by Dahlia Rose
“Very impressive and big,” Mari said feeling very small and uncomfortable all of a sudden.
“What’s wrong?” Haile asked putting his arms around her from behind.
“I feel out of place here,” she admitted. “My place was a single wide trailer in Texas. I kept it nice and all but this is... a lot.”
“You are exactly perfect right here.” Haile turned her in his arms. “This place is walls and emptiness without someone to share it with. I want to hear your laughter echo in these rooms, see you dance and shimmy like you do in the pub to music.” Haile grinned. “Watch you nude on the stairs.”
Mari laughed. “You keep going back to that.”
He tapped his temple. “It seems stuck in here.”
“Show me your bedroom and bathroom so I can take a shower,” Mari said.
“Yes ma’am.” Haile turned, and she smacked him on the ass. “Hey now, don’t start something...”
“Oh, I’ll finish it sir,” she cut him off.
“Come out of the shower naked and show me.” His voice was suddenly gruff with desire.
“Why sir, you get me to your house and now it gets frisky.” Mari felt the familiar ache between her legs.
“The thought of having you in my bed has done something to me,” he answered. “There are towels in the cupboard, that’s the small door on the left as soon as you step in. I don’t have any of that flowery body wash that women use, but there is some lavender soap Mrs. H’s daughter makes in there.” At her curious look he shrugged. “I’m a fool for a new business venture. She was making soaps trying to start a new business, and she wasn’t making sales. Mrs. H brought in a basket, and we bought tons of it. I keep in in there to keep the towels smelling nice.”
“Sure you weren’t using it?” she teased, and he glowered at her. “I’m kidding!”
Mari went into the bathroom and looked around in awe. Black marble, shiny chrome fixtures, and recessed lighting in the ceiling. It was a man’s bathroom, that was for sure, and she stared longingly at the tub. She hadn’t had a good soak in a long time. Instead she grabbed a towel and a bar of soap from a basket on the top shelf. There had to be at least thirty bars in there and some small bottles of body cream. That’s sweet, Mari thought, he bought out Mrs. H to help her daughter. After undressing and setting the water as hot as she could take it, she stepped under the spray. It felt so good. The heat and the pulsing water were like a massage against her skin.
Mari lathered her body and lingered under the spray until she brought herself out of her reverie and turned off the water. Drying quickly, she wrapped herself in the thick towel and grabbed one of the lotions before heading back out to the bedroom. Haile was sitting up in the bed with the remote in his hand. She noticed the big screen TV on the wall.
“I’m sorry,” she said in embarrassment. “I stayed in there way longer than expected.”
Haile smiled. “Not to worry, Dove. I took a quick shower in one of the other bathrooms.”
“Anything good on TV?” Mari asked as she sat on the bed.
She noted with pleasure how comfortable they were. It felt like this was their life every day. She suddenly felt very at home with him, and for her, that meant something.
“I was looking at the news but so far nothing,” Haile answered.
“Can I tell you something?” Mari asked hesitantly.
Haile looked at her. “You can tell me anything, Marisol.”
“This feels right,” she said hastily and put some lotion in her hand. She smoothed it on her arm and focused on that as she spoke. “No one really understood I never felt at home in Texas. My parents didn’t live together, and neither of them seemed to want a child even though they raised me.”
He watched her as she spoke. “I was shuttled around from my dad’s house where his wife and their children treated me... I was an outsider. To my mother’s house with my stepdad, and the kids they shared made me feel the same way. I went off on my own at sixteen and from there it was me trying to survive without anyone in my corner. Then Marcus took away my security, I wasn’t safe anywhere and now this. Sitting on the bed, you said there’s nothing on TV and we are talking regularly... I’m enjoying this.”
“Then stay here with me,” he said suddenly.
“I...” Mari couldn’t form what to say. “Haile, this wasn’t me asking to move in here. I was just telling you how I feel. It’s nice how comfortable we are together.”
Haile shifted to his side. “And this is me telling you I feel the exact way, and I want to have this every night for the rest of my life. I don’t want to push, but think about it—moving in with me that is. I understand we never spoke directly about where this relationship is going. So just know, I’m not with you for sex, I see a future and I, Haile Buchannan, am ready to take steps toward that.”
“Let me think about it,” she said breathlessly. Her heart fluttered in delight, he saw her in his future and that was thrilling.
“Okay... can I honestly say that right now, I’m thinking about your skin,” he said huskily. “I’ve been watching you smooth that cream on your body. Let me help.”
Her stomach clenched with desire at the thought of his hand on her skin. Mari laid back on the back and handed him the bottle. “I would love that.”
He poured a small amount into his hands and rubbed them together, and all the while his eyes never left hers. He started with her legs, massaging the lavender scented cream into her skin and moved downwards. He repeated the action on the other leg, and she stifled a moan when he massaged her feet and toes with firm hands. When Haile was finished there, he worked on her torso and breasts until she couldn’t help but call his name in a breathless gasp.
The lotion was left forgotten on the floor as he covered her body with his own. The kiss they shared was filled with promises of the pleasure to come. He tasted so damn good, and his lips ravished her senses. Mari gave as good as she got, making sure he could tell how much she wanted him as well. Kissing Haile would never get old. She could imagine twenty years down the line she would still be eager to feel his lips against hers. Mari shifted beneath him, trying to relieve the ache swirling within her. She wanted more, God, she wanted all of him.
“Damn you taste so good, your body is divine,” he muttered against her lips.
“What are you going to do to me?” she asked breathlessly.
“This.”
He cupped the back of her neck and exposed the length of her neck to his heated mouth. After a hard kiss, he trailed his lips down her body and took her nipple into his mouth. Mari gasped in pleasure at the sensation of his hot mouth around the pert tip of her breast.
“Do you know how your mouth makes me feel?” she moaned. “It’s like electrical currents running through my stomach and making me wet.”
He lifted his head and gazed at her. “That is the hottest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“I wish you could feel it from my end,” she said breathlessly.
They were a flurry of touching and intimate kisses, and amidst husky laughter, her desire increased. Haile was so hot and hard in all the right places, and he made sure that her pleasure was tantamount. It wasn’t just about her body was used and no one caring about her pleasure or...
“Hey come back.” Haile cupped her check and looked down at her. “It’s just you and me, no one else. The ghosts of the past have no home here, not between us.” He gave her lip a quick nip before he kissed his way down to her torso. Haile kissed the mound between her legs before looking up at her. “I want to taste you.”
“I’m wet and waiting,” she whispered breathlessly, anticipating the feel of his mouth.
“Hallelujah,” he muttered.
He buried his face between her legs, and the first flick of his tongue shot pure unadulterated desire through her body. The heated wave washed over him, and a muffled groan escaped. He used his tongue to tease the sensitive bud of her clit before he swirled it around the soft skin at the entrance of her sex.
Mari lifted her hips, offering him more, and she couldn’t stifle the cry when he slipped a finger inside her. The combination of both the penetration and his mouth assaulted her senses in the most pleasurable of ways. He fucked her with his finger, increasing the pace until she was undulating her hips against his hand. Mari’s release built, and she whimpered as heat washed over her in waves, tightening her already aching nipples. She grabbed at the sheets as her body arched off the bed when she sank under the wave of her orgasm. She barely recognized the guttural sounds of satisfaction that Haile made between her legs. She could still feel his tongue lapping at her come.
“I want you inside me, now, Haile, now,” she demanded breathlessly.
“I have never been so turned on in my life,” he muttered.
Haile covered her body with his, and she loved the feel of him, his strength, the way his body was tense with need. He kissed her, and their tongues dueled and mated from her mouth to his while his cock was poised at the entrance of her sex. He thrust into her and buried himself deep. Haile’s body stilled, and she could feel the muscles along his back tremble with restraint. She whimpered into his mouth and teased him with the movement of her hips until he started a fiery rhythm of thrusts that took her breath away. With a primal growl, he pulled one of her legs over his forearm so he could have deeper penetration. He pounded his cock into her and gave a groan of ecstasy. The muscles of her sex contracted around his thrusts as her release tightened in delicious bands through her body.
“God yes, you feel so good,” Mari gasped. “I’m going to come.”
“Fuck.”
The one word left his lips, and Haile kissed her long and deep. His movements took on an urgent pace, driving them both to completion. He pumped himself inside her with long, deep strokes, and Mari accepted each thrust. When she climaxed she arched, her body bow tight.
“Yes now,” she cried out.
Her body shook from the intensity of her orgasm. Haile groaned against her neck as he followed her into his release. He kept moving, and the shaft of his cock glided against the sensitive walls of her pussy, sending her into another sweet release. Their bodies heaved as they tried to catch their breaths, and Haile kissed the soft skin at the rise of her breasts.
“Holy mother of pearl, that was fantastic.” Mari fanned her face, willing her heart to slow down to its steady beat.
“The best damn thing a man could ever feel or ask for.” Haile flopped back on the bed.
“Do you really think we can make this work—I mean like forever work?” Mari asked suddenly. How many times did she think she would find forever only to see that it was a pipe dream?
Haile turned his head to face her and smiled. “Marisol, we already are.”
“Give me a few more weeks and if you still feel the same, I’ll move in with you.” Mari leaned over and kissed him.
“I won’t change my mind,” he said firmly.
She smiled. “Then a few weeks won’t matter. I’ll take that leap with you, but I have to be sure.”
“I’m a patient man.” Haile took her hand. “To be with you is worth the wait.”
Mari snuggled closer. “You make me worry sometimes, expecting the other shoe to drop.”
He looked at her again. “If it does, you can be sure I’ll be right by your side. You aren’t alone, Marisol, not anymore.”
He wasn’t professing his love, but to her this was something better. She had heard, “I love you,” after she had been hit and made to think that everything, every bruise and bloodied mouth and injury, was all her fault. But to know he would stand with her no matter what was better than any I love you. There would be time for that. Right now, she cocooned herself in the knowledge that she wasn’t alone.
Chapter Seven
Haile hoped that he had assuaged Mari’s fears, her waiting for the other shoe to drop. He didn’t believe in waiting or looking for variables. If something was going to happen, he needed to keep abreast of it. It was coming their way because Mac gave him the heads up. Her ex was on his way, stupid enough to chase her across the pond. He knew exactly where she was, courtesy of Jeffery Moermond who didn’t want to lose, especially to him.
Haile would deal with both of them in their own time. He said it once, and it was true in every part of his life: he was a patient man. Jeffery would get his just desserts eventually. Right now, there was another asshole who needed his attention. Would Mari be pissed he didn’t tell her about Marcus? Probably, but if he did, she would be a scared cat jumping at every shadow, and hell, maybe she would run away. He couldn’t have that. She needed to face him, and as he promised her he would be right by her side. So he kept close, and she began to spend every night at the house instead of the apartment over the bar. Jeffery knew where she stayed and no doubt Marcus would too.
That night after the bar closed, he was at the back door making sure that Mrs. H got to the car safely. Mari ushered the last guest—as usual, Mr. Moore—out, and as he came in, he heard a crash of glasses on the floor. Haile rushed through the kitchen to the door that led to the bar, and Mari was against the wall. The look of terror in her eyes reminded him of a cornered animal. At the door stood the man who had instilled that fear in her. Marcus was at least three inches shorter than he was and wearing a plaid blue shirt tucked into jeans. He was the quintessential cowboy except Haile saw the pleasure that Mari’s fear was giving him. Marcus got off on the abuse.
“Well, this is where you got to,” Marcus drawled.
“H-how did you find me?” Mari’s voice had become small and hearing it so small and diminutive sickened Haile.
“I told you, sweetheart, you can never get away from me,” Marcus answered. “Now get your stuff. I’ve got a ticket, and you’re going home with me.”
“And who the hell are you?” Haile asked.
“I could ask you the same question,” Marcus said casually.
“I own this bar, and Mari—well, I have a vested interest in her,” Haile answered.
“Ah, she snowed you too, this girl.” Marcus laughed. “She gives anyone those puppy dog eyes, and they believe anything she says. Did she tell you the spiel about how I abused her and she had to run? This girl is lying and clumsy. She thought she could trap me and my family by using what’s between her legs. When I said no, she lied and tried to tarnish my name.”
“Haile, I-I...” She shook head and wiped tears away with a trembling hand.
“It’s okay, Dove.” Haile cupped her cheeks. “This ends today.”
“Oh, it’s not just her eyes that I believe,” Haile replied, turning his attention to Marcus. “I believe my guy in D.C. who told me about you and your family. I believe that you’re a sick fucking fool who gets off on pain. I also think you should turn around and go back to good old Texas before I toss you there myself.”
“You and that pansy ass voice are going to do what?” Marcus laughed but there was an answer in his eyes. “Mari, get your shit and come on.”
When he snapped her name, she literally jumped, and Haile vowed Marcus would pay for it. This had to play out the right way, though. He couldn’t save her, Mari had to save herself. She had to reclaim her life.
“Marisol, do you want to go with this man?” Haile asked more calmly than he felt.
“No.” She shook her head with vehemence. “I don’t.”
“Then tell him that, Dove. Forget the fear. He can’t hurt you anymore,” Haile encouraged.
She stepped away from the wall and took a deep breath. With shaking hands, she ran her fingers over her short hair as she stepped forward.
“Get out, Marcus,” Mari said.
“Remember who you’re talking to, little girl.” Marcus’s voice took on a deadly tone, and Haile watched his hand clench into fists.
Not yet, he reminded himself and let Mari continue. He could see the dam breaking within her and this needed to be her time.
“Remember what? How you belittle me, talk down to me, beat me for just breathing?” Mari’s acce
nt became thick. “I’m not your little girl, that’s not cute, and I belong to myself. I’m not scared of you anymore. I ran away to find me, and I did. I won’t have you come to where I work, with people I love, to threaten me. I’m not going anywhere with you, so you can go back to your mama and your daddy. I am sorry for the next woman who believes in your charm.”
“Little bitch, you think you’re something now. You’re the same little black girl living in a trailer underneath it all,” Marcus sneered.
“I didn’t forget who I am or where I’m from,” Mari snapped back. “But I will forget you, as soon as you step out that darn door, that’s for sure.”
Marcus raised his hand, and Mari did something Haile never thought he’d see. She stepped forward and pointed her finger right in his face.
“You don’t ever dare raise a hand to me, ever again Marcus!” she yelled. She raised her other hand and made a sound of pure anger. “I swear to God, I will fight you, and trust me, this time I’ll win. Why the hell did I let a mama’s boy fucked up piece of shit like you put your hands on me, I’ll never know. Try it now, try me, and I swear Haile will be mopping up your damn face off this floor. I’ll scratch it off and then kick your balls into your chest. How dare you follow me here, how dare you think you were better than me and could beat me into submission. I’m not scared of you anymore, so fuck off and get the fuck gone.”
By the end she was screaming, and tears of anger ran down her cheeks. Marcus stood there with his mouth agape, and when she stopped Haile watched his eyes turn cold. They both seemed to forgot he was there, and when Marcus grabbed her Mari was ready to fight him off. This was where he stepped in. Haile pushed Marcus again the wall so hard the memorabilia that hung there shook, and one framed rugby shirt fell to the ground.
