Taking Over (7 page)

Chapter Seven

“We'll be talking to your stepfather
tomorrow.” He caressed the edge of her shoulder. “I have a proposal I want you
to consider.”

“Oh,
right.” She pushed up to lean on her elbow. “That is why you're here.” She
turned away from him, knowing she had to remember who they were to each other. “I
suppose that's what this was all about.” She tugged on the sheet, wanting to
keep herself covered. “You needed to warm me up for your grand plan. I should
have known.”

“That's
not what's going on here.” He touched her arm, gripping gently. “I didn't make
love to you to get you to agree to some plan.”

“I
think I'll call bullshit.” She moved away, taking the covers with her. “I
should believe you because you've never lied to me. Is that it?
Big, strong, handsome Marcus who never lies.”

“Nice
try. We're not going to fight about what happened a dozen years ago, yesterday,
or this morning.” He pulled her underneath him.
His weight
keeping her in place.
“You're not on your own with this anymore.” He ran
his touch over her bottom lip. “You think I'm handsome?”

“Seriously,
that's your take away? You've got problems.”

“Honey,
we both have a problem and his name is Dale.”

“Well,
don't listen to Keller. He's always coming up with ideas for how to deal with
Dale and I'll tell you what I tell him—they are all too damn risky. You can't
predict what he'll do. My mom doesn't have much time left. I won't have her
stressed out or upset. She's all that matters in this.”

“That's
where you're wrong.” He kissed her gently. “You matter.”

She
melted underneath him, wishing they could shut out the world and stay in this
place, in this bed forever. Life would never be that simple. Her mother needed
her and nothing could be more important.

“I
admire all you've done to help your mom, but you need to start letting someone
watch out for you.”

“I
don't know what you're planning, but it can't involve telling my mom what Dale
has done.”

“You
mean what Dale is doing.”

“This
was your end game all along.” She shoved his chest with all her strength,
taking him off guard and scooting to the end of the bed. He followed her and
her foot came up in warning. She pressed her foot against his chest. “What are
you waiting for, Marcus? Tell her. She'll believe you because you're Marcus.
Everyone believes you.” She could have spit at him.

“Gina,
come on. We can't let him continue to have the run of the place.”

“I'm
sure it will all work out. Even if she doesn’t kick me out of the house, our
relationship will never be the same and it will completely ruin the little time
we have left. Who knows what she'll do about Dale. If the shock of it doesn't
killer her, I'm sure she'll help you get Keller's funding back. Go ahead,
do
it. Take away the one person who still loves me.” She
pushed her toes against his muscles. “I dare you.” Her heart felt like it was
breaking apart in her chest. All the years of keeping Dale to their agreement
would be for nothing. All the relationships she'd ruined would be for nothing.
A cool sweat broke out over her whole body.

“Be
reasonable, my plan won’t have anything to do with telling your mom.” He
grabbed hold of her ankle and yanked her to him. “I only want to diffuse that
asshole.” He hugged her tightly to his chest. “First of all, he has way too
much power.”

“Don't
you think I know that?”

“No,
I don't.” He sat back and looked at her. “Whether you're willing to see it or
not, you've let him win. You've given him all the control.” He lifted her chin.
“The only one I want you submitting to is me.”

“What
exactly do you want me to do?” A tear rolled down her cheek.

“Be
the grand bitch I know you can be.” He rubbed the wetness away.

“Thanks,
Marcus.” She crossed her arms.

“Look.
Your mother would do anything for you. She'd cut him off in a second if she
knew what he's done.”

“I'm
not so sure she'd take all my lies in stride and that's beside the point. She
has weeks left.
Weeks
.
I can't tell her. Dale knows I won't.”

“But
he doesn't know me.”

“Why
should I trust you with this?” Her heart hurt under the building pressure.

“I
can tell this is just a game to him. He can play, but we'll play it better.” He
grasped her hands and held them out. “Are you in?

“Against my better judgment, and because
I don't have a better idea, yes.”

“Now,
that's a Gina endorsement I recognize.” He smirked and snatched the sheets from
her grip. “Get your ass dressed. It's time to make a deal.”

****

She
dragged out getting ready as long as she could, but all too soon they were in
the great-room, waiting for Dale.

“I'm
not sure I can do this.” She rubbed her arms.

“Let
me do the talking.” Marcus took her hand and led her to the windows. With her
in front of him, he wrapped his arms around her. “All you have to do is go
along with what I say.”

“I'm
nervous.” She took several cleansing breaths. Even if she didn't know if it
would work out, she was glad for once not to be alone in this wretched
situation, even if the partnership wouldn't last.

“I
wasn't expecting him to still be here.” Dale stopped at the bar, filling his
tumbler with scotch. “What's his name again, darlin'?”

“The
name is Marcus.” He walked over and held out his hand, giving Dale a handshake that
made the older man wince. “Gina and I are a team now.”

“Oh.
Why would that be?” He shook out his hand.

“We're
getting married.”

She
took a step forward, ready to spit at the idea. How dare he say such a thing?
If her mom found out, they'd probably have to go through with it.

Marcus
turned and caught her gaze. He spoke a dozen things with his challenging glare.
Time seemed to slow. Her whole world caught in a snag before it started moving
again. He stood there so damn strong and determined, waiting for her to give
in. It bugged her that she wanted to give him everything.

“Is
this true, Gina?” Dale asked.

“Yes.”
She looked at Marcus and at his nod, she continued, “He just asked.”

“Huh,
does your mom know?” He slammed the rest of his drink. “I find it hard to
believe she'd be pleased about you marrying someone, especially since I've
never heard
his
name before two days
ago.”

“We
go way back. Long before you darkened this place.” Marcus clasped Gina's hand
and pulled her to his side. “You don't need to worry about Mrs. Fontaine, I
know for a fact she'll be pleased.”

“Is
that so?” He took several stomps toward
them,
looking
liked he'd just eaten a handful of jalapeno peppers. His skin turned deep red
and his eyes narrowed to tiny slits.

“There
will be a few other changes around here, Dale.” He shifted Gina behind him. “Unlike
my darling here, I don't see a problem with telling Mrs. Fontaine all about
your bad behavior.”

“I
don't believe for a second Gina will let you do that. She's feisty, that one.” He
pointed his finger at Marcus. “And I'll tell you another thing. Her name is
Mrs. Schulz. She's my wife. You got that?”

Marcus
squeezed his finger and twisted Dale around, shoving him until his cheek was
smashed on the bar top. “You'll give Keller back your investment.” He hiked his
grip a little higher.

Dale
whined and hissed, but said nothing.

“You
won't tell Mrs. Fontaine a thing of what we discussed. You know if you do, I'll
be back here to enforce a punishment you deserve. If you're curious about my
style, give Keller a call. He can give you a rundown of the implements I prefer
at his club.
Where I'm
a
Master
.”

The
air crackled with the change of control. Gina almost felt sorry for Dale. He'd
clearly lost this round.

“Do
you understand?”

Dale
mumbled something.

“You're
going to break his arm.” She picked at a chip in her nail polish.

“Do
you have a problem with that?”

“Well,
no. But it would be hard to explain.”

“You're
a lucky bastard, Dale.” Marcus released some of the pressure. “Keep making Mrs.
Fontaine happy and return Keller’s funding. That's all you need to do.
Understand?”

“Yes.”

“That's
better.” Marcus let go completely.

Dale
stumbled around the bar. “You're both fucking crazy.”

“You'll
have to get used to me. I'm sure I don't have to add that you'll keep your hands
off my Gina, correct?”

“Whatever.
Just stay the hell away from me.”

Marcus
held up his hands and then pulled Gina close to him. “You keep your end of the
deal and I'll keep mine.”

Before
Dale tripped out of the room, Marcus reminded him to ensure Keller's funding
was returned first thing in the morning.

“Dale
was right.” She squeezed his arm. “You are fucking crazy. I'm not sure your
plan is going to work.”

“We'll
come up with another plan if it doesn't.”

“We?”

“I
may have come here to get Keller's funding back, but there's more to this.” He
kissed her.
“A lot more.”

“You
might have to actually marry me if he mentions it to my mom. I don't know what
possessed you to say such a thing.”

“You're
not alone anymore.” He drew her closer. “If he starts to spill, you’ll hear
about it and we’ll get back up here.”

The
moment was tender and a million other things she never would have expected from
Marcus. She didn't want to analyze any of it. She wanted to roll around in it.
A shiver ran up her spine.

“I
know the idea will make your mom happy. That is a priority, right?” He caressed
her cheek.

“Exactly.
You're right.”
Her mother was the priority, by her repeated request. She squeezed her eyes
shut, forcing away her rising hopes of something more and focused her thoughts.
“If he decides to tell her, it will make her very happy.”

“See,
it’s not so hard to agree with me.” He grabbed her hands.

“It’s
not when we have the same goal. Did you see Dale run from you?” Gina shook her
head. “I can hardly blame him.”

“I
shouldn't have been so rough. I'm sorry.”

“I'm
not.” She dipped her chin. “I should have given him a reason to back off a long
time ago. I hope this works though.”

“I
just kept thinking about all the times he must have tried something with you.”
He leaned his forehead against hers. “I had every intention of breaking his
arm. I can see why Keller wants you to bring someone. I don't like the idea of
you coming up here by yourself.”

“It's
not like I get a lot of volunteers.” She strolled away and fixed herself a
glass of water, as tension spread like fire through her muscles. There were too
many things she wanted from this man.

“Until now.”

“What
are you talking about?”

“Well,
we are getting married.”

“That
was just for Dale.” She sat on the couch, crossing her legs. “You don't need to
keep that up. I'll be fine. I'm not actually your responsibility, remember?”

“That's
not the way I see it. You said it yourself. We can't predict what Dale will do.”

“We
had a nice time with our heart to heart, but let's not push it.” She sat down
her glass and strutted towards him. “You hate me and I hate you. That's how it
is.” Her heart felt like it was beating in her ears. The lie tasted sour as
well.

“I
can admit when I'm wrong.” He pressed his body against her and ran his fingers
through her hair, pulling her back. “Can you do the same?” He kissed her neck.

“Of course not.
I'm a bitch,
remember.” She rubbed her leg up along his thigh. Between the tingle on her
scalp and his firm grip, he drove her desire to hot and needy.

“A damn sexy bitch.”
He nipped at
her lips.

“Maybe
we should stop now.”

“Don't
fight what you know we both need.” He brushed his lips over hers.

She
wrapped her arms around him and gave in. He claimed her mouth, taking
everything, even the parts she thought she had closed off.

Somehow,
they made it back to the guesthouse with all their clothes on. Everything
changed the second the door closed.

“Right here?”

“You
better believe it.” He unbuttoned his shirt.

“Taking
me right in the kitchen, huh? Seems a bit clumsy, don't you think?” She slipped
off her shoes. “Have to say, I like seeing you like this.”