Marly's Choice (Men of August 1)

She turned back to him, mocking amusement crossing her pale face.

“Sorry, Cade, I’ve been on the pill since I decided to seduce you. I wasn’t as stupid as you obviously think I was. There won’t be a child. Not with you. Not ever.”

She slammed the door behind her, and for the first time in eight years, he heard the key turn in the lock.

“Fuck,” he bit out, running his fingers through his hair.

He clenched his teeth, setting his hands on his hips as he considered his options. There weren’t many, he admitted. But he had made his mind up when he took Marly to his bed. He would marry her. She was his, and he’d be damned if he would let her go. He may not love her like she wanted, and he may have upped his schedule in fucking her due to Jack’s threat to her, but he wasn’t about to backtrack now. And by God, he wasn’t about to let her do it either.

She wanted him. She wouldn’t be able to deny him for long once he started touching her. And once he did, she would learn what it meant to be his lover. To belong to him. To be part of his family. She wasn’t outraged over Sam and Brock, she was curious. He knew that now. She would see where curiosity led.

His eyes narrowed on the door. He had the key. She wouldn’t sleep there. He wasn’t about to let her. She belonged in his bed, in his arms, screaming beneath the pleasure he would be certain she received. Playtime was over.

Chapter Twenty-Three

She was dressed in jeans and a soft cashmere sweater that barely met the waistband. The gold chain was missing around her waist, but the little gold ring was visible beneath the fabric of the sweater. Cade watched her broodingly as she entered the family room and moved to the built in bar late that evening. She mixed a soda and gin, then a splash of Jim Beam. She sipped it often until she had the taste where she wanted it.

The jeans curved her rear, and skimmed over her knock out legs. On her feet she wore running shoes, her hair was tied back with a soft cream scarf that matched the sweater. She carried a dark red love bite on the back of that creamy neck. Cade’s cock hardened further at the sight of his mark.

“Marly, I think it’s time you meet our guests,” he spoke softly, but his voice carried a ring of steel.

She turned to him, her eyes shadowed, her face carrying a mask of expertly applied makeup. He had never seen her in makeup and he didn’t like it now.

“Rick and Tara Glaston, this is Marly McCall. Marly, Rick and Tara. They’re from Security Unnamed—”

“You two were the ones who rescued the little girl a few years ago.” Marly smiled brightly as she moved forward to shake their hands. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Miss McCall.” Rick was watching her with soft brown eyes, sympathy spilling over in his rough voice. Cade hated him.

“Marly, please.” Her pleasant smile never once reached her eyes, and Cade could see the fine trembling in her slender hand as she shook first Rick’s hand, then Tara’s. “How’s Sam doing?” she finally asked Tara.

“Bitching every breath,” Tara breathed out, her smile bright in her slender, pretty face.

Tara Glaston was several inches taller than Marly, with short silky red hair, and big green eyes. A scattering of freckles fell over her nose, and she seemed friendly and vivacious.

“That’s Sam for you.” Marly moved back from the group, avoiding the couch like the plague and sitting instead in one of the large chairs on the other side of the room.

She took a healthy sip of her drink as Cade frowned over at her.

“Have you eaten anything yet?” he questioned her cautiously, knowing she hadn’t shown up for dinner.

“Of course.” She shrugged. “I was starved, and Marie’s roast is the best.”

Thankfully, the former housekeeper had agreed to return to fix the evening meals after Marly’s return home. She was needed more than ever with Rick and Tara now staying in the house as well. Cade’s culinary abilities weren’t the best.

Cade frowned deeper, though, as he watched Marly now. At least her appetite wasn’t suffering. And neither was her thirst. She was drinking like the stuff was pure water.

She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs as she turned her attention to the news on the television as Brock and Rick began to discuss finding Jack. Cade listened with only half an ear, his attention centered on Marly. She was wired, running on nerves and it made him nervous. Her hand shook as she drank, and her expression was distant, reserved. He had never seen Marly either distant or reserved.

“I want Marly and Cade to stay indoors.” Cade watched Marly stiffen at Rick’s advice. “He knows they’re having sex, and it’s pushed him over the edge. He’ll make his move soon. Until then, let’s be certain we can control as much of the situation as possible.”

Marly’s eyes narrowed, her teeth clenching so harshly Cade could see her jaw knotting as her face flamed in embarrassment.

“He’ll soon learn better, then,” she bit out as she tipped her glass back and swallowed more of the drink.

Rick glanced over at Cade as though wondering how to handle the situation. Cade shrugged. Hell, he didn’t know how to handle her; she had never acted this way. He half expected her to outright refuse any suggestion he made anyway. Rick shook his head as he grimaced in resignation. Evidently, he’d had to handle stubborn women before. So why then was Cade the one who received the disgusted look?

“Look, I know this situation is delicate right now.” Rick leaned forward, his expression so fucking soft and caring Cade wanted to knock the hell out of him. “But we have to be careful, Marly. Jennings isn’t sane. Right now, your best defense is to let him keep believing it.”