Page 34 of Embraced in Ink

She laughed, warmth spreading through her. This was the Marcus she knew and loved. The one she was used to. She wasn’t used to the other Marcus. The one that gave her butterflies and made her think about dirty things and warm things that confused her. The one that kissed her and touched her. And made her want more.

There was no holding back now, there was no going back. She didn’t want to. Not when the feelings inside her wouldn’t go away. She’d hidden them for so long, told herself it would be wrong to want, and yet, here she was.

Near him.

With him.

A temptation encased in passion and trust.

“Have fun with the guys,” she said softly after a moment.

“We’re starting now, your brothers haven’t interrogated me yet, but they will I’m sure.”

“Tell them I’ll kick their asses if they try.

“No, that’s not how it goes. You know my sisters are going to want to interrogate you, too.”

She winced, literal fear crawling over her skin. “I know. I’m worried about that.”

Marcus laughed. The jerk. “They don’t bite. Much. Your brothers, on the other hand?”

“I’ll fight them.”

“No, I’ll fight my own battles. Doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks or what they say. You know it’s only you and me, right? We’re going to do this, findus. You and me.”

“You and me,” she repeated.

After they said goodbye and ended the call, she sat there wondering if she was making another mistake. She was getting good at that. Because this wasn’t make-believe, this wasn’t playing pretend. This was real life, real feelings,real…everything.

And the fact that she was still going through with this meant it wasn’t just a facade. She wanted to know exactly what it would feel like to be with Marcus.

And given that she was using this deal and promise as an excuse, that told her that she was far deeper into her own version ofAlice in Wonderlandthan she cared to admit.

There was no going back—for either of them.

The parts of her that she tried to ignore were fine with that.

And the rest of her?

That was the question, wasn’t it?

Chapter 8

Marcus ended the call and looked up as Aaron walked into the room. “Was that Bristol?” Aaron asked, leaning against the doorjamb.

They were at Ethan and Lincoln’s place, deciding to have a guys’ night, although Marcus knew it was mostly so they could interrogate him. He didn’t mind. After all, if anyone else had been with Bristol, he would’ve been in on the interrogation.

And the fact that anger and jealousy slid through him at the thought of anyone else with Bristol meant that he needed to get a handle on his emotions. He knew he’d been having issues when it came to her long before he’d said yes to their engagement, way before he proposed again.

Because he had always wanted her, deep down inside, even if he told himself that he didn’t want to.

And that was something he’d have to deal with.

Though he didn’t know how.

“Yes, it was Bristol,” Marcus said, pulling himself out of his thoughts.

“Well?” Aaron tapped his foot, though thankfully, he looked as if he were exaggerating.