Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
I try to pull back, pushing against his chest as my gaze darts down the hall. “Marcus… someone could see us.”
He forces me close. “I don’t care.”
My heart flutters and my skin heats, but I can’t resist wrapping my arms around him and accepting his comfort.
Just one more little hit can’t hurt, right? I’ll need it to get through the desolate chill of the marriage I’m about to enter into.
“Don’t do it,” he says, like it’s just that simple.
“I don’t know how to get out of it,” I say, fighting tears because Joey will murder me if I ruin my makeup right before pictures. “Nobody knows what happened, and if I call off the wedding now, your mom’s gonna kill me.”
“He doesn’t love you,” he states.
“I know that,” I cry, breaking away from him. “But he still wants to go through with this stupid wedding. You know Joey, he’s not one to make a public scene, and this… this is a really big one.”
Marcus looks down at me, his jaw locking. He moves his hand to cradle my face, and he stares down at me with an intensity I’ve never seen before. “You’re not fucking marrying him, Jessa. I won’t allow it.”
I choke on a smothered laugh, shaking my head as I look away from him. “Great. Well, would you like to explain that to everyone then?”
“Sure.” His other hand skims my side, causing goose bumps to pop up all over my skin. His hand ghosts around my waist, then slides down to cup my ass. He pulls me against him, and his daring fingers push my skirt between my thighs so he can touch my pussy.
“Marcus,” I say softly, my body aching but also… fucking wanting him, the stupid thing.
“You think I’m afraid to stop a wedding, pretty girl? Have you even met me?”
A whisper of a moan escapes me as my body goes languid. He continues to rub my pussy through the layers of soft fabric, and I rest my head against his firm chest and close my eyes.
“You’re so fucking perfect, Jessa. Too perfect for him. He doesn’t deserve you. He never has. I knew it that first time we met. I watched how good you were to him, how fucking sweet and attentive. And I watched him not even notice. He’s never noticed all the best things about you, baby, but I have.”
Tears spring to my eyes at his words. I slide my arm around him, gripping his muscular back, hugging him tighter.
I’ve never felt yearning like this before. Not for anyone.
“I don’t want to marry him,” I whisper.
“Then don’t. What I said last night was true. None of us think you’re right for him. But maybe you’re right for me.”
My heart stops beating for a moment.
“My brothers will like you now,” he says, gently stroking my perfectly styled hair. “They won’t be able to help it.” Leaning in and pressing his lips to my forehead, he murmurs filthy words that shouldn’t make me feel better, but they do. “They’ve each had their cocks in that perfect pussy now. There’s no chance they could hate you. You want the warmth of a family, baby? I can give it to you. Marry me instead.”
I look up at him, completely floored. “What? Here? Today?”
“Why not? We’ve got the wedding all set up. Guests are here or on their way.”
“But… We haven’t even dated.”
“I don’t need to date you to know I want to marry you,” he tells me, his brown eyes warm with charming mischief. “We can date later. Today, let’s make you my wife.”
A startled giggle escapes me, but his insane idea fills me with such elation. “We can’t,” I say, though I can hear in my tone even I’m hoping to be proven wrong.
Marcus smirks and grabs my hand, bringing it to his lips so he can kiss my fingers. “We can do anything we want, baby. Haven’t you learned that by now?”
I haven’t felt happy like this in… I’m not sure I ever have, really.
It feels like the sun is shining inside me. All the colors of the world are bolder and brighter. Compared to today, right now, yesterday was monochrome.
Maybe we’re meant to be, or maybe it’s what he put me through last night, the way he forced a bond between us by making sure he was with me every step of the way as he pulled me apart and put me back together. But if I’m being honest with myself, whatever the reason, I want this crazy man by my side.
I wouldn’t have said before this moment I wanted to marry him, but imagining walking down that aisle and seeing him waiting for me at the other end…
It brings me so much joy, I think I do.
I nod before I can find the words.