Cara was too stunned to utter a single word. She stared at his determined face as he carried her towards the bed. From so near, he looked so gorgeous; his eyes were more blue than gray and his lips glistened more than ever before. The way he was forcefully taking care of her, the way he lovingly held her against his chest, and the way his heart was beating so fast, all made her deliriously attracted to him. She laid her head on his shoulder, feeling his breath hitch.
“But..,” she started as he laid her down on the bed and stood staring at her with a strange expression on his face.
“No arguments,” he told her grimly, as he walked over to the table to get her food.
“How can I stay here? The flu will take at least three days to get better,” she croaked, looking clueless and lost. Was he asking her to stay back here in his bedroom? Would she be spending the night here with him? A million questions flitted across her feverish mind, driving her crazy.
“I won’t let you travel and continue to work in this condition. You’ll rest here,” he said like an order, his face grim as he sat down on the bed as he had done earlier. Cara gaped at him not knowing how to react to that. “No more arguments, just eat up,” he said, picking up a spoonful of the risotto he had made. Combined with the delicious chicken gravy, the food tasted very good even to her bland palate.
“Mmm, you can cook better than me,” she said, closing her eyes and savoring the taste.
“I can make this for you every day if you stay,” he murmured almost to himself.
“What did you say? Sorry, my head is blocked,” she said, making him suppress a smile.
“Then stop bothering your blocked head for once and let me take care of you, Cara,” he said, feeding her more. Cara’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing him say such things to her but she was curious. She needed to know why he was doing so much for her? What would he get in return?
“Why?” She asked, her hot, feverish eyes glued to his. He seemed to evade her eyes and concentrate on the food on the plate.
“Just for the sake of humanity. I’m not as heartless as you think I am. You take care of me every day. Let me take care of you once in return,” he said with a shrug. Cara stared at the emotions that flitted across his face as he made a valiant effort to look casual and aloof. She might be young but she was mature enough to know that he was lying.
“I take care of you because you pay me for it,” she pointed out. Marcus’s eyes flew up to hers and he sighed and fed her again. “I’m your maid, that’s why,” she whispered, looking down at her hands. Marcus stared at her for a second and then shook his head.
“Don’t be ashamed of what you’re doing, Cara. It’s for the sake of your family. At least you are earning through your hard work. I know it isn’t the best of professions but with your talent, I’m sure you will go far. Your position at Kingston Club is something many wealthy musicians would die for,” he pointed out, his eyes showing genuine appreciation as he fed her again. Cara hung her head with dismay having been reminded of Kingston Club. Her heart filled with grief since she couldn’t go there and perform, maybe for the last few times before Rudolph Sterling replaced her forever.
“I won’t be having that job after this week. They’re replacing me,” said Cara as big fat tears pricked at her eyes, threatening to fall. Marcus stilled and looked at her with concern.
“Why? You’re the best that they’ve got. How can they replace you?” asked Marcus looking concerned. The tears fell freely from her eyes as her heart filled up with grief.
“They’ve found someone who will put up a strip show while performing. She has her own music band as well. Rudolph Sterling doesn’t need me,” she said as a sob escaped her. Marcus placed the tray on the nightstand and pulled her into his arms, almost on his lap. A hand went around her waist while his other one touched the nape of her neck. He embedded her face into his warm chest. Cara was momentarily taken aback but eventually, his warm body provided her so much comfort that she wrapped her hands around his torso and surrendered to him. It was bliss and she could stay that way forever. It felt like home!
“Shh, don’t cry! I’m sure he’ll repent his decision when his club loses its goodwill. If people want a strip show, they will visit a strip club. Why would they pay so much to listen to music? Everything happens for a reason. Why don’t you study music in the evenings instead? It will help you more in the future than performing there,” suggested Marcus, stroking her hair gently. Cara leaned into his touch, it felt so good, almost therapeutic.
“I can’t afford the fees,” she told him honestly. Marcus looked deep in thought as he stroked her hair absent-mindedly. Cara wiped her eyes and blushed to see the position that they were in. She tried to move away but he simply tightened his grip over her.
“I need to take the medicine, Marcus,” she whispered. Marcus forgot to breathe and looked at her upturned face as she sat on his lap. He had no idea why his heart reacted so strongly every time she said his name. It made him feel loved although he knew that she didn’t love him. In fact, he wasn’t even sure if she liked him as much as he liked her. His jaws dropped as realization dawned upon him. He not only desired her or was obsessed with her! He actually liked her!
He blinked and gazed wordlessly at her angelic young face. He was the most reckless player whose name had always been linked up with famous women for the past two years. He never glanced at a woman for the second time and was nick-named ‘Heartbreaker Donnelly’ for a reason. He just couldn’t believe that now he had actually started liking a girl eight years younger than him. How did this happen when she made no attempt at all to seduce him? While all the other women tried hard to get his attention, Cara was busy fighting her own battle!
“Umm, Marcus,” she whispered blushing under his piercing gaze that was permanently fixed upon her for the last five minutes. Had he zoned out? She wondered what he might be thinking! Marcus blinked and looked at her. He released her and handed her the pill without a word.
“You can take a shirt from my closet. Change and go to sleep,” he told her and abruptly marched out of the room. Cara took the medicine and stared at the closed door with a confused look on her face. Her mind was in turmoil as she couldn’t get the answers she needed. First and foremost she needed to know where he would sleep. Would he join her on his bed? Her face turned crimson with embarrassment. No, she wouldn’t sleep with him at all! He was still her employer. The second question was all the more embarrassing. How could she wear his shirt and sleep? What if he came into the room and saw her in just a shirt? No, she would wear his shorts too.
Slowly she got up from the bed and went towards his closet. There were so many shirts to choose from that she was flabbergasted. When did he wear so many clothes? He hardly went out of this house! Finally, she settled on a soft light blue shirt and held it to her face. The scent of him was enough to drive her crazy! The shorts were too huge and would easily fall off her so she gave up the idea.
She went to the washroom to freshen up and change. As she lay down on the bed she wondered what Marcus had been up to the whole day. Had he come into his bedroom while she was asleep? She sighed thinking how long she would be sick. Her siblings would be so worried about her. She immediately sat up worried. She had forgotten to inform them of her condition! Should she ask Marcus for his mobile phone so that she could call them? Torn with worry, she staggered out of the door to check where Marcus was.
As she crossed the studio, she heard Marcus muttering something to himself. She pushed open the door to the art studio and to her relief saw Marcus standing and staring at a canvas in front of him.
He looked startled at her sudden presence in his private haven. “Cara?” he started but stilled as his gaze slowly ran down the length of her body clad in nothing but his pale blue shirt over her black panties. In the bright light, he could make out everything through the transparent piece of clothing that covered her.
“Marcus, I have to inform my family. They must be so worried about me,” she said, too agitated to be aware of her semi-nude state.