As Luck Would Have It by Jennifer Anne Read Free Book Online Page A

messy bun and hurried to meet Marcus.
    When she entered the lobby, Marcus was leaning against one of the decorative tables. She licked her lips to give them a glossy look since she had forgotten her lip gloss at home. He wore dark denim shorts with a black, white and gray striped shirt and his high top sneakers, untied. Sydney raised her head and eyes to the sky, as if that’s where Philippe was. Is this a joke? Are you subconsciously telling him what to wear? How bizarre. They almost matched again.
    He noticed her the second she came into view. Before saying a word, he kissed her wet lips, “Morning.” Grabbing hold of her hand, he led her to the door, “Are you ready to shop?”
    “Are you kidding? That’s like asking a bee if they make honey. I was born to shop. I only wish I had brought my other credit cards.” Waiting outside for them was a silver metallic Cadillac XTS. “Wow, nice car.”
    “I have a few clients that owe me favors, so I called in a few.” He reached for the back door to open it. “Slide in.” He mentioned to the driver that they were going to Planet Hollywood and continued his conversation with Sydney. “I told you this venture was my treat. I planned some things for the rest of the week, and you’re definitely gonna need other things besides what you packed.”
    “Like what? Where are we going?” she asked
    “It’s a surprise. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you what you need to wear on each day. It’ll be fun. Trust me.”
    “Obviously I trust you. I’m just not sure if I like being told what to wear. But then again, I won’t know where we’re going so whatever,” she said, rolling her eyes.
    When they arrived at the mall, Marcus placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her towards the mall entrance. “Let’s get some coffee first. Then I’ll tell you what you’ll need, and you can tell me where you want to shop. Is that a plan?”
    “Sounds like a plan. I’m gonna need something with that coffee. I’m starving.”
    Marcus laughed, “Yeah, we didn’t have much of a dinner last night. I’ll make sure you have a good lunch.”
    “Oh, and I have to get something for my lips. It’s so dry out here that they’re killing me.”
    “You’re not kidding. They’re killing me too. All I want to do is kiss them.” He pulled her into him and laid a hot, sexy kiss on them. “There. Now, let’s get some coffee.”
    Sydney looked mystified. “Such a public show of affection.”
    “I’m sorry, it wasn’t meant to embarrass you. I just want to make sure everyone knows you’re with me.”
    “I’m more than certain that it will be me trying to fight off all the girls lusting after you.”
    “You’d fight for me? That’s hot and sweet at the same time, and I’m more than certain you’d kick their asses.” He drew her closer for a hug. “All the guys keep looking at you in that tiny shirt. I swear you packed your daughters’ shirts by mistake.” 
    “They’re not my daughters’, and I guess we’ll be buying some new t-shirts,” she replied with a smirk and a swat of his ass.
    “Oh. I love the tiny shirts. I’ll just have to keep you close to me at all times.”
    “Works for me.”
    Their first stop was the Nestle Tollhouse Café. They both got a coffee, and Sydney got a few macaroons. Ready to go, she looked around for Marcus and noticed him eying the chocolate covered desserts. “Been there, done that. Wouldn’t mind doing it again but we’re moving on,” she said, as she remembered the other night.
    They shopped for lip gloss, clothes for Sydney, and a few items for Marcus. At each store Sydney attempted to use her credit card, and Marcus would just take it from the cashier’s hand and hand it back to Sydney. Getting a little pissed, Sydney mentioned, “I can pay for my own stuff you know.”
    “I’m sure you can, but I told you this shopping spree was on me. If I’m picking out the clothing, I should pay.” With a silly grin, he continued,