“So you don’t sleep together?” Dusty mumbles, crossing his arms.
“Dusty, it isn’t like that . . .”
“You’re newlyweds.” Candy frowns. “It shouldn’t matter if he does star jumps in his sleep . . .”
I swallow.
“Trust me,” I protest. “It’s fine.”
They both look at me, skeptical, but they let it go.
“Tell me about the redhead that came into work the other day?” Candy asks, changing the subject, which I’m grateful for.
“I don’t know; he didn’t say anything.” I shrug.
“Ex? Stalker? Aunt?” Dusty laughs.
I grin at him. “You’re crazy.”
“Crazy and here for two weeks.”
God help me. Marcus has gone away, and I get two weeks with Candy and Dusty staying in the house with me.
It could get interesting.
~*~*~*~
Katia – Three days without u is too long.
Marcus – You have a drawer full of sex toys.
I frown, shifting in my bed. I do have a drawer full of sex toys, they’re an essential in my life, but they’re no comparison to him.
Katia – They’re not as good as you.
Marcus – I don’t imagine they would be, but they’ll have to do.
Something twists in my chest, but I push it away. There’s been more than one occasion since I’ve been living with Marcus when I’ve doubted his feelings for me. I wonder why he’s here; I wonder if I’m crazy. It causes something to ache deep in my chest.
Katia – If I use one, do you want a picture?
Marcus – Yeah, precious.
And just like that, my doubts vanish. One word. It only takes one word and he reverses any confusion, any hesitation, and makes me realize just how much I want him.
Katia – I’ll get onto that.
Five minutes later, I’m coming softly, my mouth open, whimpers escaping my lips. Marcus has a picture, and he’s sent back proof of just how much he likes that picture. Then he rang me, and listened on the phone as I mewled his name.
“Fuck, stop that moaning’ or I’ll explode,” he murmurs down the phone.
“Marcus,” I whimper as my body jerks.
“Fuck.”
I love that fuck. I love his filthy mouth. Hell, I love him.
I slide the pink vibrating device from my body and turn it off. It’s silent on the other end of the phone, so I whisper, “Are you jerking off, Marcus Tandem?”
He snorts. “No.”
“Saving yourself for me? How romantic.”
“Jerked off last night,” he murmurs low. “Then this morning in the shower.”
Oh boy.
“Thinkin’ of your sweet cunt.”
My body trembles.
“Now go to sleep, I have to work.”
Sigh.
“Good night, Marcus,” I whisper, smiling happily. “I love you.”
He’s silent, like he always is when I say this. And he responds with the same thing he’s responded with from the start. He’s never said it back. I don’t think he knows how, so for now, I don’t push it.
“I know you do, Katia.”
With that, he hangs up.
~*~*~*~
MARCUS
My hand strokes over my cock and my forehead presses to the shower wall. Fuck, I miss my wife’s pussy. The woman drives me crazy, always happy and bubbly, seeing the best in people, but she’s got a sweet fuckin’ body. She also loves when I’m inside that body. I love the way she claws my back, sliding her body all over mine. Sweet. Worth the ring I put on her finger.
I don’t love her, but she’s proving easier to live with than I’d first thought. She’s oddly obedient, and looks at me like the damned sun shines out of my ass. I know she loves me; I’ve known it a long time. I hated it for the first few months, fuckin’ hated it, but in the end it doesn’t change anything. She can love me all she wants, if it makes her happy then so be it. I want her happy.
I’m not that much of a jerk.
I groan deep as I explode into my own hand. It’s been more than a week since I’ve had her, and fuck, I need her. I lift my head off the cold tile, groaning as the last strands shoot into the water. I’m tired of hotel beds, tired of my hand, tired of shitty showers and crappy food. Once I’ve located Lucas’ second-in-charge, I’m out of here.
I don’t miss her, though. As cruel as that is, it’s nice to have time on my own. However I will be glad to get home and bury myself deep inside her.
That part is most definitely worth it.
CHAPTER 8
THEN
Katia
“You can’t be serious!” I cry down the phone to Candy.
“Please, Kat, I need it urgently. If I show to this meeting without it, Marcus will flip.”
“I stood him up,” I whisper urgently. “I crawled out of his bed in the morning, left him a sketchy note and ran. I can’t be seen.”
“He’s in a meeting,” she urges. “He’ll be gone. It’ll be in and out. Please, Kat, I need it.”
God dammit. She wants me to bring a flash drive that has her presentation on it, and it’s sitting on my table. She forgot it this morning after rushing out. Now she wants me to take it in. Into her workplace, which happens to be Marcus’s freaking house. I’m supposed to take all this in, and not be seen by the man I snuck out on.
I’ve never snuck out on anyone, but I had no choice. He is just too dangerous for me. Too sexy. Too intense. Too . . . Marcus. He gave me the best sex of my entire life. God, it was amazing. His mouth, his body, his cock . . . everything. So I freaked out and ran. I can’t afford to have someone like that in my world; there’s just no place for a man as risky as Marcus Tandem.
“Jesus, Candy,” I mutter. “Fine. But if he’s there, I’m going to flip.”
She mumbles ten thank-yous and hangs up. It’s my one day off, and I have to go to my latest fling’s house, after I stood him up three days prior, and pray he isn’t there. With a deep sigh, I walk over to the table and snatch up the flash drive. Then I throw a coat on, take my car keys and drive to Marcus’s house.
~*~*~*~
I see Marcus’s office space for the first time, even though I spent the night at his house. It was clear on my first night half of his massive home had been transformed into an office; I just didn’t know the extent of it. The moment I step through the front doors, I stare, completely shocked this is even part of his house. It’s massive and beautifully set out, so much so that it looks like any normal business.
There’s no way you would guess it’s a house.
A beautiful pine reception desk is the first thing you see, and a young blonde woman sits behind it, her hair tied tightly on her head, glasses perched on her nose, typing frantically. Above her is a large mass of golden letters that spell out Tandem Machines. Such an odd business. I suppose things have to get built somehow—without machines, there’s no way of that happening. It makes sense.
Behind the woman, there are sectioned-off offices, some with glass so you can see right into them, others fully secured. It would appear the business is two stories, because there’s a lift dead center of the room. People are busily typing, phones are ringing and it is, overall, a busy little space. I move my eyes back to the reception desk, and walk in closer.
The blonde woman looks up when I step closer and she flashes somewhat of a fake, but charming smile. “How can I help you this morning?”
“I’m here to drop something off to Candice.” I smile.
“Of course. Her office is the last on the right.”
I nod, and thank her. I step past the desk and quickly hurry down past the rows of offices. I make it to the last on the right, open it and find it empty. God damned Candy!
“Can I help you?”
I turn to face a charming, elderly man. He’s got a warm smile, and a shock of grey hair. His blue eyes study me and his smile widens.
“I’m looking for Candice. I
have something for her.”
“Of course, she’s upstairs in the break room.”
Fuck.
“Ah, can you perhaps give it to her?”
He waves a hand. “Go on up, it’s not a problem.”
Dammit.
I walk to the lift, angrily. I punch in the second floor, still shocked there’s a damned lift in Marcus’s house. I step in when the door dings open, and wait as it takes me up. When I step off, I see another few offices. There’s a large one with the title Conference Room and another massive one that has, gulp—Marcus Tandem written in gold letters on the door. I hurry past these and to the room I can see people coming in and out of, with food and coffee.
I step in and see Candy right away, leaning against the counter chatting to a few girls. She notices me and her smile widens. “Oh shit, sorry Kat. I didn’t realize you would be here so soon.”
“Here’s your USB,” I say, thrusting it at her. “I have to leave.”
She laughs, hugs me and I turn, rushing out. I don’t have time to stay here. I am hurrying towards the lift when a door opens, and I kid you not, Marcus and a group of men step out. I skid to a halt, squeak and then throw my hand over my mouth as those gorgeous, dark brown eyes turn to me. I jerk. He jerks and then I do something incredibly stupid.
I run away.
I leap into the lift, shutting the door without looking back. By the time I’m at the bottom floor, I’m shaking. I run through the office and make it to the reception when a booming voice sounds out. “Katia, stop.”
God dammit.
I leap behind the reception desk, ducking down quickly. The blonde girl stares at me, her mouth opening and closing. I press my finger to my lips, urging her to be silent. I hear footsteps, the front door opens, then closes. A moment later, the same thing happens. I’m staring at the ground, hands clasped, horrified when I hear the sound of a throat being cleared.
Slowly, I look up. Marcus is staring down at me, arms crossed over his broad chest, a blank expression on his face.
“Marcus,” I squeak. “Hi. I was, ah, I thought there was a mouse and—”
“A mouse?” he mutters.
“You work here,” I say, changing the subject. “Wow.”
He cocks an eyebrow and I mentally berate myself for being so damned stupid.
“Stand up, Katia.”
“Okay then,” I mutter, standing.
He reaches over, taking my elbow. Then he leads me back to the lift, up, and to his office. I pass Candy as we go, and her mouth drops open. I glare at her, a truly scathing glare, and mouth horrible things I’m going to do to her. She simply smiles, waves and disappears. That bitch.
Marcus closes his office door and I peer around the room. It’s very professional. A large wooden desk, sofa, bookshelves, a big floor-to-ceiling window, and its very own bathroom. Fancy.
“Nice office.”
“Thanks for the shag.”
I cringe.
“The note said,” his voice is like ice, “Thanks for the shag.”
It was funny at the time. Now, God, now it sounds like I paid him to fuck me. I turn, staring at him with a sheepish smile.
“Ha-ha,” I force a smile.
He glares at me. “Thanks. For. The. Shag.”
“It’s apparent you’ve never been snuck out on in your life, I’m extremely sorry to be your first, however I’m really busy and I have to—”
“Stop speaking, Katia.”
“Okay.”
I bite my lips and stare at his tie. Dark blue this time. Hot.
“You came into my house. You fucked me. You ran out before I woke up.”
“Wrong,” I point out. “You brought me into your house, you fucked me, and then I ran out.”
The look he gives me tells me he doesn’t, not even a little, find my sass funny.
“You always fuck men and run?”
“That’s rich, coming from the king of fuck and run.”
The corners of his eyes crinkle slightly.
“Don’t smile, Marcus,” I mutter.
His hard expression comes back. “Dinner, tonight at seven.”
I blink at him.
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”
“Dinner—”
“Marcus, seriously. It was fun and all but—”
“Tonight—” he continues.
“Marcus!” I cry. “This isn’t going to happen.”
“At seven,” he finishes.
“Are you mental?” I cry, crossing my arms.
“I’ll pick you up.”
“Jesus!” I snap. “You are mental.”
“Be careful, Katia,” he warns.
I narrow my eyes at him. “We had fun, really. You were great in bed, but I don’t have time to date and I certainly don’t have time to date someone like you.”
“Dress nice,” he says, turning and dismissing me.
My mouth drops open. “Seriously?” I squeak.
Suddenly the door opens and two men step in.
“Escort her out.”
“Marcus!” I snap.
“Tonight, Katia. Don’t be late.”
Then, just like that, I’m dismissed.
Fucking Marcus Tandem.
CHAPTER 9
NOW
Katia
“Is he back yet?” I cry, jumping up and down from side to side.
“He’s just pulling in.” Candy laughs. “Deacon called half an hour ago and told me they’ll be here, and I just saw the car coming through the gates.”
“Oh!”
I turn and I run out into the yard. A long, sleek car is just coming to a stop. It’s been two weeks since I’ve seen Marcus and I miss him. Oh boy, do I miss him. The door opens and I see a leg slide out. My heart skitters and I start hopping on my feet again. When he gets fully out, my heart flutters. Beautiful. Just beautiful. As always, he’s dressed in a suit, and just like always he’s lost the jacket. His white shirt is semi-unbuttoned, his sleeves rolled up and he’s wearing his favorite red tie. His hair, messy. His face, unshaved. Holy fuck he looks good. So fucking good.
His brown eyes hit mine and I’m running. I’m forcing my little legs to carry me as fast as they can towards him. When I hit him, I leap into his arms, throwing my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. I press my lips to his—no, that’s a lie, I crush my lips to his and I kiss him deep and hard.
He groans, dropping his bag to the floor and spinning us around. He shoves us both back into the car and wrenches his mouth from mine. “Do a lap,” he barks to the driver, then presses a button to bring the screen up so we can’t be seen. Then he’s back over me again, lips to mine, fingers in my hair. The cars moves and he slides me further back onto the seat, grinding his hips into me.
“Hurry,” I breathe, reaching down for his pants. “I need you now.”
He hurries. He jerks his belt off, and then undoes his pants. One of his hands slides up my shirt and he cups my breast, massaging gently. The other one raises my skirt and slips my panties aside. Then his fingers are inside me, deep, hot, hard, and I cry out his name, thrusting my breast into his palm. I groan deep, he hisses and his mouth closes around my neck, sucking and nipping. All at the same time.
He works his fingers inside my pussy, in and out, sliding through the slick depths until I’m coming around them. I’m not ashamed of how fast this happens, no, not at all. Considering he’s been away for two weeks, I really don’t think it’s a shock. He slips his fingers out, then brings them to my lips. “Suck.”
So demanding.
I open my mouth and I suck his long, thick fingers, loving that I can taste myself, loving that it’s his fingers in my mouth. He slips them out, giving me a heated look, then he takes hold of his cock and growls, “Roll over.”
I do as he asks, rolling to my belly. He positions me on my hands and knees, then he reaches around and cups my chin forcefully, taking control of me, while he pushes his cock inside my body. Fuck. It’s been a
while and I feel that beautiful burn as I stretch for him. He mutters something I can’t quite make out, and his fingers tighten on my chin while his other hand curls around my hip.
Then he fucks me. God, does he fuck me.
He drives so deep my neck is forced back, his fingers still curled around my chin. It hurts, but at the same time it feels so fucking amazing I can’t get enough. I cry out his name again and again as he pounds into me, riding me hard. I come before him, once more, my entire body shaking with release, my skin tingling, my pussy throbbing for more.
“Fuck,” he growls and I realize how much I’ve missed hearing that.
“Come for me,” I whimper. “Come on, baby.”
With that, he jerks into me once more and then he’s coming. Not only can I feel his cock pulsing, his body shuddering, but I can also hear his harsh rasps as he milks himself in my body. His fingers slowly uncurl from my chin and he releases my hip as he slides out of me. I drop onto the seat, panting, happy.
Marcus taps on the glass and orders, “Take us back.”
The car turns and I force myself up, straightening out as I turn and look at him. “I like you with scruff,” I note.
His eyes flash to me as he’s doing up his pants. “I’ll clean it up tonight.”
I frown. “I said I like it.”
His eyes move over me again, then he mutters, “John said you didn’t work the last two days. Are you sick?”
Talk about subject change.
“No,” I say. “I was cleaning up for you.”
“We have cleaners, Katia. I pay you to work; I expect you to work.”
My eyes burn. He’s been gone two weeks and that’s the welcome home I get. The car comes to a stop and I stare over at him. I know he can see the hurt on my face but as usual, he doesn’t show any reaction.
“I missed you,” I whisper. “And that’s all you have to say?”
He studies my face just as the door opens. He leans forward, curls his fingers around my chin and kisses me quickly. Then he’s gone.
Ouch.
CHAPTER 10
THEN
Marcus
“Deal with it, Ulio,” I mutter, drumming my fingers against the pine desk.