Chapter 21
Bertha guessed they must have witnessed the scene. Panic rising, she swallowed hard. Before she could speak, Jefferson’s voice rang out from behind.
“Axell! Hey, you’re here too, perfect! Can you help me? I just got ambushed!”
Thanks to Brenda’s “saving” of Casper, the entire Petersen family had gained favor.
Jefferson was no stranger to Marcus, and Axell was familiar to him as well.
Spotting only Axell from his angle, Jefferson called for help.
Bertha’s mouth twitched, feigning astonishment at Axell.
Do they know each other?” she wondered.
What bad luck!
As Axell waited for Marcus’s cue, Bertha dashed over, stood on tiptoe, and whispered in Marcus’s ear, “He was harassing me. Just stay out of it.”
Marcus disliked women getting too close to him. A flicker of disgust crossed his eyes, and he prepared to brush her off with a scowl.
Mistaking his reaction for refusal, Bertha flung her arms around his neck, clinging like an octopus as she pleaded, “I came here for a part–time job.
I didn’t expect him to target me. He tried to rape me, so I had to defend myself.”
Let go of me!”
You! Think about the 8 million dollars I owe you. If anything happens to me, you won’t see a dime.”
Marcus frowned.“Are you threatening me?”
His voice was ice. Bertha flinched, about to explain, when Jefferson sauntered over.
“Oh? Marc, you’re here too?”
Bertha was so afraid that Marcus might expose her. Her heart lodged in her throat.
She knew Jefferson was powerful. If he found out she’d attacked him, she was done.
In a desperate move, she lunged forward and pressed her lips to Marcus’s to silence him.
Marcus was dumbfounded.
So were Axell and Jefferson.
Time seemed to freeze.
The silence was deafening.
No one had seen that coming.
Bertha awkwardly kept her lips on his cool ones, her eyelashes fluttering as her heart pounded wildly.
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< Chapter 21
It was not because of the kiss, but because of nerves and awkwardness.
That was way too bold and mortifying!
And she feared even a kiss wouldn’t silence him.
Axell snapped out of his shock and noticed Marcus hadn’t pushed Bertha away. A flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes.
Marcus had let a woman other than Casper’s mother kiss him!
He wondered if Marcus would fall for another woman.
Axell’s excitement surged.
He couldn’t play the third wheel here, and neither could Jefferson.
He had to create an opportunity for Marcus.
So Axell dragged Jefferson away.
Mr. Petersen, let’s talk over here.”
But Marc…”
Once Jefferson was gone, Bertha’s taut nerves were finally uncoiled.
she jerked back from Marcus, cheeks flaming.“Th–thanks for … helping me out.”
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With a heavy heart, she fished out some cash, hesitated, and then stuffed it into Marcus’s hand before bolting.
Marcus watched her flee, brow deeply furrowed.
To be honest, this was the first time in six years he’d been intimate with a woman.
ust now, a familiar, wonderful sensation had surged through him, recalling that night six years ago.
Her lips had been just as soft then.
That was why he hadn’t pushed her away at first, but let her kiss him for so long!
efferson, dragged far off, grew increasingly restless. He shook off Axell’s hand and returned.
Marc, do you know that girl we saw?”
Marcus tore his gaze away, staring down at the 100 dollars in his palm, scowl deepening.
He thrust the money at Axell, storming into the private room without a glance at Jefferson.
He’d always treated Jefferson this way as if Jefferson were air.
Axell gaped at the cash.100 dollars.
He thought, “Is this hush money for Marcus?
Or after kissing Marcus, she tipped him?
So the kiss is only worth 100 dollars?
Didn’t that make Marcus seem cheap?”
< Chapter 21
Jefferson remained on edge, noticing Marcus’s darkened expression. Too intimidated to follow, he grabbed Axell.
“Does Marcus know that wine seller?”
Axell tucked the bill into his pocket. He replied politely, “Just met her before.”
“What’s their relationship? How dare she kiss Marcus? He’s Bree’s man!”
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Axell couldn’t reveal Marcus and Bertha’s story, but he needed to deflate Jefferson’s claims. “Mr. Petersen, you know better than anyone the truth about Mr. Gonzalez and Ms. Petersen.
“You’d better not spread rumors. Upsetting Mr. Gonzalez won’t benefit you, your niece, or the Petersen family.”
Smiling politely, Axell pried Jefferson’s hand loose and left.
Jefferson’s face fell. Ignoring his aches, he whipped out his phone to call Brenda.
“Bree, emergency! Marcus just kissed another woman!”
< Chapter 22
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Chapter 22
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
