by Aliyah Burke
The kid didn’t back down, if anything the anger in his blue eyes sparked brighter. “Why do I have to be nice to yours when you’re rude to mine.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I know all about the letter your attorney sent to Niya to keep her away from us. I figured you for a prick but never that much of one, especially after seeing the two of you together in Maine. Did you just fuck her so she’d not fight you anymore?”
“Mind your tongue.” He shook his head, what letter?
“No. I’ll never forgive you for getting her out of our lives. Ever. You’re a pig, using women to gain what you want. I will say this though. I may only be fourteen, but you’ve taught me about the kind of man I never want to be.”
J.T. ducked under his arm and went deeper inside the house. Marco drew the door shut and tried desperately to make sense of what the boy had just said.
“Everything okay?” Torrye asked, stepping into view.
“No. I need to call Anson.”
“We’ll be in the living room. Take your time.” She walked away and Marco realized he wasn’t even interested in watching her walk off, like he would have been in the past. I’m over her.
Grabbing his phone, he gave the order for it to dial Anson and stepped back outside for some privacy.
“Long time no hear,” Anson said by way of greeting.
“Question for you.”
“It’s your dime, bro. Shoot.”
He paced along the flower lined walk. “What did you send to Niya?”
Anson tapped something on his desk as he thought. “Niya. I did what you told me. Sent her, basically a visitation agreement with terms she’d have to agree to before the children could be in her presence. The visitations would be done at a place of your choosing and you had to have approval to her three months in advance. There would always be someone you picked with them as well so she wouldn’t take them and run off.”
Marco wanted to sink through the sidewalk. “Draw up a retraction.”
“What?”
“Do it, Anson. That’s not what I wanted at all.” Marco ended the call and placed another. “David, get the jet ready we’re going to be leaving today. We’re heading back to Maine.”
Back in the house, he barely paid attention to the party around him and when it was over, he drew both Niall and Torrye aside.
Niall watched him suspiciously while Torrye do so with concern. “I need a favor.”
“What?” Torrye asked.
“Keep an eye on the kids for me for a few days.”
Torrye leaned against her husband. “Going after your woman?”
“Absolutely.”
“In that case, yes, we’ll take the kids.” She gripped his arm. “Find your happiness, Marco.”
I have every intention of doing so.
Later that evening, Marco sat on the plane as it headed north. His unexpected guest, Anson, in a seat beside him. His friend had shown up at the airstrip wanting to come along. Marco wasn’t in the mood to argue so just allowed him to accompany him.
“Is this place even on a map?” Anson asked as they disembarked to the waiting town car.
“It’s got potential, Anson. And it grows on you.”
“Humph. I’m beginning to question my sanity of coming with you.”
Slipping into the backseat, he gave his destination to the driver. The landscape was covered with snow still and he found himself enjoying it. The roads were clear and they made good time. Marco’s breathing hitched a bit as they pulled into Niya’s drive and the car stopped by the front door.
The men got out and went to the door. He knocked and waited while behind him, Anson talked about how people got murdered in places like this. Or stranded.
Brooke opened the door after Anson went back to sit in the warm car. Her gaze raked him from head to toe and nothing gentle entered her expression. “What do you want?”
“I need to see Niya.”
“She’s not here.”
He wanted to dispute but reined in his need to dominate the conversations. “Where is she?”
“In New York with her agent and editor. And no, I don’t know when she’s coming back.”
“That’s fine. I have my attorney with me, I can do this without her here. This will take about ten minutes. May I come in?”
“Whatever,” she said. “I’ll be in the kitchen.” She vanished.
“Anson!” he hollered waving at him. “Get up here.”
The man climbed out. “Why? It’s damn cold.”
“We’re going inside.”
His friend hastened up and followed him in. “Thank God it’s warm. I don’t know how people can live in the cold like this.”
Marco just rolled his eyes. He, personally, enjoyed it. “Come on, you weenie.”
They entered the kitchen and beside him Anson froze, his breath came sharp and fast. “You? You live here?”
Marco glanced between his friend and Brooke, who had a stunned look on her face as well. He cleared his throat. “Is this going to be a problem?”
Both looked at him and Anson said, “Not for me.”
Brooke yawned. “You said ten minutes, clocks been ticking since I got in here.”
Marco sat and gestured for Anson to do the same. “This is what I want written up.”
Niya stopped off at the grocery store on her way back from New York. She didn’t really want to, but she wasn’t sure how much stuff would be left in the house. It had been a long trip, she’d actually gone on a book tour and hadn’t been home in a month. She missed her bed. Loved seeing her readers and interacting with them, but she was exhausted.
She shopped quickly, not understanding the looks she was getting from people. Back in her vehicle, she fought off another yawn and pointed herself in the direction of home. Down the main drag she saw people working on the hotel and she smiled.
“That’s nice to see. About time it got fixed up.” A few other shops were in the midst of renovations as well.
Once she made it home and the garage door closed behind her, she climbed out and grabbed the bags of groceries. “You here, Brooke?” she called as she made her way through the entryway and into the kitchen.
“Yes, how was your trip?”
She placed the bags on the counter. “Long. I’m beat. How were things here?”
Brooke came into view and she smiled. “Interesting.”
Niya frowned. “Interesting good or interesting bad?”
“Depends on your take.”
Mind games. She wasn’t really in the mood. What she wanted was a hot shower and a long stint in her own bed. Once the food was put away, she shook her head. “I’ll figure out what you mean later. Right now, I have a date with my shower and bed.”
“I’ll be around. Wake you about sixish for dinner?”
“That’d be great.” With a wave over her shoulder, she stumbled to her room to do just what she had planned and nothing more.
Her dreams were full of Marco. His scent, touch, and warmth. Eventually she couldn’t sleep anymore, her body to primed and alert for something only he’d ever been able to give her. Total completion. Rolling over, she cracked open her eyes to see the clock. Five. She could truly use the final hour of sleep but it didn’t look like that was going to happen.
Sitting up, she groaned and wiped the sleep from her eyes before moving to the bathroom to splash water on her face. Still yawning with exhaustion, she went back to her bed and sat down on the chest at the end of it. Across from her in the chair by a window, watching her, sat Marco.
This has to be my imagination. The man had a booted foot propped up on a jean-covered knee while the black and white flannel made her recall all to vividly how powerful the man was. His gaze was fixated on her as he stared over his steepled fingers.
She drew one leg up and rested her chin on her knee as she continued to watch the unmoving man. This has to be one of the weirdest dreams ever.
“Are you just going to sit th
ere and stare at me?”
Her hands became clammy and she wiped them off along the cotton of her Marvin the Martian pants. The shock faded and the anger came back.
“What are you doing here?”
“I needed to talk to you.”
“Pretty sure, your attorney said it all. Quite clearly as well.”
“That was a mistake.” He put his booted foot on the floor, drawing her attention to his muscular thighs.
“Like you sneaking into my room while I was sleeping?”
“No, like me not climbing into bed with you while you were sleeping.” He leaned forward and rested his elbows on those very thighs. “I’ve missed you beside me at night.”
She didn’t want that admission to mean a damn thing. Unfortunately it did. “I’m sure you have a bevy of women who are more than anxious to share your bed.”
He lifted a shoulder. “Perhaps. But the woman I want is in Maine, not Texas.”
A flutter of hope burst to life in her chest. “I don’t have time for games, Mr. Auciello. Say what you came to say and get out of my house.” He began to get up and she shook her head. “No, you keep your distance.” She truly didn’t trust herself if he got much closer. Even now, the scent of him filled her nostrils and had begun tempting her beyond all measure.
He settled back but she couldn’t help but notice the satisfactory grin which curved up the corners of his kissable, bitable lips. “I came to apologize for the packet my attorney sent you.”
She crossed her arms and readjusted to sit cross-legged on the cushion. “Really? J.T. giving you a hard time and you promised to apologize if he’d just behave?”
“Not really. I mean, I’d love for him to behave better but he has nothing to do with this. I didn’t know he was going to word it the way he did. It’s not what I wanted.”
“What did you want?”
“I wanted you to have access to the kids whenever you wanted. If you wanted to take them for a weekend, or a holiday, fine. Down there, up here. I don’t care. You’re family to them.”
Tears sprang into her eyes and she fought furiously to keep them contained. “Well, that’s definitely not what the letter said.”
“I know and again, I apologize. Anson is very aggressive and protective. He wanted to make sure the kids were always going to be safe.”
She bit back her anger, the man, Anson, didn’t know her from Adam so she should be grateful that at least he wanted to keep them safe. With a grunt, she shifted on the seat. “Is that it?”
“No. Not at all.” He pushed up from the chair and strode to her, reminding her yet again of that jungle cat. “Not even remotely.”
Niya watched him, part of her screaming for her to get out, shore up her shields, and come back for the rest while the other part of her wanted to lean in and kiss him. Run her hands along his shoulders then down over the washboard abs to the clasp on his jeans, just for starters.
Marco braced his arms on the mattress behind her, his face inches from hers. Eyes locked upon one other, he pressed closer, allowing her to feel his heat even more definitively.
“Where are the kids?”
“At the house.”
“In Texas?”
He shook his head. “Nope. Here.”
She furrowed her brow. “Here?”
“Here.”
She bit her lower lip until his thumb swiped along it, encouraging her to release it. “Don’t do that,” he said seconds before kissing her lightly.
“What house?” she barely managed to ask when his mouth left hers.
“I bought my sister’s house.”
“Did you buy the hotel?”
“Guilty.” Another kiss. “I don’t want to be away from you, Niya. I don’t want to take the children from you.” Another kiss. “I know you’d never move to Texas and honestly, I like it here. Plus it’s good for the kids. They have fresh air to grow up in as opposed to a city.”
“You really think you’re going to make money on a hotel up here?”
“I know I will but it’s not about that, Niya. Listen to me. I’m here for you.”
She didn’t know what to say so didn’t speak. He seemed to understand her dilemma.
“I know you don’t believe me, but you’ll see. I’m going to prove it to you, Niya.” One more fast kiss and he backed away. “I’m sure dinner is just about ready.” He held out a hand and she took it. The smile he bestowed upon her had her believing perhaps this would work.
Epilogue
Four months later
Marco smiled at J.T. as he cut the ribbon before the new hotel. The time had passed quickly. He lived at his sister’s house but honestly, they spent a good deal of their time over at Niya’s. Every day he feel deeper in love with her. She wasn’t a pushover, which was good. Marco needed a strong woman who would stand up for what she believed.
The ribbon fell to the ground amongst the cheering crowd. His arm around J.T., Marco scanned the crowd. He spied Torrye and Niall standing there, his friend aglow with her pregnancy and her husband standing protectively beside her. Moving along, he smiled at other people whom he’d come to consider friends over the past few months. He’d brought work to the small town, opting to use local businesses instead of calling in bigger named places.
Off to his left he saw Niya standing, holding Eliana in her arms. Her hair had drawn back into a ponytail and Eliana played with some of the braids. She smiled at him and he knew this was where he belonged.
“Thank you again, to everyone who helped with the renovations of the hotel. We finished right on schedule and under budget. All in perfect time for the huge celebration coming up when this hotel will be packed full with tourists and pouring currency into the town.”
A resounding cry went up and he nodded. “I know, I know. At times we didn’t think any of this would get off the ground.” He spied Brooke near Niya and found his friend, Anson, across the crowd from her, glaring at Brooke. “But it has and we not only got it done, but we fixed it up how it used to look, honoring the town’s history. The restaurant is open and I do hope to see all y’all there at some point to try out the food. But, before we do any of that, I have one more thing to say.”
He waited until the crowd fell silent. Marco shared a look with J.T. before waving Niya up to stand beside them. He took his niece from Niya and kissed Eliana before passing her to her brother. “I came up here almost six months ago when I learned I had family here. I came with an attitude which I’m not proud of and yet, y’all still welcomed me.” He turned to Niya. “Even you, when I was taking your kids away from you.”
“Niya, you are an amazing woman who with each passing day teaches me something new. I didn’t think I would ever,” he glanced to Torrye and Niall, “find love like my friends did. But you proved me wrong on that account. For which I’m eternally grateful. I watch you with J.T. and Eliana, how wonderful you are with them. How your love for them bypasses anything I’ve ever seen. You’ve worked beside me, during your limited free time and helped me as another hotel came to be. Your research on how it had been in it’s hayday was invaluable. Each day, my feelings grew deeper and I can no longer ignore it.”
He reached out and took her hand before brushing a kiss over the back of it. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Niya Bell.” Marco dropped to one knee. “It would be my greatest honor if you would agree to become my wife.”
She gasped and her hand trembled. He tightened his grip, sending her the reassurance she needed at that moment.
“We’re good for one another, Niya. We make a hell of a team as well.”
Digging into his pocket, he withdrew the ring which had been there all day, waiting for this very moment, and held it out to her. A three stone Pavé diamond platinum ring. He’d had J.T. help him pick it out.
“Marry me.”
The crowd around them fell silent but he never took his gaze from the woman standing before him. He watched it all, each emotion that encompassed her face. The joy, fear, and everythi
ng in between. Her mouth moved but nothing came out so she nodded.
He held his breath as he slid the ring on her finger then stood tall and drew her close. One hand on her cheek and the other splayed against her back. “I love you, Niya.”
“I love you, too, Marco.”
He kissed her as the crowd erupted in cheers. He may have been named as guardian of the children, but Niya was their true guardian. And soon, she’d be their mother. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
The End
Are you interested in reading the story about how Torrye and Niall got together? Here is their blurb.
Blurb for An Unexpected Encounter
Just because there’s a blizzard doesn’t mean it’s all cold...
Torrye Jamieson, is blessed with a loving, if not overbearing, family and her dream job. Unfortunately, tonight she was stuck in an airport in Edmonton, Alberta, which means spending the night with a bunch of strangers, and a man who had witnessed her earlier embarrassing incident.
Oil rigger Niall O’Cinneide is also stuck in the same airport. His night improves as he notices the woman who had snared his attention the moment, he saw her—in the men’s restroom.
Incredible sex is what they share before the night is over. A few weeks later they meet in Texas when Niall is staying at the hotel she is assigned to.
Torrye fights her desire for him. Niall doesn’t care; he has found her again refuses to let her go this time.
Is it possible that true love could begin from an unexpected encounter?
About the Author
Aliyah Burke is an avid reader and is never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached here. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
She is married to a career military man. They are owned by three Borzoi. She spends her days sharing time between work, writing, and dog training.
I hope you enjoyed reading, The Guardian’s Seduction. If you could help others to find and enjoy this book as well, I would appreciate that act of kindness. You can do this by recommending it to your friends and/or reader’s groups. Also, by reviewing it to let others know you liked it—and why, even if it’s nothing more than a line or two. Every bit helps, makes all the difference and is absolutely appreciated.
