Heart Of Marley

by Leigh, T. K.

  “Bri would never do that.”

  “Then what am I supposed to think?”

  “Be patient with her, Cam. It’s nothing. I think you’re so conditioned to think the worst of everyone because of what we went through, you’re trying to find something that’s not there. Hell, I bruise all the time. All I have to do is bump into the couch the wrong way and I have a mark on my leg for weeks. As for her not calling, you know how her mother can be at times.”

  He nodded as he continued drying the same dish.

  “It’s fucking dry, Cam!” I shouted, grabbing it out of his hands and thrusting a wet one at him.

  He chuckled. “I was wondering how long it was going to take you to do that.” He nudged me.

  “You suck sometimes.”

  We continued washing and drying the dishes in silence as the sound of Christmas carols rang through our house.

  “Thanks, Mar,” he said.

  “For what?”

  “For talking some sense into me. I know I’m overreacting. I just… It’s just…”

  “I get it, Cam. You love her. And you miss her. You don’t have to explain it to me. You’re preaching to the choir. But you have nothing to worry about with Bri. You should see the dress she got for the New Year’s Eve Gala. All I’m going to say is you better stock up on condoms because you will definitely be needing some.”

  His face flashed red and I laughed. I loved embarrassing him.

  “Or you can just borrow some of mine.”

  “Jesus, Marley Jane. Enough already.”

  I stood on my tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek.

  “You irritate the piss out of me nearly every day,” he said, “but I couldn’t imagine a day without you.”

  “Merry Christmas to you, too.”

  After finishing the dishes, we went back into the living room and spent the next few hours watching Christmas movies with Mama. I rested my head on Doug’s lap and propped my feet on Cam’s.

  “You’ve certainly got both these boys wrapped around your little finger, Marley Jane,” Mama commented as she observed Doug caressing my head and Cam rubbing my feet.

  I yawned and stretched. “Yup. I sure do.” I looked into Doug’s eyes and my heart began racing in my chest. “Want to go to bed?”

  He nodded eagerly.

  I shot off the couch. “Okay. See you tomorrow.” I grabbed Doug’s hand and practically dragged him up the stairs. Closing the door to the bedroom, thankful to finally be alone, I jumped on him, pressing my mouth against his, kissing him like it would be the last time I ever would.

  “Damn, Marley,” he said, tearing away from my lips. “What’s gotten into you?”

  I brought my bottom lip between my teeth and shrugged, giving him my most coy look. “Nothing. I just missed you. And now that we’re alone, I can give you your real Christmas present. That wallet was not your real present, by the way.”

  “I’m happy with the wallet. You don’t have to give me anything else.”

  I pressed my finger over his mouth, hushing him. “Believe me. I think you’ll want this.” I winked as I slowly unzipped the black dress I had been wearing. Shrugging it over my arms, I allowed it to pool at my feet.

  His eyes grew wide, his jaw dropping.

  “You like?” I asked as he scanned my body, taking in my red lace bra, matching thong, and a garter belt clipped to my stockings.

  He simply nodded. “I’m beginning to really like Christmas.” He drew me into him as he devoured my mouth. His hands roamed my frame, leaving fire in its wake.

  “Doug,” I exhaled. “There’s more.”

  “More? How could I possibly want anything else?”

  I raised my eyebrows. “I’m just full of surprises today.”

  Grabbing his tie, I led him toward the bed and pulled him down on top of me. I wrapped my legs around him and forced his mouth against mine. I could tell he was unsure about how I would react to him being on top of me. It had usually been the other way around, but that needed to change.

  Reaching for the bag that I had placed on the nightstand, I handed it to him. “Here. Open it.”

  “Can I open you first?”

  I shook my head. “No. That one first. It’ll make opening me more fun.”

  I could feel him harden against me as he reached into the bag and began to rummage through the tissue paper. He pulled out the first item he came across, his eyes narrowing in lust and uncertainty at the same time.

  “Marley… You don’t have…”

  “Doug,” I interrupted. “I trust you. I love you with all my heart and I know you love me. I want you to feel free to do what you like when we’re having sex. I know we’re both kind of new at this so we’ll figure out what we both like together. I’d be lying if I said the idea of you handcuffing me wasn’t a big turn-on. I got a little wet buying those.”

  He groaned and licked my lips as if begging for permission to enter. Grabbing my wrists in his hands, he raised them over my head as his tongue caressed mine. I smiled when I heard the click of the handcuffs.

  He nipped on my earlobe and began lowering himself down my body.

  “There’s more,” I exhaled.

  “More?”

  “Yup.”

  He returned his attention to the gift bag and pulled out the eye mask. “Are you sure, Marley?”

  “Douglas Evan, if my kinky ass boyfriend didn’t have me handcuffed to the bed right now, I’d slap him.” I winked.

  He laughed and raised my head, slipping the eye mask over my face, my world growing dark.

  “Holy shit,” I breathed.

  “What?” He quickly removed the mask, his face awash with concern.

  “Don’t you dare! Put it back on. It’s the coolest thing ever.” I giggled. “It heightens the rest of my senses, especially touch.”

  He lowered the mask back over my eyes, his breath dancing on my lips. A sensual tingle spread through my body. “This is fucking hot. You need to try it sometime.”

  He didn’t respond. It was completely silent except for my breathing. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought that I was completely alone…except for the sparks igniting deep within as I felt a finger find its way into my bra. I arched my back in response. I was completely unhinged and couldn’t remember ever being so turned on in my life.

  “Doug,” I moaned. “I need you.” Wrapping my legs around his midsection, I began bucking him. “Please.”

  “Okay,” he said. “I’ll always give you everything you need.” I felt him climb off me, the familiar sound of clothes falling to the floor and a foil wrapper being opened echoing in the room. Fingers hooked through my panties, and he gingerly slid them down my legs. Bracing myself, I gasped in complete surprise when I felt his tongue on me. I threw my head back, unable to control my reaction. We had been intimate, but he had never done that before. It felt fucking incredible.

  It didn’t take long before the most amazing warmth spread through me. I tried to stifle my screams as my body began to convulse. My mind was a blank slate and if you were to ask me my name at that moment, I probably wouldn’t have been able to answer you correctly.

  In an instant, his lips were against mine, his tongue invading my mouth. I moaned, tasting me on him, making me burn for him with even more intensity.

  “That was your Christmas present, Marley Jane, not the earrings. Although, I’m planning on doing that every chance I get from now on. You taste very yummy,” he commented.

  “Yummy?” I asked, giggling.

  “Yup. Yummy,” he answered as he slid inside me. “Remember, if it’s too much, just tell me to stop, okay?”

  “Shut up, Doug. It’s not too much.” I moved against him and he buried his face in my neck.

  “I love you, Marley.”

  My chest heaved from the incredible sensation of experiencing Doug’s love.

  “I love you, Douglas. Always.”

  He brushed his lips against mine and murmured, “Always.” His
movements became uneven and, within moments, he clamped his teeth on my neck, stifling his own moans as he shook on top of me.

  He took off the eye mask and looked deep into my eyes. “That may have been the best Christmas present ever.”

  I smiled the widest and most genuine smile I could remember. “Ditto.”

  He rummaged through the bag. “Ummm… Marley? Is there a key for these things?” he asked nervously.

  My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. “Of course there is.”

  “Are you sure? I’m not seeing one.”

  “What?!”

  A grin crossed his face as he held up the key.

  “Douglas Evan, if I wasn’t handcuffed right now, I’d kick your ass.”

  “Well, we can’t have that. Maybe I’ll just have to leave you this way.”

  I smirked. “I’m okay with that,” I replied as he kissed me, unlocking my handcuffs.

  “Merry Christmas, Marley Jane,” he said, pulling my body into his, his front against my back.

  “Happy Hanukkah, Douglas Evan.”

  “I hope you had a good first Christmas with me.”

  “I sure did. The first of many.”

  “I hope so,” he whispered against my neck, tracing circles with his tongue on my skin.

  “We’ll use the body paint tomorrow,” I said sleepily and felt him harden against me once more.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  A NEW YEAR

  I HAD NEVER BEEN so nervous as I was that night, getting out of my car and walking up the driveway to Brianna’s front door to pick her up for the New Year’s Eve Gala at the country club. There was this excitement in my body and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t eager to see how she looked, especially after all the teasing Marley had been doing over the past week.

  When Brianna opened the door, my breath caught. She had always been beautiful in my eyes, but as she stood in the doorway wearing a mermaid-cut floor-length sapphire dress that shimmered when the light hit it, I thought she looked absolutely stunning. It was slightly revealing, but still tasteful and elegant. Her dark hair was curled and pinned up, leaving a few ringlets to frame her pear-shaped face. She wore a hint of makeup, her eyes popping from the shadowing.

  “Wow,” I mumbled under my breath.

  “Do you like my dress?” she asked coyly, spinning around, tripping on her heels.

  “Whoa! Easy there!” I stepped forward, catching her in my arms as she fell back.

  Our eyes met while she remained enclosed in my embrace, her silky skin soft in my hands. “Thanks for catching me,” she exhaled breathlessly.

  I nuzzled my face against her neck and inhaled her fruity scent. “I’ll always be here to pick you up,” I murmured into her ear.

  I felt her body almost melt into mine as she processed my words. Pulling back, I met her brown eyes that were full of depth, pain, and compassion. I could look at her for hours and never tire of it.

  “We should go before we’re late,” she said, snapping me out of the trance that her glistening eyes had me in.

  I helped steady her back on her feet. “Of course.” Giving her my arm to hold on to, I led her from her house to my Wrangler, opening the door and helping her in.

  I ran around to the other side and got behind the wheel, cranking the engine. Glancing across the car at her nervously fidgeting in her seat, I grabbed her hand in mine. “You look absolutely beautiful tonight.”

  She blushed, turning her eyes from me.

  “I mean, you’re always beautiful. But that dress… I mean…” I took a deep breath. “I’m digging a hole again, aren’t I?”

  Leaning across the center console, her lips hovered over mine. “Yeah. But I think it’s cute when you do that. I like that I fluster you.”

  “You do more than just fluster me, Brianna. You make me completely speechless.”

  “Good. Now kiss me.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I pressed my lips to hers, cognizant of the fact that we were in her parents’ driveway. I had no desire to upset them by making out with her in front of their eyes, even though they were probably already at the gala. Tearing away after a simple yet affectionate kiss, I winked. “To be continued later.”

  She leaned back in her seat. “I hope so!”

  I pulled out of her driveway and maneuvered the streets of Myrtle Beach, heading toward the country club.

  “I’m glad you’re feeling better,” I said, breaking the heavy silence in the car.

  “Oh, thanks.” She hid her eyes, pulling her shawl tighter around her bare shoulders.

  “Everything’s okay, right?”

  “Of course. What wouldn’t be okay?”

  “I don’t know. I just worry about you sometimes. If you ever want to talk about anything, I’ll listen. I’m not going anywhere.”

  She rolled her eyes in a playful manner. “Except maybe to Arizona.”

  “How did you hear? I just got the letter yesterday.”

  “News around this town travels fast. You should know that. I mean, we all had a feeling when the scouts came to watch you pitch last spring at the championship game, but to know that you got a full baseball scholarship… It’s a big deal, Cam. You should be proud. I guess I’m just concerned about where that will leave us.”

  “Nothing will change, Bri. I don’t even know if I’m going to go there yet. There’s a lot I have to consider before making a decision. If I get into Georgetown, I’d like to go there. And with everything that’s been going on with Marley, I have to think about her, too. I know she’s been great lately, but I’m just worried that if the bottom falls out again, she’ll fall deeper than she ever has.”

  Brianna leaned over and planted a kiss on my neck just as I turned into the country club parking lot. “You’re such a good person. I’m the luckiest girl.”

  I pulled into a spot and killed the engine, facing her. “No. I’m the lucky one.” Placing my hand on her cheek, I brought her lips to mine, my fingers grazing her luxurious skin. Hesitant, I slipped my tongue into her mouth, caressing her gently, my motions delicate.

  She moaned and began to kiss me with even more vigor. Before I knew what was happening, I was clumsily lowering my seat and pulling her on top of me. I had never been so aroused in my life.

  “Cam…” she exhaled.

  I responded by tightening my hold on her, not caring that we were probably steaming up the windows of my Wrangler.

  “Cam…”

  I continued kissing her, rocking my hips against her.

  She whimpered and I assumed she was enjoying whatever I was doing. Brianna was my first serious girlfriend, if you could call dating in high school serious. Still, this was the most intimate I had ever been with anyone before and I really had no clue what I was doing. I just let my urges guide me, hoping that she was enjoying it.

  Pressing her body even harder against mine, I kept my hand planted firmly on the small of her back, savoring in the feel of her flesh against me as I continued exploring her mouth.

  “No!” she screamed suddenly, shocking me. My eyes flung open to see her flailing against me. I quickly released my hold on her and she darted back to the passenger seat. Throwing the door open, she ran through the parking lot in the opposite direction of the country club as I stared in confusion at her reaction.

  “Damn it!” I shouted, punching the steering wheel of the car. Taking a deep breath, trying to settle my nerves and hormones, I knew I needed to fix this. Leaving the car, I scanned the parking lot for any sign of her.

  “Hey, Cam!” I heard Mason call out as he was heading into the gala with Kristen.

  I spun in the direction of his voice and a playful grin crossed his face. “Brianna’s looking hot tonight, isn’t she?”

  “Shut it, Mason.”

  “Just an observation, bro. Did you bang her yet?”

  “No. And even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you about it.”

  “Too bad. She’s a good lay. You should get on that.”

  I ig
nored him and continued walking, finally spotting Brianna’s shivering frame sitting on a bench, her hair dimly illuminated by the winter moon. Running in her direction, I slowed to a stop when she glanced back at me, tears streaming down her face. I couldn’t remember ever feeling so guilty.

  “Bri.” I sheepishly ran my hands through my hair. “I’m so sorry. I got carried away. I… I just… I was stupid.” I lowered myself to my knees, hoping she would see how horrible I felt. “Please don’t think I’m like the rest of these assholes. I’m really not. It’s just… You look fucking amazing tonight, Bri. And the feel of your lips… I lost myself. I promise that I’ll never let it happen again. I don’t care what it takes to earn back your trust, I’ll do it.”

  She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Cam. I didn’t mean to freak out. I just…”

  I raised myself and sat down next to her, wrapping my arms around her.

  She leaned her head against my shoulder. “I just don’t like confined spaces. That’s all.”

  “I get it. It was a sleazy move for me to make out with you in my car.”

  “I liked it, though,” Brianna responded, the terror that was in her eyes just moments ago replaced with a flirtatious look.

  “We don’t have to rush into anything. I don’t want to pressure you into something you’re not ready for, Bri. Please know that.”

  She bit on her lower lip and I could sense that she was deep in thought. “How’s Marley doing? With Doug, I mean.”

  I shrugged, trying to brush off what she was referring to. “They’re good.”

  “No, I mean…” She lowered her voice. “With sex. And her past. She’s okay?”

  “I really hate talking about my sister’s sex life. You have to realize how strange this is for me.”

  Her face remained fixed. “I know. I was just wondering if she’s okay.”

  Shaking my head, I said, “I think she’s more than okay.”

  Laughing slightly, she took a small breath. “Good. That’s good to know.” It was quiet for a moment before she spoke again. “I want to, Cam. It’s all I’ve been able to think about since Halloween. No. I take that back. It’s all I could think about since you kissed me.”