“But you got hurt.” Tears glistened in her eyes, fogging her view of his stern expression. “I thought he’d killed you, Marcus. I died inside. Tell me he can’t get to us again, Marcus, please,” she pleaded.
Marcus dropped the menu to the table, leant forward and said huskily, “He will never touch you again, beautiful. You have my word on that. It’s over. He’s gone for good.”
Lana didn’t want to know the ins and outs of what had happened to Carl. She didn’t care if he was dead, as long as he didn’t show up unannounced again.
Anxiety left her tense muscles when his fingers threaded with hers. The sincerity in his face gave her reason to feel safe. Marcus rescued, liberated and owned her. He was her everything.
She rose from the chair, nudging it with the back of her knees. In two short skips she was on his lap, burying her tear streaked face in his neck. “Thank you.”
“I made you a promise, Lana. To be honest, it’s like a weight off my shoulders. Getting justice was all I could think about. It took over. Clouded my judgement and made me think you were too much of a responsibility. Even without you by my side, you were still mine to protect. I’m better off with you, than without.”
His words of protection meant more than anything. He was kind, yet ruthless, sexy, yet emotionally unavailable. She secretly hoped he would let down his barriers and let her stay for good.
“What about Jamie. Did the deal fall through?” She lifted her head.
“Thankfully Falcone signed it anyway. Jamie can be quite persuasive. I taught him well.”
Lana squeezed him tightly and gathered herself together before hopping off his knee and returning to her chair. While she had been wrapped in his arms, safe from the world, the waiter had rectified her seat and refreshed the napkins.
Marcus browsed the menu. His forehead was creased and his lips tight. His face was edgy and filled with emotion, like he was trying to keep himself in check.
Her heart bounced in her chest, knowing this guy had really been there for her all along. Even now, he was guarding his reactions, so he could be the stronger of the two.
Marcus had been on this journey with her, he rode the hurricane as Carl tore through their lives. It was the journey that pulled them apart, yet it was the very thing that brought them back together.
She finally felt at peace within her heart. Carl was in the past and Marcus was in her future.
A creeping arousal slowly became unbearable and a surprising slickness soaked her panties. His sparkling green eyes flicked up, locking her intense stare. “Are you okay? Do you need a glass of water?”
A slight sigh escaped her mouth. “Just looking at you turns me on.” Her fingers pressed to her lips, she was heating up under the table.
His eyes blazed with lust. “Fuck, Lana. You never cease to surprise me. Do you want to go somewhere more private? I’ll get us a room.”
Pulling open her legs, she slid her hand down to the hem of her dress and under the blue fabric. She was free, the worry and fear had dissipated.
She knew he couldn’t see her little show. He’d have to imagine what she was doing as the table guarded her self-indulgence.
Her fingers rubbed the wet lace, while her eyes gazed into the dark orbs that pierced her flesh with fire. Slipping one finger inside, she inhaled sharply then trailed her hand up to her pink lips and sucked.
Marcus’s hands fisted. His lips formed a thin line as he tried to contain himself. With forced control, he shoved back his chair and stood. The napkin floated to the floor.
Suddenly, the waiter was by his side. “Is there a problem Sir?”
“Please give us some time to consider the menu. I want to show the lady around before we settle for lunch.”
His demeanour was calm and collected, the only give away sign of his hunger was the pulsating vein in his throat. He grabbed Lana by the elbow and escorted her towards the main reception.
“We need a room,” he growled into her ear.
She swivelled around and pressed her rising chest into his. “I can’t wait that long, Marcus.”
“Wait here,” he ordered, then he marched over to the tall red head at the reception desk.
Within a matter of minutes, he returned with a key card. He waved the white plastic card and widened his mouth with a wolfish glint in his eyes.
He swooped her up over his shoulder, her head dangling to the floor. With a quick slap, his hand met her ass.
“You’ll learn not to tease me, Lana.”
