Free Bound and Determined by Anara Bella Page B

You understand, I’m sure.”
    The woman looked seriously put out, but took the hint and left.
    Marcus swiped his hands over his face. “Good God, I thought she’d never leave.”
    Asia laughed. “You and me both.”
    “I need to stretch my legs. Why don’t I get lunch for the three of us?”
    “Great idea.”
    They both told him what they wanted and he took off over to Lettie’s.
    The second he left, Thea pounced. “Don’t keep me in suspense, what the hell’s going on?”
    “I took your suggestion to heart.”
    Thea’s eyes went wide. “You slept with him?”
    Asia nodded emphatically. “The earth moved, the angels wept and my dry streak is officially over.”
    Thea squealed like a little girl. “Wow, wow, wow. This is awesome news. And, may I say, about damned time.”
    Asia laughed, enjoying her best friend’s exuberance on her behalf. “Yes, you may.”
    “So how did it happen? Last time we talked you were still dead set against the idea.”
    As much as she’d wanted to tell Thea what happened, she was loath to give too many details. It felt way too private somehow. “Well, I went to his place, sparks flew. He kissed me and one thing led to another.”
    Thea’s face fell. “Please tell me that’s the condensed version. Otherwise I’ll be grossly disappointed in the man.”
    “Let me put it this way. We initiated more than one room in his house.”
    Despite her resolve to be straightforward about what had happened, Asia felt her face flame.
    Thea burst out laughing. “Way to go, Marcus.”
    “Yeah. And he definitely knows how to go the distance.”
    “Yeah, but did he take you the distance?”
    “Let’s just say I lost count of how many times I hit the big O.”
    Thea nodded sagely. “Ah yes. A man of many talents. A great writer and a rock star in the bedroom. How are you dealing with all of this? I take it you’re going to see him again.”
    Asia shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, I guess so. This all happened so fast I haven’t had time to process it, but so far it just feels right. I’m having fun and I figure as long as I keep my heart out of it, I can have a good time without getting hurt.”
    “As long as you remember that he’s not the settling-down type you should be fine.”
    “Don’t worry. I won’t forget. That’s one of the perks of being with Marcus since I’m not ready to settle down anytime soon anyway. I might never be.”
    Thea studied her closely and then nodded. “Okay then. So how did he end up here today?”
    Asia shrugged. “He knew I’d be nervous in the shop by myself and he offered to come in and keep me company. Actually, he kind of insisted, but I didn’t put up much of a fight.”
    “That’s why I came by. I was worried about you with Astrid not around.”
    Asia hugged her friend hard. “You’re the best.”
    Thea preened. “Of course, I am.”
    They both laughed.
    Marcus pushed through the front door, his arms full of bags. “Lunch has arrived.”
    Once they’d eaten, Thea left and Marcus went back to his laptop. No customers were in the store, so Asia pulled out a book from under the counter, hoping Marcus didn’t see what it was.
    He glanced over. “What are you reading?”
    She so didn’t want to tell him. “Oh, nothing you’d be interested in.”
    “How do you know?”
    He had a point. “Well, I think it’s safe to say you don’t read romances.”
    He grinned. “Okay, you’ve got me there.”
    Asia blushed. “I figured as much.”
    “Don’t be embarrassed. There was a time when I did read them.”
    Her gaze shot to his, trying to discern if he was teasing her. “You did not.”
    He nodded. “I did. You forget I grew up in a house full of women. They all read romances. They still do.”
    “That may be, but I can’t imagine you reading one.”
    He chuckled unselfconsciously. “Let’s just say I was motivated. Especially when I found out they had sex scenes in them.”
    Picturing it clearly, Asia burst out laughing.