Mark (Next Generation Carter Brother #9)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Freya

Summer wasn’t lying when she said her cousin’s new home needed some work done to it. She was right in saying it wasn’t as bad as our flat, but it did need some serious TLC. Right now, the walls have wallpaper peeling off them, there’s no carpet, and the kitchen seriously needs updating. Four rooms have already been done, but Malia, the eldest of the six, isn’t happy with their contractor. Which is why I bit the bullet and gave her the number Mark gave me to give them.

Makayla, who is two years younger than Malia, looks them up on their phone. “Is he single?”

“He’s in a relationship and has two kids with her. Although I don’t think they are biologically his. Not that it matters. He’s obsessed with her. A bit nutty mind you, but if you check out his reviews, he takes his work seriously.”

“He’s hot. What a shame.”

So are the five women spread out in chairs around me. Long-legged, flawless skin, and thick, luscious hair. I have never felt more like an ugly duckling than I do right now. It seriously surprises me to find they’re single.

Milly, the youngest at only six years old, jumps on my lap. “It’s my birthday too. What did you get me?”

Mercedes laughs. “Dude, we don’t con our friends. You know your birthday isn’t until December.”

“But I want cake,” Milly pouts.

“If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t get a cake either.”

She jumps down now she knows she’s not getting any goods and a smile tugs at my lips.

Summer grimaces. “I’m sorry. I tried to get you a Colin the Caterpillar cake but it seems the fucker is in demand, and I know you hate the taste of the other sponge cakes.”

I chuckle at her put-out expression. “It’s fine. I’m twenty-four and way past cakes.”

“You’re never too old for cake,” Malia states. “I still think we should get dressed up and hit the town. We’ve not been able to do that since we moved in. I’m too scared another businessman or estate agent will turn up with another offer.”

“It’s still not died down?” Summer asks, concerned.

“No,” Malia replies.

Magnolia clears her throat. “One guy gives me the creeps. There’s just something about him that sets my nerve endings on edge.”

“Why?” I question.

“Have you ever been around someone who instantly makes you go on alert? A person who is too polite for it to be real? It’s like that with him,” she answers.

Mercedes nods her head. “And the way he looks at us, like he’s trying to figure out which one of us he wants to fuck first.”

“That too,” Magnolia replies. “Although it’s strange that ever since he first started to come around, we’ve had things go wrong with the property. The water was turned off from outside, there’s a couple of breaches in the fences, and I swear there’s a patch of dried grass from a tent. It’s like someone has been watching us.”

“Let’s change the subject,” Malia orders, giving her sister a pointed look. “We’re just being paranoid.”

Summer laughs. “What have you guys got a reason to be paranoid for?”

No one laughs aside from Malia. Instead, she does everything she can to avoid looking at her cousin. She’s also not acting relaxed as well as she thinks she is. “Exactly.”

“Well, we can run to the shop and grab some drinks. We can crash here, right?” Summer asks.

“Yeah, of course.”

I grimace. “Actually, is it okay if I head home? I’m really not feeling today.”

Summer sits up. “But it’s your birthday.”

“And I’m putting a damper on it with my mood,” I reply.

“Can you do that if it’s your own birthday?” Mercedes asks.

“It’s her birthday; she can be in whatever mood she wants,” Magnolia adds, pushing her glasses up her nose.

“I’ll come with you then,” Summer offers.

I force a smile. “Babe, we both know I’m going to curl up in bed with Mellow and do nothing. I love that you want to come back, but you should stay with your family.”

“But it’s your birthday.”

I laugh at her sad little pout. “And I’ll have another one next year. Honestly, this is what I want. I swear.” I tell her, reaching for my bag. “If you want me to pick you up in the morning, just call me and I can do that.”

She stands, rushing at me to give me a hug. “I love you.”

“I love you more.” I turn to Malia. “Thank you so much for dinner and for inviting us over.”

“Any time,” she replies.

“And the offer to egg your sister is still on the table,” Makayla offers.

I splutter out a laugh because she’s serious. So is Magnolia when she says, “If we boil those eggs we found for a few minutes, she’ll never be able to get the stench of rotten egg off her for a week.”

“I’ll see you all soon,” I call out as the girls get into a debate on what is the best way to egg someone.

Summer follows me out to the car. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come back? They won’t see it as me bailing on them but me being there for my best friend. My sister from another mister.”

“You’ve barely left my side since I came home. I love you for caring so much. But it’s fine. Your cousins are amazing and it’s clear they’ve missed you. Stay. Have fun. And make sure you have a few drinks for me.”

“Will you call if you don’t want to be alone?”

“I will.”

“I’ll message you later,” she promises as I get in the car.

I let out a sigh when I get inside the car. If I had told her why today has been so hard, she wouldn’t have let me go. I’ve pasted on a smile all day for her, for my mum, for my nanna, and even Summer’s cousins. But all I could think about was him .

Was he enjoying today? Was he thinking of me? Did he miss me?

Then the guilt would kick in. I had no right after how I treated him. I kept going over it in my head, and whilst my feelings and reactions were valid, my feelings for him, what we shared, I should have let that dictate my actions. I should have given him a chance. I should have known my sister was in the wrong. Even if he were to forgive me, I don’t deserve him. I don’t deserve the way he made me feel.

*** *** **

All day I’ve wanted to be alone. Now I’m alone, all I want is my best friend, and I’m seconds away from grabbing my keys and my cat, and heading back to her cousin’s house.

I throw my head back against the sofa, laughing hysterically. When did I become this person? When did I let a man take so much control over me? When did I become so weak-minded?

“When you fell in love, you fucking idiot!” I grumble to myself. “Oh my god, I’m talking to myself.” I glance at my cat. “I’m seriously talking to myself. We need to get out of here.”

Fuck grabbing a change of clothes.

I get to my feet, grabbing Mellow and my keys. I have to get out of here. I have to. I am going to drive myself insane otherwise.

I struggle to open the door, but when I do, I instantly regret it. Because standing in front of me, looking as hot as ever, is Mark. His skin has bronzed out more since we last saw each other.

My lips part, and I know I can’t step back and close the door. There is no pretending I haven’t seen him. There is no going back.

And there’s no denying how fast my heart is pumping, or how my body is itching to get closer to him.

It’s been so long, I was beginning to think everything between us was a mirage. It’s not. All those feelings I’ve been grasping onto since I was told the truth, come flooding back. They’re just as strong as they were before my sister happened to us.

“You answered,” he greets, before shaking himself out of it. “Please, hear me out. What you saw wasn’t what you think it was. Your sister… Fuck! She put it all into play, but I swear to you, I never touched her. Well, I did, but not in a sexual manner. I was putting a bandage on her leg.”

Before he can continue to ramble, I whisper, “I know. I know everything.”

“You do?” he asks, his eyebrows pinching together in an adorable way. I let go of Mellow, who runs back to the sofa, making huffing sounds like I’ve ruined his day. “I don’t understand. You’ve not been messaging back.”

“Because I’m embarrassed. My sister is unhinged and you were front row to witness that. I…”

His expression relaxes, his eyes going soft. “You walked in on something that hurt you. Despite it not being what you thought it was, you were hurt, and do you know why?”

“Why?” I croak out.

I still can’t believe he’s here, that he is standing in front of me. That for a moment, there’s hope I could have him back in my life.

I have missed him so much, it hurts.

He grins. “Because you love me.”

“I…I…” I stutter.

I need to wake up. This has to be a dream.

“I got you something for your birthday,” he tells me, holding up a white box. “Go on, lift up the lid.”

Shock has me stepping forward, lifting the lid on the box. The sides collapse, revealing a three-tiered cake. It has yellow frosting with happy birthday written on the top. “I told you, you didn’t need to get me a cake.”

He grimaces. “It’s actually my cake. Mum couldn’t save yours from Max. You would have liked it. It had flowers and butter cream filling inside.”

I hold my breath for a moment, and the tears stinging my eyes begin to roll down my cheeks.

He can’t mean what I think he means.

“You’re giving me your cake?” I struggle to get out.

“Yes.”

“You’re willingly giving me your food?”

He leans in, searching my eyes. “Have you been drinking?”

“No, I’m just trying to wrap my head around you willingly sharing your cake. You’ve raved about your cake. You spent three hours talking about past cakes. There’s no one behind you with a gun or knife to your back. You are just here, handing me your cake of your own free will.”

He snorts. “Like someone with a knife or a gun would make me give my cake away.”

“You are freaking me out. You don’t give people food. You steal other people’s food. But you never give it to someone.”

“If it freaks you out less, I am hoping you’ll give me a slice,” he adds. “Can I put this down? It’s kind of heavy.”

I step back so he can place it down on the side table next to the door. I don’t understand this. I walked away. I believed my sister over him.

I don’t deserve him. And he doesn’t deserve the drama my sister causes.

“Why are you wasting your time on me?” I whisper. “I believed what Esther wanted me to believe. I didn’t give you the same trust as you have given me. I ran and didn’t even let you explain. I’m crazy, my family is crazy. I just don’t understand why you keep trying. Why you keep wasting your time. You need to let this go. Save yourself from my dysfunctional family.”

He steps closer, placing one hand on the side of my neck and the other on my cheek. I close my eyes as the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. It’s the same feeling I always get when I’m around him.

“I don’t see it as wasting my time. I see it as investing time into my future.” He sighs, pressing his forehead against mine for a moment. “You really don’t get it, do you? You make me crazy, but it’s okay because it’s your hand I’m holding, your eyes I’m looking into, and your body I’m lying next to. I don’t want to let you go. I can’t. So please, please don’t ask me to leave. Please don’t make me give up the one thing I want more than anything else. Please don’t ask me to forget we happened because I can’t.”

“Mark,” I whisper, placing my fists against his hard stomach.

“I love you, Freya,” he announces, then throws his head back as he says a little louder, “My god, I am so in love with you, I can’t think straight. I was ready to leave the cruise, bail on my family. Something I would never have done before you—a girl who, before that trip, stalked me.”

“Hey, I never stalked you.”

He glances into my eyes. “You were obsessed.”

I roll my eyes. “I think we’ve already proven it wasn’t me obsessed. Even your family agrees.”

“My point is, it’s not just my words that prove what you mean to me. It’s not a holiday fling or a passing moment. You aren’t just the girl I fell for, who tamed my sorry arse and captured my attention. You became a part of me. You became a part of the family, and it feels empty without you. My actions prove they aren’t just words to butter you up. I was willing to drop everything and everyone who means the world to me to chase you across the world. I went head to head with not just one member of your family, but a majority of them. I did it because you are worth chasing. You are worth more than the shit they’ve done to us. They don’t scare me. I’ll fight for you every single day if it means they leave you alone. I will never forgive your sister for what she did to you. To us. But I will not let what she did come between us. Because I love you.”

Tears gather in my eyes as I shakily step closer to him, resting the palms of my hands on his chest. “You giant, giant marshmallow,” I rasp. “I love you too. And before you argue, I’m not saying it because you’ve said it during a beautiful little speech. I’ve said it because I love you more than I have ever loved anyone. I love you even when you make my blood boil from annoyance. I love you even though you make it a habit to get me in a crazy situation or even when we argue over the most ridiculous things.”

His lips tug up at the corners. “You look so uncomfortable right now,” he teases. “Is the next part of your speech where you tell me I make you see colour in a world of grey or that you love the way my cock feels inside you? Because I’m down with it.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “Your ego is something else.”

He snorts. “My ego is just fine. But if it makes you feel more relaxed, I didn’t realise I was missing colour until I met you.”

I shove at his chest. “Stop with the corny lines.”

He loses the smirk. “I’m being serious. I’m serious about you. About us. About our future.”

“Then shut up and kiss me,” I whisper.

His lips reach mine, not even hesitating or savouring the moment. Our kiss is rushed, fired, and explosive.

And just like that, everything feels right in the world.

I feel like I am home.

He picks me up at the waist, slamming my back against the door. “I have missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too,” I whisper breathlessly.

He brushes my hair away from my face, searching, gazing. “We are about to have wild make-up sex. Are you okay with that?”

I roll my hips against him. “Have you ever had wild make-up sex before?”

“No, but I’m a quick learner. You like to teach. Teach me something I’ve never done before,” he orders huskily.

I run my fingers through his hair at the nape of his neck. “Ever had sex on a chair in front of a mirror?” I question.

“Fuck!” he growls, slamming his lips down on mine as he lowers my feet to the ground.

He tears off my pyjama top and I hear the buttons hit pieces of furniture in the room.

He ducks down as I rip his T-shirt up, making it easier for me to remove and throw it to the ground to join mine. Every movement is a blur. One minute we are by the door in just our bottoms, the next he has me against the wall in the hallway and I’m completely naked.

He lifts me back up, entering me in one fluid move. “What about the chair?” I breathe as he pulls my head back by my hair, kissing his way down my neck.

I can’t think when he does that.

“We can do that next,” he rasps as he thrusts inside me.

I clench around him, whimpering. “My room is the first door on the left.”

He begins to move, and when he enters my room, his lips are back on mine, his fingers digging into my arse cheeks.

I tug at the strands of his hair, needing more. He drops me down on my desk, knocking some of the perfume bottles to the floor.

I have missed this, the connection that explodes between us when we fuck. And boy, I feel like I am going to explode. You would think I haven’t had sex in years with how wet I am right now.

He pulls back, watching his cock slide in and out of me. My breathing is ragged, whimpers of pleasure slipping through as the mirror at my back slaps against the wall from the force of his thrusts.

A guttural noise escapes him, and hell, it’s the most erotic sound I have ever heard.

My eyelids close and his lips pull away, hovering over mine as he catches his breath.

He begins to fuck me harder, the entire desk slamming against the wall, and I know once this is done, there will be marks and dents in the plaster.

Fuck!

I never thought I’d like rough sex, but this… I crave this. I crave him. And I always want more.

“Harder,” I plead.

“If I fuck you any harder, I’m going to break something.”

I tug at his hair to meet his gaze. “I’m not made of glass.”

He growls, stepping back to lift me off the desk. “Hold on to the desk,” he orders.

I meet his gaze in the mirror. Sweat is already beading at his temples. But it’s my expression that has me captured. There’s a sparkle back in my eyes. My cheeks now have colour. I look different. Feel different. And it’s all because of this man.

He enters me, and my lips part with a silent cry.

I don’t take my gaze off him as he fucks me from behind.

One, two, three thrusts, and with each, he continues to fuck me harder.

I need to come.

I need to cry out.

I need him.

It’s not enough but too much at the same time.

His fingers dig into the flesh at my hips as slams himself inside at the deepest point, hitting the right spot.

I cry out, the tips of my fingers digging in the wood as pleasure explodes inside of me.

His body tenses behind me, and I know it’s because the feel of my walls clenching around his cock has sent him over the edge.

One, two, three more thrusts and then he holds himself inside of me, shuddering as he silently lets go of his own release.

He bends over, kissing my shoulder. “I’ve missed you.”

I stand, uncaring that I have his cum dripping down my thigh, and turn to him. “I’ve missed you too.”

He tucks my hair over my shoulder, and steps closer. “If there is one thing you never have to worry about when it comes to me, it’s cheating. I will never cheat or look at another woman. Not just because I was raised to respect the women in my life, but because I would never hurt you in that way. Not even if we hated each other.”

“I really am sorry,” I whisper, unable to meet his gaze.

He tilts my chin up until I’m looking at him. “You never need to apologise about it. You did nothing to be sorry for.”

I lean up on my toes. “Want to take a shower?”

He sniffs the air. “Depends. Will you wash my back and let me have shower sex with you?”

I chuckle. “I don’t think our shower wall would make it through you fucking me.”

He slides his hands down to my arse. “I’ll take it slow.”

“You said that when we had sex in the cabin shower and you broke the pipe off the wall.”

He rolls his eyes. “I fixed it, didn’t I? I can do slow and gentle.”

I cup his face, smiling. “I really have missed you.”

He leans in, kissing my lips.

He didn’t take it slow and gentle.

And I had to fix the broken shower door.