Chapter 15
Waking up with Marcus twice in one day feels too good to be true, but there’s no denying the reality of it. The sheets and pillows smell of teakwood and spice, and I’m warm from his body being pressed up against mine.
I lift my head to glance at the clock. It’s midafternoon, so I think we only slept for about a half hour. I feel refreshed, though, and my head is a lot clearer.
“Hey.” Marcus nuzzles his face into my neck before pressing little kisses to my skin. “How’re you feeling?”
“Better.” I turn around to face him, my legs tangling with his, and I can’t help but smile. Being in bed with him like this carries a kind of intimacy that I’ve missed. The sleepy kisses, the warm looks, the soft caresses. It feels good.
It feels like… home.
Safe. Easy. Natural.
My lips meet his, and I run my hands up his body, cementing in my mind that this is actually happening. That this caring, kind, thoughtful man is all mine.
“I know this is kinda last minute,” Marcus says once we’ve pulled away, “but Char and Lori are going shopping in an hour or two, and they told me you’re more than welcome to join them. I figured you might appreciate spending more time with them.”
“That sounds really nice.” I brush my nose against his. “I like them both a lot.”
“They like you, too.”
She smiles. “Tell them yes? And then I should probably get ready.”
Marcus keeps me in bed for a couple more minutes, and then he sends off a quick text. I’m not sure if Char and Lori actually invited me along, or if Marcus asked them to, but I trust him when he says they want me there.
In the bathroom, Marcus leans against the doorframe, his eyes tracking my every movement as I sort through the makeup he bought me the other day.
“What’re you doing?” I ask.
“Watching you.”
Pausing, I look over at him. “Am I… doing something wrong?”
He shakes his head. “Can’t I watch my girl get ready?”
Oh.An involuntary smile takes over my face as I start applying makeup. “I think that’s really sweet.”
With his head tilted, he watches as I go through my normal routine. We chat idly, not about anything in particular, and it’s nice—the same easy intimacy I felt when we were in his bed.
“Which lipstick should I wear?” I ask.
Marcus comes up behind me and rests his chin on my shoulder, staring at the two sticks I have in my hand. Then he taps the one I put back the other day. “This one.”
“Of course you’d pick that one,” I say with a playful smile.
“Mmm.” He places a kiss to my neck before backing off so he doesn’t bump me. “I like it when you wear things I’ve bought for you.”
“You bought both,” I remind him.
“But you wouldn’t’ve gotten that one if it hadn’t been for me grabbing it.”
“Fair.” I have no interest in fighting him on this. I like being dependent and buying my own things, but I can’t lie, it sent a thrill through me when he paid for everything the other day. Then, I tried to ignore it, but I don’t feel the need to deny it anymore.
By the time I’m ready and we’ve gone downstairs and made ourselves a quick dinner, it’s time for me to head out. Apparently John is coming over here to spend time with Marcus, which I think is nice. Marcus has been so focused on me, and while I’m the one who’s been an emotional wreck, I don’t want him to neglect himself. Spending time with friends will be good for us.
“They’re here,” I say when I see Char’s SUV in the driveway. “I should—”
Marcus catches my wrist. “You have my number? Just in case you get separated?”
“I’ve had it for years, Marcus.”
“Right. Good.”
With his hand on the small of my back, he walks me to the front door. I’m wearing the third dress I got when I was with him. It’s a light pink with a high neckline, and Marcus seems to like it. He hasn’t been able to stop touching me since I put it on. Although I suppose that’s been true for most of the day.
“Take my card.” Marcus pulls it from his wallet and holds it out to me. “The PIN is 0319. No limit, spend however much you want.”
I freeze, my gaze flitting between him and the card. “0319.”
“That’s correct.”
“When… when did you set it to that?”
“When I got the card,” he says dryly, placing it in my hand.
“Marcus.”
“Have fun shopping.” He kisses my forehead. “Don’t keep Char and Lori waiting.”
“Marcus, that’s my birthday.”
Letting out an amused breath, he nudges me toward the door. “You think I don’t know that?”
When he reaches for the doorknob, I bat his hand away and throw myself into his arms. I seal my lips to his, and his arms lock around my waist in what feels like an instinctual movement. He holds me while I deepen the kiss and thread my fingers through his hair.
This man.
“Now you’re getting it,” he murmurs.
“Getting what?”
He presses my hand over his chest and brushes his nose against mine. “Just how long my heart has belonged to you.”
With both my hands splayed across his chest, my body melts into his. I try to say something—anything to convey how I’m feeling, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is a pitiful whimper. If the sparkle in Marcus’s eyes is any indicator, he finds it cute.
“Go, Liliana,” he tells me more firmly. “Because my resolve is wearing thin, and if you don’t stop looking at me like that, I’m going to fuck you against this door hard enough that you’ll feel me during your entire trip—in multiple ways.”
At that, my eyes widen. I give him one last kiss before scrambling out the door and dashing to Char’s car. Halfway down the sidewalk, I bump into John.
“Evening,” he says, amusement playing across his face at my flushed cheeks. “Have fun.”
“Thank you. You, too.” I take a step before stopping short and turning. “Oh! Marcus, did you mean what you said?”
He leans against the doorframe, his hands in his pockets. “Mean what, little star?”
“About the no spending limit.”
His eyes get a possessive glint to them. “I’ve never been more serious.”
My stomach flips, and I grin before I turn back to the car. Lori and Char wave from inside, and I wave back. I have a feeling we’re about to have one hell of a night.
As I get in, I glance back to find Marcus still watching me from the front porch. I blow him a kiss, and warmth floods me at the approving smile he sends my way. I think he likes this—seeing me with his friends.
And I think I like it, too.