houghts she couldn't shake, full of a presence she pretended not to feel. Marcus had only been in

oping to breathe before the day swallowed her. But the moment she st

rc

ike he'd just stepped out of the shower. He wasn't talking, just reading so

he wasn't ready. Not mentally, not emotion

moment she trie

" he said, voi

about you," she replie

s, a faint smile touching his mouth.

ned. "At

mply, eyes never

eath s

words he just let them hang in the air betw

you for a mom

d that sounded, she cleared her throat. "I

id, checking the clock

art was he

gh that she could stop him

a ride home Friday

him. Or he found out himself, wh

she said carefully. "Y

like she was mi

t to know you're safe. Not beca

ht there was

He was just there... steady, co

nts arrived, the studio filling with chatter and moveme

s wasn't

he said quietly, "We

t she felt every word sett

music familiar but her mind kept drifting to him. To his voice. To the w

was he beco

pped outside for a moment of air

che

n, leaning against his car like

," he said gently. "

born instinct she had,

mething about him,about the way he looked at h

to feel the warmth radiating off him but far enou

said softly. "I

car and stood fully, his height suddenly feeling more intimidating out here

an. "I'm not trying to interfere in your lif

she murmured, f

don't care about you. And I'm not going to act like it doesn't matter t

ened. "We barely

ed slightly. "I know enough to

ice sounded when he was tired. The way he watched her with attention no one else gave her. Th

tarted, unsure of

er. He just waited giving her space b

me," he said quietly. "But I'm

lished hit harder than anyth

ly whispered. "You

"But I don't want

art st

her and someone called her name, pulling her back into

inside," she said,

"I'll be here wh

"You really don

yes softened. "

alked back in. Her hands trembled slightly. Her thoughts fel

his wasn'

sn't ha

hing she could pr

was M

s waiting