Page 11 of Marc (Men of Forbidden Temptation #2)

“No. I had a typical childhood. Both of my parents worked, so naturally my sister and I were best friends. We went on several family vacations during school breaks and always had a huge family dinner after church on Sundays.”

Sadness takes over as I think back to all the fun times we had as a family.

“We all got along great and never kept secrets from one another until things changed. Now, no one speaks to me, and I stopped trying to reach out to them.”

Those times are long gone. Now, I only have the memories. Sometimes I wish I could forget the past and forget how happy I once was, but I know remembering those joyous times will help me get back to living a normal life, despite being alone.

Marc looks at me with worry in his eyes. “Well, now you have me, and I promise not to disown you no matter what decisions you make.”

“Even if I teamed up with supervillains and took control of the entire world?” I ask, thinking of something so far-fetched that it causes me to giggle.

Marc chuckles before responding, “Yep. Even if you create a laser to shrink the moon.”

We spend a few minutes thinking of ridiculous scenarios of me trying to take over the world, like one of the childhood cartoons I used to watch.

“You can turn all electronic devices into robots that take over everyone’s mind. You would be able to control everyone. Well, everyone but me, because I will be your wingman and blindly follow you no matter what, so you wouldn’t have to control me with an electronic device.”

Marc smiles as he has given a lot of thought to this scenario.

“Hmm. I doubt I’ll ever do something like that.” I say while picturing Marc alongside me despite the horrible things our made up supervillain does.

“Of course, you wouldn’t, because you are too caring.” Marc lays his hand over mine.

The touch lights a fire in me that only he can extinguish. I’m going to need a cold shower if he keeps touching me tonight.

We eat the rest of our dinner and dessert and talk about the weekend ahead.

I just want to sleep and relax without worrying about nightmares or work.

“I want to lounge on the beach and just unplug for once. I’ll worry about editing the pictures at night when the sun goes down.”

“Count me in on lounging. I need to work on my tan.” He winks before adding, “I’ll need to add in a workout, maybe a swim or two as well.”

“You can work out, and I’ll watch.”

Along with every other woman that will be on the beach .

Marc gathers our empty plates, stacking them on the tray.

“Do you care if I jump in the shower? Or do you want to shower first?” He asks, while digging in his bag for his clothes and soap.

“You can jump in first. It’s going to take me a few minutes to get my stuff ready.”

Before I can grab my bag, he is already in the bathroom and starting the water.

His shower is incredibly fast. The bathroom is still steamy when I get in. I smile when I see the message he wrote on the bathroom mirror.

Enjoy.

That one word makes my mind wonder what he was referring to. My core tightens as my body jumps to what I want it to mean.

I take an equally fast and hot shower, get dressed, and brush my hair before opening the door. The steam escapes through the open bathroom door before disappearing.

Marc is already laying on the couch in a makeshift bed. He looks like the hulk laying in a toddler bed.

The sight makes me laugh.

Once I regain my composure, I say, “It folds out to a larger bed.”

“Oh, it does?” He picks up the covers and pillows before throwing them on the floor next to the couch.

I show him how the bed pulls out of the couch before helping him make the bed .

“Thanks.” He climbs in, making me wish I offered to share the bed in the first place.

Turning off the light, I snuggle between the sheets, unable to fall asleep. I feel energized, like an electric current is traveling through my body.

I lay here and contemplate grabbing my laptop to get started on the editing when Marc throws his pillows and covers on the floor.

“Are you okay?” I whisper while sitting up.

There is enough light coming through the curtains that I can see his outline sit up and turn to face me.

“Sorry to wake you up.” His voice is husky and full of sleep.

“You didn’t wake me up. I just can’t sleep. I was actually thinking about grabbing my laptop to work, but I didn’t want to wake you up. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.” He tries to pretend that everything is okay, but I know better.

Why else would he throw his pillows on the floor?

The bed must be uncomfortable. I remember the one time I had to sleep on a pullout. It was the worst night of sleep I’ve ever had. My back was sore for a week.

“You can share the bed with me if you aren’t comfortable. It is big enough for the two of us, and I promise to behave.” Maybe, I mentally add. “Plus, it has to be more comfortable than that thin mattress. ”

“Only if you are sure.” He seems hesitant, but it isn’t fair for him to not get rest this weekend when we have a big bed that is comfortable.

“I’m sure.” I say confidently, even though I am freaking out inside.

There’s nothing to it.

He will sleep on his side and I will sleep on my side. In the morning, I will laugh at how unreasonable my freak out is right now.

Marc positions his pillows ever so carefully on the other side of the bed and crawls under the covers, laying on his back. I never noticed how bulky he really was until right now.

He takes up over half the bed.

His bare torso disappears under the covers, tempting me to take a closer look. His bulging arm muscles almost graze my breasts.

My body arches closer, wanting to rub along his arm like a cat.

Before I can embarrass myself, I roll over. “Goodnight.” I whisper into the darkness.

“Goodnight, Staci.” He whispers back.

I have a feeling the night is going to be good, but I may not get any sleep if my hormones don’t settle down.

Maybe if I give in to my desires and get Marc out of my system, I’ll be able to keep things platonic.

What happens on vacation, stays on vacation, right?