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“Yeah, well, I do,” I added. It didn’t matter how sexy Marcus was; he didn’t get to make my choices for me.
Marcus ran a hand over his buzzed head. “Why are you arguing with me about something that will benefit you? Something you want.”
Okay, so there was a small chance he had a point, but still, I was standing my ground. “Because you don’t get to make decisions for me. You sure as shit don’t get to scare men away from me, if that’s what you did. You want me to move in, you can ask.” I poked a finger in his chest. “And until you do, the answer is no. I don’t care if I have to go back to Riverside instead.”
My brain was telling me to shut the fuck up, and when I started walking away, I had to suppress the urge to turn around and go back and talk to Marcus. I heard him say, “Jesus fucking Christ,” as if putting all the blame for this on me. I couldn’t pretend I didn’t want to jump at the opportunity. Stay with Marcus? Fuck yes. But I wasn’t going to let him think he had to save me.
“Kai,” Declan said when I was behind the bar again.
“What do you want, handsome?”
“He’s trying to be nice.”
I turned my gaze to Marcus. “Well, he sucks at it.”
Something I couldn’t read flared in Marcus’s gaze just as Corbin doubled over laughing. I watched when Marcus came around the counter as if he owned the place, and then—“What the hell?” I said as he picked me up, tossed me over his shoulder, and began carrying me toward the back of the bar. “Put me down!” There was no heat, no real want behind my words, though I tried to make it sound like there was. This shouldn’t be hot, but it was. When a fine-ass man like Marcus Alston tossed you over his shoulder and carried you away like you weighed nothing, it was hard not to let all sorts of sexy fantasies play through your head.
In my mind, he was taking me to Declan’s office to bend me over the desk and fuck me—and I was correct about the place, only when we got there and I went to pull my shirt off, he asked, “What are you doing?”
“Oh, we’re not having sex?”
“Jesus,” he said again, scratching the back of his neck. “You don’t even know that guy.”
“Have a good night.” I went for the door, but he groaned and wrapped his hand around my wrist. “We already went over this, Marcus. How many times do I have to explain how renting a room works?”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re a stubborn little thing?”
“What do you think?” I tugged out of his hold and crossed my arms. “I have a job to do, so if we’re finished here, I would appreciate it if you didn’t go all caveman on me every time I try to walk away from you. I also have to get ahold of Ricky somehow…you know, so I have a place to live.” There was a good chance Marcus hadn’t said anything to him. I wasn’t naive. I knew Ricky was a dickhead. He could have been blowing smoke up my ass and had no intention to rent me a room, but I needed to find out.
Marcus sighed. “Would you like to rent a room from me?” he asked, his voice even and tight.
Oh, wow…I hadn’t really thought he would utter the question. If he hadn’t, I would have regretted my behavior later because staying with him sounded like a dream come true, but I didn’t ever want people to think they could take advantage of me. If I let someone make decisions for me because sometimes it was hot, it would only happen on my terms.
“I appreciate your asking, but no, thanks,” I replied, and watched as his pupils blew wide. A second later he’d recovered and could clearly tell I was giving him shit.
“You’re the most annoying person I’ve ever met.”
“Thank you, and yes, I would love to rent a room from you. How much?”
“We’ll figure that out later, but it’ll be something you can afford.”
I had a feeling it would be less than the room was worth, which made me feel slightly guilty for how I’d reacted, but then I remembered it felt sorta like foreplay, so go me. “It has to be fair.”
He frowned. “I would never take advantage of you.”
“I meant fair to you, Marcus.” That seemed to shake him, as if he hadn’t expected it.
“Give me your cell number. I’ll text you tomorrow.” He tugged his phone out and typed my info in. My phone buzzed against my ass with what was likely a text from him so I had his number.
It seemed to zap a dose of reality into me, and it struck me what was happening here. Marcus was renting me a room…not because he needed or wanted a roommate. In fact, there was no doubt in my mind it was completely the opposite. He was doing it because I was in need and he cared about people. Though he would never admit it, he liked helping. He loved being able to swoop in and save the day, and I couldn’t help wondering if anyone ever saved the day for him. Declan, Parker, and Corbin, I was sure, but anyone else?
