Page 12 of Grave Kisses
“Let’s get the office set up, hmm?” Bellamy suggests.
“Yeah,” I sigh. “I’m sorry for melting down. I’m usually pretty level-headed.”
“You lost your father, Kendra. You are grieving,” he says. He gently nudges my leg, and I nod.
We spend most of the day setting up my computer. We work mostly in silence unless it’s directly about what we are doing. When it’s time to leave for the day, I stay behind and continue working to avoid going home. If I keep busy, I can’t be sad. If I’m not sad, I can function.
Chapter Six
Kendra
Three Days Later
Tuesday night, I endedup falling asleep on my couch. I had to text Julie to bring me more clothes, but then she scolded me for not going home. I definitely should have because I spent all day Wednesday exhausted. Marcus has been lurking all week. He hasn’t said anything to me, but he is just always there.
I’ve opened up to Bellamy more than I thought I would. He’s a nice guy, and I do trust him. He is very gentle by nature, it seems, despite being built like sin. He is tall and handsome. He isn’t as bulky as Marcus, but he’s strong. Yesterday I was standing on a stepladder trying to situate books on the top shelfof the bookcase in my office. It got wobbly for a second, and he snatched me off that ladder and moved me to sit on the couch like I weighed nothing. I’m not tiny by any stretch of the imagination, yet he picked me up like I was.
I’ve come to accept that Marcus bothers me so much because he's sexy as fuck, and I want him to hate-fuck all of my secrets out of me. Bellamy is so gentle, but I just know he’d be the soft pleasure dom type. God, and both of them? I’d die and go to heaven.
I am sitting at my desk getting ready to leave. I’ll be going straight to Martin and Noel’s house, and I know Marcus is too. Bellamy is going to be there also, so I am confident that everything will go smoothly.
The door opens, and Marcus stands in the doorway. “Oh, sure. Come on in. Don’t worry about knocking,” I say with an annoyed tone.
“Why are you still here?” he asks.
“Do I need your permission?” I ask, glancing up at him.
“This is my building, so…”
“Our,” I say with a smile. “And I’m leaving now. Don’t worry.”
I grab my stuff and stand up. When I get to the door, he doesn’t move. “I will find out what you are hiding,” he says as a warning.
“Now, Marcus. You’ve been a good boy all week. You really want to start this again?” I ask.
“Don’t,” he growls.
“What?” I ask innocently. “Clearly, you are a brat… Pushing back and in need of stability. Do you need someone to dominate you, Marcus? Put you in line so you can learn how to be a good boy for me? Tell me, Marcus. Do you prefer to be on your knees when you beg, or do we just skip to restraints?”
Marcus abruptly grabs me by the throat and pulls me closer as he leans down. Nose to nose with this man, I just laugh. Bellamy was right about one thing. I’m a brat, and he’s pissed he can’t do anything about it. Except this, apparently. I’m not afraid in the slightest, but his words send a shockwave of anger and fear into my soul. “I can’t fucking wait for Archer to take you to court,” he growls.
“W-What?” I ask with a meek voice.
“Aww. What’s wrong? Are you shocked that I’d help get rid of you? He is his son, Kendra. This company belongs to him, and—”
It doesn’t surprise either of us when I ball my fist up and punch him. Marcus stumbles back a step, and I take the opportunity to shove him backward so I can shut my office door and walk away. Julie is watching but says nothing as she steps into the elevator with me. Marcus is watching, fuming.
“What happened?” Julie asks softly. I just shake my head because if I try to say anything right now, I will sob. When we get out of the building, I go straight to my vehicle. I drive away before Julie can stop me. Before anyone can. I saw Bellamy in his car when I was walking out. He is the last one I want to explain this to. I’m terrified that he will take his friend’s side, and I would not even blame him.
Against my better judgment, I still drive to Martin’s house. I want to get there before Marcus. Maybe if I explain first, he won’t side with his son. Even just thinking that makes me feel awful, but Alan wanted me to have this company. I cannot let Archer take it from me.
When I get into the driveway, Martin is waiting for me on his front porch. It takes me a minute to actually get out of the car, but when I do, Bellamy is driving up.
“Kendra,” Bellamy says when I get out.
“Please don’t,” I say tearfully. I see Marcus pull in right as I get to Martin. Instead of waiting on anyone else, he pulls me inside and shuts the door.
“What happened, sweetie?” he asks, holding my face.
