I lifted my arm and gripped the back of his neck, panting against the side of his face. His touch was making my limbs slack, but his firm body behind mine was like a strong pillar, holding me steady. His arm gripped me to him, massaging my breast while his fingers kept working me.
The song was still playing, making my pleasure ride that much greater and faster. I came with a gasp—a sweet explosion that soared through my body, making me shake and quiver. It was only then I became aware of Marcus’s erection. It was digging into my butt; another turn-on I couldn’t pull away from.
A thought skirted through my mind—terrifying and tantalizing at the same time. I never thought I’d do it, but I squeezed his hips and shuffled us toward the couch. We stayed locked together, connected by some invisible super glue. My heart was thundering, ready to explode in my chest in the two steps it took to reach the sofa. I could barely breathe as I rested my knees on the edge and bent forward.
Marcus’s hands caressed my hips, his thumbs brushing over my butt cheeks.
“Are you sure?” he whispered.
“Yes.” My reply was barely audible, and I nearly changed my mind twice as I listened to him unzip his trousers. I glanced over my shoulder in time to see him wrap himself. He caught my eye and gave me a gentle smile as he slid off his shirt. I gazed at his bare chest with that fine tuft of hair before tracing back up to his face.
The calm sparkle in his eye settled my racing nerves a little. His soft fingers skimmed my back until they reached my shoulders. He replaced that sweet caress with his lips. My jaw shook as he moved down my body, kissing and teasing. He felt so damn good I didn’t know how much more I could stand. I was still sizzling from my orgasm, and I wanted him inside me.
I thrust back impatiently and he chuckled. His lips left me, his fingers digging lightly into my hips before sliding down my thighs. With a gentle nudge, he parted my legs then stood behind me, his fingers brushing my hyper sweet spot as he pierced me. He slid in slowly at first. The sensation was new somehow, the angle slightly different, and we both moaned in unison, like a rich sigh we’d been holding in since seeing each other. He placed his hands on my lower back and started thrusting. He was being careful and tentative, obviously not wanting to hurt me. It was like tickling my hungry taste buds, but not feeding me.
I nudged back against him.
“Tell me what you want, Kel,” he gasped out the words.
“Harder,” I whispered, burying my face in the cushions.
He gripped my hips and did as he was told, sending a shock wave of pleasure coursing through me. My toes curled as I lifted my head and panted, “Faster.”
His pace quickened and I clutched the cushions, crying out as a force made up of rapture and stardust shot down my legs. My belly quaked as he thrust into me, our skin slapping together in a rhythmic beat. I’d never felt anything so reality-defying before.
Marcus groaned, thrusting into me one final time and holding himself there. I pushed myself up, still gripping the cushions, because that’s all I could do.
“That was amazing.” I puffed, my bare chest heaving.
Marcus’s strong, sure hands came around me. He cupped my breasts and kissed my shoulder. “That’s because you’re amazing.”
I smiled. Only Marcus would say something that sweet. Only Marcus would make me feel this secure after what I’d just done.
Only Marcus.
*****
My clothes felt tight and restrictive as I sat at my parents’ dinner table. I’d left Marcus over an hour ago and my body was still pulsing. As I drove away, what we’d done started to sink in. My bubble shimmied and popped as I moved out of his reach and back into the Kelly DeMarco world I’d grown up in.
He’d taken me from behind, something my mother had sworn only porn stars did. She’d never told me how amazing it would feel. I’d always imagined it to be so degrading. The few times Fletcher had suggested it, a thick wave of vulnerability had frozen me solid, but I’d wanted to with Marcus.
“So how was your day, darling? Get up to anything interesting?” Mom’s simple question made me choke on my wine.
I covered my mouth, coughing and spluttering while my eyes watered.
My mother gave me an incredulous look until I pulled myself together and I was able to breathe without gurgling.
My head finally gave a stiff shake. “No, Mom, nothing out of the ordinary.”
“No gentleman callers?” Her thin lips edged up into a knowing smirk.
How the hell did she know?
“Are you… Who…?”
She chuckled. “Oh, stop playing coy with me and tell me about the visit.”
My mouth dried up like the salt flats, and all I could do was stare at her. My heart was beating so hard and fast, I thought it might travel up to my brain and explode.
Her eyes rolled and she shook her head. “Does Fletcher want you back?”
I jerked and dropped my spoon. It clattered against my knife and nearly took a chip out of the soup bowl. Mom’s frown was sharp, reprimanding me in her silent way before dabbing her mouth with her napkin.
“Kelly, for goodness’ sake. What is wrong with you tonight?”
My eyes narrowed as coherent thought kicked in and helped me piece my brain back together. “You sent Fletcher?”
Mom raised her glass, her eyes twinkling. “He called me, darling, and wanted to know if he could speak with you. Of course I gave him your address. Did you manage to woo him back?”
“No.” I shook my head, too confused and surprised to even show my annoyance. I wished my brain wasn’t always so slow to catch up on Mom’s deceptive antics. I should have been tearing into her, but instead I sat there like a dumb idiot, caught between the relief of her not finding out about Marcus and the horror that she had sent a cheating bastard to my doorstep.
She sighed and smoothed a lock of hair off her face with an elegant finger. “I guess the wedding is still on then?”
“Probably,” I murmured.
“Well, that is a shame. I was hoping you’d be wearing the Echelon dress down the aisle on Valentine’s Day, but c’est la vie, I suppose.”
I frowned at her. “Mom, seriously, how could you—”
“But never mind. I have thought of another solution. Since you seem incapable of finding your own man, I’ve managed to procure you a lovely date for the wedding.”
My mouth dropped open.
“His name is Asher Coburg. He’s the son of Lester and Diane. Do you remember them?”
I shook my head.
“Lester and your father have been in business for years, and your father has agreed to take Asher under his wing this year, teach him a thing or two. He’ll be perfect for you, darling. He’s tall, handsome, far better looking than Fletcher. You’ll look amazing together.”
“Mom, I can’t.” I closed my eyes, trying to take control of whatever the hell was going on inside of me. It felt like an earthquake was splitting my body apart.
She sat back with a perplexed frown. “You have someone better? Please, do tell.”
My mouth opened and closed, my voice box straining to work.
But my brain wouldn’t let it.
The name ‘Marcus’ was crashing from one side of my head to the other, but I couldn’t form the word.
“Kelly, stop doing that with your mouth. It makes you look like a goldfish.” Mom’s expression was sharp and disapproving. “Now, pull yourself together. They’ll be here any minute. You can meet him tonight, and I’ve arranged for him to take you out tomorrow evening on a proper date. You need to look familiar before the wedding. We don’t want Fletcher thinking you’ve been pining for him this whole time.” Her steely gaze assessed me. “I certainly hope you didn’t give him that impression when he came to visit you.”
Her right eyebrow peaked and I shook my head. “I sent him away.”
She tutted like I was an idiot then muttered something about at least having a back-up plan. “I don’t know what you�
�d do without me, darling.” She snickered, still looking gorgeous even though I hated the sound coming out of her mouth.
I pressed my lips together, trying to form the letter M. I just about had it when she opened her mouth and more vile toxins spilled onto the table.
“You know, it’s probably a good thing that you haven’t gone ahead and done this on your own. With that Bryce person not working out, it’s a relief that I can set you up with someone I know will be appropriate. We can’t have you ending up with someone who doesn’t fit, so to speak. You’re a DeMarco. I know that makes it difficult to find the right person, but you need to be proud of your name. Your father and I are so excited for your future. You have so many wonderful things ahead of you. Maybe Asher will help you to see the light, and you can quit that silly job and get on with being the woman you were born to be.”
I didn’t have time to respond. The front door clicked open, and my father arrived with a drop-dead gorgeous man. My mother was right—Fletcher had nothing on the guy. He strolled into the dining room, unbuttoning his jacket and giving me a suave smile. I looked into his bright aqua eyes and tried to smile back, but all I really wanted to see was a playful, hazel gaze that made me feel warm and complete.
I imagined Marcus standing where Asher was, trying to impress my parents with witty conversation.
My spirit deflated.
My “Marvin Gaye” dance was done, and I was back to holding a needle, aiming it straight at a bubble I never should have blown.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Marcus
I sat in my mother’s office and fiddled with the stethoscope resting on the corner of her bright yellow desk.
“You can play with it if you want.” She walked in and winked at me. Shrugging out of her white coat with the Disney character badges all over it, she grabbed the purse from under her desk then gave me a knowing smile.
I shook my head and stood. “Should we get going?”
“Sure.” She grinned. “Thanks for picking me up.”
“No problem.” I tipped my head toward the door and stood back so she could go through first. She stopped at the nurse’s station to say goodbye before heading out of the private clinic and into the sunny parking lot.
She looked over her shoulder as I caught up with her. “My car should be done, so if you could take me straight to the garage, that’d be great.”
“Cool.” I kept my words short. I wasn’t really in the mood to talk. It’d been a weird, frustrating day.
I unlocked the passenger door and held it open for my mom. She reached for her seatbelt as I closed it and wandered around the front of the car. Her eyes were on me the whole time, assessing me, reading me even though I didn’t want her to.
She waited until I’d started the engine and pulled into traffic before saying, “What’s up, Scruff?”
I shrugged.
“Oh, so you’re gonna make me guess.” She rubbed her hands together, a gleeful smile flashing over her face. “Is it…”
“Please don’t.” I stopped at the traffic light and scrubbed a hand over my mouth. My whiskers were sharp and bristly. I’d forgotten to shave after the gym. Kelly hadn’t been there. In fact, I’d barely seen her, because she’d gone out of her way to avoid me all day. I caught her at one point and tried to ask her what was wrong, but she mumbled, “Not at work,” and fled the room.
After the way we’d ended things the night before, I’d returned home feeling elated, but an early morning call from Caris’s mother and an elusive Kelly had set me in a foul mood and only reignited all my insecurities.
I wasn’t cut out to be a manager, and I sure as hell wasn’t cut out to be Kelly’s boyfriend. The sex may have been crazy good, but it wasn’t enough for her to fall in love with me…let alone claim me as her own. I didn’t know how to make her do either.
“Has she broken up with you?” Mom’s soft question made me wonder if I’d been talking aloud. I gave her a weird look and she just smiled. “The only time you’ve ever worn that forlorn expression is when things aren’t going well with Kelly DeMarco.”
I sighed, accelerating through the intersection and keeping my eyes on the road. “We’re not really together, I guess. I mean, I’d like to be, but she’s…something keeps holding her back.”
“Is she worth it?” Mom’s gentle hand on my arm stopped me from snapping at her.
I swallowed back my angst and murmured, “She’s always been worth it.”
Mom went quiet then, never a good sign. She was no doubt formulating some speech that would cut me to the core and make me re-examine my life. She was the reason I broke up with Allison when I easily could have settled for some long-distance drama. She was the reason I applied for a job I wasn’t really capable of. She was the reason I purchased a house for my twenty-third birthday, believing I had it in me to pay it off.
“Marcus.” Mom cleared her throat.
Here we go.
“Honey, all your life you’ve made it your mission to bring people joy. You only have to be you and you’re making people laugh and feel better about themselves. As a kid, you were so good, always trying to keep everybody happy.” Her tone was so warm it was hard not to smile at the compliments. “The only problem with that is you often sacrifice what you really want and end up compromising all the time. I worry you’re selling yourself short.”
“Kelly DeMarco is not selling myself short, Mom. She’s completely out of my league!”
“No.” Mom shook her head. “No, you see, that’s where you’re wrong. She’s lucky to have you. Just like Everett Torrence and Caris are lucky to have you.”
I snickered and shook my head. “You’re only saying that because you’re my mother.”
“No, I’m saying that because you are an amazing man, and I don’t want anyone to ever make you feel otherwise. You are a catch, Marcus Chapman, and you deserve a girl who wants to claim you as her own and let the whole world know about it. Now, I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but I do know that she shouldn’t be messing with your head playing hot fish, cold fish.”
I shrugged, about to say it wasn’t that bad, but her stern look told me not to go there. Instead, I ended up admitting in a broken whisper, “I’ve wanted her for so long. I don’t want to lose her.”
“I know.” Mom’s voice quivered with empathy.
“I’m worried if I tell her everything I’m really feeling that she’ll run the other way. I can’t make her fall in love with me.”
“That’s true, but you can give her a choice. You’re in love with this girl, and for the sake of your heart you need to tell her that you’re all in or all out. You deserve to be treated with respect, and respect without honesty is worthless. You owe it to yourself to lay it all out on the table.” Mom nodded then mumbled, “And I’m not just talking about her, either. I’d like you to stick it to that Caris girl.”
I cleared my throat and gave her a wry smile. “I think I tell you and Dad too much.”
She giggled. “I love you, Scruff.”
I pulled into the garage and spotted Mom’s car waiting for her. She unbuckled her seatbelt and leaned across to peck my cheek. Holding my face with her hand, she looked me in the eye. “You’re the kind of guy who will give his all to get the things he wants. Just make sure you’re fighting for the right stuff. Don’t destroy yourself for something…someone…who isn’t going to fight just as hard for you.”
She left me with that nugget. It clunked and rattled around, torturing me as I drove to Kelly’s apartment. She didn’t know I was coming, but I didn’t think I could handle a sleepless night composing all the things I wanted to say to her. It was better that I just showed up and we had it out—an open, honest conversation that would either save us or sever what we had.
Chapter Forty
Kelly
I pushed the last pin into my hair then stepped back, turning my head from side to side to make sure my French roll was secure. My glittery drop earrings shimmered as I shook m
y head. My glossy red lips rose into a tight smile. I looked good. The dress had been waiting at my door when I got home with a note from Mom attached.
This will look perfect tonight. Wear your diamond drop earrings and necklace and go for a French roll in your hair. Let me know if you want me to come over and help you get ready ~ xx Mom.
I opened the lid to find a stunning midnight-blue dress that dipped low at the back and accentuated my curves. My mother always knew how to pick ’em. I slipped my feet into my high silver pumps and clipped to the door when I heard the bell.
Grabbing my clutch purse, I opened the door and stopped short when I saw Marcus standing there with a bottle of my favorite wine and a bright red gerbera. Typical Marcus—a rose would have been too cliché. Why did I love that about him?
The sweet smile on his face faded to confusion when he saw my dress, but then he smiled and whistled. “Wow, you look amazing.”
“Th-thanks,” I stammered.
“Sorry to show up unannounced. I should have called.” He lifted the wine. “Things were kind of weird at work today, and I wanted to stop by to make sure everything was okay.”
My head bob-bob-bobbed as I tried to form a coherent sentence. What the hell did I say? Any lie I came up with would be lame, and the truth was a bitch-slap in the face.
I ended up going with evasion, a standard tactic that tended to work with anyone but Marcus. “It’s not a great time for me. Maybe we can talk about this later?”
His eyes tightened at the corners as he took stock of my appearance again. “Are you…?” He clenched his jaw, his lips pursing before he looked me in the eye and murmured, “Who’s the lucky guy?”
Troublemaker (Songbird #6) Page 19
