Marcus tightened his arm around her at his side and pulledher over his chest.
Then he clamped his other arm around her.
“I’mthinkin’ this is a serioustalk, you need me fixed to your chest,” she kept mumbling, her eyes aimed athis chin.
“This is serious, darling, so please look at me while youlisten to me.”
She looked into his eyes.
She was holding her body stiffly and Marcus wanted to shakeher.
She was preparing for the worst.
This shouldn’t be a surprise, not with the life she’d led.
However, Daisy lost it with him taking his time completingthem.The operative part of that wastaking his time.
She was far from dumb.
And he’d taken his time and taught her better.
Holding his patience, he stated, “I handle you with care.”
She stared at him.
“Have I ever not done that?”he asked.
“No,” she said slowly.
“So you know that.”
“Yes.”
“So why are you tensed and looking freaked out?”
“Uh…I don’t know, because you’re freaking me out.”
“How am I doing that?”
“You’rebein’ real serious and wejust had a fun time, sugar.After fun times don’t come serious times.After funtimes there’s cuddling and whispers which lead to kissing and groping and thenmore fun times.Unless you’re sleepy, then they lead to sleepy times.Theydon’t lead to serious times.”
A variety of things with Daisy would be a lot easier if shewasn’t so goddamned cute.
“You don’t use your last name,” he announced.
She stared at him again.
“Smithie’s got it on your employment records but you don’tuse it.Ever.None of the girls know it.None of the bouncers.Waitresses.Nobody.”
“Well, I’m Daisy like Cher’s Cher and Charo is Charo.ButI’m more like Charo.She has better hair…and cleavage.”
Yes, a variety of things would be easier if Daisy wasn’t sofucking cute.
“That’s not it,” he pushed.
Haltingly, she replied, “I…it’s not mine.It’s…well,his.And he hasn’t been a part of me in, uh…maybe really in forever.”
“You’re right.It’s not yours.You’re Daisy.And the onlylast name you’ll ever really have is Sloan.”
