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After today, if she still considered hi like her father, Marcus would paddle her ass

"We’d be pleased to have you join us for lunch here," Mrs Renard said

"He can’t stay," Gabi announced, her voice deliberately rude She frowned at him "I’m afraid I’m occupied today, Marcus It’s a shame you didn’t call before you wasted your tiasped, and her father’s face turned flat

Marcus laughed There she is, my little brat Now to show her that her behavior wouldn’t drive him away "You can spit ather cheek and forcing her todealers, murderers--and worst of all, cops, every day I doubt that you can shock me with your behavior"

"You don’t want--"

"I do want" He took her hand, ed foreare, and pulled her to her feet "I appreciate you lettingGabi--she’d make a run for it, he knew--he politely shook hands with her stunned father

Then he sied his insubordinate sub out of her parents’ house

She tried to rebel again when he opened the car door for her "Listen, this is not--I don’t want--"

"Gabrielle" He cupped her cheek and looked down into her velvety brown eyes "Get In The Car"

Gabi scrubbed her hands on her jeans and tried to show an ih the city Didn’t he understand this wouldn’t work? Was he like soave chase if their prey ran frohts inside, your brain will explode," he said lazily He steered the car to the curb and took her hand in his "We can discuss this right now, or we can wait until after lunch and then have at it Your only choice is when"

God, why did the determination in his deep voice turn her insides to liquid? She sishing she saw a future for theain, the way he’d acted at her parents’ house… He’d been rude to them That wasn’t like hiht, Darlin’" He brushed her lips with a soft kiss, leaving her longing fora cell phone from his suit, he punched a nuet there in about thirty minutes" The cell went back into his pocket

"Who was that?"

"I thought since I’ve randparents will join us"

What? She looked at her jeans and peasant top in horror, then stared at him "Marcus, I’m not dressed for a nice restaurant" Dear God, is he insane?

His lips quirked "I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or insult You didn’t worry about your appearance when you thought it was only me for lunch"

Her er think I’ll judge you by what you wear We’re ed at the puffy sleeve of her top, the elastic letting him pull it down to expose her shoulder He kissed the bare skin and murmured, "As it happens, I rather like this top"

Great, her clothing was not only too casual, but the kind he’d want to play with She pulled her sleeve up

He pulled it down

She was doo ten minutes later when he turned his car into a drive She frowned at the sign "We’re going to the Anidom?" Mr Suit and Disney?

"Are you allowed to live in Florida if you don’t like Disney?" He chuckled at the aive his na afterward, Gabi stared in wonder as they walked through the African-thee and down a spiral staircase to the Sanaa Restaurant Hanging baskets s and beaded mosaics decorated the walls Tree branches see She stopped to stare "This is a"

He smiled "Wait until you see the view fro over his shoulder, Marcus set his hand low on her back, guiding her toward a table where an older couple sat His grandparents In tan slacks and a short-sleeved shirt, the silver-haired man had keen eyes with a sunburst of wrinkles at the corners, a Roman nose, and a stern jaw He rose as they approached

"Gabrielle, this is randmother had tousled white curls, softly wrinkled skin, and an infectious sertips and finished, "And here is irlfriend, Gabi Renard"

Reluctant She would kill him…somehow…the minute they were alone "It’s nice to meet you both"

"Gramps," Marcus said, "her father is William Renard, a laith Thoht have ether "I’vehim in front of my bench"