Cara climbed into the passenger seat of Ben’s car and he drove on with a grim expression on his face. “How did it all happen? He was fine when I left him.” Doubt crept into her mind, making her repent her decision. Was he really fine? Maybe this could have been avoided if she hadn’t left him that night. Guilt washed over her and he looked at Ben Duncan, waiting for an answer.
“After you left, Mr. Donnelly left for New York. He handed the keys over to me to clean the place up and pack everything and send it over to his apartment in New York. I knew then that he wasn’t returning. But I was sick and couldn’t do as he had asked me to. When I went to clean the place after two days, I found him lying in a pool of blood in his studio with his wrist slit open. I immediately admitted him to the hospital. He was critical for the last two days. They just released him bu
Cara gazed at the angry and disgusted look on his face as she walked into his room. She had expected him to react this way. She placed the food on his bedside table and turned towards him. “I asked you something, Cara. What are you doing here?” Cara stood silently not knowing what to say to him.“I’m back at my job, Marcus. What else?” She shrugged. “So do you need to go to the washroom?”Marcus gazed at her with an angry scowl on his face. “Did Ben bring you here?”“Does it matter? I would have come anyway. You haven’t paid me for my services yet, remember?” Marcus smiled and tried to sit up. “Let me help you.” He shook his head.“I don’t need your pity. So don&rs
Cara’s eyes flew open all of a sudden in the wee hours of the morning. She wondered why she felt so weighed down as if a bulldozer was crushing her with its weight. She soon realized the cause of it all, Marcus Donnelly. In his sleep-driven state, he had rolled over to her side, almost crushing her with his weight. Alarmed, she checked his injured hand. It seemed as if he wasn’t in much pain. With his face embedded in the crook of her neck, her senses turned to mush, all she could do was wrap her arm around his torso and hold him close to her. A strange feeling of warmth and a surge of love filled her mind and body. She was now completely certain that she had fallen for him, hook, line, and sinker. Marcus didn’t stir at all although Cara was unable to sleep with his hot breath fanning her neck. She needed to get up but couldn’t disturb him. He needed the rest. After waiting for minutes, listening to
“Do you need something?” Cara asked with concern as she entered Marcus’s room. To her surprise, she found him sitting on his bed clad in nothing but a towel. With his body glistening and damp, it was obvious that he had just showered. She wondered how he managed with his injured hand. “Oh! I’m sorry. I’ll come back later.” She was about to dash off and save her virgin eyes when Marcus stopped her. “Wait. I need help.” Cara’s heart did a somersault imagining the kind of help he required. She slowly turned around and stood transfixed to the spot acutely aware of his hungry gaze fixed upon her. “Can you get me my clothes?” Cara jumped and rushed over to his closet. She wondered why he couldn’t do that much by himself when he managed to take a shower! Choosing a pair of soft cargos and a shirt, she returned back to his room. “Here.” She placed the clothes o
After breakfast, Marcus dropped her at her house to collect the necessary documents she needed for admission formalities at Suffolk Community College. While Marcus and Ben Duncan went to the market to buy stationery for his upcoming art project, Cara was glad to be able to spend a few hours with her family.“That’s wonderful news, Cara. I’m so happy for you,” said Aunt Maggie.“Yes, it is. I’ll have a bank account soon. So I can transfer money into your account now on a regular basis, Uncle Joe.” Cara couldn’t tell them her scope of work and thankfully they didn’t question her further. The children were overwhelmed to see her.“Thanks, Cara. That would be a great help,” said Uncle Joe.&l
Cara woke up early and quickly started wrapping up her work before 7 o’clock. Marcus was still fast asleep and she rolled her eyes at him. So much for doing the housework together! She had two hours to complete everything. The cleaning was already done the day before, so she quickly made breakfast and completed the preparations needed for lunch. That didn’t take long and she stepped into Marcus’s bedroom to take a quick shower before doing the laundry.By 6:15, she was ready and sipping her coffee when Marcus walked into the dining room, freshly showered and ready. Wearing a pair of figure-hugging jeans and a black tee-shirt, he looked less like a painter and more like some se* God. Cara blinked the thoughts away and turned on a dazzling smile at him, taking him aback.“Good morning! You’re late Mr. Painter.” Marcus gri
“So beautiful!” Cara distinctly heard the soft murmur that escaped his lips as he cupped her brea*ts, making her face heat up and sending shivers down her spine. With one hand holding her neck and the other kneading her brea*t, he leaned forward and crashed his lips to hers. Different than the previous one, this kiss was much more passionate and intimate as Marcus didn’t hold back anymore. When he softly bit her lower lip, a small gasp escaped her, allowing him to use the chance to shove his tongue into her sweet mouth.With their tongues dancing against one another, the e*otic and fervid kiss felt so incredible that a moan escaped Cara’s mouth and she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. It encouraged him to pull her closer, crushing her against his own hard chest. Soon the kiss turned fierce while she stroked his neck with her soft fingers, encouraging him t
This time the kiss was wilder and fiercer than the last one yet there was an unmistakable sensual note that took her breath away. His hand groped her rounded hip, drawing her into him till there was no space left in between. A moan escaped Cara as this was exactly what she wanted. The intensity of the kiss rendered her powerless and she wrapped her arms around his neck eliciting a contented moan from his lips. Marcus’s mouth played with her lower lip, biting and parting it expertly till she opened her mouth and surrendered to his needs. His tongue delved deeper and deeper and he devoured every recess inside her mouth like there was no tomorrow. The hungry, animal-like, and sensual kiss evoked a blind need deep within her which in turn started the familiar throbbing in her sensitive core. With her hands in his hair, tugging and pulling, she matched his passion with hers and kissed him back, surprising him and making him drown in her sweetness.&nb
Cara shyly pulled his head down to hers and planted a sweet kiss on his lips that made Marcus burn for more. He cupped her face and claimed her lips in a slow, lingering kiss that explored and savored her sweetness. Bolder and more confident than before, Cara kissed him back with equal fervor. Soon the languid kiss transformed into a battle of their mouths and Marcus groaned and slipped his hand beneath her top, caressing her firm and smooth skin. Cara trembled with a need so acute that she was surprised at her body’s reaction to him.Within seconds, he stripped off the top in a desperate and almost car*al movement, making a gush of molten heat release from her already wet folds. His fingers got rid of her bra and stroked her brea*ts softly, while she arched her back to give him more access. His mouth released hers and trailed to her ear, tracing her earlobe as he murmured what exactly he wante
For the next few days, the whole family was busy with the wedding preparations. Although Marcus had hired a wedding planner, his mom and aunt Maggie were very much enthusiastic to get everything perfect. As for Cara, she went along with the flow, enjoying her break and getting pampered. Lucas arrived with Sienna and the kids three days before the wedding and the house seemed to come alive with so many children around. Liam seemed to be bowled over by Alexia and went out of his way to help her with everything. He showed off his artistic skills and even attempted to paint her.Since Cara didn’t want any pre-wedding parties, they just had a single party two nights before the wedding day. Nicholas arrived the same day with Alyssa and Cara wondered if they would announce their wedding next. Alyssa apologized to Cara and asked for her autograph to which she gladly obliged. This time everything change
Her heart raced with excitement as she walked out of the house, through the meandering path towards the gazebo. The lights cast a pale glow all around while the crickets sang their song with more enthusiasm but Cara’s eyes were glued towards the swimming pool, searching for Marcus. As she approached the pool, her eyes fell upon the beautifully lit up gazebo where the man of her dreams stood leaning against a pillar, looking hot and drool-worthy in a pair of beige chinos and an off-white linen shirt. She could feel the intensity of his gaze even from where she was. Her heart skipped a beat when their eyes met and she couldn’t wait to get into his arms. He held them out to her as always and she flew into them as fast as her legs could carry her.His arms immediately engulfed her in a warm embrace, while she clung to him as her life depended upon it. “Oh, Marcus! I’ve missed you
The moment Marcus and Cara entered the house, Liam jumped with joy. “Has he?” he started to ask and then his glance fell upon the ring on her finger. “Oh, he has!” Cara grinned at his enthusiasm and so did Marcus. Vera and Adam came rushing out hearing him.“Are you engaged to Cara, Marcus?” asked Vera, clasping her hands together with eagerness.“Yes,” acknowledged Marcus, making her squeal with delight.“What’s going on?” asked aunt Maggie, coming out from inside. Before Cara could announce their engagement, Liam blurted it all out.“Aunt Maggie, Cara, and Marcus are engaged at last,” he broadcasted, making aunt Maggie smile and hold out her arms to Cara.
After an hour Marcus drove over to Long Beach harbor where a huge pristine white luxury yacht featuring three beautiful levels was waiting for them. As soon as they reached the parking area, Cara was stunned to see the place teeming with paparazzi. How did they know that she was about to arrive here when she herself had no idea where she was off to?Marcus emerged and soon they were surrounded by their bodyguards who had been following them all the while without Cara’s knowledge. They led Marcus and Cara to the yacht while reporters flocked around them for their photographs.“Rohesia, is it true that you’re uninterested in appearing at live performances?” asked one of the reporters. Cara smiled at him and took the microphone from his hands.“Not at all. Stay tuned for
Cara was ready in fifteen minutes and waited eagerly for Marcus. In his haste to surprise her, he hadn’t even taken a shower since morning. After the delicious breakfast, he had asked her out on a date formally but left all the other details out since it was initially intended to be a surprise date. Cara wasn’t complaining since his surprises were quite different and totally worth the wait. She wasn’t much concerned about leaving Marianne the whole day since there were others to look after her and Marianne were used to her absence. Marcus didn’t want to whisk her away for an overnight stay because of his attachment with Marianne. The two of them had bonded so well that Marcus couldn’t survive without seeing his baby. The same with her siblings. He was like a pillar of strength in their lives. They were so dependent upon him for everything that it felt as if he was the one related to them by blood.
Cara woke up and stretched her limbs, feeling extremely lazy but a smile brightened up her face as memories of what they shared last night played across her mind. She turned her head to check upon Marcus but strangely, even at 5 o’clock, he wasn’t there. In his place, there was a single rose stem and a little note laid out on his pillow. Did he wake up already? What did the note contain? Did he leave for some reason? Did he forget that it was a special day for them today?Curiously she picked up the note and opened it to check. There scribbled in his artistic handwriting was a sweet note.Good morning my love! A thornless rose stem to prove my true love for you. It signifies love at first sight just like I felt for you. If you want to start our special day in a special way, just follow the instructions. Go to the en-suite to freshen up first!
Cara felt a little bolder and pulled him towards her. In her excitement, she had quite forgotten how heavy he was and lost her balance and tumbled onto the bed with him. “Oh, did you get hurt?” she asked, looking worried. Marcus laughed and pinned her with his weight, his eyes dancing with mirth.“Nope. I’m fit as a fiddle,” he breathed, his hot breath fanning her face. With his face inches away from hers, she forgot to breathe. A crazy sense of need surged through her body making her desperate for fulfillment.“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to exert so much pressure,” she whispered, gazing back at him.“No worries, babe! You’ve made my work easier. We’re already there where we belong, in each other’s arms,” he whispered
For the next two weeks, Marcus and Cara were insatiable around each other. While she helped Marcus heal better, they explored their relationship to new heights. With physiotherapy, Marcus could start walking around in clutches. His ribs were healing and looked better with each passing day. Adam, Liam, and Vera were overjoyed to have Marcus around. He pampered them and played with them, helped them with their homework, making them completely crazy about him. He bonded well with Marianne and slowly learned all her work, taking care of her like a pro, making Mrs. Davis upset. Marianne on the other hand started demanding his attention more and more with every passing day. The pressure on Aunt Maggie and uncle Joe reduced a lot with the presence of Marcus and Cara in the house and life became bearable and worth living. Every day Marcus made sure that they all enjoyed themselves the most!Cara had to retur
“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear,” whispered Marcus while his fingers worked their way inside her dripping wet folds. A moan of sweet surrender escaped Cara’s mouth as he worked up a tempo, making her open wider to give him more access. He thrust in and out of her, his eyes devouring her as he watched her melt at his touch. Soon she came undone, sagging against the cushions behind her. Feeling overwhelmed at last to be touched by the one she loved, Cara closed her eyes with happiness. “Did you miss this? Did you miss my touch?”“Yes, Marcus. You have no idea how much. I wish I could erase the last three months of my life. Every time Frederick forced himself on me, I wanted to kill myself but couldn’t because of Marianne and my little siblings,” she whispered, as a sob broke out of her mouth. Marcus immediately pulled her closer and held her i