Marly's Choice (Men of August 1)

“I didn’t ask you to.” Her lips trembled, but she held her tears carefully in check. That made him even angrier. Damn her. He’d had her screaming out into the night with her orgasm, and here she was the next morning acting as though it had never happened.

“Make sure you don’t,” he growled.

“Damn, Cade, go get laid or something. You’re an asshole,” Sam bit out. “Leave Marly alone.”

Marly paled, blinking in shock as her gaze flew back to Cade.

“Maybe that’s just what I need,” he said furiously. “A woman for a change.”

He didn’t wait to see the tears building in her eyes fall to her cheeks. He turned and stomped from the kitchen, disgusted with himself, furious at Marly, and unable to make sense of any of it. He knew if he didn’t get away from her, before he took her, then it would kill him later to see the fear in her eyes.

He stalked through the house, his body trembling with lust, fatigue and fury. She was too young, too innocent and the wrong damned woman. Dammit, when was he going to convince himself of that?

“Ahh hell, Marly, he didn’t mean that.” Sam grabbed her as she made to run out of the kitchen in tears, pushing her head against his chest as he rubbed her back soothingly. “You know what an ass he can be when he’s stressed.”

Marly’s breath hitched as she fought the tears. She knew why Cade was attacking her; she just didn’t know it would hurt so badly. She held onto Sam, feeling his hands at her back, petting her through the silk of Cade’s shirt. He was warm, comforting. She liked the way he soothed her, holding her. She blinked, sighed. She was so hot for Cade that even Sam’s touch was turning sexual. His big hands roamed her back, pressing her against him.

She moved away nervously. Rumors, sexual and otherwise reared their ugly heads, but didn’t terrify her as they should have.

“I’m okay.” She rubbed her arms quickly, fighting back the ache between her thighs.

She had been waiting on Cade, hoping to tempt him, to experience the breathtaking heights of pleasure he had taken her to once again. Instead, she was allowing Sam, her beloved friend and confidant, to only stoke the embers higher.

“Sure you are, honey.” He hugged her close, his arm wrapped around her waist, his fingers lying below her unbound breasts. “And you will stay just fine. Just you wait. Cade will get over his little mad spell and everything will be fine.”

Had his fingers accidentally raked over her nipple as he moved away, or had it been deliberate? Suspicion raised its ugly head even as she beat it back ruthlessly. Cruel rumors, that was all they were. Wasn’t that what Cade had assured her years ago when she questioned him about it?

“I need to go.” She shook her head; fighting the insanity Cade was filling her with. “I’ll see you guys later.”

She rushed from the kitchen, her head down, her body rioting. Maybe she was the one that needed to get laid, and quickly, before she did something stupid.

Chapter Seven

“Did I ask you to think, Devon?” Cade’s voice echoed through the house on a note of rising anger.

Marly stopped just inside the hallway as she exited the staircase, watching as Cade pulled the door open for the furious cowboy.

“All I asked you to do was to get the new foals in. I didn’t ask you to think, and I sure as hell didn’t ask you to contradict my orders. Do you think you could manage that much?”

“I sure as hell can, boss.” Devon shoved the hat back on his head as he stalked to the door. “And I sure as hell can leave as soon as I do. I didn’t sign on for this shit.”

The cowboy stomped from the house, and Marly flinched as the door slammed harshly behind him.

“Another one get fed up with your temper?” She leaned against the wall, crossing her legs slowly as he turned to her.

His eyes were narrowed, heavy lidded and brooding as he watched her.

It had been almost two days since he had nearly taken her in the bedroom. Two long, torturous days where his temper raged alternately cold and silent, or hot and loud. Even Greg avoided him, staying at the stables with Sam or Brock when he wasn’t studying, but rarely venturing anywhere near Cade. Marly was the only one brave enough. It made her feel guilty for pressuring him to stay. She had honestly thought he would enjoy the visit.

“Why aren’t you dressed?” he growled, his gaze darkening as it went over her body.

Marly glanced down at the short bronze dress and matching high heels. Silk thigh-highs completed the outfit. She knew she looked good. Knew the dress would make him notice her.

“I am dressed, Cade.” She smiled up at him, slowly, daring him to notice her. “Why aren’t you in a better mood? You keep stomping around like a mean old bull and I’m going to go back to school where it’s peaceful.”

“You hate school,” he growled. “I don’t even know why you enrolled. You could have taken classes here. At home.”

He neared her slowly, his jeans riding low on his hips, and from the brief glance, with a steadily growing bulge beneath the cloth. Marly’s knees weakened. The white cotton button down shirt he wore and the wide leather belt that encased his hips emphasized his hard stomach.