“Did you leave your own marks on her?”
Her smile was a little feral. “Well, of course. I heard that the amnesia’s past and her motor skills are back to normal.” His laugh was totally wicked. Noticing long claw marks on his forearm, she asked, “Where did you get that?” His entire demeanor suddenly changed. The carefree, playful expression was replaced by a blank mask that was totally in contrast to the dark energy radiating from him.
His gaze turned unfocused, as if he were lost in a memory. His reaction alarmed her, since dominant males were never particularly bothered by scars, seeing them as badges of honor. She kept her voice gentle. “Hey.” He double-blinked, his eyes back in focus.
Releasing her hand, Marcus cleared his throat. “Sorry, sweetheart. Woolgathering.”
He’d instantly slipped back into his old self, offering her an easy smile, but Roni detected a hint of pain in his voice. Okay, so it wasn’t exactly fair that he expected her to answer his questions yet wasn’t prepared to answer hers. She might have been pissed if she hadn’t seen the look in his eyes. He’d been wrestling with something dark, battling painful memories that had a tight hold on him. She could understand that. Still, she wanted him to know she wasn’t fooled. She dug something out of her pocket and held it out to him. “Lollipop?”
Marcus looked from Roni to the candy and started laughing. He got the message: by offering him something she used when she was anxious, she was letting him know that she was very much aware that something troubled him. He took the lollipop with a nod of thanks.
It was then that he noticed Nick eying him suspiciously from the front row. His wolf didn’t like it, but Marcus couldn’t really blame the guy. If the Alpha had any idea of the fantasies running through Marcus’s mind that involved Roni and something else he’d like her to suck, Nick would slash his throat open.
Turning to Roni, Marcus spoke quietly. “Your brother’s going to tell you that I’m not good for you.”
Taken aback by the comment, she blinked at him. He discreetly nodded toward Nick. If that scowl was anything to go by . . . “Yep.”
“He thinks I’m a slut.”
“Yep.”
“He’s going to confront me about it at some point, order me to stay away from you.”
“Yep.”
“But I won’t.” Marcus held her gaze, not wanting her to miss the determination in his eyes. “Just thought you should know.”
He brushed the pad of his finger over her jaw. This wolf really was smooth, and she . . . wasn’t. She pulled back. “Stop, okay. I don’t play your kind of games.” She didn’t know how to play his kind of games, wasn’t experienced with flirting. It made her feel vulnerable, out of her league.
“What makes you think this is a game to me?”
She snorted. “You flirt with everyone, Marcus. I don’t like being played with that way.”
“Flirting is supposed to be fun and playful, sweetheart. It doesn’t mean I’m not serious.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear, making the whole thing painfully intimate. “I want you. I want to make you come so hard that the memory’s burned into your brain and you’ll never forget the feeling of me deep inside you.”
Roni swallowed hard. He’d spoken so directly, without apology, all the while holding her gaze with eyes that had darkened with need. Sexual tension throbbed between them, urging them closer. Her wolf lunged for him.
“Almost hurts, doesn’t it?”
It did. The tension was intense, overwhelming, and gripping. It pulled them together, almost like a compulsion.
“I’ll have you, Roni,” he rumbled. “Even if it kills me, I’ll have you.” It was a promise.
Once they arrived at Phoenix Pack territory, Nick assured the Phoenix wolves he’d be back the following morning—all the while urging Roni straight to his car. It was obvious that he was putting space between her and Marcus, and she quickly discovered there wasn’t anything more embarrassing for a girl than being dragged away from a guy by her brother.
Inside Nick’s car, she buckled herself in as she silently cursed her brother. Movement caught her eye, and she looked to see Marcus standing completely still next to his Toyota, staring directly at her. His expression was totally deadpan, but not those watchful, brooding eyes. They were alive with sexual energy and a magnetic intensity that kept her gaze trapped by his, making her unable to break the eye contact until Derren began a slow drive out of the lot.
“Don’t fall for his shit, Roni.” Nick’s voice was like a whip. “Guys like him . . . they know how to suck in and string along a female.”
“Are you sure your problem with him isn’t just that Shaya considers him a good friend?” Her brother was so possessive he was jealous of Shaya’s friendship with other males.
“This is about him, not me. The guy always turns on the charm and uses it as bait—”
“But in your own words, Nick,” injected Derren, “Roni’s resistant to charm. So you have no need to worry.”
“Yeah, but—”
“Give it up, Nick.” Roni was rapidly losing her patience. “You wouldn’t want to push me into Marcus’s arms, would you? You know how dominant females will go against pushy advice just to be contrary.”
“I’m just looking out for you. You’re my little sister.”
“Eli’s your little brother, but you don’t poke your nose into every aspect of his life. It’s only me you insist on being so patronizing toward.”