Page 98 of So I'll Know
Then he sits next to me, his back to the headboard. I pull the sheet over my lower half, feeling self-conscious about my nakedness again.
I look over at him. He still looks tired, but his face is more relaxed. “So talk to me,” I murmur. “What does all this mean?”
He sighs and looks away, but he takes my hand. “I’m sorry that I left.”
“You already said that last night, Marcus.” I give him a pleading look. “You really hurt me. I need to know it won’t happen again. Before, you said I was your boyfriend. Did you actually mean that? Is that what we are? The way you left made it feel like a lie.”
Marcus’s hand tightens, and I hold my breath, terrified of his answer. A lump forms in my throat, and I swallow hard because I’m so tired of crying.
“Oh, sweetheart,” he replies softly. “Of course I meant it. And I still mean it. I’m completely miserable without you.” He turns his head, his eyes piercing mine. “It’s selfish, but I want you, Jer. But I want to protect you and my family too. I don’t know how to do this. What the fuck do I do?”
I shake my head, sadness filling my throat. “I can’t answer that for you.”
He takes a breath and gives me a cautious look. “John’s so close to having all the evidence we need. His PI, Courtney, is trying to track down the names of two board members who Ryan had killed. A professional hit.” He hesitates like he’s considering what to say. “If she gets what we need, it’ll be enough to charge Ryan with murder.”
“Okay. And your father?”
He shrugs. “They were equal business partners. I don’t know for sure if he knew the extent of what Ryan has done or may still do, but it’s enough that we can blackmail him into backing off.”
I nod and lick my lips. “What’re you saying, Marcus?”
“Just that . . . we won’t need to hide much longer. Plus, Ryan has been MIA. He’s dealing with something personal, and his absence was unplanned.” He fidgets with the sheet. “It doesn’t mean you’re one-hundred percent safe, but maybe it means we could come up with a plan in case something happens. In casewe’re caught. I honestly don’t think Ryan would do something as reckless as hurting you in public. He would want to use our relationship as an excuse to oust me from the board first.”
I nod slowly, and he tilts his head hopefully. “And I thought maybe I could tell my family about us.” Marcus pulls me closer so that I’m straddling his lap, placing his large hands firmly on my hips. I look down into his warm eyes, my raw emotions mixing painfully with a keen sense of lust as our cocks bump together. “I have no right to ask you to take me back, but fuck, I just can’t . . .” He blinks rapidly, looking away.
“Is the news about Ryan what changed your mind?”
His watery gaze returns to mine, and he shakes his head. “I mean, it helped, yes. But . . .”
“But what?”
“It was the fucking gala the night before last. Everyone kept congratulating me and Sabrina on our engagement?—”
“Right. I saw that announcement.” Marcus winces and gives me an apologetic look. I flutter my fingers at him. “Continue.”
“It was a perfect night. There were fairy lights and dancing, and even some fucking string band playing Nickelback?—”
“If you’re trying to convey your misery, it’s not working.”
“That’s just it. Iwasmiserable. All I thought about was you the entire time. I looked for you everywhere, like you might descend the fucking staircase in a sparkly suit, like my own gay Cinderella.”
I cover my mouth, stifling a giggle.
“I didn’t want to be there with Sabrina. I wanted to be there with you. As my date. I wanted to get you champagne and twirl you around the dance floor, and—I’m an idiot, okay?”
My heart swells. “That you are,” I murmur. I place my hand on his cheek, frowning at his barely-there stubble, and I give him a shy smile. “I miss your beard.”
His mouth quirks at the corners. “Does this mean you forgive me?”
“Jury’s still out.” I take a breath. “But we can work on it.”
Marcus’s face brightens, and it melts my fucking heart. “I missed you so much, baby boy.” His warm breath coasts over my lips. “Can I kiss you?”
I answer by pushing my mouth against his, the feel of his lips pressed to mine soothing an ache in my chest that hasn’t gone away in weeks. It’s a slow, sweet, sexy kiss, and I take my time, enjoying every nibble of his teeth and swipe of his tongue. When I pull back to catch my breath, I give him a smile.
“I missed you too, big guy.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
