heard herself mutter.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  LINC KNEW she was tipsy. “What?” he asked. “Are you going to be sick?”

  She shook her head, but on her face was a look of horror akin to someone who’d just seen an apparition. “I’m fine,” she said softly.

  “Uh-huh,” he said, hooking his arm through hers so he could lead her past the registration desk.

  “Don’t,” she said quickly.

  He glanced down at her in surprise, and now she was frowning up at him. “I can walk just fine.”

  Aha. She was the type of person that believed there was nothing wrong with them when, in fact, there was. “Just the same,” he said, “I’m going to walk you to your room.”