One to Chase (One to Hold 7)

“Right.” He laughs. “Still, you’d better let me handle breaking the news on my side.”

“Whatever you say.”

* * *

Amy

Sunshine dances on the tiny waves cresting on Lake Michigan, and I’m sitting at the front of Merritt * Ocracy. The wind pushes my hair back from my shoulders. I’m dressed in a bikini with Marcus’s shirt as a cover-up. Glancing back, he gives me a smile from where he’s at the wheel, guiding us out to the deeper water, where we spent our first amazing weekend on this boat.

Sylvia is doing so well. Bill stayed with her a week, until he insisted he had to get back to the ranch. They still haven’t come out to us, but I’m pretty sure they know we know. Marcus and I stole their thunder with our inability to stop lighting up every time we came within six inches of each other.

Patrick already knew, of course, but Stuart was surprisingly cool with the whole thing. Elaine was concerned about my ability to commit, and I guess I’d understand—if I weren’t in my brain feeling the tidal waves of joy every time Marcus touches me. My middle brother said he’d take care of her, not to worry.

I couldn’t worry. Everything Marcus does, every new thing I learn about him, only draws me closer to him. From the way he took care of his family, to his depth of care for his clients. I think of how he stood up for Paige, even at the risk of our germ of a relationship... Even when I was still pushing him away.

He was right. I had to trust him. He never cheated at all.

Most of all, I can’t get over how he loves me. He’s changed everything in my life. Before, the idea of being with someone, trusting someone, would send me running as far and as fast as possible. He’s not like that. He doesn’t want to tie me down (outside the bedroom). He wants to set me free. He wants to hold my hand and fly with me. Soar through our life as partners, both of us excited about what’s coming next—our next big adventure.

My phone buzzes, and I look down. C.J. has sent me a text, but it’s a picture of the newspaper. The headline reads PROMINENT ATTORNEY RESIGNS AMID SCANDAL

I quickly text back, What’s this?

Another picture appears, and I read the lede for the front-page story:

Prominent local attorney Roland Dickerson resigned today from the Illinois State Bar and surrendered his law practice following accusations of sexual assault by twelve area women, including one Chicago attorney...

My jaw drops, and I look up as Marcus joins me on the bow.

“I set the self-steering—” The surprise on my face stops him. “What?”

Turning my phone, I ask. “Did you do this?”

He glances at the text. “Oh.” A sheepish grin. “It only took a little digging for it all to come out. You’re not implicated in any of it.”

A feeling so strong expands in my chest. Love isn’t a big enough word to describe it. Gratitude is closer. Again, he’s my hero.

With a sniff, I drop my eyes to his gorgeous lined torso as he stands in front of me dressed in only his swim trunks. I trace my finger along his ink. “Uncertainty is essential.”

He smiles, and his shoulders relax. “I’m feeling pretty certain these days.”

Taking a seat beside me on the bench, I move to straddle his lap. His warm hands circle my waist, heating my skin under his touch. I close my eyes and trace my lips along his jaw. “Remember what you said our first day on this boat?”

His hands move higher, tugging the tie on my bikini top. It falls loose around my neck, and I reach back to pull it over my head. I’m in only my bikini bottoms and his shirt, and his hands cup my bare breasts, rolling tight nipples between his fingers and thumbs. I can’t stop a little moan.

“Seems like I said a lot of things that first day.” He leans forward and pulls a tight bud into his mouth. I gasp as heat floods my core, wetness increasing between my thighs.

My fingers thread in his soft hair, and I whisper against his cheek. “You said we’ve been flying since Day One.”

His chin lifts, and our mouths meet, consuming in a ravenous kiss. I wonder if we’ll ever stop being this hungry for each other. God, I hope not. My hands move to his neck, and I feel his erection hard against my thigh.

Breaking our kiss, I look around. We’re essentially alone. Untying his trunks, I slide my hand down the leng

th of his cock. His eyes darken with need, and I rise onto my knees, moving my bottoms aside to position his tip at my entrance. I sink down on him, and we both groan at the intense connection. Strong arms encircle my waist, and I begin to rock my hips.

I ride him, thinking about that first night so long ago. That was only the beginning of our flight. He leans back, and my breasts press against his chest as my hands drift to his shoulders.

“I’m so glad you chased me.” I kiss him, rising faster as the tension grows between us. He catches my lip and gives it a little tug.