AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. "It was. But like you said, we got through it." I pause, then add, "At least Liam had you. I... I didn't have anyone."
Marcus reaches out, squeezing my hand gently. "You have people now," he says, his voice low and intense. "You're not alone anymore, Zoe."
I look up at him, surprised by the depth of emotion in his eyes. It hits me suddenly how much we have in common, how much we've both been through. There's a connection here that I never expected to find.
We eat in companionable silence for a few moments, the tension from earlier dissipating.
"You know," I say, unable to keep the teasing note out of my voice, "for a big, tough wolf, you're surprisingly... domestic."
Marcus looks up, a mischievous glint in his eye. "What, you think all we do is hunt and howl at the moon? I'll have you know I make a mean spinach quiche."
I laugh, the sound echoing through the small break room. "Now that I'd like to see."
Our eyes meet, and for a moment, the air between us feels charged with possibility. I find myself leaning in slightly, drawn to him like a magnet.
Marcus clears his throat, breaking the moment. "You, uh, you've got a little..." he gestures to his own face.
Embarrassed, I grab a napkin, dabbing at my mouth. "Did I get it?"
He shakes his head, a small smile playing at his lips. "Here, let me."
Before I can react, Marcus reaches out, his thumb gently brushing the corner of my mouth. The touch is electric. Our eyeslock, and suddenly I'm acutely aware of how close we are, how easy it would be to lean in just a little further...
Without thinking, I close the distance between us, pressing my lips to his in a soft, tentative kiss. For a split second, Marcus freezes, and I worry I've made a terrible mistake. But then, with a groan that seems to come from the very depths of his being, he kisses me back, his hand cradling my face with a gentleness that belies the fierce intensity of his kiss.
This kiss is a consuming fire, igniting every nerve ending in my body. Marcus's touch is a slow burn, a deliberate and intoxicating exploration that leaves me breathless.
Just as I'm losing myself in the sensation, Marcus abruptly pulls away. His expression shifts, a deep frown etching itself onto his face.
"This is wrong," he says, his voice cold and distant. "You were just barely dating my brother. We shouldn't be doing this."
I feel like I've been doused with ice water. The warmth from moments ago vanishes, replaced by a hollow ache in my chest. "I... I'm sorry," I stammer, embarrassment and hurt warring inside me. "I thought... I thought we were feeling something between us."
Marcus shakes his head, not meeting my eyes. "It doesn't matter what we feel. This can't happen."
Anger flares up, replacing the hurt. "Fine," I snap, pushing away from the table. "Message received, loud and clear."
I turn away, trying to compose myself. "So, when exactly are we going to be done with this whole bodyguard thing?" I ask, my voice tight with suppressed emotion. "What's the pack doing to catch whoever is leaving these threats?"
Marcus sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Ryan, the alpha, has some people looking into it," he explains. "They're tracking down leads, trying to figure out who might be behind this."
"And why aren't you involved in that?" I press. "Aren't you supposed to be this big, important beta?"
"I'm good at guarding you because of my military background," Marcus says, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "But when it comes to investigating, there are others in the pack who are more suited to that kind of work."
I roll my eyes. "Well, maybe they should work faster. These threats are probably nothing anyway."
Marcus's expression darkens. "Don't say that," he growls. "This is serious, Zoe. You need to take your safety more seriously."
"I don't know why you care," I snap back, the hurt from his rejection fueling my words.
Marcus opens his mouth to respond, but I cut him off. "You know what? I'm done eating. I'm going back to work." Without waiting for a response, I storm out of the break room, leaving Marcus and the remnants of our lunch behind.
As I return to my workstation, my mind is a full of conflicting emotions. The taste of Marcus's kiss lingers on my lips, a reminder of what could have been. But his rejection stings, sharp and raw. I can't help but feel foolish for thinking there could be something between us. I catch him watching me occasionally, his expression unreadable. It's maddening.
As my last client of the day leaves, I begin cleaning up, pointedly avoiding Marcus's gaze. The tension between us is palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife. I'm just about to suggest we callit a day when I notice something on my car through the salon window.
My heart drops as I see a piece of paper tucked under my windshield wiper. Without thinking, I bolt out the door, ignoring Marcus's shout of surprise. As I reach my car, I snatch the paper, my hands shaking as I unfold it.
