“Holy shit, Roch, that’s…” she takes a deep breath. “That’s fucked-up.”
“Try being me. That shit was fucked-up to see.”
“So, you don’t want him?”
“Oh, no…” I shake my head. “That’s the problem, I do want him. No denying that. It’s just he’s so dark. So damn intense. Not one thing about him is light.”
We get up to leave and pay the account, leaving a tip in the payment folder on the table. Quickly, we walk back to the car, heading back to my house.
“So, I guess the question is… can you have him without wanting that part of your life with him?”
“Like just sex?”
She nods. “I don’t know if I want him for more than sex. Definitely not a relationship, which I doubt he would want anyway.”
“The boys told me about him.” I turn in my seat as Tanika drives. “And let’s just say, they warned me to stay away from him. Snow said he has demons bigger than the devil himself.”
I sigh. Of course, he does. Of course.
“Ummm… Rochelle, is that him?”
Looking up, I see his truck parked out the front as he stands at my door, one foot crossed over the other while waiting. Marcus’ hands are in his pockets, and he has on a white, long-sleeved shirt rolled up to his elbows with black pants.
He’s fine.
So fucking fine.
I wonder what he looks like with that shirt off. As a matter of fact, all of it off.
“Yep.”
“Okay, well, do you want me to come in?”
I reach for the door handle.
I am unsure. Should she?
“No. I got this. Thanks for breakfast.” Pushing out of the car, he doesn’t move until I reach him.
“Marcus. Or should I call you Reap now?”
He pushes off from leaning against the wall and steps closer to me. I can smell him, and my body instantly wants to gravitate toward him for him to touch me.
“I prefer Marcus coming from your lips.”
I cross my arms over my chest, defiantly. “Why are you here?”
“You grew on me.”
“Did I?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. “Pity, I’ve outgrown you.”
“You have not. I bet…” he steps closer, his hand coming to my hip, “… if I touched you right, I could make you beg for it. I could taste you, and you wouldn’t be able to stop me.”
He’s right, but I don’t care. He doesn’t need to know that. Fuck him.
“Don’t you touch me.” I step back, putting distance back between us.
He smirks, and I want to wipe that smirk off with a slap. The man is infuriating and he knows he’s right, and I’ve just confirmed it.
“I came to invite you out. The boys are having another party tonight. This time at their clubhouse...” He pauses. “Your friend will be there. But she isn’t allowed to invite anyone. I, on the other hand…”
“Go with you?” I scoff. “You did hear the part where I don’t want to be around you anymore, right?”
“Oh, you mean the part where you outgrew me?”
“Yes! Yes, that part.”
Marcus touches me, and it’s soft and subtle, but it still burns all the same. Pulling my arm away from his touch, he smiles as if he knows what it does to me.
“Come… I promise to show you a good time.”
“Like the last time? No. I think I’ll pass and stay away from all things dead, and that involves you.” I go to sidestep him to unlock my house, but he comes up behind me and pushes himself on my back. Then he goes to my neck again and breathes heavily—he’s always at my neck. It’s my kryptonite, and he seems to know it.
“I won’t show you anything that’s dead. Come with me.”
“No, I have a busy night.”
“You don’t. You suck at lying.” Pushing my door open, I turn to face him once I’ve stepped inside. “I’ll wait here all day until you say yes.”
“I don’t want to come with you.”
“You do. Now, say yes and I’ll be back to collect you at eight.”
“No.”
Marcus nods and then pushes inside of my house. He heads straight for my leather couch and sits on it, crossing one leg over his knee. “I have all day, as you know. My work is only at night.”
I shudder at his words. “You need to leave.”
“Call your friend. Ask her if she will be there.”
I huff at his words. Placing my purse on my kitchen countertop, I say, “I don’t want to because I don’t want to go.”
“You do. You need to live a little, and I can make you do that.”
“You can, can you?” I chuckle at his words while shaking my head.
“Yes, and I can make you orgasm, which we’ve already established. So, say yes and I’ll leave.” Marcus’ lips quirk and he knows he will win.
“Yes.” I smile at him.
He stands and walks over to me. Touching my chin, he lifts it and leans down. “I will be here, and if you aren’t here, I will find you.” He places a brief kiss on my lips before he walks out the door, shutting it behind him.
Fuck!
Grabbing my cell from my bag, I ring Tanika straight away.
“Well, I take it you didn’t fuck him, considering you’re calling me.”
“Is there a party tonight? One that you will be at?”
She goes silent.
“Tanika?” I ask, thinking she’s hung up. Pulling my phone away from my ear, I look and see the line is still connected. “Tanika?” I say, louder.
“I’m not sure it’s something you would want to go to.”
“Marcus invited me.”
“Of course he did.” Tanika huffs into the phone. “Look… I can’t invite you. It’s not something strangers walk into, and I’m not a member of the club, so everything about it is off-limits. I have to be asked by a member. But I know Reap can ask, so come. Come, hang out with me.”
“You said that last time, and the whole time you were with Blaze.”
“I like him,” she says.
“I know. Okay, I’ll come.”
“Yeah,” she screams. “Oh, and dress sexy. This place… well, most girls wear nothing.” She pauses. “Okay, bye.” She hangs up, not giving me an opportunity to question what she’s just told me that most girls wear nothing?
Chapter Eight
Marcus
“She’s coming, so tell him to stay away,” I say to Blaze who pulls a cigar from his lips.
“No. You want her, that’s fine, I’ll respect that. But Snow wants her too.” He smirks.
“You’re my brother, asshole.” I shake my head at Blaze. “Snow’s my life brother, you are my blood. There is a difference.” I clutch my fists together and take a deep breath. My cell alarms, informing me it’s almost time to go collect my newest little number.
We had different fathers growing up and I’m older than him, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t think he’s boss. He always fucking does, and he always fucking lets me know.