“Marcus, how come you like looking out to sea?”
“Because the sea can be an angry mother bear looking after its young, or calm and soothing like classical music.”
“Very poetic.” The memory hit her so fast she had almost forgotten.
That summer they had all gone down to the beach for one last barbecue. She sat on the pebbled beach holding Marcus’s hand. It was like all her dreams had come true. Marcus was finally there just for her. No more girls vied for his attention; it was just the two of them. Everyone else played football or Frisbee or just sat huddled around the blazing driftwood fire.
“What are you smiling at?”
“Nothing, I just remembered something.” She cast her eyes to the floor, and heat filled her cheeks. She wasn’t ready to share her memory.
“That’s the first smile you’ve given me today.”
“I resent that. I smiled at you on the beach.” Annabel gave herself a mental shake; she had begun to over-think things. Just because you’ve shared a few kisses doesn’t mean that he wants anything else. He could just be being friendly. “I just—”
“Don’t feel like it today,” Marcus added.
“No.”
Annabel turned her face to his. Those blue-gray eyes mesmerized her, and Marcus hadn’t lost the ability to leave her heart thumping and feeling very much like a teenager on a first date, with just one glance. No wonder all the girls fell for him, with his silky smooth voice, toned ass, and those eyes—the sort you want to lose yourself in and never break free.
****
Marcus used his keycard to unlock the door. He was feeling more and more uncomfortable in his tight jeans and t-shirt. He needed to put on something looser and relax his body. The painkillers he had received at the hospital were just wearing off, and the dull throbbing was becoming a saber-toothed tiger.
He caught Annabel looking around his room. “I know it’s messy.”
“And you complained about my flat?” Annabel chided.
“I don’t want a lecture. It was wrong of me. It caused me to…” Marcus didn’t finish, at least not out loud. He couldn’t admit that he was falling hard for Annabel. They were playing a game, each one as unsure as the other. He had a lot to prove to her. If helping to save the children’s ward was what he had to do, so be it. He would even fund it himself, if necessary.
The soft furnishings left a lot to be desired; old-fashioned chintz patterns adorned everything, and the small settee in front of the bed was extremely uncomfortable. It was such a waste of time. He really needed to find a flat, a house, anything. Living here was beginning to get to him.
“What’s wrong?” Concern etched her voice.
“I don’t suppose you fancy helping me look for a better place to live than this?” Marcus moved his hand in a sweeping gesture.
“Sure, we could have a look around tomorrow, if you have time.”
“I have to go into the office, but we could grab some sales forms.”
“Okay, I will meet you somewhere.”
Marcus grasped her wrist. “No, please come with me. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
He caught the horrified look that flashed across her face. “There’s no need to worry.” He laughed out loud. “It’s only my secretary.”
“Oh…”
“She is old enough to be my mother and used to change my nappies.”
“Right, I guess I jumped to conclusions.”
Had that been a bit of jealousy on Annabel’s part? Marcus wasn’t going to ask her as that would cause her more embarrassment. Did she really think that little of him? A secret smile crossed his lips. Marcus was glad he had found her again.
If they hadn’t wasted so much time being apart—No, no, Marcus, that’s not what you should be thinking. Annabel had left him, but she was back now, filling the gaping hole of grief and sadness with happiness. Marcus never thought he would be able to feel so much joy again. Amazing how a small bit of generosity could reap such rewards. Marcus made a vow to himself that he would treat Annabel to a nice meal. All her selfless hard work would pay off.
These bloody jeans. He winced as the waistband felt tighter than ever. “Annabel, would you…um…could you?”
“Could I what, Marcus?”
Marcus thought for a moment on how to phrase what he wanted to say without upsetting her. “These jeans are hurting me. Could you help me into something looser?”
He waited for a response. Marcus hated being reliant on anybody. He always did everything for himself, even when he had been younger. “It’s nothing you haven’t seen before.” Why did I just say that? “As a doctor, I mean,” he quickly added. “I thought—I mean—” Marcus, you sound like a child, man up.
“I knew what you meant.” Annabel’s hearty laugh resonated around the room. “I was only teasing you.”
He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.
Annabel walked tentatively toward him; he had wanted her to touch him, to see him. To run her hands over his body, Marcus just stood there and gazed at her. Were the same thoughts running through her head as were running through his? Carefully, Annabel took his arms out of his t-shirt without his having to stretch too far and then pulled it over his head.
****
Her gaze never left his. She placed her hands on his chest, moving them slowly downward toward his scar. Marcus brushed his hands down her arm, sending her already jangling nerves into free fall.
“I didn’t mean…”
Annabel knew it had been her job to make him better, to save him, just as he was saving her from loneliness. Friends were all right, but they couldn’t be there for her all the time. When her house felt too empty, her movements sent echoes bouncing off its walls. The past few days with Marcus had been the happiest she had felt for a long time, even though they had been eventful, it wasn’t over yet.
“I know, my Anna.”
Marcus’s voice was soft and hypnotic.
Pulling her toward him, he held her close, and Annabel rested her head on his chest. The sound of his heart pounding in his chest was soothing and matched her own erratic heartbeat.
“I thought you needed my help?” Pulling away slightly, she brushed her hands down his hard muscular chest and proceeded to undo his belt. Sliding his jeans to the floor, Annabel felt Marcus leaning against her so she could remove them fully.
****
Marcus looked down. Annabel gazed up at him, her eyes twinkling, her face filled with the same need that coursed through his veins. He was losing all his steely self-control. He had no plans to—He hadn’t thought…hell, thinking was impossible. There was only one thing he needed at that moment, and that was his Anna. Gently grabbing her shoulders, he indicated he wanted her to stand.
Their eyes locked together, boring deep into each other souls. Her hands never moved from his body as her touch burned his skin. The white heat in his belly grew as her fingers brushed his crotch, his arousal evident as her eyes sparkled, a mischievous grin gracing her mouth. Marcus wasn’t sure how much more exquisite torture he could take. He brought Annabel roughly toward him, crushing his lips down on hers, tasting her, needing her entire being to be at one with his own. Running his hands through her dark tresses, he pulled her further into him. Her need matched his own as he bit and nibbled her lips. The silkiness of her mouth drove him crazy.
Marcus didn’t want to rush things, but he wasn’t sure he would be able to hold himself back. He had no idea what was happening to him. Annabel was everything he wanted in a woman—kind, generous, and about to drive him wild with the passion that ran through his body.
****
Slowly moving his hands to her waist, he pushed her jumper upwards. Annabel’s whole body seemed to be filled with waiting. She didn’t want to wait; she needed him now. As she looked up, Annabel saw the heart-rending tenderness of his gaze.
Raising her arms, Annabel allowed Marcus to pull her jumper swiftly over her head and drop it to the floor. A blu
sh crept over her body as she stood semi-naked, feeling exposed, but her body ached for his touch. As he stroked her arms gently, a shiver ran through her body. Part of her body was like ice, the other part on fire.
“Your ribs.” To her dismay, her voice cracked slightly.
“Well, if anything does go wrong, I have my own personal doctor.” He smiled a reassuring heartfelt smile down at her. “I want you so much.”
The huskiness in his voice thrilled her.
Marcus continued his lust-arousing exploration of her soft flesh, drawing a loud moan from her lips. Annabel was losing any self-control she had and raked her fingers down his back.
“Marcus, please…” Annabel’s voice barely more than a whisper. She needed him to fulfill her every fantasy to make her feel desirable again. She felt her knees weaken as his mouth descended, placing kisses along her neck and onto her shoulder.
“There’s no rush, my Anna,” he mumbled.
Annabel felt a burning desire, an aching need course through her body as Marcus continued to rain kisses on her naked flesh.
He eased her down gently onto the bed, dispensing with her jeans with lightning speed. Annabel had waited for this since she had first seen him again, and her body had reacted to him although her heart stayed guarded. His physique was even more toned than she remembered. Her breathing became erratic as he ran his hand over her belly and down along her thigh. His touch was light and painfully teasing.
Annabel gasped as he fondled one globe, her nub hard and taut. Marcus looked at her with hunger and desire written all over his face. “My beautiful Anna.”
“I need you, Marcus.” She barely got her words out. It was like her mind had short-circuited. He smelled of the sea and his musky aftershave. Annabel tried to breathe him in—a reminder, a memory.
His tongue drew a path painfully slowly down her neck down to her breasts. Shivers of delight followed his touch. Annabel twisted her fingers in his hair as he tantalized her swollen buds with his tongue. She needed him closer, to be a part of her. But Marcus wasn’t going to rush her. Annabel was sure he was enjoying leaving her on the edge.
Pushing her legs apart, he feasted on her center. Keeping her grip on his hair, she moaned in pleasure. Her eyes fluttered closed. Heat shot through her every nerve ending, and she whimpered in pleasure. “Marcus.” It took all her strength to formulate that one coherent word.
She gasped as he lowered himself gently over her. Some part of her brain knew he was moving with restraint. His largeness scared her. Could she manage to take him into her? Annabel didn’t care about that. She wanted him, needed him now. Her impatience grew to explosive propositions. There was nothing wrong with rushing. “Please.”
He didn’t answer, instead, claimed her mouth with his and entered her slowly and deliberately. Annabel arched her back toward him, unable to control her cries of pleasure. Her world spun on its axis as she circled the precipice of heaven.
“Anna,” he mumbled as her arousal spurred on his own.
She couldn’t get enough of his silky body. Her body writhed beneath him as her climax drew nearer. An undeniable magnetism drew them together; she wanted to feel more, for him to go deeper. Marcus was tearing her soul apart, but together they moved to the tempo that bound their bodies together.
“Mm,” she mumbled breathlessly, her breathing erratic as passion pounded the blood through her body.
Marcus caressed a piece of her hair. “My beautiful Anna.”
He moved, and Anna grasped the back of his neck trying to hold him to her. Marcus repositioned her legs so he could enter her deeper, alternating the friction between them. Sweat glistened on their bodies. “Anna.” Marcus called out her name as he got closer the edge of passionate oblivion. Marcus knew how to move inside her to send Annabel over the edge but not yet. Holding back, he caressed her thigh, and she shuddered with pleasure. “Baby.” Marcus wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold back. Not wanting to let go, Marcus rolled onto his back, taking Anna with him. When he urged her gently to straddle him, the pain increased in his sides. He needed a break, but he was by no means finished with his beautiful girl.
Annabel positioned herself. The dormant sexuality of her body had been awakened. Marcus’s thumb rubbed circles on her nub, causing her to call out in erotic pleasure. Annabel soared higher into her own release as she took him deeper into her. She leaned back slightly, digging her nails into his legs as their bodies moved in exquisite harmony with one another. Marcus increased his movements, and Annabel shattered into a million glowing stars that exploded into a downpour of fiery sensations.
Annabel fell limply against his chest, and his heartbeat pounded in his chest. Her breath came in long surrendering moans as Marcus continued to move inside her, holding her tightly. “I want you to come again,” he muttered to her.
Marcus wrapped his fingers in her hair, roughly claiming her mouth, their tongues dancing to an unheard tune. He maneuvered her off him and pulled her onto her knees. He repositioned himself behind her, pushing her head onto the pillow and entered her. One hand held onto her shoulder and the other at her core, he drew her to a height of passion she had never known.
Marcus let out a guttural groan as he found his own release, taking Annabel with him as she cried out his name. They both collapsed, spent on the bed. He had never known making love could be so sensual, so perfect.
****
Annabel savored the feeling of satisfaction he left her with. His breath was warm and moist against her face. Her heart raced.
“Come here, Anna,” Marcus said pulling her into his strong embrace, their bodies molding to each other perfectly.
“I can’t believe that,” she replied breathlessly.
“What? That making love could be so…” Marcus added.
“Yes.” Annabel still hadn’t come down from the cloud Marcus had taken her to. She had given herself happily to him, and she knew she was falling in love with him again. Annabel made a silent vow not to tell him. She would take today as what it had been—a sweet, wonderful moment full of the feelings they had obviously kept for each other. A tear rolled silently down her face, but she quickly wiped it away.
“Anna, do you want to do anything tomorrow night?”
“Like what.” She turned to face him, moving her arm lazily over his side.
“A meal out anywhere you want.”
Moving her mouth from side to side as she thought about where to go. “Leon’s.”
“Leon’s?” he asked questioningly.
“It’s a new place in town. Everyone who’s anyone goes.” Annabel was animated.
“Well, we can go there. How about I pick you up at eight tomorrow? I will call them about a reservation.”
****
He looked at Anna, but she had given in to exhaustion with a sweet serene look etched on her face. Marcus kissed the top of her head and the tip of her nose, holding her tightly. He felt like such a cad. He was always so careful, but the last thing he had thought about with his Anna was having safe sex.
He shouldn’t have made love to her. Not because he didn’t want to, but the pain he was now in was excruciating. He felt like such a cad. He was always so careful, but the last thing he had thought about was having safe sex. Marcus needed to get up and take his tablets, but he didn’t want to move, not yet. He liked having Annabel close to him, her hot breath on his face, and the feel of her heart beating against his chest.
Marcus lay for a while until it was too painful for him to stay still any longer and carefully eased out of bed. He stood and stared lovingly down on Annabel’s sleeping form. He pulled his side of the duvet over her to prevent her getting cold. Now, my tablets and those accounts. I can bear the uncomfortable sofa to work on and let her sleep. If I need to make calls, I will go down to reception. Sounds like a plan.
He set about taking his medication and then grabbed the printed pages, a notebook, and a calculator. He started to go through the accounts; it was easy enough with the info
rmation Annabel had provided. Marcus looked down the lists for all the equipment purchased and the names of machinery. There had been six MRI scan machines bought in the past two years. Strange, Oakwood hospital wasn’t that large.
After an hour, he had all the figures he needed. It added up to several million pounds. Though some of the equipment was obviously needed, others were overkill or redundant, which meant that money was siphoned off directly into someone’s pockets, but who?
How stupid had he been? There was only one person it could have been—Mrs. Higginbottom herself. Of all the low-down, dirty tricks. “Damn it.” Marcus realized how loud he had been and quickly turned to check that Annabel remained sleeping.
Marcus looked around the room for some clothes. He should really phone the police or someone, but he didn’t want to ruin his day with Annabel. Hospital politics is what she had said. It was more than that; it was fraud. Whoever else was involved was going down. No, he’d have a shower first, perhaps a cold one. Staring down at Anna’s naked form in his bed was sending him over the edge, and he would make damn sure he was taking her with him. How could someone he had only just become reacquainted with stoke the flames of passion in him more than any other woman?
****
Annabel reached out a hand, feeling the bed next to her. It was empty. Would Marcus leave her again? Sitting up, she pulled her knees to her chest holding her legs tightly. A tear fell onto the duvet. Why had he left her again? She cursed him quietly so as not to disturb the people in the rooms next to his. He hadn’t changed. She felt used and unloved. Once, just once, she had wanted Marcus to feel the way she did. To love her the way she desperately loved him. No, people like Marcus only cared about one thing.
“Did you call, Anna?” Marcus’s voice called from behind the bathroom door.
“You didn’t leave?” she stuttered.
“Of course not. What did you think I had done?”
Annabel looked down at the duvet and played with the sheet. “I thought you had left me like you did the last time.”
“First, this is my hotel room. Second, I didn’t mean to leave you that day.” Marcus sighed heavily. “Do we need to go over this again?”
Second Chance with the Playboy Page 9