more than professional friendliness.
Marcus was grabbed from his thoughts by Meriter’s loud voice.
“Well, it looks like the board has voted to approve your proposal, Your Highness,” he said tightly.
Marcus beamed. “Great,” he said. “I’ll get a crew out there tomorrow.”
Arlene stood. “We’re going to need someone from the board to go and check the place out,” she said and several members nodded. More chatter ensued until John Jacobs raised his hand.
“Since you and Kyra are the strongest proponents of this idea, I think it would be appropriate for the two of you to go and stay out in Havershire at the estate for a few nights then report your findings back to the board.”
Marcus’s face grew hot at John’s words. He and Kyra exchanged a weighted look. He could see by her face that John’s suggestion had struck the same reaction in her.
“Excellent idea, John,” Meriter said.
Marcus sighed as his thoughts ambled once more down the lane of fantasy, recalling Kyra’s sensual curves and what a tigress she was in bed. How was he supposed to spend a night or two in close quarters with her and remain professional?
“It’s settled then,” Meriter announced. “Once your crew deems the estate safe, you and Kyra will spend some time there to ensure all the necessary work has been done.”
Marcus swallowed. He looked at Kyra, who nodded at him. They would have to do their best to keep their hands off of each other. This project was important to Kyra, and he was willing to put the effort in to make a go of it.
From across the room, he watched Kyra walk to the coffee machine, as she usually did during their morning break. Her blouse was unbuttoned just enough to expose the lovely neckline he’d covered in kisses. He remembered she’d smelled of patchouli and vanilla. Her pencil skirt hugged her curves and boasted her long, muscular legs. Marcus felt a tightness in his core as he stared at her, losing himself in the memory of what was underneath those clothes.
Damn.
A two-night stay at the estate with Kyra was going to be challenging.
And perhaps very interesting as well.
4
After only two and a half weeks, the estate was ready for a test run. Marcus’s crew had had minor repairs to complete, but, from what she’d been told, the home was in fairly good condition. Marcus had arranged for a driver to pick her up and drive her out to Havershire, so after handing her bags over to him to stow in the trunk, she slid into the limo.
Everything was top quality, as usual. Tiny fairy lights ran the length of the roomy backseat, and a stocked minibar tempted her with its offerings. And not just her.
“Auntie Kyra, look!” Ava exclaimed, her eyes stretched wide. “There’s a fridge in this car! And there’s orange soda in here! Can I have an orange soda?”
“Too much sugar, Ava,” Kyra replied and closed the mini fridge. “Have a bottle of water if you’re thirsty.”
“Awww.” Kyra complained for a minute but soon got quiet. She continued inspecting the limo as they drove off.
Bringing her niece along on the visit to the estate hadn’t been the plan, but when it came to Maggie, things rarely went as scheduled. Kyra’s sister had flitted off to Barcelona a few days ago, promising to return the next night but had then sent Kyra a text claiming that there were weather problems delaying her.
Weather problems.
In Barcelona.
Please.
Kyra was sure this was just another one of her sister’s schemes. Maggie thought nothing of dumping Ava on Kyra’s shoulders when she felt like letting loose and partying. Her sister was so irresponsible.
Deep inside, Kyra admitted to herself that her feelings of frustration weren’t completely caused by her sister. Her stomach was roiling with another bout of sickness. For the past week, she’d been attacked by violent nausea every day. The onslaught of symptoms was so consistently timed, that she’d finally given into her suspicion and bought a pregnancy test. She hadn’t had the nerve to take it yet, but it was tucked securely inside her purse, just as her fear was tucked safely in the depths of her mind. She wasn’t ready to dive for it yet. Hopefully she just had a bug.
“Auntie Kyra,” Ava cried. “Are we almost there?”
Kyra sighed, acknowledging that Ava’s presence would leave little room for moments of peace over the next two days. The upside was that hopefully Ava would be a buffer between her and Marcus. Having Ava around might