“Who is that?” she asks.
“Can we go now?”
“But they’re just about to cook the food, and I want to get to know your friend, who you quite conveniently happened to not tell me about.”
Fuck!
The food is cooked, and I stay seated next to Tanika, not looking for Marcus, even if my eyes try to find him when I tell myself no.
“Eat, girl, the food is delicious.” Snow shoves a plate in front of my face, smiling.
I look down at the salad and meat and start picking at it. When a hand touches my thigh, I jump and look up to see Marcus now seated next to me. I attempt to push him away but have no luck, he simply moves his hand closer until it’s touching between my legs.
Goosebumps tickle my skin as he leans in closer to me.
“I bet I can make you come again.” I shut my legs, squeezing them tighter. He chuckles next to me and removes his hand.
“So, how do you two know each other?” Tanika asks, looking between us.
“It was a bad mistake,” I tell her.
“I warned her, over and over again,” he says. “But she never listened.”
Tanika looks at me with her eyebrows squeezed together as she takes in my reaction.
“Maybe she doesn’t want the Reap,” Snow says, laughing.
Tanika looks over to Marcus. “Why do they call you, Reap?” she asks.
I cringe.
“I own the crematorium,” he replies.
What? I look at him, surprised, having no idea. “You own it?” I question.
“You’ve never asked.” He shrugs, turning away.
“And sometimes Reap works for us,” the prospect says, which earns him a smack across the back of his head from Snow.
Everyone goes quiet after such a few words being exchanged. Tanika plays with her food on her plate as I stand. Marcus stands with me. I turn away and reach for my bag, pulling out my cover-up and sliding it over my arms. Marcus watches my every move.
“Do you want me to take you home?” he asks. I look back at Tanika to see her leaning on Blaze, and I know she won’t want to leave anytime soon.
“Yes, please.” Marcus smiles at my words, reaches for my bag, and starts to walk away. I head over and hug Tanika from the back. “I’m going home. You stay.” She turns, but I shake my head. “It’s okay. I’ll message you when I get back home.”
“You leaving, girl?” Snow calls out. I smile and nod my head. “Come back again, okay?”
“Will do.” Turning and walking away, butterflies fly freakishly in my belly as I walk toward him. Marcus is leaning on the passenger side with his door open and waiting for me to get in. My bag’s already inside.
“I never took you for a gentleman,” I say to him, climbing in.
The window is down, so when he shuts it, he leans inside. “I’m no gentleman, I can assure you. A man like me is not a man you take home to meet your parents, pretty girl. I’m the one you fuck in the back of your car and then go on your way.” He leaves me with those words as he pushes off, rounds the truck, and slides into the driver’s seat.
He takes off in silence, only a slight hum from the radio can be heard as he drives.
When we get closer to my house he speaks, and I turn to give him my full attention, “You shouldn’t be around them. You should stay away.”
“You’re around them.”
“You’re a good girl. Good girls get ruined.”
“There you are with that phrase again, good girl… you give me a headache.” I turn back and stare out the window as he drives down my street. As he comes to a stop, I climb out without thanking him, and he leans across but speaks from the driver side, “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
I flip him off, not even looking as I go inside. Reaching for my cell, I text Tanika to let her know I’m home and she replies instantly.
Lying in bed, all I think about are his lips and the way his body makes me feel—more alive than I’ve ever felt in my life.
Chapter Seven
Rochelle
Tanika rocks up at my house before I’m even out of bed, a coffee in each hand and a smile that could light up the skies.
“You are way too happy for this early,” I say, rubbing my eyes while putting on the last of my clothes. Pulling my hair back into a high ponytail, I take the coffee and drink it as if it holds magical powers.
“I had a great night… and great sex,” she says, her eyes not quite meeting mine.
“Blaze?” I ask, she smiles. “What is the deal with you two? Snow said it’s been going on for about a month now?” Tanika’s face pulls some worry lines on her forehead, and she looks down. “Tell me, I want to know.”