by Amy J. White
Marcus
Hot Small Town Alphas Series
Amy J. White
Contents
Description
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Epilogue I
Epilogue II
About the Author
Join Amy’s Mailing List
Also by Amy J. White
Description
Marcus knew pursuing Joy would be a challenge. Since they met in the hallway of the hospital where she worked, Joy always bolted away from him like someone had set her rump on fire. Now, he’s done with playing the game and ready to have Joy as his own. When a little girl comes down with a devastating disease, Marcus works alongside the woman he loves to help bring a child one last holiday miracle.
Chapter 1
Marcus
“I think this is all of it,” Casey, my new friend and delivery man hauls out the last of the crates I ordered. “Sorry it took so long. We’re a bit short staffed right now because of the snow.”
He doesn’t need to apologize. I’ve been back in Buchanan long enough to know the winters can be brutal.
Especially since the recent snow storms caused trouble for my suppliers before they even got to Casey or those who worked with him.
“It’s alright,” I say. “Help me take them into the back room. I can do inventory from there.”
Casey nods and we work to move the crates into the back of the store my family has owned for as long as I can remember. It’s a nice pace from the busy battlefields and bases I spent most of my career on while in the Marines
“I never understood why you didn’t choose to do something else like join the Sheriff’s Department. Eric’s wife just became Sheriff and could use some able bodies to enforce law and order here.”
I know he is joking. Aside from the men who held up my store a few months ago that resulted in Eric getting shot, nothing too exciting happens around here.
It frightened me enough to get extra security, but not enough to worry about something like it happening again.
Working for Eric’s new wife, a hard-core spitfire named Destiny Williams terrifies me more than any burglars. She reminds me a lot of the drill sergeants I endured in the service.
“No thank you. That woman terrifies me. She’s worse than any of the COs I went through. Besides, it’s a nice change from everything I went through.”
Casey mouth draws downward. He reaches behind his head to run his hand over his neck. “God, I didn’t think of that. You and Eric have a lot in common now, huh?”
He isn’t lying. The reason I was discharged from the Marines was because I got shot while saving those lives under my command, then wound up getting captured and held prisoner for a while.
Not something I like to live over and over if I can avoid if, but not something that bothers me to discuss since it happened so long ago.
Eric’s action of getting shot by the robbers proved something to bond us as good friends since he saved my life and my store.
“We do. I’m planning on meeting him at the bar after I finish up here. Would you like to come?”
Casey’s smile beams like a truck with its highlights on. “Would I? Yeah. I think Ethan and Chaz are going to. We should all get together and play pool or something.”
It sounds good.
We all knew each other – or at least of one another – in high school. That’s how it is in this town. Unless you’re from somewhere outside of it like Destiny, everyone knew everyone and we all attended school with those we eventually wound up with.
Since Eric’s impromptu eloping with Destiny, I became the next in line to get teased about not finding the right woman.
The problem was that I had.
It happened when I went to visit Eric in the hospital. The day she walked into my line of sight.
A Few Months Ago
I walk into the hospital to visit my friend Eric who has just undergone surgery after he was shot defending both me and my store. My eyes wander around the familiar space until they land on the nurses’ station where the most adorable nurse fumbles around with files.
Her mouth moves, brows dipped in a deep V like she is upset with herself.
This isn’t what I notice though. It’s her adorable bob-cut hair the color of copper glistening in the lights that catches my eye.
She is shorter than many women I know; perhaps five-feet max, wearing bright pink scrubs.
“Excuse me,” I say, startling her enough to send papers every which way.
She bends to start picking them up.
Since I feel like the responsible party, I kneel to help her.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” She pauses, looking up at me, our eyes meeting revealing hers to be the color of fresh grass after a spring rain.
Get a hold of yourself, I say. You just scared her to death. Last thing she needs is you gawking at her.
“I was wondering if you could show me to my friend’s room. His name is Eric.”
The petite woman takes the last of the pages, putting them back on the desk. “Eric Stanton?”
I nod.
“Sure, I can help you.” We start walking. When we reach Eric’s room, the nurse keeps her head down, avoiding looking me in the face.
I take this moment to read her nametag dangling around her neck: Joy Faulkner.
“Here it is. Thank you again for helping me with that mess. I wasn’t expecting anyone to show up so late.” Her cheeks flush a deep red beneath her make-up.
I focus on her lips, thinking how it would feel to kiss, suck and bite them while she lay beneath me.
Woah boy!!! Try not to think with your dick. The woman’s shyer than a rabbit in open spaces. “It’s alright. I should’ve been more vocal about my approach. My name is Marcus by the way.”
Joy nods. “I know. I go into your store from time to time to get a soda and Snickers before work.”
So that’s where I know her from. I knew I saw her a few times before this. It never dawned on me just how beautiful she was.
Ever since that day, I tried any way I could think of to approach her including trying to say hello every time she comes in. The problem is - she runs like I plan to bite her every time she notices me coming towards her.
“Marcus? You alright, man?” Casey says above me.
I realize I’ve been on my knees counting the same case for the past unknown number of minutes. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
Truth is - I really wasn’t.
Chapter 2
Joy
I sit in my car staring at the front of the convenience store I’ve gone to almost every day since I started as a nurse at the local hospital. It is always hard because I know that’s where he is. The man I’ve wanted since I saw him come home from the Marines.
Marcus intimidated me when we attended school. He wasn’t ever mean. In fact he was beyond nice every time I “accidentally” bumped into him.
Everyone liked him because of how he spoke, had gorgeous olive-toned skin and beautiful dark hair, though he often did his best to stay out of the spotlight.
When he went away to the Marines, my heart just about shattered to tiny pieces.
Unlike many of the already married women – Ryley, Lilah, Rachel and Destiny – I was the shy one. It started in high school and hadn’t changed.
I don’t know why I’m this way. I just am. Going up to Marcus and asking him on a date isn’t something I’m able to do.
A few months ago, when he came into the hospital and he scared me enough to throw papers all over the floor, I almost died thinking he might see me as a klutzy red-head who ca
n’t stand on her own. Not someone who’s been through what he has needs to deal with.
Just like he was in high school, Marcus was so nice, blaming himself for the papers going everywhere. I remember wanting to scream at myself for making him feel that way.
That wasn’t what got to me however. It was the way he looked at me. Those gorgeous eyes looking me over that finally sealed my nervousness.
I thought it might be pity or something similar, but no. Those eyes were full of interest – dare I let myself say it – of desire.
Ever since then, I’ve noticed Marcus paying me more attention.
Just get out. You’re only going in for your soda, a Snickers and maybe snack since you have double-shifts today. If he’s there, just be nice, say hello and bolt.
The plan sounded good in my head, but didn’t they always?
Inhaling a deep breath, I look skyward, exhaling and opening the door to my car.
Pulling up my collar over my cheeks, I shiver at the biting winter cold. It’s never been my favorite season. Not since the lake ice skating incident which was largely responsible for my shyness…. I guess I do know a little why I’m so shy, but it wasn’t for the reasons anyone thought it was.
It was because it was the first time I embarrassed myself in front of Marcus by slamming into a tree.
Everyone except a few people pointed and laughed at me. Queen Bee Brittany, who liked to target me for most of her pranks, mocked me and made fun of me.
“Get over it, bitch. He’s too good for you, anyway,” She said, swishing her hair and sashaying away towards Ethan, Marcus, Chaz, and Casey, four of the hottest and most desired guys at Buchanan High.
I remember seeing Marcus’ pity-filled eyes as he walked across the ice, kneeling and reaching around his neck to pull his scarf to cover the embarrassing bruise on my cheek.
“It’s okay. Whatever Brittany said, I’m sure you can ignore it. Let me help you up.”
That was the day I knew I wanted him. Knew he was the one I was meant to have though I knew I never could.
The tiny bell above the door jingles when I push it open, carefully watching for the man of my dreams, both happy and sad when the teenager he’s hired to help him – Brady, I think? – waves to me from behind the counter.
“Is he here?” I mouth.
Brady nods, mouthing, “In the back.”
Oh right, inventory day. Brady told me that one time when I frantically hurried in, looking left and right for Marcus.
I blow out a sigh of relieve and disappointment as I proceed to gather the things I came in here for. I always liked how Marcus’ family had styled their store.
It reminds me of a place one might see in old western movies or during the colonial period. Wood moans beneath my snow covered boots through the store where I finally find the Snickers.
Next I go to pick up my favorite soda and one for my co-worker who sent me a text, promising she’d pay me back.
I almost make it when I hear two men talking, their voices coming closer the further away from the back they get.
One I recognize as Lilah’s husband, Casey. The other-
Oh God, that voice. I feel a shiver run up my spine. That sultry, sensual voice alone is enough to melt any woman’s panties, let alone mine!
Brady makes a hand gesture for me to duck.
Instead of listening, I freeze like a deer stuck in someone’s headlights. Move, dammit. Why can’t I move?
Marcus comes around the corner and when his eyes fall on me, freezing isn’t the only thing I’m doing.
“I’ll talk with you at the bar, later,” He says to Casey who gives me a coy grin.
Were they talking about me? I wonder.
“See you, man,” Casey says, pats Marcus on the shoulder then leaves.
Marcus starts to stalk towards me. His gorgeous body is defined beneath the turtleneck sweater hugging his chest in all the right places.
Dark jeans cradle his legs enough to let me see the definitions of his thighs down to the brown work boots he’s wearing.
God, does he know how mouth-wateringly, panty-melting he is? Does he even care?
“I was wondering if you were coming today,” He says.
I swallow a gulp of air. “Um, yes. I have a double so I wanted to get me and my partner something to get us through.”
I want to run, but something keeps me here this time. I’m not sure what and I don’t care.
Chapter 3
Marcus
We stand and stare at one another for what feels like hours. She is just so beautiful standing before me with her hand clutching the strap of her purse like she wants to strangle it.
Like so many other times, I wait for her to run from me. For the hurt that always accompanies an emotion I can never tell if it’s fear or like she thinks she isn’t good enough for me.
I look at her other hand, not seeing her Snickers bar. “Would you like me to go get it for you?”
I keep a smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes on my face. My plan is to ask Joy to the holiday festival Buchanan holds every year. It brings the community together in a powerful way.
The perfect place for me to ask Joy the question I keep carefully tucked away in my heart. Or at least the same night.
“Um…” She stutters, biting that gorgeous lower lip.
Before she can think too hard, I reach out my arm, stepping aside, saying, “After you.”
She cocks her head to the side, then edges closer like a frightened mouse. It’s adorable yet painful.
What she does next surprises me.
In the place of running, Joy steps towards me, our bodies brush one another, the scent of her favorite floral perfume wafts in my nostrils. Combined with the warmth of her body, I feel shivers rush up my own.
I follow her around the store, mustering up the guts to ask her what I want to ask her. She goes up to the front counter where Brady waits for her to place the items on the flat surface.
Joy then turns to me while Brady rings her up, still biting her lip, eyes directed to the floor.
In a bold move, I reach towards her tortured lip, pulling it free with my thumb. She looks up at me, the moment surreal when I feel our souls connect.
Brady’s voice interrupts the moment. “Sorry boss.”
Joy pays for her purchase, thanks Brady and me; then goes to leave.
I curse internally, eyeing at Brady who gestures his chin towards Joy’s car. The sneaky bastard managed to make it so I have to follow the woman.
Rushing through the door, I catch Joy who turns when I call her name.
“Hey, I have something I need to ask you,” I say.
Joy’s eyes look everywhere but at me.
“Joy, will you go with me to the winter festival?” My voice sounds more shaky than I think it should.
I realize my hands are shaking, my shoulders taut at the thought she might take this moment to do what she didn’t do earlier.
“Marcus, I ….”
My hand takes hers without my permission. “Please. I know you have feelings for me. Aren’t you tired of pretending otherwise?”
Joy nods. “Yes, but the hospital has something going on during the festival.”
It’s the first time I’ve heard about this which is strange in Buchanan considering Ryley’s mother’s reputation for telling everyone about everyone else’s business.
We go quiet while I try to process her telling me yes. I guess she doesn’t know what to say either.
Fresh snow begins falling, adding to the magic of the moment. Frigid winds cause Joy’s nose to turn the color of a cherry tomato.
“Meet me for coffee the day after your double. We can talk about the details. What about that?” I say.
The most beautiful smile I have seen forms over Joy’s lips. I don’t know why she decided to be forward with me, but I find I don’t care. Maybe she’s as tired as I am of the game we’ve played since Eric got shot.
“Okay. Meet at the Choc N’Chi
p. They have some of the best coffee and desserts,” Joy says.
The Choc N’Chip belongs to Rachel, Chaz’s wife. A knot forms in my throat at the thought of exposing us to everyone, but it soon dissipates when I look back at Joy’s smile.
Finally, we’ve passed the awkwardness of asking one another out.
Relief fills my heart as I close the door for her, step back and watch her drive away.
I return home that night to prepare for my meeting with Joy. Something she says about the hospital has me picking up the phone to call Ryley. If anyone knows what’s going on, it will be her.
The phone rings a couple of times. “Ryley?”
“Marcus! Oh my gosh, I just heard! Congratulations!”
Of course she heard. “Can you tell me what’s going on with the hospital? Joy mentioned them doing something during the winter festival.”
Ryley starts telling me about a fundraiser the hospital is holding to gather funds for new equipment for the children’s’ wing.
According to her, they were getting more children because of a rash of colds and were unable to get handle so many going on at once. It was, apparently, a common occurrence each winter and the hospital managed to make it through, but this year, with the onset of frequent snowstorms, they hadn’t been able to keep up with demand.
Equipment had been damaged or needing replacement and the hospital didn’t have the funds to get what they needed as soon as possible.
Ah, now it makes sense. Ryley tells me Joy transferred to the children’s wing after a few years in trauma. She must want to get a movement going to get people both in town and around it to help the children’s wing as much as possible.
