Passion Projected (8 page)

Soon it will be, though.”

Bright red filled her cheeks. Years had gone by since he had seen such innocence in a woman. The innocence felt refreshing, but he still didn’t dismiss the temper she had flaring down deep inside of her. In time, he knew he could loosen her up. She had a wild, erotic side. He felt that almost from the beginning. That was something he could work on soon, too.

The pack consisted of a very open group of individuals. If he could get Marley to open up on the way down there, then she would feel more comfortable once they arrived and she became exposed firsthand. What better time than to start right this moment, he thought wickedly.

* * * *

At Zachary’s words, Marley knew he planned on biting her again.

If history repeated itself then it only meant one thing, they would be having sex when he would do it. Heat began to radiate off of her pussy. The intensity with which she wanted him started to become Ebook piracy is stealing. It is a federal offense.

Report ebook piracy to [email protected].

Passion Projected

58

unbearable. Quickly, she thought of something else to take her mind off of her thoughts.

“So what are we doing, flying or driving?” she asked.

“You want to drive. For the life of me, I don’t understand it. You would rather be sick yourself than to make anyone uncomfortable.

Jordan, head back north. It’s what Marley wants. As much as I don’t like it, I can’t deny her. I’ve already taken so much,” Zachary said, looking out of his window.

To Marley, it felt like a heavy cloud lifted from the SUV. The guys instantly relaxed and so did she. It might be a long drive, but breaks would help her, and she and Zachary could possibly have some alone time along the way. Now that was a little too tempting. She hated how she couldn’t control herself when she was around him.

Marley wrapped her arm around her stomach as the knots tightened with wanting to release.

The phone rang just as Zachary reached for it. “Kylie, we’re driving, cancel the flight. We should be there in the next two days. I’ll keep you posted. Let me talk to Henry.”

Silence settled for a few seconds and then his words turned monosyllabic, yes, no, all right. Finally, after countless responses, he relaxed completely, slouching against the seat.

“Henry, she’s great. I can’t wait for everyone to meet her. We’ll see you soon. Goodbye, brother.”

The phone went back into his pocket and he looked over at Marley, smiling. “That was my brother, Henry. He’s been leading the pack while I’ve been away. Everyone can’t wait to meet you.”

A rock seemed to settle on Marley’s chest, making it impossible to get a good breath. “Really? Well, I won’t lie. I’m sort of nervous about meeting everyone. Zachary, there are some things that concern me.”

His eyebrows drew together. “Like what?”

“Well, I understand that I’m in danger, but I can’t stay there forever. What about my family, my business? All right, my business Ebook piracy is stealing. It is a federal offense.

Report ebook piracy to [email protected].

Passion Projected

59

really isn’t an issue. I could do that anywhere. What I mean is,” she took a deep breath, “orders are due to go out tomorrow and the next day, and so on. How am I going to send them out? I don’t have my merchandise. What if something happens and my family needs me back home?”

He looked at her as if she spoke some sort of alien vocabulary. He looked completely bewildered. Marley wanted to clap her hands in the air and make him see what she meant. How could he not understand what she needed?

“Marley, you never have to work again. I’m going to take care of you. Your family can come and stay, too, if that’s what you want.”

Now she felt positive she was the one with the confused and shocked expression.

“No, you don’t understand. I don’t want to be taken care of. I’ve built my business into what it is. I can’t just give it up now. Plus, I don’t think you and my mother would get along very well. She would constantly be telling you what to wear and what to do. No, it’s not going to work!”

Zachary ran his fingers through his hair. He didn’t seem angry, just frustrated. “I would do anything, wear anything, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re happy. I want you to be happy with me, Marley.

Why can’t you see that?”

All right, as much as she really liked this guy he continued to make it impossible for her to tell him no. Marley hated telling anyone no, but she controlled her life. This wasn’t something she could just agree to and then it would eventually be over and she could move on.

This was the rest of her life they were talking about.

Desperate, she looked toward Cole and Jordan. Yeah right, like they would help explain anything to him. She sat back, temporarily crushed. How could she ever make him understand?

“Marley, I do understand how hard this is for you,” he snapped, reading her mind. “Look, I’m sorry, but you do not understand what I’m saying. This is never going to stop. This new pack will not just let Ebook piracy is stealing. It is a federal offense.

Report ebook piracy to [email protected].

Passion Projected

60

you live in peace away from us. They’re going to want the next leader, our child, or kill him so he can’t lead our pack. Do you understand that? I’m never going to let you leave, ever!” he growled.

Anger and rage weren’t even close to what she felt. Never leave, he couldn’t be serious. So regardless of what she wanted, she remained stuck without a choice. Eventually, she might have chosen Zachary to spend the rest of her life with, but now with it being forced upon her, she didn’t want it. She wanted to go home, a home that didn’t exist anymore because he knew where it was.

Tears came to her eyes while she stared out of the window. The scenery held nothing to look at besides a spare tree here or there.

Jordan was going fast. How fast, she wasn’t sure. It didn’t matter anymore, though. She had to figure out exactly what she intended to do.

Running away wasn’t an option unless she wanted to endanger her child or herself. And she wasn’t about to do that. A frustrated scream built up in Marley’s throat. Damn it! What was she going to tell her mother?

Marley let the tears roll down her cheeks. Well, better to get this over with. “Zachary, I need your phone.”

He didn’t ask any questions, but why would he? He probably listened to every thought in her head, anyway. With reluctance, she dialed her mother’s number and breathed in Zachary’s smell. There lingered the softest hint of cologne. So subtle, she couldn’t recognize what brand he wore. It smelled good, so good she wanted to lean closer.

The phone started to ring, almost like a chime of impending doom. Her mother had always scared the shit out of her. She was the only person who could make Marley cry just by raising her voice and yelling at her, and Marley took plenty of yelling in her human resources job. Never once did anyone affect her to the extent her mother did.

Ebook piracy is stealing. It is a federal offense.

Report ebook piracy to [email protected].

Passion Projected

61

A voice echoed through the line, already in a sour tone. Marley closed her eyes, preparing herself. “Hello, Mother,” she whispered.

“Marley Diane, I’ve tried calling your phone all morning, why haven’t you been answering?”

Deep breaths, that’s all Marley could do. “I left it at my apartment. Mother, there is something I need to tell you. You have to promise me you won’t be upset and start yelling, all right?” she said softly.

“Just spit it out, Marley. It can’t be as bad as you’re making it seem. You always have been so dramatic.”

Marley wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. If she only knew half of what was going on, she’d have a heart attack on the spot.

“Well, Mom, umm, I’m pregnant and on my way to Virginia to live with the father, not really by choice, though,” she said quietly.

“I’d rather be back at home. It seems like that’s not an option, though.”

For the first time in her life, silence was the only response she received. With rapid jumps, her heart started pounding waiting for her mother’s reaction. Finally, after a minute or two, which actually felt like close to an hour, she heard a breath.

“It’s about damn time. I swear, Marley Diane, I never thought I’d see the day when you found someone.”

Betrayal stabbed at Marley’s heart. Whose side was she on, anyway? Hello! She should be pissed her daughter had run off across the country with some guy she had never heard of and taken without an option. Her mother should be calling the cops!

“Yeah, well, the day has come. I’m glad you’re happy. I have to go,” Marley snapped, the anger giving her the bravery she needed.

“Wait, aren’t you going to tell me anything about how this came about? Who is the father, and why in the world do you have to move to Virginia?”

Ebook piracy is stealing. It is a federal offense.

Report ebook piracy to [email protected].

Passion Projected

62

Now she wanted to ask questions. It seemed a little late for that.

Hadn’t she basically already admitted to being happy I had found
someone regardless of whether I wanted it or not
?

“The father’s name is Zachary. He lives in Virginia.”

“How long have you known each other? What’s his last name?”

her mother asked curiously.

Marley started laughing. She couldn’t help it. The betrayal still stung. It was either laugh or cry, and she wasn’t going to cry yet. The need to upset her mother as she had upset Marley taunted at her.

Marley wondered why her mother always reacted angrily to the length of time she had taken to find someone. She thought of the meanest thing she could say and braced herself to say it. Being bullied around today left a mean streak in Marley, making her want to hurt her mother. The only way she could think to do that meant crushing her mother’s dreams of pawning her off on someone.

“I’ve only just met him, so to speak. And truthfully, I have no idea what his last name is, nor do I care, really..I don’t need a man to take care of me!”

Regret nearly made Marley cry. She hated arguing with her mother. Zachary didn’t seem too happy at the moment either, which pulled at her heart heavily even though she tried to ignore it. She still felt pissed that he neglected to warn her to begin with. She should’ve had the option to choose for herself instead of having all of this forced on her.

What was the matter with everyone? Was she the only sane person alive these days?

“Marley, are you telling me you’re moving all the way there with a complete stranger?” Her tone softened slightly, making tears nearly spill over.

“Yes, Mother, that’s exactly what I am saying.” She felt her throat close. It seemed like maybe she was starting to understand the significance of the situation.

Once again, silence. “When’s the wedding?”

Ebook piracy is stealing. It is a federal offense.

Report ebook piracy to [email protected].

Passion Projected

63

Nausea nearly crippled Marley. She couldn’t be serious. Hadn’t Marley just made it clear Zachary was a stranger? How could her mother be all right with that? Rage overpowered sadness. This wasn’t fair. Everyone accepted this with open arms but her.

No doubt with Zachary’s supersonic hearing, he eavesdropped on their whole conversation. Marley glanced his way and then looked out of the window.

“There is not going to be a wedding. I don’t want to get married,”

Marley said, trying to control her rising voice.

“Now, wait one minute.” Zachary turned toward her.

The phone disappeared from Marley’s hand before she even noticed it missing. She could hear her mother booming on the other end. No doubt she had unleashed her wrath. Zachary was even smiling at her rant which had Marley rolling her eyes.

“Mrs. Hart, hello, my name is Zachary Zevgolis. No ma’am, it’s Greek. I just wanted to tell you that I have every intention of marrying your daughter, and I’m willing to wait as long as it takes for her to change her mind.

“It’s true we haven’t known each other very long. Three months is hardly a dent in time compared to how long most people know each other. But I plan on getting to know her for the rest of my life, so don’t worry. She’s in good hands.”

It grew silent while her mother went on. Then Zachary took a deep breath. “Yes ma’am, we’ve been seeing each other off and on now for three months. All right, nice meeting you, Mrs. Hart.”

He handed the phone back to Marley. Aggravated, she couldn’t help but jerk it out of his hand. Three months! Now why did he have to tell her that? It’s not like they had actually carried on conversations during that time. It didn’t count!

“Hello, Mother, I’m back.”

Marley listened as she went right into one of her tirades. “You been seeing that boy for three months and never brought him over to introduce him to the family. Are you embarrassed of us, Marley? Just Ebook piracy is stealing. It is a federal offense.

Report ebook piracy to [email protected].

Passion Projected

64

wait until your father hears about this. You should be ashamed of yourself. You never think about anyone but yourself.”

Marley hung up the phone on her. The tears streamed steadily now. With one look at Zachary, she threw the phone at him.

“Three fucking months, you asshole! You know that time didn’t count. We never spoke until…fuck, when did that happen? I don’t even know what day it is anymore. Do me a favor, if I have to be here, leave me the fuck alone.”

Yes, Marley knew her hormones affected her behavior, but she couldn’t help but vent her anger at him. It might not have been his fault for not knowing how her mother would react, but still. Dammit!

She needed air. She needed space! She needed a fucking Vicodin or something. Shit, with pregnancy she couldn’t take anything to calm her nerves. Great!