by Rainey, Anne
After dropping out of college and running home with her tail tucked between her legs, Marquetta had been determined not to make the mistake of trusting a man ever again. She would not take the chance of having her heart broken twice. Pigs would fly before she’d ever find herself back in that emotional downward spiral.
Once more, Marquetta’s body shook with chills, yanking her out of her depressing trip down memory lane. God, she hated getting sick. It seemed like it always took her forever to get over it. She quickly stripped off her clothes and stepped into the hot shower in the hopes it would warm her. She washed and conditioned her hair, wondering why she didn’t just chop off the time-consuming stuff. Of course, she already knew the reason. Her mom had always kept her hair long. One of her fondest memories was watching her comb it out at night before bed. After her mother died, the victim of a drunk driver, Marquetta had begun to let her hair grow. Now it reached her waist.
As she turned off the shower and toweled dry, she realized she felt a little bit less shitty. Still sick, but at least she wasn’t freezing half to death. She started to slip into a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie, when she heard a noise coming from the living room. Fear crept up her spine as she left the bedroom to investigate. She spotted her oldest brother, Axel, sprawled out on her couch, channel surfing. He wore an old pair of ripped blue jeans and a simple white T-shirt that had paint stains on it. His long midnight-black hair was tied back, and an ornery smile curved his mouth. Judging by his messy appearance, Marquetta had to assume that Axel didn’t have a date lined up tonight.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Would it kill you to knock?”
Axel’s brow kicked up in amusement. “Would it kill you to call me and tell me you’re all right?”
She rolled her eyes as if annoyed with him. In truth, she was glad for the company. She didn’t feel like being alone tonight. Marquetta walked over to the couch and sat next to him. “I’m a big girl, and I can take care of myself.” How many times had she said those same words? A billion? Maybe one day it would actually sink in, but she wasn’t holding her breath.
Axel regarded her with the same scrutiny as he would a damaged quarter panel on a car. When he frowned, Marquetta knew he’d spotted her pale, drawn cheekbones and the hollowness of her eyes. She hadn’t been taking care of herself, and that always served to piss off her brother.
“You haven’t been eating, and I’m betting you aren’t getting much sleep either.” He sighed. “Why do you do this to yourself?”
She thought about lying to him, but she was just no good at lying to Axel. He always saw right through her. “Lately it’s been…difficult.”
He took hold of her chin, not letting her retreat. “Dreams about the baby again?”
Marquetta nodded, and her gaze darted away. She didn’t want to talk about the baby she’d lost. It was too painful. It would be exactly two years tomorrow, but it felt as if it were yesterday. It was why she ate only when her stomach protested enough to actually get her attention. She was starting to sink into a depression again, but she could never tell Axel. He had enough to worry about without taking care of her too.
“You need to let go of the past, sis. It’s time, don’t you think?”
This was the last thing she needed right now, an inquisition. She was barely holding on by a thread as it was. “Believe it or not, I don’t need your help with this.” When he started to protest, she sat up straighter and bit out, “Not everything needs to be your concern. I’m fine. Really.”
Axel narrowed his gaze as if debating the merits of arguing with her. It wouldn’t be the first time they’d gone a few rounds. After a beat of silence, he held out his arms and said, “Come here.”
Marquetta tried to ignore him, but she simply didn’t have the energy. It seemed she’d used up her last bit of oomph. She leaned toward him and let his strength and security surround her. She shut her eyes against the tears threatening to spill over and whispered, “I’m sorry you’re always having to take care of me.”
“That’s what big brothers are for,” he said as he patted her on the back. “How about I order Chinese?”
She pulled back and smiled up at him. “Sounds good to me.”
At once, Axel took out his cell phone and placed an order. When the food arrived, the smell of sweet and sour pork and egg drop soup had her stomach growling. “I must be feeling better, because this food has me practically drooling.”
Never in her life had she tasted anything so heavenly. But she felt silly, like a dumb kid who couldn’t take care of herself and had to have big brother make it all better for her.
Once she’d had her fill, she cleaned up the mess and came back into the room to find Axel staring at her with that familiar concern in his eyes. God, she hated that he worried so much about her and Gavin. He deserved to be free of the two of them so he could live in peace. She felt even worse knowing he’d probably cancelled a date to be here with her.
“I’m glad you came over,” she said, “but it’s Saturday, and I’m sure you could’ve had a hot date or something if you weren’t always taking care of me. You shouldn’t put your life on hold like this.”
He snorted. “Lately, all my hot dates are with Netflix.” Axel stared at her for a moment before saying, “We’re family, Marquetta, and I’ll always be here if you need me.”
She got choked up at his endearing words. He would forever and always be the eldest, and he took those responsibilities seriously. Sometimes his protectiveness irked, even if he did mean well. Marquetta thought of her earlier sexy visitor and wondered if she should mention it to Axel, but thought better of it. If he knew, he’d be full of questions and probably end up setting up a security perimeter around her house, for crying out loud. No, Axel definitely didn’t need to know about Jensen.
She grasped her brother’s hands in her own. “I always know you have my back, and I love you to pieces for it, but I can handle this. I’ll be okay.”
“You’re breaking my heart,” he replied, his voice just a little too unsteady for Marquetta’s peace of mind.
She shrugged. “Every girl gets her heart stepped on at least once.”
His face hardened. “I’d still like to kick Sheldon’s ass for making you hurt this way.”
She shook her head and got up, bringing him with her. “No, and that’s enough about it. I can handle my own demons.” When he only stared at her as if still unconvinced he wasn’t needed, Marquetta said, “Trust me to deal with this myself, Axel. Please.”
He sighed. “Fine, but you can talk to me anytime. I’m always here. You aren’t alone in this, okay?”
Relief swamped her. She was only too happy that she wouldn’t have to go into detail about her feelings. “Of course.” She hugged him, letting herself sink into the familiar feel of his strong arms as they came around her once again.
“You’ll always be my baby sister,” he murmured.
Warmth filled her at his soft words. “Love you too, big brother,” she replied as she pushed out of his arms and pointed toward the door. “Now go and find some hot babe to flirt with.”
He chuckled as he brushed himself off. “If you insist.”
After Axel left, Marquetta gave in to the stormy sea of her emotions and let the tears fall. She cried for her lost baby. She cried for the sadness that seemed to bear down on her twenty-four hours a day. When she finally managed to dry up, she thought of her mom. There wasn’t a single thing wrong with a good cry, her mom would always say. Marquetta wished her mom were there now. Come to think of it, she’d probably tell her to suck it up and move on with her life. Julia Hayes had always been the no-nonsense type. And hadn’t Marquetta let Sheldon ruin enough of her life? Why should she let him take any more of her happiness? Axel was right—it was time to bury the past, once and for all.
The next day, Marquetta stood in the office at the back of the shop, angry enough to kill. The source of her ire? Her brother Gavin, with his powerful linebacker’s build, massive
shoulders and thick muscular arms. He tended to dominate a room with his masculine presence. Women always seemed to sense that primitive nature hidden underneath his easy smiles, because he was rarely without a date. His dark good looks and flirty glances had been a magnet for the opposite sex ever since their high school days. Everyone loved Gavin. But right now, Marquetta was ready to strangle him.
Today, he’d managed to turn what had started out as a pretty good day to crap when he’d tossed a customer out on his ear, all because he’d stared at Marquetta’s ass a little too long. It was beyond annoying the way he treated her. As if she were too weak to handle an overeager male customer.
“You had no right to kick that guy out of here. He was a customer, Gavin. What were you thinking?” She crossed her arms over her chest to keep from slapping him upside his frustrating head.
Gavin blinked as if trying to sort out the simple statement. “I don’t see why you’re so steamed, Markie. You’re my sister, and that fool was staring at your ass as if he’d just seen the Mona Lisa and couldn’t wait to touch it. And for the record, he was about to touch it. That’s why I intervened.” He pushed out of the chair and came toward her. “To hell with that shit. He can take his business elsewhere.”
She pointed a finger at his chest. “I may be your sister, but I’m not some silly, delicate woman who needs her big brother to protect her from the big, bad world.”
He frowned down at her. “I see.”
She threw her hands up as her anger took on a life of its own. “I see? That’s all you have to say for yourself?” She paced away from him. “I was handling that guy on my own. I didn’t need your help.”
He shoved a hand through his hair and let out a long breath. “It was for your—”
Marquetta turned back toward him and growled under her breath, “If you dare say that you did it for my own good, I swear, Gavin, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”
A wry little grin appeared. “You’re a force to be reckoned with when you’re pissed, that much is clear.” He playfully tugged at a lock of her hair. “Okay, you win. I should’ve let you handle it.”
Marquetta forced herself to calm down, reminding her frantically beating heart that her brother did the annoying things he did out of love. “I know you mean well, but I’m all grown up now. I deserve to be treated like an adult.” Her voice hitched with emotion. “I won’t break as easily as you and Axel think.”
“I didn’t see it that way.” He took her in his arms. “I underestimated your strength, and I’m sorry. It’s just that Axel and I saw you hurt once. Exactly two years ago today, we watched you fall apart.” He cleared his throat and whispered, “You were pretty broken, Markie. I won’t let it happen again. Not ever.”
His words, so soft, were comforting. She only wanted her brothers to see her as an equal, not as a fragile piece of crystal. “If I get hurt again, it’s on me. Not you.” She shook her head. “Not Axel either. And I won’t break this time, I assure you.”
He pulled back and looked down at her. “Yes, I know. I guess I miss the little girl who needed her big brother to protect her. You’re so independent now.”
She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll always need you.” She touched his cheek with trembling fingers.
“Did I miss something?”
Marquetta and Gavin visibly jumped at their brother’s booming voice. His big body filled the doorway to the office.
Gavin rolled his eyes. “Just me being an idiot.”
Axel’s piercing eyes narrowed on his sister. “Anything I should know?”
A smile crept over her face as she walked toward him. “The only thing you should know is that it’s closing time, and I’m going home where a nice, hot bath awaits.”
Axel moved away from the door to let her leave. “Hey, before you go, there’s someone out there who’s requesting you.”
“Me?”
“He wants the artist. The one who’s so well known for her awesome paintings on sports cars and motorcycles.” He tapped her on the nose. “That’s you, sis.”
“I’m hardly well known.” She pulled her hair up and secured it with an elastic band she kept on her wrist. “After I’m through with him, I’m out of here.”
“If he stares at your ass, just knee him in the jewels,” Gavin said as if imparting some brilliant piece of wisdom.
Marquetta decided to tease Gavin. After his little stunt, she figured he deserved it. “I might want him to stare at my ass. Ever consider that?”
“Brat,” she heard him yell as she left the room to greet their customer.
Jensen checked the time on his cell phone and wondered what was taking so long. He and his brother had come to Hayes’s Custom Paint and Body to have his motorcycle painted, and also to talk to the town's top artist about working up a logo for Man-Maid. His brother had told him about the artist who had a reputation in town for some seriously stellar work. Since a lot rode on the company's presentation, and his motorcycle was his baby, he wanted only the best for both jobs.
“You sure this woman is the best?”
“Relax, bro, she’s an amazing artist.” Jason took in the neat appearance of the spacious shop and said, “Remember the skull Bobby had painted on his bike?”
Bobby was a guy they knew from high school who just happened to be completely obsessed with motorcycles. “I do remember that. It was a work of art.”
“He brought it here,” Jason said. “In fact, he brings all his bikes here.”
Jensen shrugged. “If it’s good enough for Bobby, then it’s good enough for me.”
Without warning, Jensen’s mind strayed from motorcycles and on to more pleasant things—like a blonde-haired woman who wielded an umbrella like a friggin’ ninja. God, it’d been a week since he’d seen her, and he couldn’t stop thinking about her—despite the woman’s bad attitude. Normally, Jensen liked a woman who was a bit more agreeable. And he never gave a woman the notion he wanted anything more than a mutually satisfying relationship of a few laughs, some good sex and easy companionship.
Somehow—and in a damned short amount of time—Marquetta Hayes had managed to wiggle her way around all the barriers he’d set up. And the funny thing was, she’d done it without really trying. Hell, come to that, she didn’t even want to have dinner with him. And yet he wanted her more than any woman he’d ever met. He couldn’t figure that out. She was frustrating the crap out of him.
Without warning, Jensen imagined her walking toward him, her long, sexy legs and the creamy perfection of her skin bared to him. Ah damn, he was getting hard, and he hadn’t even laid eyes on her since the day she’d kicked his ass out of her house. He barely knew her, and yet he felt some odd sense of déjà vu when he was near her. As if he’d known her all his life. It was too prickly for him to examine too closely.
Jason nudged him. “Stop thinking about her.”
“Who?” Jensen asked as he shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
Jason sighed. “You’ve been driving me nuts. I wish you’d just ask her out and get it out of your system.”
“I did. She wants nothing to do with me, remember?” As the minutes ticked by, he was suddenly struck with the odd sensation he was being watched. He turned around, then froze as he came face-to-face with Marquetta. Was she the talented artist? “What are you doing here?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and spoke in a slow, terse tone. “Are you stalking me, Kershaw?”
He rubbed his chin and frowned down at her. “Why is it I always feel as if I’m being chastised by my mother when I’m around you?”
“Answer the question,” she ground out.
“Don’t be so full of yourself, Hayes,” he replied. “I’m here for my motorcycle. Are you the artist?” He suddenly felt like an idiot, not connecting Marquetta’s last name with this shop.
She ignored him and glowered at Jason. “And you are…?”
Jason grinned like a love-struck teenager and held out h
is hand. “His brother, Jason.”
Marquetta didn’t shake it. No surprise there. She was as surly as ever. When her gaze connected with his once more, she said, “To answer your question, yes, I’m the artist. So, what can I do for you?”
He looked her up and down, purposely perusing her figure in a slow, calculated way. “Now that’s a loaded question.”
“I’m not interested, remember?” She rubbed her forehead. “I thought we settled all this already.”
He bent down until he was within an inch of her face and said, “Not even close.”
She had an urge to slap the smug grin right off him, but for some insane reason, she resisted. “Let’s focus on business. What is it you want done?”
“Well, I’ve got an idea in mind, but I’m not sure it’s doable.”
Marquetta quickly switched to artist mode. “Most anything is doable.” She headed toward a workbench on the other side of the room, and Jensen followed close behind, momentarily distracted by the sight of her ass in the tight jeans she wore. God, she was sexy.
When his brother cleared his throat, Jensen peered over at him. “What?”
“You have an audience, bro,” he said beneath his breath. Jason nodded toward the left, and Jensen noticed a pair of men standing there, wearing twin scowls. They were tall and built like a couple of linebackers. Both of them had grease-stained shirts and glared at him as if they’d like to toss him in the nearest barrel of oil. If Jensen didn’t miss his guess, he’d say they were related to Marquetta.
Marquetta followed their line of sight, and Jensen noticed her rolling her eyes. “I’ve got this, guys.” When they didn’t budge, her voice turned angry and she threw her hands in the air. “Seriously?”
After a few more seconds of icy stares, the two men disappeared into a back room. Jensen quirked a brow at Marquetta. “Family of yours?”
