by Lauren Dane
“I need your help.” He briefly filled his brother in.
“Meet me at my house in an hour. I’ll call Shane and have him bring some take out.”
Relieved, Marc nodded and headed home to change.
Liv looked at herself in her rearview mirror when she pulled up to the restaurant. At least the strain didn’t show. Every time she saw Marc she wanted to kiss him. But he was off the menu. And he hadn’t shown anything but a friendly regard for her since that night anyway. And why not? She was hot, damn it!
Oh she cracked herself up. Yeah, right. It wasn’t funny that she could not shake this insane jones for Marc Chase.
The marriage comment freaked him out. And good. It wouldn’t be right for her to engage in a dalliance with him when she knew it wouldn’t go anywhere. No, she was done with that. It was time to look past tomorrow morning. It was time she did something for herself and chose a man who wanted to share his tomorrows with her, not just his night and a few condoms.
Man, self respect blew sometimes.
Chapter Four
Marc let himself into Kyle and Maggie’s place and followed the sound of his brothers to the kitchen where they were busily opening up boxes of food.
“Hey there. Grab a beer, we’ll get to work in a minute,” Kyle called out. Marc cracked a cold one open and sat down at the table in the breakfast nook.
“Didn’t expect it to be a full house.”
Matt rolled his eyes. “We’re brothers. Between the four of us, we’ve handled a whole lot of women. Kyle tells me this is a woman issue. Let’s hear it. Between all of us, we can solve just about anything.”
Shane chuckled and bit into a spring roll. “Spill.”
Kyle nodded.
“It’s Olivia.” He looked to Matt nervously, now understanding why Kyle invited him. It would be best to do this all openly so Matt wouldn’t be upset.
“What about her?” Matt watched him suspiciously.
“I have a thing for her something fierce. It’s not just lust, although I have that in spades. Oh man do I have that.” Marc shook his head. “It’s more. I kissed her at the Founder’s Day Picnic. It was,” he licked his lips, “specfuckingtacular. I’ve never, ever, felt that way kissing a woman. And I haven’t been able to forget it. I want to be with her but she doesn’t take me seriously.”
“What did she say?” Shane asked.
“First she said she was too old for me. Dumbest thing I ever heard. Has the woman never looked in a mirror? She’s amazing. I told her it was only six years. And then she said she wasn’t looking for one night or one week.” He heaved a sigh. “I know. She’s right to distrust me on that score. She says she’s not going out with men who only want something temporary anymore. She says we can only be friends.” He rolled his eyes at that.
“And clearly you don’t want that. But what do you want because, Marc, she’s telling you what she does. She doesn’t want to be temporary. You’re a temporary kind of guy.” Kyle watched his brother carefully.
Marc scrubbed his hands over his face. “I know. I know what I am. What I was. And she’s right to turn me down based on what she’s seen. It’s not like I’ve made a secret of it. But you all know.” He looked at Matt and laughed before turning back to Kyle. “Well, you and Shane know what it is when you want to cast that aside for something lasting.”
“You saying you’re in love with Liv?” Matt asked, incredulous. “You, Mister Different-woman-on-his-arm-every-night?”
“I’m not in love with Olivia, no. I don’t know her well enough. Not like that. But I do know I want more than a week or two with her. I want to explore something long term. For real. I’ve gotten to know her as a person, not as my brother’s girlfriend and then ex. I’d like to get to know her as a woman now. But I don’t know how to get her to trust me enough to let me in.”
“And that’s where we come in,” Kyle said, clinking his beer against Shane’s. “Liv needs a good old-fashioned wooing.”
Shane chuckled. “You ready to woo? It’s like training for a marathon, Marc. She doesn’t trust you and that’s based on what she’s seen for years. You’re going to have to forego other women. Can you do that?”
“Yes. I’ve tried to date Liv out of my head but it hasn’t worked. I’m not interested in anyone else. She takes up my mind every minute of the damned day.”
“Olivia is a good woman. Beautiful, giving. Can you take care of that? Work to not hurt her?” Matt asked.
“I can. I swear to you all that I would not be pursuing this if I thought it was just some temporary thing. I don’t want to hurt her. I know she deserves more than that. I want to give her more than that.”
Matt sighed and held up his beer. “Well then, let’s work on the woo, shall we? Four Chase boys all united? She doesn’t stand a chance.”
Monday evening, Liv walked into Marc’s Body By Design and smiled when she saw him there. He sat on his haunches next to one of the machines, talking to Shane.
Boy did they both look fine. Shane was huge. Muscled, hard and now sweaty. She did like that Shane’s workout coincided with hers. She loved Cassie to pieces and would never dream of taking on a pain in the ass man like Shane Chase. But he sure was nice to look at.
Then again Marc—with his muscled thighs straining against his shorts and the hard muscles of his back and shoulders visible through the neck of the T-shirt he wore—was a hundred times hotter. He carried his strength easily, gracefully.
She had to gulp and hurry past them to drop her stuff off in a locker before she leapt on him and licked his neck. Why oh why did the sight of a bead of sweat rolling down to the hollow of his throat make her itchy to lick him? Wasn’t that sick? That was it. She was sick and perverted. Sweat making her hot, good gracious she needed sex.
When she came out, Shane was leaving. He waved to her, said he was on his way home to shower with Cassie and, leaving her blushing, walked out the door.
Chuckling, Marc accompanied her to the mat where she sat and began to stretch.
“How are you tonight?”
“Good. Stressful day. Budget time. The mayor is cranky and taking it out on everyone. I wanted to bop him on the head with my stapler today.”
He took her arms and pulled, letting her stretch her thighs and back. Standing, he reached down, giving her a hand up.
They headed to the free weights where she began her first rep of thirty. “You need me to kick his ass? John always has been kinda punky.”
Liv laughed. “Thank you for that very chivalrous offer, Marc, but I think I scared him back in line. He’s not a bad guy, he’s just a control freak and you can’t control everything at this time of year.”
He reached out to correct her arm. “This way. You’re going to hurt yourself if you do it like that. You sure look pretty tonight.”
She looked at him askance. “Uh, yeah. Straining muscles and T-shirts with exercise shorts always make a girl look pretty. You need a loan or something?”
He barked a surprised laugh. “I’m good. Business is doing well as it happens and you do look pretty. I like the new thing you’re doing with your hair. It was sort of sleek and straight last month but I like this tousled, curly thing you’re doing.”
Liv stilled mentally. It wasn’t so much that he was flirting. She could handle flirting. He was…earnest. Sincere. It was off-putting because while she could blow off flirting, sincere compliments and a keen interest in her and her perspective from him felt intimate and had the added effect of making her all tingly. Lawd. She was such a loser.
“Uh, thanks.” Uh thanks? Could she be any less coherent? “So, how’s your mom?”
“She’s good. Says you should come to dinner soon. She and I were talking about you yesterday and we both agreed you don’t come around near enough.”
Liv put the barbells back and moved to the next station to work her legs. “What’s your game, Marc?” She grunted as she pushed the weights the first time. Lovely. Grunting.
“No game. Why do you ask?
That’s a very half-assed rep, Olivia. Work it, don’t puss out.”
“Puss out? I most certainly do not puss out. I’m tired.”
“You’re pussing out. Now work it. Your ass will thank you. And I will thank you because you have a very nice ass. You should come with me to open mic night at Lindy’s tomorrow. You like live music, don’t you?”
She stopped outright. How did he expect her to concentrate when he stood there all hard and yummy, acting sincere and then asking her on a date?
“We went through this already, Marc Chase.” Gawd, even she didn’t believe the conviction in her voice.
“Stop slacking, Livvy. Move those legs or I’m gonna make you run an extra mile on Wednesday morning.”
She snorted. He was gonna make her? “I’ll have you know I now run Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I run lots of extra miles.” She gritted her teeth and pushed out the last four reps, sweat beading on her temples.
“Good for you.”
She heard him arranging the weights as she settled in, grabbed the bar above her head and pulled, working her biceps and shoulders.
He leaned over, his mouth just a whisper from her ear as he adjusted her hands on the bar. “You smell good, too. No chemicals, all woman. I like that.”
“I can’t concentrate when you do that.” Her voice came out breathy and she felt faint.
“What?” He straightened and indicated with a nod that she continue. “Talking about how good you smell messes with your concentration?”
“You know damned well it does. What are you up to, Marc?”
“Finish up.” The bastard sauntered away and made some notes, so she ignored him and completed that set. He left her alone for the next two machines but came back into her space when she did her lunges.
“Good. I like the way you’re holding your back. Nice work.”
She was suspicious, yes, but his praise warmed her despite that.
When she was done, she hurried into the back to change and get going. She’d shower at home and she wanted to get out of there before the giggly client came in. One of the Scott girls if she wasn’t mistaken. Couldn’t be over twenty-three and the mere sight of her made Liv want to scream and snatch her bald for fawning all over Marc.
When she came out he was waiting. Alone. The lights were turned off but for the very front spots and he had a messenger bag slung across his shoulders.
“Ready?”
“For what? Where’s the bottle blonde who giggles incessantly?”
Marc reddened and choked back a smile. “Sarah? She has evening classes this quarter at the community college so she comes in during the afternoons now. Shall I tell her you were asking after her?”
“Yeah sure, smartass. Well, I’ll see you Wednesday then.”
“Wait. I’m all done for the evening. Let me walk with you. It’s a nice night.”
Liv narrowed her eyes. “You live in the opposite direction.”
“I know. I want to walk with you. Is that a crime?”
“I’m not kissing you or inviting you in.” God knew if she invited him in, she’d be naked with him inside her within three minutes.
“Well, we can work up to that. It’s a fine evening and I like your company. Come on. I’ll be a total gentleman.”
She sighed. “Fine. On the way you can tell me your game, Marc.”
He locked up behind himself and chuckled as he joined her. “Sugar, I am not playing a game. This is serious. I mean to woo you, so shut up and let me do it.”
A burst of pleasure broke over her at his statement even when she knew she should be stern. “You’re going to woo me?”
“With every ounce of effort I possess. You don’t stand a chance, Liv. You could just give in now and save me the work but I doubt you will. Enjoy it. I know I am.”
“What do you think you’re going to get out of this? I’ve said I’m looking for something long term. You’re not a long term guy.”
He took her hand and looked deep into her eyes. “I didn’t use to be, no. But I find myself thinking in terms of what it would be like to take you camping over the summer. Do you ski? I know of some excellent places to get in good winter skiing. I love to take trips and travel around.” He paused when they reached the walk in front of her little house. “Look, Liv, I know you don’t have any reason to believe me right now. We both know my history. I can’t wish it away or pretend it didn’t happen. So I’m going to show you I’ve turned over a new leaf. Prepare to have the hell wooed out of you.”
Bringing the hand he’d been holding to his mouth, he brushed his lips over her knuckles and her nipples hardened. She only barely held back a whimper.
“Marc, you’re wasting your time,” she whispered. “Don’t do this to me. Please. You and I both know you don’t do women for longer than what, a week or two? You’re only interested in me because it’s a novelty for you to be turned down.”
“I’m genuine here, Liv. I thought so at first too. The novelty thing I mean. But I know different and so will you.” He took a step backwards. “I’ll see you Wednesday morning then. Have a good night.”
She tried to speak but he shook his head and she sighed, moving up the walk to her front door. “See you Wednesday. Thanks for walking me home,” she called out.
“My pleasure.” He waved and sauntered back the way they’d come.
Man, if he wasn’t kidding she was in big trouble. Fear crouched low for a moment and was gone.
He wasn’t kidding. Damned Marc Chase! She frowned as she looked at the pretty bouquet of French lavender sitting on her desk. His note said that he hoped the scent would help bring her calm in a stressful time at work. Two days before it had been a raisin muffin from The Honey Bear. A healthy treat. Thoughtful and she loved raisins too.
He’d jogged up to her house with it fresh, still warm from the oven.
Heaving a sigh, she sat down and tried to do her work but the scent of lavender wafted around her as she did.
“Pretty flowers. New admirer?” Maggie grinned at her. “Aren’t you done yet? You can tell me who sent these on the way to get Cassie.”
“I…uh.” She sighed. Liv hadn’t told Maggie, or anyone else for that matter, about Marc’s declaration of wooage just yet. She didn’t know what to think much less how to describe it. She shook her head as she shut her computer down and turned to get out of her chair.
“I’m going to run home first, take these there. I don’t want them here over the weekend where they’ll just die.” Liv grabbed the flowers. “I’ll meet you at The Pumphouse.”
They walked out together and Maggie headed one way while Liv headed home. Once there, she put the lavender on her kitchen table and headed to her room to change her clothes and touch up her makeup.
She looked in the mirror as she freshened her lipstick. Not bad for a woman who’d be thirty-five in six weeks. She probably should have stayed out of the sun more. Wore sunscreen. God, how was she supposed to know it was bad to cook herself every summer until she got a good base tan? Everyone knew you had to get a few good burns before your skin got nice and dark. She sighed. And now it caused cancer.
“Stop it now before you turn into one of those crazy cat ladies, Olivia Jean,” she admonished herself in the mirror.
At The Pumphouse, Cassie and Maggie were already waiting. It was a bit lonelier without Dee there but Dee would be spending less and less time in Petal now that she and Arthur had moved to Atlanta and their house had just sold.
“Scooch over, hot stuff,” Liv said to Cassie. She tried not to look toward the back where the pool tables were. If Marc was there she’d end up staring at him all night.
“So, flowers huh? Who?” Cassie poured Liv a beer and pushed the glass toward her.
“Did y’all order the chili cheese fries yet? I ran an extra mile this morning and I’m starving.” Liv busied herself looking through her purse.
“Hoo boy! This is good. You won’t even look me in the eye. It’s Roger Petrie isn’t it? You’ve
decided you can overcome his, erm, intense love of his animals.” Maggie laughed.
Roger Petrie was one of the oddest citizens in town. Well known for his predilection for keeping his animals in bed with him.
Liv stopped rustling around and looked up at her friends. Cassie snickered and Liv just shook her head. “You’re totally insane. No. That’s not it. You’re jealous. Ha! Roger is all mine, baby. Between me and his goat, there’s no room left in his bed.”
Maggie tossed her head back and laughed until her eyes teared up.
“If you must know, it’s Marc.”
Maggie stopped laughing and looked over at Liv, mouth open in shock. “Marc Chase sent you flowers? Why?”
“He tells me he’s wooing me.”
“Oh the woo.” Cassie blew out a breath. “They’re awfully good at the woo, those boys.”
“No shit. Kyle wooed my panties right off. Wooed ice cream in my belly button at three in the morning.” Maggie sighed. “Damn good woo. I’m betting they got it from Edward. It’s always the quiet ones. But why is he wooing you?”
“What? You don’t think I’m worthy of woo?”
“Say that five times fast.” Cassie laughed. “No, cupcake. I think Maggie is asking why a man with a revolving door in his bedroom is wooing a woman who’s declared she’s looking for more than a few nights’ entertainment. Has something happened?”
“Yeah. What she said. Of course you’re worthy of woo. Dumbass.”
“You’re very cranky now that you’re knocked up.” Liv couldn’t help but turn, and damn if her eyes didn’t move straight to Marc’s ass. “Boy howdy the man has an ass on him.”
The other two women craned their necks to look. “Oh yeah. The nicest of the bunch ass–wise, I’d wager. Back to you telling us what’s going on,” Cassie said.
Reluctantly, Liv turned back to her friends and told them the whole story. Including the night of the Founder’s Day picnic up until the flowers he’d had delivered that morning.
“Wow. Well, if I may direct you to a statement you made to me in this very booth nearly two years ago now. You said, when a man like that falls, he falls hard and all the way. There’s no middle ground for a guy like Shane. Now, I think you can turn that around and say the same of Marc. If he says he wants more, I believe him. He may be a randy little dude, but he’s a good-hearted, honest man. And he wouldn’t pursue you if he didn’t think he could give you what you want.” Cassie grabbed a fry and popped it in her mouth.