Unlikely Hero (Atlanta #1) (20 page)

Almost exactly 15 minutes later, Cassie pulled up to the apartment complex, obvious confusion on her face. Marcus, watching her through the window, saw her pull out her cell phone to call him. She was probably wondering if she had the right address. Before she could dial, he opened the door of Erin’s apartment and waved her in.
 

“Hey, Cassie,” he said with a smile as she approached him. “Thanks for coming.”

She leaned toward him for a side-hug then let him usher her inside. “I thought you said this was a cafe.”

“Well, there’s coffee here…” Marcus said as if that should have made her confusion go away. He enjoyed messing with his sister. “Plus, I wanted you to meet someone.”

Cassie looked over and noticed Erin standing near the kitchenette. Cassie opened her mouth, a little confused. A short, but very awkward moment passed when Cassie’s eyes went wide and she said, “OH! You must be Erin with the notebook! It’s so nice to meet you!” Her face warmed into a genuine smile and she went over to hug Erin tightly. “Just so you know, I yelled at this oaf for you when he first read your journal. But then I heard about how much you two talked about in that book, and I forgave him for you.”

Erin laughed at the boldness of Marcus’s sister and liked her right away. “Thank you for that,” she said, still with a bit of a laugh in her voice. “But don’t worry, I yelled at him, too, and then forgave him almost immediately. It’s not easy to stay mad at such a great guy.”

Cassie grinned broadly at Erin, obviously glad that Erin appreciated her brother. Cassie cared more about Marcus than anything in the world, and she would have been spitting mad like a feral cat if Erin showed signs of anything but smiles for her brother.
 

Marcus just stood back and let the two of them continue to talk about him, laughing because they acted like he wasn’t even there. “Ahem,” he finally said. “Can I make formal introductions now?”

He laughed at the looks on their faces when they realized they had been completely ignoring him. “Erin, my twin sister Cassie. Cassie, this is my girlfriend, Erin.”

Cassie’s eyes, which looked exactly like Marcus’s, grew wide and her mouth dropped a bit, which caused Marcus to chuckle. It was the exact look he was expecting.
 

“Girlfriend?! Wow. Well, there you have it! Congrats, Marc. You too, Erin. I’ll save the big speech, but I already like Erin a lot, just for that goofy smile she has when she talks about you, so you both have to get the cliff-notes version of it.”
 

Cassie widened her stance, placed a determined hand on one hip and with her other, she pointed her first finger back and forth between the two of them. “If either of you messes with, hurts, or otherwise makes a stupid decision with regards to the other, then you’ll have me to answer to. Capice?”
 

“Yes, ma’am,” Marcus said.

“Capice,” Erin repeated, smiling at Cassie again.
 

Cassie’s face turned from threatening to warm in a heartbeat. “Did someone say something about coffee?”

Marcus just laughed out loud and set a mug for her on the table. The three of them sat down for a long while, talking about Cassie’s upcoming graduation, Marcus’s MMA fighting, and even some happy memories from the twins’ childhood before their mother died. Erin spoke fondly of her childhood, too, and the entire conversation was sprinkled with bits of laughter.
 

Marcus watched Erin the entire time, seeing her smile throughout. She fit perfectly here with his only family that mattered and his heart was full. He reached for her hand and held it on the table top and just laughed when Cassie stared at his hand, blatantly smiling at the gesture.

“Cassie, you’re a riot,” Erin said with genuine appreciation for the big personality sitting across from her. Cassie was fairly tall at 5’8”, and had the same complexion and dark brown hair as her brother. She was pretty and feminine, but the relation was obvious. “And I like seeing you and Marcus together. It tells me a lot about both of you.”
 

“Well, riot or not, Marc brings out the best in people. He always has, well, with the exception of one. But Marcus spent his whole life protecting me from him. And, well, from everyone else, too. He got in a few scuffles in high school protecting my honor. I don’t know what kind of messed-up I’d be with out him.”

Erin nearly welled up at the strength of Cassie’s love for her brother and was about to say something about her own feelings for him when Marcus interrupted.
 

“Ok, that’s enough sappiness for one coffee break. Cassie, I love you, but get out. I want to kiss my girlfriend again and I don’t want you staring.” Erin’s eyes widened at how blunt he was, but then shook her head smiling at him. He and his sister were obviously close. She had no reason to be embarrassed, so she tried hard not to be.
 

Cassie grinned widely and grabbed her purse. “Then I won’t keep you from her. Erin, it was so good to meet you. Call me anytime. I already wrote my cell number on your scratch pad by the coffee pot in case you need any dirt on my brother. Marcus, thanks for the coffee, and enjoy those kisses.”

Cassie gave him a big wink and nudged his ribs knowingly and chuckled at her own humor. She nearly bounced her way to the front door and was waving goodbye before Erin could even thank her for coming or hug her or anything.
 

She turned toward the table to clear the coffee mugs, but almost jumped when she realized that Marcus was right there, making good on his intentions of kissing her. He took her face in his hands and kissed her deeply. His tongue moved with hers slowly, and he pulled away only far enough to place kisses on her cheeks and the corners of her mouth. He nibbled at her lips and then offered his tongue again. She accepted without hesitation.

He moved his hands from his face to around her back and shoulders and let her lips release from his. He held her head to his chest and whispered “I love you” to her again. She squeezed him back and returned his words as easily as she returned his kisses. There was nothing else in the world than Erin and Marcus in that moment.

“I’m glad you like my sister. She’s the only person who has known me literally forever. She’s been the only stability I’ve had,” he said. “It means a lot that the two of you hit it off.”

“I really did like her,” Erin said warmly. “You two are lucky to have that kind of relationship. I can tell she keeps you from brooding too much, and I can see how much she loves you for keeping her safe her whole life. Not many people have something like that.”

“I don’t brood,” he said lightly.
 

“Fine. Then she keeps you from doing something that looks exactly like brooding but isn’t. I know you’ve tried to hide it, but I’ve seen it. Only once or twice, but it’s there.”

Marcus laughed and then marveled again at how easily she understood and accepted him. He pulled her in for another long kiss and tried to show her just how much she meant to him. He felt her melt into him and soften under his kisses.
 

Feeling light and playful again, Marcus moved a half step away from her and lifted her up, one hand under each armpit, like a small child. With his strength and her slight figure, there was no effort for him. She squealed at him and tried to move away. She was laughing too hard to be successful in getting away from him, but she really didn’t care. He carried her, letting her feet dangle as he walked her back to their spot on the couch.
 

She laughed at the playful look in his eye when he dropped her unceremoniously on the couch and settled there beside her. He pulled her over to his lap again, and repeated with a smile, “I don’t brood.”

Erin just laughed again and settled into him. They spent the rest of the afternoon there, kissing and touching on the couch. They talked and joked with each other, relaxing and smiling the entire time.

Being in each other’s arms so freely was fun, but there were also moments of intensity between them. Erin felt nearly drunk from the varied emotions, and no matter how much heat they created between them, Marcus never let it get out of control. He took such good care of her.

He had been a bit rough with her that morning and he obviously didn’t want to make her feel any more pain. She loved how strong he had been, but she definitely needed a break. He understood that without her asking. He seemed content with her soft kisses, caresses and playful afternoon together.
 

When dinner time approached, Marcus stood up and pulled her up with him.

“I need to get going,” he said to her with a smile. “I’ve taken up too much of your weekend.”

“Not at all,” she said resting her head on his chest. “I’m glad you stayed with me.”

“Me, too. I love you, Erin.” He leaned down and kissed her so sweetly.
 

“I love you, too.” She squeezed his hands before letting him go. He waved to her with a wide grin when he left and her heart did a double-take at the look in his eyes.
 

Monday morning the first thing she wanted to do was write to him. She went to her cafe and sat down with her pen.
 

M~

I don’t even know what to say about this weekend. The word “perfection” comes to mind. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to give myself to you. You gave me that confidence and I love you for it. The minute I was in your arms I was lost to you completely. I never knew sex could be like that. I had no fear and you made me feel so much. I love you. Truly. You made me forget.

~E

She hoped that short note would make him understand. Words didn’t seem strong enough to explain her internal shift. She had a new sense of strength she didn’t even know was there. He brought that out in her. He told her all along she had that strength. Finally, she believed him.
 

Now that she was his, all she wanted was more of him. She would have it, too. There was no doubt. He loved her and gave himself to her as much as she had to him. The insecurities of the last five years melted away completely.
 

The next day she found his response in her journal.

E~

“Perfection” doesn’t cut it. My weekend with you was more than that. I loved taking you there, to that place where you could forget everything and feel nothing but me, and this weekend I only want to take you higher. I love you.
 

Saturday?

~M

Erin spent the rest of the week writing with Marcus. They planned a dinner date on Saturday and also just chatted about their every day. Erin was elated to spend such easy time with him in the journal. The realization that she wasn’t scared, not even nervous, made her smile. He wanted to take her higher; she couldn’t wait for him to try.

Friday’s note from Marcus made her smile.

E~

The first day we met, I took you to my favorite place to eat. Hank still asks about you. On Saturday, I’ll pick you up at six and take you to
your
favorite spot, wherever it is. I want to see you in a place you love, surrounded by the beautiful atmosphere you belong in.
 

~M

Erin had no idea where to ask him to go. She didn’t really have a favorite restaurant. She never went out with anyone, anywhere. All the places her coworkers talked about always intimidated her. Either they were intimate bistros where she wouldn’t want to be alone, or they were pick-up bars where she would be terrified. What atmosphere did she belong in? She had no idea and the thought made her sad.
 

So, instead of trying to pick something beautiful, she opted for fun and thought of the perfect place. She loved spending time with Marcus. The intensity was always strong, but the two of them always managed to find their way back to smiles and laughter…another reason she loved him. A fun spot for dinner would be perfect for them.

Marcus showed up Saturday around six and greeted Erin with a deep kiss. He wore his newest jeans and his one button-down shirt so he would look decent for the restaurant of her choice. He knew her better than to think she’d pick five-star, so he figured his clothing would be appropriate.

He’d take her anywhere and not care about his appearance, that was not the problem. He didn’t want to embarrass her. He had never really been part of the upper-class scene, and he didn’t want Erin’s “people” judging her based on him.
 

He was actually nervous about taking her out somewhere nice, which was not a usual feeling for him. He was comfortable with Erin, but that had only been in private, or only in
his
neighborhood. All his strength and confidence didn’t mean much in this uncharted territory. Still, he would hold his head high and follow her anywhere.

When he saw her though, he was confused, even a little concerned. She had thrown on an old pair of jeans and a faded brown v-neck shirt for their date. She looked comfortable and he smiled. But still, he couldn’t help but feel a bit unsettled. He looked overdressed compared to her.

“Ready?” she asked him, smiling widely. “I know a great place.”

“Sure. Where are we headed?”

“Just drive to the Olympic park. I’ll show you when we’re close.”

They walked together to his big goldish-brown car and Marcus squeaked the big door open for her. He went around to his own side, plopped down on the seat, and found Erin directly beside him on the bench. He put his arm around her after he had the car in drive, and moved out of the parking lot with her tucked in against him.
 

He pulled into the sunlit parking lot of the park and stopped the car. He looked at her, waiting for her to tell him where to go next. All she did was jump out of the car. He followed her, having to jog for a bit to catch up. He was surprised to find himself moderately annoyed. There was no restaurant in sight. What was she playing at?

He was nervous again, and he realized his discomfort centered around her outfit. She looked sexy; she always did. But she had dressed down because of him. He didn’t like the implication one bit.