desk.
âDonât,â she said quickly.
He glanced down at her in surprise, and now she was frowning up at him. âI can walk just fine.â
Aha. She was the type of person that believed there was nothing wrong with them when, in fact, there was. âJust the same,â he said, âIâm going to walk you to your room.â
âNo,â she said with a sharp shake of her head. âI do not need your assistance.â When she noticed him staring down skeptically, she added, âBut I thank you kindly for your offer.â
Linc nearly smiled. She sounded just like Scarlett OâHara. And for a moment he found himself wondering what sheâd look like with soft curls atop her head, maybe even a low-cut ball gownâ
And where the hell had that thought come from?
âWhereâs your key?â he asked her.
She shook her headâas if arguing with herself oversomethingâthen fished around in her purse and handed the thing over without a word.
âIâm in the Flower Room,â Marley said.
âI know,â Linc said. Heâd heard the receptionist tell her that earlier.
âCome on,â he said, lightly touching her arms.
He led her toward a stairwell as wide as a car; plum-colored carpet padded their steps. He had to hold on to the banister at the same time he gripped her arm. She didnât pull away this time, seeming to recognize that she needed some guidance. While she wasnât drunk, she was definitely tipsy. Her hair had started to come loose. As if sheâd scratched at it absently when he hadnât been looking. The light brown strands swooped around her face gently, softening it. She had sweeping brows, the kind usually found on models or actresses. They framed her eyes in a way that highlighted their unique color.
Now, now, Lincâ¦keep your thoughts out of the gutter.
Because he couldnât help but admit that after today, he saw her in whole new light. Sheâd handled herself so professionally throughout the hours, and yet beneath the cool exterior heâd caught a glimpse of the headstrong youth sheâd been years ago. When he looked back at that time, he had to admit heâd been amused by the whole situation. And, yes, secretly flattered. She was just a kid, but boy , had she ever had the hots for him.
Did she still?
Stop staring at her.
He knew he should heed the voice. She was years younger than him. Too young. Plus, he doubted his new boss would welcome Linc getting involved with his kid sister. Just what he needed. To get off on the wrongfoot with Gil before his professional relationship with him even started. But he couldnât deny that earlier, as theyâd stood in the lobby below, thereâd been a moment when heâd found himself wondering what itâd be like to touch her. Too bad he felt honor-bound to stay away from her.
âHere we go,â he said, turning at the top of the stairs.
You will not touch her.
He knew he wouldnât. Not that she appeared to have anything other than getting to her room on her mind.
âWhich one is yours?â she asked.
âIâm at the end of the hall. Youâre right next door.â
âOh,â she said.
He opened the door for her, but she didnât move once the green light beeped.
âWhat is it?â he asked.
She met his gaze then and Linc knew he was doomed.
âDonât go,â she said softly.
âMarleyââ
âI saw the look in your eyes earlier,â she interjected.
âThe one you tried so hard to conceal. You were thinking about what itâd be like to go to bed with me.â
How the hell had she figured that out?
âYou forget Iâve known you for years,â she said, seeming to read his mindâ¦again. âAnd Iâve wondered the same thing, too, oh so many times.â
He swallowed.
She tipped her chin up. âI want to find out.â
âNo,â he said.