Marcus: The M Series, Book Three (8 page)

She moaned as I gently sat on the bed and checked her carotid pulse. I tried to move swiftly and lightly when I checked her temperature and blood pressure, but she winced as I inflated the cuff. I felt bad, so I whispered a quick 'Sorry, baby' then kissed her cheek. She smiled a little, never opening her eyes. Lisa replaced her towel as I stepped in the hall.

“Why don't you go get some sleep,” I whispered to Rachel and Thomas. “It's after midnight, and I don't think she's going to be okay for a while. I'll sit with her.”

“Are you sure, Marcus,” Thomas said.

“Absolutely.”

Rachel studied me a minute before she spoke. “Okay. But we'll be just downstairs. I'm not leaving here yet.”

“Fine.” I checked my watch again. “Nathan, I think she should have another dose.”

“I agree,” he nodded then enters the room.

I watched as he measured a syringe then bent at Mariah's arm.

Her weak call for her mother tore my heart out, almost as much as watching her endure the brief pain she experiences when she's being medicated.

When she went to sleep again, Lisa stayed with her while I went outside to wait for Matthew, not wanting him to ring the bell and hurt Mariah’s head. When he arrived, he gave me a duffel bag and questioned what was going on.

“Damn,” he murmured when I told him. “Will she be all right?”

“I think so. Her friend is a doctor and he’s here, treating her.”

“What’s his name and age,” Matthew pressed, pulling out his cell.

“No, Matthew. He’s her best friend; he loves her and has been nothing but professional with her.”

He stared, studying me. “If you change your mind, call me.”

I nodded and watched him leave.

July 2, 2011

I stared at the back of her head. Something I said pissed her off or scared the shit out of her. I bent to get my clothes and slowly put them on, willing her to talk to me. She stood there still shaking and wouldn't turn around. Fuck, I should've listened to Nathan, but being with her, her responding to me the way she did, only cemented what I already knew was there.

I loved this woman.

As I dressed, I thought to the previous night and the pain she was in. I felt a tug at my heart. She was so helpless, begging for my help, then dismissing me like I was nothing and having to explain to her mother and the rest of them what that was all about.

I stepped directly behind her and breathe deep, committing her scent to memory. My throat constricted and I grabbed her, pulling her close as if I wanted her to be inside me. I kissed her head, and lingered there, silently begging her to change her mind. She wouldn’t.

I couldn't take it anymore, so I released her, and stepped back.

“Thank you for taking care of me last night,” Mariah whispered softly, almost inaudible.

My voice caught and I cleared my throat. “Goodbye, Mariah.”

It came out like I'd had enough. I felt nowhere near it.

I picked up the bag Matthew brought last night and went to my car, where I sat and waited, praying she'd change her mind. She didn't and I felt anger boiling in me. I looked at the passenger seat and saw the gift I'd gotten her that I left in the car when I saw her with Nathan. I threw the thing out the window and sped off.

When I got home, as I searched for something harder than wine, Matthew called me.

“What is it, Toad,” I snapped into the phone.

“Calm down, Cramp. Just wondering if Mariah's better.”

“She's great,” I acerbically replied. “Just fine. So fine, she fucked me then threw me out.”

“Excuse me? What,” Matthew chuckled.

“You heard me, Toad.”

“I thought she had a migraine.”

“She did. Couldn't even talk. She felt better and we had sex. I told her I loved her then she... She threw me out.”

He laughed. “Why would she do that? Were you that bad?”

“Fuck you, Matthew.”

He laughed again. “I'm just saying–”

“Rockford,” I mumbled before he could another crack in.

He took a deep breath. “Are you giving up?”

“I can't.”

“Then you need to see her, find out what the problem is. Only whores fuck and leave; Mariah is no whore.”

“I know that, Toad.”

“So something spooked her. You're supposed to go to that party at the Harveys on the Fourth, right?”

“I was invited; she's sure to be there.”

“My point exactly. Get her to talk to you there.”

“Shit. I hate this.”

“But you love her... and you want her.”

I took a deep breath. Damn it... I hate when Matthew is right!

“Fine. I'll go. If she rejects me again, I'm kicking your ass.”

“Please, Cramp. Only way that's happening is if you use your fancy wrestling moves.”

“That's what you think.”

“I'll see you Tuesday,” he laughed. “Lunch or dinner?”

“Hopefully neither. I have to work anyway and if I get Mariah back, I'll spend my birthday night with her. I'll call you.”

“Good. By the way...”

I sighed. “What, Toad?”

“Mariah... was she good?”

I hung up on him.

July 4, 2011

I arrive at the Harveys and as I parked, Jeanelle drove in. I got out and waited for her to park next to me.

“Would you like me to escort you in, Jeanelle,” I asked politely.

“I knew you'd come back,” Jeanelle purred at me, looping her arm in mine. “You had a good time.”

“I’m sorry, ‘come back’?” I asked, annoyed. I knew exactly what she meant.

“Yeah, Marcus. I heard your engagement fell through.”

I scowled. “Jeanelle, I'm in love with someone and she may be at this party. I'm only escorting you in, since we've arrived at the same time.”

“Wanna make her jealous?” she purred again, licking her lips. “I'd love a repeat.”

Mother and her teaching me manners. Some, she should’ve bypassed.

We’re escorted to the rear doors and Thomas approached us as we step out of the house. Nathan caught my eye but turned quickly and went around a bush to my immediate left.

“Welcome, Marcus. Jeanelle. Didn't expect to see you two here. Together, that is. You know Cookie is here, right, Marcus?”

“I think she's in the pool which is behind those bushes. Am I right, Thomas?”

“Yes, that's right,” he frowned.

Mariah and her siblings walked to the opening in the bushes and I turned my back to them. Yeah, Jeanelle, let's make her jealous.

“I saw Nathan go off in that direction when I walked out with this pretty girl.” I looked at Jeanelle and she laughed, touching my chest. I frowned at her as I whispered, “Enough. I already told you it's not happening.” She pouted and turned away.

“Excuse me, Pops, Mom. Alexander?”

I turned at my name. A blonde guy in swimming trunks approached me. He stuck out his hand. “Ethan Harvey. I'd like a word; do you mind?”

“Sure.” I shook his hand then turned to Jeanelle. “Thanks for your unsolicited help,” I whispered at her and to my surprise, she giggled.

Ethan led me to the side of the garden. He gestured to the bar and I sat on a stool. I crossed my arms as he paced in front of me. He stopped and after assessing me a little too thoroughly for my taste, he spoke in a mildly aggressive tone.

“Are you aware Mariah is here?”

“Yeah and I'm hoping her seeing me with Jeanelle will get her back to me.”

“Are you sure that's the plan? Jeanelle looks ready to jump your bones and my sister does not appreciate watching it.”

I felt like I'm being interrogated.

“I am not interested in Jeanelle. I didn't come with her, we arrived at the same time.”

“Marcus!”

I looked up; Nathan and Tom Harvey were walking toward us. Nathan stopped at my side, his face showing all the anger he’s feeling.

“Didn't I ask you to wait before telling her you love her?”

“Wait... you told her you love her,” Ethan asked, frowning at me.

“Yes, I did.”

“Did you mean it,” Tom demanded.

I scowled. “Of course I did. That’s not something to lie to someone about.”

Nathan lowered his voice and leans in. “What I told you, it happened last February. She really hasn't had time to...  process it all. She hasn’t let herself.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Why didn't you say that Friday night? No wonder she freaked out on me!”

“I told you to leave it for now,” Nathan shouted back.

Shit! “Where is she?”

“In the pool, doing laps,” Tom answered. “She's hurt by your display with that predator.”

Ethan looked in my eyes. “Did you fuck her?”

“I never touched Janelle,” I answered as I scowled at him. “I'm with Mariah, only Mariah and I don't mess around. Damn it, I hope I didn't fuck this up again!” I looked at Tom. “Get rid of her,” I snapped, then walked off toward the bushes.

“Damn right, I will,” I heard behind me.

At the pool, Mariah was swimming like a pro. I stood there, watching, waiting for her to finish. After a few minutes she finally swims to the side. I'm angry as hell and determined to make her talk to me. She exits the pool, sexy as hell, all wet in that one-piece green swimsuit. I remember thinking, this is a woman who should never be dressed, as I wrapped a towel around her perfect body.

* * *

Later, I approached her parents with a spring in my step, not caring the party is now in full swing and a lot more guests have arrived. I started hoping they don’t insist she stay.

I smiled at them. “Thomas, Mrs. Harvey... Mariah and I are leaving. She's agreed to talk.”

“Good, Marcus. I hope you two can work this out,” Rachel cooed, looking around. “Where is she?”

“She wanted a shower first and asked me to meet her in the living room.”

“Be careful but strong with her, Marcus. Mariah can be stubborn and unyielding. She needs to feel safe, secure. Just... wrap your arms around her tight and listen to her; you may have to fish, but she'll tell you exactly what she needs in her own way.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Harvey. I’ll keep that in mind. I'm going in and wait for her now.”

“Take a drink with you, Marcus. She's a woman, so she'll be awhile,” Thomas murmured.

“All right, I will. Thanks, Thomas.”

“What did that mean, Thomas,” Rachel snapped.

“Nothing, Rachel, honey...”

I chuckled, glad I wasn’t the only one in the dog house.

I grabbed a water and went to the living room. I waited for her, praying we can work this out.

Finally, she bounded down the stairs, and I stood. Yellow... wow. Is there any color she in which she doesn't look beautiful? Nope.

July 4, 2011 – Who cares about time?

She rocked my world and conked out on me. I could have gone another round, but she looked so peaceful lying in my bed. I guess all the swimming then pleasing one another got to her.

I couldn’t get that fucking Vince and his hitting her out of my head. He’d better not come near her if he ever gets out of prison.

And she's a squirter. I've heard about it but I've never met a woman who did and it's just... mesmerizing... how her hot cum rolls down my shaft, teasing my sensitized skin. Feeling that turned me on more than anything, and I couldn't get deep enough inside her. I got so fucking dizzy when I finally climaxed.

“Mmm,” she sighed as she snuggled closer.

Damn, even in sleep she sounds sexy as hell.

I nuzzled her. “Baby, let's move to the head of the bed.” 

She threw her arm around me and cuddled. It made me grin. Even cuddling, she feels good.

I wrapped my arms around her, pulled her to the head of the bed then released her. She rolled a little, tucking her arms under her breasts. I could see her entire burn perfectly.

I studied it. It started just under the jaw, like flames, then down her arm. Those had to be second degree burns and the scaring was not bad.  The pattern turned down her back, where it was the most pronounced. I inhaled sharply. This was third degree and it reminded me of a spider web, almost as if it were tattooed there with light red ink. I gently rubbed it. It didn't feel as rough as I thought, maybe like the back of a leaf.

Whoever took care of her did a good job, thank God. My life would not have been worth anything if she hadn't walked into it. What would I have been, done, if she hadn’t been born?

I kissed her shoulder then her arm and she stirred a little. I kissed her throat and she grunted and rolled on her side. Her beautiful breast played peek-a-boo with me and I took that pink nipple in my mouth and suck gently. Mariah moaned and pushed me away.

“Marcus! Let me sleep,” she mumbled as she rolled to her other side. “Later, boo.”