One to Chase (One to Hold #7)

by Tia Louise

  “Is that okay?” I say, studying her face.

  True confession time: my heart’s beating pretty hard right now.

  Watching my mouth a moment, she seems to be thinking, weighing some internal measures, killing me softly with every moment she doesn’t speak.

  I cup her face in both hands, sliding my thumbs along the line of her jaw. Finally, it seems the internal struggle ends. Her pretty pink lip is released, and she reaches for my face. We lay for a moment, joined in the most intimate way, holding each other’s cheeks. My stomach twists, and at last she answers me.

  “I love you.”

  My head drops to her collarbone, and I exhale a laugh. Lifting my chin again, I see the light shining in her eyes, the faintest bit of moisture glistening in the corners.

  “Does that make you cry?” I ask softly.

  “Only because it makes me so happy.” Her smile grows bigger until she’s laughing.

  I lean down and kiss her beautiful smile, hitting mostly teeth. She arches her back so our bodies press together, and she says it again.

  “I love you, Marcus Merritt. So damn much!”

  Smiling against her mouth, I won’t lie. I’m pretty sure a rocket launched in my chest just then. Our smiles touch and melt into a deep kiss. I kiss her again and again, moving from her lips to her jaw to her cheek to her nose and back again to her lips.

  “I love you, beautiful.” I have to say it one more time. “I want to spend every minute of every day with you as long as I live.”

  She laughs more, rising to kiss me again. “Except we have to work.”

  “I’m putting you on staff at the office. I told you.”

  Shaking her head, her pretty eyes roll. “And I told you. You can’t afford me.”

  Leaning down, I pull the skin of her neck between my lips giving her a little bite. “We’ll figure it out.”

  “Oh!” She pulls away. “Don’t put a hickey on my neck! I swear, you’re such an animal.”

  “You love it when I bite you.” Pulling out, I make my way down to her soft breast as she squirms, pulling the flesh between my lips, leaving a searing read line.

  “Where’s that damn angel kiss?” I go lower, down to her ribs and she squeal-laughs. “Here it is. No angels. You’re mine.” Planting my lips over it, I give her another sucking bite.

  “Marcus!” she cries.

  My head pops up. Our eyes meet, and I love the flow of energy that passes between us, the sparkle in her gaze.

  “I love you,” I whisper again, holding her.

  She smiles and whispers back. “I love you.”

  I release her and sit up on my feet, taking in the beautiful vision of her naked and glistening and twisted in my sheets. Two fresh red marks beam on her ivory skin.

  “We should probably get dressed and go to the hospital.”

  Nodding, she smiles, pushing into a sitting position. “They’re letting her come home today.”

  “Mmm.” I hug her close. “I know that makes you happy.”

  “It’ll make it harder for us to see each other.” My embrace loosens. I don’t like the sound of that. “Unless...” she hesitates.

  “Unless?” Again, I release her, sitting back to gauge her expression.

  Her voice is one click above a whisper. “What will we tell everyone?”

  “That we love each other.”

  “You’re not worried about what they’ll say?”

  Taking both her hands in mine, I look at them. “No, I’m not. I love you, and I don’t care if that means your brothers want to kick my ass.”

  She laughs and dives into my chest, her arms around my neck. “Haven’t you fought enough for one week?”

  “I hope so,” I press my lips together, teasing. “But we’ll see how Stuart takes the news.”

  “What about Elaine?” Her pretty gaze moves from my lips upward.

  “Nah. She’s been harping on me to settle down for years.”

  A sharp inhale, and her slim fingers cover my lips. “No settling. Only flying.”

  In that moment, everything between us clicks into place. Every moment we’ve shared, every obstacle we’ve overcome. She’s my light and my joy and the singing in my veins. She’s my new favorite feeling. She’s my love.

  “Only flying.” I kiss her one more time. “We fly together.”

  Chapter 22: Home

  Amy

  We’re all at Sylvia’s condo, which now seems incredibly small with my two brothers, Mariska and Elaine, Bill, Marcus, and me all in it. Sylvia’s in her favorite armchair, a blanket on her lap and Patrick sits at her feet holding her hand. She looks like a queen with her favorite prince waiting on her hand and foot. My ring is on her finger, and I’m pretty sure she hasn’t taken it off since I gave it to her.

  “Are you hungry?” I ask from where I stand behind the couch. “Is anybody?”

  Marcus is beside me. We arrived at the hospital together, and though we’d both showered and cleaned up, I was sure everyone could tell we’d spent the afternoon having mind-blowing sex and declaring our love for each other. The thought warmed my cheeks every time it drifted through my brain. Keeping my hands off him was nearly impossible.

  Luckily, the entire focus of the group is on my mother, and with Bill present, the guys seem more interested in demonstrating their acceptance of him hovering over her. So far nobody’s noticed the man hovering around me, which is fine for now. The last thing I want is a scene or even a big discussion.

  “I actually am hungry,” Sylvia says. “What shall we do, darling?”

  Her question makes me smile. Although the condo is her place, we’ve shared it the last few months, and she’s including me in the hostess duties.

  Marcus speaks up. “I don’t mind running out and picking up food for everyone.”

  Patrick hops to his feet. “No way, man! You bought us all lunch two days ago.” He walks over and puts his hands on my shoulders. “Where’s a good place for takeout?”

  I think back to last night, and our failed attempt at China Girl. “Asian’s always quick and easy.”

  “Is Wasabi still open?”

  “Yes, and I’m pretty sure we have their take-out menu.” I head to the kitchen, my brother right behind me.

  “I’m getting ramen.” He says as I pull out the long, trifolded paper.

  “Me too.” Scanning the list, I don’t even think before I ask. “Marcus, what do you want?”

  He walks to where we’re standing. “Tuna tartar.”

  “Good choice.” I glance up to see him smiling down at me, eyes full of love. Energy surges in my chest, and my cheeks warm.

  “Yes, it is...” Patrick’s voice changes, but I hurry over to where Sylvia’s sitting. Bill’s sitting on the couch closest to her.

  He might be a distraction, but I’m pretty sure we just blew our cover.

  “What would you guys like?” I hand over the menu, and the two of them discuss. Stuart and Mariska fill out a sushi order.

  Once everything’s together, I go to where Patrick’s in the kitchen still keeping his eye on how Marcus and I interact.

  Playing it cool, I don’t go to where he’s standing, instead walking straight up to Patrick like no big deal. “I’ll call it in if you want to head on over.”

  “Sure,” he says. “Marcus, how about riding with me?”

  My eyes snap to his, but Marcus gives me a confident smile. “Glad to,” he says, and I feel a sinking sensation in my middle. A headache tingles in the center of my forehead.

  The guys leave, and for a moment, I only stare at the door not knowing what might happen.

  “I don’t mind calling,” Elaine says, taking the menu with all our items listed on it.

  “Thanks,” I say softly.

  * * *

  Marcus

  The Japanese restaurant is out near where Amy and I had our first “business dinner” together, so I offer to drive. We’re in my Audi headed for I-94 in a few turns, and I’m waiting for him t
o say it. It was pretty impossible for Amy and I to hide our feelings, and Patrick was right there to bust us.

  We’re on the Interstate when he gets to the point. “You sleeping with my sister?”

  My eyes cut over quickly, and when I catch his stern expression, I can’t help a laugh. “I expected this from Stuart, not you.” Patrick has always been the more laid-back of the Knight brothers.

  “I doubt he’ll think it’s funny either.”

  That straightens me up, and to be honest, I like his big-brother guard-dog routine. I was the same way about Elaine—as much as she’d let me be.

  So I put all my cards on the table. “I’m in love with your sister.”

  “Why? You haven’t known her long.”

  “True,” I nod. “But we’ve spent a lot of time together. We’ve shared a lot, and I’m pretty confident we’re right for each other.”

  He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he glances out the window a moment. “Amy’s a pretty girl—”

  “She’s a beautiful woman,” I correct him.

  Hazel eyes cut to me, and despite his surfer good looks, I see protective fire in his eyes. “She’s still young, and she’s had some tough shit to overcome.”

  “She told me.”

  He’s quiet again, and we’re at the restaurant now.

  “Look, I don’t mind getting this.” I’m out before he can stop me.

  It doesn’t take long to get the two bags of takeout, pay, and have us headed back into downtown. He doesn’t speak for much of the way, and I try to think of what I can say to ease his mind. At least I have the advantage of knowing what I’d want for Elaine if the tables were turned.

  “I appreciate that I’m a bit older than Amy—”

  “Ten years?”

  “Right, but I think of that as more an argument in my favor.” My eyes flicker across the dark space to him and then back to the road. “Elaine will tell you. I’ve never been interested in having a serious relationship or settling down.”

  Amy’s “Not settling. Flying.” proclamation crosses my mind, and I can’t help a smile. Too much love is in my chest.

  “Patrick, believe me when I say I’m in love with your sister. I’ll do everything in my power to keep her happy. I’ll fight any asshole who threatens her... Before long, I intend to ask her to marry me.” He clears his throat, but I keep going. “It’s the only way I can guarantee I’ll make the rest of her life as fulfilled and transformative as she’s made mine. I know she’s your sister, but Patrick, she’s everything to me. I don’t want to live without her.”

  Again, quiet fills the car. We’re getting closer to Sylvia’s building, and I don’t want to leave this conversation unfinished. I ease up on the accelerator, giving him time to process everything I just said. Hell, I need time to process everything I just said. I hadn’t even taken the time to be that honest with myself, let alone someone else. But I meant every single fucking word.

  Finally, he seems to cave. “Good to know,” he says, nodding. “I realize you’re Elaine’s brother, and we’re somewhat connected, but don’t think I won’t kick your ass if you hurt my sister.”

  Exhaling a chuckle, I nod back. “If I ever hurt Amy, I hope you kick my ass into next year.”

  “Don’t worry.”

  I can’t delay our drive anymore, so I parallel park on the street out front. He takes one of the two bags. I grab the other and press the buzzer for them to let us in. We’re riding up in the elevator when he extends a hand to me.

  “Welcome to the family.”

  Our eyes meet, and I see him ready to smile. I catch his hand and shake it, smiling back. “Thanks, bro. You’re already in mine.”

  “Right.” He laughs. “Still, you’d better let me handle breaking the news on my side.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  * * *

  Amy

  Sunshine dances on the tiny waves cresting on Lake Michigan, and I’m sitting at the front of Merritt * Ocracy. The wind pushes my hair back from my shoulders. I’m dressed in a bikini with Marcus’s shirt as a cover-up. Glancing back, he gives me a smile from where he’s at the wheel, guiding us out to the deeper water, where we spent our first amazing weekend on this boat.

  Sylvia is doing so well. Bill stayed with her a week, until he insisted he had to get back to the ranch. They still haven’t come out to us, but I’m pretty sure they know we know. Marcus and I stole their thunder with our inability to stop lighting up every time we came within six inches of each other.

  Patrick already knew, of course, but Stuart was surprisingly cool with the whole thing. Elaine was concerned about my ability to commit, and I guess I’d understand—if I weren’t in my brain feeling the tidal waves of joy every time Marcus touches me. My middle brother said he’d take care of her, not to worry.

  I couldn’t worry. Everything Marcus does, every new thing I learn about him, only draws me closer to him. From the way he took care of his family, to his depth of care for his clients. I think of how he stood up for Paige, even at the risk of our germ of a relationship... Even when I was still pushing him away.

  He was right. I had to trust him. He never cheated at all.

  Most of all, I can’t get over how he loves me. He’s changed everything in my life. Before, the idea of being with someone, trusting someone, would send me running as far and as fast as possible. He’s not like that. He doesn’t want to tie me down (outside the bedroom). He wants to set me free. He wants to hold my hand and fly with me. Soar through our life as partners, both of us excited about what’s coming next—our next big adventure.

  My phone buzzes, and I look down. C.J. has sent me a text, but it’s a picture of the newspaper. The headline reads PROMINENT ATTORNEY RESIGNS AMID SCANDAL

  I quickly text back, What’s this?

  Another picture appears, and I read the lede for the front-page story:

  Prominent local attorney Roland Dickerson resigned today from the Illinois State Bar and surrendered his law practice following accusations of sexual assault by twelve area women, including one Chicago attorney...

  My jaw drops, and I look up as Marcus joins me on the bow.

  “I set the self-steering—” The surprise on my face stops him. “What?”

  Turning my phone, I ask. “Did you do this?”

  He glances at the text. “Oh.” A sheepish grin. “It only took a little digging for it all to come out. You’re not implicated in any of it.”

  A feeling so strong expands in my chest. Love isn’t a big enough word to describe it. Gratitude is closer. Again, he’s my hero.

  With a sniff, I drop my eyes to his gorgeous lined torso as he stands in front of me dressed in only his swim trunks. I trace my finger along his ink. “Uncertainty is essential.”

  He smiles, and his shoulders relax. “I’m feeling pretty certain these days.”

  Taking a seat beside me on the bench, I move to straddle his lap. His warm hands circle my waist, heating my skin under his touch. I close my eyes and trace my lips along his jaw. “Remember what you said our first day on this boat?”

  His hands move higher, tugging the tie on my bikini top. It falls loose around my neck, and I reach back to pull it over my head. I’m in only my bikini bottoms and his shirt, and his hands cup my bare breasts, rolling tight nipples between his fingers and thumbs. I can’t stop a little moan.

  “Seems like I said a lot of things that first day.” He leans forward and pulls a tight bud into his mouth. I gasp as heat floods my core, wetness increasing between my thighs.

  My fingers thread in his soft hair, and I whisper against his cheek. “You said we’ve been flying since Day One.”

  His chin lifts, and our mouths meet, consuming in a ravenous kiss. I wonder if we’ll ever stop being this hungry for each other. God, I hope not. My hands move to his neck, and I feel his erection hard against my thigh.

  Breaking our kiss, I look around. We’re essentially alone. Untying his trunks, I slide my hand down the leng
th of his cock. His eyes darken with need, and I rise onto my knees, moving my bottoms aside to position his tip at my entrance. I sink down on him, and we both groan at the intense connection. Strong arms encircle my waist, and I begin to rock my hips.

  I ride him, thinking about that first night so long ago. That was only the beginning of our flight. He leans back, and my breasts press against his chest as my hands drift to his shoulders.

  “I’m so glad you chased me.” I kiss him, rising faster as the tension grows between us. He catches my lip and gives it a little tug.

  “You’re worth rewriting the rules for.” My insides clench, and he groans. His hands move to my ass, guiding me now in a perfect rhythm up and down his pelvis.

  Tingles of electricity snake up my legs, and my eyes flutter closed. My hair swirls around us on the breeze, and I feel us getting closer to that glorious edge.

  “Thank you for flying with me.” My voice is a husky whisper.

  His grip tightens, and I feel him start to come. Our mouths reunite, and I’m holding on, kissing him, riding him, soaring into an incredible horizon.

  He captures my mouth, kissing me deeply, claiming my soul, before saying the only words I know are forever true. “Beautiful, we only fly together.”

  The End.

  Epilogue

  Stuart

  Mom’s on the phone, and I don’t like the agitation in her voice. “He’s getting too old to run the ranch by himself. He needs your help.”

  Mariska’s head is on my chest, and as far as I can tell, she’s still asleep. I thread my fingers through her long, wavy brown hair and glance around our king-sized bedroom.

  When I came back to Princeton from Montana last January, this place was for sale. So what did I do? I bought the identical, overly plush three thousand square-foot condominium I’d given my partner Derek Alexander hell for buying. It’s actually right across the hall from him.

  Traveling back to my reason for doing it, all of my arguments were bound up in this beautiful woman whose body is held close to mine. I wanted Mariska to have a palace. I wanted her to be protected by two layers of security if I’m ever out of town on a job. I wanted her to feel like a queen.