Chapter 16
Marcus
Ilazily run my hand up and down Lily’s naked back, and I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face.
It was more than I ever could have imagined.
If I thought she kept me on my toes normally, in the bedroom is a whole other board game.
She knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid, nor embarrassed to ask for it. And fuck me, it was hot.
From the moment she snapped in the elevator, we couldn’t take our hands off each other, and I’ve never been so desperate for a woman.
After our first time in the hot tub, I lifted her out and dried her off, ready to take her to my bedroom, but when I was on my knees in front of her, her delicious pussy mere inches from my face, I needed to taste her again.
And having Lily Chambers ride my face on my balcony like the fucking goddess she is, is a memory I never want to forget.
We explored every inch of each other last night, but as the early morning sun starts to peek in through my window, my heart drops.
One night.
Her words echo in my head as I stare down at her sleeping form. Her lips are slightly parted, and her breath tickles my bare chest. I take note of every freckle that is dotted across the bridge of her nose.
She has twenty-seven.
Her long eyelashes are a dark contrast to her porcelain skin, and I know they frame her stunning green eyes, which last night were full of so much fire and passion, I was lost. But what I’m drawn to the most is her hair.
It’s so utterly beautiful that it often takes my breath away.
And right now, with it spread out against the white of my pillows, I’m completely breathless.
One night.
I knew it when I told Kai my plan. I knew it when she said it in the elevator, and I sure as hell know it now. One night will never be enough.
“No,” she whispers softly against my chest as her hand tightens into a fist before she releases it again, a frown set between her brow as she continues to sleep.
I pull her a little tighter towards me, sensing she needs reassurance, and her frown disappears.
Continuing to hold her, knowing full well I should get up, but the moment I do, this bubble I’m in with her will pop, and I’m in no hurry for that to happen.
“No!”
This time, she shouts as she starts to shake in my hold, her breathing irregular.
Almost like she’s struggling to catch it.
I sense her panic. Slowly, I sit up, taking her shaking form with me.
Once my back is flush with the headboard, I kiss her forehead.
“It’s okay, you’re safe,” I mumble into her hair.
What the hell is going through that beautiful head?
Eventually her breaths slow, her shakes cease, and I’m staring down into a pair of scared emerald eyes.
“Hey you,” I whisper, relief flooding me, but it’s instantly replaced by fear as she starts to pull away.
“I don’t think so.” Pulling her back down onto my chest, I embrace her by hooking my legs around hers. “I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?” she mumbles into me.
“I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you.”
“Take advantage of me? Trust me,” she circles my nipple with the tip of her finger, “everything you did to me, I definitely wanted.”
“But something is going on in there.” I tap her temple lightly before tilting her chin so I’m staring straight into those eyes that have me under her spell.
“You don’t have to explain, but you do have to stay with me.
” She gives me a small smile and lays her head back on my chest, rubbing her palm against my pec.
There is more to this woman than she lets the world see; so much more.
“Marcus?” she says quietly.
“Hmm?” I kiss the top of her head, calmly drifting my fingers along her spine.
“Thank you.” She eases further into my touch and kisses my chest.
“Anytime.”
“I still think you’re a cock womble.” She smiles against my skin as a laugh bubbles out of me.
“The insults still need work.”
“Urgh, I can’t do the walk of shame out of your apartment, Diaz.
” Lily’s curled up on my sofa, her body draped in my dress shirt from last night.
I smile over my shoulder at her while I make her a cup of tea.
We haven’t spoken anymore about her nightmare, my mind is still trying to think of what would give her such fear, but she looks so relaxed, I can’t bring myself to break this spell we’re currently under.
“I’ll drive you back home. My cars are in the underground garage. No one will see you.”
“Thank God. Never have I been more grateful for your stupidly lavish lifestyle,” she mocks.
“I have a nice apartment and a few nice cars. I wouldn't exactly call that lavish,” I bite back, a little thrown by her comment.
“What the fuck are you doing?” She has quite literally jumped off the sofa and is by my side in two seconds.
“Making you a cup of tea.” I’m surprised to see the look of pure horror on her face.
“Are you insane?” Why are her eyes so wild? It’s only tea.
“I didn’t think I was?”
Hip checking me out of the way, she continues her rant. “What you’re doing is very triggering for me. My eye is twitching. Look at it.” She points dramatically to her eye, and would you look at that? It is twitching.
“Still not sure what your problem is.” I shrug and cross my arms across my bare chest. Her eyes drop there for a second before settling back on my face.
“My problem is you’re trying to poison me.” She gestures to the cup on the counter with a tea bag and a splash of milk.
“Still don’t get it.” I frown.
“Reason three-hundred-and-fifty-six why I don’t like you. Can’t make a cuppa the right way. You’re an animal.”
“You weren’t complaining half an hour ago.”
“Focus douchebag.” She clicks her fingers in front of my face, making me jump.
“Then teach me. Oh, wise one.” I chuckle and then bow dramatically.
“You’re ridiculous, but I will teach you because this is offending me.
” She pours the milk down the sink and scrunches up her nose as she throws the teabag into the trash.
“Honestly, I’m not sure how you haven’t been kicked out of England yet if that’s how you make tea.
” She rinses out the mug, shaking her head.
“I suggest you watch and make notes because there will be a test.” Placing the mug back down, she jabs a slender finger at my chest. “I expect full marks, Diaz.”
“Yes, miss.” I wink, and she smirks.
“Good boy.”
Coming up behind her, I nip at her exposed shoulder where the dress shirt has slipped. “I’ll let you say that once because you look too fucking good bossing me around in my shirt.” I kiss up her neck and whisper in her ear, “Now make the damn tea.”
She proceeds to show me the right way to make a cup of tea. Apparently, you put the boiling water in first—who knew? She then writes on a Post-it note ‘Yorkshire Tea’ as apparently it’s the only tea that matters.
We sit down with our now perfectly brewed cups of tea, and she grabs my crossword puzzle book off the coffee table. “You enjoy puzzles? You don’t look the type.”
Taking the book out of her hands, I put it back down. “They were a big help when I first moved to England. I didn't speak much English, so I used crosswords. As I got better, they got harder, and well,” I shrug, "they’re my way of relaxing, I guess.”
“You surprise me.”
“I like to keep you on your toes.”
Turning on the TV to the sports channel out of habit and leaning back with my cup in one hand, I’m surprised when, like a magnet, she curls up into my side, blowing on her tea.
The normalcy of the act and how right it feels makes my heart beat wildly in my chest. Draping my arm around her, a warmth fills me, and I release a contented sigh.
We sit in this blissful state for an hour, and I need to keep reminding myself that when she leaves, this will end. Or at least it will for her.
Brushing the tips of my fingers across her shoulder, my thoughts drifts while I try and think of a way to change her mind.
She reaches for her phone as it chimes next to her.
“That’s Beck. He’ll be home in half an hour.
” She looks up at me. “Do you think you could get me home before he gets there?” That stings, but I mask it by nodding.
“Great.” She untangles herself from my hold, picking up our discarded mugs on her way to the kitchen.
She rinses them, placing them back into the cupboard.
The way she moves so effortlessly in my space makes that sting intensify.
She looks like she belongs.
Instinctively, I grab my crossword book to give myself something to focus on that isn’t my racing heart. “I’ll just go get my stuff and change back into my gown.” She cringes slightly at that last remark as she walks back over to me.
“I’ve left some of my clothes on the bed. They’re obviously a little big, but I think you’ll feel more comfortable.” She tilts her head as she looks down at me, and I drag my eyes away from my book. I’m not really focusing. The words are all a blur at this point.
“Thank you,” she says gently. “Flawless.” She motions to my crossword.
“Perfect, or without mistakes. Sixteen across.” She offers me a small smile as she walks away, and my eyes remain fixed on her the whole time.
She really is flawless. As her footsteps quieten and the bedroom door closes behind her, I slam my book down and slump back into the sofa.
I’m completely fucked.