"Morning, Sir." The title slips out naturally now, automatic, like I've been calling him that for years instead of weeks.
"Just Marshall this morning. Come eat with me." He plates perfectly crispy bacon and fluffy scrambled eggs, slides it acrossthe counter along with coffee made exactly how I like it - two sugars, splash of cream.
We eat breakfast together in comfortable silence, and I realize this is the first time in my entire life I've felt this settled, this at peace with another person. Dylan used to critique everything I ate. Marshall just makes sure I eat, period.
After breakfast, Marshall corners me against the counter, his hands on either side of my hips, caging me in. "Shower time."
"Together?" My voice comes out breathy and hopeful.
"Problem with that? Are you sore? Do you need me to be gentle?"
"No, Sir. No problems at all." The title slips out again, automatic and natural.
In the shower, he washes my hair first with surprising gentleness for someone with such large, calloused hands. Takes his time, massages my scalp, makes me feel cherished and cared for. Then he presses me against the tile wall, water cascading over both of us, steam filling the air.
"Need you," he growls against my neck, his voice rough with renewed desire. "Can't get enough of you, baby girl."
"Please. Want you again too, Sir."
He lifts me easily and slides into me. I still can't get over how strong he is, how he makes me feel weightless and delicate. The angle is absolutely perfect, hitting spots deep inside.
"Quiet now, baby girl. Don't want to scandalize my neighbors with how loud you get."
"Then don't fuck me so good," I gasp out, already struggling to keep quiet.
He laughs, the sound dark and pleased and possessive. "Mouthy this morning. I'll have to fix that attitude later. Might need some corner time to think about your behavior."
He fucks me slow and deep, water cascading over both of us, praising me the whole time in that rough voice that makes myknees weak. "So perfect, taking me so well, my absolutely perfect good girl."
I come with his hand clamped firmly over my mouth to muffle my scream, my whole body shaking and convulsing around him. He follows moments later, groaning my name while emptying himself inside me.
After, he dries me off with careful, gentle attention, then helps me dress in a sundress that manages to be both sweet and sexy at the same time, innocent but with an edge.
"We're going to the cafe together," he announces, like it's already decided and not up for discussion.
"Together? In public where everyone will see us?" My heart starts racing for entirely different reasons now, anxiety creeping in.
"Problem with that? Are you ashamed of being with me?"
"No! God, no. But people will know. They'll figure out what we are, what our dynamic is."
"Good. I want everyone to know you're mine. Want it completely clear that you're taken and protected and off-limits to everyone else." He cups my face in both hands, forces me to look directly at him. "I'm not hiding you, Charlie. Not now, not ever. You're mine and I'm proud of that."
At Pinewood Cafe, we run into John and Bunny almost immediately, because of course we do. Small town, Friday morning, everyone getting their caffeine fix. She takes one look at me and squeals loud enough to turn every head in the place.
"Oh my god! You have the look! The 'I got thoroughly railed by a mountain daddy' glow!" She's practically bouncing with excitement. "I knew it! I called it weeks ago!"
I bury my face in Marshall's shoulder, mortified beyond all words. He just chuckles, clearly proud of himself and not embarrassed in the slightest by her announcement to the entire cafe.
"Bunny, leave her alone and let the poor girl breathe," John orders, but he's smiling too, amused by the whole situation. "Marshall, poker's moved to Thursday night this week."
"Can't make it this week. Charlie has a library event that night that I'm attending with her."
"Whipped already? That was fast, even for you." John's grinning openly now.
"Says the man currently wearing a pink tie with tiny hearts on it because his girlfriend asked him to."
John glances down at his tie - definitely pink with little hearts embroidered on it. "Bunny picked it out this morning. Said it matches my eyes or some shit."
