We embraced again but this time, I locked eyes with Marlon the entire time. And for added measure I pressed a friendly kiss onto Marcus’ scruffy beard.
It didn’t take a genius to read Marlon and Marcus had a rocky relationship. So it was no surprise the veins in his neck started showing when I did it.
Good. That’s what you get for blowing me off all night.
When we were alone again, I turned to Marlon.
“Markie?” He questioned.
“I give everyone pet names, Marley.”
“No. Absolutely not,” he cringed.
“Don’t like it?” I pouted. “Oh well. We can stick with Mr. S. I like it and it’s tied to good memor?—”
His hand went over my mouth and he backed me into a wall. Then, he opened a coat closet and shoved me in.
Finally some action.
“Look,” he stood in front of me. Even though we were almost the same height when I wore heels, he still managed to loom over me. “If you even breathe a word about us?—”
“I won’t, jeez.” I held my arms up, careful not to touch him in this tight space.
“Then what do you want from me?”
Moody.
But what did I want from him?
Attention?
I already got that. Might as well push it.
“Well,” I twisted my hair and looked elsewhere like that made it any less awkward. “I wanted to take you up on that offer to spend another evening together. I’m free after this, if you want to keep me company.”
He looked at me like I was insane. Then sighed. “I’m afraid that offer expired at lunch.”
I blinked. “What? Why?”
He cocked an eyebrow, his gaze steady and infuriatingly calm. “Did you forget about your father being my business partner and friend?”
I crossed my arms. “I mean, I already told you I’m not gonna say anything. I don’t see why we can’t continue.”
He groaned quietly, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Ms. Rodriguez. While I appreciate your discretion about what we did, I think we both can agree the nature of our relationship has become more nuanced than I’d be comfortable with.”
I frowned. “Seriously?”
“Dead serious.”
That was the thing about older men. They could cut you off the minute they’re done with you. Once they’re done, that’s it. He looked me over once, almost apologetic, then shook his head.
“I’m so sorry, Rabbit. You were fun and an amazing fuck. But this whole thing has become too messy for my liking. It doesn’t make sense for us to continue.”
He didn’t say it with cruelty and that made it worse.
“You’re really gonna turn me down?”
“Looks that way. Now if you don’t mind, I gotta get some sleep. I have a meeting in the morning followed by a flight back home. I’m sure this will be the last time we see each other face to face and I’m eager to put this messy situation behind me.”
