Chapter 7

Seven

The next day, Marcus shows up at the office, midday on the dot. Since the last time I saw him, just short of twenty-four hours ago, I had forgotten how good-looking he is. Wearing a black-striped business shirt paired with charcoal pants, his tattooed arms are completely covered, and one would think he was some corporate mogul.

But I know how deliciously dangerous he is underneath.

He sits casually on my desk, and we briefly chat while I gather my purse, ready to head out for lunch. With him so close to me, my senses have picked up that he’s wearing the same cologne Jason once wore. I’m trying my damnedest to remember my reasons for wanting more than Jason, scared to admit even to myself that it may have been a huge mistake on my behalf. Yes, I got that all from a bottle of Hugo Boss.

I stand up, straightening my dress when the Jerk invades my cubicle. Today, he is not wearing a tie, exposing his smooth, tanned skin. Dropping my gaze, a sudden flush of warmth spread’s throughout me.

“Fancy seeing you here, cousin.” Haden has stretched his arms wide, blocking our exit.

“Well, if you see a gorgeous woman like Presley, you ask her out,” Marcus responds with a cocky grin.

The two of them watch each other intently, but I swear at this moment they are having a full-on conversation in their heads. I’m certain it involves boxing gloves and Brad Pitt standing in the corner of the ring saying, “Welcome to Fight Club.”

Haden stands firmly with his arms crossed. “She just broke up with the love of her life.”

“Uh, wait a minute. Now you’ve got my back?” I laugh in his face, infuriating him even further.

Knowing that I am playing with fire, I grab onto his forearm to move him out of the way.

Ignore it’s hard. Damn! his muscles are hard. Jesus Presley, jump ship now.

In front of me are two younger men vying for my attention. Never had I thought I would be in this situation. Perhaps, I have done this all wrong. My interests in men should expand to the older generation. But then I think of my Dad, and unwillingly—I cringe at the thought.

“I believe Dee requires your attention.” Leaning in further, I whisper in Haden’s ear, “Not sure why you’re holding back from her since you had no problem unleashing on me.”

Pulling myself back, his head draws back quickly, eye’s wide with raised brows.

My work here is officially done.

The look on his face—priceless.

I have never felt so empowered.

Marcus grabs my hand, and I allow him to do so, watching Haden divert his eyes from this intimate gesture. Against the partition, Haden’s knuckles are stark white as he restrains himself. I have no idea what his problem is apart from the obvious male ego and pride bullshit.

I’m not a prize, and this isn’t a competition.

We aren’t even dating, and we both agreed it was a sweep-it-under-the rug type of fuck.

Raising my head to meet his eyes, I give him my most evil grin. “See ya later, Jerk.”

* * *

Marcus and I sit in the booth near the entrance, lucky to get a seat at a popular diner. The burgers here are delicious, and so is Marcus. I have no idea how old he is, and given that it’s rude to ask, I settle for assuming he’s in his twenties. God, when did I become such a cougar. Guys in their twenties have this wicked aura around them. At least that’s what Vicky tells me. I can see it, though. They tend to care a hell of a lot more about their appearance, obsessed with working on their physique. They often dress in all designer labels, and even when they dress down, they rock a pair of jeans and a tee like a model on a runway.

Then, there’s the hair.

Marcus hasbeautiful jet-black hair.

Although it’s short, you can tell it’s silky smooth. If he grew it out, he would look like Cleopatra, and I would happily feed him grapes from a golden plate.

While the waiter serves us our meals, my phone vibrates. Expecting a much-needed text from Vicky, I’m surprised to see it’s from the Jerk instead, and immediately roll my eyes before even opening the message.

Haden:What do you mean unleash on you? Are we talking about this now?

I should respond with something witty, but Marcus has focused his attention on me. So I throw my phone into my purse and dive into my meal. He has quite an appetite on him, almost polishing off the burger in a second.

“I could do another,” he says with a satisfied smile.

“Why not? You only live once. There’s always the gym…” I trail off.

“So, tell me, why are you a gym virgin, and why the sudden urge to work out? You look amazing, hot, sexy, just in case no one has ever told you that.” He smirks.

“Nice flirting.” I laugh in return, relaxing us both. “Long, long story. Maybe another time.”

“I’ve got time.”

“Super long.”

“Hmm… okay, sixty seconds. Ten questions, I get to ask you anything, and that’ll satisfy my curiosity.”

“Huh?”

He looks at his watch. “Time starts now. Who did you last date?”

What was the rule of the game? He taps on his watch, so I answer quickly.

“Date? I was engaged to a guy named Jason.”

“Why did you guys break it off?”

“It wasn’t right,” I stutter nervously.

He raises his eyebrows but does not pry any further.

“Where did you grow up?”

“Virginia.”

“Siblings?”

“An older sister, Gemma.”

“Favorite band?”

“Band? Bon Jovi.”

“Nice,” he adds. “Favorite song?”

“‘In These Arms’ … Bon Jovi.”

“Favorite movie?”

“Father of the Bride.”

He pauses, then follows with a short chuckle. “I love that movie, too.”

“Really?” I laugh out loud.

“Favorite food?”

“Nachos.”

“Ultimate holiday destination?”

“Australia,” I answer with a smile.

“Why did Haden take you outside on Friday night?”

The question, a giant curveball, stuns me. Mentally, I try to calculate how many questions he has asked me, but all I think about is some excuse that will satisfy him without having to let the cat out of the bag.

“How many questions is that? I think your time is up.”

“I’m sure you can answer the last one.” His stern tone catches me off guard.

I could tell him the truth. Besides, if this goes any further, I can’t hide something like that from him. What are the chances of this going further? He is young, I am older. The best we could achieve is copious amounts of hot sex.

“We argued earlier that day. Frankly, your cousin is a jerk.”

He appears fixated on my movement, and I give him nothing to see how uncomfortable I am with this conversation.

“I think I’ll order that second burger.”

“Don’t I get to ask you the lightning round of questions?”

“The next date you can.” He winks.

“Oh, there’s going to be a next date?” I ask coyly.

“Why wouldn’t there be?” He angles his face closer to mine, and with his lips slightly parted, I follow his lead until our lips brush together. The butterflies have crept their way into my stomach, causing some major excitement, but soon the grim reaper follows—guilt. I don’t know who or what I am feeling guilty about—my second attempt at playing the field since Jason and I broke up only two weeks ago, or the fact that he’s the Jerk’s cousin.

Don’t answer that.

“Marcus?” I say softly as we both move away. “I just broke up with my fiancé. I’m slowly adjusting to life being single again.”

“I’m not asking you to marry me, Presley. We can have fun together.”

Fun.That either means hanging out at the amusement park or tied to the bed with a gag ball and chains.

We finish lunch and head back to the office. Marcus insists on taking me back to my desk. I put my purse away, and before I know it, he leans in to gently kiss my lips again. In the background, I hear a throat being cleared. It’s Dee, and she is standing with an overly thrilled Clive.

“Listen, I better go. Call me tonight, okay?”

I nod, and when he turns the corner, I think all is sweet until the whispers become louder, and the three of us are standing there trying to eavesdrop.

“Just like when we were kids,” the Jerk says.

“You said I had free rein,” Marcus responds, frustrated.

“When did I ever say that?” he bites back.

“Friday night. Though you never explained why you pulled her away from the dance floor. C’mon, Haden, you’re fucking the blonde. What do you care?”

Silence falls between us all. Dee looks hurt, but that soon turns to anger. She glares at me like this is all my fault.

“You’re right, I am fucking the blonde. So why should I care about Malone? She’s all yours, bud.”

It’s my turn to be crestfallen. I’m not angry or upset with Marcus. They have some bro code going on, and he clearly has been given the green light.

Yet, I am not a possession.

I don’t belong to Haden but hearing him admit he doesn’t care for me, not even one minuscule of a feeling after he had his way, is enough to eat away at me.

I cannot fall for him.

I cannot even want him in any way.

Praying for a miracle is my only