Kate Hoffmann: Marcus

Eden reached into her pocket and withdrew a wad of cash, then handed it to him.

“What’s this?” Marcus asked.

“To settle the deal with your brothers. Two thousand dollars. Daddy gave me an advance on my paycheck. I figured I should pay since I’m the one who seduced you.”

Marcus shook his head. “Oh, no, I’m the one who seduced you, so I should pay.”

“You’re remembering all wrong!” Eden cried.

Marcus grabbed the plate of brownies from her lap and set them on the dashboard, then picked her up and pulled her into his lap. His lips captured hers, and as he kissed her he ran his hand over her body, lingering on her belly. He slid his palm beneath the cotton peasant top she wore and found warm skin and then the soft flesh of her breast. “I don’t think you’re remembering it correctly,” he murmured, biting at her lower lip. “Would you like me to remind you of exactly what happened?”

Eden moaned softly as his thumb teased at her nipple, bringing it to a stiff peak. “Yes, please,” she said.

He kissed her again, this time seducing her mouth slowly and thoroughly. Eden wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed, a contented sound that made his blood warm. She was finally home and happy, and as long as she slept in Marcus’s arms, he wouldn’t need anything more.