His Desire, Her Surrender Read Free Page B

tucking her into his side.
    "No, none at all." Her breast pressed against his arm, a tingling distraction, and she struggled to take in her surroundings. The foyer opened into a large living area. The neutral tones of the carpeting and walls made the colorful artwork pop. An eclectic mix of abstract paintings and oil pastel drawings were exhibited together on the walls. Tabitha studied them a moment, trying to infer something about Marcus from his selections.
    Marcus broke into her thoughts. "Part of me was afraid you wouldn't come."
    "Why did you think that?" She wondered how he'd guessed. She'd had second thoughts. And third and fourth thoughts as well. She had battled to put them aside. The doubting part of her kept trying to convince the besotted part of her that there was no way to make a relationship work with a man like Marcus over the long term. They were just too different. But her feisty heart wasn't prepared to give up without trying. Not yet.
    "I sensed … uncertainty? A lack of commitment?"
    Now was the time for honesty. "I had misgivings about coming. Can you blame me?"
    "No." Marcus let her go.
    "We never made any real commitments. You didn't even talk about getting in touch again after Hawaii." When they'd connected in Hawaii, Tabitha had allowed herself to assume their relationship was going somewhere. She couldn't let such a strong connection pass by without attempting to make it work. It had never crossed her mind that Marcus wasn't thinking the same until he left.
    He embraced her, offering comfort. "It was always my intention to get in touch. I thought it was obvious, but I realize I wasn't explicit. That was a mistake on my part."
    She accepted his embrace, burrowing against his chest. "You make this sound like a small oversight. Marcus, I didn't know if I would ever see you again. I was trying to put you out of my mind when you came barreling back into my life."
    "And were you able to? Were you able to put me out of your mind?"
    "No." Tabitha looked up at Marcus and smiled. "But it's only been a couple weeks."
    Marcus laughed. "That's one thing I like about you. You do have a stubborn streak."
    "It's difficult to change gears so quickly."
    Marcus nodded. "I get it. I do. I want you to give us a chance, though, Tabitha. The timing is hell, but I'm not prepared to let this pass."
    "I'm here, aren't I?"
    Marcus examined her expression. "Yes, you are. And you brought a little attitude with you as well."
    Tabitha's heart sank and irritation welled up inside her. "I'm sorry if that doesn't work for you."
    "It works for me. I want you to be who you are, Tabitha, always. I don't want a doormat. I want to explore with you, not subjugate you. Yes, I dominate you, but only with your permission, within your limits, and for our mutual pleasure."
    Relief seeped into Tabitha's thoughts. "This is still new to me."
    Marcus smiled. "I know. That's part of the fun. Do you enjoy the intimate aspects of our relationship?"
    Tabitha blushed. "You know I do."
    Marcus grasped her shoulder. "It works because of who you are. I don't want you to be anyone else, just you. Just be you."
    Tabitha bit her lip. "Even when I'm sassy?"
    Marcus leaned in, settled a kiss on her lips, then released her. "Oh yes. It makes me want you all the more."
    Tabitha laughed. "Are you serious?"
    "Absolutely. It makes me want to drive that sass right out of you. By whatever means it takes."
    Tabitha quivered. What did he mean?' "Do you have something in mind?"
    Marcus winked. "Always."
    Tabitha melted. Marcus rarely flirted openly. "When are you going to tell me?"
    "I'm going to show you later. I have dinner laid out." He guided her into the subdued lighting of the dining room. Soft music filled the air. The table was straight out of a magazine photo shoot. A crisp white tablecloth covered the round table and a bouquet of calla lilies served as the centerpiece. Two place settings of gold-rimmed china sat ready on the table, white tapers between them.