Cookies for Courting by Amber Kell Read Free Book Online

fumes.”
    “She can sleep in guest room. How long will it take?”
    Pace examined his latest drawing. “If there aren’t any substantial changes, four to six weeks.”
    No other projects had to be finished anytime soon. He could focus all his energy on Alice’s mural.
    “I don’t want to sleep anywhere else,” Alice said, her face set in a petulant pout.
    “Trust me, sweetie, you don’t want to be breathing in paint.”
    “Fine.” Alice scowled at him as if he were the one responsible for her inconvenience.
    “Or you could just not have a mural,” Marshall said, walking into the room. “I won’t have you giving my artist a hard time because he’s doing his job.”
    Pace’s heart skipped a beat at the phrase “my artist.” He took another bite of cookie, and heat exploded across his body. It took all of his restraint not to throw himself at Marshall. Damn, the man looked good even in Saturday casual wear of loose jeans and a polo.
    Alice immediately dropped her attitude. “I’m sorry, Pace,” she said, blinking at him with her big green eyes.
    Pace almost choked on his new bite of cookie. Girls learned young how to twist men around their fingers. “Apology accepted.”
    He managed to speak through his lust over her uncle, but it was a difficult task. Concentrating on the details of the mural distracted him enough to get his body back under his control.
    Ilona slipped out of the room.
    “I’m sorry I couldn’t be here when you first showed up,” Marshall said. “My phone conference ran long. I hate it when investors don’t listen to your advice, then complain because their investments tank.”
    Pace smiled sympathetically. “I bet that’s frustrating.”
    “It can be, but every job has its downside. How are you two doing here?” He waved a hand to indicate the drawings.
    “I did a preliminary sketch, and if you’re okay with it, Alice wants this castle.” Pace tilted his sketchpad to show what he’d drawn.
    Marshall walked over to the sketch. He ran an assessing gaze over all the choices on the floor before returning his attention to the one Pace had on his sketchpad. “This is the one you want?” he asked Alice.
    Alice nodded.
    “Do you think you can get this on those two walls?” Marshall asked Pace, indicating the far corner of the room. Not even a Hello Kitty poster or a picture of any kind graced that area.
    Pace nodded. “Joyce told me where it was supposed to go. However with this version, I think it would have more of a punch if it were across all three walls. The castle across the back wall and the village spreading out onto the other two at least halfway across. But I will do it however you like. If you take my suggestion, it will take at least six weeks to finish.”
    Marshall stared at the space, then turned his gaze to Pace. “Well, you’re the expert. If that’s what you think we should do, then that’s what we’ll do. What do you think, Alice?”
    Alice smiled. “I like Pace’s idea.”
    “I can start next week, if that’s convenient,” Pace told Marshall.
    “Do you have a contract for me to sign?” Marshall asked.
    “Not with me. I’ll be sure to e-mail it to you. That way if there’s any problem, you can call and let me know.”
    “Good, good.” Marshall picked up a cookie and took a bite.
    As he chewed, his eyes darkened, and the flare of need in his eyes melted some of Pace’s resolve. Pace smiled at the brief moan Marshall quickly cut off. They exchanged amused glances. Apparently, they both really liked oatmeal cookies.
    Shaking himself out of his daze, Pace offered his hand to shake. “I’ll see you in a few days.” He had to order his supplies, but he knew of a company who would ship them next day for free if the order amount was over five hundred.
    He pushed away the thought of how nice Marshall’s hands felt against his and how much he wanted to pull the sexy man closer and inhale whatever amazing cologne he wore.
    “I’ll see you.”