"Okay."
She had just started to heave a sigh of relief when he handed her his phone.
"What's that for?"
"Call him. I need to speak to him as well."
Frustration made her want to scream. "I want to tell him face to face," she gritted.
"Call and have him swing by the office." He glanced at his watch. "And I'm running out of time here."
"So go on in. I'll be right behind you."
"Nice try." He actually grinned at her as he stepped from the car. Before she could shove the door open and somehow escape, he had circled the hood and was tugging her hand.
"I can walk by myself. Have been doing that since I was a year old."
"A year?" He tucked his tongue in his cheek and slid her hand through his arm. "You were a slow learner."
Thinking that she did not have the fortitude for an argument, she kept her mouth shut.
He took the private elevator. The hope that he was indeed giving her time was dashed when he stopped off on the first floor.
"What are you doing?" She hissed and tried to drag her hand away.
"Giving them a show." Striding to the front desk, he almost smiled as the people in the foyer and the receptionists manning the front desk stared at them in shock.
"Mr. Livingston." One of the blondes managed to untie her tongue from the roof of her mouth to acknowledge his presence.
"Good morning. Please direct the calls to my office. Any messages?"
The girl's eyes darted to the silent Courtney and darted away. "Er... yes sir. Ms.... uh... Ms. Vernon was not at her desk..."
"That's because she was with me. Send them to my email."
"Of course, sir."
He turned and left the desk, with the women boring holes in their backs. Courtney was certain they did not reach the elevator before the phones started buzzing.
"Was that necessary?" she asked frostily.
"Yes." Backing her against the wall, he crushed his mouth to hers, easily resisting her attempt to evade the kiss. As usual, her bones melted, and her heart went into overdrive. The doors opened with a very astonished Donald staring at them.
"I... er... I came by for the Bryson's report." His eyes darted between them.
Shoving Dante away, she offered a shaky smile, before hurrying into her office.
"You and..."
"Yes." Dante grinned at his friend. "We're getting married."
The man's eyes popped wide open. "Married? You?"
Leaning on the closed door, Dante shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged. "I cannot believe it myself." His gaze drifted to the office where he could hear her husky voice on the phone. "Who would have thought?"
"Certainly not me."
"I hope you know that Courtney... Ms. Vernon is my friend. Just that."
