Marshall*****The jet touched down late Sunday night. After a series of technical issues, we arrived hours later than expected. I'd only calmed slightly from my earlier panic. It was too painful to consider what I might find when I went to her home. If she was gone, I'd know.Nuel and I split ways at the airport. He left directly for the warehouses and I left for her house. I sped as quickly as I could but it was still nearly midnight when I parked down by the playground. My heart crawled into my throat as I hiked up to her house. Her bedroom window was illuminated. I crept underneath it to peek through a misalignment in the blinds. She was lying in bed, the blue light of her screen glowing on her face.For the first time in hours, I relaxed. I sat there for a long time and just watched her. I was completely exhausted. I hadn't slept well all weekend and the added stress of her possible kidnapping, rape, and murder didn't help.It was much later when she put her phone down and left h
Caroline*****This feeling was like being on fire with a fire-resistant cape on. My skin burned as bright orange embers on the verge of catching. It was all the deep-bone melting heat without any of the pain, the injury, the scarring.Scalding water tumbled down my naked body. I'd never stood naked in front of a man before. My hands itched to cover myself but I focused on bathing myself. I wanted Marshall like a drug. I secretly hoped I pushed him too far. He didn't think I was ready, but I'd waited for what felt like forever to experience this. For years, other people my age coupled up, found love, reveled in freeing their sexuality. I waited! Waited to meet someone I wanted to do those things with. Someone who didn't think I was a freak or a nerd. I never met anyone who made me want more until Marshall. He took one look at me and set my world ablaze. And I was dancing in the flames.You don't know who you're seducing. His words rang through my skull repeatedly. He wasn't wrong.I d
Caroline*****An obnoxious alarm penetrated the veil of sleep curtained across my mind. I groaned, my consciousness awakening and my dreamworld collapsing. The bed shifted around me, like someone else was here. For a moment, I believed it was Valentina and that I was back in my bed at Freya's.I flew up and looked around. This wasn't room, though. My eyes followed the rumpled sheets to where a shirtless Marshall stood, stretching. He turned to face me and his ruffled hair, overgrown beard, and piercing eyes brought back the memory of yesterday. I took my time checking out his broad chest and muscular abdomen. His beauty was ethereal, almost blinding, and all-encompassing.He rounded the bed to my side and I shrank down into the covers. His mouth peeled back in a half-smile, amused."You can't hide or escape from me, angel," he said in his oaky morning voice. "Here I'd thought you'd learned."My cheeks flamed while I still attempted to bury myself under the sheets. Maybe if I went dee
Marshall*****There was much I needed to do today. Once my angel was set up on the outdoor sofa with her school books, I returned to the bedroom to prepare for the day ahead. I changed into a black suit and gelled back my hair. I strapped myself with two pistols, one in my waist belt and another over my shoulder. While I would be stopping at the office to get some files, I had other business things to tend to that I would never attend without my weapons.Such as taking care of the bitch who hurt my angel.I growled at my reflection in the full-length mirror against the wall. My face and posture remained the same, slightly hunched with an aggressive edge. There was something different in my eyes though. A clarity I'd never seen before.Shaking my head, I left the room and trotted back down to the back porch where I'd left angel. She was curled up between some pillows with a textbook fanned across her lap. She instantly smiled at seeing me. I still couldn't fathom her little break earl
Caroline*****I couldn't believe it. Marshall hadn't responded to my call or text message. I didn't want to be annoying but I had to be at work in an hour and he was nowhere to be found. Groaning, I pulled on my work clothes from yesterday and attempted to call Freya again. Yet again, it went straight to voicemail.I couldn't blame her for being upset with me—I had gone completely AWOL last night. Knowing how worried she got, I was certain my disappearance pissed her off. I should've told her I was somewhere safe. Even if I was beyond angry that she did nothing about Valentina. How could she be with someone who was like that?But I knew this situation was my fault. I let Marshall bring me here. I trusted him to be back. I knew better than to rely on anyone at this point, but I just thought he would come through for me. Now I know.This left my stupid ass with only one option. Sighing, I pulled up Greg's contact and sent him a text.CAROLINE: Hey, can I be shitty and ask for a favor?
Caroline*****The rest of my shift blinked by. I didn't even realize it was time to go until the next employee came in. I quickly packed my backpack and scrambled out of the chair. My thoughts were in a nervous clutter. I'd spent the last hour of my shift pretending to study while I stole glances at my stalker from where he stood outside.Marshall was just very distracting to begin with. He didn't need to say or do anything. Just stand there and glare out at the world. I could tell people pulling into the gas pumps were wary of him. Some are very obviously admiring. His face remained ever neutral through it all, eyes cooly roaming the vicinity.I had to be firm with him to get my way. I needed to see Freya and get more clothes. All my stuff was still at her house. He may not give me the choice of where to sleep, but I needed my shit. None of it was valuable or even sentimental—but God knew what Valentina would steal if I didn't get everything."Is that guy waiting on you?"My neck sh
Marshall*****We stayed at the table for a long time. It was peaceful, serene. I didn't think about all the work things I needed to do, I just existed. There, with my angel in my lap, snuggled against me. It was the single most enjoyable moment of my life.I suspected she had more of a fight to give me than she had put up tonight, but I would take it. I'd take anything and everything she threw at me. She belonged to me, with me, for me. And I had broken her trust tonight. I would never fail her in such a way again. No one mattered to me but her. I didn't know what it was about her that enthralled me so dearly, that made this cold corpse come to life, but I was addicted. There was no turning back now.I finally rose up from my chair and placed her on her bare feet. My eyes hungrily drank in the sight of her hard nipples pointing through my black t-shirt, which draped around her rounded hips and thick thighs. She was all plush curves and sweet sin.Her eyes flashed up to me as she shif
Caroline*****"Ever played hooky before?"I looked up from my laptop to see Marshall walking towards me, two bowls of salad in his hands. He wore his usual classic black suit, a matching tie loosely hanging around his nape. His mouth just barely tilted upwards. I've learnt that his most genuine smiles are the smallest ones. Holding out one of the bowls, he sinks down onto the sofa beside me. I catch a whiff of strawberries and pecans and then a stronger scent of sandalwood and tobacco.Jesus, he smelled delicious. I accepted the salad bowl and glanced down at the leafy, green contents. There were apple chunks, orange slices, halved strawberries, spinach, diced pecans, cucumber slices, and pieces of baked chicken. I'd never craved a salad more than right then."Ah," I said, swallowing while I stabbed a few greens with my fork. "No, actually I mean, I've left for appointments and things but I've never just skipped."He smirked at me around his fork. "You're almost done with your high s