Please Remember Me (18 page)

Steven grunted, making Jaden wonder yet again how Judi could have given birth to such a rude man. Maybe life had made him grumpy. She nibbled the inside of her cheek. Still, he ought to be thankful he had his mother around. Forcing a smile to her lips, she nodded to Marlon. “Why don’t we leave them alone? It’s late.”

Steven nodded. “I’d appreciate that. She’s not your mother.”

Jaden winced. Nope, she wasn’t. Judi couldn’t even claim her as a granddaughter. She stood and gave Judi a hug. “I’ll be back to see you tomorrow.”

“You’d better. I’ll miss my afternoon gossip shows and I want you to fill me in.”

“Consider it done.” Jaden forced a watery smile. “I’ll even bring magazines.” Maybe Judi wasn’t her mother, but she was damned close. Heat, and not from Marlon, enveloped her. A rush of thoughts and emotions battled in her mind. She couldn’t breathe. Gasping, she muttered a goodbye and escaped the room.

She burst through the stairwell door and stopped on the landing. The cold walls of the hospital reminded her of the last few moments with her mother. The pain settled low in her belly like a stone. She collapsed on the top step. Even though Marlon wanted her and the animals, he’d change his mind. Men always did. She had nothing other than the furry children—no money, no real home. And then there was Marlon…

God, her mind swam. He wanted her, but he didn’t. She wanted him, but her fears of jumping into the great unknown prevented her from accepting his kindness. And if the circus of Hollywood made its way to Crawford…he’d leave her in a hot minute.

Stop being negative and move forwards.

She wasn’t sure when he arrived, but Marlon’s strong arms enfolded her once he sat down. His breath warmed her neck and his whiskers tickled her ear. She laced her fingers with his. A smattering of words teetered on her tongue, yet she remained quiet.

Marlon broke the silence. “Hey, Jaden Marie, you aren’t in this alone.”

Her chest heaved. “I don’t want your pity.”

Chapter Sixteen

Marlon nuzzled her cheek. So many things were so fucked up. So many questions unanswered. Why couldn’t he either ‘fess up to his feelings or walk away?

Jaden made his heart light, even when she asked too many questions and nibbled her bottom lip raw. He wanted to kiss every inch of her until she shrieked his name. Even Addy had never given him a rush like being with Jaden. And they’d had—what? A little more than a few weeks together? Each night of passion was ingrained into his permanent memory. Could he let her go? The idea scared him. Did he need her enough to make things permanent? Damn straight. She moved him like the air he breathed.

Her scent washed over him. She understood him and soothed him when he needed her arms to hold him. He wasn’t himself without her to make him whole. “Who said anything about pity? Honey, I’m here for you. Life went berserk in the last twenty-four hours. Anyone would crumble. It’s expected.”

She sniffled, but didn’t pull away. “You haven’t fallen apart.”

“I’m not perfect. I fuck stuff up all the time.” He kissed her neck where it connected to her shoulder, drawing from her the feathery sigh he loved so much. He shifted his hips to relieve the ache in his heart. She brought out the best and the worst in him. “Summer doesn’t lie. I’m not a relationship-slash-commitment kind of guy, but I am certainly cautious. I’d like to continue seeing you, but I can’t when you won’t tell me everything.”

Turning, she cupped his cheek and rested her forehead against his. Her silky hair smoothed against his skin. “I come with a lot of baggage—and not just the furry kind.”

“From the first moment I questioned you at the station, I wanted you. I’m game for whatever you can throw at me, Jaden Marie—as long as you’re honest.”

She sighed. “We need to get back to Judi’s. The dogs will need to pee, I’m worn out, and tomorrow’s Halloween. So much for passing out candy.”

“Then let’s go home.” He nodded. I don’t have to work until seven tomorrow. “I’ll keep you and the critters company.”

“Company? I’d love the company. Especially if we’re—” Her eyes sparkled. “—naked.”

He cocked a brow. Oh, so she wanted to play dirty? He’d take that wager. “Are you issuing me a challenge?” One he could fulfil all night long? Hell, yes.

Her shoulder barely moved in a shrug. “Maybe.” She smacked her lips and grinned. “I mean, there is a trick to sex with an audience. Look how Sparks freaks when we kiss. Are you up for their challenge? I’m easy to sway since I liked you from the start.”

Dipping in for a kiss, he cupped the back of her head. “If you’re my prize, then I’m in for one hell of a time.”

Jaden fell back against the sheets as Marlon prepared for bed. He tugged his jeans past his sculpted hips, baring snug boxers, sinewy muscle and the perfect sprinkling of hairs on his legs. The man’s body was made for posing nude—not a flaw in sight.

Her mouth watered. For the time being, he belonged to her. She plucked at the edge of the towel she’d tossed on the foot of the bed. At her feet, Sparky and Riley shifted. Sparky grunted and began to snore, while Riley settled on his back. Playing house with Marlon seemed less like play and more like reality.

Although she’d never considered her bedroom in the Pennywood house large, Marlon’s presence made it cosy. The pull and twist of his muscles as he eased the T-shirt over his head grabbed her attention. His hair stuck out at odd angles when he turned. If ever a man embodied sex, it was him. A shiver ran up her spine. And now he stood in her home, wanting to be with her.

A sheepish grin curled his lips. “What’s running through that beautiful head of yours?”

She toyed with the hem of her shirt and sat up. He wanted to know, huh? Lifting the garment over her head, she shook her hair about her shoulders.

“Come here, gorgeous.” His eyes lit up and he opened his arms. “Let me hold you.”

She nibbled her bottom lip. His gaze on her body made heat rush through her veins. With Marlon, the act of foreplay held more weight, more emotion. She wanted to impress him, not to have him want her for her body, but for him to need the whole package. God knew, she’d fallen for him.

Edging over to him, she unhooked the front clasp on her bra. “Good?”

She drew in a ragged breath and dropped the lingerie onto the floor. Marlon groaned. “Oh, yes. Oh…yes.” His hands roamed over her flesh, searing her on contact. Her heart pounded behind her ribcage. If they could stay in this moment forever, she’d be a happy woman.

“I’m thinking I’ve had a long night filled with the best highs, worst lows, and a few in-betweens.” Hooking her fingers into his belt loops, she yanked him towards her. “Right now, I want to taste the man who makes me feel things I never imagined.”

“Come here, little girl.” He forked his fingers into her hair, massaging her scalp. Closing her eyes, Jaden brushed her nipples along his chest. He had her right on the edge, might as well share the tenuous hold on control.

Starting with his neck, she nibbled a path to his Adam’s apple and down to his chest. When she laved her tongue over his flat nipples, he moaned and fisted his hands in her hair. The tiny buds tightened under her care.

“Oh, sweet baby.”

Spurred on by his encouragement, she slid to her knees. His breath came in short puffs as he eased and tightened his grip. Jaden glanced at his closed eyes and the smile tugging the corners of his mouth. He liked it. His cock, long and thick, poked out from the gap in his boxers.

Jaden licked her lips and slid her hands under the waistband of his underwear. A primal growl ripped from his throat. “Oh, baby, yes.”

His ass muscles tightened under her palms as she pushed his jeans and boxers to his feet. A bead of moisture glistened on the tip of his erection. Oral sex hadn’t been her strong point, but for him, she’d make it her best effort. With one soft swipe of her tongue, she licked him clean and savoured his offering.

“Jaden.” He drew her name out on a sigh and rocked his hips towards her. She obligingly took him into her mouth until his hairs tickled her nose.

“Fuck, baby girl.” His hips moved in time with her ministrations. She took him as far as she could without gagging, loving the feel of his silky steel on her tongue. Oh sure, she’d given men oral satisfaction before, but none had treated her with such dignity and devotion. Each time he thrust into her mouth, she hummed her approval.

Grasping his ass, she took him to the back of her throat and hummed. He panted. “Jaden Marie, you’ll make me come. God, I’m so close.”

So he liked it? Hell yeah. She wrapped her hand around the base of his dick and cupped his sac, kneading his balls. His hips moved faster. He groaned. “Oh, fuck!”

When he jerked hard and held her in place, she lapped up every drop of his cum. Being with him felt like the right thing—the only right thing—in her life. Heat flowed through her veins, combined with new emotions. Love, yes, but she wanted a little bit more. She wanted him forever, not one night, not a month—the whole happily-ever-after package.

Leaning back, his erection slipped from her lips. She swiped her tongue over his taste, spice and salt. Marlon sank to his knees. His breath fanned over her skin when he leant forwards and rested his head on her shoulder. She crooked her brow. “I assume it was good?”

Gasping for breath, he responded. “Fucking…fantastic.”

“Then next time, I get to play with your ass.” Jaden wrapped her legs around him and stroked his hair. The feeling of the grown man in her lap, needing her comfort, made her smile and warmed her heart. The fact that she hadn’t climaxed wasn’t a priority. He needed her—not her money, not her fame—her.

“You can do whatever you want, little girl.” His throaty voice vibrated down her spine.

Over his shoulder, she noticed the time on the clock. Five-oh-four AM. Her eyelids drooped with sleep. Still too early for the sunrise, but little time to rest before the animals needed to go out. She glanced at the dogs, both asleep on the floor by the door. The cats, cuddled together on the window seat, ignored her presence. Over their collective bundle of fur, she noticed a red light. She frowned. What the…?

I live on the second floor. It can’t be a light next door. The nearest house is thirty feet away.

Straining around Marlon’s sluggish frame, she tried to get a better look at the little red light that reminded her of…a paparazzi video camera! What the fuck?

“Marlon!”

He lifted his head, his eyes fuzzy. “What’s wrong, Jaden Marie?”

Clipping her words in case someone was lingering outside her room, she spoke and yanked her shirt from the bed. “Outside. Someone’s outside.”

“What?”

“There’s a light just like on a camcorder right outside my window. It’s not coming from the Reardon’s and the oak tree isn’t close enough to put the camera in the fucking window. I need to call Bobby.”

Slowly, he turned. But as he did, the red light died. Jaden gasped and fumbled for her phone.

“Shh.” Using a hand signal, Marlon pointed to the light switch. Inching away from him, Jaden clicked the switch, bathing them in darkness. As her eyes adjusted to the low light, she noticed Marlon’s form moving towards the window. Through the dim glow of the street lamp, she saw the outline of his face. He clenched his jaw.

She fought back the urge to shout, “Call for the police.” Hell, he was the police. Still, she didn’t want him to leave her alone in the house while he searched for the origin of the red light. That’s why she’d hired Bobby—to keep the lunatics at bay.

Anger boiled in her veins alongside the fear. If her father had sent someone to spy on her, forgiveness wouldn’t be an option. He might be more interested in money than in his own flesh and blood, and spying was totally within his range of actions—but spying on her? He wouldn’t. And where the hell was Bobby?

Marlon’s voice, a whisper, cut through the silence and her thoughts. “I don’t see anything, but I’m going to call the CPD to check it out.” Though she couldn’t see him, she felt his arms around her after he crossed the room. “Has anyone tried to bother you? Think. Would the paparazzi seek you out, here in Crawford?”

She shook her head. “No, no one that I know of. But I’ve been wrong before.”

“Does anyone want to hurt you? What’s Bobby’s role?”

“I’ve kept to myself since coming here.” Glancing down at his naked torso, she couldn’t help the nervous laughter. “Um, before you make that call, you do realise your pants are missing in action?”

After a long sigh, Marlon chuckled. “At least you aren’t scared.”

She rubbed her nose along his jaw. The prickles gave her a small measure of comfort—because they belonged to him. “I’m petrified, and you’re the one person keeping me level.”

“Why don’t you lie down and stay out of sight? I’ll call Bobby and then join you.” He scratched his chin. “At this rate, we’ll be asleep all day.”

“Do you mind? You have to work tonight and I’ve been a bother.” She chewed the corner of her mouth. She believed every word, but with the potential peeper watching her, things—and hearts—could change.

Standing naked as the day he was born, Marlon pressed buttons on his phone. “And wake up with a sexy woman in my arms?” He clicked his tongue. “I want to keep you safe so I can taste your sweetness all night—or in this case, all day long. Wild horses couldn’t steal me away from you.”

“Good.”

Chapter Seventeen

When Marlon awoke, he rubbed his eyes. The scent of vanilla and flowers permeated the room. Something soft tickled his nose. Another deep breath, more for his own pleasure than recognition, revealed the scent of his Jaden. He sighed. His. She might not be his forever, but she was for the time being, and he couldn’t be happier. He curled his toes. Something soft but soggy grazed his foot. Turning slightly, he saw the culprit—Sparky. Peeking over the edge of the bed, the Basset hound panted. Riley jumped up from the floor. His tags jingled as he jumped up onto the comforter.

Jaden groaned and threw an arm over her eyes. “Another ten minutes, guys, please?”