Marly's Choice (Men of August 1)

“I want to stay home a while,” she whispered now against his chest. “Spring break starts tomorrow, and I thought I’d just stay on until school starts back.”

She had been spending the breaks studying, pushing herself through summer and holidays in her studies.

“Stay home with us then, honey,” he answered her, ignoring Sam and Brock as they watched them quizzically. “You can let your friend take your truck back, and I’ll drive you back to school when you need to return.”

“No, Greg needs a break too.” She yawned as his arms tightened against her. “We’re both gonna stay. Do you care?”

Cade moved his gaze slowly to the suddenly nervous Greg James.

“Th—th—that’s okay, Marly,” Greg stammered. “Really. Fine. I can go back.”

“Absolutely not.” Marly shook her head against Cade’s chest. “I remember how excited you were about spending the week here. We’ll stay and just laze around and enjoy ourselves. Besides, you know you don’t want to return to your sister’s house.”

Cade read a thread of anger in Marly’s comment. The boy just shrugged and looked at Cade beseechingly. Dammit, did all kids have that look in their eye, that plea for understanding when faced with Marly’s resolve?

“You’re welcome to stay, Greg.” Cade wasn’t about to incite Marly and cause her to move from his hold.

It had been too long since she had let him hold her. He didn’t want the boy there. Didn’t want to know if his sweet, innocent Marly was sleeping with such an incompetent youth, but he would allow the visit to keep his tenuous hold on her now.

“Thank you.” There was a vein of regret, of deeply laced loneliness in the boy’s voice.

Dammit, Cade thought, another kid was the last thing he needed right now. Marly made him crazy enough. She didn’t need help. He didn’t need someone else helping her to push him over the edge. She was doing just fine all on her own.

Chapter Three

Dawn was barely streaking across the horizon the next morning when Marly ventured from her room and headed for the kitchen. Cade would most likely be up and gone already, but she knew he always made a fresh pot of coffee before leaving the house for Sam and Brock. It was a cup of the strong, heady brew she was after.

Still dressed in the big shirt and thick heavy socks she had stolen from Cade the day before, she padded drowsily into the room. The socks dwarfed her small feet, but kept them warm and snug. The shirt fell almost to her knees, the soft tan cotton covering her well, and making her feel closer to Cade somehow. She rarely slept in anything other than his shirts.

“I was wondering what happened to that shirt. Did you know it was one of my favorites, Marly?” Cade’s amused voice had her stopping short, her gaze going to the corner of the room where Cade sat at the round kitchen table.

He was hunched over a steaming cup of coffee, the crumbs of his breakfast in a plate before him as he watched her. His eyes were light, amused; his lips tilted in a sort of half smile that made her heart beat hard and fast.

“Figured you would have already been out working.” She hunched her shoulders beneath the cotton, hoping he would forget about the shirt.

“I got a late start.” His gray eyes were dark as they went slowly over her body. “My socks too huh? How many pairs did you steal this time?” The edge of exasperation in his voice was softened with affection. It was routine, a game. She stole his shirts and socks and he pretended to care how many she made away with.

“Just one.” She shrugged. “It’s not like you’ll miss them.” Marly hid her smile as she turned her back on him, her senses tempted by the smell of hot, steaming coffee. Her body tempted by the sight of the sexy, drowsy man.

He was silent as she poured a mug of coffee, then took a sip of the hot liquid. Her eyes closed as the caffeine hit her tongue, anticipating the rush it would bring her later.

“You should still be in bed,” he told her softly as she stood at the counter, her hands wrapped around her cup.

“I usually get up early,” she told him sleepily, smothering her yawn. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”

She fought the blush she could feel just under her skin. She hadn’t slept because each time she closed her eyes visions of Cade and his arousing mouth danced before her eyes. His lips were full, with a rough, hard edge. His gray eyes were always direct, the thick, black lashes framing them giving him a carnal, sexy appearance.

“Yeah, I was restless too.” He lowered his head, sipping at his coffee.

She had heard him in his room. She had watched the door, praying he would come to her. Marly took in a deep, hard breath. He looked sexy and dangerous, if a bit on the drowsy side. She wished the sleepiness had been caused from something other than pacing the floors all night.

“Missing Grandpa Joe?” She took her coffee to the table, sitting down in the chair beside him as she watched him.

Cade grunted. “Hardly. That old bastard held on a lot longer than he should have.”

Marly winced. She hadn’t particularly liked Joe herself, but she hadn’t known Cade was so bitter towards him as well. The ring of hatred in his voice was bitter, consuming.

“He wasn’t a happy man.” She hunched her shoulders, trying to find a way to comfort him.