His Desire, Her Surrender (5 page)

Chapter 5

After they exited the parkway, the sound of traffic dissipated and the view turned to green rolling lawns and widely spaced houses. Mature trees soaked up the heat that was overwhelming in the city.

Tabitha found the pastoral quality relaxing. "Do you come out here often?"

Marcus slowed for a traffic light. "Not as much as I'd like. I don't want to commute this far every day. It's really a family place, not just mine, but no one else will be here this weekend."

A band of tension released. She still wasn't ready to meet family. "Where's your father?"

"On a golfing trip. He'll be back next week. He was going to cancel because of everything, but I told him to go. He needed to get away. All this has hit him hard."

"And he doesn't mind that you have guests?"

Marcus laughed. "Is that an inquiry into whether I've brought women here before?"

Tabitha experienced an unfamiliar stab of jealousy. "Well, have you?"

Marcus shrugged. "This is been my family's home my whole life. I've brought girlfriends here and even the occasional fiancée."

Tabitha's head twisted his direction. "Occasional fiancée?"

Marcus laughed at Tabitha's shocked tone. "I was engaged once. It didn't work out."

An unknown fiancée was an unsettling thought. "Why not?"

Marcus delayed his answer. "Do you really want to know?"

Tabitha's mind whispered
yes
and then
no
. She was curious but intimidated. "I do, if you want to tell me."

"Sydney was everything I thought I wanted. She was educated, polished. I thought she'd make a perfect wife. In fact, I was right. That's exactly what she is now. But she wasn't the right wife for me."

"Why?" Tabitha pondered. What was Marcus looking for?

"There were certain incompatibilities in our relationship. I thought I could change who I was. I thought I could do without certain things in my life. Over the length of our engagement, it occurred to me that I couldn't. Sydney isn't like you."

"It doesn't sound like it." Dread filled her voice. If Marcus envisioned settling down with a society matron, that wasn't her. She couldn't visualize herself in a corporate wife role.

"You misunderstand me. When I came right down to it, Sydney was cool. She wasn't in touch with herself, with her emotions or her sexuality. With her, it was once a week on Saturday night in the dark. She had no interest in exploring anything. She didn't have to do the BDSM thing, just some … freedom. She wouldn't have cared if I found what I needed somewhere else. When I realized that, I knew I couldn't go through with it."

Tabitha swallowed, trying to banish the image of Marcus with another woman from her mind. "That must've been hard."

"It was. Our families are close. Frankly, I did love her. But my affection wouldn't have survived long in that relationship. When I broke it to her, she was more concerned about the gossip and embarrassment than she was about my feelings or even her own. She was mad, not heartbroken. That just proved I'd made the right decision."

Tabitha let his words sink in. "Part of me wants to say I'm sorry, but I guess I'm not, not really. Otherwise, you'd be married."

"No, I'd probably be divorced. It was a learning experience, to be sure. I realized I needed to be more honest with myself. I also learned to be a little more careful where I gave my affections."

Tabitha's heart sank. Could Marcus love her? Would he let himself?

"Here we are."

Tabitha stifled a gasp as they turned into the drive. A wide, tree-lined driveway led up to a stately stone house. This was Marcus's family home? It was large but not ostentatious. The natural stone façade glittered where the sun hit crystals in the surface. The lawn spread out like a green carpet in all directions. The beautiful landscaping was meticulously kept and set off the house with planned perfection.

Marcus noticed her scrutiny. "It's just a house, Tabitha. It's what happens there that makes it a home. At one time, we had quite a few people living here. My grandparents, my parents, my siblings. That required space if anyone wanted any privacy."

Tabitha wasn't sure she bought his casual dismissal. The house was large, even for seven people. "It's lovely."

"I have great memories of times spent here. We had a much more modest house when I was young, then when the company started doing well, one of the first things my father did was purchase this house for my mother. He didn't want her to worry about her home anymore."

Tabitha turned her gaze back to Marcus. "What do you mean?"

"Early on, my father put up their house for collateral. They almost lost it more than once. It was important to him to give her security."

Tabitha frowned. "I see." Was she creating a gap between them that really didn't exist?

Marcus pulled to a stop under a portico that protected the main entryway. "Don't let the trappings get in the way, Tabitha. That's all they are. If I did something else for a living, if I had less, would you feel differently?"

With no hesitation, Tabitha responded. "No, I wouldn't. But maybe it would be a little easier."

Marcus turned off the ignition. "In what way?"

Tabitha contemplated her response. "You'd be a regular guy with a regular life."

Marcus smiled. "I am a regular guy with a regular life. I go to the office. I push papers around. I have an apartment. I have bills. Believe me. My life feels regular."

Tabitha's face took on a doubting look. "I know it does to you. To me, though, it's a bit different."

"If our economic positions were reversed, if you were a huge lottery winner and I was Joe Average, would that make any difference?"

Tabitha's brow puckered. "No. But that isn't how things are, and it takes getting used to." She tended to keep things simple. Simple was easy. Simple was familiar. Involvement with Marcus was anything but simple. But perhaps complicated had its own rewards.

Marcus nodded in agreement. "Every relationship has adjustments, compromises. I don't think this is any different. At least I hope not. Pretend I won the genetic lottery. I was born into a family that had a successful business. My father didn't just hand it over, though. I work hard. I don't take what I have for granted."

Tabitha reached for his hand, squeezing it. "You're right. I know you are."

Marcus guided her hand to his lips and kissed her fingertips. "Besides, it gives me the opportunity to spoil you once in a while. This house has a lot of rooms. It might take a while to break them all in."

Tabitha laughed as his humor broke the tension. "Is that your goal? To break in every room?"

"Eventually. It might take more than one visit though." Marcus grinned as he released her hand and exited the car. He pulled their bags from the trunk.

Tabitha shivered. Whenever he dropped a reference to the future, she found it both frightening and exhilarating. She wanted to protect her heart, but she feared it was far too late.

Tabitha met him on the steps. "Ah, what room are you planning to start with?"

"You'll have to wait until after the grand tour, then you can make a suggestion."

Marcus unlocked the front door and gestured for Tabitha to precede him. As her eyes adjusted, she took in her surroundings. Given the formality of the grounds, she'd expected something different. The inside of the home was designed for comfort, not show, with overstuffed, inviting furniture. Deep chocolate upholstery contrasted with the cream-colored Berber carpet. Red accent pillows arranged on the couches matched the decorative candles on the side tables. Geometric charcoal drawings were grouped on the walls. The overall effect appealed to her.

Tabitha drifted through the room, glancing at the family photographs scattered throughout. "The outside looked imposing. I'm glad the inside is more low key."

"It's made for living. We entertain here, but it isn't meant to be a showplace. It's more casual inside than out."

Tabitha rolled her shoulders, releasing some of her tension. She needed to quit making Marcus into something he wasn't. Yes, he had money, position, but he was a person with feelings, wants, and desires like everyone else.
Stop putting up roadblocks
, she thought. He'd never done anything to make her feel like less. She was doing it to herself.

Tabitha smiled. "I'll bet this place has a killer kitchen. Am I right?"

Marcus laughed. "You are right. My mother was an avid cook and I've been known to throw a meal or two together. It's this way." He gestured toward the dining area.

Tabitha followed him through the great room. The kitchen, dining, and living room area formed a large "L," with the kitchen off to the back left. Tabitha salivated when she saw it. Wide expanses of counter ringed the space, lined with small appliances. Double ovens and an extra prep sink added to the functionality. Meal preparation in her tiny kitchen in the city was a serious challenge.

Tabitha fingered the six-burner cooktop. "Do we need to shop for food?" She admired the dark wood cabinetry and the intricate design of the travertine mosaic backsplash.

"It should be stocked. The housekeeper came by today. If there's something you want, we can always run out and get it."

Tabitha grabbed Marcus's hand. "This kitchen is a dream. I'd love to cook you dinner. What do you think?"

"I'd be more than happy to let you show off your culinary talents. I look forward to it."

Tabitha released him and opened the refrigerator. Food items crowded every shelf. Packages of chicken and beef competed with fresh vegetables for shelf space. She smiled as she pictured impressing Marcus with a homemade dish. Was that possible? Surely Marcus had eaten unbelievable meals all over the world. What made her suppose some home cooked recipe would entice him?

Tabitha shook herself out of her train of thought.
Stop. Just stop. There's no reason to think Marcus won't appreciate a simple meal made with care
.

She closed the stainless steel door and turned.

Marcus sensed her unease. "What? Is something wrong?"

"I'm sure you've had some incredible food."

Marcus shrugged. "Yes. I've had a few memorable meals."

Nervous knots invaded her muscles. "Maybe we should go out."

Marcus looked puzzled. "I'm not following. What happened in the last minute here?"

Tabitha shook her head. "It's hard for me to envision going out to expensive dinners, jetting around the world. All that stuff."

Marcus paused. "Tabitha, you have the idea I live some high flying lifestyle. I don't. I go to work, often working long hours. Do I attend a party now and again? Yes. But that's like a couple times a year. Travel? Yes, usually for work. When I want to relax, I usually hole up here and get pizza. Don't make me into someone I'm not."

Tabitha fisted her hands in frustration. "You're right. I'm sorry. I'm jumping to conclusions."

"Even if I could have a life like that, I don't want it. Could I afford to jet around the world and sit on the beach all the time? I suppose, but it would get old real quick. I like working. I enjoy the challenge. I enjoy simplicity. Do I also enjoy the occasional night on the town? Sure. Those fancy parties are just an excuse to show you off."

Tabitha blushed.

Marcus grasped her by the waist and lifted her onto the counter. "This is a perfect height."

Tabitha nibbled his chin. "For what?"

"Access to you." He leaned in and kissed her thoroughly. He slipped his hand under her shirt and reached up to cup her breast. "I think this room has possibilities. Don't you?"

"Yes." Her insecurities melted away when he held her like this. It was easy to dream they had a future when the heat from his body warmed her skin.

Marcus buried his face in her hair. "I'm here with you. That should mean something. I choose to be here, now, in this place."

He was right. Marcus, of all people, had choices. He was here because he wanted to be here.

Tabitha wrapped her legs around him, pulling him in close, reveling in his nearness.

Marcus nipped the bottom of her ear. "Mmm. I'm envisioning you on this countertop naked."

Tabitha shivered with reaction. "Never let it be said I wasn't willing to fulfill your fantasies." Tabitha unwrapped herself from Marcus and hopped down from the counter. While he watched, she disrobed without breaking eye contact, removing each piece of clothing with deliberation. Naked before him, she waited.

Marcus motioned toward the counter.

Tabitha climbed back up on the cool granite surface. Her nipples puckered.

Marcus delivered a playful tap to her hip. "Kneel. Let me see your ass in the air."

Tabitha turned away and scrambled to her knees on the smooth, unyielding granite. She traced a fingertip along the veining before spreading her palms on the polished surface.

Marcus opened a drawer, shifting things inside as he searched. He slapped an olivewood spoon in his palm and shut the drawer. "This kitchen is filled with useful tools."