by CJ Warrant
“Fuck, Charlie,” Markus grunted out and pumped his hips faster until hot spurts of his seed coated the back of my throat. I took it all, without missing a single drop. This was something I had never done to any man. And for the first time, I relished the taste and power I had over Markus.
I let him go, then kissing my way across his rippled abdomen, broad chest, his neck and then his addictive lips. He didn’t hesitate and kissed back with such passion that I felt my heart swell.
Markus pulled away slightly and looked into my eyes. “Beautiful.” He said simply. He kissed my lips, chin, trailing his tongue down my throat. “My turn. I’m hungry,” he rushed out. He grabbed my waist and turned me onto my belly, my face to the comforter. He urged my knees to the edge of the bed, butt up in the air, spread wide. A sudden bout of embarrassment seized me, since I had never been in this position.
“Markus.” Calling his name was futile. He was going to do what he wanted, and I, as much as I wanted to protest, kind of liked his he-man ways.
“Hush, baby. You’ll like this.” Then without losing a beat, he got on his knees, leaned forward and his mouth latched on to my girly parts.
If it weren’t for Markus holding me down, I would have bolted out of bed.
“Mar…” His name faltered when his tongue started to explore every exposed area of my flesh.
Oh H. E. Double hockey sticks. He even tasted my backside, which turned my brain into oatmeal. I couldn’t think straight. His mouth felt so good that I started to move with the rhythm of his probing tongue. But he wasn’t done with me. Marcus slipped his fingers inside me and a flood of need so intense started growing in my belly and imploded.
I screamed out his name from the intensity of these new sensations riding my body. I was so overwhelmed that I lifted onto all fours. “Markus,” I moaned out.
“Jesus, Charlie—sexy as fuck. I can’t wait. I need to be inside you.” Markus got up, went to his pants and pulled out his wallet. I watched him take out a condom and rolled it on. Wow, he had fast recovery time. He quickly returned to me and spread my cheeks wide.
“How can…” My words faltered as the tip of his steely length entered me. Markus slid inside like a hot knife through butter in one fluid move. Every nerve ending inside my body was alive. On fire. I gasped out as he plunged in fast and deep. The mix of pleasure and pain coursed through me so fast that I wasn’t able to comprehend anything except Markus and his wonderous body. Just feel.
Markus didn’t let up. It was as though he was desperate to be deep inside me with every thrust. It wasn’t fast but with every push, I felt him deep in my womb.
After a few more thrusts, the hint of pain ebbed and pure ecstasy fueled my need for more.
“Faster Markus,” I hissed with desire, meeting his thrusts.
“Are you sure?” he asked between groans.
I turned my head and stared straight into his beautiful eyes. “Harder. Faster.”
And I’d be damned. Markus smiled and shifted slightly, angled my rear end higher and pushed my head down. The second he pumped his hips, I felt him so deep it was as though we were one.
He moved in hard and fast in unison with me. Our sweat-slicked skins slapped together as our moans grew louder.
“Fuck yeah. Charlie, I’m coming.”
I was already right there with him. A few more demanding thrusts and we both careened over the edge of oblivion.
Markus
I collapsed to my side, bringing Charlie with me. I snuggled tight, my nose in her hair, smelling her sweetness. “What is it about you, Charlie?”
“I know,” she replied in a sleepy undertone. “You like me.” I wrapped my arms around her and she nudged her ass to my groin. I laughed at her simple answer.
“Yes, I do.” More than like. This woman had gotten into my skin so fast that I didn’t see it coming. Like a zap of electricity, her presence did so many things to me that I was slightly confused.
With every breath I took into my lungs, Charlie’s scent settled me. Centered me like no one ever had. What was so strange though, was that I was able to open up to her. Not able to pretend to be, but just be. It was perfect for a change.
Closing my eyes, I let the world I knew drop off and let Charlie’s surround me. And hopefully tomorrow she would feel the same when I had to leave.
Chapter Eleven
Markus
Light filtered through my lids, waking up out of the first solid sleep I’d had in months. I reached over, looking for Charlie but she wasn’t there. The spot next to me was cold and empty.
“Charlie?” I called out as I got out of bed. I picked up my pants and slipped them on. I grabbed my cell phone and wallet and slid them into my back pockets. Not bothering with my shirt, I headed downstairs to look for her.
At the bottom of the stairs, I saw Charlie and an elderly woman talking. I debated if I should go back upstairs and grab my shirt, but…too late. The old woman’s eyes shifted upward and she gawked at me. I smiled and gave a small wave. Her face lit up with a big smile like a Christmas tree in a lighting festival. She waved right back.
Charlie turned around. Her cheeks flushed crimson, mortification apparent on her face. I lost my smile and swiftly turned and headed back upstairs to retrieve my shirt. Shit. She wasn’t happy.
By the time I made it downstairs, the old woman was gone, but the anger on Charlie’s face was up front and center. “What were you thinking?” she shouted. “Now Mrs. Mendes is going think of me as the town floozy.”
The words she used. It was too cute. “I highly doubt it. It’s not like she knew what we were doing last night.”
“It won’t matter to her, she’s the town gossip. By five, the whole county will think I sleep around.”
“Calm down, Charlie. Anyway, why was she here so early?”
Charlie’s brows furrowed so tight, they look like one. “It’s two in the afternoon, Markus.”
“Seriously?” I raked a hand through my hair. Not believing it, I pulled out my cell and checked the time. Charlie was right. “I’ve never slept that late.”
“That doesn’t matter. Merde! By the time I go pick up my car—Shit. I have Mike’s truck.” I began scrambling for my socks and shoes. “He’s going to kick my ass. I bet my car isn’t fixed.”
“Mike might kick your butt but I’m sure he fixed your car. Now that you created havoc for me, can you give me a ride back to town?”
I stopped looking for my shoes and stared at her. She was something else. “Yes. Why ask if we’re going to the same place?”
“Because my Nana raised me right. It’s nice to ask, even though we’re heading in the same direction,” Charlie railed, folding her arms across herself. My eyes wandered down to her chest. Her nipples tightened under her cami, leaving nothing to the imagination.
“You want me again, don’t you Charlie?” I snagged her around the middle and drew her in to me. Her tight rosy buds pressed against my chest, and I wished I could feel them bare against my skin. I had a sudden urge to lift her shirt and devour them until she cried my name.
Charlie pushed at my shoulder. “We can’t…even though I want to. You have to return Mike’s truck and I need to pick up my car. But Markus?”
I squeezed her tighter. “Yeah?”
“When are you planning on leaving today?” There was trepidation and sadness in her voice.
I released Charlie, realizing that I had no time to stay and enjoy being with her any longer. I had to get going. “If my car is done, I need to get back on the road, as soon as possible,” I said solemnly.
Sadness swept across Charlie’s expressive face but she quickly masked it. “Oh. Right. Your mother’s funeral…I’ll get your shoes out of the closet.” Her voice dipped low that I barely heard the words. Yet, her disappointment was as loud as a bullhorn.
“Closet.” I remembered about the gossiping woman. “Right.”
With every step she took away from me, something inside me started to ache. I d
idn’t know what about Charlie I liked, but I realized I didn’t want to be away from her. As crazy as it sounded in my head, I wasn’t going to ignore the way I was feeling. Not this time.
Charlie returned with my shoes, but she wouldn’t look at me. Though, her frown matched mine, which lent some comfort that I wasn’t alone on the feelings department.
I took the shoes, dropped them and then took her hand. “Charlie, aside from the library, do you have any other jobs? Family obligations?”
There was confusion mixed with her sadness in her glassy eyes. “No. Why?”
“Come with me then. I know we don’t know each other well—or hardly at all, but these past twenty-four hours with you, I’ve been the happiest I have ever been. You make me feel so…normal.”
“Go with you to Chicago? To your mother’s funeral? Where your family is at?” Charlie’s cheeks blushed bright pink and that cute frown of her edged into a small smile. “Are you serious?”
I laughed, cupping her cheeks with both hands. “Yes to all three. Will you?” I then tugged her closer. “I know it sounds crazy—hell, it is. But I want you with me. Please come. Right now, you’re the only sane thing in my life.”
Charlie pulled away from me, head down—arms folded across her middle, she paced. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking. Did she want to go? Or was she trying to come up with a way to let me down gently. She was like that. Nice and courteous and sweet. So sweet. Maybe too sweet for me.
I reached out and stopped her. “Charlie. Please answer me.”
“For how long?” There was worry and trepidation in her voice.
“We’ll stay there for three days—four at max… Say you’ll go, Charlie.”
“Are you sure you want me to?”
I leaned in and kissed her gently. “I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t want you to come.”
She took a breath and asked, “How would I get home?” She smiled with that question.
I smiled back. “I’ll drive you home.”
She contemplated for only a second before she answered. “Okay. I’ll go.”
“And the library?” I couldn’t help but ask, knowing she loved that place.
“No one comes in anyway. Closing for a few days won’t hurt anyone.”
I wrapped an arm around her waist, drew her in and kissed her hard, absorbing her goodness, and then ordered, “Get packing, woman. Quick.”
Chapter Twelve
Charlie
Talking Mike out of beating the heck out of Markus was a big undertaking. But after the mechanic cooled down and took Markus’s apology in stride, I explained to Mike where I was going and to not to worry about me.
“Are you sure, Charlie?” Mike asked, rubbing the back of his reddened neck. He leaned in and whispered, “How do you know you can trust him? You just met him yesterday, girl.”
I touched his arm. “Don’t ask me why, but I do,” I admitted. And it was true. I couldn’t explain why but only felt the conviction deep in my heart. A swell of adulation rose and I wasn’t afraid to face the fact that I liked Markus, even though I barely knew the man. Then Nana’s words echoed in my head. You know when you know. I hope you’re right, Nana.
Mike stepped back, turned to Markus and pointed to his chest. “You take care of her or I’ll find you and grind you down to dust.”
Markus raised his hands in surrender. “I will. I promise,” he said with certainty. His face held no contempt for the mechanic’s warning.
“Come on. I’m not a child.” I frowned, waving my hand at Markus. “Let’s go.” I slung my bag over my shoulder and walked toward his car. After a quick farewell to Mike and to the lonely library, I leaned back in the seat and let this adventure start.
Neither of us talked until we were about a few miles outside of Valentine.
“Since we’re stuck in this car for a while, tell me something about yourself, Markus.”
Markus shook his head slightly and let loose a small smile. “Sometimes, I like the quiet. I can think in quiet,” he said without hesitation.
I studiously stared at Markus, hoping to get more detail about him. He was such a handsome—no, gorgeous—man but that was surface stuff. I wanted to know what was behind those beautiful green eyes. In a small town like Valentine, the men were few. But hot looking men were a true rarity. What was more rare were men who had integrity and honor.
He glanced over at me with a contemplative stare and frowned. I couldn’t look at him any longer and stared out the window. “I’m sorry if I’m prying. I guess this time would give me a chance to get to know you better.”
“You’ve seen me naked.” He was sidestepping but that wasn’t going to work on me.
“Markus,” I gasped in mock horror. “Seriously though, stop with the evasiveness.”
He eyed me with annoyance but quickly turned his attention back to the road.
“Then how are you going to explain me to your family?” I knew I should stop while I was ahead but I had to know what he was thinking.
“Do I need to explain?” Markus shrugged. “They don’t need to know my personal life. But,” he raised a finger to quiet me. “If they ask, I’ll tell them you’re my girlfriend. Keep it simple.”
Markus’s statement stunned me. “Well…” Simply, I wasn’t expecting that. I stayed quiet, because what he said made me almost leap out of the car with joy but at the same time slightly leery. This situation seemed like a perfect dream but I wasn’t sure what was lurking in the shadows.
“Charlie.” My name drew me out of my thoughts. “This is my mother’s funeral. Most likely, I won’t be noticed. I don’t have tons of family and besides, I don’t care what anyone thinks about me or who I bring.”
I shifted in the seat, so I could get a better look at him. “Why?” That simple question popped out of my mouth. Charlie, don’t push.
There was a moment of pause before Markus spoke. “Because I left Chicago two years ago to start fresh,” he said with a gulp. I heard the pain in his words.
“But why don’t you care? This is your family.”
“Because my family—my father was nothing but a self centered asshole who never gave a shit about his kids or his wife. And at some point my mother became just like him.”
“That makes me sad, Markus.” I knew how he felt. My parents were worse when it came to showing love for their daughter.
“Promise me, you won’t get angry if I tell you something or try to jump out of the car,” he said with trepidation.
I let out a huff of laughter but stopped immediately when Markus raked a hand through his hair. This was serious. He wasn’t joking. “I promise, I won’t jump out of the car.” I crossed my heart.
“I didn’t actually fuck over my brother by sleeping with his fiancé…” His words fell off.
Markus let out a heavy breath before he continued. “Truth is that I didn’t actually sleep with her. Don’t get me wrong, Brittany tried many times but by the time I was about to relent, my brother walked in on us.”
I couldn’t help but be bug-eyed at what he’d confessed. “Does your brother know that?” I reached out and touched his hand.
“No. Bryce wouldn’t listen anyway. He saw what he saw and believed what was in front of him. Anyway, you are the first person I’ve told that to.”
“I’m honored?” I sobered and shook my head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been laughing.”
“No, Charlie. That is why I like you. You lighten my darkness.” Markus raised my hand to his lips and kissed my palm. “You are the first to look at me as some normal man. Even if I’m fucked up. Not as Bryce’s fucked up brother, or Markus Landry Senior’s misfit.”
“You are normal. Normal people make mistakes, Markus. I do it all the time.”
“You didn’t fuck over your family by leaving. I did. And my brother…my twin…” Markus stared so intently into my eyes before returning his focus onto the road. But I felt his pain bone deep.
“It was a mistake and yo
ur paying for it. Maybe if you talked to your brother
—"
“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said defensively.
“Are you sure, Markus?” My words struck something inside him. It had been two years. “What about your father? You never said how he reacted to you leaving.”
“My father was furious. He had some choice words, but I was too tired of being under his thumb to care what he said. I just knew I had to leave.”
“He was a jerk.”
“Ever since we were kids, our father pitted Bryce and I against each other. There was so much pressure, especially on me since I’m technically three minutes older. It was always his way or the fucking highway when it came down to anything he deemed competitive. Sports when we were kids. School grades—even in college choices. When it came down to the family firm I knew it was going to be no different, so I took the highway once the ultimatum was given.”
I wasn’t surprised at what Markus confessed. The agony glazed in his bloodshot eyes showed the hurt—the pain of his father’s maniacal obsession. However, my trust in Markus hadn’t wavered. Though I guess, it didn’t matter. Betrayal was betrayal. Betrayal against his twin, and his father’s against Markus.
I was darn sure I’d do the same thing if my father had given me that kind of ultimatum.
My parents were no better though. The only concession in my life was that my parents left me with Nana at a very young age, which I had to say was the smartest thing they did before drugs and a drunken accident took their lives. At least I had Nana to teach me about love.
Ever since Markus had cut ties with his twin, he had been alone. The torment had to be deeply riveted inside him. Was I strong enough to buffer between him and his family, namely his father? I wasn’t sure.
“So you have a twin. Does he look like you?”
Markus swiped his left eye with his thumb and let out a low chuckle, which made me smile. I loved the sound of his voice.
