Cookies for Courting by Amber Kell Read Free Book Online Page A

Marshall’s deep voice promised more than a business arrangement when they met again.
    Pace’s cock perked up at the idea. Stupid body. Before he could do anything to scar the eight-year-old for life, Pace left the room and headed down the hall. He stopped when Ilona called his name. He turned around to see what she wanted.
    Ilona smiled. “Don’t forget your cookies.” She held up a plastic bag filled with the little gems.
    Pace gratefully accepted the treat and gave Ilona kiss on the cheek. “I’ve never had better cookies in my life.”
    “They’ll help you attract your man.”
    “Then they must be magic cookies.” Pace laughed.
    “Oh, they are,” Ilona said with a mysterious smile.
    He didn’t know how to respond to that so he patted her on the shoulder, then left the condo, his emotions swirling. He had resisted the urge to jump Marshall Hunter. He wondered how long his resolve could last.

Chapter 6
     
    M ARSHALL WATCHED Pace leave. The man had a body Marshall would love to see stripped naked and spread across his sheets.
    “I like him,” Alice announced.
    “I like him too.” They exchanged grins, in synch for the first time since Alice had come to live with him.
    His phone chimed. Marshall pulled it out of his pocket. “Oh cr-cookies.” Marshall stumbled over his words after a quick glance at his interested niece. “Be right back, sweetie. I have to talk to Ilona.”
    “Okay.” Alice turned her attention to Pace’s whimsical drawing.
    Marshall had high hopes that she would have the castle of her dreams. It wouldn’t make up for the loss of her mother or any of the trauma she’d experienced, but if it brought a smile to her face, it was worth any amount.
    He hurried down the hall to talk to Ilona before she left.
    “Ilona, I have a problem,” Marshall said. “I know it isn’t right of me to ask, but I forgot about a formal charity event I have to go to tonight. My company is one of the sponsors, and it’s too late to find a replacement. Would you mind?”
    Ilona nodded. “I will stay the night.”
    “Thank you. I don’t think it’s supposed to go past midnight, but I wouldn’t want you going home that late anyway.”
    “No problem, Mr. Hunter. I will sleep in guest room.”
    Relief swept through Marshall. “I’ll pay you a bonus for this.”
    “Yes, you will.” Ilona nodded curtly. “You need to find new nanny.”
    “I will. Maybe you should help hire her.”
    “Me?” Ilona’s dark eyes widened. “Why me?”
    “Because I trust your judgment and I bet you had Georgia pegged before she put on the bright red lipstick and too-short shorts.”
    When he’d first seen the ex-nanny, she’d been dressed appropriately in comfortable jeans and a nice T-shirt, the perfect outfit for taking care of a young girl. It had only taken two days before her real nature came out. Marshall should’ve fired her on the spot.
    “I will help,” Ilona said after a minute. “We will find someone good. I am too old to chase little girl around.”
    “I know, Ilona.” Marshall smiled at his housekeeper. She’d been with him for several years, and she was one of his best employees. When she’d lost her husband a few years before, Marshall had paid for the funeral. Ilona’s husband had been a sweet man who always smiled when he picked Ilona up.
    “Go get dressed.” Ilona pushed him down the hall.
    “Will do.” Marshall laughed as he went to go get changed.
    The museum where the fundraiser was being held was already beginning to fill up when Marshall arrived. Maybe they hadn’t heard about the virtues of being fashionably late. The lower level of the building had been turned into a show for local artists whose work would be auctioned off in a silent auction. A live auction would follow later with additional things donated to raise money.
    Marshall had donated a lunch with him to discuss a winner’s investment portfolio. He scanned the crowd to see who was attending, and his gaze came to a