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“What?” I stopped dancing in shock. Marcus forced me back into motion. “You’ve been here a week?”
He gave me a rundown of their meeting, describing Anton’s jealousy when Marcus pretended to have found the perfect man for me to test Anton’s feelings towards me. My lips quivered and I couldn’t resist kissing his cheek. Marcus had been my childhood best friend, my only lover for many years, my protector and big brother for the last year. He always looked after me, which is why it hurt so much when I thought he had abandoned me.
“Careful, Gracie, I might take that as an invitation.”
I playfully slapped his shoulder. “As if, you man whore.”
“You’ve got that right.” We both chuckled.
The music ended. Couples shuffled about around us but we stayed put until the next piece started.
“I watched the two of you dance tonight,” Marcus said. “You seemed happy together. Would you consider staying with him for the long haul?”
“Is that what you want?” I said, my chest aching.
Had Marcus tired of looking after me? We’d never been apart more than a day since we ran from the orphanage nine years ago. Had a month separation been enough for him to want to be rid of me permanently?
“It’s not about what I want Gracie, beyond your happiness. I’ve taken you as far as I can. My lifestyle isn’t for you. This…” he said, releasing my waist long enough to wave at the room. “This is where you belong, with a man who looks at you the way Myers does, and you dressed like the lady you are. You should be performing in venues like this, not Peter’s.”
“Anton doesn’t want me performing at Peter’s,” I said, my heart swelling with affection for my best friend.
Marcus looked pleased. “I hear you’re training with Romero?”
My enthusiastic nod didn’t hide any of my affection for the friendly trainer. “He’s amazing! I’m learning a lot from him. But he makes me work too much.”
Marcus threw his head back, laughing. He knew what a lazy bum I was. If we weren’t in public, I’d make a face at him. At that moment, I realized how much his absence had weighed on me. Marcus was the one person who always had my back even if he couldn’t be faithful. Since we ended our romantic involvement, I hoped he would grow out of the need to fuck everything that moved. Now, it was clear to me that my love for Marcus wasn’t that of a woman for her mate. I wasn’t in love with Anton, but looking at Marcus’ beautiful face, I felt no lust or sexual attraction, just bone-deep affection.
“I think you are where you need to be, Gracie. Myers is doing a lot of good things for you right now, opening new doors and new possibilities for a better future,” Marcus said, his tone serious again.
“Yes. I like him a lot, Mar. Today has been so perfect. I love when he’s affectionate like that. It makes me want to stay with him forever. But sometimes he gets angry, and I don’t know how to handle that. He punishes me, and that’s not ok.”
“Tell him that.”
“He owns me, Mar,” I said shaking my head. “Anton can do whatever he wants to me for five more months and I have to accept it, even the punishments, even when they’re not fair. He could torture me every day just for the fun of it if he wanted. I’m just grateful that he’s not.”
“Aww, Gracie.”
“I didn’t have a choice, Marcus! I didn’t know where you were or what to do.”
“Yes, I know and I’m sorry. Look, there are only five months left. Stay out of trouble and keep your head down. Learn everything you can to build the career you’ve always wanted. When the contract is up, I’m sure he’ll want to keep you. Then you can set your terms of what is and isn’t acceptable for you to stay of your own free will. For now, start planting the seed that you’re not okay with this kind of treatment but don’t provoke him either. And keep in mind all that Dr. Hazan has taught you.”
“Okay,” I said smiling.
“One last thing, Braxians have weird rules about women. If you plan on a long-term relationship with Anton, learn about his people and their expectations. Then you can negotiate. Alright?”
“Alright. I should go back to Anton now,” I said, as the music ended.
While I wanted to continue talking with Marcus, I had been gone too long. Dancing a fourth time in a row with him would be pushing it.
“Good point,” Marcus said, kissing my cheek before releasing me. “I’ll see you soon, Gracie.”
“Bye Mar, and thanks,” I said with an affectionate smile.
Turning towards our table, I sought out Anton who was still talking with Caleb. Our eyes met and my stomach dropped.
I remembered all too well that cold, hard expression.
Chapter 12
