Unlikely Hero (Atlanta #1) (27 page)

“Humph.”

“Marcus,” her mom started. “I feel like saying thank you all over again. I don’t know what made you want to help our baby that way, but I’m so glad you did. Your parents raised you right.”

Neither Marcus nor Erin said anything to the contrary. Marcus didn’t want them to know about his childhood and Erin knew better than to tell his story for him.
 

“I told you he’s a good man,” Erin said with a smile. She got up to clear the table but moved behind Marcus first and squeezed his shoulders. She kissed the top of his head and he reached up one hand and held hers against his shoulder.
 

“I know how lucky I am,” Marcus said sincerely.
 

“Humph.”

“Bob, I’m telling you that’s enough,” Linda said with a slightly harsher tone.
 

Mr. Connor still looked at Marcus, obviously not completely convinced of his worthiness.

Marcus looked at Erin’s dad and offered a small smile. Bob Connor didn’t return the smile. What little ground he had gained wasn’t nearly enough. From what Marcus could tell, her dad wasn’t playing around. He was genuinely dissatisfied with his daughter’s choice of boyfriends.
 

Erin’s dad, under the pointed stare of his wife, smiled. His smile, however, didn’t reach his eyes. He broke the glare and said, “Marcus, it was nice of you to check on Erin.”

Marcus thanked him but knew he was only placating his wife. There was no real acceptance of him at all. Her dad was most likely glad that someone helped her, but he certainly wished that someone wasn’t Marcus.

Still, some of the tension was dismissed and the rest of the morning was spent in easier conversation. Erin got caught up on all the local gossip and what’s going on at church and with her former classmates. In turn, Erin told her parents about things at work and more about writing to Marcus all those months.

“So you really had no idea who he was?” her mom asked.

“None. All I knew was he referred to himself by his initial. I didn’t know how old he was, how he found my book, nothing. He didn’t tell me his name until he asked to meet me.”

“You’re a cad,” Erin’s mom said to him good-naturedly. “Oh! Marcus, I just thought of something. Bob has been needing to move some big bags of concrete mix from our shed to his pickup. He wrenched his shoulder last week and shouldn’t be lifting them. One of the families at church needs them and we don’t have any use. Would you be willing to help?”

“Of course,” Marcus said, glad to help but feeling awkward. He didn’t think showing up her father physically was going to help his cause at all. “Let me throw on some work clothes.”

“You brought work clothes?” Erin’s mom asked.

“I brought a little of everything,” he smiled back. “I had no idea what to expect.”

“I’ll meet you outside in a few minutes,” her dad said.

The men excused themselves and Erin found herself in a tight embrace from her mother. “My baby girl,” she said. “I am so glad to see you happy again. You have no idea how much we’ve worried about you. More than once I had to stop your dad from driving to Atlanta to drag you home and take care of you.”

“I’m so sorry, Mom. When that happened in college, I lost it. I shut down from everyone, even my roommate, even myself. The only thing that brought me out of it was Marcus. He keeps saying I did it myself, but that’s just not true. He’s been my strength for me.”

“I can see how he looks at you, Erin. That boy loves you.”

“I know he does,” Erin said smiling. She glanced out the window and saw Marcus in a pair of old ripped up jeans and a tight undershirt. He looked strong, rugged, and down-right hot working out in the sun like that. His muscles flexed and the sunlight highlighted every cut and plane of his body. She couldn’t help but smile.
 

“Ahem…” her mom laughed. “Enjoying the view?”

Erin grinned. “What’s not to enjoy? I love the man that he is, but wow. Can you believe how gorgeous he is??”

Erin’s mom laughed conspiratorially with her. “I noticed. It’s hard not to,” she admitted with a wink. “Just don’t tell your father I said that or he’ll get all jealous.”

Erin laughed again and returned to her gazing.
 

“Erin, we missed you.
This
you. It’s so good to see you smiling again.”

“It feels good to be back.”

Marcus was working in the back yard with Bob Connor and appreciated the chance to have something to focus on besides conversation. Things were going well enough, he supposed, but Marcus was never one to sit idly around. This limited workout in the Connor backyard would have to help a little.

He heaved a bag of concrete over his shoulder and walked it to the truck parked a few yards away. Erin’s dad was shuffling things out of the way so Marcus could reach the bags further back in the shed.

“So you’re a cage fighter,” he said, this time even harsher a tone. “What does my daughter think about that?”

“She’s never been around it, so I don’t really know. I just know she worries about me. She doesn’t have to, though. I’ve got the best trainer in Atlanta. Fighting’s easy with what he taught me. I do ok for myself.”

“I don’t like the idea of her around that crowd,” Mr. Connor said.

Marcus stopped to look at him. “It’s not a bad crowd, Mr. Connor. Most of the people are hard workers looking for an outlet. I would never expose her to anything that would hurt her. I hope you know that.”

“I don’t think you would on purpose.”

“All due respect, sir, but the only person who really hurt her was an upper-class college student, not a lowly fighter,” Marcus said with a little bitterness in his voice. He did not like the implication that he was somehow a danger to Erin.
 

The two men eyed each other, both trying to gauge the other. Marcus needed her father to know that Erin was
his
responsibility, at least when they were in Atlanta. He took his charge seriously and didn’t want Mr. Connor questioning his love or loyalty to Erin, and certainly not her safety.
 

The stand-off ended in silence and both returned to working. By the time they were done, Marcus was frustrated again. He stood by the door of the shed with his hands on his head while Erin’s dad drove the truck off to deliver the concrete. That hadn’t gone well.
 

Needing more release from the strain, Marcus jumped up and grabbed the top door frame of the shed. He pulled himself up into a series of chin-ups with his ankles crossed up behind him. The deep muscle work felt good. He exhausted his arms and shoulders before he finally dropped back to the ground.
 

He looked up to walk toward the house and saw Erin there staring at him. “I have to say I liked the show, but are you ok? I know that look.”

“Hey, baby,” he said putting his sweaty arm over her shoulder and kissing the side of her head. “It’s all good. Your dad just worries about you.”

“What did he say to you?” she asked, obviously concerned. “Whatever it is don’t worry about it. He’ll come around.”

“I hope so,” he said. “I need a shower. Are we still going out for dinner tonight?”

“Yes. Theres a steak place in town my parents go to all the time. I think you’ll love it,” she said warmly.

“Should I wear my Dockers?”

“Jeans are fine. And don’t worry about my dad. Maybe he’s just teasing you,” she said with a smile.

Marcus didn’t think so. That conversation was all too real. He kissed Erin and then went up to the house with her.

Marcus was glad dinner went well. The only time Bob Connor got in his face completely was the one time they were alone. Maybe if he could avoid that, Mr. Connor would have more time to see him with Erin and understand their relationship.
 

When they got home they all had iced tea on the back deck. Conversation was easy again because it centered around Erin. Marcus got to hear a lot of stories about her childhood.
 

Apparently she had gone through quite an awkward phase in junior high. They all laughed together about the giant pimple on her nose just in time for the seventh grade talent show.
 

“You all are hateful people, you know that?” she laughed with them.
 

Marcus smiled at her in the dusk sky and loved her that much more. Seeing her here laughing with her family filled his heart. All the isolation and fear dropped from her completely. Her natural warmth glowed even brighter in this atmosphere.
 

He wished desperately that he could pull her over to his lap and hold her while they all chatted together. He knew there was no way he could do that. He was already on thin ice with her dad, solely because he was a fighter and a janitor. Bob Connor hadn’t let himself see past any of that.

“Alright,” Erin said with a smile. “I can’t handle any more of these stories. I’m going to bed for the night. Good night Mom and Dad. Marcus, will you walk me in?”

“Sure,” he said standing and walking to her outstretched hand. “Truth is I’m tired, too. I’ll see you in the morning, Mr. And Mrs. Connor. Thanks again for dinner.”

He let Erin guide him upstairs and she hugged him tightly when they got up there.
 

“Marcus, I was going nuts down there,” she breathed into his ear. “We were all just talking and all I could think about was kissing you.”

“Oh, good, I thought it was just me,” he smiled at her and pulled her in for a long, deep kiss. He pulled her against him and arched her back into his body while he leaned down to kiss her harder. His lips moved down to her neck and she exhaled loudly in a tiny, soft moan of pleasure.
 

“Stay with me tonight,” she whispered. “Just close your door and let my parents think you’re in your bed. I need you.”

“Oh, baby, I want to. You have no idea. But I can’t do that,” he said. “You know I can’t.”

Erin groaned in frustration. “I know. Just wishful thinking. I love you,” she said before she went into her room to get ready for bed. She and Marcus took turns in the bathroom and then he came in to kiss her goodnight and pull the covers up over her sweetly.
 

“Goodnight, Erin. I’m only a room away, but I’ll miss you,” he said smiling. “Have a good sleep.”

Marcus left her room just as her mom was coming up the stairs. “Good night, Linda. Thanks again for all the hospitality. Dinner was great.”

“You’re welcome, dear. Sweet dreams.”

Marcus went into his room and closed the door. He let out a deep breath and stared at the ceiling with his hands on his head. He was so far away from what was normal for him. He wished he could get to a gym. Even though he was completely without his rage with Erin and her family, there was nothing familiar about living with a family like this.
 

Shredding himself at the gym…that made sense. His mind and body let go completely. Erin’s house offered no break. He was on display the whole time, and trying to be a polite guest was difficult. He hadn’t had a lot of training in that department, but he drew from Erin’s nature. He was fairly certain he was pulling it off.
 

He was handling the scrutiny fairly well, too, but what he wouldn’t give for an hour at the gym, or at least some kind of release. Some heavy lifting in the backyard was helpful, but a few bags of concrete was nothing compared to the intensity he was accustomed to.
 

He heard the quiet rustling of Erin’s parents settling in for the night at the other end of the hallway. The house creaked softly in the fall breeze. Everything around him was peaceful, but his mind couldn’t find rest. The look on her father’s face that afternoon still haunted him.
 

When things were completely silent, he knew the whole house was asleep around him. He got up and did a few pushups to work out some of his pent up energy, still trying to find some sense of normalcy or relief. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard the door click open.

“Marcus?” Erin’s voice whispered.

“What are you doing?” he asked, shocked that she was in his room only about ten feet away from her parents’ door.

“Come here,” she said reaching for his hand. “My room’s farther away…come on.”

“Erin…we can’t…”

She interrupted him with a kiss. “I need you. Please?”

How could he argue with that? He dropped his head back in defeat and sneaked down the hall with her. They were at the opposite end of the hallway from her parents and he clicked the door shut behind them so quietly. Erin turned around and got up on her toes to kiss him.
 

He pulled her in and kissed her passionately. Who needs a gym when his favorite form of release was pulling her pajamas off?
 

“Stay quiet,” he said. “Your dad might just kill me if we get caught.”

Erin giggled at their scandal. She pulled him over to the bed and sat down with a loud squeak of the mattress springs. “Oops,” she whispered with another giggle. “That’s not going to work…I can’t believe we’re sneaking around like a couple of horny teenagers.”

Marcus laughed with her. “Just keep
yourself
quiet. The mattress won’t be a problem,” he said with an ornery grin. He picked her up and rested her on the carpet beside the bed. “I’ll take you right here.”

She smiled at him and breathed heavily as he worked his hands and lips over her body with such loving skill. “Tell me what you want,” she said to him, ready as ever to give herself in any way he asked.

“Not this time, baby. Tell me what
you
want,” he whispered in her ear. “I want to give it to you.”

“But…I don’t know…I always love what you want.”
 

“We’ve had enough fun for you to know some things you like…tell me what felt good before,” he said into her neck. “Where do you want my hands? Move them for me. Show me how you want to be touched, baby.”

She breathed heavily in anticipation. She moved his hand down around her bottom. “Pull me close,” she whispered.

Marcus grinned. He drew her hips to his and started grinding against her. “More, Erin. Tell me. I love getting you hot.”