No Turning Back (Man-Maid) Read Online Free PDF Page A

been…difficult.”
    He took hold of her chin, not letting her retreat. “Dreams about the baby again?”
    Marquetta nodded, and her gaze darted away. She didn’t want to talk about the baby she’d lost. It was too painful. It would be exactly two years tomorrow, but it felt as if it were yesterday. It was why she ate only when her stomach protested enough to actually get her attention. She was starting to sink into a depression again, but she could never tell Axel. He had enough to worry about without taking care of her too.
    “You need to let go of the past, sis. It’s time, don’t you think?”
    This was the last thing she needed right now, an inquisition. She was barely holding on by a thread as it was. “Believe it or not, I don’t need your help with this.” When he started to protest, she sat up straighter and bit out, “Not everything needs to be your concern. I’m fine. Really.”
    Axel narrowed his gaze as if debating the merits of arguing with her. It wouldn’t be the first time they’d gone a few rounds. After a beat of silence, he held out his arms and said, “Come here.”
    Marquetta tried to ignore him, but she simply didn’t have the energy. It seemed she’d used up her last bit of oomph. She leaned toward him and let his strength and security surround her. She shut her eyes against the tears threatening to spill over and whispered, “I’m sorry you’re always having to take care of me.”
    “That’s what big brothers are for,” he said as he patted her on the back. “How about I order Chinese?”
    She pulled back and smiled up at him. “Sounds good to me.”
    At once, Axel took out his cell phone and placed an order. When the food arrived, the smell of sweet and sour pork and egg drop soup had her stomach growling. “I must be feeling better, because this food has me practically drooling.”
    Never in her life had she tasted anything so heavenly. But she felt silly, like a dumb kid who couldn’t take care of herself and had to have big brother make it all better for her.
    Once she’d had her fill, she cleaned up the mess and came back into the room to find Axel staring at her with that familiar concern in his eyes. God, she hated that he worried so much about her and Gavin. He deserved to be free of the two of them so he could live in peace. She felt even worse knowing he’d probably cancelled a date to be here with her.
    “I’m glad you came over,” she said, “but it’s Saturday, and I’m sure you could’ve had a hot date or something if you weren’t always taking care of me. You shouldn’t put your life on hold like this.”
    He snorted. “Lately, all my hot dates are with Netflix.” Axel stared at her for a moment before saying, “We’re family, Marquetta, and I’ll always be here if you need me.”
    She got choked up at his endearing words. He would forever and always be the eldest, and he took those responsibilities seriously. Sometimes his protectiveness irked, even if he did mean well. Marquetta thought of her earlier sexy visitor and wondered if she should mention it to Axel, but thought better of it. If he knew, he’d be full of questions and probably end up setting up a security perimeter around her house, for crying out loud. No, Axel definitely didn’t need to know about Jensen.
    She grasped her brother’s hands in her own. “I always know you have my back, and I love you to pieces for it, but I can handle this. I’ll be okay.”
    “You’re breaking my heart,” he replied, his voice just a little too unsteady for Marquetta’s peace of mind.
    She shrugged. “Every girl gets her heart stepped on at least once.”
    His face hardened. “I’d still like to kick Sheldon’s ass for making you hurt this way.”
    She shook her head and got up, bringing him with her. “No, and that’s enough about it. I can handle my own demons.” When he only stared at her as if still unconvinced he wasn’t needed, Marquetta said, “Trust me to deal with this