“Doesn’t make it any less true.”
She sighed. “The thing is, Marlon, if he doesn’t tell us something soon, I’m going to have to get Social Services involved. He’s under eighteen.”
“I know. And school will be starting soon. Covering for him too much longer isn’t in his best interest.”
“I just can’t help feeling that it would be better if he volunteered the information instead of forcing it out of him.”
“Teenage boys can be stubborn,” he said.
“Is that the voice of experience?”
He looked at her. “I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” She smiled. It felt good. Being mad at him took a lot of negative energy. That flash of insight made her remember something else. “Roy made another comment.”
“About himself?”
She shook her head. “He noticed the tension between us.”
“Yeah, well…” He dragged his fingers through his hair. “You weren’t very subtle about being peeved at me.”
The kiss had embarrassed her and anger was the go-to emotion. She’d taken it out on him and that wasn’t fair. “I’m sorry for the way I treated you.”
He looked surprised, leaning more toward shocked or stunned. “I don’t quite know what to say.”
She shrugged. “There’s no excuse really. I’ve just had a lot on my mind and you were a handy target.”
“No problem.” There was warmth and sincerity in his expression when he added, “I was serious about helping Austin with graduate school expenses.”
She smiled at the extraordinarily sweet and generous offer. And she was incredibly grateful that he went there instead of the real source of what was uppermost in her mind.
Him. MC. Major crush. Marlon Cates. Hottie and hometown hero.
When he left town after completing his community service, it might be easier on her if she were mad at him. But she didn’t want the short amount of time he had left to be highlighted by anger and animosity. Teasing him was so much more fun.
“It’s really kind of you to offer financial help, but Austin is looking into scholarships, grants and student loans first.”
“If none of the above works out, you’ll let me know?”
“Promise.”
“Okay.”
They smiled at each other and her pulse quickened as the blood seemed to rush to her head, pounding in her ears. It was time to go before she embarrassed herself again.
“It’s getting late,” she said. “I need to make sure everything is shut down and locked up.”
“I’ll give you a hand.”
“Thanks.”
They walked around turning off lights, TV and the video game. As Haley moved toward the back room, she heard the front door dead bolt slide home and knew Marlon had secured it. She grabbed her purse and keys from the closet, then hit the On switch for the angel night light in the powder room, making the dark not quite so absolute.
Marlon appeared in the doorway. “All set?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll walk you to your truck.”
“Okay.”
There was a chilly breeze blowing when he followed her out and watched her secure the door. Her truck was parked under an outside light just a few steps from where they stood. Haley walked around to the driver’s-side door and unlocked it. Marlon, standing behind her, reached around and opened it. She tossed her purse onto the passenger seat, then turned to say good-night.
“I appreciate you helping me out with my sketches.”
“I’ll come by in the morning and pick them up so I can overnight them to my assistant.”
“Thanks for trying, even if nothing comes of it.”
“Don’t mention it. Whether you believe it or not, you’re incredibly talented.”
His deep, husky voice sent shivers over her skin. The truck was to her back and Marlon stood in front of her, blocking the wind. He was tall and broad, the sleeves of his T-shirt strained against the muscles bunching in his biceps. She instantly flashed on how good it had felt to be wrapped in his arms and a soft, yearning sound involuntarily slipped from her throat.
“Haley?” Intensity slid into his eyes making them darker, more dangerous.
“I—I should go—”
He reached out, cupping her cheek in his palm, and she leaned into the warmth, her eyelids drifting closed.
“Haley, I really want to kiss you…”
She opened her eyes and met his searching gaze. On some level she realized that he understood the last kiss had sparked the recent tension. This time, though, he was asking—and she couldn’t have said no if her life depended on it.
“Okay,” she whispered.
He slid the fingers of both hands into the hair around her face, brushed it off her cheeks. Then he lowered his head and softly touched his lips to hers. The achingly sweet contact made her eyes drift closed again as she sighed contentedly into his mouth. When his tongue touched hers, sparks of electricity arced through her and she opened wider. He dipped inside, stroking and caressing, making her breathe harder, faster, until she could hardly breathe at all.
His hand dropped to her waist and squeezed gently. Almost of their own accord, her arms tangled around his neck and she lifted up on her toes, trying to get closer. He pulled her snugly against him and held her there as he nibbled kisses over the corner of her mouth, jaw and neck. She could hear his own raspy breathing and joy surged through her.
They were as close as a man and woman could be. Almost, she thought as longing sliced through her, knotting uncomfortably in her chest. She snuggled and squirmed against him, instinctively trying to get nearer, and felt the hard ridge of his desire. He wanted her, she thought. And she wanted him right back. Her body throbbed with a powerful need, a feeling like she’d never felt before and had never known was there.
Marlon had awakened it and she wanted to know everything there was to know about being a woman. She slid her fingers into the hair at his nape and brushed her thumb over his neck. His deep groan of yearning made her heart sing. She wanted to touch him again, explore the wide expanse of his chest, the bare skin beneath his shirt. And she wanted him to do the same to her.
Just then the headlights of a car pulling into the far side of the lot flashed over them and they jumped apart. Both of them were breathing hard and Marlon hunched protectively over her, hiding her.
The knee-jerk reaction was sweet, but unnecessary, although five minutes longer and there might have been a whole lot more to hide.
“You better go.” Marlon dragged his fingers through his hair.
“Can I drop you off at The Hitching Post?” Her voice was a breathless, wanton whisper that didn’t sound at all like her.
There was a slight hesitation before he shook his head. “The walk will do me good.”
“Are you sure, because it’s on my way—”
He settled his hands at her waist and lifted her into the truck. “Go, before it’s too late.”
He shut the door, not letting her question what that meant. But she knew. If he asked her to his room, she would go without a second’s thought. She wanted him to make love to her, make her a woman. She might be a naive virgin, but the ache deep inside her didn’t need explanation.
More important, the longing to be with him was impossible to ignore.
Chapter Eleven
Haley had never been more grateful for small-town traffic patterns than she was on the drive home. It was late, and she passed only a handful of cars and trucks. That was fortunate since part of her attention was focused on the aftereffects of kissing Marlon. This time was so much better because she didn’t freeze up and freak out.
Her spirits were flying and her body hummed. Every part of her felt keyed up in the most wonderful way. Her nerve endings were highly sensitive. But the best part? She couldn’t ever remember being this happy.
Marlon had wanted her.
She was su
re of it.
For some reason, he hadn’t wanted to take things to third plate, or home base, or whatever the slang was for going all the way. She was sure that’s what he’d meant when he told her to go before it was too late. But she was way past late and had a lot of catching up to do.
And she wanted to catch up with Marlon.
She’d had a thing for him as long as she could remember and that teenage kiss had made her want more even then. But the timing had been all wrong. Now wasn’t much better; he was leaving town soon. All the more reason to catch up while she could.
This time when he left, she didn’t want any regrets. No one got through life without them, but some you could control and making love with Marlon fell into that column.
She was a grown up now and knew the score. No expectations for tomorrow, just live in the now. Of course her mother had advised her to wait for the right man—someone she cared about who cared about her. The L-word was never spoken, just implied during “the talk” all those years ago.
There wasn’t a doubt in Haley’s mind that she and Marlon cared about each other. It felt very right for him to be the first.
And only.
“Not going there,” she muttered to herself.
No expectations; no promises. There was just now.
And that’s when Haley made up her mind.
She was going back to town and knock on Marlon’s door upstairs at The Hitching Post. If she was wrong about him wanting her, so be it. She was getting pretty good at surviving humiliation. Regrets, not so much. There was a very good chance that this state of wanting and not having him would make her implode.
Since she was almost home, she decided to stop in and let Austin and Angie know what she was doing. Well, not precisely what, just that she had to go back to Thunder Canyon and they shouldn’t worry.
Haley pulled into the driveway and parked the truck beside her brother’s small, aging compact, then grabbed her purse. When she walked up to the front door, she heard male voices. Loud voices. Arguing. She went inside and the chaotic scene matched the feelings bouncing through her, but for a very different reason.
Austin was in Roy’s face. “I know what I saw.”
“You don’t have a clue, dude.”
“Don’t call me dude.”
“Stop, Austin,” Angie cried. “It’s not what you think.”
“You put the moves on my sister.” Austin poked Roy in the chest.
Angie grabbed her brother’s arm. “He didn’t. How many times do I have to tell you?”
Haley dropped her purse just inside the door. “What’s going on?”
Without looking away from Roy, Austin said, “He made a pass at Angie.”
“No way,” Roy protested. “Haley, I wouldn’t do that.”
Angie met her gaze. “He’s like a little brother. We’re friends.”
“Then why was he on top of you when I walked in the room?” Austin demanded.
“We were wrestling for the cookies,” Roy said defensively, blue eyes blazing.
Haley saw the empty plastic cookie container on the rug in the front room, by the couch. The cookies were broken and chocolate chips ground into the carpet. Roy’s T-shirt was ripped and Austin’s sports shirt was only partially tucked into his jeans. She was no forensics expert, but it didn’t take top-notch detective skills to see the two had scuffled. Quickly scanning their faces, she saw no evidence that punches were thrown. So far it was only pushing and shoving.
A muscle in Austin’s jaw bunched. “You’re taking advantage of Haley’s kindness. In return you’re hitting on my other sister. You’re not getting away with it. I’m not going to stand by and let some jerk I know nothing about hurt my family.”
“I’m not doing that—” Roy moved closer and Austin shoved him back.
When that escalated to grappling, Haley snapped out of her shock. She moved forward and with Angie’s help shoved between them.
“Stop it right now.” She shouted to be heard over the grunting and heavy breathing from exertion.
“He started it,” the teen said.
“I stopped it before you could start anything,” Austin argued.
“Do something, Haley,” Angie begged. “Austin’s gone all macho and over-protective.”
“Someone has to.” Austin’s dark eyes snapped with anger. Breathing hard he looked at Haley and said, “What do you know about this kid?”
“I know he needs help,” she defended.
“And what if he’s playing you? He won’t say where he’s from or why he won’t go home. He could be taking advantage of your soft heart. A user. Someone has to look out for you.”
“I can take care of myself,” Haley said.
“Me, too,” Angie chimed in. “I don’t need Rambo coming to the rescue.”
Austin shook his head. “That’s not the way it looked to me.”
“I have no reason not to believe or trust Roy,” Haley said. “Let’s all take a deep breath and calm down.”
“So you’re taking his side over your own brother?” Austin looked even angrier.
“I’m not taking anyone’s side. There’s no side to take. It was a misunderstanding.”
“When are you going to wake up?” Austin challenged. “Make him tell you where he’s from or toss his backside out.”
“What if I do that and Roy gets hurt?” Haley demanded. “Where would you be now if people had treated you that way when you were a teenager with problems?”
“Are you ever going to let me forget that?” he demanded. “Just so we’re clear, you’re not my mother. I grew up, got my head on straight. It’s what a guy does.” Austin glared at Roy, then turned his fierce expression back to her. “You and Angie are way too trusting.”
“I don’t need anyone telling me what to do.” Angie looked first at her, then Austin. “Especially my brother. Just because you have a bachelor’s degree doesn’t mean you have a brain. I don’t need you fighting my battles. I’ll give my trust to whoever I darn well please.”
Haley would give anything to have Marlon here, and his understanding of the male point of view along with him. Everything that came out of her mouth was wrong and seemed to make this situation even more tense.
With an effort, she pulled the tatters of her patience together. “Saying derogatory things to your brother isn’t helping, Angie.”
“And neither is he,” she argued, pointing at her sibling.
Haley looked at her sister. “Doesn’t he get points for the sentiment? He’s just trying to be a good big brother.”
Angie shook her head. “He’s interfering in my life. Don’t even talk to me about points.”
“How about the point on top of your head?” Austin snarled.
“Very funny. Is that the best you’ve got?”
“I’ve saved the good stuff,” Austin retorted. “Get ready. Here it comes—”
“Look, dude, don’t pick on Angie,” Roy interrupted.
The two made a threatening move toward each other until Haley put a palm on each of their chests to keep them separated. There was so much testosterone in the room it was a wonder she could stand her ground at all. And again she wished Marlon was there to back her up.
When had she started to rely on him so much?
Right now she couldn’t think about the downside of that. First she had to get a cease-fire from these two.
“Everyone stand down,” she ordered. “Take five and we’ll talk about this without punching and yelling.”
“I’m not a kid. Don’t even tell me to use my words.” Angie glared at her. “Let me say this one more time. We’re just friends. Austin is being an ass. I’m a grown-up and don’t need you hovering. You need to back off.” She stalked out of the room and moments later her bedroom door slammed.
Haley felt as if she’d been punched in the stomach. “Okay, she needs to cool off. Roy—Austin—”
“She’s right. Talking is a bunch of crap.” Austin stared angrily over her head at Ro
y. “I manned up. I did what I thought was right. I make my own decisions. You need to let go, Haley.” He left and the house shook when his bedroom door crashed closed.
Double punch to the gut. She was reeling, almost as if the words had been physical blows. Why was she suddenly the bad guy? She’d taken care of them when she was just a kid herself. What had she done that was so wrong?
If they wanted space, they could have it. But Roy needed help and she wouldn’t let him down.
“That went well.” She blew out a long breath. “Kind of makes you glad that I’m not part of America’s diplomatic corps.”
“Whatever.” The teen flopped on the sofa, his body still vibrating with pent-up anger.
Now what? Roy had been sleeping on an air mattress in Austin’s room, but that didn’t seem like a good idea.
“I think for tonight it would be best if you spent the night on the couch.” When he looked at her and shrugged, she said, “I’ll get some bedding for you.”
Without waiting for an answer, she left him and went down the hall to the linen closet for sheets, blanket and pillow. On her way she passed closed doors and couldn’t help feeling left out in the cold. And just the tiniest bit sorry for herself.
All she’d wanted was to smooth over the incident and be one big happy family. Instead her family, the only people she had in this world, was mad at her. She’d never felt more alone in her life.
She remembered the warm feel of Marlon’s arms around her and desperately wanted to go to him. But she couldn’t leave. If World War III broke out again, someone had to be Switzerland. That made her feel even more alone.
The morning after kissing Haley Marlon was wound so tight he felt ready to explode. It had probably been the most boneheaded move he’d ever made. His body was revved and sent his mind to a place where he longed to spend the night with her in his arms, his mouth on hers.
Just like that his body tensed all over again. He remembered her contented sigh, the needy little sounds she’d made. The short walk from ROOTS to The Hitching Post hadn’t come close to taking the edge off his need. It would be right there when he saw her again later this morning.
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