It took forever to move through the familiar faces of their servants. Everyone wanting to know what she had been up to. She grabbed a bottle of champagne and moved to the stairs at the end of the large hall, walking up quickly to disappear.
Her mother knew she was there. That was all she needed. To spend time in the bitch's presence wouldn't be good for anyone. Lisa had disassociated herself mostly from her family during college. Her mom and dad paying for her business degree begrudgingly. She was supposed to be a lawyer and it was a profession she might have chosen if it wasn't expected. She was a disappointment, or so her mother would remind her often.
She laughed at the thought. If her mother only knew of the countless men Lisa had used to try and fuck away that thought. Swallowing the sadness that pushed against her senses, she slipped into her old bedroom, the front window looking out onto the property.
She slipped off her cream-colored heels and kicked the door shut. Setting down her food, Lisa opened the closest window and moved to watch for Marc. He hadn't responded, but surely he would hear the desperation in her text.
They might not have sex yet, but they had spent hours talking about their childhoods, both the good and bad. She worked to get the champagne open as the sound of someone driving up caught her attention. The old beat up truck needed work, but she was thrilled to see it. She put the bottle down and moved to stand by the window, hoping to get his attention.
He got out of the truck, his hand lifting as his fingers brushed through his hair. His blue jeans were ripped at the knee and his t-shirt presenting a rock band of some sort. Lisa laughed and snorted at the look that would be on her mother's face if she saw him. He wore sunglasses, but by the tilt of his head, Lisa could tell that he was looking in her direction. She reached down and opened the window further. Leaning down she smiled so hard she thought her face might crack.
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" she yelled toward him.
"I think we should work on making other parts of you sore. Your eyes are much too beautiful to mess with." He pulled the glasses from his face and slipped them in his pocket. "Would your mom flip her shit if I climbed the trellis?"
"Um yes." Lisa laughed and watched him closely. Every cell in her body lit on fire, the sexy way he moved, the deep confident tone of his voice. She had been around some of the most powerful men in the world and no one hit her like Marc Martin.
He stopped at the bottom of the house and looked up, the smile on his wicked mouth growing wider. "Pull the screen out. I'm coming up."
"No the fuck you're not. My mother will..." She stopped and he reached up and started to climb the side of the wall. "Oh for fuck’s sake."
Working quickly she pulled the screen into the room and moved back as his head popped up, a soft chuckle leaving his perfect mouth.
"You look hot." He moved a little more before throwing a leg over the windowsill. Lisa moved up to help pull him in, laughing.
"You look ridiculous." She took a step back to give him space to stand. The quirky smile she received from him caused laughter to bubble up in her chest. He could burn her insides with need and yet make her laugh like a schoolgirl caught in a naughty joke.
"Let's get outta here?" He moved toward her, reaching for her hand.
"I feel like I'm in Dirty Dancing." She reached for the bottle and slipped her hand into his, moving behind him back out into the hall.
"There will be plenty of dirty dancing later if I have my way."
"I like the way you think."
"I like the way you look." He turned his head to look back at her, his gaze running across her and leaving her far more needy than she would ever let on.
CHAPTER FIVE
They somehow managed to slip out of the house without running into her parents. For that fact alone she was grateful. She was a grown woman and yet her mother would cut her down like she was ten. Lisa tried hard not to be too disrespectful in response when her mother got on one of her rantings, but to be embarrassed in front of a crowd of people would leave her no choice.
"Do you have anything to wear besides that pretty black dress?" He slid his arm around her waist as they walked quickly to his truck. She glanced down and realized her freaking shoes were still in the house.
"I've got to go get my shoes, Marc."
"No. I just got my financial aid in for the summer. Let's go buy you a pair of jeans and some flip flops."
"That sounds perfect." She glanced behind her to make sure no one was barging after them. "Funny how you can feel like a kid in front of your parents the minute you walk back into their house."
"I think that's the reason most people never go back home. There you're just a kid with no rights and no voice." He shrugged, opening the door for her.
"I guess. Thanks for rescuing me."
"Your feelings about your family are justified. Your mom's enough to make me want to jump from a tall bridge."
"You haven't met her." Lisa laughed as he closed the door and moved around to the other side of the truck. Inhaling deeply, she let the smell of him roll over her. A soft growl left her lips as he got into the truck. He smirked and turned to face her.
"What was that all about?"
"Smells good in here. I like it."
"It smells like a sweaty dude."
"Yeah, you." She buckled up and leaned back, turning to face him so she could watch him. "Would it be crazy to admit how much I've missed you?"
"I know the feeling." He glanced over at her and started the truck. "Let's not get wrapped up in emotion though. You're here for the weekend. Let's have a good time and enjoy each other’s company."
"Sounds good." She reached for her phone, texting her friends to let them know that she was safe and sound, and with Marc. She dropped the small contraption in her purse, knowing it was going to blow up with questions.
They made small talk until Marc pulled up and parked in front of a row of shops near Times Square. Lisa got out and shuddered at the thought of walking on the concrete with bare feet. New York was filthy at best. He moved around the car and offered his hand. Lisa took it and pulled it close to her, treasuring the sensation of his large hand engulfing hers. Never had the small things mattered, but with him everything was different.
"You want something girly or relaxed or what?" He pointed to a few stores. She laughed and popped his chest softly.
"I'm from here silly. Stop treating me like a tourist." She pointed to a shop on the end of the string of stores. "I like Franchesca's. Let's go in there."
"What the lady wants, the lady gets."
She tugged his hand behind her and turned to face him, pulling him flush against her. She looked up seductively and licked her lips. "Is that so? I want far more than I think I should. Who's going to be the judge of what becomes mine and what doesn't?"
He slid his fingers into her long copper hair and leaned down, brushing his lips across hers as if just tasting her. She pressed up, her other hand trapping his head in place as she explored the complexity of flavor that was unique to him. She moaned softly, sliding her tongue across his. He relaxed into the kiss, his arms encircling her and pulling her tightly against him. He broke the kiss, his eyes still closed as he pressed his forehead to hers.