Creed (The Marquette Family Book One) (19 page)

Escorting her from the kitchen and introducing her to an honored guest usually fell to him. He had found it a challenge not to touch her or to stand so close the heat from her supple body ignited his. What he failed to do was keep his gaze off her. She had noticed, but she pointedly looked away each time she caught him looking.

“Creed.” Madeline stepped into his line of vision, blocking out Shada. “Are you ready to go soon?” She practically radiated excitement, and he resented it.

“I told you I would pick you up,” he snapped.

She pouted. “I was excited. This is our first night together.”

He peered over her head. “We’ve been together before.”

“Not this time around. I’ve been starving for your touch for two years.”

He ground his teeth.

“What are you looking at?” she demanded and turned to follow his line of sight.

Too late, he realized he couldn’t look away in time so she wouldn’t know he stared at Shada.

Madeline frowned at his former lover and then glanced at him. “You want
her?
She’s a cook, isn’t she?”

“Forget it.”

He elbowed past her and approached the table where Shada spoke with Arturo. As he drew nearer, he picked up snatches of their conversation, and it was definitely not about how good the food tasted. Creed moved to stand in front of Shada to block off Arturo. “She’s not going anywhere with you.”

Arturo offered a fake smile. “Come on, Creed. I’m not offering her a job. I promise.”

Shada stepped out from behind him. “I don’t need your protection, Creed. I’ve got this.”

“You’re on duty,” he ground out. “Shouldn’t you be in the kitchen?”

“I’m off early tonight. You should know. You drew up the schedule.”

He looked into her eyes. They were duller than he remembered, and bags had formed beneath them. She wasn’t sleeping enough.

He frowned in worry. “Well, then, you can get home earlier and get some rest.”

She put her hands on her hips. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

Arturo stood and reached for Shada’s arm. “I was just waiting for her. We’re going to catch a movie, if you must know.”

Something snapped in Creed. “No. You’re not.”

Shada rounded on him. “Creed!”

In his head, he told himself to back off. She could see who she wanted, even this idiot who looked like all he wanted was to fuck her. Creed ground his teeth and reached for her arm. He drew her to him and thrust a hand in the middle of Arturo’s chest. Somewhere he thought he saw a flash from a camera, but he couldn’t be sure.

“You’re making a scene,” Shada complained, and she struggled in his hold. She leaned close and lowered her voice. “We’re not together anymore, Creed. Let me go.”

He was beyond listening. Creed glanced up and met Pete’s eyes. A slight nod brought the man forward. Against Shada’s protests, Creed drew her toward the kitchen. Madeline called out to him, but he picked up Damen’s voice moments after as he spoke to her. Creed propelled Shada through the kitchen door and back toward his office.

She seemed to seethe all the way there, and when he released her, she took the opportunity to move to the opposite side of the room. “Well?” she demanded.

“Well, what?” He knew what she asked, but he had no words. Now that they were alone, he was ashamed of the way he had behaved, like a jealous boy. Words of apology refused to form on his lips.

“You manhandled me back here. To do what exactly, Creed? To tell me who I can and can’t date?”

He frowned at her. “You know he’s using you.”

“So fucking what?”

He blinked at her.

“He wants to have sex. So do I.”

“No!”

“Excuse me?”

He paced, cursing himself. Nothing calmed him. “I…” he began.

“I what?”

He had nothing.

She stomped toward the window, then stopped halfway there. Anger radiated off her in waves, and he didn’t blame her. Irrational anger choked off his own words. He knew he had no right to behave the way he did.

“You don’t want me, and you don’t want anyone else to have me either. Is that it?” Her big brown eyes challenged him. He had a sudden urge to take her up on it.

One second, he stood near the door, the next, he crossed the floor in long strides to stand before her. He grasped her shoulders and pinned her to the wall, then aligned his body with hers. Her soft curves enticed him, her breasts so heavy and wonderful against his chest. He imagined her nipples hardening behind the white uniform she wore.

“Don’t be foolish enough to think I don’t want you,” he ground out. “It’s been two weeks since I’ve lain between your legs, and it feels like an eternity.”

Her mouth dropped open.

He leaned back a little and raked her form with his gaze. A deep breath took in the scents so familiar about her, some of it evidence of the meals she had cooked and the rest Shada’s own natural aroma. She drove him out of his mind, which was why he had lost it out there.

“W-we agreed,” she stuttered.

“Yes, we agreed.”

She licked her lips. Her gaze locked with his, and he swooped in close, enjoying her warm breath. He didn’t allow a touch, though, or he would cross the line. How he longed to cross the line.
Then again, maybe I already have.
He almost uttered a delirious chuckle, positioned as he was with a hard-on pressed against her and Shada panting in obvious need.

“If we’re not together…” she began.

“I can’t watch you with someone else yet.”

Her eyes widened at his admission. He had never felt so vulnerable with a woman, and he resented it. The words tumbled out of his damn mouth without him realizing he would make such confessions.

“Well, you made me watch.”

He wasn’t sure what she meant until he recalled Madeline showing up tonight in the restaurant, letting him know she was ready for their night together. Shada wouldn’t have heard what Madeline said, but she must have assumed what it meant for the woman to be there.

“That wasn’t my intention.” He backed off, releasing her shoulders. Shada didn’t move. His cock twitched, and he noted the tent in his pants. Damn, why couldn’t he toss her over the desk and satisfy both their desires? “I told her I would pick her up.”

“Well, I didn’t expect to be asked out. I wasn’t looking for it, but to tell you the truth, I wanted to get out of my own head. He provided an excuse.”

An urge to go find Arturo and rip his head from his shoulders came over Creed. He stood still lest he follow through with the impulse. He wanted to shout like a caveman that she was his, and he would destroy any man who dared touch her. Why the hell did she do this to him? Was it just the sex? Couldn’t he find another woman who would let him take her rough and obey his commands in that sex-kittenish way that Shada did? Of course, that must be it. Having Shada as his lover, he had developed a taste for an African American woman. The fire and heat might just be something to work out of his system, easily resolved with another woman.

Creed grinned, feeling much more charitable. He rearranged his cock in his pants and straightened his suit jacket. After he calmed, he spun to face her. “I apologize for behaving the way I did. Forgive me?”

She blinked at him.

For a moment, something stirred in his chest. He recalled his resolve.

Her lips parted. “Yeah, sure. Just don’t let it happen again, or I’m gone. I love working here, but I’m not going to have you dictating my life, Creed.”

He tensed and flared his nostrils.

She spread her fingers. “But I also know we didn’t separate because the heat was gone. I won’t accept any dates for a while at Marquette’s. We can respect each other that much.”

“Agreed.”

She started toward him to pass by.

Creed fully intended to let her go. He had his plans, and they seemed logical in his mind. Somehow, whether he initiated it or she did, his fingers brushed hers. They lingered. The next instant, she was in his arms, her head tilted back, his hands cupping her jaw, and his mouth devouring hers. Creed told himself to stop and back off, but she chose that moment to arch into him, one of her hands coming up to squeeze his cock through his slacks.

He pleaded in silence for one or the other of them to gain strength. Yet his tongue delved deeper into her mouth, sweeping the warm recesses. When he managed to release her mouth, it was only to trail down the long column of her throat and taste the skin over a pounding pulse. She murmured his name, and he thrust everything on his desk to the floor, thumped her on top of it, and spread her legs. Shada lay back, and Creed rested a hand on her knee. All he could think of was getting her pants off and eating her delicious pussy. He knew she’d be wet and ready for him, and afterward, he’d sink his cock deep inside until she screamed his name.

“Wow, isn’t this some kind of health violation?”

Creed sprang away from Shada, and she sat up to jump to her feet.

Damen stood in the doorway, smirking at the two of them. At Creed’s scowl, he held up his hands and chuckled. “Dude, I just came to make sure she wasn’t killing my big bro or something.”

“You’re not funny,” Creed said and turned away to shift his cock again.

Shada muttered some excuse he didn’t hear and pushed past his brother to escape. Creed could do nothing but watch her go. He’d crossed the line after all, but Shada had been right there with him. Thanking Damen for the interruption wasn’t happening, but relief washed over him that his brother came in when he did. Needless to say, if Creed knew nothing else, he knew he would not be sleeping with Madeline tonight, or any other night. Now all he had to do was break the woman’s heart, and he was horribly sorry he had fucked up so much that he needed to do it.

Chapter Sixteen

“So,” Arturo said, grinning at her from his side of her bed.

Shada’s stomach churned, and she felt like she was going to throw up. Why the hell did she let him come to her apartment, and on top of that, why did she do it the same night she’d happily let Creed throw her on his desk and spread her legs like she was to be his Thanksgiving dinner?

The truth was she’d wanted to be. She’d wanted him to consume her and never stop until the need for him went away and he filled the hole Marisa left in her heart. She had said yes to Arturo because she hoped having his hands touch her body would erase all the bad stuff. Unlike when Creed touched her, she experienced the tiniest of sparks in terms of pleasure when Arturo kissed her. In fact, when his lips touched hers, she’d done all she could to pretend he excited her and raised her chin so he could move to her neck. How crazy was that? Why fake it? He didn’t give her what she was looking for. Maybe no one could.

Except Creed.

No, Creed wasn’t an option. He wanted a baby. She didn’t. Opening her heart that wide wasn’t possible.
No. Non. Nyet!

“So,” Arturo said again, “are you going to take off your clothes, or what?”

“I thought we were going to a movie.”

He shrugged. “That’s what I told Creed. You and I both know what we really want, don’t we? I’m going to make love to you tenderly, like you want, and we’ll both be satisfied.”

“At what point did I tell you what I want?” She didn’t mean to be snippy.

He grinned. “You’re fiery too. I like that. How about I make it easy for you. I’ll take my pants down, and all you have to do is get it hard and then ride it to your heart’s content.”

She could guess what he wanted her to do to get him hard. Her stomach churned again. She did not suck men’s cocks the first time. She didn’t even know this fool, and he had the boldness to ask for a blowjob.

Shada rolled away and stood up. As she strode toward the door, she rebuttoned her blouse. Arturo had gotten a peek at her breasts hidden behind her bra but nothing more. Let him ride himself. “This was a mistake,” she called over her shoulder. “Please go.”

“Wait, are you kidding me?” he growled. “You tease me all night, and I get the brush-off?”

She spun around at the door. “I don’t know how I teased you all night from Marquette’s kitchen.”

“You know what I mean.”

“No, I don’t.” She headed into the living room.

He followed, and she heard him stumbling, trying to put on his shoes, which he had kicked off on the way in.

The more she listened to him, the more irritated she grew and the more she wanted him gone. Trying to find a new lover two weeks after she had left Creed’s bed was stupid, not to mention that they’d got all hot and heavy earlier tonight. She shivered in disgust comparing Creed’s all-consuming, amazing kiss to Arturo’s amateur hour.

Before she reached the door, Arturo grabbed her arm and spun her to face him. “It’s because of him, isn’t it? You’re into him.”

She feigned a yawn. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Creed,” he snapped. “Did you fuck him?”

“What I have and haven’t done isn’t your business.”

“Yeah, you did.”

He moved closer. She started calculating how likely it was she’d have to defend herself. Being from Brooklyn, she could handle herself to a certain extent.

“That’s why he’s so possessive of you,” he spat. “Acts like he owns you.”

She shrugged, pretending it didn’t matter. “Maybe I own him. He could be my little pet, you know, like dominatrix stuff.” Her mind had totally gone out to lunch, she decided. Where was all this coming from?

At her words, Arturo’s eyes widened, and he seemed too interested in what she claimed. Then a new thought struck her. Arturo might be that type. This wouldn’t be the first time her mouthy attitude gave the impression she liked to discipline men. The thought alone grossed her out.

“So you like those kind of games, huh? I guess I don’t blame him for getting too attached.” Arturo grabbed for her wrist and laid the other hand at her waist.

She decided he’d gone too far and kneed him as hard as she could in the balls. He yelped in pain and doubled over.

Shada stepped back and raised her fists. While she had a good stance and could do more damage, Arturo was thick-set. If he chose to, he could hurt her bad. Her belly did flip-flops. On the other hand, she wouldn’t go down without a fight.