Page 47 of A Secret Escape

Lila

T he pale morning light seeps in through the blinds. For a moment, I’m caught between sleep and waking, unsure where I am – until I feel the weight of Marcus’s arm draped over my waist and hear his soft, steady snore.

A smile spreads across my face. It wasn’t a dream.

I glance around, half-expecting my phone to be by the bed where I always have it, but then I remember – I left it downstairs.

Rolling onto my side, I press a gentle kiss to Marcus’s cheek. His face looks so peaceful, so beautiful. And he’s mine.

My heart skips a beat at the thought of waking up to him like this for many mornings to come.

He stirs, and my lips slide over his as his hand finds my face, his fingers curling gently against my skin.

“Mmm,” he groans, eyes still closed.

“Good morning,” I whisper.

His lashes flutter, and with a stretch, he opens his eyes and grins.

“Good morning beautiful. ”

I smile, kissing him again as my hand trails down the curve of his neck, brushing gently against the silver chain I’ve noticed he never takes off.

My gaze follows, drawn to the sharp black gem resting against his chest, my fingers tracing the smooth texture of it.

The first time I spotted it was the other night when I surprised him in his room while he was getting changed. His shirt was unbuttoned, framing his body in the most perfect way, and the gem had caught my eye, the pointed end of it directing my gaze south along his chest and abs.

“I like this,” I say, lifting the stone gently between my fingers. “What is it?”

Marcus glances down, then meets my eyes with a small nostalgic smile. “Onyx,” he says. “My gran gave it to me.”

I turn the pendant slowly, noticing fine silvery threads glinting beneath the surface. “It’s beautiful.”

“She was big into crystals,” he says, his voice softening. “Said this one was for protection. It’s supposed to ward off negative energy, chaos, anything that tries to mess with your peace.”

I glance up at him, and the way he’s watching me makes my chest tighten. “So it’s like a little shield?”

He smiles warmly. “Exactly. She gave it to me before I went to uni. Said I’d need something to keep me grounded. The day she gave it to me was the last time I ever saw her. She died peacefully in her sleep about a month later.”

My breath catches in my chest – familiar, painful, and tender all at once. I let the stone fall softly back against his skin, my fingertips lingering there.

“I like that you wear it. Like she’s still watching out for you. ”

His hand covers mine, warm and steady. “She is,” he murmurs, shifting to face me on his side. “And now… I’ve got you.”

Emotion rises sharp and sudden in my throat, and all I can do is lean in and kiss him again, slowly, reverently – like I understand exactly what this means.

We stay like that for a while, the quiet of the morning wrapped around us like a blanket, the rest of the world miles away.

“I could stay here forever,” I murmur.

“Mmm, then stay,” he says softly, fingers brushing my waist.

A smile tugs at my lips as a soft sigh rises from my throat. “It’s Monday.”

He laughs. “You desperate to get to work or something?” he teases, his voice low and scratchy with sleep.

I lightly slap my palm against his chest.

“No,” I laugh. “But I should check my phone.”

“Mmmm,” he groans, his lips finding mine one more time before he rolls onto his back and props himself up on one elbow. He rakes a hand through his tousled hair and the way his muscles flex with the motion has my insides clenching and arousal building all over again.

“Okay,” he murmurs, pushing himself upright into a sitting position.

He throws off the covers and is about to get up when I grab his hand.

“Wait,” I say, pulling him down as I roll onto my back.

He looks at me and his mouth opens into that smile that steals every other thought from my brain as he lifts the duvet and shifts so that he’s on top of me again.

He looks down at me, his eyes dark and heavy with heat.

“Do you have any idea what you do to me when you look at me like that?” he murmurs, his voice a slow burn against my skin .

My breath catches in my throat and then he’s kissing me again, deeper, with a hunger that curls through me like fire. His hands trace every curve, anticipating every response, and his fingers find my entrance, my body arching up to meet him like it’s second nature.

He pulls back, quickly grabbing a condom off the bedside table and rolling it on, and he’s sliding into me, filling me up so completely, and this feeling is everything.

My hand on his face, I look into his eyes, and I am so overcome with love, more than I ever thought possible.

He slides in and out, slowly, but no less intense. Like we’re savouring the connection of our bodies, knowing the outside world is waiting, but refusing to let it in just yet.

We fall apart together, a wave of pleasure washing over me at the exact moment he throbs, thrusting hard and deep as he lets go inside me.

After, we lay tangled together, the sheets a mess, the rhythm of our breaths syncing, slow and steady, as the world quietly spins around us.

Marcus’s fingers draw lazy patterns on my hip, soft and aimless, and I close my eyes, not ready to move, to let this moment go.

Eventually, he presses a kiss to my shoulder. “Okay,” he groans, reluctant. “ Now I need a shower.”

He lifts his head, his voice dipping low and teasing. “Unless you plan on stopping me again?” That lethal smile plays across his mouth, equal parts promise and challenge.

I laugh, pushing at his arm lightly. “Go,” I say, though I can’t help the grin tugging at my lips. “We have all week.”

He leans in for one more kiss, slow and deep, then finally climbs out of bed .

I watch the muscles in his back flex as he stretches, then walks, gloriously naked, toward the bathroom.

God help me.

While he showers, I start getting dressed, fishing out a fresh pair of underwear and a soft pink top from my bag, then pulling on yesterday’s jeans.

If we really are going to be here all week, I’ll have to figure out a way to wash some clothes.

I hadn’t exactly packed for this. I thought I’d spend the weekend at his place, then head to work as usual. Not… this.

Downstairs, I fish my phone out of my coat pocket. It’s dead. Of course.

With a sigh, I head back upstairs, dig my charger out of my bag, and plug it in at the kitchen counter before filling the kettle.

Waiting for the water to boil, I drift to the French doors, letting my eyes drink in the view.

The snow stretches out in an unbroken sheet of white, glittering faintly under the pale morning sky.

Tiny animal tracks wind across the distance – maybe foxes or deer?

The air outside looks sharp, clean, untouched.

The kettle clicks just as my phone buzzes, and at the same time, the pipes above fall silent as Marcus’s footsteps thud across the upstairs floor.

I pull two mugs from the cupboard and make our coffee, when my phone buzzes again, the screen lighting up with a flurry of notifications.

Five text messages and three missed calls.

Two calls from Angela, and one missed call from an unknown number.

My stomach clenches. There’s no voicemail.

The familiar prick of dread crawls up the back of my neck .

Probably just a scam caller, I tell myself – but the tight feeling in my chest doesn’t go away.

I focus my attention on the five missed texts, all from Angela.

Babe, u ok? Where r u?

Lila I’m worried, plz call me back.

Carter’s asking where u are. What do I say?

Babe do I need to call 999? Call me!

If I don’t hear from you by lunch, I’m calling the police!

Shit.

My fingers hover over the screen. I stand there – heart pounding, the coffee forgotten beside me.

I type a reply, thumbs shaking just a little as I hit send.

All ok. Staying with Marcus until things blow over. Not in the city. So much to tell you when I get back. I’m safe. Plz don’t worry.

Not even thirty seconds later, my phone rings, Angela’s name lighting up on the screen.

“Hey,” I answer, trying my best to sound casual.

“Lila! Where the fuck are you?” Her voice is a mix of relief and fury. “Babe, fuck’s sake, you have no idea, I was fucking worried sick!”

I let out a soft laugh, hoping it’ll settle her. “Please, really - don’t worry. I’m fine, I promise.”

“Where are you? Everyone’s asking about you!!”

“I’m sorry, I can’t tell you. But I’m with Marcus. We’ll be back soon.”

“When is soon ? What am I supposed to say to people?”

I hear Carter in the background, asking if it’s me and demanding to know where I’ve gone.

“I told Steve I had a family emergency. Just say that if anyone asks. ”

Angela goes quiet for a beat, then her voice drops to something softer. “Lila, are you sure you’re okay? Just, I don’t know, send me a sign or something if you’re not, I’ll find you, girl.”

I laugh, my heart aching at the fact I can’t tell her everything right now. “Please don’t. I promise I’m okay. I swear, I’ll tell you everything as soon as I can.”

Marcus appears at the foot of the stairs, hair damp, eyes warm as he comes up behind me and gives me a kiss on the cheek, and my insides melt all over again.

“Alright,” Angela sighs on the other end of the phone. “You better.”

“I will. I have to go, but I’ll text you soon.”

“Lila, just, be careful, okay? You know I’m here if you need anything.”

“I know. Thanks, Ange. You’re the best.”

“Keep me updated, okay?”

“I will. Don’t worry.”

“Alright, alright, alright. I’ll let you go. Ok, bye bye bye.”

I grin, my heart feeling lighter. “Bye bye bye,” I echo and end the call.

Marcus settles onto the stool beside me at the kitchen island. “Everything alright?”

“Yea, Angela’s just freaking out a little.”

“You didn’t tell her anything about where we are, right?” There’s a slight edge to his voice.

“No, I know, don’t worry. I won’t.”

I pour myself a bowl of cereal and sit down.

Marcus watches me, eyebrows pulled in tight in thought. His expression is unreadable.