by Mia Knight
Marcus went to the fridge and pulled out a slice of turkey and went on his haunches near the dog. Honey sniffed the air but didn’t turn her head in his direction.
“You’re fine,” he said and dropped the turkey near her nose. “I’m one of the good guys.”
Carmen’s heart warmed. She smiled as he rose and came toward her. He picked her up, and she wrapped her arms and legs around him and dropped her head on his shoulder.
“You are a good guy.”
He tucked his face into her neck. “You smell good.”
“Eucalyptus,” she mumbled sleepily.
He settled her on the bed. She closed her eyes and floated. She heard him flip on the bathroom light. She turned her head and watched as he disappeared inside. He wouldn’t mind the seashell chandelier she put up, would he? Maybe the mermaid was a bit much, but a tub like that deserved an ocean theme. Marcus reappeared and then went into the closet. She came up on her elbows and waited for the explosion. He had a tiny section of the closet since he didn’t have much clothes here. Her assistants unpacked her new wardrobe, and she was thinking of having a carpenter come in to see if he could do something to create more room.
“What are you looking for?” she called.
Marcus came out of the closet. “You did all of this in one day?” he asked as he began to strip.
“I had help. I told you I would move in,” she grouched and turned on her side. “If you don’t like it, you can sell the house to me. By the end of this week, you won’t even recognize this place. I can’t believe you’ve had this house for two years and never—”
Marcus flipped her on her back and crouched over her. He cupped one side of her face before he kissed her deep. He rested his body over hers and tilted his head to the side as he made love to her mouth with his tongue stroking hers. She ran her hand through his hair. His muffled groan made her nipples tighten. His hand caressed her cheek, slid over her neck, and then rested on her breast. He massaged gently, which made her nails dig into his shoulders. He detached his mouth from hers and kissed the curve of her jaw and then her neck.
“Never,” he muttered.
“Never what?” she asked distractedly as he sucked on her pulse.
“Never settled anywhere in my life.”
She shifted restlessly beneath him. “What are you talking about?”
“Never unpacked.” He licked her pulse and then kissed it before he moved lower. “Never bought furniture. Never decorated anywhere I lived.”
She clutched his hair as he sucked on her breast. “Why?”
“Never stayed anywhere long enough.”
“What about when you when you lived with your parents?”
“I never had parents.”
Her eyes opened. “What? What do you mean you didn’t have parents?”
“Went into the system at six. Never stayed anywhere long.”
“You were a foster kid?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head. “That’s not possible.”
“Why isn’t it possible?” he asked as he pressed gentle kisses over her face.
She was having a hard time concentrating when he was drowning her in affection he claimed to never have experienced, judging from his background. “Because you’re Marcus Fletcher.” He knew how to dress, how to talk. He was intelligent and business savvy and didn’t have a mean bone in his body. What the fuck? The man she knew had no correlation to the story of his childhood he was painting.
“Someone gave me that name. I didn’t have one before that.” He raised his head and looked down at her. “The house looks great.”
“Marcus,” she began and didn’t know what else to say.
“Bought this house to start my new life, to make it my first home, but I didn’t know how.” He kissed her still lips. “You did more in one day than I’ve done in years. Thank you.”
She swallowed hard. “You can have it all.”
“What?”
“Don’t sell it to me. Keep it … and all the stuff.”
“Even the elephant and mermaid statue?” he teased.
“Everything.”
He ran his hand down her body. “Why would you do that? The painting in the living room must be worth thousands.”
“Fifteen thousand.”
“Why give it to me?”
“Because everyone deserves a home.”
He stared down at her for a long moment before he pressed his forehead to hers. “There she is.”
“Who?”
“The woman Vinny raved about.” She stiffened, and he cupped her face. “I wanted you before I met you.”
She stared into his eyes and had the sensation of falling.
“I wanted to meet the woman behind his projects, the woman in the photos all over his office. And now you’re here.” He stroked a hand down her body. “I never had access to beautiful things until recently.” He licked her skin. “And it tastes amazing.”
He slid down her body and paused at her belly button to lave it with his tongue. He looked up the length of her body, eyes glittering shards in the dim light.
“You never gave me an opening.” He stroked her belly. “You weren’t ready. Now that you’re awake, now that you see me, I’m gonna take advantage.” He spread her thighs and surveyed her body. “A lot.”
He went down on her. She hissed through her teeth as his tongue went deep. She lifted her legs and planted her feet on the bed so she could lift her hips up to his mouth. He was damn good. She was moaning and thrashing within minutes. He didn’t let up until she erupted beneath him, her limbs going rigid as pleasure rocketed through her. Marcus slid into her as she orgasmed and rode her rough. The sound of slapping skin filled the room. She raked her nails down his back.
“Fuck, Carmen,” he panted.
“Harder.”
He obeyed, doing her so hard she knew she would be feeling the effects tomorrow. His face was carved in animal ecstasy as he fucked her. No teasing or laughing this time. He gripped her hair and yanked her head back as he pounded into her. She took what he offered and reveled in his possession as he planted himself deep and came. He panted in her ear as he collapsed on top of her. His hand loosened in her hair and then began to stroke.
“Too rough?”
“Just right,” she husked.
“I don’t know what you’re bringing out in me.”
She nuzzled his face. “I like it. Whatever you need, Marcus.”
He didn’t respond, and she sensed he wasn’t happy about what happened. She stroked his face.
“We all need an outlet. Let me be yours. You won’t break me.”
“I’ve never been like this with a woman,” he said finally.
“You’ve been with pussies, that’s why.”
He laughed and rolled, putting her on top. “So what are you?”
“A badass motherfucker.”
He grinned. “Yes, you are.”
She settled over him. “I’m going to ruin you for all other women.”
“I can’t wait.”
“Corrupt you,” she said around a yawn.
“Already done.”
“I’m gonna make you get hard every time I say Daddy.” She paused and then shook her head. “Wait, I can’t call you Daddy. That’s Blade’s name.”
Marcus stiffened beneath her. “What?”
She raised her head, which felt as if it weighed fifty pounds to investigate his incredulous expression. “It’s a nickname.”
“Why?”
“Because he doesn’t want to be one.” Marcus relaxed, and she tucked her face under his chin. “You’re getting possessive.”
“We’re nowhere near done.”
“And when we are?”
He wrapped his arms around her. “Then we’ll still be friends.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Because we understand one another. Neither of us is looking for a relationship and both of us need this.”
She couldn’t
argue that point.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, and we’ll make it through.”
“Promise?”
“Yes. Now, go to sleep.”
She didn’t need telling twice.
18
“Come on, Honey. You’re safe here. You wanna go for a walk? Toss a ball? Cuddle on the couch?”
Carmen lay on the floor two feet away from Honey, who was still curled into a ball. Her ears flicked back and forth, but otherwise, she didn’t move. It had been five days with no improvement. She felt so fucking helpless and was at her wit’s end. She tried to tempt Honey with food, toys, and words, but nothing worked. She even slept on the sofa a couple of nights to see if proximity would work. It did nothing.
She sighed and got to her feet. She opened the front door and waved at Mickey and Frederick. Mickey got out of the car and came toward her.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“Can you carry Honey? I want to go to Lyla’s house.”
Mickey winced. “I’ll ask Frederick to do it.”
She was due for a visit, and she was hoping Lyla had some doggy advice for her. Honey let out a howl and began to whimper as Frederick picked her up. Carmen tried to comfort her as Frederick deposited the trembling dog into the passenger seat of the Aston. She turned off the radio and backed out of the driveway with Frederick and Mickey following in their SUV.
Aside from Honey’s lack of progress, it had been a satisfying week. With help from her assistants, the movers, and a professional decorator, she had been able to transform Marcus’s house into a real home. Everything was in its place, and she couldn’t be happier. Her belongings that didn’t fit in the house would be auctioned off with all proceeds donated to the Pyre Foundation. Alice had been ecstatic and then alarmed when she found out how much some of the paintings were worth. She reluctantly accepted them when Carmen said they would be locked up in a container somewhere.
Marcus hadn’t visited her since their late-night encounter, but he called almost every day. Their conversations were quick and casual. There was no weirdness between them, and she really began to believe this could work although she caught the skeptical look her assistants exchanged when she explained their arrangement.
She pulled through the gates of the Pyre estate. She put the car in park and was about to open her door when Beau dashed around the corner of the mansion, barking madly. She hastily got out of the car and put her hands up to shush him. She glanced in the car to see how Honey was handling this and was stunned to see her standing on the seat with her ears perked up. Beau jumped onto the driver’s seat, sniffed Honey, and gave an excited bark before he jumped out again. Honey didn’t move, so Beau jumped back in. He lunged playfully at her before he dashed out again, and this time, Honey followed. She stood in the middle of the drive as Beau ran circles around her and then took off around the house. Honey hesitated only a few seconds before she followed. Carmen stared after them, mouth open. What the hell?
She walked into the house with Frederick and Mickey on her heels. She peeked in the kitchen and saw that the door that led into the backyard was open. Beau and Honey ran across the yard, barking and leaping on each other. Blade had his gun out and was standing protectively in front of Lyla who was carrying Nora.
“It’s okay, she’s with me,” Carmen said as she walked outside to join them.
Lyla turned. “Look how happy he is! I’ve never seen him like this.”
Nora smiled and drooled as she approached. She took her goddaughter from Lyla and covered her face in loud, smacking kisses. Her guards drifted toward Blade and talked in low mumbles.
“What’s her name?” Lyla asked as she went on her haunches to pet Beau who sat at her feet.
Honey stopped a few feet away and examined them all warily.
“Her name’s Honey, and I brought her here because she hasn’t moved in five days,” she said dryly.
Lyla gave her a puzzled look. “What are you talking about?”
“Frederick had to carry this dog to the car because she won’t walk on her own. She doesn’t eat unless I leave the room, and she just sits in the corner facing the wall all day. I brought her here to get some pointers from you, but when she saw Beau, she lit up.”
“Come on, Honey,” Lyla coaxed.
“I’ve tried that—” She broke off as Honey inched forward and hit Lyla’s palm. “I can’t believe this.”
“Maybe she needs another dog to teach her how to trust people,” Lyla mused as she stroked Honey’s head.
Carmen sat on a bench and bounced Nora on her knees. Blade stood nearby, watching the dogs play with his gun still out.
“You’ve settled into your new place?” Lyla asked.
“Yup and it’s gorg.”
“I’m sure it is.” Lyla let out a long breath as she stroked the dogs. “I had a panic attack today.”
Nora chortled and pulled on her top. Carmen kissed the baby’s cheek and watched her mother closely.
“It was a bad one,” Lyla continued. “I swear, I thought I saw a man in the nursery. I grabbed my gun and was ready to shoot, but no one was there.” She shook her head. “I’m going crazy. Blade heard me scream and came with his gun. When he told Gavin, he almost left work, but I made him stay.” She shook her head. “I’m a fucking mess.”
“Have you been sleeping?”
“Probably not as much as I should.” Lyla plopped down on the bench beside her and leaned against her. “I’m glad you came over and brought your new baby. Liven things up around here. I definitely need a distraction. Tell me something interesting.”
“I’m going to have three stepsiblings. Levi is a mechanic and too hot for his own good, the second son lives in Japan, so they’re holding off the wedding until his wife gives birth, and Maddie is a freshman in college and has the same shoe size as us so she may steal some of yours.”
Lyla scrunched up her nose. “That’s all you got?”
Carmen hesitated only a moment before she dropped her bomb. “I’m banging Marcus.”
Lyla didn’t react. “Marcus who?”
“Marcus Marcus.”
“His name is Marcus Marcus?”
“No, Marcus Fletcher.”
Lyla’s head turned so fast, Carmen was surprised she didn’t get whiplash.
“What?”
“We’re friends with benefits.”
Lyla shot up from the bench with both hands up like a traffic cop. “What? How? When?”
“The first time was the night you were in Hell. He came over to keep me company.”
She put her hands on her hips. “When I was in Hell, you were getting busy?”
“Pretty much. Sex is a great stress reliever.”
“You two hooked up that night, and now you’re friends with benefits?”
“Well, we hooked up a couple of times before we agreed to be friends with benefits.”
Lyla threw up her hands. “And only now you’re telling me?”
“We’ve both been busy.”
“Bitch, this is the kind of shit I want to know as soon as it happens.”
“Well, now you do.”
“What does this mean?” Lyla asked.
“It means I have sex on tap.”
“But what changed?”
“I decided to live, and he’s helping me with that. We finalized a few things at the event at Cimarron Elementary. By the way, the animal adoption was great. Over one hundred pets found homes.”
“Aw, I’m so glad,” Lyla said and then narrowed her eyes. “Stop trying to change the subject.”
“I’m not. I’m segueing.”
“No segueing. You’re just banging him, and that’s it?”
“Yes.”
“You know I love Marcus.” Lyla smiled suddenly and leaned forward. “How is he?”
“Girl.”
“Really? Well, if friends with benefits works for you, and you’re happy, then I’m happy too.”
“Thank you.”
<
br /> “Speaking of segues.” Lyla shoved her shoulder. “What the hell’s up with you killing the leader of a biker gang?”
“He said shit about Vinny.”
“And you shot him in a room full of people?”
“Pretty much,” Carmen said as she made faces at Nora.
Lyla shook her head. “We’re really messed up.”
“We’re badass motherfuckers.”
Lyla scowled. “Don’t swear in front of Nora.”
“We’re bad mothers,” she said gravely.
Nora grinned and tried to stick her hand in her mouth.
“You look good,” Lyla said, taking in her knee-high gladiator sandals, white shorts, and skintight top.
“I feel better now that I’ve settled somewhere. If Marcus hadn’t offered me his place, I don’t know what I would have done.”
“Hold up. Marcus offered his place? The place you’re staying is his house?”
“Yes.”
“You’re living with Marcus?” Lyla looked stunned.
“No, he lives at the casino. He offered me his place since it was a risk to stay with Mom and Marv, and I loved the house.”
“But technically you’re living together.”
“He’s been there once this whole week.”
“But you two have stayed under the same roof?”
“For one night.”
Lyla stared at her for a full minute before she smiled so huge, it must hurt her cheeks. She clapped her hands together and did a little jig. “My day just perked up.”
“Because I’m banging Marcus and staying in his place?”
“I’m happy because you’re happy to be banging Marcus and living with him. I never would’ve thought … and now you are! I love Marcus. I love that you two are together … I mean, are friends with benefits. I don’t have to worry about you because he’ll take care of you.”
“I don’t need to be taken care of.”
“We all need someone to watch out for us,” Lyla said and took Nora from her. She put the baby on her hip. Mother and daughter stared at her with identical silver blue eyes. If Gavin had more daughters who looked like Lyla, he would definitely become more psycho when they grew up.
A happy yip made her look at the dogs who were running to their heart’s content. “I’ll take them both.”