by Bec Botefuhr
I give her a hard stare. “Why haven’t you, Chayne?”
“I won’t be humiliated until I have to be.”
“Nothing to do with thinking I’ll change my mind?”
Her face softens. “I made a mistake, surely that can’t mean the end of everything.”
“The end of everything came when you started sleeping around.”
“You did too!” she cries.
“After you, Chayne, and I’m not proud of it.”
“If you try to take me down for that, I’ll take you down with me, mark my words.”
I glare at her. “Is that a threat?”
“No, it’s a promise. If you have any sort of proof that I cheated and you plan on using it against me, think twice. I won’t play nice. I may not have anything on you, but I do have things on your precious Sierra.”
My temper flares and I storm around the desk, gripping her shoulder. “You fucking touch Sierra and I’ll…”
“You’ll what?” she grins, “by all means, Marcus, show me what you’ll do. It will only help my case.”
I let her go, panting with anger. “Be very sure you’re ready to play this game, Chayne.”
She smirks at me, then turns and walks towards the door. When she reaches it, she looks over her shoulder at me. “Same to you, lover.”
Then she’s gone. God dammit. God fucking dammit.
~*~*~*~*
SIERRA
“Your parents?” I say, popping a piece of honey chicken into my mouth.
Marcus smiles over at me, his lips doing that sexy curl thing.
“Yes, tomorrow.”
“You want me to come out to your parents’ house for the weekend? I’m not so sure that’s a good idea, Marcus.”
He smiles at me again. He came home in a bad mood, but after one hell of a power fuck against the wall, he came down from it. Then he proceeded to tell me he wants to take me home this weekend to his parents’ house. His parents who still don’t know he’s not with Chayne. His parents who probably don’t want to meet the woman who has caused him so many problems. I really don’t think it’s a good idea, but from the look on Marcus’ face, he’s not going to take no for an answer, so I try another tactic.
“Do you think it’s wise taking me out there when you’re going through all this stuff with Chayne?”
Grinning, he leans forward and chucks me under the chin. “Nice try, sweetheart, but it’s happening, even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming.”
Sighing I murmur, “You have to admit I make a good point?”
“Perhaps so, but Chayne knows what I’m trying to do and I’m going to deal with her, but I’m not going to hide you for any longer.”
“Chayne knows?”
“Yes.”
“Since when?”
“Since she came in and told me she was going to fight me on it, this afternoon.”
“Oh Marcus,” I say, searching his gaze. “This is unfair and not what you wanted, I’m sorry.”
He strokes his thumb over my lower lip. “You’re all I want, Sierra, I don’t care what Chayne threatens me with, she can try as hard as she wants.”
“You didn’t think that a few weeks ago, why now?”
“Because now I’ve got something worth fighting for.”
And with that, there was no longer a fight in me. I knew exactly what I wanted, how I wanted it and when. I’d do anything it took to keep Marcus and make this work between us, even if it meant meeting his parents. So, I guess it’s time to face my new life, and everyone in it.
CHAPTER 8
SIERRA
The drive out to Marcus’ parents’ ranch is slow and boring, they live a good five hours away from us, but heading out the country is a good break away from all the drama in the city. I keep watching Marcus as he drives, in awe seeing him behind the wheel looking so…normal. He gives me a grin every now and then, and I can see he’s truly excited about this. He loves his family, that much is clear by the way he speaks about them, but seeing him so happy makes it so much more real. Me on the other hand, I’m so damned nervous my stomach is doing stupid little flip flops.
I am going over the usual ‘what if they don’t like me?’ or ‘what if they didn’t like his break up with Chayne?’ I can’t help it, he’s barely out of his last relationship and already he’s taking another woman home. A woman who likely is blamed for the break up. I’ll take my part in it too, I know that what I did was wrong, regardless of Chayne’s behavior. I fumble my fingers together nervously as I let the thoughts override my head and completely distract me from the beautiful scenery we are passing. Marcus reaches over, jerking me from my thoughts. He takes my hand and rubs his thumb in slow circles over my palm.
“It’s going to be fine, sweetheart, they’ll love you.”
I grunt, very unladylike I know, but it’s the only response that seems fit. “How can they love me? I had an affair with a taken man and now he’s bringing me home to meet his family.”
“They didn’t like Chayne, I told you that.”
“That doesn’t automatically mean they’ll like me either.”
“Maybe not,” he says, letting go of my hand and running his hand through his messy dark hair. “But it’s worth a try, right? I want you to meet them.”
“And I want to meet them, but if it all goes wrong out here…”
“It won’t, I promise.”
“Marcus…”
“Sierra, you have to stop worrying. I wouldn’t take you home if I didn’t think my parents would love you, ok?”
I nod, it’s the best response I have for him right now. Telling him my fears isn’t going to change them if they come to life, I just have to suck it up and plaster a smile on my face. I can meet parents, I’ve met parents before. I’m sure it’ll be fine. I’m sure they’re lovely and this worrying was all for nothing. If they’re anything like Marcus, they’ll be amazing people. From what Marcus has told me, they are amazing people. I stare out the window and force my thoughts away and focus on the trees and scenery zipping by as we travel. It’s going to be fine Sierra, it’s going to be fine.
~*~*~*~*
SIERRA
Marcus’ family’s ranch is gorgeous. All white timber, wrap around patio, big barns and fenced paddocks filled with horses. I smile, feeling my heart swell at the secluded beauty. We’re away, from everything, and it’s perfect. I watch Marcus’ face warm instantly, and a smile creeps across his face. Seeing him so happy, makes me smile and when our eyes meet, I can see the joy shared between us. He gets out of the car and walks around, opening the door for me. When I’m out and Marcus’ hand is firmly wrapped around mine, we walk towards the house.
When we get up the front steps, Marcus walks right inside. I look around the massive country home in awe. It has polished wooden floors, a wooden kitchen, older styled furniture with rustic flowers and soft material. I feel my smile widen at the beauty that is this home, and the intense feeling of love it holds. Marcus squeezes my hand and we both step into the large living area. I hear the sound of a woman going ‘oh’ and we both turn to see a short, petite woman with mousy brown hair and dark brown eyes rushing towards us. Marcus lets me go and picks up the tiny woman, swinging her around.
“Momma!” Marcus laughs, placing her on the ground and kissing her cheeks.
“Mickey, my boy.”
Mickey?
“I’ve missed you!”
She hugs him again, she looks so tiny next to his large, powerful form and when his arms go around her, she basically disappears. When they pull apart, Marcus turns to me and smiles, putting his hand out. I step forward. The woman lets her gaze rake over me, and all along, I expected to see disgust in her eyes, but all I see there is warmth and maybe even…is that…delight? She steps forward, taking my hand. Her warm fingers curl around mine and she pulls me forward and wraps her arms around me.
“I’ve heard so much about you. Welcome to my home, Sierra.”
“I’ve heard so
much about you, too.” I smile, hugging her back.
Marcus smiles at me when I look up at him. His mother lets me go and holds my shoulders, getting a good look at me.
“This one’s a real one son, none of that fake beauty,” she smiles, letting her brown eyes scan my face. “What happened to your eye love, you’ve got a real shiner?”
“A crazy drunk girl threw a can at my head.”
“It wasn’t Sierra’s fault,” Marcus says. “The girl was drunk and high.”
“Oh, that’s awful!”
I nod, then smile. “Thank you for letting me into your home, Mrs. Harrison.”
“Call me Julie, and it’s most certainly my pleasure. Come, Sierra, tell me about yourself. Tell me how you met my Mickey and how this came about. Oh, and most of all, do tell me how you managed to change his mind about that monster of a fiancé he had.”
My brows raise and Marcus chuckles. “Told you,” he murmurs.
“There’s my boy!”
We hear the loud, deep voice that echoes through the halls. I turn to see a tall, well-built man walking inside. His dark hair is the same as Marcus’, only it’s streaked with grey. He has laughter lines around his brown eyes and his face is very warm and welcoming. By the look of him, he’s Marcus’ father. There’s no missing the resemblance between the two, they’re both incredibly handsome and have the same smile. Marcus steps forward, shaking his father’s hand, then they are hugging. I feel my smile come back, in fact, I don’t think it’s stopped.
“How are you, boy?” his father asks in a gruff, husky voice.
“I’m good, old man, yourself?”
“Oh you know, workin’ on the ranch. Bloody tiring work it is, too.”
“He never stops,” Julie laughs.
Marcus’ father turns and his eyes widen. A slow smile creeps across his face as he steps forward and takes a good look at me.
“Well lookie, son, you picked a pretty one didn’t ya? How are ya, girl? My name is Ted. What did you do to your face?”
He extends his hand, and with a flush I take it. He wraps his callused fingers around my hand and we shake.
“It’s nice to meet you, Ted. I’m Sierra and it’s a long story,” I laugh.
“Such a pretty darn name, and well, a pretty girl. Good choice, son.”
“Yeah, I think I picked well,” Marcus grins, meeting my gaze.
“Anyway, we’re going to talk in the kitchen and prepare dinner, you two boys get the bags and catch up,” Julie says, taking my hand again and tugging it.
“Bloody women, never let us sit down,” Ted jokes.
I giggle softly and let Julie pull me into the large, wooden kitchen. When we stop, she lets me go and turns to me with a smile.
“So, Sierra, tell me all about yourself. Tell me how you met Mickey?”
I giggle. “Can you tell me why you call him Mickey?”
She smiles and leans her hip against the counter, tucking a strand of mousy hair behind her ear.
“He used to be a Mickey Mouse fan, I mean a huge one. He used to have every toy, movie, and collectable that ever came out. It lasted right up until he was twelve years old. He lived and breathed Mickey Mouse. He even dressed up often, making me paint his face. It was so adorable, and so the nickname, Mickey, just stuck.”
I smile. “I could never imagine him loving Mickey Mouse now, he’s so…manly.”
She laughs softly. “Yes, but he still lets me call him Mickey.”
I grin. “I’ll give that one a go, see how much he cares about me!”
Her eyes soften. “He does care about you, a lot from what I can see.”
“I care about him too, very much.”
“I can see that, too.”
“I know it didn’t start in the most appropriate way, but we’re serious about each other.”
She nods, turning and pulling a large roast lamb from the fridge.
“Yes, well, sometimes life doesn’t take us on the most sensible of paths. Doesn’t mean they’re the wrong ones, though.”
I nod, liking how she is making me feel.
“You’re right about that.”
“So tell me,” she says, handing me a knife. “How did you meet?”
“I got an opportunity to work for him.”
“That must have been…interesting,” she chuckles.
“Yes, he can be a hard man.”
“Yes, that he certainly can.”
“It was a great experience though.”
“I imagine. Do you know how to slice vegetables?”
I nod. “Of course.”
She opens the fridge and gathers some potatoes and carrots. She pops them down on the bench and hands me a cutting board, then she gets to work on the lamb. I begin peeling and slicing the carrots and cubing the potatoes. We’re busy chatting away, when Marcus and Ted come back in, beers in hand. I look up, still chopping, to smile at Marcus. I feel the burn before I realize what I’ve done. Julie makes a gasping sound and I look down to see blood pouring from my pointer finger in thick, red rivulets. I stare at it for a moment, almost in shock.
“Shit, Sierra!” I hear Marcus say.
I can’t move. For some reason, I am just staring at the blood. I feel Marcus take my hand and wrap a towel around my finger. I hear Julie fluttering about, but it takes me a good moment to snap myself out of the moment I was just having. I blink a few times and lift my eyes to meet Marcus’. He stares down at me, his gaze worried. His grip is tight around my finger as he puts pressure on to slow down the blood flow. He pulls the towel back and stares at the cut, then he covers it again and looks to his mother.
“It’s certainly deep enough for stitches, but the distance it will take isn’t worth it.”
“I have some glue, son. The doctor gave it to me, ‘coz I’m always gettin’ cut,” Ted says.
Marcus nods and Ted turns and walks out the room. Marcus strokes my cheek, making me look up at him.
“You don’t like blood.”
It’s not that I don’t like blood, I’ve just seen too much of my own blood in the past few days. Julie stops her frantic worrying and takes my hand, peeking at the cut.
“Oh goodness love, you could have cut your finger off perving at my son!”
That does it for me, I burst into a fit of giggles so loud they both go quiet. After a moment, Julie starts giggling too and Marcus lets off a deep, throaty chuckle. When Ted comes back in, he looks between us with a confused expression, then he too begins chuckling. He hands Marcus the little bottle of glue and Marcus takes it. He looks down at me and gives me a ‘is this going to be ok?’ look. I nod and he unravels my finger, I turn my head away and look at Julie. She gives me a reassuring smile and I wince in pain as Marcus moves the flesh around so he can glue it back together. When he’s done, he bandages it up and presses my fingertip to his lips.