Who’s a sucker for an excerpt?? I know I am, which is why I couldn’t help but share this little tidbit from Marcus!
As I grasp the handle, I close my eyes and slowly count to ten.
By the time I reach seven, I nearly jump out of my skin when an onslaught of banging erupts from the other side.
“Coming!” I yell, louder than necessary.
“Any day now!” he shouts back.
The sound of his voice also does funny things to me. Rolling over me like hot honey, causing a slight burn that I want to pull away from, only for it to be soothing and sweet the next minute.
Damn him.
Shaking my head, I twist the handle and pull the door open.
I quirk my brow before folding my arms over my chest and leaning against the jamb. “Patience is a virtue, Marcus. Maybe you should try it sometime.”
“Why hello to you too, Noogie. Are you going to invite me in?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
My comment causes a deep laugh to escape him. “Well, at least you’re being honest. Where’s my sister?”
I shrug my shoulder. The motion causes my oversized sweatshirt to slide down my shoulder, revealing a few inches of skin.
His gaze zeroes in on the exposed flesh, burning me for a solid one-Mississippi before he glances past me like I’m no more than a fly in his soup.
“Cover up, Noog. No one needs to see that.” And with that, he takes a step toward me, making me take a step back and giving him the space to enter. It’s like some sick kind of dance that neither of us can control.
“Don’t be an ass,” I admonish him.
“I’m not. Just being honest.”
“It’s a freaking shoulder, Marcus. I’m pretty sure you have them too.” My voice is thick with sarcasm, though it doesn’t stop me from checking out his ripped muscles through his damn jacket.
Seems he’s been working out lately.
Bastard.
I take a second to really look at him, taking note of all the subtle changes that have happened since I last saw him. It’s only been a couple months since he crashed Indie’s wedding in the Maldives to rescue his baby sister from the big bad wolf––aka Nathan––after she found out she was pregnant. But the entire event was such a blur that I feel like it doesn’t really count.
And if that event doesn’t count, then the last time I saw him would probably be during the championships of Gateway Guardians, a video game that Marcus gets paid to play professionally.
Yes. You heard that right. Marcus gets paid to play video games.
Cue eye roll.
Tilting my head to the side, I notice that his man bun is missing and his hair is now closely cropped to his head on the sides, leaving it a little longer on the top. I’d like to say it makes him uglier, but I’d only be lying to myself.
Dammit.
“Why’d you cut your hair?” I ask before mentally slapping my forehead.
He smirks cockily at me. “Noticed, huh?”
I roll my eyes. “It’s hard not to when I’m used to a giant man bun being tossed in my face every time I see you.”
He shrugs, mirroring my motion from only a moment before, then sets his duffle bag on the floor behind the couch.
Sophie and I moved into this apartment about six months ago, and it’s been amazing. The location isn’t fantastic, and the furniture is all second-hand, but it’s New York City, for crying out loud!
I couldn’t have been happier when the manager placed the brass keys in my hand after I signed the lease.
The lease that would feel a heck of a lot like a ball and chain only a few months later, when my best friend, and co-leaser, decided to get knocked up on a one-night stand.
At least everything worked out for them. Now, I just need it to work out for me.
I release a soft sigh of defeat when Marcus’s shoe squeaks against the hardwood floor, grabbing my attention.
“So where’s my sister?” he asks again. I’m not exactly surprised by the abrupt subject change. It’s what he does.
“Late.” There’s no need for further explanation. The girl is always late.
He nods his head knowingly before heading to the fridge like he owns the place and peeking inside.
“Where are your groceries?” he asks when he comes up empty.
I shrug, causing my sweatshirt to slide down all over again. The moment feels like a terrible rendition of the same scenario only a few minutes before. Hastily, I push the fabric up when I see him looking at me with fire in his eyes as he stares a hole in my previously exposed shoulder.
“I’ve been eating out lately,” I defend.
It’s only a partial lie. I have been eating out lately. When I have time to eat at all. And when I can afford it.
Okay, maybe I haven’t been eating as much as usual.
His eyes narrow as he scans me from head to toe. “Well, you obviously aren’t eating enough.”
My jaw drops. “I’m sorry…what was that?”
He lifts his chin in my direction before continuing. “You’ve lost weight since the last time I saw you. Don’t tell me you’re trying a new diet or some bullshit. I swear—”
I stomp closer before lifting my finger and poking him in the chest. “Say one more word, and I’ll neuter you, Marcus. I can take care of myself. And who the hell do you think you are? If I want to try a new diet, then I’m going to try a new freaking diet.”
He tilts his head to the side, assessing me for a split second before scoffing. “See? This is why I knew it was a bad idea for you guys to move here. My sister ends up pregnant, and her friend is withering away from some fad diet. You’re curvy, Natalie. Get over it. Not everyone is meant to be a stick.”
I lift my hand to slap him right in his stupidly attractive face when the hinges squeak on my front door.
Quickly, I drop my arm and jump away from Marcus like he has cooties.
“Hi, sorry I’m late—”
“Took you long enough,” Marcus interrupts.
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