Chapter 11
The next morning, they were quiet while they drank their coffee, the confrontation from the day before still fresh in their minds. Marissa was nervous. The family had heard about her confrontation with Scott from Matt and were all planning to show up in force that morning. They walked to the soup kitchen in silence, then jumped right in to help prepare breakfast, Marissa putting Scott to work on the serving line so he could get a real idea of what it was like here in the slums of Houston.
Her family wandered in, each spending a few minutes checking him out before disappearing back out of the door. Putting him to work had been the best idea she’d had since this whole mess had blown up in her face. By the end of the breakfast shift, Scott had begun to look at the people they served differently.
When they finally managed to get a plate of food, he ate it hungrily, the pushed his plate away. His silence hung heavily between them until he finally said, “Okay, I guess I understand why you want to be down here. It’s a heck of a lot better than those stuffy fundraisers we go to back in Los Angeles.”
“At least here I can see where my money is going. And I know that there’s no middle man taking a share,” she said. “I bought the building so we don’t even have a landlord and I make a little money renting out the apartments upstairs.”
“Are all the places on that list like this one?” he asked, looking at her with new respect. What she’d created was pretty amazing.
“No, some of them are homeless shelters. There are schools and quite a few women’s shelters.”
“Are you sure I can’t convince you to let me come with you?” he asked again.
“I think it’s best if you don’t. You wouldn’t be able to go into the women’s shelters anyway. That takes a background check and very few men are allowed in even then,” she said, shaking her head.
“I guess I understand,” he said, then rose to his feet when Matt came over to the table to join them.
He wasn’t pleased with Scott at first, but by the time they left for the airport, Matt had warmed up to him enough that Marissa thought that someday they might be friends. They parted at the airport, Scott still scowling that she wouldn’t let him go with her.
“You need to get home and make sure my office is ready for me,” she reminded him. “I paid the bribe.”
He pulled her to him. “Hm, I’m not sure that was enough. The contractor might need a little more encouragement,” he said, nuzzling her neck.
“Well, he’s just going to have to wait until I get back,” she said, giggling when ran his hands up her rib cage.
“I’m going to hold you to that, Mrs. Terrell,” he said, kissing her.
“Was that a gentle reminder?” she asked, looking into his eyes.
“Just wanted you to remember what’s waiting for you at home. Be careful, Marissa,” he said, meeting her gaze, then lowered his mouth to hers.
They were interrupted by the boarding call for his flight. Scott reluctantly let go of Marissa and headed for home. She watched him walk through the door to the plane thinking how lucky she was to have him in her life, then turned and headed for her flight to Chicago and what she knew would be her last trip to the shelter there. Of all the places she visited, this was by far the most dangerous. Scott would never let her go there alone again. She’d miss the people she met there, but knew that it was the smart thing to do.
It was the middle of the night when she finally got home six days later. The trip had taken much longer than she’d expected, but she’d accomplished everything she’d wanted to. When she’d finished at the woman’s shelter earlier that night, all she’d wanted was to be home, the first time that had ever happened. So, she’d changed her flight to an earlier one, just making it in time, then driven straight home in a rental car.
After quietly letting herself in the house, she’d taken a shower careful not to wake Scott who was snoring adorably in the bed. Knowing that she’d never be able to get to sleep, she went down to the kitchen and made a cup of tea. She was standing at the kitchen sink looking out the big window at the stars when she saw Scott’s reflection in the window.
He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “What are you doing home already? I thought your flight didn’t come in until tomorrow,” he said, burying his face in her neck and filling his lungs with her scent.
“I wanted to get home. I missed you,” she said, the tremors in her legs beginning almost at once when Scott pulled her hair back and kissed her neck. When she’d gotten out of the shower, she’d put on her favorite silk robe and nothing else, the feel of Scott’s body heat seeped through the thin fabric making her shiver.
Scott rubbed her arms, thinking she was cold. “Why didn’t you come to bed? You’re cold.”
“I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to sleep,” she said, gesturing to the microwave. “I was making a cup of tea.”
“I think I can do a much better job than a cup of tea if you need help getting to sleep,” he whispered in her ear, sending more shivers down her spine.
“Mmmm, I thought about that, but you were sleeping so soundly I didn’t want to wake you up,” she said, leaning back against him.
“Sweetheart, don’t ever worry about waking me, I’d give up a whole night’s sleep for you,” he said, pulling the tie on her robe until it came undone.
He spread the robe open and cupped her breasts which were already throbbing, the tingle between her legs spreading warmly through her. She tried to turn in his arms, but he held her there, his thumbs rubbing against her nipples, making her knees go weak with pleasure. He was still nuzzling her neck, nipping at the tender flesh with his teeth. He moved up her neck until he captured her ear lobe with his teeth.
“Don’t move,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m going to take you right here.”
Marissa sucked in a breath, then sighed when he gently squeezed her nipples between his thumb and finger, her legs so weak she was forced to lean back against him. Scott’s mouth returned to her neck, his hands still on her breasts. She tried one more to turn in his arms, but he shook his head no and slid one hand down between her legs.
He slid a finger between her folds, finding her dripping with moisture and ready for him. Sliding his finger over her clit until she was panting with the need for release, he took each wrist in one of his hands and put them on the counter. She leaned forward, spreading her legs when he nudged them open with his knee, the cool air coming in contact with her heated flesh making her gasp.
But only seconds later, she felt Scott grab her hips and slide slowly inside her and she bent forward more to let him in further. He bent over her back, his muscular chest pressed against her back and said, “I’ve been thinking about making love to you in this kitchen since it was finished.” Then thrust into her several times, making her cry out with pleasure.
Scott set a steady rhythm, filling her with his throbbing length over and over again until she was close to orgasm, then he pulled out of her and spun her around. Wrapping her in his arms, he pushed her over to the kitchen counter and lifted her up, stepping between her legs and reaching down to find her clit with his finger. His mouth found a hard nipple and began to suck, making her arch her back and grab his head, the ripples of pleasure his mouth was causing turning into a torrent when he slid a finger inside her.
He pushed her down on the counter, releasing her nipple but quickly replacing it with his hand. With his finger still deep inside her, he used his tongue on her clit, the feel of him lapping at her most sensitive spot caused an immediate orgasm. It rocked through her, stealing her breath as Scott’s name escaped her lips. He continued to use his tongue and finger, bringing her over the brink again before he finally found her mouth with his, kissing her until the tremors ceased.
Scott pulled her off the counter and laid her down on the kitchen table, stepped between her legs and drove himself into her, holding on to her hips to keep her from sliding across the table. When she would have put her legs up on his shoulders, he pulled her legs open as wide as he could, then grabbed her hips again, driving himself into her with long powerful strokes.
With each powerful stroke, Marissa could feel a pressure building deep inside her, deeper than she’d ever felt before. Scott’s eyes were locked on hers, the love in his eyes, stirring her even further. “Touch yourself, sweetheart,” he said, licking his lips, his face a fierce mask of concentration.
Marissa reached down between them and rubbed her clit, Scott groaning when he felt her fingers brush against him. Her orgasm came sweeping through her, crashing like waves against a cliff as her fingers slid across her slippery clit. As soon as the last wave had passed, Scott pulled her off the table and sat down in one of the chairs, pulling her onto his lap.
She straddled him, sliding down his length until he was buried deep inside of her. Feet braced on the floor, his hands on her hips, she rode him. His throbbing penis rubbing against some primal spot deep inside her, her body began spinning in an entirely new web of pleasure much deeper and stronger than anything she’d ever felt.
The feeling of being out of control only intensified as Scott ground his hips into hers each time they came together. Marissa ground her hips into him, rotating her hips when she did, that tight little core of pleasure began to spread through her in undulating waves that only intensified when Scott clamped his mouth on one of her breasts.
Reaching between them, he used his thumb to rub her clit in circles, Marissa now completely unable to control her body as it slammed down on Scott’s over and over. When the dam finally burst, Marissa could do nothing more than hang on to Scott, her body no longer under her control. Her muscles clamped tightly around Scott making him call out her name, then he too let the pleasure take him.
Thrusting into her as she trembled and shook, he let himself go, his orgasm so powerful he left marks on Marissa’s skin where he gripped her hips. She collapsed on top of him completely spent, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Scott used the last of his strength to carry them back to the family room where he laid her down on the couch then joined her, pulling a blanket over them both. They fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms, Marissa happy to be home, Scott happy that she’d come home to him.
Birds singing outside the window woke Marissa the next morning. Before she even opened her eyes, she smiled, loving the feel of Scott wrapped around her. But then she realized where they were and sat up. It wouldn’t be long before the crew showed up and the last place she wanted to be was naked on the couch.
“Scott, we have to get up. The crew will be here soon,” she said, nudging him.
“Hm, I gave them the day off,” he mumbled. “Go back to sleep.”
Marissa settled back down on the couch, letting Scott wrap his arms around her again, but she couldn’t get back to sleep. After she wiggled around trying to get comfortable for the fourth time, Scott sighed and said, “You’re not going to go back to sleep, are you?”
“No, probably not,” she admitted. “But you can sleep, I’m going to go make some coffee.”
Scott groaned but got up with her, only coming awake when she set a big breakfast in front of him. After he’d finished his breakfast and a second cup of coffee, he smiled and said, “I knew there was a reason I missed you.”
“Oh, yeah. You could easily hire someone to cook for you,” she said. “And they wouldn’t even make you do the dishes like I’m going to.”
“Well, that might be true, but I don’t think the cook would look like you,” he said, getting to his feet and coming over to where she was standing at the sink. “And I couldn’t do this to a cook.”
He threw her over his shoulder and carried her to the family room and dropped her on the couch. Marissa screamed but then laughed when he began tickling her, that laughter fading to a moan of pleasure when Scott spread her legs and dipped his head between her legs. An hour later, they were cuddled on the couch wrapped in a blanket again.
“I’m glad you gave everyone the day off,” she said, pulling his arm tighter around her.
“It was that or take you off into the woods for the day. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to keep my hands off you,” he said, his hand cupping her breast.
“Your insatiable, Mr. Terrell. You should have warned me before I married you how much work you were going to be,” she said, remembering that Sabrina had used those exact words to her on their wedding night, then wondered if this had been what she meant.
“Would you still have married me, Mrs. Terrell?” he asked, liking the sound of his words more than he’d realized he would.
“Hm, let me think about that,” she said, pausing as if she was seriously considering her answer.
When she’d waited too long, Scott nuzzled her neck and slid his hand down between her legs. “Oh,” Marissa breathed, then said, “I definitely would have married you.”
As summer turned to fall, Scott and Marissa settled into life together. The issue of her visits around the country had been pushed to the back burner, neither wanting to have the confrontation that they knew was coming. Marissa spent most of her time promoting the fall and winter line for Marissa’s Fashions, the spring and summer line slowly falling into place in the background.
Scott had his hands full with the renovations. The house was old and problems seemed to creep up at every turn. It was much more difficult to take the old house into the future than he’d thought. They had a few stressful days when a forest fire broke out in the mountains of Montana where his father was staying with Marc and Michael, but they breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that everyone had made it safely out.
Marissa always hosted a fashion show for the release of a new line. In the morning and afternoon, the more moderately priced clothing would be shown followed by the formal line that night. Marissa had rented a suite at the hotel where the show would be held for the week leading up to the premiere but had only managed to convince Scott to come for the last day. She couldn’t blame him, he would have been left on his own for most of the time anyway.
When he arrived the night before the big day, it was to find Marissa pacing the suite nervously. She greeted him by throwing her arms around him and burring her face in his chest. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so nervous, I’ve never been this nervous before.”
Without letting go of her, he walked them across the room and pulled her down onto the couch. “What’s making you so nervous? Is it something specific?”
“No, not really, although this year could be the year I either stay small or make it big, so I guess that could be part of it,” she said, taking a deep breath, Scott’s presence calming her.
“It’s also the first time we’re going to be seen in public as a married couple,” he said, tipping her chin up. “Are you worried about that?”
She thought about his words for a minute. “I guess maybe a little. I’ve heard that there are lot of rumors floating around, some of them sweet and romantic like we’d planned, but a few are rather nasty.”
“Exactly the reason I avoided all these people for so long. But, it will be fine. The line is going to be wildly popular and no one will even be able to question our relationship after tomorrow night,” he said, his voice full of reassurance.
“I hope you’re right. Sometimes I wish we didn’t have to do these premieres, but they’re part of the business and I don’t really have any choice,” she said, resting her head against his chest.
Scott would have been perfectly happy to skip the entire day, but he wanted to support Marissa, so he’d put up with the stares and gossip that would follow them all day. But it was time that society knew that they were united and would stay that way, and anyone who even tried to make what they had anything but what it was would have to deal with him.
“I don’t know about you, but I could use some Mexican food. What do you say?” he asked.
“That sounds like one of the best ideas I’ve heard in a long time,” she said, getting to her feet.
Scott got up and pulled her into his arms. “And then back here to test that big bed I saw in the bedroom,” he said, kissing her just to remind her what she had to look forward to.
Dinner took longer than they’d expected since there was great celebration when the owner discovered that they’d gotten married. By the time the owner had whipped up a special wedding meal, most of the neighborhood had heard about the news and the little restaurant was packed with well-wishers. It was impossible not to get caught up in the celebration and it was late by the time they got back to the hotel, both exhausted from hours of dancing and eating.
“I didn’t expect that when I suggested we go down there,” Scott said, “I thought it would be relaxing.”
Marissa climbed into the big bed next to him and cuddled up to him. “I should have known, but I’ve been so distracted I didn’t think,” she said, running her hands over her chest.
Scott thought about the woman he’d married and realized that she had an amazing ability to touch people, it was obvious any time he saw her with the people she cared about. “You’ve obviously made quite an impression on the people in that neighborhood.”
“That’s because instead of telling them what they needed to do to make their lives better, I listened to them and what they had to say. It’s a much more effective way of helping, I can’t possible know what it’s like to live their lives,” she explained. “So, I’ve been able to make a difference, one that will last even when the money is gone.”
“You’re making a sustainable difference,” he mused. “That’s a new approach.”
“The idea is to give the people the tools they need to maintain and grow the community. Schools play a big role in that, but it’s more than just that. Sometimes all it takes is just a little nudge to help people succeed, a small loan or a new job. They just need someone to take a risk on them.”
Scott sat up and ran his thumb down her cheek. “I’m a lucky man to have you in my life. As strange as it is, you’re the complete opposite of what I used to be. I spent so many years tearing down those same people and you’ve spent all these years building them back up. I’d like to be on your side from now on, it’s a much more pleasant side,” he said, kissing her with a sweet passion that she felt wash over her in gentle waves.