Page 38 of His to Keep
“What did you do?”
“I was talking to Mal on the phone and she overheard me telling him she was clingy.”
Jamie shook his head. “Shit, mate. There’s no coming back from that.”
“I went to Verto Veneri to help smooth things over with a few clients and organise more security. Some of them were unsettled after the murder and kicking up about protection. I was only gone for a few hours, and when I got back Lana freaked the freak out. She was jealous that I’d spent time with Donna Marie, and she was pissed off that I didn’t return her calls. Then she overheard me on the phone with Mal, telling him she was clingy.” His head lowered as Jamie sucked in a burst of air through his teeth. “I didn’t think she’d hear for fuck sake. It wasn’t meant the way it sounded. I know why she’s that way, but still, it was hard to deal with.”
Jamie palmed his forehead. “You called her clingy, that’s worse than ignoring her phone calls. Is it any wonder she’s that way. You’re her hero, Marcus.”
“Well maybe I don’t want to be a hero. Maybe I just want to fuck and move on, as always.”
Jamie shrugged. “Your call, bro.”
Marcus slipped off his shoes and popped open the first three buttons of his shirt. “Exactly. It would’ve ended badly anyway. I would’ve hurt her.”
Jamie pulled up his sleeves, so they ended before his elbows. “That’s her risk to take, if you’re willing to try. How do you know you haven’t already messed with her head?”
Marcus shrugged. “Look, I need to focus on business, that’s the priority here.”
“If you say so. Seems like she’s under your skin. I’ve never seen you like this before.”
Marcus tilted the beer bottle to his mouth. “She’s all I think about, and it’s driving me insane.”
“It’s called love, mate.”
“Fuck off, Jamie.”
Jamie smirked and tapped his brother on the cheek with his palm. “Fine. I’ll jump in the shower, and then we can head downstairs to meet the ladies.”
* * *
Once freshened up,Marcus changed into dark denim jeans and a black fitted shirt that moulded to his rock-hard physique. They took the lift from the penthouse suite down to the hotel lobby and sauntered into the crowded bar.
Jamie sat to his left soaking up the attention, laid on thick by Cherie Monique. He didn’t even have to say a word and she would willingly drop to her knees and suck him off.
Each seductive word that rolled off her tongue reminded Marcus of Lana’s silky loose hair and vivid ocean blue eyes. His cock strained against his zipper while his heart shrank.
His self-preservation coping strategy was whiskey. The more tumblers of amber liquid he sank, the less he cared. Or so he tried to convince himself.
“Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?” asked a well put together young woman, with mid length chestnut hair and false fluttery lashes.
“Not yet,” Marcus said casually, swilling the whiskey in his glass.
“I’m Jenny. Nice to meet you,” she sang in an English accent, smiling up at him from the bar stool, making herself comfortable.
She bit her lower lip, smiling coyly. This woman was plastered in desperation, eager to be the woman Marcus brought back to his room for something more than a drink.
Maybe that’s just what he needed. Someone else to fill the void. Dirty rebound sex.
He held out his hand. “Marcus.”
Her delicate hand clasped his.
No connection.
Zero.
Her perfume was cheap with a sweetness that would become annoying after a few long minutes. Her perky breasts protruded upwards in a slinky green dress, heaving with anticipation.
