by Kylie Parker
“God, you had the best idea ever.” Helen remarked. “You’ve got to love L.A.”
“It would have been perfect if all those morons weren’t here.” Michelle laughed. “Look at them. I’ve never seen so many posers in one place in my whole life.”
At that point, Gina’s exaggerated scream drew their attention. Rick had only thrown her into the water, face up.
“That’s a nice picture, isn’t it?” Michelle spoke in lazy tones, pointing up at them.
“Don’t get me wrong here, Michelle, but I don’t want to talk about them again.” Helen murmured, closing her eyes. “Like I said, I’m happy for them, but I have my own problems to worry about.”
“The way I see it, you only have one problem.” Michelle’s statement intrigued her.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Helen asked, rolling over onto her left side.
“Lack of adventure, darling,” Michelle elaborated. “I’ve been hearing your complaints for a while now. You keep saying that ‘nothing happens in that godforsaken town. It’s like a cemetery there.’ Maybe you’re right. Shandaken is a small town, but, seriously, what do you expect; all-night parties?”
“Just something a little out of the ordinary,” Helen shrugged. “Every day is the same as the next.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Michelle stated stiffly. “I like it there. It’s a lot more peaceful than the New York craziness. Unless it…” she faltered, “transforms into a major city, things are going to stay exactly as they are.”
“What are you getting at?” Helen’s curiosity was growing by the second.
“Make the most of this, Helen.” Michelle raised her voice, slightly. “You’re only going to be here for what, three more weeks? Have some fun. It doesn’t matter if it’s with Marcus or not.”
“If by ‘fun’, you mean meaningless sex, then thanks, but I’ll pass.” Helen grumbled. “If I wanted just that, trust me, I would have done it in New York.”
“Ok, please, listen to yourself.” Michelle requested, turning to face her. “You’re on vacation and you’re looking for love? For real; come on, Helen. You know that’s next to impossible.”
“I’m just searching for something more than sex.” Helen explained. “Is that so bad?”
“Of course it’s not.” Michelle said in a softer tone. “The question is ‘do you think you can find it with him’?”
“I don’t know.” Helen sighed. “It’s pretty complicated. He said I could put myself in harm’s way if we dated.”
“I think he’s being a little too cautious,” Michelle’s words sparked a tiny flame of hope inside her. “You’ll only be seeing each other for three weeks. If things work out between you two, great. If they don’t, you’ll have something to remember this holiday by, other than my concerts.”
“Are you saying I should go for it?” Helen’s voice came out hesitantly.
“Oh, my God,” Michelle rolled her eyes in frustration. “No, I’m saying you should sit on your ass and wait until you meet someone else. Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying!”
“I’d love that.” Helen confessed. “I can’t stop thinking about him. Those eyes; that voice; that body… God, that body.”
“Don’t mention bodies,” Michelle groaned. “I’m in a dry spell, remember? It’s enough to watch that brute swimming over there. Damn, Liv’s lucky to have that stud.”
“You like him?” Helen’s voice became high-pitched with enthusiasm.
“Are you saying you don’t?” Michelle answered her question with a question. “I mean, look at all those muscles. If I were in bed with a guy like that, I’d totally bite him: everywhere.”
“Oh, my God.” Helen burst into loud giggling, slapping her forehead with the palm of her hand.
“This is not funny.” Michelle glared at her. “Olivia got married, you had sex a couple of days ago, even that redhead’s getting laid and I’m all alone.”
“Ok.” Helen chuckled, leaning against her shoulder. “I can talk to Liv about a threesome. I don’t think she’ll like it, but…”
Michelle didn’t allow her to finish her sentence. She reached behind her back, grabbed a small stone and threw it at her.
“Ow!” Helen let out a sharp cry of pain, as the stone struck her in the shoulder. “That hurt!”
“Are you done teasing me yet? Because I can go on, you know.” Michelle’s voice was not at all reprimanding. On the contrary, it came out sweet and the broad smile on her face was a clear sign that she had been enjoying this.
“Fine, I’ll stop.” Helen said with a grin.
“Anyway…” Michelle spoke in a firm tone. “Go find him. Tonight, if you can. I’ll drive you there myself. Should everything go well, call me. If it doesn’t, we’ll go out for drinks, alright?”
“What would I do without you, my twerking queen?” Helen teased.
“Cut it out.” Michelle laughed. “I asked you something.”
“Ok.” Helen gave a cute nod. “Tonight it is.”
Chapter Twelve
For the first time since her arrival in Los Angeles, Helen was in high spirits. Her conversation with Michelle while on the beach had made things very clear to her. Even though Marcus had warned her about the risks, she would follow her heart. In her mind, there was nothing wrong with that. He was the first man, in a long time, who she had felt attracted to, and Helen was not willing to pass on the opportunity to get into a relationship with him, although such a thing could spell danger. The idea of dating a wanted man filled her with excitement. It was nothing like she had ever experienced. Moreover, the chances of having the same circumstances in her birthplace were very slim.
Michelle kept her promise that night. She drove her friend to “Enrico’s” restaurant and waited for her in the car. However, Helen was not going to just barge into the kitchen, like she had done the night before. Instead, she chose to walk around the building. Her heart sank at the sight of the basement. Of course, Helen did not need to lay her eyes on that room. The memory of the night before had been haunting her mind ever since the moment of Marcus’s sincere confession.
I don’t know if I can take away your pain. My God, that would be so hard; a lot tougher than anything I could have ever imagined. But, I want to be close to you, Marcus. I’ll hate it if you turn me down again.
Helen snuck a peek through the narrow window in the corner. There were four men in the kitchen, including Marcus. A mischievous smile formed on her face, as she noticed he was chopping a salad.
This gorgeous man is cooking. I am so turned on right now. I wish I could kill the power and seduce him right there on the counter, or out here. I wouldn’t mind. Get it out of your head, Helen! Focus! What should I do? Storm in? Nah. If I wanted to embarrass him, I would have used the kitchen door. I’m going to wait here. Sooner or later, he’ll come. I can’t wait to kiss him again.
Despite Helen’s expectations though, Marcus did not go anywhere near that door. Much to her frustration, he was very busy, cooking and ordering the waiters. Fifteen minutes later, she was left with no choice. However, just when she had decided to barge in, she spotted him heading towards the sink, under the window.
“Ok, now’s my chance,” she thought to herself, tiptoeing to the left. Her heart was pounding in her chest, as her slow footsteps brought her closer and closer to the door. Closing her eyes, Helen took a deep breath and knocked. Luckily for her, Marcus answered it, but, as soon as their gazes met, his jaw dropped.
“Hiiiii!” she sang. “How are you?”
“Um, hi,” He croaked, closing the door behind him. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you.” Helen said, her voice sweet, as she leaned forward. “Why else?”
“I thought I was clear last night.” Marcus spoke, a hint of annoyance in his baritone. “Are you looking for trouble or something?”
“No,” she whispered, raising her hands to his chest. “We just got off to a great start, Marcus. I don’t want t
o lose this. I don’t care about trouble. I want to be with you.”
His full lips curled into an evanescent smile, as his eyes blazed into hers. Marcus leaned in towards Helen, lifting his hands to her face, as she returned the smile. Cupping her cheeks, he tilted his head down. Their lips locked in a long, tender kiss, as she stroked his chest. Sliding her hands up his body, she pressed herself into him, as he gently pulled her closer. Marcus brushed her jaw with his beard stubble, as Helen circled her arms around his neck. His hands slipped up and into her hair, sending tingles down her body, as she caressed the back of his neck. The sensation of his thumbs, stroking her creamy cheeks made her heart throb with delight. Marcus let go of her left one and snaked his arm around her upper back, moving his lips to her cheek. A blissful smile spread across her face, as he pulled her into his embrace.
“God, what a big hug…” Helen purred, draping her hands over his back.
“You’re one stubborn country girl, you know that?” Marcus let out a short laugh.
“Please, don’t call me that,” she requested, leaning back. “What time do you get off?”
“I still need about an hour. Have you had dinner yet?” He asked.
“No. I was a little too anxious to eat,” Helen confessed, as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“You must be starving. Dinner’s on me. What are you having?” Marcus’s kind words made her smile reappear.
“Lasagna would be nice.” She said, as he pressed his forehead onto hers.
“Go get a table,” He whispered. “Please, do a favor for me; will you? Go around and use the main entrance. I don’t want customers to see a woman coming out of the kitchen. They may get the wrong idea.”
“You got it, Mr.” Helen winked at him. “Just don’t keep me waiting for too long. I’m starving.”
“I won’t.” He shook his head sideways. “Go.”
Overflowing with a sense of joy, she tilted her head up, as her hands crept around his neck. Helen planted a quick kiss on his cheek, as Marcus let his arms drop to his sides. She turned around, feeling like a child with a new toy. Helen had no idea what had made him change his mind, but she was too happy to ask. The two of them would be together. For her, it was all that mattered.
Eager to share the good news with Michelle, she quickened her pace. But Helen did not have to speak. Her broad smile gave her away, as she approached her friend’s car. She stopped inches away from the passenger door, but Michelle was the one who spoke first.
“There’s the happy girl I met.” She teased. “You kids have fun. I want all the juicy details tomorrow, ok? Goodnight.”
Chapter Thirteen
After a delicious dinner, Helen had the chance to consider her options. She would be in a relationship with a man with a military past, who still clearly bore the scars of his ordeal. Helen didn’t have a clue as to how she would assist him in putting the past behind him, but she did know what she had to do first. Valuing family more than anything in this world, she would do precisely what she had asked of him the night before: try to convince him to get in touch with his father. Apart from being Marcus’s only family, David Donovan was a very powerful man. He had the resources and the manpower to seek the truth about his son. As much as Helen wanted to believe that Rick’s nephew, Peter would be able to discover clues concerning Marcus’s case, she couldn’t. The entire idea of a 20-year old hacking into the Pentagon’s database felt a little too unrealistic and even if he could accomplish such a feat, the chances of him finding anything were rather slim.
Eventually, Marcus’s shift was over. As soon as he emerged from the kitchen, Helen tried to take him by the hand, but she was in for an unpleasant surprise.
“Not here.” He murmured, passing her by. “Walk behind me.”
Baffled and somewhat irritated, she did as told. On his way out of the restaurant, he took a few, furtive glances around him. When the two of them were out, Helen couldn’t help but voice her frustration.
“Ok, what was that?” She wondered, her voice squeaky as she stepped outside.
“My father’s lawyers have a soft spot for pasta.” Marcus said in a firm voice. “They frequent this place. One of them was staring at me the other day. I like that, though.”
“What’s that?”
“The whole ‘ultrasonic’ thing with your voice.” He laughed, turning to her, as he unlocked the helmet case, mounted on his Harley. “You sound cute.”
“Thanks.” She rewarded him with a short smile. “Sorry about that. I was just surprised, that’s all.”
“Don’t mention it.” Marcus said his calm baritone as he handed her over her helmet. “Just remember that, ok?”
“Ok.” Helen chirped. “Where do you live?”
“A few blocks east.” He replied, mounting the Harley. The sound of the thunder-headers resounded through the busy neighborhood, as the engine roared to life. Helen placed her right foot on the foot peg and swung her left leg over the saddle, before putting on her helmet. They rode off into the warm night and, seconds into the ride, she could feel something was very different from the other two times she had been on the motorcycle. Helen had experienced the sense of freedom that it offered; yet, this time, it was much more intense. Perhaps it was the anticipation of a relationship with him that intensified the sensation, or the fact that she would finally see where he lived. At any rate, Helen was so excited that she wouldn’t bother searching for an explanation. She simply closed her eyes and rested her head on his back, savoring every second of the ride, as the cool wind rushed over her.
A few minutes later, he turned right and into a small neighborhood. Just as Helen expected, it was filled with large, old apartment buildings. Marcus was trying to hide his identity; living in an expensive mansion would draw too much unwanted attention. Easing on the brakes, he let his Harley roll to a halt.
“Don’t say you like it.” Marcus joked, hopping off his motorcycle.
“I don’t think my opinion matters.” Helen smiled up at him, the buzzing of the thunder-headers still ringing in her ears, as she stepped off. “I don’t live here. You do.”
“Why don’t you tell me more about where you live?” He said, as they started towards the entry door.
“Ah, Shandaken.” She spoke, a hint of sadness in her voice. “My house is drowned in greenery. Oak trees, balsam fir right under my front porch, great views of the mountains all around it. I can even see your friend’s cabin from up there. It’s really peaceful. Quiet. So quiet you can hear a pin drop.”
“Sounds amazing,” Marcus commented, turning the key in the lock.
“I’m kind of tired of it, really.” Helen’s voice came out hesitant, as she entered the building.
“We always want more. People, I mean.” He said, as they climbed up the stairs; “Always.”
“I’d love to live here.” Her tone was lower and even sadder, “or New York.”
“Don’t say that.” Marcus uttered in a stiff baritone, as he looked down at her over his shoulder. “Cities just suck people dry.”
“But a person has so many options in the city.” Helen persisted. “Anybody can do pretty much anything.”
“No, Helen. No one can.” He disagreed, unlocking his front door. “Maybe you think that’s the way it is, but it isn’t. People in the city don’t have time to do much.”
“But…”
“All I’m saying is you have to take the good with the bad,” Marcus interrupted, closing the door behind him. “That’s how ‘adjusting’ is done.”
“Point taken,” Helen said with a nod, as he scanned her body, from bottom to top.
“Hot curves;” he said, his voice raspy as he took one short step towards her. “I’d love to stay right here, but I need to take a shower. I smell like food.”
“What?” She gave a snort of amusement, lifting her hands to his chest. “You smell like pizza; I love pizza.”
“Keep your hands off,” Marcus smirked. “Wait here. I won’t be long.”
<
br /> “Oh, man…” A sigh of frustration fled her lips, as he turned around.
Nah, I shouldn’t complain. I have him right where I want him. I don’t mind waiting for a few minutes. He’s going to come back, smelling minty fresh. Let’s have a look around.
Curious about his bedroom, Helen quickly crossed the living room. She started down the hallway that led to it, her ears picking up the sound of the water running, as she sped past the bathroom. When she found herself in his bedroom, she was in for yet another, much more pleasant, surprise. Three guitar cases, each one lined up next to another, were leaning against the far wall. A gorgeous, sunburst acoustic guitar was lying on Marcus’s bed, to the left. Immediately, an idea flashed through her mind.
Marcus and Mr. Grumpy are both playing the guitar; Michelle is singing … Oh my God; that would be fantastic!”
The pictures on his desk caught her gaze. There were five frames, all containing him and a few of his army buddies. Behind each one, Marcus had written their names. One of them even included the two men who had been executed in front of him. It was at that moment that Helen realized how much he missed them and his career as a marine. However, the presence of those pictures made her understand why he had been unable to move on all this time: Marcus had been clinging to his past. If he had any chance of healing, he would have to put them away, along with any other relics in his apartment.
“Semper fi…” She whispered, easing that frame down on the desk.
“Helen!” His deep voice snapped her out of her thoughts. “Come here. I need to show you something.”
Smiling to herself, she quickly turned around. She had a very good idea about what that “something” was. Helen couldn’t wait to touch him. With her pulse increasing more and more by the second, she pushed the bathroom door open. The sensual scent of alpine filled her nostrils, as she walked inside. Marcus was lying in the half-full bathtub. Foam was covering his legs and his groin. The water was shining on his chiseled abs and his chest.
