A Stranger's Bed

by Sophia Rae

  That was all any man could take. Marcus’s hips tilted up, burying his pulsating shaft further. He released her to grab handfuls of her breasts, and she rode harder as he found release. “God, Chloe.”

  When his convulsing stopped, she collapsed onto his chest. Their heartbeats were strong and wild. Neither could speak.

  “My knee is pressed into the door,” Chloe finally said. “I need to move.”

  “I think my leg is cramping.” Marcus helped Chloe settle into her seat. “Maybe we’re getting too old for this.”

  With her shorts halfway up her legs, she threw him a look. “Speak for yourself.”

  After he’d fully dressed, Marcus started the truck and the air conditioning to cool off their hot, sweaty, sated bodies. “How old are you?”

  “Twenty-nine,” she said, locking her seatbelt into place.

  “Sure. That’s what women say because they don’t want to admit their real age.”

  Chloe narrowed her eyes. “I am twenty-nine.”

  Marcus headed for the highway. “Fine, then I’m getting too old to have sex in the truck. I’m thirty-five.”

  “Really? You don’t look it.”

  “Thanks, I think.” He didn’t know if he looked older or younger to her.

  She smiled. “You’re welcome.”

  “And thanks for taking my mind off what was going on today. I hate the thought of someone going through the house to see if it’s good enough for them to buy.”

  They drove back to the Bed and Breakfast at a slower pace. On the way, they passed a large, white farmhouse with a pond. Two golden retrievers raced each other around the front yard, paying no mind to the man in denim bibs riding the tractor in the field.

  “Luke and I used to go fishing at that pond when we were little. Dad would take us.”

  Marcus remembered the times he and Luke stood on the edge of the water with their little fishing rods. Their dad would stand behind them, eager to help his sons reel in the catch of the day.

  Someday he hoped to take his own sons fishing there. Chloe would come along and they could make a nice family outing, maybe bring a picnic.

  Oh, who was he kidding? Hadn’t he told himself before that dreams were only for kids who still wished upon stars? Marcus knew he’d never see Chloe grow heavy with his child, she was leaving without giving their budding romance a chance.

  Of course, even if she stayed, the image of their family by the pond would still be just that...an image. Once he sold the B&B who knew where he would have to move.

  “Sounds like you had a great father,” Chloe said wistfully.

  He picked up the hint of longing in her voice—for family, perhaps. She hadn’t mentioned any since she’d been here. Did she have anyone? Everybody had someone. Didn’t they?

  It was obvious from the phone call she’d received the other day she had no parents. But perhaps she had aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings.

  He reached across the cab of the truck to take her hand. “Talk to me.”

  “About what?”

  “Your family.” He was risking a great deal, but he wanted to know.

  “That topic is off limits.”

  Those damn defensive walls went up immediately. He wanted to tear them down. “Then where do you live?”

  Chloe wouldn’t look at him but continued to stare out the side window as she pulled her hand from under his. “I told you, here and there. I traveled a lot growing up.”

  “Surely you have a home you stay in the days you’re not traveling.”

  “There is a home, but it’s nothing like yours. I don’t want to talk about it. My life isn’t as squeaky clean as yours.”

  It hurt to know she still didn’t trust him after all they’d shared. True, mostly it was sex. But there was more than just a sexual attraction. He knew she felt something deeper as well. Getting her to open up would be a challenge. He was always up for a good challenge, especially if the results could be as great as this. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

  “Damn it, Marcus.” She whirled around to face him. “I told you it’s none of your business.”

  Marcus pulled into the driveway, relieved to see the realtor wasn’t there. “It only seems fair that I know a little bit about you. After all, you’ve met my family.”

  “I didn’t ask to.” She unbuckled her seatbelt and exited the passenger side.

  Marcus remained in the truck long after Chloe slammed the door and stomped up the stairs. He smiled once she realized she couldn’t get in the house. As she turned back to glare at him, he dangled the keys.

  Yes, this would be a great challenge. One he intended to win.

  Chapter Nine

  They were taking her away—again. Nobody wanted her. She’d even been good this time. She hadn’t wet her pants once, she’d even said please and thank you. But the fact still remained, no one wanted to keep her...to love her.

  She was hauled off to yet another home. This time, though, it was a mansion. Three stories, a man dressed in a tux at the door to greet her, colorful flowers all around the massive white house.

  Maybe she’d been good after all if they were letting her live here. She’d heard the story of Cinderella and always dreamed of what it would be like to live like a princess. But more than being a princess, she wanted to be loved. Maybe this would be the home, finally.

  The couple in the house greeted her with stiff, formal hugs. They smelled good though...expensive.

  In her new room, toys filled every square inch, and a woman dressed in a simple black dress with a white apron stood in the center. Her nanny, she found out.

  The strange couple left her alone with the strange woman. At once, she was bathed, groomed and dressed. As she looked into the mirror, she didn’t recognize herself.

  Her once matted, ratty blonde hair now hung in long, cascading curls. A flowy, green dress with a lacy white collar accented her eyes and creamy skin while black patent leather shoes adorned her feet. She was told this is how she would dine. She would learn to be a lady at all times and live up to the expectations of her new parents. They were very important people, and she was now part of their image.

  She didn’t know what image meant, but she was just glad maybe now someone would love her. If she looked pretty and smelled pretty, they would have no choice but to love her.

  At dinner though, she was only allowed to talk if someone spoke to her. No one did. After her meal, she was whisked back up to her room to comb out her hair and change for bed. The nanny came in to read a short story before turning off the light.

  No kiss good night, no hugs, no caring words about sweet dreams. Alone in the dark, she realized this might be a beautiful house with beautiful things and beautiful people, but it was missing a vital part of life—love.

  Tears streamed down her face as she tossed and turned in her white canopy bed.

  “I don’t want to stay here,” she cried, but no one heard. If they did, they didn’t care. “Please. I just want you to love me.”

  Someone tugged at her, but she only cried more.

  “Chloe.” Through a haze, she heard her name but didn’t know who called out to her. “Chloe.”

  Slowly, her eyes opened. Her room was dark. No, not her room. She was at the Bed and Breakfast. She wasn’t a little girl anymore, but a grown woman with the same desires. To be loved and cared for.

  Marcus’s silhouette on the edge of her bed eased her anxiety. His large but gentle hands held her shoulders. “You were dreaming again.”

  They hadn’t spoken since the ride home this afternoon when he kept pressing her about her family. She’d stayed in her room all day, ignoring him the times he knocked on her door.

  In the dark of night, as his hand lovingly stroked her damp cheeks, Chloe gave in to her hearts desire. She collapsed into his open arms and sobbed.

  No one had ever seen her cry. It was something she had always been taught to do in private, preferably not at all. But with the dream still fresh and real in h
er mind, she needed comfort. If she were honest with herself, she needed Marcus.

  The way she fit into his embrace made her feel at home. She knew it would never be possible to stay here. He needed someone who would make a commitment—something she couldn’t do.

  He stroked her back, rocking her from side to side in his arms. “Are you all right?”

  She nodded into his chest. “Just hold me.”

  “I’ll hold you as long as you want,” he whispered into her ear.

  Chloe breathed in his strong, male scent, her tears dampening his bare chest. It felt good to be comforted by someone...by him.

  “I’m all right.”

  Marcus eased her away and leaned to turn on the small lamp on the night stand. “Tell me about it.”

  She started to shake her head, but he cupped each side of her flushed face with his gentle hands. “Yes. You need to talk about whatever it is that gives you sleepless nights. You’d feel better to get it out in the open.”

  She closed her eyes. “You’re right, but I’m afraid.”

  “Don’t be afraid of me, Chloe, of what we have here. I won’t judge you, but I’ll listen. God knows you’ve listened to me.”

  After she adjusted her pillows and leaned back against them, Marcus reached out to hold her trembling hands.

  “I don’t know who my biological parents are,” she began. “I was adopted at the age of eight. But before that I was in two foster homes. I don’t remember them very well, so I don’t really know why I was bounced around. But I do remember the day I went to live with the Adkins.”

  Chloe couldn’t look directly at Marcus. Instead, she focused on the pink and green floral wallpaper on the opposite wall. “It’s the same dream every time. I’m introduced to them, they usher me up a sweeping staircase into a room any little girl would love to have, filled with toys and dolls and dresses...and, of course, a nanny.

  “I spent most of my time with the nanny. She groomed me into a prim and proper little girl. My new parents were well to do people in the community and had an image to uphold. They couldn’t have children, so since they had enough money, they chose to adopt. They saw my picture and wanted me.”

  Her fingers dove into her tangled hair then fell back to the bedspread. “They thought I looked like an all-American girl with my blonde hair, green eyes and rosy cheeks. They bought the perfect child to maintain the perfect image.”

  Marcus gave her hands a soothing squeeze as she continued. “I never learned much about them, nor they about me. We dined together, went to social gatherings together, and had family portraits taken together. But I felt like I was living with strangers.”

  She wiped a tear from her cheek. “They died three weeks ago.”

  “I’m sorry,” Marcus automatically said. “I had no idea.”

  Chloe attempted a smile. “You know, I had people tell me how sorry they were for my loss at the funeral. I feel guilty because I didn’t feel anything the day they died. They were still strangers to me. In all those years, I didn’t get to know them any better. Truth be told, I didn’t want to.”

  She finally looked into Marcus’s caring eyes. “Does that make me a horrible person?”

  He shook his head. “You can’t help what you feel.”

  “I never wanted for anything as a child. Even before I could ask for it, they bought it for me. They bought my love with material objects. I never once heard them tell me they loved me. I guess in their own way, they did. At least, I like to think they did.

  “I rebelled as a teenager. I wanted attention so bad, I would’ve let anyone give it to me. And I did. I’ve had sex with more men than I care to admit, Marcus. I’ve used my body to make me feel better about myself. I thought that, even for a short time, if a man showed me any kind of affection that meant he cared for me.”

  Marcus grasped her head in his hands. “That doesn’t make me feel any different toward you. Did you think it would? You’re the same person you were ten minutes ago. The same woman I’ve made love to. Not just had sex. And I know you felt that as well. You can’t tell me it was just sex this time.”

  Chloe said nothing, just sat with her heart in her throat. He didn’t mean it.

  “I love you, Chloe.”

  At that moment, her heart stopped and tears fell uncontrollably. “Don’t. I’ve waited my whole life for someone to say those words to me. But I don’t want them said out of pity, and I don’t want them said if they aren’t meant.”

  “Is it so hard to believe someone could love you?” He frowned. “I don’t pity you. I admire you for being the amazing woman you are. You’re courageous, passionate, vibrant and full of life. Anybody who spends five minutes with you could fall in love with you. I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t meant it. I don’t condemn you for anything you’ve done before now. How could I? Everything that’s happened in your life has brought you to this point.”

  God, how she wished it were true—someone to actually love her for her. Someone who didn’t try to buy her love but gave it unconditionally. No, impossible. “Marcus, you can’t love me.”

  “Why?”

  Tears fell hard and fast now, her breath hitched. “Because...I can’t...love...you back.”

  Using the pads of his thumbs, Marcus wiped away the tears. A sadness she hadn’t seen before settled into his caring eyes. Her heart swelled because she knew he was serious, but it hurt even more knowing she couldn’t ever begin to love him. She wouldn’t know how. She’d never been shown. “I care about you, and that’s a big step for me. But it’s all I can give.”

  He kissed her damp eyes, then her quivering lips. “Well, it’s a start.”

  “No,” She pushed his hands aside. “You don’t understand. It’s not in me.”

  “It’s in everyone, sweetheart. You just have to dig down deep to find it.”

  He stood to move around to the other side of the bed, and Chloe kept her eyes on him. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m sleeping in here tonight.” He pulled the covers up and stretched out to face her. “Turn the light off.”

  Amazed, Chloe continued to stare. “You’re not sleeping in here. I’ve never slept with a man before.”

  “No shit?” His lips tilted up in a cocky grin. “Well, I’m glad I’ll be your first.”

  Damn him.

  Frustrated and stunned, Chloe sank further down under the covers and stretched to turn off the light. It was useless to argue with him, especially since she wanted him here just as much as he obviously wanted to be here.

  Once the darkness filled the room, she slipped her hand into his. “Did you hear anything from the realtor about the people who looked at the house today?”

  “I heard from her, but the people who looked at it today won’t be buying it.”

  “Really. Why not?”

  He was silent for a moment, and Chloe’s heart broke for him. “Because,” he said in a strained voice. He cleared his throat before he continued. “Someone called him and told him they would buy the house, unseen, for the asking price. They didn’t want to haggle over money. They want immediate possession.”

  Her finger traced a lazy pattern on his palm. “I’m sorry.”

  “It was inevitable. It must be fate though, for it to sell so quickly. I can’t imagine spending that kind of money without ever seeing the place. I had a call out to an antique dealer for him to come and appraise some of the furniture, but he never called back. I guess that’s fate, too, telling me it was meant to be. It seems the buyer wants any furniture I can leave behind.”

  “If you’re having doubts, don’t sell.”

  “I’ll have doubts whether I sell or not.”

  “Just do what your heart tells you to,” she whispered. “Everything will work out fine.”

  Chloe rested her head on his shoulder. No sex, no fondling...just two people lying together, enjoying the simplicity of the night.

  And she knew right then and there how special Marcus Delaney was. God help her when t
he time came to leave.

  Chapter Ten

  By the end of the week, Marcus had signed the papers. Some company by the name of C.A. Incorporated would now own his parents’ dream home and business. He had no clue who would actually be running the place. He could only hope the new owners would keep the Bed and Breakfast open as promised.

  Chloe hadn’t spoken about her past anymore, and he hadn’t brought up the sale of the house. Their last few days together, they decided, shouldn’t be bogged down with problems and unwanted thoughts. They enjoyed each other’s company night after night. And, night after night, he insisted on sleeping in her bed with her.

  He hadn’t told her he loved her again. Instead, he had shown her in their love making. Gone was the hurried and rough. He’d replaced it with passion and caring. Afterwards, he simply held her, filling her ears with loving words and tender thoughts. It was hard to make up for a lifetime of loveless memories, but he would do his damnedest to try.

  He wanted to show her love wasn’t purchased, it was earned.

  Marcus sat on the porch swing, enjoying the last few days of his childhood home. By this time next week, he would be staying with Luke and someone else would be running the house and business. And Chloe would be gone.

  Luke hadn’t been happy about the sale, but he understood and they hadn’t argued anymore on the topic. Sara, on the other hand, had simply cried, telling Marcus there was nothing else they could do.

  “Hey,” Chloe said, coming out onto the porch with two full glasses of lemonade. “I thought you might like something cold to drink.”

  He took the tall glass she offered and patted the seat next to him. “Swing with me.”

  Summer days were quickly passing, but the humidity and heat remained. The air was thick with no gentle breeze. Marcus swung his arm over Chloe’s shoulders and sipped on the bitter-sweet drink. “Thanks.”

  She leaned into him. “You’re welcome.”

  After a moment of silence, he said, “I feel as if I’ve let them down.”

  “Who?”