Page 24 of Off Limits Billionaire

I cleared my throat loudly enough to make sure they acknowledged my presence.

Viper snickered. “Man to you folks. As a token of our gratitude for keeping this event under wraps, we’re taking care of your flight costs as well.”

That got Marcus’s attention. “I can work with that. It’s been good seeing you, Vin.”

“You too, Marcus.”

The men left us in the suite alone and I went back to staring out of the window. When Marcus wrapped his arms around me, my pulse slowed. The deep exhale that escaped me left all my anxieties behind.

“I’m so sorry about all of this, Ana.”

I felt his lips press against the top of my head … an endearing gesture that made me lean into him with another heavy sigh. “You didn’t do this, Marcus. Is this what happens to your expert horologists?”

It wasn’t fair. I knew it wasn’t, but my emotions warred inside of me. Anger, fear, lust, excitement, despair. Everything crashed over me, making me weak in the knees. He caught me. Marcus steadied me a moment before he scooped me into his arms and placed me on the bed.

The room began to spin. My eyelids grew heavy. Every breath came slow and deliberate. “What’s happening?” I asked, trying to sit up but the bed instantly pulled me back down.

“How are you feeling?” He stroked my hair in a single repetitive motion, thumbing over my temple.

I huffed. “Like a weighted blanket dropped over me, with a tidal wave continuously pounding me to the bed.”

“Oh, to be that wave,” he chuckled.

I shoved him playfully, but even that movement felt heavy.

“Seriously,” he smiled down at me. “That’s the adrenaline wearing off. At least you’re not hurt. Those kinds of things hit you like a freight train.”

“Oh, because you know so well?” I mumbled as exhaustion replaced every emotion and thought roaming through my head.

The firmness of his hand tipping my chin toward him told me there was a lot more to Marcus than I'd ever imagined. He leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. “I went into the Navy right out of high school, served 8 years while getting my law degree. Every tour wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. I’ve earned a few scars.”

“Shit. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

He smirked, bent down to kiss me gently and continued to stroke the side of my face. “Rest your eyes, Anabella. You’re going to need some rest. This part of the process is hopefully finished, and once we’re back stateside, we can get started on the restoration.”

A myriad of questions circled my mind, but before I could ask any more, sleep found me. The sun shining through the slender opening between the curtains forced my eyes open. I couldn't remember the last time I’d slept so soundly. Not a dream or single second of insomnia. Wait. I did remember, it was the night after Marcus and I hooked up the first time.

What was I going to tell my family? Everything that had happened shouldn’t have reflected on Marcus because he wasn’t responsible for any of this, but I knew they’d blame him. I didn’t want that. I wanted this feud to be a thing of the past, so when I told them how I felt about him, there wouldn’t be so much blowback.

The door to the hotel room opened, letting me know that I’d been sitting in the early morning darkness alone. Marcus set a tray holding two coffees on the table alongside a bag with hints of something deliciously sweet coming from inside of it.

“Good morning.” I groaned and stretched. My mouth was extremely dry and my clothes wrinkled from having slept in them. “You’re up early.”

That grin with those brooding grey eyes made him completely kissable. Now my mind wandered to his lips. My eyes traced his physique from his head to his toes.

“I don’t think you’ve checked the time,” he said, pulling out his phone. “It’s actually a little past ten. I’ve spoken with the police and airport security. We’ve been officially cleared to leave. I want to hurry up and get back before anything else crazy happens.”

I agreed, so without too much banter, I got myself out of bed and into the shower. A part of me wanted Marcus to join me, but the space was barely big enough for myself let alone his 6’2" frame. When I finished, I came out to him sitting at the table, our bags packed by the door, and reading a newspaper.

“Flight crew will be ready within the hour.” His voice found me even though he kept his eyes on the paper. Something was different, and I couldn't tell if it was between us or with him. Either way, I didn’t like it. Where was the sweet guy who had caressed my hair and soothed me to sleep?

12

MARCUS

My energy was off in the morning. My routine being out of whack for a few days threw me off, on top of having high-powered rifles pointed at me … I didn’t want to be there anymore. It had nothing to do with Ana, but I saw the shift in her eyes as I read the paper. None of it was her fault and still she was there because of me.

As we got to Heathrow, we remained silent around each other even as we boarded the jet. I busied myself supervising the crew and making sure the clock was loaded and secured.

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