4. Chapter Four
Chapter Four
C assie
I took a deep breath for probably the thousandth time. A last-minute problem had tied me up at the office, and by the time I finished, ran home, and packed my bag—yes, I waited until the last minute—I knew I’d never make it to Marcus’ home by six.
While driving, I cursed him for not giving me a phone number. I drove as fast as I dared on unfamiliar roads.
I stopped my hybrid SUV in front of the house in the circular driveway and stared out the windshield. When Marcus called before quitting time to give me his address, he hadn’t mentioned how far out of town he lived. Of course the phone call I received after his was the problem.
What am I doing here? The answer hadn’t changed since the last time I asked myself the question, a whole five minutes ago. Doing what I’ve wanted to do for the past year—have sex with a man who has dominated my dreams and fantasies.
A sliver of fear held me back. Not fear of Marcus but of myself. I refused to believe I was like my mother, submissive to the point of letting my partner do whatever he wanted, no matter what. But wasn’t that what had happened in my office earlier today? Hadn’t I been ready to submit?
I shook my head. No, I hadn’t submitted. I told him to stop. I was in control. And that was the only way I would get through this weekend. Making sure I did the one thing I was good at—control. If I could control my emotions, everything would work out.
My mother had no place in my head this weekend. Pushing the depressing thoughts away, my gaze settled on Marcus’ home.
The front door remained closed. Was he waiting for me to ring the bell?
I can’t sit out here all night.
Exiting the vehicle, I snagged my bag from the passenger seat, slammed the door a little harder than I should have, and used the key fob to lock it.
Striding up the walkway, I realized Marcus was very security conscious. I’d seen the cameras at the gate and counted at least two cameras and five sets of flood lights from the gate to the front of his house.
The arched entryway was impressive. It looked as if it was made of marble, and the size… I wondered why Marcus owned such a large house. He’d never struck me as a person into material possessions.
But then, what did I really know about him?
The man was straightforward and honest, a hard worker, and sexy as hell.
From day one he’d been direct with me, making no bones about wanting me.
Even after he left my office today, he’d emailed his latest physical from his doctor, showing he was free from any sexually transmitted diseases.
I’d done the same—not that it mattered to me, since it had been well over a year since I last had sex that wasn’t with my vibrator. But Marcus had a right to know.
The heavy wooden door swung open when my feet hit the porch. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted yet another camera perched in the alcove.
Marcus stood there, and my heart contracted. His dark hair was a mess, and his arms were crossed over his chest. While his stance screamed anger, I could’ve sworn there was a glimmer of relief in his green eyes. But I dismissed it.
“Sorry, I’m late.” As the words rushed out of my mouth I wondered why I was apologizing. No more being sorry. Unlike my mother, I wasn’t going to apologize for everything.
“I figured you stood me up.”
“I gave my word, and I would never go back on that. But if you’d like, I can leave.” I took a step back.
“No.” He grasped my forearm, his hold gentle, and took my bag with his free hand. “Welcome to my home.” He guided me inside and then kicked the door shut. The lock engaged automatically.
Calm down. He’s locked the door; that’s all.
My heart jumped. “You live pretty far out.”
“I value my privacy.” His hands curved around my shoulders as he spoke, and his green gaze captured mine. “Plus, it’s better not to have neighbors close. No one will call the police when they hear you scream.”
I swayed on my feet as my senses went on full alert. The fear I’d been pushing aside sprang back full force. Had I made a terrible mistake? Was Marcus like my father?
My bag hit the floor. Warm palms cupped my cheeks as Marcus’ thumbs swept over my parted lips.
“I can see you misunderstood me. You’ll scream in pleasure. I’m not into pain, giving or receiving. Pleasure is all I want to give you.”
My breath rushed out. “You had me worried.” My heart rate was slowing down and my muscles relaxing.
“I saw it in your eyes.” An unusual light flickered in his, but it was gone before I could figure out what it meant. “Let’s get you settled, then we’ll have dinner.”
“Dinner?” Confusion ran riot through my mind. Only a few hours ago, he couldn’t wait to get his hands on me. Now he wanted to feed me first?
“We need to eat.” He released me, picked up my bag, and curved his free arm around my waist to guide me up the winding staircase. “I suspect you missed lunch.”
Heat swept into my cheeks. Of course I had. I’d been in his office shortly before lunch today, then Josh had wanted to talk to me about a client request. Lunch was a luxury my workday didn’t often afford.
My feet glided over the highly polished hardwood stairs. At the top, Marcus guided me to an open door on the right.
I jolted to a halt. He squeezed my waist before continuing into the room with my bag. A bedroom? Of course, and it was probably his. I wasn’t sure I would call this a simple bedroom, though.
I crossed the threshold. The room seemed larger than my apartment. The bed took up almost one entire wall, the cherry frame gleaming in the evening spring light from the huge picture window across the room.
What a view of the mountains you would have from that bed, every day and night. With a quick glance, I noticed the small sitting area with a love seat, but the walls were bare of pictures. The room was immaculate—either Marcus was very neat or he had a housekeeper.
“I’ve made room in the dresser for you, also in the closet if you want to hang anything up.” He gestured to a door I assumed was the closet.
We were going to share a room? Of course we were. I mentally smacked myself. Sex. That’s what this weekend was about, nothing more and nothing less. No emotions. Control.
He sat my bag on the bed, and our gazes met.
“Unpack and freshen up if you want. I’ll be downstairs finishing up dinner.
You have ten minutes until it’s ready.” His long strides had him standing in front of me before I realized he’d moved.
“The dining room is on the left from the bottom of the stairs. Please don’t be late.
” His index finger brushed over my lips before he strode out of the room.
Confusion ran through my mind. Why wasn’t he taking me to bed right away?
I’d fully expected him to jump my bones the second I entered his home.
He hadn’t. Why not? Nothing was making sense right now.
Earlier today, he couldn’t keep his hands off me, but now he was playing it calm and cool. I rubbed my temple.
I couldn’t figure out Marcus’ thoughts. I was usually pretty good at reading body language. When I arrived, he’d seemed angry, but his actions since were gentle and kind. He confused me, and I didn’t like it one bit.
I blew out a breath. Okay, all I needed to do was keep a lid on my emotions and get through the weekend.
Having a controlling, dominant man like Marcus in my life wasn’t a possibility.
I picked up my bag and went to the bathroom door.
Whoops, that was the walk-in closet. I moved to the other door.
Maybe splashing some cold water on my face would help me pull myself back together.
I needed to keep my wits about me so I could deal with the everchanging Marcus.