Page 84 of Heated Takeover

But tonight? He is technically mine tonight, right?

Marcus makes his way over to us, and I am about to say something, to butter the bread while it’s still hot, so to speak. But Reese beats me to it.

“Oh my gracious, Marcus,” she gushes, and I can’t hide the look on my face. Since when does she say things like, oh my gracious? My sister is more of a Holy shit! kind of girl. Or a fucking hell kind of girl. But oh my gracious? Gross. “This is such a fabulous party. I don’t know how you do it,” she says, and as she does, she clasps her hand over his arm. I swear, if I had fur, it would be spiking down my spine right now. I’m pretty sure my teeth are showing.

“You want to know how I do it?” he asks with a smile that she eats up like a piece of candy.

“Yes,” she says, practically purring. “Tell me all your secrets. I am dying to know how you run two companies, throw these elaborate parties, and don’t even break a sweat.”

Are you fucking kidding me?

I literally feel myself recoil slightly as my sister steps closer to him…because this has been my life. My whole entire life. Men always went for her first. In the rare case when someone might have been interested in me, she found a way to distract them, making them fall for her before she shooed them away.

For a moment, that same old rush of defeat hits me.

The feeling that I’ve already lost before the game even started.

Then I catch myself.

No.

I’m not twenty-five anymore. And Reese doesn’t get to decide who wants me.

“I don’t,” he says, and she just stares at me. “All of this, from the decor to the menu to the entertainment and even the guest list, is all Natalie. I had nothing to do with it,” he says. The next thing I know, he is pulling me against him and planting a kiss on my lips.

When he pulls back, which is not right away, Reese is gaping and I am swirling.

“Isn’t that sweet,” she says before her gaze darts around the room like a short-circuiting spotlight. “Where is my husband? Garrett!?” she snaps in a shrill voice before popping off.

“What are you doing?” I ask, smiling up at Marcus. His arms are still around me, and he’s still looking down at me with a smile that has no good intentions to speak of.

“Marking my territory,” he says, and I arch a brow as my mouth pops open.

“Excuse you?”

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I mean, taking out the trash. Or making the trash take itself out.”

My eyes widen, and I swat at him. “Ash!” I whisper yell. “That’s…not nice…” But even as I discipline him, I can’t help but giggle.

“You’re terrible,” I say, hugging into him.

“You’re welcome.”

Later that night, as the crowd fizzles, Marcus and I head out to the SUV. Dylan is lagging behind, on the phone with someone talking about gold silverware she saw on Pinterest and how to get ahold of it. Marcus turns to me as I reach my door, and I wait for him to open it, but he pauses.

“That was amazing,” I say. “As much as I love my job, it’s kind of nice being part of the party once in a while too.”

“It could be like this as much as you want,” Marcus tells me, and his eyes fall on me, warm and wild. “Not just the events. But this.”

I know he’s talking about us and how it felt like we were truly a couple in there.

My heart spasms in my chest. I want it. I really do. But I don’t see how it can be.

“Marcus,” I say hesitantly, but he cuts in.

“Natalie. I know it’s complicated. I know there’s more to it than just me being your boss and your dad only recently warming up to the idea of me existing. But if you wanted this every day…it can be.”

“I just…” I say and then trail off. Because how?