At Arm's Length

by Amber Nation

  Marlee raised her hand and formed her slim, delicate fingers to where she was holding up three. Then almost just as quickly, she dropped her hand limply to her side. I didn’t even try to hide my smile. There was no hiding my smile around Marlee anymore. She brought it out of me without even trying.

  “Don’t you dare laugh at me, mister.” She shoved at my chest, but it lacked her usual luster. It seemed as if I wore the poor girl out. And just like that, she eased my fears. I was going to ride this thing out between us for as long as I was here. It felt nice not to plan anything and just go along for the ride.

  “When did a smile constitute as a laugh?”

  She lazily lifted up on an elbow and partially laid over my chest so she could look down into my eyes. Her hair was a matted mess from where it wasn’t allowed to dry properly, which made the corners of my mouth curve into a smile all over again.

  “You were thinking of laughing. I saw it written all over your face. Three times!” she screeched. “You used three condoms; are you trying to kill me?!”

  “Nonsense. Orgasming three times isn’t going to kill you.” I waved a hand down the entire length of her body. “I mean here you are living proof of that.”

  “Maybe not you, but you know damn good and well that I orgasmed more than three times.”

  My smile morphed into more of a self-satisfied smirk. “Yeah, you did.”

  “Ass,” she muttered as she crumpled back down against my side.

  She was exhausted, and I felt a small amount of remorse that I possibly pushed her too far too quickly after being sick. “I didn’t hear you complain, especially when I had my tongue…” Her soft hand clamped around my mouth cutting off my words.

  “Don’t even think about finishing that statement.” It was quite comical that she could throw around words so freely, but was embarrassed when I talked about her pussy or more specifically, her clit. Her plump, delicious clit that swelled so beautifully when she was close to tipping over the edge. And just when I thought that there was no way in hell I could get it up again this soon, a singular thought of Marlee proved me wrong.

  I’ve never had any problems with my stamina, but this was bringing a whole new meaning to the word virility.

  Marlee glanced down at my rapidly inflating erection. I gave her shoulder a brief squeeze. “Again?” Her voice sounded incredulous.

  “I can’t help that I’m addicted to you.”

  “You are?” I caught her off guard and winced at the obvious surprise in her tone. Of course, she wouldn’t believe me, and I honestly couldn’t blame her. I haven’t exactly been forthcoming to her without her feeling as if she wasn’t prying information out of me.

  I had to give her something that could show her that I trusted her. At least to some marginal degree.

  I sucked in air through my nose taking a deep breath and slowly released it. As I drew random light circles on her bare shoulder with my fingertips, I chipped away a bit more at my exterior because Marlee deserved it.

  “Reed.”

  “Hmm?” she asked, confused, her breath fanning across my chest.

  “My last name is Reed.”

  After a moment of allowing what I said to sink in, she lightly squeezed my side and said, “Thank you.” Releasing a content sigh, she forged on, “Would I be pressing my luck if I asked what your middle name was?”

  I released a chuckle before a feeling of relief hit me knowing that she didn’t recognize the name and furthermore didn’t ask about my occupation. “Only if I can get yours as well…”

  She didn’t hesitate. “Rose, after my grandmother.” The pride in her voice wasn’t amiss. She loved her family through and through that much was apparent.

  I repeated her name in my head. Marlee Rose Tate. Extraordinary name for a beyond extraordinary woman.

  “Timothy, after no one.”

  “Holden Timothy Reed…” she announced more or less to herself. A form of elation bloomed in my chest hearing my full name spill from her lips. Being said with admiration rather than disgust.

  Being here with Marlee, I felt comfort and above all else contentment, which wasn’t something that was easily obtainable for me. I found solace in her, and in turn, knew that just being with her could become highly addictive. Time was one thing that we didn’t have on our side, and who knew where we would go from here, if it would be anywhere at all. It wasn’t as if I led a life that she would be proud of or more than that one that I would feel comfortable for her entering. My lifestyle wasn’t for everyone; there were serious vultures out there who would rip any niceties apart limb from limb. I’m far from a good guy, and look what’s been done to me; not saying that it wasn’t warranted or using that as an excuse.

  My throat thick with emotion, I whispered hoarsely, “How much longer until we have to go back to reality?”

  “Reality?” What I was learning with Marlee is that she didn’t have any trouble calling me out on anything. I just didn’t know why she couldn’t do that with everyone, because from what I’ve heard so far she’s tried to please everybody. I found it admirable that she didn’t take any of my shit; she needed to stand up for herself. I think that was part of why I found her so alluring. She wasn’t afraid of me, saw me for the true person that I was.

  I squeezed her shoulder as she lifted her hand and ran her fingertips across my pectorals. “Sweetheart, you know just as well as I do that this isn’t our reality. I’m from South Carolina, and you’re from Colorado.” I’m a football player who harbors a horrible reputation, and I couldn’t bear you knowing that truth about me. I’m a beast, I added to myself. She released a sigh indicating that she understood where I was coming from; neither of us liked it, but ultimately it was just how it was.

  Then her movements halted on my skin. “This could be your reality if you wanted it badly enough.” Her pained whisper was like an arrow straight to my heart, piercing through my flesh with the barest of ease. I wanted it to be my reality so badly I couldn’t see straight. The truth was I didn’t want it to be hers. She deserved so much better than the man that I was. And it was for that reason alone that I would walk away once the snow cleared and leave her to receive the most out of life. Regardless of the feelings that were stirring in my heart for this woman, for her I would do this.

  She sat up, and pulled the sheet around her that somehow came loose during our trysts, as she got out of the bed. Padding on her bare feet, she went to the window and pulled back the curtain letting the sun shine through the unguarded pane. Even though there wasn’t a clock around, I knew that the sun would be setting before too long. We had spent the entire day under the covers learning and experiencing each other’s bodies. She did all of this not once looking back at me, doing her best to avert my gaze. She was obviously angry, and for that I couldn’t blame her. Maybe it would be better this way. I couldn’t begin to think that our entire situation was a mistake, but rather a memory that I would hold close and cherish. Under different circumstances I would be a fool to let her get away, but this was the life I led, and in the end she would see that I was doing her a favor.

  I sat up in the bed using the comforter to shield my own naked form as her hand released the material of the curtain, allowing it to fall back into place. She turned her back on me and began rummaging through the clothes in the wooden wardrobe that was against the wall by the door. Marlee retrieved a pair of purple lace panties and slinked them on all while still wearing the sheet before she dropped it to the floor baring her breasts to me. Her jaw was locked tight, and I knew that she was clenching her teeth. My lower body instantly went on alert, but knowing by her demeanor and jerky movements that he needed to learn to calm the fuck down.

  I was at a loss on what to do, never having been in this type of situation before. I was feeling completely inept.

  After donning a long-sleeved thermal shirt and a pair of jeans that left little to the imagination by way of her luscious curves, she turned toward me, her eyes completely blank and void of
any of her earlier emotion. She’d shut down on me. “The snow seems to have stopped, and with the sun being out you would more than likely have only another day until you can go back to your reality.” She said the final word with such disdain that I had to physically hold back my wince. It was either that or else allow her to witness how much affect she actually had on me. With that, she stomped from her room and down the hallway.

  I couldn’t contain my groan as I flopped back onto the mattress, my muscles screaming at me in delicious agony from the different activities I had partaken in. “Way to go, Holden,” I said into the silent void of the otherwise empty bedroom. It seemed that I had a knack for fucking things up, even though the intention of doing so was the furthest thing from my mind.

  I hoped like hell that I could turn things around, but I had no worldly idea on how to even begin. One thing I knew was for certain, I couldn’t do a thing just by lying in this bed sulking. No one ever got anything done by doing nothing.

  Once I quickly showered and was fully dressed, I began searching the Manor for Marlee. Now that I knew her intimately, my subconscious honed in on the exact place where I knew she’d be.

  I found her in the kitchen, her hair pulled roughly back in a fresh ponytail. Several unruly wisps of hair that were too short to fit into the holder framed her delicate face. Only being able to see the profile of her face, I still knew that she was still rather perturbed. And I knew this for certain because she was wielding a meat tenderizer and taking her anger out rather harshly on a piece of thawed chicken breast.

  Against my better judgment, I advanced in her direction not paying any mind to the weapon held firmly in her clutch, even though said weapon could do serious bodily harm. Not to mention pulverize my favorite appendage. I had groveling to do, and as much as it pained me to do so, I needed to get it done so we could put this behind us. I never, not once admitted defeat, including owning up to my own mistakes. But with Marlee, things were different. She deserved to be handed the world, and I wanted to be the man who did that for her.

  I swallowed my wounded pride and didn’t stop until my body was fully pressed against her back. Even though the reason for her reaction killed me, I ignored the way her back snapped ramrod straight forcing her body to lock with obvious tension at my touch. The air in the kitchen grew thick, but I wrapped my arms around her waist and pressed a kiss against the curve of her neck before resting my chin on her shoulder. During this entire exchange, her demeanor didn’t relent. “This between us has been more than the best fantasy. I couldn’t even fathom conjuring up something so special. Even in my wildest dreams, I couldn’t create anyone more perfect than you.” Her gasp broke her silence before her body deflated. She threw down the utensil before sliding her hands onto the countertop and leaning forward. I couldn’t tell whether or not she was trying to pull away from me; I just held onto her tighter.

  Finally, she turned around within my arms and clutched onto my shirt. “I’m sorry,” she muttered into my chest.

  Lifting her chin gently with my finger. “Don’t ever apologize for speaking your mind. I should be the one apologizing for being an asshole. That’s who I am, all I’ve ever be. But with you I want to be more. I want to be someone worthy of your time and your heart. But I’m afraid that just isn’t in the cards for me. I am who I am, and there is no changing that.”

  “I don’t understand why you are so hard on yourself. Sure, when you first got here you were a little abrasive.” I chuckled but felt relief once her light-hearted tone returned. “But something tells me that I’m one of the few who have seen the real you. The one that you keep so tightly locked up, and I’m not really sure why.” She wasn’t just one of the few, she was the only one. And I knew that once our time was over, I wouldn’t let anyone get close to me again. The pain hurt, but I wanted to keep that bleeding just for her. “I didn’t expect to feel this way toward you after such a short period of time. Some may say that I’m nuts, but I know what I feel.”

  “I wouldn’t ever say you were nuts because I feel it too. But we are from two completely different worlds, so this short amount of time between us has to be enough.”

  She regarded me with a confused expression at my words, but I wasn’t going to elaborate. We were worlds apart in life, and I didn’t want to drag her into my sorry existence. If things were different, then I would tell her who I was, be proud for her to be on my arm and cheering me on. But I was ashamed of myself and what I had allowed myself to become.

  I could only imagine the shit I would get from the guys. The Beast retracted his claws for a woman. Learning to be gentle for someone who could with more time come to mean the world to me. Within the small amount of time I’ve been here, this stubborn yet attentive woman already had me wrapped around her finger.

  The realization of that truth couldn’t be any clearer. If I felt this deeply for her now, the feeling would only intensify tenfold with more time.

  I clutched onto her hips and lifted her with ease until her ass rested on the granite countertop. I wasted no time in grasping her chin between my thumb and forefinger and tilted her face toward me so I could capture her lips with mine. I poured my feelings into that kiss, not wanting to give her false hope but knowing that if I didn’t show her how much I had become to care for her, I would regret it for the rest of my life. My hand dug into the jean-covered flesh of her ass, pressing her heated core further into my body needing to just feel closer to her. I was always so ready for her. Never having been this way with any other woman, I knew that it was just Marlee.

  She broke the kiss and leaned back to look into my eyes. “More,” I exclaimed. Not wanting to bear witness to the pleading in my voice. I was a man to the core dammit, but I didn’t mind begging Marlee for what I wanted. Her mouth tipped up in a sultry smile that would’ve brought any man to his knees, but it was all for me. She lightly pressed on the center of my chest, forcing me to take a step back so she could jump down from the counter.

  Her hand slowly slid down my abs almost to the waistband of my jeans, but she curved around to my side at the last minute as she stepped around me. The little tease. I didn’t know she had it in her, but it was utterly gratifying to witness. “You want more, you’re going to have to catch me.” With that, she giggled and took off out of the kitchen in a flash.

  I could’ve easily caught her once she first darted off, but I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt and give her a head start.

  She wanted to play, we would definitely play all right.

  I was giggling like a little girl, waiting for the moment Holden would find me in my hiding spot. It was a great spot, the best really. But I had him at a disadvantage since I knew the Manor like the back of my hand, and he was reduced to wandering the halls aimlessly.

  “Marco!” I faintly heard him holler. It sounded as if he was in the proximity of the guest rooms upstairs. I couldn’t contain the giggles that further erupted from my throat and what was more, I didn’t want to. I had a feeling of lightheartedness in my chest that had blossomed, and it was something that couldn’t be ignored.

  My earlier feeling of anger was stemmed from a place deep inside, but I had no right to feel that emotion at all. He wasn’t mine; he was just a man passing through. Even though this was true, I had to make our time together memorable. So that if and when he chose to leave, I was embedded so deeply into his heart that he wouldn’t ever be able to forget me. Sure his words stung, but I understood where he was coming from. He was so hard on himself that I knew he wouldn’t allow himself to be happy with anything in his life.

  Was it his job? Although I hadn’t had the courage to bring up his occupation, I had a feeling this was the major component to his dissatisfaction in his life. I didn’t want to make him dwell on the negative, so I just left it alone.

  “I’m pretty sure that when someone says Marco, it’s common knowledge to reply with POLO!” This time, his voice was much closer to where I was hiding.

  I knew that he would nev
er find me unless I gave him a hint, so I slowly turned the doorknob and opened the door just a crack, allowing the tiniest sliver of light to filter in so I could place my lips near the open space and yell, “Nice try!” Of course, I knew this was a blatant giveaway, but I had a tactic up my sleeve. My life wasn’t so predictable in every aspect. Sure, I did what was expected of me, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t have a few tricks stowed away.

  Not even thirty seconds had passed when the door was wrenched open, and there Holden stood, the light shining behind him accentuating all of his handsome features. The best one was the bright, genuine smile he had plastered on his face. I felt my knees wobble at just how truly beautiful the man was. Then he had to ruin it as he proceeded to call me out, “The space under the stairs? That was your hiding spot? Marlee, I really didn’t peg you for a Harry Potter fan.” He let go of the doorknob and threw his hands up. “Please for the sake of the movie industry, please don’t tell me those are your favorite movies?”

  I moved to walk past him, but his large frame in the doorway proved the act to be tricky. So I did what any woman in my position would do. I turned to the side and purposefully brushed my breasts along his bicep until I was fully out of the closet. With his back still toward me, I stood on my tiptoes due to the height difference so I could put my mouth closer to his ear. “You are ice cold on the movie choice. If vampires don’t do it for me, then wizards really don’t. Leave out the fantastical creatures and give me an alpha any day.” At my words, his body stiffened, but only for a moment before he slowly turned toward me. Once his eyes finally locked on mine, his pupils dilated enhancing a fire in their depths unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed before.

  Next, an animalistic growl erupted from deep in his throat, and instantly my panties were soaked by way of a response. His glare shot through me, and I could never remember a time where I had been more turned on. My breasts swelled underneath the flimsy material of my shirt which had his gaze snapping to my chest. I knew that this was what I wanted, but it didn’t stop me from turning on the balls of my feet and darting off around the banister and racing up the stairs.