“Oh. Wow. Well, I’ll leave you to your coffee,” I tell him. I try to scurry up the stairs before I can embarrass myself any further, but then Marcus’s low voice stops me.
“Bella?”
I pause in my escape before turning back around. That’s when I notice Marcus’s coffee isn’t the only thing on the table. Faith and I didn’t bother to clean after our make-up session, so there are eyeshadows, bronzers, blushes and brushes scattered all over the counter.
“Oh, no, I’m so sorry about the mess,” I say quickly. “I know this isn’t what you expected when you got back.”
I start to clean quickly, but Marcus merely shrugs and grins again.
“Don’t worry about it, sweetheart. Did you enjoy yourself last night?”
I look at him hard, but those blue eyes merely dance mischievously. Is he referring to the make-up session, or the fact that he heard me masturbating? Oh my god, I’m going to die if it’s the latter, but I try to play it off like nothing’s wrong.
“Yeah, Faith and I had fun. I was hoping to wake her with some coffee, but I guess you beat me to it. I’m surprised she hasn’t come down yet, given how good it smells.”
The huge man merely smiles again.
“Then I’ll get started on breakfast. Pancakes will be ready in a jiff, and I know you both love those.
“Yes, we do,” I manage to choke out. “Sorry about the mess again. I really should get back upstairs and put some clothes on.”
“Sure, no prob, honey. Take your time getting ready. Breakfast will be ready in thirty.”
I nod and practically bolt upstairs. Once I’m back in the guest bedroom, I close the door and lean against it.
Holy crap. Did that really just happen? Did I just have a stilted conversation with my best friend’s dad who looked like he knew something naughty about me the entire time? God, hopefully it was just my imagination.
But downstairs, I hear the sounds of Marcus starting breakfast, and my heart flutters. I really should just leave. Would that be rude? I don’t want another awkward encounter where I appear tongue-tied and red-faced. Yet if I leave, it’ll look strange right? Damn it. I’ll have to stick around through a crazy awkward meal. It’ll be fine. I take a deep breath. I’ll survive.
Quickly, I throw on jeans and a t-shirt, but then there’s a light knock on the guest room door. My heart thumps in my chest.
“Bella, are you awake?” comes a sweet voice.
Oh, thank God. “Yeah, Faith, I’ll be out in a second. Just getting changed.”
“Perfect. I smell bacon and eggs. Did you cook already?”
I smile ruefully. Faith doesn’t know her dad is here yet. She’s going to flip.
I open the door and grab my friend’s arm, who looks at me with curious eyes.
“Did you know?”
She shakes her head in confusion.
“Know what?”
I smile. “Okay, let’s get downstairs then. I’m starving!”
We head to the first level, and Faith gasps when she sees the man in the kitchen. Her entire form trembles with joy at the surprise.
“Daddy!” she cries, running over to hug him.
“Hey, sweetheart. Surprise! I got back early last night, and let myself in. You two were already asleep when I got home.”
She steps back, beaming with happiness.
“Dad, that’s so awesome! What happened?”
Marcus grins, flashing even white teeth.
“A flight got canceled, so they let me off early. Now sit down sweetheart. I’m making pancakes, your favorite.”
Faith brightens.
“Mmm, yum! I love the ones with chocolate chips and blueberries. But that’s okay Dad, you don’t have to wait on me hand and foot. Can I help with breakfast?”
“Of course. How about getting some toast going? Hiya Bella. Good to see you again.”
I mumble my hellos while Faith skips over to the toaster.
“On it! Wheat and white with butter and jam, coming right up.”
The two start to work like a well-oiled machine, and while they’re cooking, I clean up the mess from last night so we’ll have a place to sit. Trembling a bit, I set out dishes and silverware, although the entire time, I sneak glances over at Mr. Randall. Does he know what I did last night? But the huge man merely continues cooking and joking with his daughter like nothing’s amiss. His movements are unconcerned and his voice a deep growl as he laughs and teases.
It doesn’t take long before breakfast is ready, and the three of us settle at the table. Marcus is at the head with Faith and me on either side. It almost feels like we’re a family, but of course, that’s not true because the feelings I have for Marcus are very unfamilial. The fact is that I would love to taste those mobile lips and to feel those strong arms around me. I’d love to wake up in his bed, sore and achy, only to be treated to another round of deep loving from the alpha male.