Chapter 45

Marcus

Marcus had to hold back a groan as he entered the bathroom stall and saw Erica waiting for him. Bent over, she had pulled her skirt up over her backside, and spread her legs, leaving nothing to the imagination. ?

He was hard by the time he closed the door.

Tucking her panties in his pocket, he gripped her hips.

There was something undeniably sexy about the way Erica handled herself. She didn't expect him to provide and take care of her. Nor did she take over and leave him with nothing to do. Instead, she worked alongside him as his partner and made sure they were both taken care of.

He couldn't explain just how much that turned him the fuck on.

With Josh waiting at their table, he couldn't fuck her the way he wanted, or take his time and really show his appreciation. But there was no way he could have sat at that table and pretended he wasn't thinking about all the ways he was going to worship her body.

So if a quickie was all he was going to get, he was going to make sure they both enjoyed every single moment.

"I hope you've been practising how to keep quiet, baby," he said as his hand moved around her waist and down between her legs, groaning at the wetness he felt there. "Because I have every intention of making you scream."

He teased her lips, his fingers slipping between them to find her clit swollen and waiting for his touch. He brushed his fingers over it in the lightest of caresses before dipping his fingers inside her, groaning as she clenched around his fingers.

Nibbling along her shoulder, he reached between them with his free hand, tugging his trousers out of the way until he could release his cock, pressing it between her butt cheeks. She moaned her approval, pushing back against him, wriggling her hips until she had him where she wanted him.

He removed his fingers, rocking his hips slowly, enjoying the feel of his cock slipping up and down her slit, nudging at her clit. His fingers pressed into her waist as he caught himself on her entrance, savouring the moment before pushing inside her.

Glancing between their bodies, he watched as his cock disappeared inside her wet heat, a low growl rumbling from deep in his chest. Erica whimpered, pushing her hips back against him, using the wall as leverage.

Buried balls deep inside her, he closed his eyes, savouring the warmth of her pussy around his cock. From a distance, he heard bar sounds from outside the bathroom. A reminder that anyone could come in at any time and ruin their fun.

With that thought in mind, his fingers wound in her hair, tugging on it sharply until he could press his front against her back. Holding her in place, he drove himself even deeper inside her, his hand snaking down her stomach and teasing through the hair at the junction of her thighs.

He rubbed her clit in small, quick circles as he thrust himself inside her, growling as she moaned her approval, matching him stroke for stroke. Her hand covered his, holding him in place as he toyed with her, her butt grinding against his crotch.

Her skin slid against his like silk, and her quiet moans breathed against his neck. He pushed her against the wall, trapping her between it and her body as he slammed a harder thrust inside her.

She cried out before she could stop herself, someone walking into the bathroom right on cue. Covering her mouth, Marcus didn't hesitate as he moved faster. Harder. The thrill of someone only metres away had unleashed something inside him. He wanted everyone to know how lucky he was to have such a beautiful woman completely at his mercy. He wanted everyone to know she belonged to him.

He nibbled along her neck, his fingers moving faster on her clit as he pressed his hand harder against her mouth. Once again, her hand covered his, trying her hardest to stifle the sounds he was causing her to make.

Marcus had never felt like a rush like it.

Erica's pussy was so hot, so wet, so tight around him as she milked his cock. Her body felt like heaven against his. His body felt electric as the thrill of the situation caught up with him, a familiar tug in the pit of his stomach signalling his impending orgasm.

Gritting his teeth, he refocused his attention on her, burying himself deep inside her as his fingers worked her clit relentlessly. Feeling her tighten around him, he growled deep in her ear, whispering his words heatedly.

"Cum for me, Erica. Let me feel you."

She threw her head back against his shoulder, a muffled moan echoing around the room. The voices beyond the door of their stall faltered for a moment and still Marcus moved, desperate to join Erica in a perfect moment of ecstasy.

Biting into her shoulder, he groaned deeply as he lost himself inside her, his orgasm so strong, his head span. Grinding into her, he waited until every last tremor left him and Erica leaned heavily against his chest.

Finally, he released her mouth, pulling out of her and kissing her temple. Looking over her shoulder at him, she bit her lip in a silent promise that there was more to come. He held his finger to his lip, waiting for the sound of the door to signify the bathroom was empty once again.

"That was close," she said, turning to face him, and pulling her skirt down. He handed over her panties, smirking as he straightened himself out.

"Nothing close about it. They definitely heard us."

"Worth it," she murmured, leaning forward to kiss him once. "I love fucking you."

"I think this time I fucked you."

"Either way, it was incredible." She straightened out his collar and smirked. "You leave first. I'll follow once I've sorted myself out. Josh is going to kill us."

"Josh can mind his business," he said good-naturedly. "I'll see you out there, gorgeous."

With one last kiss he couldn't resist giving her, he left the stall, checking his reflection in the mirror. Satisfied he looked presentable, he left the bathroom, making a beeline for their table. Josh looked up at his arrival and pulled a face.

"Please tell me you were outside smoking," he said, pushing a tumbler towards him.

"I was outside smoking," Marcus replied, downing his drink in three swallows.

"Right." Glancing towards the bathrooms, Josh paled. "And Erica? Where is she?"

"No idea, mate. Haven't seen her."

Marcus looked over at his friend and laughed at the horrified look on his face. He'd apologise if his body wasn't still feeling the effects of his climax. Every single time with Erica had been electric, but that was on another level. He couldn't wait to be inside her again. To feel her body against hers.

"Where have you been?" Josh asked, looking up as Erica took her seat.

"In the bathroom," she replied without hesitation.

"For ten minutes?!"

Erica helped herself to a drink, glancing over at her brother. "Do you really need to know what your sister gets up to in the bathroom?"

"No!" Josh said immediately. "Christ, no. God, let's just move on."

"Let's," Marcus agreed. "You didn't finish telling me about your run-in with Sophie."

"There was nothing more to tell, really," Erica said as she served them all a shot. "I told her about the meeting. She threw some bullshit my way, and I left her gawking in the street." She held up her shot and smirked at them. "To our new show?"

"To you," Marcus corrected. "You and your business acumen."

"To raking in the cash," Josh said, clinking their glasses and knocking back his shot. Marcus followed suit, shaking his head as the alcohol hit the back of his throat.

"So you two are about to get super busy," Josh said, handing out another round of shots. "Are we still going to have time to hang out? "

"I have a feeling you're talking to Marcus more than you are me," Erica laughed, her eyes sparkling. Marcus winked at her, reaching for her hand.

"I mean both of you," Josh confirmed. "Liv wants me to invite you for dinner."

"We'd love to have dinner with you guys," Marcus said, playing with Erica's fingers. "Just name the date."

"Noted." Josh knocked back his second shot, shaking his head. "Now. Enough business talk. Let's get shitfaced. We've got some celebrating to do."

Marcus groaned as he pulled Erica closer to him, snuggling against her sleeping body. Every single drink from the previous night seemed to slosh inside him, making his stomach lurch uncomfortably.

"Don't move," Erica warned, sleepily. "I'm one wrong movement away from throwing up."

"Don't say the words throwing and up," he replied, kissing her shoulder. "That last mixer was a mistake."

"The shots were a mistake," she grumbled. "Fucking Josh and his fucking shots."

Marcus chuckled as flashes of the previous night replayed in his mind. "It was fun, though, wasn't it?"

"So much fun," she agreed.

Marcus kissed her again, laying still as he waited for the room to stop spinning. Erica's body was warm against his, her skin silky soft. She smelled of cigarettes and vodka. Her hair was a disaster, and he was sure she had makeup smeared across her face. Still, she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

"Marcus?" She said her voice barely above a whisper. "Do you… remember everything from last night?"

"Bits and pieces," he murmured. "I remember alcohol."

"There was a lot of alcohol," she agreed. Turning in his arms to face him, she looked up into his eyes. "Do you remember anything else?"

Marcus wracked his brain, struggling to remember anything specific. "Did I do something dumb? "

It had been a while since he'd been so blind drunk, he'd made a fool of himself, but then again, it had been such a long time since he'd let his hair down like that.

"I don't know," she said. "Maybe. Depends on if you meant it."

"If I meant it?" He said, scrunching his nose in confusion. Meeting her gaze, he searched her eyes. The way she was looking at him triggered some sort of memory.

Dancing. Laughing. Her eyes gazed up at him.

He kissed her.

She kissed him back.

His hands on her butt, hers in his hair.

He whispered something.

His forehead pressed against hers.

He whispered again.

"Oh shit," he said, rubbing his eyes with a groan. " Shit."

"You remembered?"

Her voice was so quiet, fearful.

"I remembered," He confirmed. Shit, shit, shit!

"It's okay, Marcus. Forget about it."

Pulling away, she offered him a smile. One that didn't reach her eyes. Never in all the time he had known her had he ever seen her so upset. Not when she left Alex, not when she had seen Sophie in what used to be her home.

"Erica?" Pulling her towards him, he brushed his lips over hers. "I'm sorry I've upset you, baby. That's…" He sighed, his heart thumping in his chest.

This was so bad. So, so bad.

"I meant every word," he said, pressing his forehead against hers. I just have no right to say that to you."

"I don't understand," she said. "What do you mean?"

He sighed, closing his eyes as he prepared himself for the sting of rejection. "I ruined your life. I caused your marriage to end." He chewed his lip and cleared his throat. "I turned your world upside down. And now I'm drunkenly telling you I love you when you deserve so much more than that."

"Forget that for a moment," she said. "You said you meant it? "

"Baby. Of course I meant it. You are the sun, moon and stars to me. I am so unbelievably lucky to even be sharing any part of your life. You've brought me so much joy when my world was crumbling apart. How could I not love you?"

With the blood rushing in his ears, he replayed his words. It's far too much, far too soon. He was an idiot for saying anything. For daring to hope he could have anything more than—

"Marcus?"

He took a breath. And then another for good measure. "Yeah?"

"God help me, I love you too."

Holy shit.

She loved him, too.