“Zoe, you didn’t have to hide this. I would have been there for you,” Enya utters, taking a step forward. I lift my gaze to meet Kenyon’s. He must be reading me because he wraps an arm around his woman, holding her to him.

  “It’s not that easy, Enya. I couldn’t talk about it because I was scared,” Zoe sucks in a breath and looks at me. I give her a squeeze, reassuring her I’m here for her. Nodding, she turns to face the people staring at us.

  “Wait, is Marc Raya’s father?” Enya asks, confused.

  “No, I’m not Raya’s biological father,” I grunt, making sure to put in there the fact I’m not the biological father, but I will be her dad when the time comes.

  “The night we all went out to the club, and you ran into Kenyon again, when I got home I was raped,” Zoe states when the tears she’d been holding back slipped down her cheeks.

  “What?” Enya breathes, and tension from every man in the room fills the air.

  “Who raped you?” Dean demands. He’s not someone who puts up with those attacking family, and that’s what he classifies the women in this room as.

  “I can’t tell you that.” Zoe curls herself into me in fear.

  “Boss,” I growl, warning him to back off, that he’s scaring Zoe.

  “Sorry, Zoe. I just don’t like things kept from me when I can help,” Dean grumbles, taking the hint to back off.

  “I can’t tell you because I don’t know. I only remember the accent of his voice is similar to all of yours. I will admit that I feared for the longest time it was Marc who hurt me, but one night my nightmares showed me a small glimpse. I don’t remember the details, however, I know it wasn’t him,” Zoe explains.

  “Okay, let’s take a breather before going into any more of this,” Bridget suggests, scanning the room while holding Nolan in her arms. “Why don’t you boys go on to handle the day? Let us girls have some time with our friend and show her she has nothing to worry about.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Ezekiel grunts and looks to his sister. “If you need me, give me a call. I’ve gotta get to work.”

  “You’ll be home tonight?” she asks her brother, nodding.

  “Yeah, I’ll pick up Vino’s,” he informs her.

  “Thank you.” She smiles at him, and he leaves, giving her a grin of his own.

  “Come on, my wife is right. Let’s give the women time alone. We got shit to discuss as it is,” Dean states through clenched teeth.

  I let go of Zoe and turn to face her. I hand Raya over to her and lean in to kiss her cheek. “Need me, call. You did good, grá.”

  “I don’t think I could’ve done it without your help.” She sighs breathlessly.

  Grinning at her, I cup the side of her face. “I’ll see you later for that pizza. Vino’s is fuckin’ awesome.”

  With that, I drop my hand and head out of the door. I know leaving her in her friends’ care, Zoe will be okay.

  “Sinner’s Cove, now,” Dean growls when we’re all outside.

  I knew that’s exactly what he was gonna say. Now that Zoe’s informed them all of what happened, I’ll tell them the rest. Then we’ll find the motherfucker who did this to her because I have no doubt in who it was. Once I find him, I’ll make him suffer before ending his life in the worse way possible.

  Chapter Eleven

  Zoe

  One Month Later . . .

  I’m going out of my mind with sexual frustration. I know I am. Every time Marc kisses my cheek coming in or leaving—it makes me long for more. Then there’s the light brushes of his fingers when he touches me. We’re supposed to be friends, but I’m dying to have more, which I know won’t happen.

  I’m tainted.

  Marc would never want to be with me like that. Sure he’s been at the house nearly every night since he found out about Raya, but that doesn’t mean anything. Does it?

  No, it can’t.

  God knows I’m confused about that man. He’s always got my mind scrambling for answers.

  This weekend my brother’s out of town on an assignment leaving Raya and me on our own. I don’t mind, though. I get my brother’s work takes him away from home a lot of times. Granted, I don’t really know what exactly he does, but I know my brother loves his job. Bonus, he’s not away for a year at a time anymore.

  With him being gone, it means I’m home by myself with Raya, and Marc is coming over tonight for dinner. I swear if I didn’t know any better, I would say he lived here. Except he doesn’t have any clothes to prove this. Nope, instead, there’s extra beer in the fridge and he’s bought groceries claiming he was eating them as well, so he gets to buy them.

  I learned quickly you don’t argue with Marc, he has ways of getting you to see it his way. Mainly it was him getting me to look at him, and he’d brush his fingers along my cheek as he told me his reasons. When he does this, I become ensnared by his dark eyes—almost like I’m being pulled into their depths.

  By the time I have dinner ready, Marc is walking into the house. I know it’s him because other than Ezekiel, he’s the only other person who has a key to the place. About a week ago, my brother gave Marc his own key so he can get into the house. This is due to me taking forever getting to the door. I keep the doors locked at all times—out of fear when no one’s home. Plus, with my brother being gone days at a time, he wanted to make sure if something happened to me, Marc could get into the house without ‘breaking in.’ Out of the corner of my eye, I notice him squatting down in front of Raya and giving her some attention. My little girl definitely loves Marc. You can tell in the way she smiles at him. It’s hard to believe she’s right over three months old now. Time flies when it comes to her growing.

  I let out a shuddered breath at the idea of us being alone without the thought my brother could come home at any time. The idea of being along with Marc has me nervous as hell.

  I shouldn’t be because it’s not like we haven’t spent a lot of time together. I’m comfortable around him. I can be myself with Marc and not feel pressured. Now it’s me pressuring myself to not throw my body at him and tell him to fuck me.

  Even my dreams have changed in the last month. I haven’t had a nightmare in the past week. Instead, my nights are filled with images of what I want him to do to my body. Each morning I’ve woken up needing to find release. When everything happened to me, I threw my toys away. I couldn’t stand the thought of touching myself with them on top of having a man touch me. The other week I ended up purchasing a B.O.B. online. It’s a good thing it came in a plain box since Marc was the one to bring the box into the house.

  “Hey, grá,” Marc says, coming in my direction. He rounds the counter and steps up next to me to press a kiss on my cheek.

  I do my best to keep from clenching my thighs together, but it’s definitely not an easy feat.

  “Hi.” I smile brightly at him.

  “What’s for dinner?” he asks, looking at what’s on the counter.

  “Meatloaf, potatoes, and fresh green beans I got from the farmers market,” I inform him. I’m kind of a nut when it comes to my veggies. I like to get them fresh from local places than a grocery store. I don’t have to worry about them being touched by a bunch of strangers or having chemical additives in them. I’ve seen one too many documentaries about food places. It also doesn’t hurt to help support your fellow locals. You shop from them they’ll shop from you if you have something they’re interested in.

  “Sounds good. Need any help with anything?” he asks as his phone starts to ring.

  “Nope, I’ve got this. You go ahead and answer that,” I say, nodding to the phone he’s pulling out of his pocket.

  Nodding, Marc glances at the screen of his phone and grimaces before answering the call. “Hey, I’m kinda busy right now,” he informs whoever is on the other end of the line—giving me a smirk.

  I try not to listen, but I can easily tell it’s a woman’s voice. Marc moves away as he speaks to whoever it is on the other end.

  A pang of jealousy hits me full force, making it hard to ignore. Especially when he tells them that he’ll call them later.

  Is he talking to a woman that he hooks up with? I know I have no right to know, but it doesn’t stop me from wondering. He’s not mine. Marc has every right to be with whoever the hell he wants.

  Turning my attention back to what I need to do, I grab plates and load them down with food. Marc rejoins me in the kitchen, and I find it’s hard to keep my jealousy at bay. I want him as my own, but I get I’m not good enough for him. I never will be.

  “We ready to eat?” he asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

  Clearing my throat, I nod. “Yep, all set. Did you pick a movie for tonight?”

  “Yep, I picked out Leprechaun,” he snorts.

  Damnit. I should have picked the movie. I hate that little troll face character. No matter how corny the movie is, he always freaks me out.

  “Don’t worry, lómhara, I’ll be right here with you.” Marc chuckles—reaching out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. The single touch sends a shiver down my spine. I can’t allow my emotions to get the better of me when it comes to this man.

  We’re friends, that’s it. He’ll never want me as anything else, and I’m okay with that.

  At least I think I am.

  Only time will tell when he finally meets that one woman who’s meant for him.

  Chapter Twelve

  Marc

  After my phone call from one of my old hookups, I pretty much saw Zoe shut down on me. The woman has been driving me nuts for a fucking month now. It’s bad enough, I know she bought a toy the other week. I’m sure she thinks just cause it comes in a plain box, I wouldn’t see the return sender name.

  Fuck, I’ve jacked off more times than I care to admit with thoughts of her using whatever toy she bought.

  Finishing up my dinner, I set the plate on the coffee table in front of us and shift on the couch in order to face Zoe. She’s barely touched her food. With a sigh, I take her plate from her causing her to jump, like I’d spooked her.

  Smiling, I relax one of my arms on the back of the couch, brushing her hair off her shoulder. I’ve found Zoe loves to put her hair up in a loose messy bun. Her hair always has strands falling, which gives her a cute as hell look. Granted, Zoe Dunn is cute all the time.

  “What’s going on in that head of yours, Zoe?” I ask, getting straight to the point. I’m not too fond of the way she distances herself from me.

  “Nothing,” Zoe says hesitantly, darting her gaze away from me. I follow where she’s looking and grin as I see Raya is sound asleep in her swing. “I’ll be right back, I need to put her in her crib.”

  Zoe starts to stand, but I stop her. “Let me get her down for you.”

  Getting to my feet, I walk over to the swing and turn it off, unstrap the little girl. Without waking Raya up, I lift her into my arms and carry her to her room. I love this kid like she’s my own. I have no problem admitting to the fact she’s got me wrapped around her little fingers. I’d do anything for her.

  I place her in her crib and start the little noise thing on the side of the crib that lights up with an ocean scenery while it plays lullabies. Zoe told me since Lillian gave it to her two weeks ago, it seems to help Raya sleep longer at night without waking up.

  Leaving Raya’s room, I make my way back to the living room to find Zoe not sitting on the couch. Scanning the open plan room, I spot her putting dinner away.

  Guess I’ll have to corner her in there to get my answers.

  Zoe seems to be in her head as I approach, and I’m able to sneak up on her. I place my hands on either side of the counter, pressing myself into her. “What’s going on with you?” I whisper into her ear.

  “Marc.” Fuck, the way she says my name all breathless like. It goes straight to my dick.

  Letting go of the counter, I move my hands to her hips and turn Zoe to face me. “Talk to me, grá.”

  “What do you want to talk about?” she asks, dropping her gaze from mine.

  “For starters, why did you shut down on me?” I grunt.

  “I didn’t shut down on you,” she responds far too quickly.

  “Yeah, baby, you did. Now tell me what’s eating at you.”

  “Look, I’m tired and I’m sure you have other plans. Why don’t you go ahead and go.” What the fuck? Zoe’s gotta be kidding right now.

  “What plans would those be?” I demand, getting frustrated. I haven’t fucked anyone in over a month, and I’m getting sick of using my hand.

  “I heard you telling whoever you talked to earlier you’d call them later,” she admits.

  “So . . .”

  I see it now. It hurt Zoe when she heard me tell one of my old hookups I’d call them later. I didn’t want to get into it with the woman I want in my bed standing only a few feet away when I ended things. I’d already ended it with the others, she was the only one I hadn’t gotten in touch with yet.

  “So—you have plans. You should go ahead and go enjoy your night,” she snarks.

  I get it now. She thinks I want to go fuck some other woman.

  Zoe Dunn is jealous.

  “Zoe, look at me,” I order. When she does, I press myself into her so she can feel me. “I have no plans for tonight other than to be here with you. You, grá, have nothing to worry about when it comes to other women.”

  “But . . . you told whoever you’d talk to them later.”

  “Yeah, I did tell her that I would call her later because I have respect for you. I won’t talk to someone I used to fuck in front of my woman. Even if it’s to let the said hookup know our time together was over. That’s just disrespectful,” I state, leaning in to press my forehead to hers.

  “Your woman?” she whispers.

  “Yeah, grá, my woman. Mine.”

  “I thought we were just friends.”

  “That’s because you needed time to heal while getting to know the type of man you’re with,” I inform her, wrapping my hands fully around Zoe’s waist.

  “You can’t want me.” Zoe’s voice goes from confusion to pain.

  “And why can’t I, Zoe?” I grunt.

  “Because I’m tainted,” she utters inaudible.

  Motherfucker.

  I make a quick second decision and instead of responding with words but rather with my mouth on hers. Claiming her lips, I slip my tongue through when she parts on a gasp. Zoe tenses at first only to relax into my embrace and starts kissing me back.

  I slide my hands underneath her shirt and feel her smooth, silky skin. Needing and wanting more, I lift Zoe until she has her legs wrapped around my waist. I carry her to her bedroom. I know Ezekiel is out of town for the weekend, but for what’s about to happen, I want to sprawl her out on a bed.

  Entering Zoe’s room, I make it to the bed and bend, laying her down on the mattress. I break my mouth from hers in order to meet her gaze. “You okay with this?” I ask, needing her to tell me this is what she wants.

  “More than okay,” she breathes.

  That’s all the answer I need. I quickly strip her of her clothes and remove my own. Settling between her legs, I place them on my shoulders. Inhaling her scent, I swipe my tongue through her earning a moan from Zoe. Taking my time, I devour my woman’s pussy, lapping at her juice, savoring the taste.

  Bringing Zoe to the brink of release, I pull back. She’s not coming without me. Lifting, I pepper her skin with kisses, stopping to give her tits attention. I toy with each of them, sucking and nipping her nipples.

  “Marc,” she pants, urging me to give her more. Lining myself up with her entrance, I sink into her inch by slow inch. I don’t want to hurt her.

  By the time I’m fully seated inside Zoe’s heated depths, I focus on the way her eyes shimmer with lust. Yeah, my woman’s enjoying this as much as I am.

  Pulling nearly out of her pussy, I sink back in, thrusting into her fully. Zoe’s tight, and I fucking love the sounds coming out of her mouth.

  With her urging me on, I pick up my pace, pumping my cock inside Zoe and feeling my release building. The walls of Zoe’s pussy clench around me as I send her over the edge, screaming my name.

  “That’s it, lómhara, come all over my cock,” I grind out—holding back from joining her. The way she quivers beneath me is almost too much to bear. Finally, I let go, pulling out of her depths and squirting my cum onto her stomach. Until my woman tells me, I won’t come inside her. She told me what that fucker did to her, and I won’t do that to my woman. Not even with a condom.

  Leaning down, I keep myself braced on my elbows and brush my lips against hers. “You’re mine now, Zoe, and I’m not letting you go.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Zoe

  Holy smoking canoodles.

  I just had sex with Marc. Not just any sex—great sex.

  The best.

  I’m not ashamed to say I’ve been with plenty of men, but nothing has ever been as satisfying as what I experienced underneath Marc. I already want more of him.

  Marc climbs off of me, leaving me staring after him as he walks to the en suite bathroom. When my brother and I moved in here, he took the guest room, giving me the master. I didn’t think it was fair at first, but right now, I’m more than happy. Following Marc, I notice him grab a washcloth I keep hanging off the wall and wets it. He makes his way back to me and crawls back on up the bed, settling between my legs only to clean me up.

  The coolness of the cloth on my skin sends shivers throughout my body. Marc takes his time being gentle as he cleans his cum from my stomach. I’m surprised yet grateful that he didn’t release inside me. I don’t think I’m ready for such intimacy as him coming in my pussy.

  Marc finishes up and tosses the wet cloth into the laundry basket in the corner of the room before laying on the bed—pulling me into him.

  Oh, this is nice.

  “Fuckin’ love the way you light up for me, aingeal,” Marc drawls, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8