The Man's Outrageous Demands Page 0,13

eyes of the man recently discussed. She sighed heavily and pushed away from the wall. “I would be eternally grateful to you if you could please catch me at an unembarassing moment once in a while,” she said as she walked carefully down the hallway, praying she wouldn’t fall on her face or trip into his arms. That would be just her luck, she thought.

“I like it,” Sam said, easily falling into step beside her. “It makes you more approachable,” he said.

Marabeth eyed him out of the corner of her eye. “I didn’t know that approaching me was an issue in your mind,” she said dryly.

“Absolutely,” he nodded sagely. “Approaching a beautiful woman is always terrifying for a man.”

Marabeth stopped and turned towards him. secondly, I can’t imagine anything terrifying you. Please don’t patronize me.”

“First of all, I’m not beautiful and So just cut the act, Mr. Montrose.

Sam stared down at the incredible beauty in front of him and was shocked that she didn’t understand her appeal to the opposite sex. She was stunning in a soft, very feminine, very sexy way. And he liked just about everything about her. Even the stubborn chin that was currently jutting out in frustration right now.

“You’re incredibly beautiful and yes, many things terrify me.”

“Like what?” she asked, dismissing his compliment but instantly curious about what could possibly scare a man of his size and strength.

“Spiders,” he said quickly.

Marabeth was expecting something profound. So that single word made her laugh. “I don’t believe it,” she said, shaking her head and turning to continue walking down the hallway.

“Oh, believe it. I hate them. Whoever marries me will definitely have to be the spider killer,” he said, walking beside her with his hands behind his back.

“What else?” she asked, curious despite herself.

“Poetry,” he said.

“Excuse me?” she asked, stopping again to look at him.

“Poetry. It scares me. Never could understand it. Shakespeare, sometimes, but E.E. Cummings, totally confounds me.”

“I don’t believe it. What else?”

Sam thought for a moment. “I probably wouldn’t like mice very much, but since I’ve never run into them, I can’t be sure,” he said, nodding his head for emphasis.

She waited for him to continue with his list but he stopped. and mice are the only things that scare you?”

“Is that all? Spiders

“Well, and trying to talk to a beautiful woman,” he clarified.

“Ah.” She started walking again. “So you’ve said.”

“You’re going to be my date at the reception, correct?” he asked.

Marabeth sighed. “Not your date. I’ll accompany you and introduce you to the various guests,” she clarified.

“And you’ll be dressed in a beautiful dress, preferably red, and I’ll be able to hold your hand and hold you in my arms as we dance through the night, right?”

Marabeth’s heart fluttered at the picture he presented. It was too tempting by half. “No. I’ll be by your side, introducing you to the old guard, running interference and helping you traverse the mine field the press can be. And I definitely will not be in a red dress.”

He stared down into her soft, blue eyes. “Pity,” was all he said, his broad shoulders blocked out the rest of the world, even the lights overhead as he continued to look at her.

“I have to get back to work,” Marabeth said softly, trying to come out of the trance his gaze seemed to be able to put her under.

“I look forward to your assistance on Saturday,” Sam said softly behind her.

Marabeth moved down the hallway to her suite, her knees barely taking her to her rooms, she was so nervous. What was it about the man that made her heart beat so wildly and her legs become like Jell-O? He was just a man, albeit an incredibly attractive one with a great smile and a great body. But she’d been around lots of men that were handsome. They didn’t affect her like Sam did.

Chapter 4

“You look lovely,” Sam said and the admiration in his eyes emphasized his words.

Marabeth smiled shyly but tried to pretend she wasn’t affected by his compliment. “Shall we go?” she said and started walking towards the ballroom where her mother and father were already in attendance with the five hundred guests here to welcome Sam in as the new Minister of Defense.

They walked in and the butler announced Sam’s arrival. Marabeth’s hand shook as she placed it in the crook of his arm. Her fingers were warmed by his large hand that settled over hers. It was a casual gesture, but she liked it nonetheless.

They