Chapter 5 It's Martin!

ME: "Stop it, fool!"

I nearly slammed my finger on the 'send' button of my phone. I bit my lower lip as my heart raced at an alarming speed. I even broke into a cold sweat because it felt like my chest was about to explode from anxiety. I hadn't even ride back home yet, but I immediately texted Marcus. I couldn't deny it; my heart pounded heavily after reading his last message. Was it because I ran out of load, or did he think I was already responding to him? He hadn't even formally asked me out; it was all just hot air.

And besides, I couldn't like him because he didn't have a regular job! What would he brag about if we got together and got married? What would he contribute to our life together? From what I could see now, he might just make my life miserable. I couldn't afford to have someone who's just temporary and doesn't have a stable income. What good is his good looks if our stomachs are growling?

Upon entering the house, I checked my phone for a reply. Nothing. Maybe he suddenly realized his mistake. I sat on our small sofa when a voice suddenly interrupted me.

"Welcome home, baby labs!" Marcus shouted.

I clutched my chest. "What on earth, Marcus! You almost gave me a heart attack!"

His expression changed to concern. He approached me, saying, "Oh, labs, your heart won't break as long as you love me," he said while winking at me. I couldn't help it; I pulled at his hair, and he winced. "Ouch, baby labs! You're hurting your baby labs!"

"What baby loves? Hey! Marcus De Santis, for your information, we're not together! So, stop it! I ran out of load, that's why I couldn't reply to you! That's it!"

Instead of getting annoyed, he grinned. "Fine, let's keep it a secret for now."

"You want a Secret punch?" I threatened with a fist.

He scratched his head. "Come on, don't be so serious. I was just trying my luck."

"What are you doing here? Where's Grandma?" I was surprised when he suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me. I felt a jolt of electricity; I didn't know if he felt it too because he was pulling me toward our kitchen.

"Grandma's in the kitchen. She's cooking. Let's help her!" I couldn't speak because of what I felt. It was like he burned me.

Weird.

"Grandma! My baby labs is here!" he proudly shouted. When we entered the kitchen, I immediately pulled my hand away. He looked at me, furrowing his brows, but I just glared at him to ease the tension. He didn't take his eyes off me, so I moved aside to Grandma and looked at what she was cooking.

"Grandma, I am here," I greeted politely.

"Why did you take so long, Claudia? You took so long to load," Grandma said, busy in front of the stove.

I peeked at what she was doing. "There's no load at Miss Della's, so I went straight to town." I looked at Marcus. I pursed my lips and stared at him.

He was just wearing a normal shirt and faded pants, but where's justice? Is he seriously cutting meat? His muscles flexed with every movement. So manly, and why does he look so hot? I shook my head to get rid of those thoughts. What's hot about that? Annoying!

But my gaze seemed to be drawn back to him.

Hot Chef. His pointed nose, sharp eyes, perfect jawline, broad shoulders, muscular arms, large hands, messy hair that weirdly suited him – even his ragged clothes looked perfect on him. He looked like a model. He effortlessly matched his worn-out clothes. Gosh, it's so unfair!

"Hey! Claudia, Marcus might melt under your gaze." I literally jumped at Grandma's sudden comment. I returned to my senses, and my cheeks felt like they were burning from that little tease.

"Staring is rude, baby labs," Marcus added. I looked at him, and he gave me his killer grin. What did he say? He pronounced it with his strong English accent, as if he was used to that language.

"Excuse me?"

After he grinned, he laughed, that irritating laugh. "Baby labs, I know I'm hot, and you like me, but please, not in front of Grandma. It's embarrassing, do it later," he said while winking at me. Since I was caught off guard, I couldn't come up with a comeback.

I just rolled my eyes. "I don't know about you, idiot!"

When my brother came home from college, I started preparing dinner. Since Marcus was already here, Grandma asked him to join us. He happened to bring ripe mangoes, bananas, and watermelon. I washed the dishes, so I stayed in the kitchen while Grandma and my brother went to the living room. However, that jerk Marcus insisted on helping me. He wiped the table while I soaped the plates.

"Thanks for the fruits. Looks like you got a raise!" I teased.

He smirked before answering, "No big deal, labs."

"Idiot. You might spend your entire salary on us. Save some for yourself." He didn't immediately respond, and a moment later, he put the rag on the side. He's behind me. Suddenly, anxiety overwhelmed me. My heart raced faster.

I stopped when I felt his breath on the back of my neck. He was so close.

"I'm happy to make you happy, Claudia, so don't worry about it," he whispered. Instead of getting irritated, I strangely liked his gentle voice. His lips were so close to my ear. What is happening to me?

I cleared my throat and tried to compose myself. Gosh, I froze back there, and my hands trembled. I almost dropped the glass I was holding. If it had happened, it would've shattered. "Um, b-because y-your savings might run out. It's too much, after all..." My tongue was all tangled up!

"I don't care if I run out of money as long as it's for you, Claudia. I'll work and work just to give you what you want, remember that," he said in a low but steady voice. Was I getting goosebumps or was I getting thrilled?

"Well, you see-" I almost stepped back when he suddenly grabbed my hand holding the glass and the sponge.

"Let me handle that; you might drop it. The glass might break."

"No, I can-," he silenced me by placing his finger on my lips. I stopped talking and widened my eyes. He turned me to face him, holding my hand that was free of soap. I stared straight into his face as if enchanted, unable to look away.

"When you're mine, these soft hands of yours will touch nothing but this," he placed my hand on his left cheek, "and this," he slid it across his thin, red lips. In front of him, I swallowed hard. My heart was pounding. What was happening? Marcus was just staring at me. After a few seconds, he moved my hand down to his chest.

My heart pounded even more.

"And especially this," I voluntarily stopped my hand before it could go anywhere else.

"Hey! Marcus, enough! You're going too far!"

He grinned but still didn't let go of my hand. "I know what you're thinking, but it's not that. I'll let you touch it when you're ready, labs."

My eyes widened. "Marcus-"

"This. This is what I'll give you, and I'll let you touch it."

I was stuck for a moment. I lowered my gaze to my hand resting on his chest. In front of his heart.

I gasped. I looked at him, and his face was serious. His blue eyes had a peculiar glow. They sparkled. He was looking at me straight into my eyes like he was seducing me, showing it to you. Only to you.

We stayed in that position for a few seconds. We exchanged glances, but I was the first to let go. It was scalding, even if it was enticing. But he immediately caught my hand. I didn't expect him to do that.

"Claudia..." he softly called me.

I looked at him. I glanced at him, and I couldn't react, and he greeted me with a kiss. My eyes widened, but he had his eyes closed. I should have pushed him away, but my hands felt paralyzed, and I couldn't move them. He held me by my waist. My surprise was replaced by a strange sensation. A peculiar feeling enveloped me, and I felt like I was being lulled into a trance, and my eyes closed involuntarily.

As I relaxed, he slowly moved his lips closer to mine. He started brushing his lips against mine. Gently. Massaging. Warm, sweet, and... and delicious! I didn't know how to respond, so I mimicked what he was doing. I brushed my lips too.

After a while, I was running out of breath, and his kiss grew deeper and deeper. I'm literally running out of air!

"Sis! You have a visitor! It's brother Martin!"