Because of Low (Sea Breeze #2)(43)

A smile broke across Willow’s face that made me feel ten feet tall.

“Okay, um, thanks, I mean, wow, are you sure?”

I walked over to her and leaned over to place a quick kiss on her surprised little mouth.

“Very sure.”

“Martus tiss,” Larissa said happily then leaned over and laid a very wet kiss on my cheek.

Willow giggled, “Alright you don’t go stealing my man.”

Her man. I liked that a lot. A whole damn lot.

“Impossible. Even for adorable curly headed blondes,” I assured her and ruffled Larissa’s hair.

“Martus pay,” Larissa announced again.

“Yeah I heard you chic. Let’s go play,” I replied.

“Wait aren’t you hungry?”

I’d forgot she’d cooked. My stomach rumbled and I looked at Larissa.

“Can I eat first then we’ll play. You can sit beside me and eat too.”

“Bite bites” Larissa responded.

Turning to Willow for a translation, Larissa proceeded to chant, “Martus bite bites”

“Bite bites is what she likes to call eating,” Willow explained.

“Makes complete sense to me,” I replied and both girls giggled.





Willow



The television illuminated the dark apartment when I stepped inside. There was no sound coming from the T.V. but The Tonight Show was on the screen. When my eyes adjusted, I found Marcus sound asleep on the couch with Larissa snuggled up on his chest also sound asleep. Blocks scattered the floor and what looked like cookie crumbs made a trail from the living room to the kitchen. My heart swelled. I loved him. I never thought this would happen. I never expected to love anyone else. Not this way. I picked up the blocks and stacked them back in the basket I kept here for when Larissa came over. Then I leaned down to whisper in Marcus’s ear, “I’m home.”

His eyes blinked open then a sleepy smile greeted me.

“Hey,” he mumbled.

“I’m just going to take her and put her in bed with me. I’ll get you a blanket and pillow.”

“I can take her,” he said starting to sit up. I placed my hand on his shoulder and pushed him back down.

“No, you stay put. I’ll do it.” I kissed the small frown between his eyebrows and took Larissa from his arms.

After tucking her in and securing her with pillows I went back out to the couch with a pillow and blanket for Marcus. He hadn’t moved. He was exhausted no doubt. Keeping Larissa wasn’t for the faint hearted. His eyes were closed. Long blond eyelashes brushed his cheekbones. I bent over him to put the pillow under his head when two hands grabbed my waist and pulled me down on top of him.

“Mmmm, that’s better,” he whispered before claiming my mouth. His mouth was sweet and gentle at first but the more I shifted my body the more aggressive the kiss became. The warmth of his mouth tasted like chocolate chip cookies and I couldn’t get enough of him. I grasped the front of his shirt pulling him closer. His hands moved up my thighs and cupped my bottom squeezing and moaning as I pressed against him. We were going there again. Before we went any further I pulled back and looked down at him. The desire in his eyes undid me.

“I love you too,” I whispered.

His eyes widened then his mouth was back on mine. This time wide awake and determined. I wanted all of him. There was no question in my mind. His hands were everywhere and I felt shaky all over from excitement. Breaking the kiss his hands started tugging on my shorts.

“Take these off,” he demanded.

I stood up nervous but so incredibly excited I couldn’t keep from trembling. I wasn’t sure if he wanted everything off. Raising my eyes I looked at him and he shook his head.

“Keep your panties on. I don’t want our first time to be on this couch and if you take those off I’m a goner.”

Smiling I crawled back on top of him and straddled him then once again got lost in Marcus Hardy.





Chapter Seventeen





Marcus



I’d just had the absolute best week of my life and now I had to end it with a family dinner. One where my father would be present. I wished I hadn’t promised my mom I’d bring Willow. This was the last thing I wanted her to witness. Willow came up behind me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders and leaned down to kiss my cheek.

“Almost done with that paper?” She asked standing up and walking around the table to sit across from me. My University of Alabama t-shirt looked good on her. She no longer wore Cage’s shirts around the apartment. I wanted her in mine. Maybe it was a little caveman but I didn’t care. And neither did she. I was almost positive she liked it.

“Almost but I could use a distraction,” I replied.

She smirked and shook her head no.

“Nope. I’ve distracted you all week. You need to finish.”

“Please,” I begged and she giggled.

“I’m going to get ready to meet the folks and you need to finish that paper. We can work out your reward for a job well done later.”

I loved how relaxed she’d gotten with me. Her teasing was so incredibly sweet.

“And there’s the distraction I need right there. You’ve given my fantasies some fuel.”