by Bec Botefuhr
“Ready?” Marcus murmurs into my hair.
“Yes, you?”
He smiles. “I don’t need anything.”
“Clothes?”
“It’s a night, I’ll be fine.”
I roll my eyes and Marcus leads me out the door. We pass Rose and another man on our way to the door.
“Sir, will you be attending the dinner tonight?” Rose asks.
Marcus shakes his head. “No, something has come up. Direct all my calls and if any conferences are needed, just send them through to my laptop, we’ll do it over that.”
Rose gives him a dubious look, and then flicks her eyes to me and scrunches her nose up.
“Wow, you look awful.”
“Stomach bug, I wouldn’t come too close,” I say in a small voice.
“Are you going back to campus?”
Marcus answers for me. “No, I’m taking her home. She’s too sick to be here and I don’t need her tomorrow.”
“Oh,” Rose says, giving him a quick glare that I just catch. “Well, I hope you feel better. Marcus, what will you have me tell the President?”
Marcus shrugs and takes my arm again, leading me away. “I’ll call him. Bye Rose.”
“Good day, sir.”
~*~*~*~
The drive home is quiet and peaceful. Marcus takes his own car, driving us instead of having us driven. He spends most of the trip on the phone, organizing things and making sure everything is covered. When we pull into my parents’ sleepy little town I feel my heart swell. I don’t get to see my parents and sister a lot anymore, not with school and study. Marcus smiles as he drives through the streets.
“I love little seaside towns,” he says.
“Me too, I always loved it here.”
“I bet you miss it?”
“I do,” I sigh.
“How are you feeling now?” he asks.
“A little better, I’m so sore though and still not ready to eat.”
“I bet your mom makes the best soup.”
I grin. “She sure does.”
Marcus turns a few corners and then pulls up at my parents’ large, white, three story home. I smile and put my hand over my chest. It’s been a while and oh, I’ve missed them.
“How did you know where I live?” I ask, just having realized I never gave him directions.
“I do have your addresses, Sierra, obviously that is something that is on the file that I have.”
Right, of course. They wouldn’t put just anyone on with the Speaker of the house, I bet he did a full background check on me too. Fair enough I guess. I slip out of the car and smile up at the large home. So many fond memories I have that include this house and the squealing blonde girl rushing out. I grin and rush forward as fast as my aching body will allow. My sister throws her arms around my neck and we laugh as she spins me around.
“Sierra, what are you doing…oh god…”
Her eyes flick towards Marcus who has just stepped out of the car looking like a dammed god. He smiles at my sister and she actually lets off a little squeal.
“You brought Marcus Harrison to our house?” she cries, gripping her flushed cheeks.
I laugh. “I’ve been sick and he decided to bring me home.”
“Oh god, that’s so…romantic.”
I scowl at her. “Ease up sis.”
Marcus walks over, smiling. He extends his hand and my sister makes a strange sound in her throat before taking his hand and shaking it.
“Marcus, I’m….it’s an honor…”
“It’s lovely to meet you…?”
“Jayelle.”
“That’s a beautiful name.”
Jayelle grins and shakes her head. “Oh…well…thanks.”
I hear my name and spin to see my mother coming down the stairs. Tears prick my eyes as I rush towards her. When I reach her, I throw my arms around her neck and let the tears slide down my cheeks.
“My baby, what’s wrong?”
“I just missed you momma, I’ve been sick and I just wanted to be home. Marcus brought me here so I could see you.”
She lifts her head and swipes my tears away, she holds me out and stares down at me. “Oh love, you look terrible.”
I force a smile. “Stomach bug.”
“Oh love, that’s awful.”
She stares over at Marcus who is laughing at something Jayelle is telling him. Her eyes widen as she drinks him in, I know exactly what she sees. He’s perfect, tall, well built, and gorgeous. He’s everything a girl could want in a man, and he has the heart to go along with it.
“That’s Marcus?”
“That’s him.”
“He took time off to bring you home?” she says, giving me one of those ‘what’s going on’ looks.
“Yes, I said I wanted to come home. I was having a sulky, I miss my mom and I’m sick, moment.”
She smiles. “He took time out from a job, that’s no doubt constant, to bring my little girl home? He’s welcome in my home.”
I smile and wave Marcus over. He smiles at me and begins walking over, his body moves with such grace it’s beyond perfect. He stops in front of my mother and takes her hand.
“Mrs. Walters, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
My mother flushes and lets go of his hand, pulling him in for a hug. God love mom.
“Marcus, it’s an honor. Thank you for all your hard work and welcome to my home.”
“It’s lovely to be here, Mrs. Walters.”
“Call me Pam, it’s lovely to have you, Marcus. Please, come in.”
Marcus flashes me a dazzling smile before following my mother into our home. Jayelle grips my arm and leans in close.
“Tell me you’ve kissed that man?”
I laugh. “No, Jayelle.”
She snorts. “Come on, if there’s any more sexual tension in the air, it’ll explode.”
I giggle and shove her. We follow them inside and I feel instantly relaxed at the familiar surroundings. My mother leads us into her large, wooden kitchen and turns the kettle on.
“So, Marcus, we’ll have to tell you all about our Sierra here.”
I groan. “Mom, no, he’s my boss.”
Marcus smirks and takes a stool, leaning his elbows on the counter and smiling at my mother. “I’d love to hear about Sierra.”
“I trust she’s a good worker?”
Marcus flicks me a glance so hot, I have to look away. “She’s the best.”
“I’m so glad, we’re so proud of her,” my mother says, gripping some mugs from the sink and placing them on the bench.
“As you should be, Pam, she’s a hard worker.”
Marcus is still watching me as he speaks and my cheeks heat. Jayelle rolls her eyes and swings open the cupboard door to take out a tin of cookies. She places them in front of Marcus, forcing him to tear his gaze away from me. He gives her a warm smile.
“Did you make these, Jayelle?” he asks, placing a piece of chocolate cookie into his mouth.
My sister, mother and I watch with open mouths as his tongue snakes out and licks a crumb from his lip. Holy sweet mother he’s mouth fucking the cookie right in front of us, and damn, it’s so god dammed erotic my sex clenches hungrily. My mother clears her throat and quickly looks away and Jayelle makes a sound that somewhat resembles a giggle.
“I…don’t really bake,” Jayelle finally says, answering his question. “Mom does all that.”
Marcus smiles over at my mother as she slides him a cup of coffee. “They are divine, Pam.”
“Thank you, Marcus, my husband loves them also.”
“Where is daddy?” I ask before sipping the clear tea my mother places in front of me. It’s soothing.
“He’s at work, he’ll be home later.”
“I can’t wait to see him,” I say.
“Before then, you’re going to take it easy. You look awfully pale, Sierra.”
“She was quite ill,” Marcus says, staring hard at me.
“Have you been
drinking?” My mother asks.
“Well…”
“Not enough,” Marcus says, cutting me off. “Your daughter is quite stubborn, Pam.”
My mother laughs. “Don’t I know it, well, I guess lots of fluids are in order.”
She points to the tea in front of me and I flash her a warm smile before sipping it once more. She turns to the fridge and pulls out a whole chicken.
“Will you stay with us tonight, Marcus?”
“Only if it won’t put you out.”
My mother waves her hand. “Of course not, I wouldn’t ask you to drive home after all this effort!”
“Then I’d be honored.”
“It must be hard to take a night away from work,” she says, pulling out a large pot. Here comes the chicken soup.
“Not so much,” he says, flashing his phone. “They can reach me if needed.”
“It must be a nice change, to get away.”
Marcus nods. “It is.”
“And your fiancé didn’t come with you?”
I cringe but cover it by sipping my tea.
“No, Chayne has her own affairs to deal with.”
“Of course, she must be quite busy.”
“Quite.” Marcus says, in a rusty tone.
My mother doesn’t notice, she just continues chatting to Marcus about his job and his life. I sink down onto a stool, feeling my body growing tired and weary. Marcus stares over at me after about half an hour and then stands, walking over and placing his hands on my shoulders.
“You need to rest.”
My mother looks over from her pot of soup and frowns. “You do look awful, go and lie down honey.”
“I’ll just sit on the couch.”
Marcus helps me up and we walk into the living area. I stare at the large, leather lounge and my body aches for it. When I sit down onto it and my body sinks into the plush cushions, I groan. Marcus sits beside me and hands me a glass of water and aspirin, does the man have a stash in his clothes or what?
“More, it’ll help.”
I take it and groan as it slides down my raw throat. I feel sore, achy and just exhausted. I make sure to take a few extra sips of water before leaning my head back on the couch and sighing deeply. I close my eyes and I can hear Marcus shift so he’s closer to me. He doesn’t touch me but I can feel his thigh pressed against mine. In minutes, my world fades out and I’m asleep.
CHAPTER 12
I stir from my sleep and I can feel a warm, firm body part pressing against my cheek. I snap my head up with a groan and see Marcus is still sitting beside me with his laptop on his lap. I was leaning against his shoulder and instead of moving me, he let me sleep there. He looks over at me, and a half smile touches his lips.
“Sorry to startle you, how are you feeling?”
I look around the room, my mother is still in the kitchen pottering away. When she sees I’m awake she quickly gathers a bowl of soup. I turn back to Marcus.
“I’m feeling…achy. How long was I out?”
“Two hours, give or take.”
“You sat here with me leaning against you for two hours?”
He shrugs and places his laptop onto the couch beside us. He meets my gaze and gives me a heart wrenching smile, then he stands and stretches, making a groaning noise as he does. My mother watches him and her cheeks grow pink, then she turns to me.
“Time for some soup,” she says, “you need to eat.”
She brings a bowl over to me and places it on the coffee table in front of me. I look up at her and she’s giving me a stern, serious look that tells me not to argue with her. I shoot Marcus a quick glance and he’s also giving me that look. With a grunt, I pick up the spoon and put some soup into my mouth. The hot, salty warmth slides down my throat and I can’t deny that it’s delicious. A small moan escapes my lips and I sheepishly look over at Marcus and try to ignore the hungry look in his eyes.
“Is it ok?” My mother asks, not noticing our little moment.
“It’s wonderful, momma, as always.”
Pleased, she turns and walks off. My sister comes into the room then, freshly showered and looking divine in her tiny dress and heels.
“Where are you going?” I ask, suddenly feeling a little hideous beside her. I probably smell like old spew and my hair no doubt looks like a tangled mess.
“Out with Dane.”
“Oh?” I smile, waggling my eyebrows.
“Shut up, Sierra, we’re just friends. Just like you and Marcus.”
She winks at me and my mouth drops open, before I can respond she rushes into the kitchen to say goodbye to mom. Marcus’ loud, booming laugh fills the room and I give him a horrified stare. I’m glad he finds it funny. My sister doesn’t suspect….if she does, does that mean my mother does too? Oh god. I stand and excuse myself before rushing into the bathroom.
When I get into the vast bathroom with its white tiles, massive basins and huge bath, I slam the door. I turn on the tap right away and splash my face with water. What am I doing right now? Why am I at home with Marcus when I should be back at work, not here playing happy family. He’s not my family, he’s not even my boyfriend, he’s a fuck….that’s it. God, what am I doing? I’m going to break my own heart and I’ll have no one to blame but myself.
“Sierra?”
Dammit. It’s Marcus.
“Um, I’m just washing up.”
“Open the door.”
His tone tells me not to argue with him, with a sigh, I open the door. He steps in right away and shuts the door behind him. Then he leans in close so only I can hear him.
“Why did you run off?”
“What are we doing, Marcus?”
His gaze searches my face. “We’re visiting your family.”
“I don’t mean right now, I mean this,” I indicate between the two of us.
“We’re enjoying each other.”
“Marcus, you’re engaged and I’m going to go back to school in less than two months. What the hell are we doing here? It’s dangerous, risky and stupid.”
Marcus reaches up and strokes my face, then he turns his hand to cup my chin and force me to look up at him.
“Sweet girl, I know what I’m risking, and I want to risk it for you.”
“Why?” I whisper.
“Because you make me different…”
I make a whimpering sound. “Tell me why you’re like this, Marcus?”
“Like what?”
“So in control, so dominant, so sure of what you want. Did something bad happen to you? Are you searching for a way to fix it and you think I’m the thing that can do that?”
He smiles, it’s warm, deep and beautiful. “I’m not damaged, I don’t have a scarred past, I didn’t have bad parents or a horrible upbringing. I’m just a man, Sierra, and I know what I want and what I want, is you. Can you please just enjoy this for a moment? Please?”
He leans down and grazes my cheek with his lips, lingering there for long moments and then pulling back.
“Now, it’s time to go and please your mom by making sure you eat more food.”
I smile and roll my eyes at him. “Yes, boss.”
CHAPTER 13
My father and Marcus get along surprisingly well. After dinner, they both chat about fishing, camping and other manly things. I head into the kitchen to help my mother clean up while they go out to look at my dad’s cars. I grip a dish towel and pick up a plate as my mother washes it. I’m mid-way through drying when she asks me a question I really hoped she wouldn’t.
“Are you and Marcus seeing each other?”
My hands tremble as I try to find a way to answer her without lying.
“Not…exactly.”
She sighs and stops washing to turn and stare at me. “Sweetheart, he’s engaged.”
“I know that, momma, but it’s not like you think.”
“I know that, believe me, I have figured it isn’t how it looks, but what you’re doing is wrong.”
I feel my eyes we
ll with tears, and when one slips down my cheek she steps forward and wraps me in her arms.
“I don’t want to want him, momma, but I do. It’s so intense, he makes me feel things I never thought I could feel and I can’t seem to walk away.”
“It will end honey, as beautiful as it feels now, it will end. It will also break your heart. A man like that can’t just be with anyone, he can’t just run away with you and give you everything you deserve. He’s engaged, not to mention he’s the Speaker of the house. He can’t just pack up and walk away from that, no matter how you both might feel.”
“I know,” I wail. “And I know it’s going to hurt, but I can’t seem to stop myself.”
“You’re a big girl Sierra, I can’t make you walk away, but I can tell you that if you don’t, you’re going to end up so severely hurt.”
“I think I’m falling in love with him, momma.”
“Oh, Sierra.”
She holds me tight, stroking my hair and hushing me with soothing words. I hear my father come in and I quickly pull back, swiping the tears from my eyes. When he and Marcus step into the room, I do everything to avoid Marcus’ gaze. I know it’s on me though, I can feel it burning into me.
“I might go for a walk along the beach,” I whisper.
“Of course,” my mother says.
I put the dish towel down and rush out of the room. I slip on my flip flops and step outside. The air is warm, and I can already smell the salty air from the beach down the road. I begin walking, trying hard to keep my emotions intact. My mother is right, Marcus will break me. I can’t ever be what he wants or needs, I can’t be with him. It just won’t work out. When I reach the sand, I find a dark spot and I sit down.
“Sierra?”
Dammit. I hear Marcus sit down beside me. I hadn’t realized he was following me.
“Marcus, I just need…”
“I know what you need, Sierra, I know and I also know I should be giving it to you, but I just can’t stay away. I don’t want to stay away from you and it scares the hell out of me. I want you, Sierra, and it fucking burns.”
I turn to him, I can’t see him in the dark, but I reach out anyway. I feel the rough stubble on his cheek as I rub my fingertips over it.
“I’m going to get hurt, Marcus, we need to stop…”
“No,” he whispers. “I don’t want to stop.”
