His Desire, Her Surrender (9 page)

As Marcus introduced her to their dining companions, Tabitha opened her clutch under the tablecloth and thrust her panties into his hand. His fingers grasped her wrist and he glided his thumb against her sensitive skin. The trapping of her wrist in his hand shifted her mind back to when he had bound her, pleasured her. Her body responded, softening under his touch.

Marcus released her wrist and put the panties in his pocket. He whispered in her ear, "Good girl."

Moments later, Marcus placed his palm on her thigh. His heat burned right through the fabric. Thankfully, she wasn't required to make much conversation since everyone was attentive to the speeches.

All evening Marcus teased her with slight contacts — brief brushes against her arm and bumps with his knee. She had to refocus her attention every time he made contact, but she didn't want him to stop. Her arousal increased, bit by bit, and her anticipation of the time when they would be alone grew. She wondered if she had the fortitude to hold out.

Tabitha didn't hear the accolades of the speechmakers or taste the expertly prepared food. She wanted to feel Marcus against her, skin to skin. A deep ache beat within her and only Marcus could satisfy it.

As the event ended, Tabitha's hungry need spiked. Her wetness moistened her thighs and she barely responded as they excused themselves with hurried goodbyes.

Tabitha leaned close to Marcus. "I hope I wasn't rude. I've been thinking about getting you alone all evening."

Marcus smiled. "I've had the very same thought." He guided her toward the exit.

The doors were open and the crowd spilled out on to the sidewalk. Marcus led her down the block at a leisurely pace.

Tabitha gripped his arm. "Where are we meeting the driver?"

"Up ahead. I thought it would be easier. You don't mind a short walk, do you?"

She snuggled close. "No."

Marcus glanced at her strappy heels. "Do your feet hurt?"

Tabitha wiggled her toes. A slight ache was building in the arch of her foot. "No. Well, maybe a little. These shoes are surprisingly comfortable, though."

"I'll rub your feet when we get home."

Tabitha almost froze in her tracks. Home. Did he mean anything by that? Probably not. She was reading too much into a simple statement. Tabitha pulled her wrap more tightly around her shoulders as the chilled air cooled her skin.

Suddenly, Tabitha heard a car engine close behind her. Instinct compelled her to turn. To her horror, the car jumped up on the sidewalk. "Marcus!" She clutched his arm and pulled.

Marcus spun around. He grabbed Tabitha, and they half jumped, half rolled over the short hedge separating the sidewalk from the parking lot. They landed on the pavement in a tangle of limbs as the car sideswiped the hedge. Leaves and branches flew into the air, and the car veered off the sidewalk and back onto the street. It squealed off into the dark, its red tail lights careening erratically.

Tabitha rose to her knees. "Oh my god, Marcus! Are you okay?"

Marcus rolled over and got to his feet. "Yes. Damn idiot. Are you injured?"

Tabitha clutched Marcus's hand as she stood. "I don't think so. A few scrapes and probably some bruises."

Marcus brushed the debris from his pants. "What the hell? Freaking maniac. Probably drunk."

Tabitha located her purse on the ground. "Did you see what kind of car it was?

Marcus shook his head. "Not really. I only had a quick glance."

Tabitha examined her dress and found the skirt had torn in several places. "It looked like a black sedan to me."

People were starting to gather around. A security guard from the event approached them. "I've called the cops. I'm not sure if there's much they can do, though. I was too far away to get the plate. I don't know if the building camera caught anything, either." The man turned to the milling crowd. "Did anyone catch the license plate or the make or model of the car?"

Tabitha shook as reaction set in. Her arm throbbed.

Marcus took her hand. "We're going back inside. The police can find us there." He guided her toward the building.

Tabitha touched her arm. Her fingertips came away smeared with blood. "Marcus, I'm bleeding." The quaver in her voice matched her trembling.

Marcus examined her arm. "Damn. It's all right. You're fine. You'll be fine." Marcus seemed to be reassuring himself as much as her. He massaged her shoulders as they returned inside. They took seats in the lobby and someone brought Tabitha a hot drink and an ice pack for her arm. She nursed the beverage, trying to get warm.

Everything became a confusing blur. A police officer arrived, and they both gave statements. The officer questioned Marcus extensively. Before she knew it, Marcus bundled Tabitha into the car and they were on their way to his apartment.

As they rode up in the elevator, Tabitha's mind began to clear. "Marcus…."

"Yes?"

"Marcus, the officer asked an awful lot of questions. He didn't sound like he thought it was an accident." Suspicion clouded her mind.

"Of course it was an accident, Tabitha. Somebody foolishly had too much to drink or lost control of his car."

Tabitha's eyes narrowed. "Marcus, I'm not an idiot. If that was his working theory, why does he ask all those questions about your business and your associates?"

Marcus made a dismissive gesture. "It's standard procedure. He has to cover all the bases."

Tabitha pressed on. "Is there any possibility it was someone you know?"

Marcus appeared to consider her question. "I have certainly pissed a few people off. However, I don't think any of them want to kill me."

Tabitha examined Marcus's face and for the first time, she sensed he wasn't being completely truthful with her. "What are you not telling me?"

Marcus shook his head. "Tabitha…."

Tabitha held up her hand. "Marcus. Stop right there. What are you not telling me?"

The elevator doors opened, and Marcus guided her into the apartment. "There've been a few strange phone calls."

Tabitha turned toward Marcus. "What? Did you tell the officer?"

"He already knew."

Tabitha's lips thinned to an unhappy line. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Marcus shrugged. "It didn't occur to me. It was nothing. Things like that happen all the time. Disgruntled workers. Unhappy competitors."

Tabitha squeezed his arm. "You have to take that stuff seriously."

Marcus grasped her hands in his. "We do. Security investigates all of it, and the police notified when necessary. Most of the time, nothing comes of it."

Tabitha's calm crumbled. "Marcus, someone tried to kill you." Visions of his mangled body crept into her mind and she struggled to push them out.

Marcus shook his head. "We don't know that. It could've been an accident."

Her voice rose as her distress increased. "Do you believe that?"

"In this instance, I'm not sure. If someone meant to scare me, they certainly succeeded." Marcus enfolded Tabitha in his arms. "I was terrified when I thought you might be injured or worse."

"I know. The thought that something might happen to you…." She buried her face in his chest.

Marcus stroked her hair. "Shhh. It's okay. We're both okay."

Tabitha lifted her head. "Marcus, do you think this has anything to do with this merger situation?"

Marcus shook his head. "I don't see how. Harming me doesn't aid the takeover."

"Doesn't it? Without you leading the opposition, maybe it would be easier."

"These guys fight their brawls in the boardroom, not the street."

Tabitha concurred, but the feeling of unease persisted. There had been such menace in the air. If someone lost control of their car, wouldn't they have been trying to turn away instead of turning toward them? It seemed like they'd been aiming for them.
No, I'm just being paranoid
. Of course there's menace in the air when someone almost runs you down.

Marcus kissed her cheek. "Come. Let's take a hot shower and go to bed. A good night's sleep will do us both good."

Tabitha acquiesced as fatigue settled deep in her bones.

They were both quiet as they walked through the apartment. They stopped in the dressing room between the bedroom and bathroom. Marcus helped Tabitha unfasten her dress and she hung it up, smoothing out the skirt. Dark, oily splotches stained the fabric and a jagged tear marred the lace.

"Marcus. My dress is ruined." With her mundane observation, the dam finally broke. Tears streamed down her face and her shoulders shook with deep sobs.

Marcus reached for her. "Oh, sweetie. It's all right. It's over. We're both fine." He stroked her hair and rubbed her back.

Tabitha clutched at him, grasping him tightly.

Marcus held her close, waiting for the storm to pass and murmuring words of reassurance.

After a few minutes, Tabitha's breathing slowed with only the occasional hitch.

Marcus kissed her forehead. "Are you ready to shower?"

Tabitha placed her head on Marcus's shoulder and followed his lead. Her emotional outburst had left her drained and empty. They passed into the bathroom together. Tabitha stepped into the shower and he embraced her from behind. The hot spray rained down on their entwined bodies as they stood still, soaking in reassurance from one another as the rivulets of water carried away the dirt and grime from their skin.

Marcus grasped a bar of soap from the dish on the wall and lifted the soap to her nose. "I love this scent. I hope you approve."

Tabitha inhaled the fragrant lavender. "I like it."

"I want to smell it on you. It will complement your own unique scent."

Tabitha smiled. "You're not trying to tell me something, are you?"

Marcus bestowed a small kiss on her nose. "You smell wonderful, always."

He soaped his hands and explored the curves and planes of her body, leaving a slick trail of fragrant lavender. His touch combined with the hot steam of the shower to heat her skin. Her muscles loosened and the knots of tension unwound.

Marcus nuzzled her neck. "I can't help but want you."

"It's a reaction. The adrenaline and all."

"It's a reaction all right. To you." He took her hand and guided it to his erection, thick and throbbing.

All that was feminine inside her called out for him. "Yes …."

Marcus needed no further invitation. He turned off the water and wrapped her in a large, fluffy towel. He swept her off her feet into his arms and strode into the bedroom.

"I need you," was all he whispered as he bore her down on the coverlet. He unwrapped the towel, cradled her close, and kissed her moist skin. He licked away the lingering beads of water he found as he explored her body.

Tabitha writhed against him. The gentleness overwhelmed her senses. This was yet another Marcus. A gentle, loving Marcus. She filed the images and sensations away in her memory. Physical and sensual urgency had marked their previous encounters. This was different. This was pure emotion.

As he entered her, Tabitha trembled. It felt right. It
was
right. What was Marcus doing to her? She needed this man, beyond anything she had experienced before. Her body not only desired him, he was essential to her on a primal level.

Their lovemaking took on a different tone, slow, deep and powerful. His hands roamed her body with unhurried, lingering caresses. His kisses drugged her with sensual bliss. She could only accept and hold on.

Her body spasmed inside, not the hot, powerful contractions of her usual orgasm, but rather deep, slow waves of prolonged pleasure that rolled on and on until they crested.

Marcus nipped her shoulder as he came and soothed the mark with his tongue. He collapsed on top of her, crushing her against the soft mattress. He kissed his way up her neck to her cheek and then rolled off, gathering her close. He pulled the covers over them, and they savored one another for a moment before sleep claimed them both.

Chapter 8

Tabitha's nerves danced with anticipation.
Ring, phone, ring
. Foolish embarrassment filled her. She hadn't waited by the phone for a boy to call since high school. All her insecurities rolled back into focus.

Marcus had told her he'd be working over the weekend. She supposed working on the weekend wasn't uncommon for him. He'd also mentioned meeting for lunch, but this was silly. Was she really going to sit in her apartment on a beautiful day waiting for a call? Should she call him? She rejected that idea. She didn't want to be clingy and needy.
But I am clingy and needy sometimes
, she thought.
Isn't everyone?
She wanted reassurance. She needed it. But did she need it from him? Every time she started to get comfortable, her lack of confidence roared back in. She'd never felt at such a disadvantage in a relationship. But the problem wasn't Marcus. Her own uncertainties were to blame. All the reassurance in the world from Marcus wouldn't be enough if she didn't believe she deserved him.