Page 18 of Marc (Men of Forbidden Temptation #2)

MARC

I’ve heard that trauma can cause emotional outbursts, but I wasn’t prepared for Staci’s emotions to flip like a light switch.

Staci loads the dishwasher with our breakfast dishes as I put the extra waffles in a storage container and place it in the refrigerator.

She lets out a long sigh. “I need to call everyone and reschedule today’s photoshoot to tomorrow.”

Her voice has been extra quiet since she decided to take the day off from work.

This morning, waking up next to her was great. We shared some kisses and touches before sharing a sensual shower together.

She was bubbly and in a great mood, but that didn’t last long.

Until her third bite of waffles, to be exact.

It was like a light switch flipped and her mood took a one-eighty .

I offer to help her. “I can let Kelly and Adam know if you want to call Kat.”

She doesn’t crack a smile or chuckle lightly, like she normally would. “That would be great. Thank you.”

I reply, “You’re welcome” as I pull my phone out of my front pocket and send the two of them a group text, letting them know the change of plans for today.

Staci calls Kat and explains her need to reschedule the photoshoot today. She apologizes to Kat several times before finally hanging up.

Something seems different with Staci this morning.

She suddenly had this burning feeling in her gut and a renewed urgency to clean up the mess that Jared left behind.

I turn off the kitchen light and follow her to the garage where our cars are parked.

“Ready to head to your house?”

She slides into the passenger seat of my car. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

Picking up the box I packed to bring to Staci’s house, I place it in the backseat before driving to her house.

I park my car in her driveway and grab the box of trash bags and cleaning supplies before following her to her front door.

She turns around to face me with shock and confusion in her eyes. “Did you do that?”

She points to the brand new wrought iron door with an ivy patterned frosted glass inlay that has replaced the old broken front door.

I give her a smile, hoping she isn’t mad that I replaced the old one yesterday morning, so I explain my reasoning.

“I didn’t want anyone or anything to be able to get inside unless you wanted them there.”

She glances behind her toward the new front door before turning her attention back to me.

“This is absolutely beautiful and unexpected. You are seriously so sweet and thoughtful. Thank you.”

The way she is looking at me right now makes me feel like a superhero. “It’s not much.”

She wraps her hands around my arms and stares at me with large, bright eyes.

What is this new look in her eyes?

It’s soft, caring, and comforting and reminds me of love.

No, it can’t be.

It’s too soon.

Her voice drags me out of my thoughts.

“Sure it is. I really appreciate you being here for me through all of this.”

I shake all thoughts from my head. “No one should have to go through this alone.”

Especially Staci.

She is the most caring person I have ever met, and how someone who claims to love her can destroy her belongings and her safety is beyond me .

Changing the subject, I ask, “So, what is the plan today?”

“Lots of cleaning, and when the house is clean, I plan on buying and installing a security system. I want cameras, alarms, and window sensors- the whole lot.”

That is a lot on today’s to-do list.

“Then let's get started.”

I reach into my pocket and pull out the keyring containing all four keys to the front door.

“I think you will need these.”

After handing the keys to Staci, I wait for her to unlock the door before following her into her house.

We start by removing all the broken items and large glass shards, ripped pillows and covers, paper, and stuffing from each and every room.

We fill up three trash bags.

I carry them outside to the large trash can that Staci has next to her garage door.

When I come back inside, Staci is taking knick knacks off of shelves, wiping them off with a rag, and placing them on the freshly cleaned kitchen counter.

I grab a few tiny crystal bear figurines off of the large wooden mantle and carry them to Staci.

“What’s the story of these little guys?”

Her lips curl up into a small smile. It contains no happiness, only longing and remembrance.

“Every year for Christmas, my mom would collect that year's special crystal figurine. She had an entire display case full of them. Teri and I always said we were going to start our own collection once we got a place of our own.”

She takes one of the bears from my hand. It is holding a small bouquet of blue flowers.

Her eyes get glossy with tears, and I regret even asking about them.

Do all of her items have an emotional, sentimental reminder?

“When my sister got sick, she said she was sorry that we wouldn’t be able to have our own collection in our future house. Before she died, she ordered this one for me. Those flowers are forget-me-nots and represent true love and respect.”

My heart aches from the pain that is evident on Staci’s face and in her voice.

“Oh, Staci. I am so sorry.”

She wipes the bear off and places it on the counter with the other figurines.

“No need to be sad. It made it out unscathed and it is a reminder of my sister.”

I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.

What can I say that will make her feel better?

Nothing.

Nothing I say will change the past or make the present better. The reality of the situation is pretty dim and terrible, and I don’t want to add to it.

She picks up another figurine that has a big bear and a small bear each holding a balloon.

“This one is a mother and baby bear, but I loved it so much that I bought it to represent me as a big sister and Teri as a little sister.”

“It is really sweet that you honor your sister like this.”

She shrugs. “I don’t have as many as we have dreamed, but they are a bit expensive and I try to get a new one every year.”

I look down at the last crystal bear figurine that is resting in my palm.

“And what is this bear’s story?”

There is a jar attached to the bear's side that reads sweet as honey. His outstretched hand is covered in honey.

A smile forms on Staci’s face as she picks up the bear.

“I was just walking around the mall a few days after finally leaving Jared and saw this one in the store's window.”

She carefully turns it around to inspect every side of the tiny figurine before continuing.

“I just loved this one and had to have it, but if I were to come up with a bullshit story to tell you, I’d say it is because I love honey and can eat it every day, which is true by the way.”

She wipes the tiny bear off and places it on the counter with the rest of them.

I step closer to her, pushing her until her back is against the cabinets.

“I’d say it’s because you are as sweet as honey.”

Her throat bobs as she swallows. She tilts her head to look up at me .

“I should be the one calling you sweet. I mean, after everything you have done for me and everything you have had to deal with because of me, especially dealing with Jared and-”

I press my lips to hers to stop the rambling, but I am rewarded when she kisses me back.

Her lips part, and her hands wrap around my neck, pulling me closer.

After wrapping my hands around her ass, I lift her up and carry her to her couch. Sitting down, I lower her onto my lap.

Her fingers trail down my chest, her nails lightly digging into my shirt.

I groan as her hips rock back and forth.

A long moan comes from her as I lightly bite down on her lower lip.

Before things can get out of hand, she pulls back and gazes into my eyes.

It looks like there is something she wants to say, but she doesn’t speak.

Sitting up straighter, I ask, “What’s on your mind?”

Tears roll down her cheeks and I worry that I crossed the line. After all, she is emotional today and has a lot on her mind, and yet, I’m here making out with her like I’m a horny teenager.

I feel like a horny teenager when I’m around her, but that’s no excuse to act on those feelings. Especially on a day like today.

“I hate that you bought such a pretty door for this house. ”

I’m not prepared to hear those words come out of her mouth.

She hates the door.

Earlier, she said it was beautiful.

“Uh, okay. We can return it and get one similar to the old one.”

Staci shakes her head violently, the ends of her hair smack against my face.

“I love the door.”

My eyes narrow as I try to make sense of what she is saying. “I don’t understand.”

She blinks the tears from her eyes. “The door is beautiful and far more elegant than this house deserves.”

“We can change it out, I don’t mind. You don’t have to worry about hurting my feelings. I only want to make you happy.”

She wipes the tears from her cheeks.

“Sorry, I’m not really explaining my thoughts correctly.”

I rub her arm in a gentle and comforting manner.

“That’s okay. Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

She looks around the living room and lets out a sigh.

“I feel like my house is now tainted. I know that must sound silly, but this was my safe space, my comfort zone, after I left Jared. This is where I started my life over and now that he’s been here and destroyed my things, I don’t look at it the same anymore.”

I nod. “I can understand that.”

“That’s why I wanted to come over here today and deep clean it. I need to remove all thoughts of Jared being in here.”

I look at her with sincerity in my eyes. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make you feel safe. Whether it is here, at my house, or the studio.”

Her gaze moves downward to my chest. “To be honest, I don’t know if I will ever feel safe here again, and that thought scares me. Jared ruined this house for me. It will never be the same.”

She climbs off my lap. “Alright, I’ve had a long enough break. Time to get back to work.”

She grabs the cleaning spray and the roll of paper towels and starts cleaning the shelf that she cleared off.

I grab the other bottle of cleaning spray and wipe down the mantle.

When we finish the living room, I head into the kitchen to wipe down the rest of the counters and clean out the refrigerator while she heads down the hallway towards the bedrooms.

Grabbing the trash can, I toss out all the old food that Staci has in storage containers. I dump out the spoiled milk and toss the jug into the trash can.

The old produce that has wilted and started to grow moldy gets tossed as well.

Using a disinfectant wipe, I clean the shelves in the refrigerator before washing the storage containers.

My thoughts keep replaying Staci’s voice.

‘It will never be enough.’

No matter what I do or how much we clean, this house will have constant reminders of what her ex-husband did.

If she wants to have a safe, comforting, and secure space again, she has no other choice but to find some place else.

A thought runs through my mind.

When I am finished washing the dishes, I walk towards the bedrooms to find Staci.

“Staci?” I call out to make it easier to find her.

She calls back. “I’m in my room.”

Her voice is strained and full of emotion, as if she has been crying non-stop since coming in here.

Walking into her master bedroom, I see her sitting on the edge of her bed, crying.

Her cheeks are red, and her eyes are puffy.

I kneel in front of her. “What can I do?”

I’m desperate to help.

My heart can’t stand to see her so upset.

I want to comfort her and take her far away to make things better and at the same time I want to go out and look for Jared and give him a piece of my mind.

And maybe my fist.

But I know that won’t help Staci.

Staci doesn’t speak, her gaze stays locked onto her lap .

My idea comes back to the forefront of my mind.

“I was serious before.”

Her eyebrows furrow as she continues to stare at her lap.

Her voice is low and soft. “About what?”

Using my thumb, I tilt her head until her gaze locks with mine.

“Move in with me.”

She squints her eyes as she searches my face for the answer to some unknown question.

“But I’m already staying with you.”

A smile forms on my face. “Not permanently.”

Her eyes widen as she processes what I’ve just said.

“Are you sure?”

There is hope in her tone, like I am the answer to all of her problems.

My smile turns into a grin.

Using the same words she spoke when I asked her about having sex, I say, “I’ve never been more sure.”