by Marie Wathen
Hauling my body gently against his, Marcus places warm lips against my cheek then lightly strokes his nose over it. Peering up at his emerald eyes, narrowing slightly, I once again swallow hard and drop my eyes to his full sexy lips.
“Baby,” I feel his growl deep within, igniting a desire to have those lips on more of my body. Inhaling deeply, he takes a step away before blowing it out and a devilish grin sneaks across his face, flashing all the way up to his eyes. “You've made me the happiest man in the world.” Chuckling, he shrugs a shoulder then tilts his head down to my face. “I sound like a complete fool, but there’s no other way for me to tell you. Having you as mine Breesan, is what I’ve desired for so damn long.”
Ever so slowly, Marcus drops his sweet lips to mine. This kiss is more than joining two mouths, desperate with desire. It's an egress that navigates us toward an endless unity–now that it has started it will never end.
Breaking our seal too quickly for me, he turns toward the door and pulls me along behind him. Guiding us out of the house, Marcus walks around to the passenger side of his Jeep. Opening the door he stows my bag in the backseat then assists me with climbing in. Jogging quickly around to the driver’s side, his moves are lithe as he slides in behind the wheel. He flashes a sexy grin and a playful wink before drawing his phone out of his front jean pocket. His eyebrows pinch together as he stares at the name on the screen. Noticing the vibrating sound, I watch as he answers in apprehension. He listens silently, finally saying he understands and then disconnects.
“I need to take you home. You'll have to drive your car to the hospital.” He sighs. “A friend of Rhys’ has arrived on the island that will assist in apprehending the suspects. He’s called a full debriefing and is ordering me to be there.”
He bangs his fist against the steering wheel, “Fuck!” Startling me with his rapid mood shift, I jump at his explosion, but instantly feel a desire to soothe him.
“I can drive myself.” I whisper, covering my hand over his and squeezing. Offering a smile to lighten his mood, I see his features begin to soften as he stares at our connected hands.
“I don't want you driving yourself.”
Blowing out a heavy puff of air, he turns slowly and faces me. Shoulders sagging in defeat, he sits quietly just staring at me for several moments. It's obvious he has a lot on his mind, and seeing him gauge me so intently before he speaks sets my nerves on fire. Too much is going on for him to distress over my reactions.
Finally he speaks. “I want to see Tristan too, I just can't go now. Will you promise me that you'll drive straight to the hospital and park inside the attached parking garage?” I nod. “You can use the staff elevators and doors. They have restricted access, but Sam can text me the codes.”
His face contorts with a new emotion. It's similar to a pained look, but maybe better described as fear. I just don't understand what could frighten him about me driving to the hospital alone.
“Of course, whatever you want me to do. Marcus, please don't worry about me. Just do your job and catch those bastards. You'll meet me at the hospital later right?”
“Yes ma'am. The second our meeting is over I'll be en route to the hospital. Nothing can keep me away from you now.”
***
Marcus
Parking in the empty driveway in front of Breesan’s house, she scans the area for any sign of Julia or perhaps someone else and I sense her apprehension.
“Hey, I'm here. You're not doing this alone.”
Taking her hand in mine, I lift it to my lips, pressing a soft kiss on it and she rewards me with her killer smile. Mygod her smiles are my world. How did I survive before without them?
“I know you are,” She sighs staring at my lips then glances up to my eyes. “You really make all of this so much easier.” A peculiar emotion moves across her face as she cranes her head around, staring at the front door. “Let's get this over with. You need to get to your meeting and I want to see Tristan.”
Exiting my Jeep quickly, I jog around and open the door for her. After stepping out she rises up on her toes and places a kiss on my cheek. Snaking her hand up, she cups my cheek then slowly strokes her thumb over the spot, left tingling by her lips.
“Thank you.” She whispers sincerely, staring deeply into my eyes.
“Get used to it.” I say with a wink. “I'll always hold doors open for you.”
”No.” Shaking her head, she averts her eyes to watch her slow moving thumb. “I don't mean the door. Well, yes I do, but I meant thank you for everything.” She explains, piercing me once again with her steel eyes. “I know that I wouldn't have made it through all of that bull shit last night if it wasn't for you.”
My heart lurches thinking about something happening to her. Truthfully, I didn't do all that she credits me with. She has no idea how much strength she has inside her tiny body. No point in arguing with her though, she's too stubborn to accept my compliments. I smile fully aware that she is accepting our relationship. It makes me want to move things faster, but I won't. She needs time, a lot of time. Luckily, I'm committing to this relationship wholeheartedly. So we'll do it her way, one step at a time.
Wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I squeeze tightly bringing her flush with my side then walk us up the path to her front porch. Once inside, she escorts me to the attic then disappears to her bedroom. I focus intently, keeping my mind from thinking about the woman that I am crazy about being downstairs alone and what nearly happened between us a few hours ago.
Waiting to make love is the right thing to do, but it is going to be one hellova painful time. I can barely keep my hands to myself when she's around. Right this moment I feel like I need contact with her as much as I need air. I sigh in complete frustration. The sound echoes loudly in the dark attic.
Damn Breesan, what are you doing to me baby?
Needing a diversion, I notice the stacks of boxes lining one side of the attic. Popping the top on the first box, I find it full of journals, just as Breesan said. I pick up the one lying on top and carefully flip to the first page.
May 16, 1980
Dear Diary,
Today is the first day of stupid summer camp. I really hate that my parents forced me to come here!!! I'm the only girl on the camp swim team who's also on the school swim team. That's a relief. I can't stand any of the girls on my school team. They are all mean and the boys are just stupid. It's different here though. Some of the older boys are being really nice to me. At least they talk to me. And one of them is really cute. I didn't want to come this year, but I'm kind of happy about it now. More tomorrow diary! XO Julia Madison
This is a young Julia's diary. There's probably not going to be anything significant from over twenty years ago in this book so I return it and take out the next book. It is dated a couple of months after the first one. I groan looking around the room, realizing that there are at least thirty boxes stacked in here. Surely, they can't all be packed with diaries. If so, finding something useful is going to take a lot longer than I expected.
I drop the book back into the box and shift it out of my way. I open the next lid and see that it too is filled with journals dated a couple of years later. When Breesan said she had journals I didn't think Julia had written down every damn detail of her entire life. I blow out a loud breath and run my hand through my hair.
“Dammit Julia,” I growl.
I hear a sound and turn to see Breesan freshly showered, her long hair hanging loose and still dripping water. Someone was eager to get back to me. I smile at that thought and because she is my beautiful woman. She is wearing a faded Labyrinth tee-shirt and blue denim shorts. She's petite, but her tan legs look long and sexy today in those shorts and gray tennis shoes. I bite back a groan as my eyes slowly peruse every detail of her sweet body.
A sound echoes in the room again and I realize Breesan is giggling. She walks toward me and my hand automatically dumps all the shit I’m holding back into the box. She reaches me and wraps herself in my emb
race. Mine. I absorb her body into mine, squeezing her tightly. She is so soft and her scent is incredibly sweet.
I inhale the scent of her and moan into her hair, “You smell unbelievable,” I say with a thick desire in my voice. Damn I sound like a lusty teenager.
“It's cherry scented lotion.” She shrugs her shoulders “I love cherries.” She stays in my embrace, gripping me tightly around the waist. Mmm. “Anything good?” She whispers against my chest.
“Uh, Hell,” I lost my train of thought. It takes a moment for me to register what she means and it finally hits me that she means Julia's stuff. Looking around the room full of boxes, I laugh mockingly. “I could be here for a while reading all of these journals. Do you know if there is anything besides journals in these boxes?”
She looks up at me from under her long eyelashes and shakes her head. I run my hand down her hair and stare back. Her teeth begin chewing on the inside of her cheek working at a nervous pace until she pulls the side of her bottom lip in, giving it the same torment. I bend down and take the innocent lip into my mouth intending to rescue it from her assault, but soon discover that I need to punish it myself.
Drawing that sweet plump lip between my lips, I drag my teeth over the inside then ever so lightly I pull the juicy delight between my lips and suck. Liking my technique she begins to mimic my actions. Damn I like the way her teeth scrape over my lip. Her nibbling is much easier and softer on my lip compared to the attack I just gave her delicate one. I break contact, but don't pull too far away. Just like magic, I am completely flabbergasted by my soul’s reaction when I am rewarded with my favorite smile.
Placing my lips against the corner of her mouth, I whisper, “Are we alone?”
“Yeah.” She nods. “I don't know where Julia could be. Shouldn't you know?”
I pull away slightly. “Normally I would, but when I'm not on duty I stay as far away from her as possible.”
“I can't blame you on that one. I get away from her every chance I can too. I guess you also know that she is supposed to go to Italy for a couple of months this summer. I thought she would have left already, but apparently Julia doesn't do anything I expect her to do.”
“Wednesday was the last time I spoke with her. She paid me for the rest of the month and told me that she was leaving next week. I assume that means you are expecting to stay here alone.” I watch as her body tenses and she trembles lightly. “Hey, I'm not going to let you stay alone. That is, if you don't want to stay alone. I won't make you do something you don't want to do, but I will either be in the house with you or I'll sleep in my car. I can't have you too far from me anymore, especially after the shit that went down last night.”
“Oh yes, I…” Her breath catches. “I want you to stay. I mean I don't want to stay alone. If you want to stay, that would be fine.” She sweetly stammers her reply, but her demeanor shifts quickly. She steps back, moving away from me and puts her hand on her hips, staring hard at me.
“I won't make you stay in your car either.” She crosses her arms in annoyance. “I can't believe you would even suggest something so dumb.”
“Easy killer,” I say playfully, stepping closer. “I just didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable.” I place my hand on her delicate neck. “Breesan, I feel really protective over you. It's good that you want me here too, but you need to know that I may do shit like sleeping in my car outside of your house to keep you safe, whether you want me to or not.”
She sighs, “I know.”
That went easier than I expected. I kiss the tip of her nose and swing her around directing her toward the stairs. I smack my hand against her ass causing her to jump. She lets out a loud whimper, stops and whips around, facing me. I smile and shrug my shoulder as she rubs her hand over the sensitive spot. She giggles and I'm shocked once again, not only by her mild reaction, but that I would do such a thing to her. I've never smacked a woman’s ass before. I grab two boxes and follow Breesan out the door staring after the spot my hand made contact with. I chuckle at my bravery as I place the boxes in my Jeep then walk over to her car. I give her a soft kiss telling her that she'll get many more later.
Once I've securely tucked her into her vehicle I start toward the meeting location for the debriefing. Last night before she passed out the investigator spoke briefly with her about the shooting, but I informed them she was just a random victim like everyone else. Rhys had them divert all other questions to him, keeping our little case out of the spotlight. It’s imperative that we don’t expose ourselves during all of this.
I take the long gravel road off the main highway that leads to Rhys drive. He lives on a secluded compound about twenty minutes away from the city center. It's secured with fencing and an electric gate. I turn onto the drive and hit the buzzer on the call box outside Rhys’. It only takes a second for him to buzz me inside. Cameras at the gate allow him to see without having to ask who I am. I park noticing vehicles that belong to my team and another I don't recognize. I open the front door and walk in and I’m immediately greeted by my sister with a warm hug. My body tensed up once I left Breesan and it seems the further I get from her, the more agitated I become. This meeting better move the fuck along.
“Hey,” Sam smirks. “I wasn't sure if we would see you today.” She releases me, turns and walks down the hallway.
Something about her tone pisses me off and I snap, “Oh really? Well, I'm here now. No need to worry.”
“I wasn't worried.” She halts her steps at the entrance to Rhys office and turns to face me. “Just thought you'd be preoccupied,” she air quotes with her fingers. One of my pet peeves, and that's why she does it, but because it’s her I chill out on my attitude. “I really thought you’d blow off this meeting. That's all.” She hides a laugh. “Besides, if your girlfriend really is in danger I can't believe you would let her out of your sight.”
“Can't lie, I'm freaking out, but I followed her to the hospital then Raithe picked up her trail, following her into the parking garage.” I pause then admit, “She's safe enough.”
“I understand. Really I do.” She leans in whispering, “Try not to worry too much and maybe the blowhard over there will talk fast.” Pointing in Rhys’ direction, she winks.
I watch as Rhys’ eyes glaze over, following Sam as she walks across the room. I also didn’t miss the red color creeping up the back of Sam’s neck as she sits, turning her body away from him after breaking eye contact with him. The way they react toward each other reminds me of me and Breesan.
Maybe I'm not the only one wanting this meeting to end soon because I have better shit to do. Sam and Rhys dated for a short time. Once they were placed on the same team they agreed it would be better for everyone that they didn't date anymore. It's been nearly a year since they broke up, but it's obvious they are still attracted to each other. Sam won't talk about it with me, but I know she still loves him.
Hell, even I know Rhys fell completely head-over-heels for her. They're both too stubborn to admit that the job isn't the most important thing in this world, or that their feelings never went away. I walk across the room and take the seat next to Rhys’ desk. Kole rolling his eyes dramatically looks bored with his phone pressed against his ear. I can over hear the person on the other end. It definitely sounds work related with several “yes sirs and no sirs” in between long silent pauses on Kole's end. Dammit, let’s get on with this bullshit.
Chapter Two
Morgan
Seagulls cawing and a swaying motion are the worst fucking things to wake up to with a hangover the size of Texas. The heat from the mid-morning sun along with the amount of alcohol I consumed last night has me pouring sweat while lying under the covers. Flinging back the damp sheet, I draw both legs out plopping them on top, and instantly feel the coolness. I groan loudly at the effort it took just for that small movement and the sound pierces my brain painfully. I slap both hands over my face.
“Oh, mother fucker,” I whisper to myself. “Shit, my head is killing
me. How much did I drink?”
I roll to the side of the bed and traipse to the bathroom in search of relief. After attending to nature’s call, I spot the shower and decide that it couldn't hurt. I step into the water that comes out instantly heated. One of my favorite features about my dad's yacht is the endless hot water. I laugh at the irony. When Barret Walker finds out about the decision I made last night to leave the family business and do what I want to do instead, that's exactly where I'll be.
“Fuck you dad.” I spit louder than I intend and painfully remember my throbbing head.
My life is shit! There have only been a handful of people that I have actually given a damn about at some point or another in my life. Family, friends and one conquest tops the short list. I do however have a reasonably long list of associates that I network with, some whose business enterprises are on the nefarious side. Although I’ve never dabbled in most of their particular trade, it never hurts to have such contacts. However, all of that shit is just business–no friendships were formed. Perhaps it is time to rectify that small detail and get new friends. I am tired of all the bullshit held over my head by my family. Some sinful gratification could be my bullshit eraser, making me very happy.
As of late, the people I consider actual friends, those that I truly want in my life have dwindled down to just a couple. Honestly, except for my grandparents, no one really gives a damn about me. After the sting my heart took from last night’s revelation, I can’t even commit to them any longer. So after a short deliberation, I conclude that my life is ruled by other’s selfish agenda’s, and that completely sucks. Moving forward from today, the only person I want to give a damn about is me.
Morgan Walker, son of Barret and Haleigh Walker, heir to the world renowned Walker Corporation and the future husband to Elise Carrington no longer exists. I am so done with killing myself piece by pathetic piece, hoping I live up to my father’s expectations–which would only end with me being the one who gets shit on. Feeling like my heart has been ripped from my chest after losing the one woman that I finally know is the one for me, I have made a decision–I’m done.
