Dear God that image was going to come in handy later.
Tonight. In my shower.
Larissa was cheering as Will ow swam back to us. I managed to shake myself out of my lustful thoughts and clapped.
"I don't think I can beat that. But by all means you go right ahead and show us some tricks," I shot her a wicked grin and she blushed.
I closed the distance between us and leaned down until my lips were inches from her ear.
"I love you," I whispered then without looking to see her reaction I swam away. I needed some distance. Because I was real close to grabbing her and kissing her until I was at least minimally sated. Which might be impossible.
Willow
"I love you"
Those three words Marcus whispered in my ear repeated themselves all evening. Long after I kissed Larissa goodbye and left Marcus with a wave. Would it ever get easy? We would always be in each other's lives. I wanted to prove we could be around each other and Larissa and it not be awkward. All I'd proven is that I wasn't over Marcus Hardy. Not by a land slide.
"What's up with the frown?" Cage asked walking into the kitchen and jumping up to take a seat on the bar right beside where I was chopping vegetable for my salad.
"Just thinking, move your butt over," I nudged his leg with the back of my hand.
"Talked to Marcus lately?"
What kind of question was that?
"Yes."
"When?"
"Today"
"He make you frown?"
"No. He was nice. We were nice."
"Nice, huh. So you thinking about that not trusting him thing?
Decided yet if you might can take one more chance?" I put the knife down and looked up at him.
"Cage, what's this about?"
Cage rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I think you're making a mistake."
Me too.
"Why?"
"Marcus did leave you. BUT he came back. He wanted to come back. Everyone else who left you didn't want to come back, Low. They left because they wanted to. Marcus didn't want to leave. It completely tore him up." I gripped the edge of the counter with both hands. He'd come back.
"He did," I whispered.
Cage reached down and squeezed my shoulder.
"Yeah, he did."
"Do you think he'll leave me again?"
Cage let out a long heavy sigh, "Well, things happen in life, Low. Hell, I could die tomorrow then I'll have left you. We can't control the future. But I can promise you that Marcus Hardy loves you more than anyone else is ever going to love you. Other than me of course."
I chuckled, "Of course."
"Nobody loves you like I love ya baby," he teased, Jumping back down off the counter he pulled me into a hug.
"Take a chance, Low."
"What do I do? I told him no," I mumbled into Cage's shoulder.
"I've seen the guy, Low. Walk up to him and say you love him. You changed your mind. You want to give it another go.
I can promise you he won't argue with you." I leaned back and stared up at Cage. "You think?"
"I know."
"Okay. I guess I'll text him to meet me somewhere."
"That sounds like a really good idea."
Cage started to turn around and walk away but I reached out and grabbed his arm to stop him. "Cage?" He let me pull him back with his trademark wicked grin firmly in place, "Yes?"
"Why're you doing this?"
"Doing what?"
I put one hand on my hip and cocked an eyebrow. He knew good and well what I was talking about. "Why're you all for me talking to Marcus, giving him another chance? Weren't you planning on marrying me eventually? I'd think this screws up your ten year plan."
Cage chuckled and draped an arm over my shoulders, "I guess it does kinda mess up my well thought out future but the thing is, Marcus makes you happy. He can love you in ways I can't. I'm all kinds of f**ked up, Low. You and I both know I'd never make a good husband," he grimaced at the word and I couldn't help but giggle.
"Oh, I'm well aware you'd make a horrible husband but I'm just a little surprised you think someone else is good enough for me."
"I never said Marcus was good enough for you. Don't go getting all carried away. All I said was he made you happy and I think if anyone could love you as much as I do it'd be Marcus. He's so love sick when it comes to you baby it's kinda pathetic to watch."
I hoped he was right.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Marcus
Larissa kicked happily in the pool as she bobbed in the shallow end with a life jacket on. Dad had called to let me know they were at the condo for the week and Larissa would like to see me. I wanted to see her too. He and Tawny went out shopping and left me alone with Larissa, since I still didn't care to see Larissa's mother. I didn't like Tawny. I never would. She hadn't just been the cause of my mother and sister's pain but she'd mistreated Low all her life. I'd disliked her before I'd known her for that reason alone.
"My lowlow," Larissa squealed slapping at the water. I followed her worshipful gaze to see Will ow walking out of the house in a royal blue bikini. Woah.
"hello sweet girl. I've missed you too," Will ow replied, grinning down at Larissa as she continued to squeal and slap at the water. Will ow glanced shyly over at me and I was pretty sure I'd swallowed my tongue.
"hello, Marcus."
"Low," I managed to reply.
"I hope you don't mind. Tawny called and said Larissa had woke up asking for me, and that you had her at the pool today if I wanted to come swim with her a little." She was here.
She was talking to me.
She was in a bikini.