No Turning Back (Man-Maid) (11 page)

He waved a hand in the air. “So, what brought on the sudden change of heart? Does it have anything to do with that guy at the shop?” He wagged his eyebrows. “The one you went to dinner with?”

Right on cue, Marquetta’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. She always did have the hardest time discussing her dating life with Gavin and Axel. It was just too awkward for words. “That’s part of it, yes.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “He reminded me of something. Something I’d forgotten.”

“And what might that be?” Axel asked.

“That I deserve to be happy,” she admitted, her voice a little shaky. “That it doesn’t make me a bad person just because I want to live my life.”

Axel frowned. “And why would you think otherwise?”

A lump formed in her throat as she attempted to share her innermost thoughts with them. “Because…because I still feel responsible for losing the baby.”

“You’ve been punishing yourself,” Axel surmised, his voice low and rough.

She nodded. “I know it’s irrational, but I kept thinking that if Sheldon hadn’t been married, and if the baby had been conceived in a loving relationship, then maybe…” To her utter horror her lower lip quivered, and she started to cry. “I-I’m sorry.”

Neither of her brothers said a word. Instead, they came over, wrapped her in their arms and held her tight as she cried. The tears she shed were for the loss of her baby, but it was also cathartic. By the time she pulled away, Marquetta knew she’d reached a turning point in her life.

After she gained control, Axel said, “You’ve been keeping that in for far too long, little sister.”

She smiled at them, wondering once more what she ever would’ve done without them. “I love you guys.”

Gavin patted her on the arm. “The feeling is mutual, Markie.”

The familiar nickname turned her heart to mush, but it wasn’t enough to keep her from sharing the rest of what she’d come to realize that morning. “I know,” she replied, her voice softening a fraction. “Which is why you both need to let me do this on my own. I’ve been using you as a crutch for far too long.”

Axel looked over at Gavin. They seemed to come to some sort of mutual decision, and it was Axel who spoke next. “Message received,” he replied. “We’ll butt out.” He made an
X
over his chest and said, “Stick a needle in my eye and all that happy shit.”

“Thank you,” she replied, getting choked up all over again. “I never would’ve made it this far if not for my family.”

“You would’ve done just fine.” Gavin ruffled her hair. “You’re a Hayes, after all, and every bit as tough and stubborn as the rest of us.”

“So I’ve been told.” She laughed and stood. “Now, who here is hungry for one of my special ham-and-cheese omelets?” Both men spoke at once, and soon the past was well and truly buried. As it should be.

The conversation turned toward the future as they talked about which classes she would take and the student loans she would need. There was a lot to be done, but Marquetta couldn’t wait to get started. For the first time in years, she looked forward to what the future might bring.

Chapter Seven

It was seven in the evening on Monday, and Marquetta wasn’t even a little bit tired. She’d met with Jensen earlier in the day at the shop to show him her ideas for the Man-Maid logo. Once she had his approval to proceed with the design, he’d invited her to meet the rest of the Man-Maid crew at Pete’s Pizzeria across town. She’d managed to finish work early so she could go home and change. The black skirt and white blouse now seemed like too much. Was she trying too hard? Jeans would’ve been more appropriate, but she hadn’t been thinking past her own need to knock Jensen’s socks off.

Her hands shook, and she realized she was nervous. “God, it’s not as if he invited you to meet the parents,” she muttered to her reflection as she sat in her car and checked her lipstick. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her keys and purse and left the car. When she walked into Pete’s Pizzeria and scanned the room, it took her only a few seconds to spot Jensen’s lean, powerful frame. He wore a tight navy-blue T-shirt and jeans and looked good enough to lick from head to toe. He turned his head and caught her staring. Shit. His lopsided grin sent butterflies flitting through her bloodstream. He stood and crossed the room before looking her over. “Damn, now I wish I’d brought you someplace nicer.”

She bit her lip and looked at the tight skirt. “I’m overdressed, aren’t I?”

“Hell no, you’re dressed just right.” He took her hand and brought her to a table, where several pairs of eyes stared at her. She recognized Jason, but the rest were strangers. Her cheeks heated as she wondered what they would think of her.

Jason and the two other men at the table stood when she approached. Jason winked and said, “Pretty as a picture,” as he pulled out a chair next to him.

Once she was seated, Jensen took the chair on her other side and said, “You already met Jason, my idiot brother.” He pointed to a man on the other side of Jason. “That’s Seth and Ames next to him.” Both men nodded. Finally Jensen pointed to the woman with short dark hair. “The pretty one next to Ames is AJ. She’s not officially part of the company, but she’s been helping us out a lot. And if we can sway her, we’d be thrilled to put her on the payroll—assuming there will eventually even be a payroll.”

“I can’t tell you how nice it is to have another woman around,” AJ said as she glared at Seth. “This bunch can be a handful.”

Marquetta chuckled. “I have two older brothers, and I’m the only girl in the family, so I understand completely.”

“So, you’re the artist I keep hearing about,” Ames said. “You’ve done some impressive work.”

“Thank you.” She looked over at Jensen. “I was showing Jensen what I have in mind for your logo earlier. I think I have a good grasp of what you all want.”

“It’ll be great, I have no doubt.”

Marquetta noticed an antique brooch on AJ’s blouse. “That’s lovely,” Marquetta said as she gazed at the silver oval attached to the woman’s ivory silk blouse. There was an image of two swords on the front, with a crown in the center.

AJ looked down at her shirt. “Thanks. It’s a family heirloom. My great-grandfather had it custom made for my great-grandmother. The sword’s supposed to be a testament of his vow to always protect her, and the crown represents his honor. From the story my mom told me, it was meant to prove that their love would never fade.”

Marquetta let out a romantic sigh. “Wow, he must have loved her deeply.”

“Yes,” AJ said with a small smile. “If only we were all so lucky.”

When she noticed Seth reach out and take AJ’s hand in his own, Marquetta wondered if the pair was dating. Then Ames wrapped an arm around the back of her chair, and Marquetta decided the complicated dynamics were none of her business.

“Who’s hungry for pizza?” Jason asked, breaking through the silence.

At that moment, a petite, dark-haired waitress approached their table. “Have you all decided what you want?”

Marquetta’s gaze zeroed in on Jensen. To her surprise, he was staring right at her. His possessive smile devastated her senses. She swallowed the lump in her throat, and he grinned. Suddenly, it was as if they were the only two people in the room. Oh God, she was getting turned on, and in front of his friends, no less. Clearly, her libido had no shame at all.

After they ordered a round of beer and two medium pepperoni pizzas, the conversation turned toward the business. Marquetta’s heart skipped a beat at being included. When Jensen’s hand rested on her thigh, her blood thickened.

Mercifully, their pizza arrived, saving her from embarrassing herself by melting into a puddle at the man’s feet. Her stomach rumbled at the succulent scents of roasted tomatoes and parmesan cheese.

“The chef accidentally made two large pizzas,” the waitress said as she placed them in the center of the table. “I hope y’all are hungry.”

Jensen leaned toward Marquetta and whispered, “Pete makes the best pizza around. You’ll love it, trust me.”

With the first taste of the melted mozzarella cheese, Marquetta felt as if she’d died and gone to pizza heaven. “This is amazing.”

“Pete makes his own sauce. He swears that’s the secret to great pizza.”

The waitress came over to refresh their glasses of water and offered them more beer. Marquetta couldn’t help noticing the way Jason smiled at the woman. In fact, every time she approached their table, Jason gave her his full attention.

“So, what do you think, Marquetta?” AJ asked as she swiped a napkin over her mouth.

“It’s wonderful. I’m glad Jensen asked me to come.”

“Jensen has great taste,” Jason said, grinning at her. Marquetta shook her head at the flirty comment. No doubt in her mind that it would take a strong woman to tame that particular Kershaw.

As if right on cue, their beautiful waitress came striding toward them. Her vivid blue eyes zeroed in on Jason, and she frowned when he winked at her. “Don’t I know you from somewhere, Emma?” he said as he looked her over from head to toe.

Her lips thinned in anger. “You really don’t remember me, do you?”

“Should I?” Jason asked, no longer teasing. Suddenly he looked every bit as intimidating as Jensen.

“We went to high school together. In fact, I asked you to homecoming.”

Marquetta watched as Jason floundered. “I think I’d remember you.”

She snorted. “I was about a hundred pounds heavier. And you never gave me the time of day.” When she walked away, head held high, Jason had the look of a man who’d just been slapped. Marquetta felt a little sorry for him.

“Oh wow,” AJ said in a quiet voice. “I knew she looked familiar.” She reached over and swatted Jason on the arm. “You used to cheat off her in history class. Remember?”

Jason didn’t speak, and his gaze never once left Emma as she strode around the room, waiting on customers. His stricken expression made it clear Emma’s revelation had hit a chord.

Jason stood abruptly and tossed a few bills on the table. “I think I’ve had enough pizza for one night.” He aimed a smile at Marquetta. “Good to see you again. I look forward to the finished design.”

After he left, Jensen cursed. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him put in his place quite so efficiently.”

“Me either,” AJ said. Seth and Ames both agreed. AJ peeked over at Emma and said, “Those two definitely have history.”

Jensen looked over at her, no small amount of heat in his eyes. “I have fresh apple pie at my place. Care to join me?”

She had a feeling that once they were alone, pie would be the last thing on her mind. “That sounds perfect.”

Jensen stood and then held her chair for her. Marquetta looked at AJ, Seth and Ames. “It was great meeting you. I hope I do you all justice with my design.”

“I’m sure it’ll be great,” AJ said, and the two men vying for AJ’s attention offered their agreements.

Soon, she was in her car, following Jensen back to his house. When they arrived, he escorted her inside and closed the door behind them. “So, uh, let me just get that pie.”

Marquetta’s face softened. She reached up and stroked a finger over his lips. He took her wrist and placed several small kisses in her palm, melting her heart further. “Pie isn’t what I came here for, Jensen.”

She dropped her hand and began to unbutton her blouse. Once she had it undone, she pushed it off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. Jensen’s gaze landed on her lace-covered breasts. His stare seemed to prompt her nipples to pull into tight peaks beneath the see-through fabric.

“Damn.” Jensen licked his lips and reached out to rub the backs of his knuckles over one of her nipples. Could Marquetta feel the light touch clear to her clit? “You make me wish I were the painter here,” he murmured. “Maybe if I had you on canvas, I could keep you forever.”

“How about we just start with tonight and see where it leads?” Her hands went to her skirt next, and Jensen held his breath. She pulled the button free and slid down the zipper. As she let the black skirt fall to the floor and stepped out of it, Jensen’s hands fisted.

She unsnapped the front hook of her bra and let the material drift open. Her breasts spilled free, and she cupped them both, but her own small hands couldn’t contain them. “What do you say?” she murmured.

“I want you so much, I think I might explode.” Jensen moved forward, caging her in.

She took his breath away, standing before him in nothing but her lace panties and high-heeled shoes. Her silken gold hair spilled down her back. His hands flexed, aching to stroke somewhere, everywhere.

Her eyes widened when he seized her hips and pulled her forward. She lost her balance and landed against him. She grabbed his upper arms and nestled her pelvis into his growing erection. “I loved what you did the other night, Jensen. It was amazing. But I need more. So much more.”

Her words were husky, and Jensen wanted to rip off his jeans and drive himself into her. He held himself in check—barely. He wouldn’t make her regret her decision. By the time he was through, she’d be well loved and begging him to do it all over again.

At least that was the plan.

“You have no idea what I want to do to you right now,” he said, hoping to make her see how she affected him. “You’re on dangerous ground, little girl, and there’s no going back.”