Marcus leaned against the door jamb, keeping an eye on the kids who were still running around, exhausting themselves on the lawn. It had been his choice to be on child-watching duty. He needed a few minutes away from the happiness inside the room.
He was happy for the engaged couple, although Meghan didn’t have a ring yet. Nathan regained his memory while in a meeting with Luke, Jennifer and their team sponsors. He left the meeting and drove to Meghan to propose.
When his mother asked Nathan what had happened that he regained his memory, both Nathan and Meghan looked at each other and flushed when Nathan said, “One guy at the meeting didn’t switch his phone to silent. His ringtone somehow triggered it. I first got one vision, and a few minutes later another. By the time I arrived at Mae’s, I had remembered everything.”
Marcus could see that Luke was teasing his brother when he asked, tongue in cheek, “I’m curious to know. What was the ringtone?”
Nathan gave Luke a dirty look. He didn’t want to answer Luke but seeing his reaction, everyone stared at him and a blushing Meghan. Nathan mumbled, “Dance me to the end of love, and no, I will not tell you more.”
This time Luke openly laughed at Nathan’s discomfort. There was more to that story, and Luke knew what it was. Anna steered the conversation in a different direction, much to Nathan and Meghan’s relief.
When Nathan looked down at his new fiancée, Marcus felt a sudden pang of jealousy. Yes, he admitted that he was jealous. He was envious of what Nathan and Meghan had. He wanted to have the same.
Would he ever get the chance?
As Marcus turned away, his eyes fell on Annie. She had an almost similar expression of envy that Marcus had been feeling. When their eyes met, Marcus caught his breath.
Did he dare hope that he was reading the expression in her eyes correctly, and she was feeling the same? That she had forgiven him for hurting her so long ago?
Annie broke eye contact when Meghan and Nathan reached her. Marcus turned away with a sigh.
Marcus couldn't blame Annie if she still hated him. He had hurt so much that he feared her rejection. Could he approach her then? Should he try?
Watching her talking to her brother and Meghan, Marcus made a silent promise. He sure as hell would try.
Annie bit her lip. She wasn’t sure she should’ve come, but Nathan and Meghan had begged her to join them in celebrating their engagement. For the second time, really as the family had celebrated it on Wednesday night.
Last night Nathan had put the ring on Meghan’s finger. Annie didn’t doubt that Meghan was not elaborating when she told them about the romantic and elaborate proposal. Nathan was so in love that he would do anything for the dark-haired designer.
Annie felt somehow displaced between Nathan’s friends, which consisted mostly of the Winelands rugby community. She was looking for her sisters, but O’Malley’s was buzzing tonight, and she had lost them in the crowd. They were celebrating both the Winelands’ win this afternoon and Nathan’s engagement, and the fact that Nathan had regained his memory.
Annie surmised she had done her duty and could go home soon. That was if she could find someone to give her a lift. She came with Reid, Melanie and Mackenzie but now she couldn’t find any of them. She tried to stand on her tiptoes, but it was no use.
Annie sighed when she once again bumped into someone. Her heart skipped a beat when a warm hand landed on her hip, and someone pulled her against a firm chest.
Marcus. She knew his touch. She knew his smell.
Annie looked up when he said, “Hey, Annie-Baby.”
His voice sent ripples down her spine. The look in his eyes made her legs weak. After a lifetime of loving Marcus, he still did that to her.
Annie cleared her throat and answered flippantly, “Hey yourself.”
Marcus smiled, and Annie was lost. In his eyes. In the moment. In Marcus.
His hand tightened on her hip, before he slipped it around to her back, pulling her closer to him. He leaned in, giving her a good whiff of his deodorant so he could whisper in her ear, “Dance with me?”
Annie tore her eyes away from him and looked around her, “I don’t think we’ll get to the dance floor.”
“You bet?” Marcus challenged. Before Annie could react, he took his hand away from her back and took her hand in his. The next moment he pushed through the crowd, pulling Annie behind him. When they reached the small dance floor at the one end of O’Malley’s, Marcus turned to her with a triumphant grin. He raised his one eyebrow at the same time and said, “Glad you didn’t bet on it?”
Annie just laughed and shook her head, “I’ve never made a bet with you, Marcus Walker. You know that.”
Marcus just chuckled and pulled Annie into his arms. Annie’s laughter died away. She was so conscious of him that she couldn’t even hear the music. She could feel him moving against her, and the movement stirred a longing in her so fierce it almost shocked her. When last had she felt like this?
When Marcus whispered in her ear, his voice sounded husky, “Let me take you home, Annie.”
Annie looked up, meeting his eyes. Her answer came involuntarily, without thinking about it, “Yes.”
Marcus didn’t hesitate. He stepped away from her, taking her hand, “Do you need your bag?”
Annie shook her head, “I didn’t bring one. I have my phone and key in my pocket.”
Marcus made his way through the crowd towards the exit, pushing people out of his way. When the fresh air hit their skin, Annie shivered. Marcus just held her hand tighter and hurried towards his car.
In the car, he cranked up the heat, and soon the warmth replaced the cold. Annie texted Reid to let him know she was on her way home and that they didn’t have to worry about her.
They didn’t talk on the way to the farm, but it didn’t feel uncomfortable as soft background music broke the silence.
Now and again, Marcus would glance at Annie, or she would glance at him, but he would immediately return his eyes to the road. Annie, watching him, saw him frowning when he glanced in the rearview mirror. Annie glanced back and saw that a car was following a distance behind them. It was too far away to make it suspicious, but Annie wondered if Marcus felt uncomfortable.
He proved that he was suspicious when he skipped the entrance to Blue Mountain and drove on towards Twin Peaks. The security gate at Blue Mountain was closer to the road. If someone had followed them and wanted to do them harm, he would’ve had all the chance while they waited for the gate to open. The security gate to Twin Peaks was further away from the main road. If Marcus had indicated and the car behind them had slowed down, Marcus would’ve had more chance to react. The car hadn’t slowed down, and both Marcus and Annie breathed a sigh of relief.
Marcus still looked uncomfortable as he pressed the button to open the gates though they were still a distance away. They’d barely driven through the gate when the gate closed behind them. Marcus did not steer away from the entrance. He waited, opening his window. When he heard nothing, he closed the window and drove on, taking the gravel road that would take them to Blue Mountain.
“Sorry, I may be paranoid,” Marcus apologised to Annie as they approached the cottage.
Annie shook her head, “No, rather be safe than sorry.”
Perhaps the recent bout of break-ins in the district had made them paranoid, but Annie was glad she was with Marcus. She wouldn’t have been so alert, and she promised herself to be so in the future.
Marcus stopped outside the cottage and walked around to the passenger door to open it for her. His hand enveloped hers when he helped her out, but he didn’t let it go. Neither did Marcus walk. He held her hand, looking at her. Annie looked up and studied his face.
Only then did Marcus urge, “Invite me in, Annie.”
Annie felt her heart beating fast. Maybe this was a stupid idea, but she wanted this. She wanted Marcus. She squeezed his hand as they walked towards her cottage. It might only be twelve steps, but it felt like ages for them to reach the front door.
Annie’s hand shook so much that she couldn’t get the key in the door. This time she was not shaking because of the cold. This time she was shaking in anticipation.
Marcus folded his hand over hers and slid the key in the lock. He didn’t let go of her but turned the key. He only let go of her hand to grab the door handle and push it down. He was right behind Annie when she walked through the door. He was close when he shut the door behind him. He was closer still when he put his hand on her shoulder to turn her around.
Annie did not have to think what his next move would be as he pushed her back against the wall. His one hand cradled behind her head, the other on her hip and then he kissed her. Not gentle. Not hard.
It was just enough for Annie to want more. She surprised herself that she did not wait for Marcus. Annie was the one who opened her mouth underneath his, slipping her tongue between the seam of his lips. Marcus growled against her mouth.
Annie’s senses focused on Marcus’ mouth, his taste and his heat against her. She knew where this was going because she could feel his arousal straining against his jeans. It didn’t surprise Annie that she was just as eager as Marcus. It should’ve because she hadn’t felt like this in years.
Marcus groaned and pulled his mouth away. Through ragged breaths, he managed, “Annie-Baby, I think your pocket is vibrating.”
Annie heard her phone ring. She unfolded one hand from Marcus’ shirt, taking deep breaths. When she took out her phone, Annie noticed the caller id and took one last breath, hoping she didn’t sound as breathless as she felt when she asked, “Mum. Is everything okay?”
Annie slumped against the wall while she listened. She noticed Marcus’ concerned glance when she replied, “No, it's fine. I just got back home. I’ll grab extra clothes then I’ll be right over.”
“Everything okay?” he asked as soon as Annie disconnected.
Annie shook her head, “Maddie has been throwing up all evening. I need to take clean clothes.”
“I’ll come with you,” he volunteered.
“Do you think it is such a good idea?” Annie asked. She was not sure what was going on between them yet. She didn’t want to give her mum the wrong idea.
Marcus snorted, “You’re right. One of these days we’ll finish this, Annie. Unfortunately, that will not be tonight.” He brushed his mouth over hers and stepped away, pushing her towards the bedrooms. “I’ll walk you over,” he said. Annie did not protest. It would not be any use. Marcus would not take any notice.