“What’s the emergency?”
Leering him up and down, she couldn’t help but want to reach out and touch him. Dressed in faded jeans, which hugged him, and a charcoal shirt rolled down to his elbows, he exuded a casual sexiness she found irresistible. The fresh citrus smell wafted from him—his favorite aftershave and hers. Damn it, she wanted to hate him, but when his smoky eyes sizzled at her with a blazing desire, they were like two forces colliding, desperate and greedy for each other. Inhaling, she told herself it was because they were mates.
Marcus raked his feverish gaze over her silk nightgown and placed his hands on her narrow hips, drawing her into the heat of his body. When he tilted his head down, their lips were inches apart. He cupped her bottom, pulling her closer against his hardness. Flaming awareness thrummed through her as to the effect she had on him.
“Jesus, Ella—you were sent to torment me. Get dressed, before I scare off our guest.” He palmed her cheek with his hand and brushed his thumb over her lower lip.
Ella leaned into him before she could stop herself. For a moment, she lingered, staring into his dark and dangerous eyes. No other man, with one look, made all her thoughts turn sinful. He rendered her at his mercy. He always did. Studying his gaze, blistering and naked desire shined back at her, and damn it, but she adored his wildness. Needing distance, she wriggled out of his hold. Tonight would be a disaster if she couldn’t gain control.
“Elizabeth is a little nervous. Go and help her. I won’t be long.”
A crestfallen look fell over his face as he stepped back to let her pass. “Why is the serious doctor nervous? It’s a dinner party, not an inquisition.”
His brusque manner startled her, and she glanced over at the kitchen. “No reason. Just go and help her. I need to change before anyone else arrives.”
Marcus slipped his hand inside the silk material of her nightgown, touching her heated skin. He stroked the outline of her rounded breast and brushed his thumb over her pert nipple, sending butterflies exploding in her belly.
Dear God. A coiling tingle shot right through to her core, making her wet. Just one touch from him and she would combust. This wouldn’t do. Instantly, she pulled away and left him standing there. A low chuckle sounded behind her, but she didn’t turn or stop, until she reached her bedroom.
Fifteen minutes later, Ella entered the kitchen, pressing her hands down over her hips to smooth down the black knee-length diaphanous dress. Her slip molded her curves like a second skin and resembled more a sexy, ready to rip off negligee than a dress. She licked her lips, wondering whether she had gone too far. The light banter in the kitchen stopped as soon as she stepped inside and she caught Elizabeth’s eyes, which widened in surprise. At that point, Marcus turned and his mouth dropped open. Tonight, she had pulled out all the stops in an effort to look as tantalizing as possible. She curled her hair and styled it to fall in soft waves that bounced down her back. Upstairs, she applied her makeup and slipped on the new daring and seductive outfit with her plan in mind.
Ella savored the response as Marcus sized her up from head to foot as if undressing her as he stroked his beard. A smile crossed her lips when his nostrils flared.
You’re being very naughty, Ella, but I am going to enjoy punishing you later.
His threat should annoy her, but instead her mouth widened, pleased with his obvious arousal. However, she was equally affected. This plan may not be as easy as she anticipated, and she deliberately rubbed her hand over the lace above the curve of her breast.
“Aren’t you a bit cold, sweetheart?” Marcus smirked at her.
“Not at all. You know I always run hot.” She flicked her tongue out over her lower lip before moving toward the doctor. “Right—put me to work, Elizabeth.”
Marcus sauntered to her side and dropped a kiss on top of her shoulder. Ella smiled at her friend, who stood in front of her, blushing.
Behave yourself. You’re making Elizabeth uncomfortable.
I’m making her uncomfortable?
“Sorry, Elizabeth, but as you can see, I cannot keep my hands off my wife. However, as I want to stay in her good books, I will get out of your way.”
Elizabeth smiled, and Ella swiveled around to march him out of the kitchen into the dining room.
“Make yourself useful and set the table. Our guests will be here soon.” Turning away to escape his clutches, she was too slow; his arms tugged around her waist and dragged her flush against his hard, muscular body. Wrapped in his heat, she always felt protected and for a moment allowed this indulgence. Marcus’s coarse beard brushed on her skin as he nipped her shoulder with his teeth, jolting her nerve endings.
“I need you, Ella. Don’t leave me.”
His whispered words made her tremble all over. He sounded vulnerable, not the invincible, fierce protector she knew and loved. That man didn’t need anyone. Her heart lurched. Did he know what she planned? Her back stiffened; she fought to rein her thoughts in and block him from reading them. Had she failed?
“You’re my everything,” he said.
She swallowed, unable to speak as he cupped her breast, squeezing tenderly. Lost in his tender caress, she molded herself into his warm touch. The words of surrender and defeat on the tip of her tongue longed to be said as his thumb flicked over her hard nipple begging for his attention. The doorbell rang and the moment shook her wide awake, breaking the hypnotic spell. Ella sprang away from the devil, panting and adjusting her dress. Marcus wore that smug expression she loved to
