Page 24 of His to Keep
“I’m not quite ready for the funny farm just yet.” She wondered if she was actually okay, or if she was just holding it all inside for one massive explosion.
A hand rested on her shoulder. Marcus pressed into her back and tilted his face into her hair, initiating a delightful quiver.
“Lana, I have to head out for a few hours. I need to take care of a few things at Verto Veneri. There’s shit flying around because of what happened and I need to deal with it. I’ll only be away for the afternoon.” His lips teased the shell of her ear and sprinkled hundreds of prickles over her scalp.
“You’re leaving?” She gasped.
Marcus trailed a stool closer and sat down. “Yeah. Freddy will be here the entire time I’m away. Won’t you, Freddy?”
Freddy looked at her sympathetically. “Sure thing.” He set two plates down before them and nodded with reassurance.
She nibbled the edges of her fingers and mulled over the idea of being alone at night. The last time he left her here, the unthinkable happened.
Guilt for leaving blended with the fear of the horrific consequences. This time she would only go as far as the stables and that was it. She’d been spoiled by his one on one company, but it was time she stood tall, and they all knew it.
Her gaze stuck to the floor and her heart beat thrummed in her throat.
“I’ll drive to Belfast now, and I’ll be back as soon as it’s sorted.” He cupped her chin. “You’ll be okay. I promise. I have the best security system installed.”
“I don’t mind staying with you, Lana. We can watch movies and stuff our faces with crisps and chocolate?” Freddy suggested.
Lana sighed lightly as relief washed over her. She was happy to spend time with Freddy rather than be on her own. It softened the blow of being left without her safety blanket of Marcus.
“Thanks, Freddy. I’d love that.” She forced a smile and Marcus lowered his head.
She shuffled to the edge of the stool, inching closer to him. “Please come back the minute you get finished.” She gazed into his emerald eyes. “I feel safer when you’re here.”
His lazy smile heated her core and sparked a warmth that only he could resurrect. The cloud was evaporating and Marcus was shining through with a promise of a future.
He bent forward and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. Her insides jumped to attention as the electricity from his lips surged through her muscles.
She wanted to throw herself onto his hard strong body. Hell, she wanted to taste his lips and feel his soft mocha skin rubbing all over hers. The wild sizzle between them was morphing into a thunderstorm that was beginning to crackle and rumble.
11
Lana had become all too dependent on Marcus’s powerful presence and lost in his strength and protection.
Having him so far away was like having an artery sliced open. And she bled loneliness. However, the blood kept pumping and she got stronger in her own skin.
Apprehension still clung to her like a sickening stench. She hated looking over her shoulder when the shadows crept into the room.
That afternoon Freddy arranged a movie marathon, with hot dogs, bowls of crisps, handmade truffles dusted in golden powder and plenty of beer.
“What have you been up to all day?” He flopped down beside her on the couch.
She reached for a truffle and licked off the sparkly dust. “I read in my room for a while and then went for a walk to check on the puppies. They’re so cute.”
Scrolling through the movie list, he asked, “What movie do you want to watch first?”
“Oh, that one! I love action movies. It’s an all-time classic.” She popped the chocolatey ball in her mouth and clapped with glee. A soft groan left her throat as the truffle melted on her tongue.
“Me too. That guy Michael isawesome.”
She hid her muddy lips behind her fingertips as she mumbled, “Ummm, dark haired and dangerous.”
“Much like another guy we both know, right?” Freddy pouted. “You pair have really hit it off.”
“We’re taking it slow, especially after everything that happened. He told me he’s never been in a relationship before but he’s willing to try.” She sipped a refreshing cold beer and swallowed the thick fudgy goo.
