by Abbi Glines
“Well, what did ya think?”
“I loved it! Thank you for bringing me.”
He leaned over and kissed me hungrily, which I hadn’t been expecting. When he finished he nipped at my bottom lip then released me. I was a little breathless.
“I’ve been wanting to do that for the past two hours,” he explained with a sexy grin before cranking up the truck.
Wow. Today couldn’t get any better.
I lay my head back and rested my eyes.
“Wake up sleeping beauty, we’re home,” Marcus whispered in my ear jolting me awake.
I’d slept the whole way back. Dangit. I’d wanted to spend time talking to Marcus. We’d been unable to do much talking today.
“I’m sorry I feel asleep.”
“Don’t be. I got to watch you sleep for over an hour. I liked it.”
He always made me feel so special.
“Okay, but that sounds boring.”
He gently bit my earlobe then whispered, “Trust me it wasn’t”
I shivered and his breath hitched.
“Let’s go on inside,” his voice sounded tense.
I quickly scrambled out of the truck. If we were going to continue this inside I was more than willing.
Marcus walked around and grabbed my hand pulling me up beside him as we made our way up to the apartment.
Once inside I headed over to the fridge to get a Jarrito. I was thirsty. Opening the bottom drawer I realized there weren’t anymore. Only beer. Cage never ran out of my drinks. But they were gone. He was letting me go. A small bubble of fear welled up inside me. I closed the fridge and stared blankly at the stainless steel in front of me. What if he moved on and left me? What would happen when Marcus left me? I’d be alone. Cage was my safe haven. My heart started racing and I looked toward his bedroom door panicked. Where was he? He hadn’t texted me all day to tell me what he was doing or to check on me.
“Low, you okay?” Marcus asked. I wanted to nod my head but I couldn’t. The panic in my chest was starting to take over. It had been a long time since I’d had an anxiety attack but I was about to have a full blown one right here and there wasn’t a thing I could do to stop it. Cage hadn’t remembered my Jarritos. He was letting me go. I’d asked him to and he was doing it. Marcus wouldn’t be around forever.
“Low, look at me,” Marcus turned me around to face him but I couldn’t meet his eyes. I’d lose it. Deep breaths. I had to focus on taking deep breaths.
“Low look at me please baby, look at me,” he pleaded and I wanted to ease his concern but I couldn’t. Right now I had to breathe. In and out, in and out, in and out.
“What the hell, Low,” Cage’s voice. “Move,” he barked and I wanted to stop him but he was leaving me. “Low snap out of it. Come on. Snap out of it for me. Focus on me Low and tell me what happened.” Cage’s voice was stern. He’d been with me through these before. He’d stop it. I turned my eyes up at him
“Jarritos,” I choked out and tears stung my eyes. Gasping for air, I focused on my breathing again.
“Ah, shit Low. I got some more. See there right here in this bag.”
I saw the familiar bottles through the plastic bag. He bought some. He wasn’t leaving. I was safe. I wasn’t alone. Nodding I took a deep breath.
“Kay,” I replied in a whisper. The tightness in my chest eased some but I could feel the threat of an attack still there. Waiting on me.
“Come here,” Cage pulled me against him and the familiar smell calmed me.
“I noticed they were gone this morning. I’m not leaving you. Do you hear me. I. am. not. leaving. you.”
Nodding against his chest I heard a door close. Marcus. Oh God. He’d seen me lose it. Now I was all wrapped up in Cage’s arms. Not good. Pulling back I looked over Cage’s shoulder and Marcus was gone.
“He left,” I whispered lifting my eyes up to meet Cage’s.
“You probably scared the shit out of him. It isn’t easy to see you do that.”
I nodded.
“It was because I didn’t have your drinks?”
I teared up again and shrugged. “Sorta. The idea you were letting me go and I’d be alone.”
He shook his head, “Never gonna happen. If the damn mexican drinks run out and I’m a little slow getting some more it doesn’t mean I’m letting you go. You’ll never be alone Low. I swear to you. You hear me.”
“Yeah”
He glanced back over his shoulder.
“He didn’t leave the apartment. He went to his bedroom.”
“Thanks,” I reached up and hugged him. Dreading the idea of facing Marcus.
“I love you Low,” he whispered.
“I love you too,” I replied and stepped back. I had to go deal with Marcus witnessing my craziness. Cage couldn’t do that for me. It was all me.
Chapter Sixteen
Marcus
I sat on the edge of the bed and cradled my head in my hands. What the hell had just happened? And why had I not been able to reach her? Watching her bury herself in Cage’s arms had been more than I could handle. The jealousy that he was the one she went to ate me alive. I was second best. Again. But this time it was ripping me apart. Sadie hadn’t consumed me this way. She hadn’t owned me. Low did.
The door opened slowly and I turned my head to see Willow stepping inside the room. I watched as she closed the door behind her. The worry and fear in her eyes killed me but I didn’t go to her. She hadn’t wanted me. It had been Cage she wanted.
“I’m sorry you saw me like that,” she said in a small voice.
That’s why she was sorry?
“You turned to him. Not me.”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
“I was having an anxiety attack. I was focused on breathing. When I heard Cage’s voice I knew he’d helped me through it. He’s had to help me through a lot of them.”
“I could have helped you.”
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears and she took a tentative step toward me then stopped.
“I needed Cage because the attack had to do with Cage. I needed reassurance from him.”
What?
“I don’t understand,” I said sitting up and watching her take another step in my direction.
“You see, Cage has never left me. My father left me. My mother left me. My sister left me. Cage never left me. When people would leave me, he was always there. He is the one person I’ve always depended on. I’ve always known no matter what he’ll be there.” She stopped and took a deep breath. “When I opened the fridge and my drinks were gone, well that’s never happened. I thought he was letting me go. I thought he was leaving me too.”
Ah damn.
Standing up I closed the distance she’d been afraid to bridge.
“I’m here. You have me.”
She gave me a sad smile.
“One day, whatever this is will end. Relationships always do. Then you’ll leave me too.”
She’d been hurt so much.
I took her face in my hands and held her gaze.
“Listen to me. I’m in love with you. Mad crazy in love with you. I’m not going anywhere. Ever. You can’t get rid of me.”
A tear rolled down her face and I swiped it with my thumb then kissed the tip of her nose.
“I really want to believe you and I think you really believe that but Marcus where I come from, people leave.”
If it took me the rest of my life I’d prove to her I wasn’t going anywhere. She just needed actions not words. Words she’d heard before.
“I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”
She closed her eyes, “I hope so,” she whispered.
I reached down and grabbed her hand and pulled her over to the bed. I’d come up here thinking about doing a little more of what we’d done this morning but things had changed. Now I just wanted to be the one who held her. I wanted to make it all better. Just me.
I opened my eyes and the room was dark and I was alone in
bed. Sitting up I ran my hands through my hair and stood up to go find Willow. When I opened the bedroom door Larissa smiled up at me, “Martus,” she announced loudly.
“Princess,” I replied smiling down at her. Two little arms lifted in the air and I reached down to pick her up. I’d already learned that wordless demand.
“I didn’t know you were coming to visit me.”
She clapped,”Martus pay.”
“He just woke up Larissa, give him a minute,” Willow chided her as she walked out of the kitchen.
“I made some chicken fettucini alfredo if you want some. Tawny stopped by unexpectedly about an hour ago and dropped Larissa off. I’m supposed to work tonight but if I didn’t keep her she was going to leave her with this awful lady down the street all night long. I couldn’t let her do that, so,” she shrugged.
“I’ll keep her.”
Willow froze and stared at me.
“You will?” the shock on her face hurt a little.
“Yeah, of course. I was going to stay here tonight anyway. She and I will build blocks and knock them over, play with spoons, we’ll have a blast.”
A smile broke across Willow’s face that made me feel ten feet tall.
“Okay, um, thanks, I mean, wow, are you sure?”
I walked over to her and leaned over to place a quick kiss on her surprised little mouth.
“Very sure.”
“Martus tiss,” Larissa said happily then leaned over and laid a very wet kiss on my cheek.
Willow giggled, “Alright you don’t go stealing my man.”
Her man. I liked that a lot. A whole damn lot.
“Impossible. Even for adorable curly headed blondes,” I assured her and ruffled Larissa’s hair.
“Martus pay,” Larissa announced again.
“Yeah I heard you chic. Let’s go play,” I replied.
“Wait aren’t you hungry?”
I’d forgot she’d cooked. My stomach rumbled and I looked at Larissa.
“Can I eat first then we’ll play. You can sit beside me and eat too.”
“Bite bites” Larissa responded.
Turning to Willow for a translation, Larissa proceeded to chant, “Martus bite bites”
“Bite bites is what she likes to call eating,” Willow explained.
“Makes complete sense to me,” I replied and both girls giggled.
Willow
The television illuminated the dark apartment when I stepped inside. There was no sound coming from the T.V. but The Tonight Show was on the screen. When my eyes adjusted, I found Marcus sound asleep on the couch with Larissa snuggled up on his chest also sound asleep. Blocks scattered the floor and what looked like cookie crumbs made a trail from the living room to the kitchen. My heart swelled. I loved him. I never thought this would happen. I never expected to love anyone else. Not this way. I picked up the blocks and stacked them back in the basket I kept here for when Larissa came over. Then I leaned down to whisper in Marcus’s ear, “I’m home.”
His eyes blinked open then a sleepy smile greeted me.
“Hey,” he mumbled.
“I’m just going to take her and put her in bed with me. I’ll get you a blanket and pillow.”
“I can take her,” he said starting to sit up. I placed my hand on his shoulder and pushed him back down.
“No, you stay put. I’ll do it.” I kissed the small frown between his eyebrows and took Larissa from his arms.
After tucking her in and securing her with pillows I went back out to the couch with a pillow and blanket for Marcus. He hadn’t moved. He was exhausted no doubt. Keeping Larissa wasn’t for the faint hearted. His eyes were closed. Long blond eyelashes brushed his cheekbones. I bent over him to put the pillow under his head when two hands grabbed my waist and pulled me down on top of him.
“Mmmm, that’s better,” he whispered before claiming my mouth. His mouth was sweet and gentle at first but the more I shifted my body the more aggressive the kiss became. The warmth of his mouth tasted like chocolate chip cookies and I couldn’t get enough of him. I grasped the front of his shirt pulling him closer. His hands moved up my thighs and cupped my bottom squeezing and moaning as I pressed against him. We were going there again. Before we went any further I pulled back and looked down at him. The desire in his eyes undid me.
“I love you too,” I whispered.
His eyes widened then his mouth was back on mine. This time wide awake and determined. I wanted all of him. There was no question in my mind. His hands were everywhere and I felt shaky all over from excitement. Breaking the kiss his hands started tugging on my shorts.
“Take these off,” he demanded.
I stood up nervous but so incredibly excited I couldn’t keep from trembling. I wasn’t sure if he wanted everything off. Raising my eyes I looked at him and he shook his head.
“Keep your panties on. I don’t want our first time to be on this couch and if you take those off I’m a goner.”
Smiling I crawled back on top of him and straddled him then once again got lost in Marcus Hardy.
Chapter Seventeen
Marcus
I’d just had the absolute best week of my life and now I had to end it with a family dinner. One where my father would be present. I wished I hadn’t promised my mom I’d bring Willow. This was the last thing I wanted her to witness. Willow came up behind me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders and leaned down to kiss my cheek.
“Almost done with that paper?” She asked standing up and walking around the table to sit across from me. My University of Alabama t-shirt looked good on her. She no longer wore Cage’s shirts around the apartment. I wanted her in mine. Maybe it was a little caveman but I didn’t care. And neither did she. I was almost positive she liked it.
“Almost but I could use a distraction,” I replied.
She smirked and shook her head no.
“Nope. I’ve distracted you all week. You need to finish.”
“Please,” I begged and she giggled.
“I’m going to get ready to meet the folks and you need to finish that paper. We can work out your reward for a job well done later.”
I loved how relaxed she’d gotten with me. Her teasing was so incredibly sweet.
“And there’s the distraction I need right there. You’ve given my fantasies some fuel.”
Laughing she closed the bathroom door behind her.
Shaking my head to clear the images of Willow straddling me and crying out my name I studied the screen in front of me again. She was right. I needed to finish this. Like yesterday. But I’d spent every spare minute I had with Willow and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
The apartment door opened and in walked Cage followed by Preston. They’d been at baseball practice. Both of them were dirty and sweaty.
“Marcus, what up,” Preston called out as he came inside and made his way into the kitchen behind Cage.
“Writing a paper,” I grumbled knowing I wasn’t going to get anything done with these two here.
“I pay smart chics to do those for me,” he bragged and I rolled my eyes. He’d been “paying” smart chics to do his homework since middle school. However, his paying normally didn’t involve cash.
“Where’s Low?” Cage asked before taking a swig of beer.
“Getting a shower. She’s going with me to meet my family tonight.”
Preston let out a whistle, “The family. That’s serious shit right there.”
Cage grunted his displeasure and took another drink of beer.
Preston’s eyes shifted between the two of us. I could see the curious questions in his eyes. How were we getting along? Did we ever fight? Wasn’t it uncomfortable? And the truth was no. Cage was rarely here.
The shower cut off and I jumped up. Both guys stared at me like I was crazy. The idea of Low walking out in her towel thinking it was just me here scared the shit out of me. I ignored them and made my way to the door.
“Low”
“Ye
s”
“Preston and Cage are out here”
“Okay, um, could you bring me my things. They’re on the bed.” That’s what I’d been afraid of.
“Yep”
I didn’t look back at either of them but I could feel their eyes boring into me. No doubt Preston was amused and Cage was pissed off.
A pair of pink silk panties that consisted of very little materiel and a matching bra lay on top of that brown sundress that reminded me of chocolate. Picking them all up I headed back to the bathroom making sure to keep her underclothes hidden from prying eyes.
I knocked, “Got them.”
She cracked the door and reached out and took them from my hands. Smiling bashfully up at me I wanted to push my way inside but kept my cool.
She closed the door back and I turned around to face the firing squad.
Preston started up first, “A little possessive there aren’t ya bud. Afraid I’m gonna get a peek at Miss Low in her towel.”
I shot him a warning glare and sat back down.
“I’ve seen her in a bath towel many, many times,” Cage said smugly.
Taking a deep breath I forced myself to remain calm.
“The difference is, she’s mine now.”
“No, she’s just yours, for now,” he replied.
I turned and glared at him. He was leaning against the counter looking so damn sure of himself.
“Forever,” I corrected him.
Cage shoved off from the counter and raised his eyebrows, “We’ll see.”
I started to stand up and Preston grabbed my arm as Cage walked into his bedroom.
“Don’t. Just let it go.”
I sat back down. Not because Preston told me to. But because Low would want me to.
“He’s a jerk. Always has been. Just ignore him.”
Easier said than done. “She’s mine,” I repeated mostly for myself than anyone else.
“Got it bro. She’s yours,” Preston agreed.
