CHAPTER NINETEEN

ALICE

Anger radiates off Marcus. I’ve never seen him like this. I huddle in the seat in utter misery. I royally messed up.

Troy coming over didn’t help matters and mentioning my ex was a huge mistake. I didn’t realize I never told Marcus his name.

He never told me his ex’s name either. What’s the problem, they’re exes, it’s not like I want to see Richard again.

Hesitantly I reach out and place my hand on his thigh, hoping we can talk and smooth things over. We were having such a nice day, it’s a shame this had to ruin things.

Marcus’s face dips down to stare at my hand. “I can’t even feel that.”

I snatch it back and tears fill my eyes as I turn to face out the window. I don’t even know what to say at this moment.

In his garage, I reach back to help him with his wheelchair like I’ve been doing lately when he snaps, “Don’t.”

Yanking my hand back, I grab my purse and climb out of the car, waiting for him to assemble his chair and transfer back into it. “I should probably go,” I say, having a hard time looking at him.

“Yeah, you should see if you can catch up with Troy.”

My head snaps around to face him. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Marcus’s face is hard and strained as he glares at me. “It means you should go live your life, Alice. With a guy like him.”

“Troy is a pompous ass. That’s who you see me with?” Hurt courses through me and my heart hammers in my chest like I just raced a marathon.

“That’s not what I meant.” Shoving a hand through his hair, his eyes close briefly and then he says softly, “You can’t even go to that party because of me.” His lips quirk up into a humorless grin. “Which, by the way, I wasn’t even invited to.”

My mouth opens and then I snap my lips shut. I knew that but was hoping he hadn’t noticed Troy’s snub.

He gestures between us. “This was fun, but I’m always going to be that disabled guy holding you back.”

“Is that really what you think?” The straps of my purse dig into my fingers as I clutch it.

“You said so yourself, Alice. Marcus is disabled.”

“But you are disabled!” I protest, wondering what I’ve done so terribly wrong. Yes, I touched his chair, which is apparently a huge faux pas. I didn’t know! All he had to do was tell me and now that I do know it won’t happen again.

He nods. “Yes, I am. There’s no forgetting that.” His face is full of pain as he blows out a short, harsh sigh. “But for a while with you, I didn’t feel like just that disabled guy in the wheelchair.”

“Well, you’re always going to be that guy.” I say, feeling a pain deep in my chest at the way his eyes brim with hurt at my words. “That rude, sarcastic guy in the wheelchair.”

His entire body sags in his chair as his eyes fall away from mine.

“That guy who builds car models with me, who makes me pancakes with chocolate chips even though he doesn’t like them, and the one who kisses me like I’m someone special.”

I take a trembling step towards him and then another.

“The man that doesn’t rush to open doors for me just to check out my ass or feel me up. The one that didn’t get all giddy with dollar signs in his eyes when he saw my car or found out what my job title is.”

Swallowing hard, I take two more steps until I’m standing right in front of him. “I don’t want you to stop being him.”

His head slowly lifts, and his already deflated body seems to collapse more into itself. “Alice, I-” Marcus clamps his firm lips close and blinks.

Slow tears weave down his hard face as he heaves another breath and meets my incredulous gaze.

“I should rush to open doors for you. And I AM in awe of your car and job. You are amazing.” He shakes his head and lets out a shaky laugh. “Not just for those things, or for your ass- which is pretty damn fantastic- but for a million other reasons and ways.”

He pushes himself up straighter. “I worry I’m going to wake up one morning in a puddle of piss-”

I gasp and he laughs.

“It’s happened before, and it might happen again. But I’m going to wake up at one of my lowest points and you’re going to be gone because you’ve realized that you can have any man you want so why settle for me.”

“But you’re the man I want you,” I say simply.

His eyes go wide, and I use that moment to take the final step that brings me to him, and I plop down on his lap.

Marcus’s arms wrap around me, holding me tightly to him as if he’s afraid I’m going to suddenly get away. “I’m not going to let you change your mind,” he growls before slamming his mouth over mine.

Happiness, relief, and joy explode within me as his lips move against mine.

He pulls away first. “I love you so much, Alice,” he confesses in a hoarse voice.

“I love you,” I tell him, looping my hands around his neck and smiling. “Now why don’t we go inside, and you can show me how sorry you are for telling me I deserved a dickhead like Troy.”

Marcus chuckles. “You’re not going to let me forget that one, are you?”

I place a loud, smacking kiss on his nose. “Nope.”

He grins. “Fair enough.”

Slowly he wheels us up the ramp in the garage leading into the house and I can’t help noticing the way he grimaces. “You hurt yourself, didn’t you?”

Sighing, he nods. “Yeah, I did.”

“How bad is it? Do you need a doctor?”

“No, but I probably do need a few days of rest.”

I start to get off his lap when his arms band around me. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“Stop being silly and let me help you.” My eyes search his face, and I nibble on my lower lip before asking, “Could I push your chair?”

His answer is firm and immediate. “Yes. Thank you.”

I slip off his lap and go behind him and wheel him towards the bedroom.

His head dips back and he looks up at me. “I’m sorry, Alice. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. You didn’t know.”

Nodding, I keep pushing. “You’re right, I didn’t know.” I get to the bedroom and reach past him to push it open. “Surprise, surprise, you’re the first man in a wheelchair I’ve ever dated.”

“And I’ll be the last!” he venomously snaps.

I roll my eyes. “Yes, dear.”

Turning him in the direction of the bed, I hesitate. “Bed or bathroom?”

“Bathroom, please.”

After wheeling him in there, I give him his privacy and stay sitting on the bed when he comes out. He rolls over to me and stops off to the side, angling his chair. Reaching for my hand, I let him take it.

“I’m a rude guy, Alice,” he says slowly.

“Have you tried not being rude?” I ask and then laugh. “Haven’t we had this conversation, before?”

His fingers tighten on mine. “We have and no doubt we will again. I’m asking you to be patient with me.”

“Fair enough. I want you to extend the same courtesy to me. We’re both going to make mistakes. I’d rather we learn from them and move on than have them be huge roadblocks that we can’t get over or passed.”

“Agreed. I don’t want to lose you.”

Raising our joined hands I pull them towards me and place a kiss on the back of his. “And I don’t want to lose you either. You’re my match, after all.”

Marcus’s dark brows rise at that. “I am? According to who?”

“Me, silly!” Then I laugh. “Didn’t your grandmother tell you? Mine claimed you were my match and I guess she was right.”

“I guess she is,” he says with a smile.

His smile pulls me in, and I stand up and slide into his lap, needing to be closer to him. “So what does my match want to do with the rest of our day?”

His lips twist into the wicked grin that I adore so much. “I’m sure we can think of a few things.”

Leaning his head down, he trails his lips along my neck and jaw, pausing at the corner of my mouth. “Maybe we can start with that divine pussy of yours,” he whispers.

Heat immediately gathers in my core, and I squirm.

“My lunch was ruined and I’m still hungry,” he says, flicking his tongue along my lower lip.

I pull back enough to look at him. “Well, we can’t have that. Guess you’ll just have to eat until you get your fill.” I flutter my eyelashes and press my lips to his ear, giving it a fast lick and loving the way his body shudders. “And then you can fill me,” I breathe.

“Oh sweetheart, I’ll fill you alright,” he growls and claims my lips in a kiss full of the promise of pleasure and love.