Chapter Eight
The days passed, and they turned into weeks. Marshall made a lot of progress with her. Whenever he could, he’d find an excuse to take her to and from school. Sometimes he’d take her back to his place where they’d study or they’d play some video games. Jack didn’t come around when she was with him, giving him the space to woo her.
She didn’t invite him back to her house, but their parents had hit it off. He’d spent a great deal of time at her place while their parents talked.
Trey was officially dating Cheryl, which actually caused a few problems for Marshall. With Trey and Cheryl together, it put her at their table for lunch. Marshall found Scarlett ate around the school wherever she wanted to. He’d found her in tears a couple of times, and it was always down to Cheryl.
The wolf inside him was demanding that he hurt the bitch who’d hurt Scarlett. He talked to his dad about the problems, but he only advised him to keep his distance. Hurting a human wouldn’t be good for the pack. There was more than one way to deal with Cheryl. He didn’t need to resort to violence even though violence seemed to be the only answer.
In a few weeks the school would be closed for Christmas break, and he didn’t know how he was going to handle being alone with her. Marshall ran the track staying behind Scarlett, giving her some space. Trey was beside her talking constantly about Cheryl.
“What do you think I should buy her?” Trey asked.
“I don’t know.”
“What would you like to receive?”
“Trey, Cheryl and I are two different people. She’ll want something different.”
“What do you want?” Trey was persistent. There were times Marshall thought Trey was using Cheryl to make Scarlett jealous, but then he couldn’t be sure.
“Nothing.” Scarlett stopped on the track, and he made himself slow down so that he didn’t lap her. Jack didn’t say anything keeping up to the speed Marshall set.
“Are you okay?” Trey asked.
“Yeah. I just don’t feel too good.”
“Whoa,” Trey said.
Scarlett went a little dizzy. Picking up his speed, Marshall got closer to her, resting his hands on her hips to keep her steady.
“What’s going on?”
“She’s ill. I don’t know.”
Marshall breathed in pretending to be out of breath. Yes, Scarlett was ill. She was burning up, and the scent of illness clung to her skin. He’d been so concerned about his progress with her that he’d missed her illness. Annoyed with himself, Marshall growled. Jack covered it up by coughing loudly.
“Jesus, I think there’s something going around.”
“What’s going on over there?” Mr. Bridges asked, walking toward them.
“Scarlett is sick. I want to take her to the nurse,” Marshall said, before Trey could get a word out. The other guy glared at him, and Marshall started to wonder if he wasn’t trying to make her jealous with Cheryl.
“Yes, Marshall. Scarlett?”
Everyone backed away apart from him as Scarlett heaved, spreading vomit onto the ground.
“I’ll take her home,” Marshall said.
“Yes, do. Jack, get the janitor out here.”
Marshall picked Scarlett up in his arms.
“What are you doing? You’re going to drop me.” She pressed a hand to her mouth.
“I won’t drop you.” He didn’t care if others were looking. Marshall walked out of the school going to his car.
“You’re warm,” she said, snuggling her head against him. “You’re always so warm.” She pressed her palm to his chest.
Marshall was thankful for his higher body temperature. He’d keep her warm, and it was cold out.
“You’re always taking me home,” she said.
He eased her into his car, grabbing a brown paper bag from the back. “Here, vomit into this.”
She took the bag from him. Climbing behind the wheel, he opened her window as he drove out of school.
“Crap, pull up. I’m going to be sick.”
He stopped against the side of the road, and she opened the door. He parked the car, climbing out and rounding the vehicle to stand in front of her. He held her hair out of the way as she spilled her guts across the road. Holding his breath, he waited for her to finish before climbing back inside.
Marshall had to stop twice more for her to vomit. When he pulled up outside of her house, he found the spare key her parents kept under the mat and carried her inside. He kicked the door closed behind him and took her straight to her room. Marshall went to her bedroom, overcome by emotion when the scent of her attacked him.
“Marshall, are you okay?” she asked.
“Yes.” He took her through to the bathroom. “I’m going to leave you long enough to call your parents and then I’ll be back. Take a shower, and I’ll be back.” Marshall left her alone, heading downstairs. He pressed a hand against the wall when he heard the shower start to run.
She was naked in the shower.
Keep moving. She doesn’t need this.
His cell phone buzzed, and he saw it was Jack.
“Trey doesn’t seem to give a shit,” Jack said.
“I doubted he would. The fucker was using her.”
“You’ve scored points I bet with taking her home.”
Marshall groaned as more of her scent surrounded him.
“Are you okay?” Jack asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I mean. I will be fine. She smells amazing even though she’s ill.” He should be castrated for the feelings he had for her.
Jack chuckled. “Ah, true love and the need for a mate. You’ll even overlook the smell of vomit. The joy.”
His friend’s sarcasm made him laugh. “Wait until you find yours.”
“No thanks. I’m starting to think this mate thing is really overrated. They drive normal strong men to distraction.”
Marshall laughed. He woke up and his first thought was about Scarlett, and when he went to sleep, he thought about her. His thoughts were no longer centered on the need to fuck. Marshall wanted to be around her, loving her, taking care of her. There were times he found himself smiling just by thinking of her. He was turning into a pussy, but that was what Scarlett inspired inside him. She was going to be his mate for life. The woman he loved.
She wasn’t eighteen yet, and he tried to keep his baser instincts at bay. Grabbing the telephone off the wall he called the hospital and left a message for her parents. They were thankful that he was with her. He then called Jack back to bring her clothes and his. Marshall wasn’t going to leave her side while she was ill. When he finally got in touch with her parents they asked for him to stay to keep an eye on her. They wouldn’t be back any time soon as they were both busy at the hospital. He heard the annoyance in their voices, and it wasn’t directed at him but at their jobs. Marshall assured them he’d be more than happy to stay.
Tapping the counter, he listened as the water shut off. Seconds passed, and he couldn’t help imagining her in the shower, naked, slick with the water cascading around her. Her long hair brushing the tips of her rounded butt as she ran her fingers through the length. He was losing his mind. His cock thickened at the thought, and it took every ounce of control for him to squash it down. The alpha inside him was begging for him to go upstairs and claim his mate. She was eighteen in a couple of months. No, he wouldn’t do it. Scarlett no longer looked at him with fear in her eyes, but she didn’t completely trust him either. He was doing everything he could to be near her, to show her that he was a changed man.
The water turned off, and he heard her climbing out of the tub. Closing his eyes, he blew out breaths and panicked as he heard her groan. The sound of her vomiting along with the stench hit him. Rushing upstairs, he entered her bathroom to find her leaning over the toilet. She wore a towel. Her long hair trailed down her back as she heaved.
Marshall didn’t think. He acted.
Going to her side, he gathered all of her hair in his hand, covering her back with his. She was shivering, and he covered her body to help her warm up.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m giving you my warmth.” He reached around, stroking her stomach over the towel in an effort to soothe her.
She groaned, heaving once again.
“It’s okay. I’ve got you.” And I’m never letting go.
Marshall felt his wolf calm as he held their mate. She was the other half of him and would always be protected. He loved her, and there was no fight within him.
“I’m so sorry,” she said.
“Don’t you worry about it, baby.”
He helped her to her feet, handing her a toothbrush. Keeping an arm wrapped around her, he forced other body parts to stay quiet. She didn’t need to feel his growing cock while she’d been vomiting.
Once she was done, he helped her to her room. She sat on the edge of the bed as he searched her drawers to find some pajamas for her.
Marshall glanced over toward her when she started giggling.
“What’s up?” he asked, discovering a pink set with a teddy bear on it.
“If someone was to have told me I’d be sitting naked with a towel on while the Marshall Briggs was hunting for something for me to wear, I wouldn’t have believed them.” He saw her cheeks were a lovely shade of red.
“Well, you’ve got to believe them now.” He approached her holding up the pajamas.
She stared up at him, and something changed between them. He noticed her pulse racing, smelled the arousal coming off her. It was the first time he’d ever smelled anything so intoxicating coming from her. The scent of her illness combined with her arousal, though, and squashed all of his arousal.
“Lift your arms up,” he said. Marshall wanted to do anything to prolong this experience with her.
Scarlett lifted her arms one at a time, and he worked the shirt over her body. He eased her hair out of the back of her shirt. Going on the floor, Marshall wished he could tear the towel from her body and make love to her.
“Step inside.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“I do.” The need to care for her was strong. He couldn’t ignore it and refused to walk away to leave his mate in pain.
She stepped into the bottoms. When both of her feet were inside, he eased the pants up her thighs. His fingers skimmed her ass, and it took all of his control not to grip her, tease her.
Breathing in, he inhaled her sweet scent, loving the smell coming from her. Resting his hands on her curvy ass, he stared into her brown eyes.
“Why are you being so nice to me?”
“I want to be nice to you. I’m not going to bully you anymore, Scarlett. I want you.”
Tears filled her eyes as she stared back at him. “I don’t believe you. No one wants to be with me. I’m not, I’m not like the others.”
He brushed her tears away, keeping an arm around her waist. “You’re the only one I want.”
“But you like Cheryl and her friends. I’m nothing like her. I’m not pretty or thin.”
Marshall didn’t want to hear anything more. Cupping her cheek, he closed the distance between them, claiming her lips. She froze in his arms as he continued to kiss her. Scarlett gripped his arms as he stroked his tongue over her lips.
She whimpered, and he stroked at the base of her back.
Deepening the kiss, he opened his eyes to see hers were closed. She responded to his kiss, and euphoria filled every part of him.
When it was over, he rested his head against hers, panting.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“Why are you sorry?” he asked, loving the feel of her lips on his.
“I’m not very good at this. I’ve never, erm…”
“You’ve never done what?”
He looked into her brown eyes, wishing he could do a hell of a lot more with her. His cock was straining against his zipper.
“I’ve never been kissed before.”
“Never?”
“No.” She shook her head.
“I was your first kiss?”
“Yes.”
He liked that.
He liked that a hell of a lot.
Smiling, he cupped her cheek. “Then you better get used to my kisses because I’m going to be kissing you often.”
Her stomach chose that moment to do a somersault, and he eased her in bed.
“What does this mean?” she asked.
“It means you’re my girl and no other man is ever going to get the pleasure of kissing you.”
Once she was inside the blanket, Marshall lay down on top of the blanket, wrapping an arm around her waist.
“Your girlfriend?”
“Yes.” Marshall smiled. He couldn’t wait to have any excuse to touch her. “It means you run beside me on the track, I take you around to your classes, and you sit with me at lunch.” He rubbed her stomach, trying to soothe out the knots. “It also means you’re not alone with Trey anymore. I don’t like the way he’s been sniffing around you.”
“You’re throwing down a lot of demands.”
“You’re mine, Scarlett.”
She was silent. “I don’t know if I’m dreaming this or if it’s really happening.”
“It’s happening, baby.” He kissed her cheek. “Sleep. I’ve got you, and I’m not going to let you go.”
Scarlett relaxed against him and didn’t push him away. She fell asleep in his arms, and the wolf within him loved the feel of her against him.
I’ve got you, Scarlett, and I’m never letting go.
****
Marshall stayed with her throughout the afternoon into the night. He left at night as she heard her parents say goodbye to him. Scarlett missed his warmth around her. Her lips still tingled from the kiss they shared. Running her fingers across her lips, she wondered what it would be like to actually be his girlfriend.
Mate.
Something tingled inside her, and she rubbed at her temple. Climbing out of bed, she made her way into the bathroom. Washing her face, she stared at her reflection, wondering what he actually saw inside her. There was nothing pretty about her.
Don’t do that.
She didn’t want to feel sorry for herself, but thinking about Cheryl, she did wonder why Marshall wanted her. He’d been with Cheryl as she heard the other girl talking about her time.
Pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind, she entered her bedroom and froze. Outside of her bedroom window Marshall stood.
It was freezing outside.
Opening her window, she stared at him. “What are you doing?”
“Your parents didn’t say I couldn’t come back.” He climbed into the window, being careful to take it easy.
“They’ll see you,” Scarlett said, scared in case he got found out.
“Don’t worry. I’ll know when they’re coming.” He cupped her cheek. “You should be in bed. You’re too ill.”
Shaking her head, she closed the window. Marshall dived under her bed as her bedroom door opened.
“Honey, what are you doing out of bed?” her mother asked.
“I, erm, I was a little warm so I opened the window for some fresh air.” She was babbling, but she saw Marshall under her bed. Would her mother find him?
“I’m so sorry we couldn’t be here.” Her mother entered her room.
Walking to her bed, Scarlett slid underneath aware of Marshall beneath her. She hoped he wasn’t thinking about how big she was.
“Marshall was here. He took care of me.”
“He’s such a sweet boy, and I think he’s got a soft spot for you.”
“Mom!” She tucked some hair behind her ear. The last thing she wanted was this conversation with Marshall listening in.
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Scarlett. He wants to be with you. I know you’ve never had a boyfriend, and you’re too young to be having sex—”
“Mom!” She snapped the word out hoping her mother would be quiet. Marshall was listening, and she didn’t want him hearing this kind of stuff.
“You’re going to be eighteen soon, and I was a young girl once. I had sex.”
“Mom, seriously, you do not need to have this conversation. I’m not having sex.”
“Well, when you do I want you to be careful. I don’t ever want to see you in my office, honey.”
“Mom, you’re a pediatrician. You wouldn’t see me but any kid I have.”
Her mother stroked her cheek. “You’re a beautiful girl, Scarlett.”
This couldn’t get any more mortifying.
“Can I go to sleep?” Scarlett asked, just wanting her mother to stop talking.
“Of course. I’ve got the message from the school. You’re not going back until next week.”
Nodding, Scarlett shuffled down underneath he covers.
Her mother finally left, and Marshall appeared out from under the bed, smiling. “Your mother likes me.”
“Please stop. I didn’t think she’d leave.”
Scarlett stopped talking as he pulled his shirt off.
“What are you doing?”
You should stop this. Going too fast.
“I’m going to hold you while you sleep. It will please me to do this.”
He removed his jeans, and suddenly he was on the bed beside her. She noticed he didn’t climb under the covers.
“Aren’t you cold?” She squeaked the words out, staring at him as he wrapped an arm around her. He moved her so that her ass was nestled in his lap. Spooning each other.
“No. I’m more than warm.”
She heard him inhale.
“Are you sniffing me?”
“No.”
Scarlett stayed silent as he kept holding her.
“You know this is completely weird and freaky.”
“What?”
“You, me, being here together. It’s strange.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to pressure you into having sex with me.”
She groaned. “Oh, no. You heard everything.”
“I heard everything, but don’t worry. Your mother is only worried about you.”
“She’s embarrassing.”
“It’s her right to be.” He chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m going to take care of you.”
He kissed her cheek once again. She was growing to like his kisses.
“Rest, Scarlett.”
She fell asleep with his arms wrapped around her. Scarlett loved the heat of his arms.
For the rest of the week Marshall woke up beside her and disappeared out of her window only to come back after school. Her parents saw him out of the door, and he’d return an hour later with a bag. She stored the bag in her closet.
Scarlett started to enjoy the feel of him at her back, of his body pressed against her own as they slept. On Saturday morning she woke up before he did. She no longer felt ill and stared into his sleeping face. They’d gone from being enemies to friends. He slept beside her, and she didn’t know how she was going to handle it when he stopped sleeping beside her.
He opened his eyes and smiled at her. “Morning, beautiful.”
Her heart leapt inside her chest. “Morning.”
“Your parents are gone. They left early but stopped by to check on you.”
“How do you know when they’re close?”
She noticed when he dived toward the bed seconds before her bedroom door opened.
“I’ve got a keen sense for parents protecting their young.”
Scarlett giggled. “You’re strange.”
“And you belong to someone strange.”
“I guess that makes me strange.” She snuggled underneath the blanket to mask her morning breath.
“How are you feeling?”
“I feel much better.”
“How about you spend the day with me? Would you like that?”
“You want me to spend the day with you?”
“Yes. I want to take you back home.”
“Okay.”
He rolled off the bed, stretching out.
Scarlett’s cheeks heated when she saw the evidence of his need.
Turning away, she heard him chuckle. Glancing toward him, she saw him go toward her closet for his bag. When he was gone, she climbed out grabbing some clothes and heading toward the bathroom her parents used.
She washed, changed, and found Marshall already in the kitchen making her some toast. He’d made himself at home, and she really didn’t mind.
“What are you thinking?”
“Nothing much,” she said.
“Come on, you can talk to me.”
“Just about how weird this all is. I mean, you used to bully me, and now you’re making me breakfast.” She stopped talking as he put the plate down in front of her.
“You’re going to need to get used to it, baby. I’m not going to stop being there for you.”
“You say the strangest things.” She bit her lip as she picked up a slice of toast. He took a seat beside her, placing a hand on her thigh. Scarlett had started to notice he always found a reason to touch or hold her.
They ate in silence. She took several slices for herself, grateful her stomach no longer turned over at the taste of food. When they were finished, she helped him to clean away the dishes before they headed out.
Jack was waiting for them.
“You’re looking a lot better,” Jack said.
“Thank you, I think.” She climbed into the back of the car as Marshall sat beside his friend.
“We heading back home?” Jack asked, talking to Marshall
“Yeah.”
Jack turned the car around heading toward Marshall’s home.
“How was school?” Scarlett asked.
“Boring as shit. This one here kept staring at the clock. I’m sure it dragged by just because you weren’t there. Fucking annoyed me.”
Marshall reached behind him, taking her hand. He squeezed her hand, locking their fingers together. “I missed my girl.”
“Your girl?”
“Yes, we’re exclusive now,” Marshall said.
“Score. You’re Marshall’s girl now.” Jack looked back at her in the rearview window. She didn’t know what to make of Jack’s words. Was this a joke? Was Marshall jerking her chain?
Scarlett rubbed her temple as doubt washed over her.
Marshall squeezed her hand, and she watched him shoot a glare at Jack. Something happened between them, and Jack bowed his head.
She tried to pull her hand out of Marshall’s grip, but he wouldn’t let her.
“What’s going on?” Scarlett asked.
“Nothing. You’ve got to realize we’re not joking around. This isn’t some prank for me. This is real.”
“Okay.” What else could she say?
Marshall cursed but still wouldn’t let go of her hand. She didn’t bother to fight him. The rest of the journey went by silently as they made their way toward Marshall’s house.
Climbing out of the car, he finally released her hand, and she was happy to be able to focus on something else beside the doubts that assailed her.
“See you soon,” Marshall said, slamming the door closed. Jack drove away, and Scarlett rubbed her hands together to try to warm herself up.
He closed the distance between them, taking her into his arms, and holding her close. “You don’t believe me.”
“I don’t know what to believe.” She was honest in her response.
He cupped her cheeks, pressing a kiss to her lips. “I’m going to prove to you that we’re meant for each other.” He rubbed her arms, kissing her again. “Come on, let’s get you warmed up.
Marshall took her into his home. His parents were not there, and he led her all the way up to his room. She didn’t know what to make of the change inside him. Scarlett wanted to believe him more than anything, but the past with him made her doubt his sincerity.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“I want to take you for a walk into the forest, but I’m so not doing that while you’re dressed like you are.”
He entered his wardrobe and grabbed out a jumper along with a pair of sweat pants. “I want you to put these on top of your clothes. I don’t want you to be cold at all.”
“I can’t wear your clothes.” She looked down at the large garments wondering if they would even fit her much larger frame.
“This is about fun. I swear this is nothing but honesty.”
Nodding, she reached out to grab the sweats. She was going to trust him.
Mate.
The word was getting harder to ignore, and she didn’t have the first clue why.