No Turning Back (Man-Maid 1)

Once Jensen was alone again, he was more than ready to put his groveling plan into action. If she didn’t let him back into her life afterward, then he’d just have to figure something else out. He wasn’t going down without a fight.

Ever since she’d left Jensen’s house on Tuesday, Marquetta had been miserable. Three days had passed, and Marquetta’s heart still ached as if someone had kicked her in the chest. She’d even finished the logo for Jensen’s new business, but she hadn’t been able to bring herself to contact him. Instead, like a coward, she’d e-mailed the logo design t

o Jason. He’d loved it and promised to get back with her after he’d shared it with the rest of the team. Normally, a rush of joy swept through Marquetta after successfully completing a job. This time she couldn’t even muster up an ounce of elation.

She’d put in extra hours at the shop too. Work kept her mind off Jensen and his nasty parting words. It was at night, like now, when she was home alone, that Marquetta noticed little reminders of Jensen all over her house—especially in the bedroom. Thanks to Jensen, she couldn’t even bring herself to sleep in her own bed. She’d slept on the couch all week, and she had the ache in her neck as proof.

Her friend Bridget had called several times worried about her. Marquetta had acted like things were peachy, but Bridget hadn’t been fooled. She’d offered to come over, but Marquetta hadn’t wanted the company. So, here she sat, picturing Jensen’s gorgeous, hard, powerful body. His devouring kisses. The way he’d given her his undivided attention whenever they were together. The delicious orgasms he’d given her couldn’t be forgotten either. Oh God, she missed him. Why’d she have to go and fall in love?

Marquetta looked down at the beer in her hand and knew she had no business drinking. Anger at her own stupid, romantic heart for falling in love in the first place threatened to consume her. She knew better. Hadn’t Sheldon taught her men weren’t to be trusted? When the doorbell rang, Marquetta practically stopped breathing. Could it be Jensen? As she heard the pleading voice of her friend Bridget, Marquetta’s hopes plummeted.

Marquetta crossed the room and pulled the door wide. “Hey,” she said.

Bridget pushed her way inside. “Hey,” she murmured as she looked around. “So, how long have you been stewing?”

“Not long,” Marquetta gritted out as she plopped onto the couch and picked up the remote.

Bridget arched her brow, plucked the device out of her hand and used it to shut off the TV. “Tell me what’s wrong,” she ordered as she sat next to Marquetta.

Marquetta tucked her legs beneath her. “I don’t want to talk about it,” she mumbled.

“Well, too bad.” Bridget swatted Marquetta’s thigh. “I’m tired of you ignoring me.”

“Geez, you sure are bossy all of a sudden.”

Bridget chuckled as she stood and headed toward the kitchen. “I’ve always been bossy. My mom says I need to work on that, but I didn’t come here to talk about that.”

For the first time in days, Marquetta cracked a smile. She stood and followed her friend. “No, you just want all the gory details of my love life.”

Bridget went straight to the refrigerator and grabbed two light beers. After handing one over to her, Bridget said, “I don’t know about all the details necessarily. Mostly just the ones that have you hiding away from the world.” She poked a finger in the direction of the round oak kitchen table. Once they were both seated, Bridget said, “So, what’s the story?”

“I told him about Sheldon. Not everything, but enough that he basically accused me of being a home wrecker.”

Bridget’s eyes grew wide. “Seriously? After all you two shared, he actually called you that?”

Marquetta slumped, feeling like shit all over again. “He implied I had no morals. He said he could never be with someone like that.” She bit her lip and toyed with the label on the bottle. “I sort of understand where he’s coming from. I mean, his dad cheated on his mom, so his anger is warranted.”

“No, it isn’t. You were an innocent pawn in Sheldon’s game, not a willing participant, sweetie.”

Marquetta took a drink of her beer. “I just don’t get it. I feel like such a dolt. When will I ever learn that men are assholes? Why did I have to go and fall in love?”

Bridget stared at her. “Is this how you felt when Sheldon broke it off with you?”

Marquetta frowned, not really wanting to talk about any of that. In the wake of her newest heartbreak, the incident with Sheldon seemed as if it’d happened light-years ago. “No, not exactly. Why do you ask?”

“It just seems to me that what you felt back then was a kind of puppy love in comparison. You truly love Jensen, don’t you?”

Marquetta frowned and shoved her hair away from her face. “I cried over Sheldon, but it didn’t make me feel like this.”

“Like what?”

“Like a piece of my heart is missing. And I’m afraid I may never get it back.”

Bridget reached over and covered her hand with her own. “Then maybe you shouldn’t give up. Maybe he’s worth fighting for.”

“Great plan, except the fact that he thinks I’m a cheating loser.”

“Look, I don’t know him, but isn’t it at all possible he simply reacted without thinking?” Before Marquetta could answer, Bridget went on to say, “I bet he’s trying to figure out a way right now to win your forgiveness.”