“Howdoyouwantme,baby?”Igrowlintoherear,needingtohear hertellmewhatsheneeds.
“Please,Idon’tcarewhatway,”shewhimpers.
“Tell.Me.How.”
“Fuckme,Marcus.Fuckmehard.”
“Pardon?”Ichastise.
Shewhimpersandcriesout,“Fuckme,sir,please,fuckme.”
“That’sagirl.”
Islidemycockinsideherinone,full,thrust.Shecriesoutandher nailsfeelliketheydrawbloodonmyskinassheclutchesme.Ifeelan electricboltrunthroughmydickandintomyballs.Igroanasshe surroundsme,clenchingandpullingwithherowndesperateneed.Igrip herhips,tiltingthemupandusingthemtodrivemythrustsoverand over.Ourskinslapstogether,ourbodiesbecomeslickwithsweataswe bothattempttohangontothemomentofpleasure.Hernipplesareso hardIcanfeelthemrubbingagainstmychest,herbreathingisragged, hercheeksarepinkandshe’smakingstrangledwhimperingsounds.
“Makemecome,sir,”sherasps.“Godmakemecome.”
“Onit,baby,”Igrowl,thrustingharder.
Icanfeelitstartingfrommyspine,thissweetlittletinglecrawling slowlytowardsmydick.WhenSierracomes,shecriesoutmynameand stranglesmewithherorgasm.IgroandeeplyasIbegincoming,deepand hardintoherheat.Pulseafterpulse,deep,intensepleasure.Iburymy headintohershoulderandgrowlloudlyaswecomedownfromonehell ofarelease.Whenourbreathingsteadiesout,Sierrarunsherhandsup anddownmybackwhileshenestlesherfaceintomychest,breathingme in.Irolloffher,pullingherintomyarmsandturninghertofaceme.I runafingerdownhercheeks.She’ssofuckingbeautiful,insideandout, everythingaboutherissunshine.
“Baby,”Imurmur.“You’resoperfect.”
Shesmiles,showingmeaflashofperfectteethandtwogorgeous dimples.
“Icouldsaythesame,sir.”
Igrin.“AndmightIaddthatyouhaveonehellofasexyfucking voice.”
Sheflushes.“Iknewyou’dlikethat.”
“I’llneverhearmynicknameandnotthinkofthat.”
“Thatcouldbeawkward,”shegiggles.
Istrokeapieceofhairfromhereyesandleanin,grazingherlips withmine.Sheclutchesme,pressinghernaked,warmbodytomine.
“Sleep,sweetheart,”Imurmurintoherhair.
“Hmmmm.”
ShesnugglesfurtherintomeandIlistenasherbreathingbecomes deeperandfurtherapart.Iamjustdriftingoffintooblivionmyselfwhen mymotherbangsonthedoor,quiteloudly.Sierrajerksandwebothsit up,thoughSierra’seyesaredartingaroundtryingtoworkoutwhat’s goingon.
“Marcus?Honey?Areyouawake,wehaveaproblem?”
Igetoutofthebedandpullonapairofpants,thenIwalktothedoor andcrackitopen.
“It’slate,what’sup?”
HereyesdartdownthehallandthenturnbacktomeandIcansee she’sworried.
“Chayne…she’shere.”
What.The.Fuck?
CHAPTER10
SIERRA
“DidyourmotherjustsayChayneishere?”
IpeeratMarcusandwatchhisbackstiffen.Iguessshedidsaythat.I slipoutofthebedandquicklypullonsomeclothes,thenIwalkover, placingmyhandonhisback.Heflinches.Iknowhe’sworried,Ican’t blamehim.WhatreasonwouldChaynehavetodriveoutherelateat night,otherthantobustMarcusatsomethinghemostcertainly isdoing.
Iknowhowthiswillendforhim.Iknowexactlywhatitisshe’stryingto do.Ifshecanprovehe’swithsomeoneelse,shehasacasejustasstrong ashis.Myheartquickens.
“Whatthefuckisshedoinghere?”
“Don’tswear,”Juliewhispers.“AndIdon’tknow.Sheshowedup ravingthatyou’recheatingonher.ShehascamerasMarcus,lotsof them.”
“I’mnotwithher!”hesnaps.
“Well,sheseemstothinkso.Yourfatherisholdingherback,butit’s onlyamatteroftimebeforeshebargespasthim.”
Marcusturnstome,frantically.Hiseyesdartaroundtheroom,then hesettlesthebackontome.
“Pickupyourthingsandputtheminthetopofthecupboard,go!”
Istareathiminshock,Juliedoestoo.Packmythings?Isheserious?
WhatthehellshouldIdothatfor?SurelyChaynewon’tcomedown here?Willshe?
“Didyouhearme,Sierra?Putthemaway.”
Idon’tmove,stillunsurewhyheisdemandingthatIhidemythings.
IthoughtheandChaynewereseparated,sowhyshoulditmatterwho he’sherewith?Sheshouldn’tbeabletojustbargeintohishouseand demandtoseehim.Heshouldbetellinghertojustgetlost,notordering mearound.SeeingthatI’mnotmoving,heturnsquickly,shovingmy clothesintomysuitcaseandopeningthehighcupboard,shovingmy thingsinsidebeforeslammingitclosed.
“YouneedtomakeyourselfdisappearuntilIcangetridofher.”
Myeyeswiden.“What?”
“Sierra,don’targuewithme,justdoasIask.”
“Marcus!Iknowyou’renotalone!I’mgoingtotakeyoudown!You cheatingbastard!”Chaynescreamsdownthehall.
“Go!”Marcushisses,shovingmetowardsthewindow.
He’snotfuckingseriousishe?Hewantsmetoclimboutthegod damnedwindow?Whenheopensitandshovesmetowardsit,Irealize that’sexactlywhathe’sdoing.
“Marcus!”Juliesnaps.
“Justtrustme,climboutandstaylow.I’llgetridofher.”
“You’rehidingme?”Iwhisper,liftingmylegandhoistingmyselfup onthewindowframe.
“Shecan’tknowaboutthis.”
Hurtandtrulyheartbroken,Iclimboutthewindow.AssoonasIhit thedirtbelow,Marcusslamsthewindowshut.Hemightaswellhave crushedmyheartinitwhilehewasatit.Ilistenclosely,pressingmy facetothefadedwoodpanelsofthehouseasItrytohearwhat’s happeninginside.IcanhearChayneyelling,andIcanhearcupboards beingslammedandMarcus’angryvoice.Afewwordscomethrough clear,though.
“She’snotfuckinghere,Chayne.Fuck,can’tIevenvisitmy family?”
“You’recheatingonme,youbastard.”
“No,I’mnot.We’renottogetherandyouknowit.Webothknow exactlywhyyou’rehere,you’retryingtogetmeforsomethingyouknow Icangetyouon,soyoudon’tloseeverything.”
“I’llfindherMarcus,Iwillgetmyproofandyouwillgodownwith me.Iwon’tletyouruinmylife.Iwon’tletyouruineverythingIhave workedfor,doyouhearme?Nowwhereisshe?Whereisshe?”she screams.
“I’mnotwithher,”Marcussnaps.
“Idon’tbelieveyou.”
“Ihavebetterthingstodowithmytime,”hehisses.
That’senoughforme,Iturnandstormintothedarkness.Hottears thunderdownmycheeksasIrushforward.Splattersofrainhitmy cheeks,Ididn’tevenknowitwasraining.Iswallowoverandover, sobbingandjoggingintothedarknight.Idon’tknowwhereI’mgoing,I havenoideaifI’mabouttorunintoalargedamorsomeanimal’syard.
AllIcanthinkabout,isMarcus’harshwords.Igetthathewassaying thembecauseChayneisn’tmeanttoknow,butthefactthatheshovedme outhiswindow,hurtmemorethanwordscaneverdescribe.
Irunpastanoldbarn,bynowI’msoaked.Iseecarlightsflashon andIquicklyduckdown.IwatchasChayne’scarspeedspastandflicks rocksasithammersdownthedriveway.Whenshe’soutofsightIstand andbeginaslowerpaceasItrytogathermythoughts.IhearMarcus callingmyname,butIdon’tstopwalking.WhyshouldI?Heshovedme outhiswindow.That’ssomethingchildrendo,ornaughtyteenagers,who areabouttobebustedforsneakingtheirloverinmiddleofthenight,but itshouldn’thappenwithagrownmanwhocanmakehisownchoices.
“Sierra!”Marcuscall
s.
Ikeepwalking.Iseeaflashlightswingpastmyfaceandthesound offootstepsquickening.
“Sierra,stop!”
Ipickuptoarun,butI’mnotasquickasMarcus.Hegripsmyarm inamatterofsecondsandswingsmearound,causingmetoslipinthe mudandfalltomyass.Icryout,kickingoutandconnectingwithhis shin.Heroarsinpainandhopsafewstepsbackwards.Goddamnhimfor shovingmeoutawindow.Howdarehedothat,especiallyafter everythingwe’vebeenthrough.Itwaswrongandsocompletelyunfair.
“Whatthefuck?”hesnaps.
“Howcouldyou?”Icry,slammingmyhandintothemud.“You shovedmeoutyourwindow,andthenyoutoldherthatIwasnothing!”
“Icouldn’ttellheraboutyou,doyouknowwhatwouldhappenifshe knew?Iwouldn’tbeabletotakeherdown,becauseshewouldhavethe samethingtobringmedown.”
“That’sallthisisabout,isn’tit?”Iscream,standing.I’mcoveredin mud,butIdon’tcare.“It’sallaboutyourcareerandhowitwilllookon you.”
“I’veworkedmyentirelifetowardsthiscareer,Sierra.Doyoureally expectmetojustthrowitaway?”
“No,”Isnarl.“Ididn’t,butIcertainlydidn’texpecttocomesecond bestthewayIdidtonight.Youshovedmeoutawindow,doyoureally misshowhorriblethatwas?”
“Ihadnochoice,”heyells,throwinghishandsup.Thetorchflashes aroundamoment,thensettlesbackbyhisside.
“Youalwayshaveachoice,Marcus,you’rechoosingtoputme secondthisway.Youdidn’tevenhavetospeaktothatwoman,butyou did.Youcouldhavewalkedoutoftheroom,toldhertogetoutandleft meinsidethewindow,butyoudidn’t.Youjustdon’tseeit,doyou?You don’tseewhatyou’redoingtome?Goddammit,Marcus,I’minlove withyouandyou’rebreakingme.”
Iturnandtrytostormaway,buthegripsmyshoulderandpullsme backwards.
“Sierra,stop.”
“WhyshouldI?”Icry.“YouhavemadeitperfectlyclearwhereI stand,andIdon’tneedit.I’vehadenoughtodealwith,Idon’tneedthis.
YouhittheroofwhenIwantedtotakeajobwithBen,butwhenitcomes toyouIhavenothing.Ihavenopartofyou,Ihavenopartofanyofthis.”
“Bullshit!”Heyells.“You’regoddamnedpartofeverything.Idid that,foryou,Sierra.Iknowwhatshe’lldoifshethinksyou’reathreat.I amprotectingwhatI’veworkedhardfor,butcanyoublameme?Iamnot goingtojustgiveitalluptoher,Iwon’tlethertakeeverythingIhave workedfor.Butwhatyou’remissing,Sierra,isyou’repartofwhatI workedfor.Don’tyouunderstandthat,she’snotjustgoingtotakemy job,she’sgoingtotakeyoutoo.Ican’tletherdothat.Ishouldn’thave pushedyououtthewindow,butgod,Sierra,Ididitbecause…”
“Becausewhat?”Irasp.
“BecauseIfuckingloveyoutoo.”
Imakeastrangledsobbingsound,andlurchforward.Marcuscatches meinhisarmsandIcanfeelthemudtransferfrommybodytohisbutI don’tcare,itfeelssogoodtohearhimsaythosewords.Ihavewaitedso longtohearhimsaythosewordsandmeanthemwithhiswholeheartand thewayhejustsaidthem,tellsmehemeansthemwitheverythinginside him.Whenmylipsfindhis,Ikisshimdeeply,roughly,angrily.Iwrap myarmsaroundhisneckanddragouteverysensationinmybody, pushingthemintohim.Hegroansandtangleshisfingersinmyhairand pressesmybodyfirmlyagainsthis.
“Youhurtme,”ImurmuragainsthismouthasIpullaway.
“Iknow,baby,Iwasn’tthinking.”
IgriphisarmandIpinchhisskinsohardheleapsbackwithacurse.
“Don’tdoitagain.”
He’ssilentamoment,thenheroarswithlaughter.
“Didyoujustabuseme,Sierra?”
“Idid,andifyouevershovemeoutawindowagain,I’llrepeatit, twiceashard.”
Hestepsforward,wrappingmeinhisarmsagain.
“Ipromise,I’llnevershoveyououtawindowagain.”
Ifallsilentamoment,andthenIrestmyheadonhischest.We’re drenchedandI’mshaking.
“Comeon,let’sgetyoutotheshower,”hemurmurs.
“WhatarewegoingtodoaboutChayne?”
“Idon’tknowsweetheart,Itrulydon’t.”
“Meeither.”
“We’lljustdealwithitasitcomes,ok?”
Inod,andlethimtakemyhandandbeginleadingmetothehouse.I hopehe’sright,becausesomethingdeepinsidemeiswarningmethat this…isfarfromover.
CHAPTER11
SIERRA
“Youcan’tkeepcallingme,Isaidno,Ben.”Isnapintothephoneas IpaceoutsidetheWhiteHousewaitingforMarcus.
“Yousaidnobecauseofhim,”Benbarks.
“No,Isaidno,becauseIreallydon’tfeeltheneedtoworkwithyou.”
“Doyouhonestlybelieveyou’llevergetanotherjobafterlosingthat onewithhim?”
Ouch.
“Ben,please,Idon’twantyourjob.I’mgrateful,Itrulyam,but…”
“That’snotawiseidea.”
“Sierra,thisisajobopportunity,andagoodone.Youknowthat, you’rejustignoringmebecauseofMarcus.”
“Ben…”
“Fiveminutes,it’sallI’masking.Ifyousayno,I’llleaveit.”
Ilookdownatmywatch,Marcusdoesn’tfinishforanothertwenty.
“YoumeetmeoutfrontoftheWhiteHouseinfiveminutes,andI’ll speaktoyou.”
“I’llbethere.”
HehangsupandIsighloudly.Hewon’tgiveupuntilIatleasttell himnotohisface,andIfigureI’msafeenoughoutthefrontoftheWhite House.Idon’tgetachancetothinkmuchlongerbeforeacarpullsupand Benjumpsout.Ifeelanoldstinginmyheartatthesightofhim,butI’m notsureit’sagoodone.It’sapainfulone,thatmuchIamtotallysure about.Whenhestridesoverandstopsinfrontofme,Itakeawearystep back.Hesmiles,andshakeshisheadwithamusement.I’mgladhethinks mywearinessisfunny.
“Sierra,youlookgorgeous.”
“Let’sjustgetthisoverwith,Ben.”
Hefrownsandcrosseshisarms.Hisdarkgreysuitpullsacrosshis hardchest.Iswallowandlookaway,rememberinghow,atonepoint,I lovedthewayhelooked.
“Iwantyoutoreconsidermyoffer,Ithinkyou’rebeingchildish sayingnoandyou’renotsayingnoforyourself,you’resayingnofor him.”
Iglareathimandcrossmyarms.“Iamsayingnoforme,Ben.I don’tthinkworkingwithyouisagoodthing.Wedon’tmesh,wehavea pastanditwouldneverwork.”
“I’mhardlyeverthere,it’snotlikewe’regoingtobesleepingnext toeachother,seriously,Sierra,you’reoverthinkingthis.”
“Iknowit’snotagoodideaBen,I’veknownthatsinceyouofferedit tome.Ishouldhavesaidnothen.Iwon’tchangemymindonthis.”
“You’remakingamistake.”
“TheonlymistakeIevermade,Benjamin,wasfallingforyou.”
Hisfacesoftensandhelookspained.“Youlovedme?”
“WhateverIfelt,isinthepast.”
“Answerme,Sierra.Didyouloveme?”
Igrowlandclenchmyfists.“OfcourseIlovedyou,Ben,trustedyou witheverythingIhadandyouruinedthatforme.Youbrokeitapartand hurtme.Icannevergobackfromthat,notnow,notever.”
Apainedlookcrosseshisface,andhestepsforwardandreachesout.
Iflinchwhenhispalmrestsagainstmycheek.Iclosemyeyes,forcing myselftotakeabreathsoIwon’tpunchhimcleaninthejaw.Howdare heactniceandcaringnowafterwhathedid?DoeshehonestlythinkI’m thatweaklittlegirlagain?Ihearthesoundofacameraclicking,andI snapmyeyesop
enandturntoseeamanwithacameraclickingphotos.I openmymouthtosnarlathim,whenBenissentflyingbackwards.It takesmeamomenttorealizehe’sbeensentbackwardsbyMarcus’fist.
Benleapsup,chargingtowardsMarcusandramminghisheadinto hisstomach.Marcusstumblesbackintothefenceandthenlaunches forward.BeforehehitsBen,Istepintheway,stoppinghim.Hiseyesare wildwithangerandjealousy,ashewrapsanarmaroundmywaist, pullingmybackintohischest.Icanhearthecameramanclickingover andoverashetossesmebehindhimtolurchforwardagain.He’sstopped thistimebyguards,theypullhimbackandanothertwoshowuptograb Ben.
“Stayawayfromher!”Marcusbarks.“Shebelongstomenow.”
“Justadmityou’rejealousofme,MarcusHarrison.Youknowshe usedtoloveme,anditburnsyouthatsheconsidered,evenforasecond, takingajobwithme.”
“Shewasbeingnice,butgodonlyknowswhy.Sheshouldhavetold yourightwheretogoafterwhatyoudidtoher.”
Benchuckles.“Thinkwhatyoulike,Marcus,shejustadmittome thatsheusedtolovemeandyouheardit,didn’tyou?”
IflinchandwonderifMarcusdidhearmeadmitIusedtocarefor Ben.Honestlythough,heusedtocareforChayneandhedoesn’tnow,I don’tunderstandhowit’sanydifferent.TheguardsbarkanorderatBen, andhethrowshishandsup,backinguptowardshiscar.
“Iknowhowmuchitmusthurt,knowingyourgirlfriendjustkeeps comingbacktome.Bytheway,sheaskedmetomeetherhere.Havea goodday.”
Thenhegetsinhiscarandleaves.Marcuspullsmyarmtowardshis SUVandshovesmeharshlyinsidebeforeslammingthedoor.When we’reontheroad,heturnstome.
“Didyouaskhimtomeetyouthere?”
“Hekeptcallingme.Iwaswaitingforyouandhecalledmethislast time.ItoldhimhecouldmeetmesoIcouldtellhimIwasn’ttakingthe jobandtobackoff.”