by Wilder, L.
I was on the verge of completely losing it when Country came up behind me and said, “Don’t sweat it, brother. I missed it too.”
“You really gonna stand there and give him a pass on that shit?” I barked.
“It was an oversight, Rafe. He wasn’t the only one who missed it.”
“What’s the point of us doing all these extra shifts if we’re just going to let shit like this go down? It’s unacceptable.”
Country took hold of my arm and pulled me to the side. “What the hell is up with you?”
“I’m just doing what needs to be done, Country. Which is what everyone around here should be doing.”
“I don’t know. I think there’s more to it than that. Hell, you came in here looking wound up tighter than a straight man’s ass on his way to fucking prison, and even right now, after you nearly ripped that guy’s head off, you still look like you’re ready to fucking blow.”
He was right. I’d let my bad day get to me, and I lost my cool. I knew it was no excuse, but I told him, “I’ve had a long day.”
“We’ve all had a long day. Pfft … Make that a long fucking week, but you don’t see the rest of us dragging assholes around by their shirt collars.” Country took a step closer as he whispered, “You gotta pull it together, brother.”
“I got it. Enough said.”
“Good. Let’s grab a beer and you can tell me about this shitty day of yours.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”
As we started towards the bar, I couldn’t help but notice the enraged expression on Marlowe’s face as she glared daggers at me. Damn, I don’t think I’d ever seen her look so pissed or so fucking hot. There was nothing sexier than a woman with fire in her eyes, and as I stood there watching her slam glasses down on the counter, I had to fight to keep my mind from going into the gutter. In all honesty, I couldn’t blame her for being pissed. I hadn’t even spoken to her in days, and then I charge in here like a fucking lunatic and drag one of her customers out the fucking door without any explanation. There was no telling what was going through her head. I’d fucked up. I was trying to think of how I could smooth things over when Country leaned toward me and snickered in my ear, “Looks like you have some ’splaining to do, Lucy.”
“Fuck. This day just gets better and better.”
Marlowe was no longer glaring at me. In fact, she was doing everything she could not to look at me as I made my way over to the bar and sat down. I could hear her grumbling under her breath while she filled a couple of orders. As she slid the drinks over to the waitress, her eyes skirted in my direction for only a brief second, then she let out a frustrated sigh and went right back to work. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with childish theatrics, so I snapped, “Are you done?”
“Nope, not even close.” She huffed. “But if you don’t mind, I have work to do.”
“Marlowe,” I replied with a warning tone. “That’s enough.”
“You don’t get to tell me ‘that’s enough’!” She stepped closer, trying her best to keep others from hearing as she scolded, “I thought you wanted me to work here because you said I could handle the job. If that’s not the case, then tell me now and I’ll find somewhere else to work!”
Before giving me a chance to respond, she whipped around and started back to work, shutting me down completely. I could’ve pushed and made her listen to me but decided against it. We both needed some time to cool off, so I got up and walked back to the office, where I spent most of the night trying to help Menace get caught up with the books. When it was time to shut down, I went out front to find Marlowe. As soon as I got to the bar, Lisa came over to me and said, “If you’re looking for Marlowe, she’s already gone.”
“What?”
“We were pretty slow, so I told her she could head out.” Lisa shrugged. “Clocked out ten minutes ago.”
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
Chapter 10
Marlowe
“You want to tell me why you left without telling me you were leaving?”
He was mad. Really mad. It was written all over his irritatingly handsome face. I wasn’t exactly surprised. I’d left without so much as a goodbye, but after the way he’d behaved, I didn’t think he deserved one. “I didn’t realize you were keeping tabs on me. I guess I’ll know better next time.” I crossed my arms and let out a huff. “If there is a next time.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“I’m not sure if the club is the right fit for me.”
I actually liked bartending there. Lisa was very easy to work with and the tips were even better than I imagined, but I didn’t want Rafe thinking he needed to babysit me. I’d worked at Crockett’s long enough to know how to handle a rowdy customer or two, and I didn’t need him to jump in and intervene when something didn’t go exactly as planned. Not liking my response, Rafe stepped inside my apartment and closed the door behind him. “And why the hell is that?”
“I don’t know. Maybe the fact that I’m not trusted to do the job I’ve been hired to do, and before you start in on me, Lisa told me all about Calvin after you disappeared into the office.” I placed my hand on my hip as I continued, “I know all about what he did and the fact he was banned. I also get why you handled things the way you did, but you could’ve given me a heads up. Had I known he wasn’t supposed to be there, I wouldn’t have served him, and I certainly wouldn’t have been nice to the guy.”
“My reaction wasn’t because I didn’t trust you to handle it, Marlowe.” His fierce expression softened as he explained, “I just saw red the second I noticed him talking to you. The thought of him putting his hands on you or hurting you...I just couldn’t take it and lost what was left of my control.”
Hearing his confession took me by complete surprise. One minute, he was all into me, kissing me and making me feel desired beyond measure, and then he ran completely cold and didn’t so much as call or text for the past three days. I didn’t know what was going on with him, but his hot and cold reactions were giving me whiplash. I couldn’t stand it a second longer, so I asked, “What is this?”
“What is what?”
“This?” I motioned my hand between us. “Are we just friends? Are we more than that? Are you just looking for another notch on your belt or what?”
“You seriously don’t know?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I did.”
“How ’bout you tell me what you think is going on between us.”
His handsome face was completely void of expression as he turned the tables on me, and I suddenly wished I’d kept my big mouth shut. Trying to play it cool, I locked eyes with him and answered, “I thought we might’ve had something going until you ghosted me for three days, and then acted like an ass at the bar. Now, I’m not so sure.”
“Is that right?”
“Maybe you can clear things up for me.”
“I believe I can.”
Rafe took a step towards me, but I didn’t move. I couldn’t. I knew what was coming. Hell, I’d asked for it, and there was no doubt I was about to get it. When he reached for me, I swallowed, holding my breath as I waited for his mouth to crash against mine. The second our lips touched I knew I had my answer. Rafe wanted me just as much as I wanted him. I never dreamed I’d find a man like him. I’d been too afraid to even imagine the possibility, but now that I’d found him and realized what I’d been missing, I never wanted to let him go.
He released my mouth long enough to look down at me and whispered, “Want to make this very clear. I want you, Marlowe. Not as some fucking notch on my belt, but as something more. Much more. You good with that?”
“I’m more than good with that.”
His lips brushed against mine, but not gently like before. Instead, it was hot, passionate, and demanding. I moaned into his mouth, stealing the last of his restraint. The tips of his fingers trailed along my spine, and I arched towards him, seeking the heat of his touch. As he continued kissing me, I could feel a f
ire burning deep inside me, smoldering as it spread through my body. It had started with just a spark, but I could feel it building, intensifying with every touch of his hand. He lowered the tips of his fingers to the hem of my sweater and slowly lifted it over my head. It was finally happening. The moment I’d envisioned so many times, and I was overcome with nerves, excitement, and desire all at the same time.
I inhaled a nervous breath when I felt his hands at the waistband of my jeans. I’d never undressed in front of a man before, but that moment was coming and it was coming fast. His eyes never left mine as he lowered the denim down my legs. As I stepped out of them, Rafe slowly stood, taking his time to study every inch of my exposed skin. He ran his rough, calloused finger along the edge of my red lace bra as he muttered, “So damn beautiful.”
A rush of heat rolled against my skin as he stood there staring at me, appraising me. Everything about this man had my senses going completely haywire. Just looking at him made it hard to breathe, hard to think, and the way his eyes filled with lust when he looked at me only increased my need for him. He stopped, removed his cut and placed it on the back of the chair, then turned his attention back to me. Unable to resist a moment longer, I reached out, grasping the hem of his t-shirt, and I felt the muscles of his chest quiver as my fingers brushed along his skin. He bent forward, and after I lifted it over his head, I laid my hand on his bare chest and was relieved to find his heartbeat was fast and hard like mine. “Rafe.”
“I know, baby. I know.”
Without warning, he lifted me up and carried me into my bedroom. Seconds later, I was on the bed and Rafe was on top of me. His weight pressed me into the bed as his hands, rough and impatient, roamed over my body. Seconds later, my bra was freed from my body and thrown to the floor. Everything was happening so fast, but it was just the way I wanted it. I didn’t need time to think. I just wanted to be in the moment and relish in the sensation of having his mouth closed over my breast, scraping his teeth across my sensitive flesh.
My fingers tangled in his hair as he flicked his tongue against my nipple, sending goosebumps prickling across my skin. My breath caught as his hand slid between my legs. He ran his finger along the edge of my lace panties, trailing that sensitive line between my thigh and center while his other hand cupped my breast, the rough pad of his thumb stroking across my nipple as he added fuel to the fire burning within me. I was lost in a blissful haze when Rafe reached for the waistband of my panties and slipped them down my legs. Once they were gone, he quickly lowered his head between my legs and began teasing me with his mouth.
Within seconds, I could feel the tension building in the pit of my abdomen, and with each flick of his tongue, the feeling only grew stronger. The sensation was foreign to me, but I liked it more than I thought possible. Unable to control myself, my hand dove into his hair, tangling in the long, thick strands as I inched my hips forward, begging for more. I’d never felt anything so intense, so pleasurable as the moment when my orgasm took hold and coursed through me like a wildfire.
Impatient for more, Rafe lifted off me and quickly removed his jeans.
He was beautiful with his perfectly defined abs and his oh-so-pronounced V and seeing him standing there in all his naked glory had me absolutely spellbound. I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he eased the condom down his long, thick shaft. When he caught me staring, his eyes danced with mischief. “Like what you see, beautiful?”
All I could muster was a slight nod and “Mm-hmm.”
His smirk quickly faded as he looked down at me sprawled out on the bed, and then he said, “You’re amazing, Marlowe. Absolutely amazing.”
Before I had time to respond, he was back on top of me, centering himself between my legs. He hovered over me, the heat of our breaths mingling between us. When the anticipation became too much, his mouth crashed down around mine with a hard, demanding kiss. His hand dove into my hair, grasping at the nape of my neck as he delved deeper into my mouth, our tongues twisting and tasting each other with all the passion and desire we’d kept bottled up since the first night we’d met.
Before I could pull myself back to reality, he shifted his body between my legs. He looked down at me, his eyes full of desire as he raked his hard cock along my entrance, driving me wild with need. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I begged, “Please, Rafe.”
A deep growl vibrated through his chest as he answered my plea and drove deep inside. I was totally unprepared for the searing pain and ended up gasping with a pained grimace. Caught off-guard by my reaction, Rafe’s eyes met mine as he searched for answers that I wasn’t ready to give. “Marlowe?”
He’d just realized it was my first time, and I was too scared to look him in the eye. I felt so awkward and ashamed that I hadn’t told him, but it wasn’t something you just threw out there. Most women my age had plenty of experience, and I was a little embarrassed that I hadn’t been with a man before. And to be honest, once we started kissing and peeling off each other’s clothes, I’d gotten pretty worked up and didn’t want to stop. Hoping he wouldn’t shut me down, I wrapped my legs around his waist and held him in place. “I’m fine, Rafe.”
“Fuck, Marlowe.” He brushed a loose strand of my hair from my eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Don’t make a big deal of this,” I whispered. “Please, just keep going.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t,” I told him, doing my best to reassure him. I needed him to know that I trusted him and knew he’d never intentionally hurt me. “I want this with you.” I placed my hand on his cheek. “I’ve wanted it since the first night you kissed me.”
After several moments, Rafe finally began to move, slow and tender, giving me time to adjust to the feeling of him inside me. His eyes were locked on mine, searching for any sign that I was in any kind of pain. I wasn’t. The discomfort had already subsided, and my body had slowly started to respond to him as tingles of excitement crept over me. I found myself craving more. I wanted him to stop holding back and let go. I wanted him to give me all he had. I lifted my hips, trying to encourage him to go deeper, harder, but he continued his slow, gentle rhythm.
I tightened my legs around his waist and rocked against him, hoping he’d finally give me what I so desperately needed. When he pulled back, I cried out, “Rafe, please!”
“Damn. You’re so fucking tight,” he moaned as he ground his hips against mine. A deep growl echoed through the room as he finally gave in and thrust deep inside me. Each move he made was more intense than the last. My eyes clenched shut and my head fell back as he continued to increase his rhythm. Chills ran down the back of my spine when he raked his teeth over my nipple, then pulled it into his mouth.
Every nerve in my body was reacting to his touch. My breath quickened, and the muscles in my stomach constricted as the intensity of my orgasm built within me. A deep groan vibrated through my throat as he continued with his relentless rhythm. I fought to catch my breath as a wave of pleasure crashed over me, and my orgasm took hold. I was lost in a daze of ecstasy, completely consumed with the heat of desire when he drove into me one last time, finally reaching his own release.
The sounds of our ragged breaths filled the room as Rafe tossed his condom in the trash, then collapsed down on the bed next to me. We both lay there in silence for several moments before he rolled over on his side to face me. Every muscle in my body relaxed when he reached over and started to trail the tips of his fingers along my arm. I knew he was worried, so I smiled and tried to ease his concern as I whispered, “That was amazing.”
“You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine, really. You don’t have to worry.”
“I wish you would’ve told me. I would’ve taken my time with you...made sure you were ready.”
“I didn’t want to make a big deal of it, Rafe. I still don’t.”
“The fact that you don’t want to talk about it is what bothers me, Marlowe.” His eyes narrowed. “I don’t want
you feeling like you have to keep secrets from me. That’s not what this is about.”
“I’m not keeping secrets, Rafe.” I felt like I was sinking into a pit of quicksand. Nothing I said seemed to come out right. “I was just a little embarrassed about it and didn’t know how to tell you. That’s all.”
“You can tell me anything. The good, the bad, and the ugly.” He slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer. “I want to know it all.”
“Well, my life has been pretty mundane, so that should take all of about two seconds.”
“Oh, no. I don’t think so.” He cocked his eyebrow with a sexy grin. “You’re the one who just up and moved from San Antonio to Tennessee without having a clue what you were going to do when you got here. There has to be a reason why.”
“I’ve already told you, it’s complicated.”
“I’m okay with complicated.”
“Let’s just say things weren’t exactly good at home.” I didn’t want it to sound like I’d grown up in an abusive home, so I quickly added, “It wasn’t that I wasn’t well taken care of or whatever. I just never really felt like I mattered, if that makes sense.”
A strange expression crossed his face as he asked, “You didn’t feel like you mattered? To who? Your family?”
“To my parents. My sister. My friends. Not to anyone. Everyone was too wrapped up in my sister to even notice me.” My eyes drifted away from him as I mumbled, “I know that makes me sound awful, but you’d just have to see it for yourself to understand.”
“You’re incredible, Marlowe. You shouldn’t ever have been made to feel like you were second to anyone.”