by Jan Graham
Marcus nodded, indicating she was free to proceed.
“I was in the middle of one of the busier pedestrian and traffic locations in Sydney—a major tourist destination for people all over the world. Every tourist has a friggin’ camera, Marcus, there would have been hundreds around me. I think it’s unfair to scold me for missing one happy snapper pointing a camera at me. And…” Beth could feel her anger edging to the surface. “I hope you’re going to question Ash about this as well because he certainly didn’t say anything about it, and he’s my babysitter on this case.”
Beth sensed the tension between them escalating. She’d folded her arms in front of her as she spoke, hoping to conceal the slight tremor in her hands. She could feel her blood pumping, and as her heart rate accelerated, she clenched her jaw. Marcus showed only a few subtle indicators of his annoyance. He now stood straight, rather than reclining against the countertop, feet slightly apart, body erect. Of course, he still held his coffee, his hand steady, no tremor of rage in sight. Marcus stood calmly emotionless, his trademark appearance during confrontations. God, he annoyed her sometimes.
“Ash reported to me the day it was taken. Two weeks ago, in case you’re wondering, I have the exact date downstairs. He also provided me with a shot of the cameraman. Sasha’s been following him ever since,” Marcus barked. “The fact is you missed it, Beth. I don’t like surprises, you know that. We need to be constantly one step ahead of our opposition. It’s the only way we succeed in this job. Now, whatever you need to do to get your head back in this game, do it. And do it fast.”
Fuck.
Not only did Ash know about her mistake but Sasha as well. Reputation was vital as a member of this team. If the others believed you weren’t up to scratch, they’d have no confidence working with you. Mistakes could get you killed in this industry, especially on the high-risk missions Marcus was notorious for.
“I’m sorry, Marcus,” Bethany could say nothing else, she’d messed up. “I’ll also apologize to the team at the next meeting for dropping the ball like I have.”
Wouldn’t that be a meeting she’d like to miss? Beth knew everyone would understand. As a team they forgave each other without question. You owned up, admitted the mistake or indiscretion, and that was it. All forgiven. They were a family that’s what family did.
“They don’t know. Ash and Sasha assume you came to me with the information as well. I didn’t correct them when they asked if you were okay now that the mission was getting real.” Marcus maintained eye contact as he took a sip of his coffee. “I told them you were handling it but suggested they not mention it to you for fear they’d reinforce what a significant development it was.”
Beth had no idea why he did that—protect her. He’d bawled her out in front of people before, but tonight he took her aside. She’d screwed up, and he’d covered for her. It demonstrated a level of care and concern that was different to how he felt regarding other members of the team. Yet, at the same time, he could blow her off with one terse statement—not going to happen, baby girl.
The rebuke hurt when he initially said it, remembering it was equally painful. Marcus was a complex man, she’d realized that from the moment they met. Tonight, that complexity infuriated her.
“Are we done now?” Bethany needed to take some time out and think. Sure, she couldn’t leave until Ash returned to escort her home, but in a house this big, there was plenty of space to put some distance between them.
“Not yet.” Marcus put his coffee on the bench, moved a few steps closer and stood, arms folded across his chest, gaze still firmly fixed on her. His imposing figure now filled her total line of vision. When he finally spoke, the sternness in his tone had gone, replaced with the rough sexiness that always made her knees go weak.
“I need to apologize about tonight. You caught me off guard, and I reacted badly. I know I hurt you, and I’m sorry.” Marcus paused. “However, you need to give me a break, baby girl. This flirting and the sexual innuendo has to stop.”
Beth didn’t move as he came closer, remaining propped against the door jamb, now hedged in by Marcus’ much larger frame. He towered over her when she wasn’t in platforms, and, for some reason, tonight she felt especially slight while standing this close to him. Bethany’s annoyance with him remained even as he stroked the outer side of his fingers down the side of her face so tenderly, she never wanted it to end.
“It doesn’t matter, I was wrong to say it. I know you think I’m too young.” Beth tried to remain composed as she replied, despite the urge to unfold her arms and run her hands down his tightly muscled chest. “I’m happy to do as you’ve asked. I’ll try to ignore my feelings for you. I’ll stop the flirting and just be the diligent operative you want me to be. No more bratty or cheeky Beth.”
“That’s not what I want, you’ve misunderstood.” Marcus stepped closer, bracing one arm on the door jamb, forcing her to move over, her back now pressed against the wall.
“Then what do you want, Marcus?” Bethany stared up at him, her irritation quickly dissipating. “I don’t think the situation is that difficult to figure out, either you want me, or you don’t.”
Four years of not knowing, of making all kinds of excuses for why Marcus didn’t take her up on any of the flirtatious advances she’d made. Beth knew her actions tempted him. It was evident in the rare times he let his guard slip. His face softened, his gaze became heated, roving over her body like a predator assessing his prey. Beth knew he wanted her. She simply hadn’t hit on the right formula to make him act.
“It’s just that…” Another pause from the man who usually articulated himself so well. “Jesus, Beth, I’m tired of attempting to conceal how hard you make me with all this teasing. I swear, I lose concentration as the blood rushes from my brain to relocate itself in my cock.”
Suddenly confused, Beth tried to process what he’d just said. Was she hearing him correctly? Was that an admission that she turned him on?
“I make you hard?” Beth tried not to sound surprised by his admission, her question more for clarification purposes than anything else. In response, Marcus stepped forward, eliminating any space between them.
“You know you do.” Beth felt his warm breath on the side of her throat as he leaned down to whisper in her ear, “I’m constantly hard around you.”
The raspy, guttural tone of his voice should have been all the proof needed to indicate he was telling the truth, Marcus reinforced the evidence by pressing his groin against her. Hard wasn’t an exaggeration.
“Don’t tease me with something I’ll never have, Marcus.” Beth placed her hands on his chest with every intention of pushing him away. “You don’t want me… remember? Never going to happen, you said.”
Intent failed. Beth wanted to throw his words back at him, resume her anger, push against his hard chest, and free herself from the cage of his frame. Instead, her voice sounded as horny as his, her fingers massaged his pecs adoringly, not an ounce of ire toward him remained.
“I want you, Beth,” Marcus stated. “I just don’t know how to have you.”
“You can have me any way you want me, all you have to do is say the word.” Beth slipped her hand between them and stroked the erection beneath his jeans, eliciting a hiss from him, which made her smile.
In all the time they’d known each other, Beth had never seen him appear as vulnerable as he did right now—his heart opening to her, his body visibly aching for hers.
“I don’t know how to make this work,” he groaned, making no attempt to sever their intimate connection.
When his face brushed her cheek, he feathered tiny kisses along her collarbone, up the column of her neck and toward her mouth. Beth pressed her body against his in response as he closed in on her mouth. Could this really be happening? His lips met hers, the softest of kisses at first, firming as his tongue entered her mouth. Beth moaned, looping her arms around his shoulders as he forced her against the wall, his knee slipping between her thighs, driving h
er legs apart. Marcus’ erection pressed into her hip, the movement of their bodies making the hardness more distinct.
Every cell in Beth’s body responded to his desire. Her cunt throbbed, moisture dampening the tiny G-string she wore. Her breasts ached as hardened nipples rasped against her bra with the movement of their embrace. He broke their kiss, gazing down at her with lust filled eyes.
“Tell me to stop.” His gaze drifted down her face, her neck, stopping at her cleavage. “Please girl, tell me to stop.”
He looked torn. Need warring with some inner agony clearly expressed on his face. What was keeping him from her? Why the hell would he ask her to push him away when this was exactly what she wanted from the moment she’d laid eyes on him? Bethany gave the only reply she was capable of articulating.
“Never.”
Lowering his head, Marcus kissed the swell of breast exposed at the neckline of her top. Running his hands up the side of her thighs he scrunched the mini she wore high on her hips. Cupping her ass, he pulled her against him, lifting her as he did. Beth knew where this was heading and responded by locking her legs around his waist. As he pinned her back to the wall, she felt the full length of his denim covered erection slam into her pussy lips, the roughness of his jeans easily felt through the flimsy lace covering she wore.
Beth spread her legs wider. Gripping onto his waist more firmly, she maneuvered herself until the stiffness of the denim and the man rested on the nub beneath her lips. She squealed with delight when Marcus began to rock his hips, providing just the stimulation she needed to come.
“I can feel the heat of your cunt, baby, and I want in,” he growled.
The movement was driving her wild. She wanted him inside her as well, but this felt so good, she just needed to come. As Marcus continued to rock against her, he pushed her top up, then her bra. Cool air hit her breasts only to be smothered as the warmth of Marcus’ lips engulf one budded nipple while his hand cupped her other breast. Her cunt began to clench as he sucked the erect bud into his mouth, his tongue flicking at it furiously. The action elicited a moan from her that turned into a tiny yelp as his teeth bit firmly onto the pert nub. Her cunt was so wet now, the lace of her G-string slid over her clit with ease, the rasp of the material adding yet another dimension to her pleasure.
“So close…so close…so—” Beth came with a loud cry, squeezing her legs tighter around Marcus’ waist, bucking against the rigidity she knew would soon be pounding inside her.
* * * *
Marcus devoured her luscious, pert breasts, licking, sucking and nipping on her distended nipples all the while rocking his cock over her clit. He hadn’t dry humped a girl since he’d been in his teens, but Beth certainly appeared to be enjoying the act, her moans of pleasure signifying he needed to continue. At this rate, he’d end up coming in his jeans, which he also hadn’t done since his teens. Not that he wanted to repeat that experience.
Hearing her murmur ‘so close’ as if it were a mantra, Marcus increased the pace of his movements. Her legs tighten around his waist almost instantly, her fingers tensing on his shoulders. He held her firmly, her body jerking against his as Beth cried out her release.
Denial was a cruel Mistress. Now that he tasted her lips, feasted on her breasts, felt her desire clash up against his never-ending need, how could he retreat? A war raged within him. Step away, admit this wouldn’t end well, or take what he wanted. Possess her completely and fight to make it work.
“You are so beautiful.” Marcus kissed her cheek as she panted breathlessly, her body limply resting on his. He wanted to give her more, make her come repeatedly until she called out for mercy.
“I want more of you… please.” Beth raised her head and laughed, the smile on her face more radiant than he’d ever seen.
He’d denied her pleasure for too long, he realized that now. Her annoyance with the reprimand he’d given her was evident. The anger in her eyes and the physical indicators of that sexy body were all too clear, despite Beth’s attempts to hide it. The urge to kiss that irritation away came upon him suddenly. He didn’t want to fight with her, he wanted to make love, give her the birthday wish she’d mentioned downstairs—him. As he’d approached her, uncertain how she’d react and half expecting a rebuttal due to his behavior, she’d surprised him with her response. Her posture softened, her eyes darkened with arousal, she jutted her breasts out slightly, probably not even aware of the action.
His kiss on her cheek had been intentionally tentative, torn between his need to have her and the overwhelming urge to proceed no further. Niggling doubts remained, but for now, he saw no reason to stop the encounter. His will to deny the attraction slammed back, replaced by a desire to experience more of the pleasure her body offered. Admiring her from a distance drove him to distraction, but now, with her partially disrobed body at his fingertips, he pushed the doubts away until he no longer remembered why he’d resisted her for so long.
Beth pushed her hand between them pulling at his belt buckle. Marcus grabbed her hand, stopping Beth in her tracks.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” he snarled. “Not now.”
Beth opened her mouth to speak, and he quickly hushed her by placing one finger on her lips. A panicked expression overtook her once she heard what had caught his attention seconds before.
Footsteps thundered up the stairs. At least, when they weren’t on duty his guys didn’t limit the noise of their movements, except Ash that man walked like the phantom… permanently. He eased Beth back to a standing position, helping adjust her clothing, ensuring her body remained for his eyes only.
“I’m going to kill whoever that is,” Beth’s hushed tone held a hint of mischievousness. “Unless you’d like to be gentlemanly and do it for me.”
Marcus grinned, the exact thought crossing his mind although death may be too harsh a penalty.
“Can I torture them first?” His statement elicited a wicked smile.
Beth giggled softly when Marcus waved at the apex of her thighs as she repositioned the hemline of her skirt.
“See you later, pretty little cunt.” Beth slapped his arm in response to the whispered statement. “What? Is it going back into hibernation for another few years?”
“It better not be,” Beth grinned. “I’m making coffee.”
Beth moved past him, heading to the coffee machine. Marcus slapped her ass firmly, delighting in the squeaking noise she made as she tried to muffle a squeal of surprise. He looked forward to having her over his knee and seeing what her ass looked like as it warmed to a delicious red glow. Beth had indicated she liked that sort of thing, daring him with statements like—what are you going to do, spank me—which only made her more appealing in his eyes. Her interest in BDSM wasn’t a new thing or so she’d explained when he’d discussed her placement at The Dungeon as part of her role in their current operation. She’d seen it as an opportunity to learn more. He’d cursed the response. Another man training her in the ways of kink riled him. But then, what was the alternative if he refused to step up and claim her? Beth wouldn’t wait forever, at some point she’d decide he wasn’t worth the effort, and what would he do then?
“Marcus? Hey Boss, you up here?” Syn yelled out as he reached the landing. “I’ve got info and news, which do you want first?”
Marcus glanced over at Beth as she played around with buttons on the coffee maker. God only knew what she’d end up making. Beth never just made a coffee. Latte with a caramel swirl, mocha chino, she never drank coffee the way nature intended. Black, preferably double shot, no sugar. Then again, she’d worked in her parent’s café making coffees for years before he hired her, so the fact she made fancy coffee concoctions didn’t surprise him.
“Give me the most important first,” Marcus replied as he walked out of the kitchen, meeting Syn midway across the living room.
“Nik sent a message. He’s back and needs to set up a meet,” Syn blurted out, extending the piece of paper he held toward Marcus.
Ma
rcus read the transcript of the concealed message Nik sent. Hey old man, do you still get up at the crack of dawn for your usual run? I’d like to join you tomorrow.
Marcus grimaced as he read. The crack of dawn was a time—dawn. Nik wanted to meet tomorrow and the usual run was The Drovers Run Pub, a little fleabag of a place one of his fringe dwellers owned. The pub’s license allowed them to operate twenty-four-seven, so a dawn meeting was no problem. Marcus would be there. He had to be. Nik wouldn’t have sent a message beginning hey old man if this wasn’t a problem only Marcus could deal with. A simple handover of information situation would have started with hey bro, meaning any of the male team members could respond.
Marcus didn’t know what he’d be walking into tomorrow, but something was wrong. That’s the only reason Nik would ask for him specifically. Marcus hated curveballs during a mission, particularly this far into one, and he expected Nik was about to deliver a whopper.
“And?” He looked up from reading as he spoke.
“Clay and the shipping container will be back here at approximately six a.m., given good weather and no problems encountered at the airport,” Syn stated. “Also, Hex messaged to say he’d found Ebony. She’s working, and he’ll grab her when she comes off shift.”
“Which will be what time?” Marcus knew his men well. Hex would have been all over the woman’s workplace and made personal contact with her by now. He was one of the bigger man-whores on the team, his chat up skills renowned amongst the crew.
“She finishes at eight, Boss,” Syn replied.
It wasn’t the ideal time to grab someone, early morning at a change of shift. The chances of something going astray were too high for Marcus’ liking.
“Inform him once he’s grabbed her, the drop off is the Highlands safe house. I know it will take more time until he relieves Ash, but it can’t be helped. That’ll give me time to prep Adrian about the situation and organize to have Clay transport him down to the Highlands. I don’t want them here.” Marcus resisted the urge to smile as he added one more thing. “Contact Ash. Tell him what’s going on. Beth can stay with me until tomorrow when we get this sorted.”
