Page 19 of Marc (Men of Forbidden Temptation #2)

STACI

Change can be great, but it can also be scary.

Change has been good and beneficial for me in the past, like getting a divorce from Jared, becoming a photographer, and opening up a studio.

But it’s also been scary and unpredictable, like choosing to get a divorce, starting a photography business, and Jared coming back into my life.

The decision I made this morning is causing my stomach to perform somersaults. But I know in my heart, this is the right choice.

I just hope Marc isn’t too surprised when he finds out.

Reaching into the side pocket of my purse, I dig out the keys to the studio and hand them to Marc so he can get into the studio.

“Kat may or may not be there this early. You have the keys, and you know the code, so I think that is all you will need to get started. I’ll get the backdrop and camera set up when I get there. ”

He takes the keys from me but doesn’t put them in his pocket.

He stares at the camera keyring for a moment before turning his gaze back to me. “I don’t have to go in this early. I can wait until closer to the photo shoot time.”

“Oh, it’s no big deal. I will only be a few minutes behind you. Plus, like you said last night, it might be good to try to catch Jared at the studio with just you there. I just worry that egging him on will only make things worse in the future.”

He already broke in and trashed my house; I don’t want to see what else he has in store for me or my property.

Marc grabs my hand and links his fingers with mine. “I can handle myself. Don’t worry about that. Plus, we aren’t egging him on. We are just trying to outsmart him.”

It seems dangerous and unwise to try to provoke him, especially after everything he has done in the past week. Not to mention all the hell he put me through.

“He has already proven that he isn’t afraid of us or the police. He won’t stop until he has me back or until I am dead. Neither of those options sound very pleasant to me.”

I begin to freak out. My heart races as the palms of my hands slicken from fear.

Jared is capable of hurting me and even killing me.

He’s proven it many times before. There’s been so many times that I thought it was the end. That I would just let him win and finally, I’d get some peace and quiet.

But somehow, I was able to get up, pull myself together, and fight another day.

I was finally free of him, his anger, and his drunken madness. That is, until he showed up in my studio, stalked Marc to my house, and trashed my stuff.

Marc pulls me into his chest and wraps his arms around me. His hug is comforting, warm, and just what I need to ground myself.

He leans his head against mine and whispers in my ear. “Just relax. Take a deep breath and slowly exhale. Things will be alright. It just takes time.”

I shake my head. “I can’t relax. I can’t just sit back and let Jared make the rules. Every day I risk my life trying to pretend that he isn’t a huge threat to me, to us, and to the studio. Everything that I have worked my ass off for is at risk.”

Marc pulls away slightly to look into my eyes. “I know, and I will do everything in my power to keep you safe and to protect the studio.”

I know he will do everything he can to keep me safe, but he shouldn’t have to.

“And I appreciate it. I appreciate you more than you will ever know, but it’s not your job to protect me, my house, and the studio.”

I place a chaste kiss on his cheek before picking up my camera bag, laptop bag, and purse. “Okay, enough with the heavy for now. I will see you at the studio in a little bit. I promise I won’t keep you waiting too long.”

A smile forms on his face. “I’ll be the one all dressed up.”

His smile is contagious and I can’t help but to smile back at him.

“And I’ll be the one taking your picture.”

Marc’s head leans closer to mine. “I’ll pose extra hard for you.”

“You do that. I love when you flirt with the camera.”

Marc’s eyes darken with lust as he backs me into the wall. “I’m not flirting with the camera. I’m flirting with you.”

My breathing becomes ragged as Marc’s lips brush against mine. Even though we've had more sex in one night than I’ve had in years, I can’t get enough of him.

“Well, I love when you flirt with me. It excites me and makes me wet.”

He raises his eyebrow, like he doesn’t believe me. “Is that so?”

“Yeah, it’s like foreplay to me.” I bite my lower lip and watch as Marc’s gaze immediately moves to my lips.

To be honest, this conversation is turning me on, but it could be Marc’s erection poking me in my stomach.

Marc hmms before saying, “I’ll definitely make sure I do it more often if it helps get you in the mood. ”

“You always get me in the mood. It doesn’t matter what you do. You can just look at me and I’m a goner.”

I don’t know why I’m being so open and honest, but Marc seems to like it. At least his growing erection seems to like it.

Marc pushes his hips into mine, his erection harder than a steel rod. I press my lips to his. His tongue swipes along my lower lip.

Letting out a moan, I playfully push his chest. He doesn’t move.

Of course, he wouldn’t move. He’s fit as fuck , my mind yells.

“We’re going to be late.” I try to sound serious, but I’d much rather be doing this right now.

I lean my head back and arch my back as Marc kisses along my jaw and down to my neck. He gently nips at my pulse point before letting out a frustrated growl.

“You’re just so enticing.” He presses a kiss on my neck.

“And delectable.” Another kiss on my jaw.

“Not to mention sexy.” And a final kiss on my lips.

He steps back and opens the garage door, leaving me breathless, heart racing, and horny as hell.

Marc waits until I am situated in my car and backing out of his garage before sliding into his driver’s seat.

I drive towards my house so I can swing by and talk to Ms. Edith before my busy schedule takes over today.

Plus, it gives me a chance to check on the house since I had to order the security system and it won’t be delivered for two weeks.

I park in the driveway and walk to my mailbox to check the mail. I throw the sales flyers and miscellaneous envelopes directly into my purse before walking to the house next door.

After knocking on the door, I crack it open and call out.

“Ms. Edith?”

She immediately yells back. “In the kitchen, dear.”

I walk through her house, following the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls until I reach the kitchen that is at the back of her house.

Ms. Edith is pulling the baking pan out of the oven when I walk in.

She speaks over her shoulder. “Are you hungry, dear?”

“Not currently. Marc made me a fantastic breakfast this morning.”

He went above and beyond this morning by surprising me with eggs Benedict and homemade Hollandaise sauce on a toasted English muffin.

Miss Edith places a large cinnamon roll on a plate and walks to her table.

“That’s so nice of him. He’s a keeper for sure. Make sure you don’t let that one go.”

“Yeah, he’s really caring.” I reply nonchalantly .

“So, what brings you around? I saw your new door. It’s beautiful.”

“That was all Marc’s doing. It was a complete surprise, and sort of the reason I came over today.”

She studies my face for a moment. “What’s wrong?”

That one question unleashes emotions that I never knew I had bottled up.

Tears form and fall down my cheeks. I’ve cried so much over the past several days, I can’t believe I still have tears to shed.

“Oh.” Miss Edith places her hand on top of mine.

I try to dry my tears. “With everything that is going on and with Jared being friends with the police, I have decided that it is in my best interest to sell my house and get out of this county.”

Miss Edith has the opposite reaction to the one I expect.

She smiles. “I’m so happy for you. I know times are hard right now, but I know things will work themselves out. Marc is a great guy and will no doubt protect you.”

More tears fall down my cheeks as I mentally prepare to say goodbye to my house and to the best neighbor I could have ever hoped for.

“I’m going to miss you.”

She gives me a small smile. “I’ll miss you too. You and Marc are more than welcome to stop by anytime. You know I am usually always here. ”

I return her smile. “I will come by all the time, and I’m sure Marc will, too.”

Miss Edith takes a bite of her cinnamon roll. “And make sure you bring me updated pictures of your models to look at.”

I chuckle. “Oh, I will, as long as you make the tea.”

“That’s the easy part. I’ll even throw in some snacks.”

Reluctantly I stand. “I have another photo shoot today, so I have to get going, but I’m sure I will see you before the house sells. I still have to come back and pack the few things that weren’t destroyed.”

She slowly stands and wraps her far too skinny yet deceptively strong arms around me.

“Take a cinnamon roll for the road.” She walks to the stove and puts a cinnamon roll in a storage container.

She looks at me before adding a second roll to the container. “Actually, take two. That way, you can give one to Marc.”

I take the offered container. “Thank you.”

After giving her one last hug, I head back to my house and put the cinnamon rolls in the passenger seat before heading inside.

My house looks rather empty with all the broken stuff taken out. Not much survived Jared.

Walking into the kitchen, I smile as I remember how happy I was when I first saw the black granite island and the white cabinets.

It was much more modern than the house I shared with Jared. Not to mention it was a little bigger, so I had more space to get things and decorate.

I had dreams of hosting dinner parties and holiday get togethers, but that never happened.

This past year has been all about working and getting my business started. I haven’t had time to really make friends outside of Kat and the models.

I look at the small two-person table that’s missing a chair since Jared broke one of the legs.

It was where I set up my small tabletop Christmas tree. I never ate at the table anyway, so it was the perfect spot. The large bay windows helped to reflect the light back into the kitchen.

I look out the bay windows at the small backyard where I’ve had several bonfires in the stone fire pit.

The first time, it took forever to get the wood to light and when I finally did it, I was exhausted and put it out.

It got better, the more I practiced.

I wanted to buy a small dog to run around the backyard and to keep me company. Sure, I had work to occupy my time, but I’ve been single and lonely for over a year now.

I slowly walk down the hallway to my bedroom, taking time to remember all the good times I’ve had here.

My fingers run along the spot in the wall I had to patch up the day after moving in.

While no longer damaged or visible, I smile as I remember carrying my headboard through the hallway where it fell and poked a hole in through the drywall.

I’ve learned so much about myself while living here over the past year. I almost can’t believe I’ve decided to sell my first home.

A loud crash sounds from the living room seconds before a car door slams shut. Tires squeal as the car drives off.

Running to the living room, my gaze searches for whatever made the crashing noise. Shards of glass litter the carpet from the shattered front window. A brick is laying a foot away from the couch.

Wrapped around the brick is a piece of paper held on by a rubber band.

My hands shake as I bend over and grab the note.

There’s only one person who I know would do something like this.

Jared.

Unfolding the piece of paper, I read the two word note.

You’re mine.