Chapter 3: Daddy's Mark

Lila woke up slowly, sunlight pouring across the huge bed like it owned the place. Her body ached in the best way possible. Every muscle reminded her of last night, the way Marcus had pinned her down, the way he had moved inside her until she could not think straight. She shifted under the sheets and felt the warm stickiness between her thighs. He had come inside her again. No condom. The thought sent a hot little thrill straight to her core.

She lay there for a minute, listening to the shower running in the bathroom. Water hit the tiles in a steady rhythm. Her mind wandered back to everything. Tyler had never made her feel like this. Never left her sore and satisfied and still wanting more. Marcus had to be in his late forties. Silver threaded through his dark hair, tiny lines at the corners of his eyes. How did a man that age fuck like he was twenty five? The stamina, the strength, the way he knew exactly how to touch her. It made her thighs press together just thinking about it.

The bathroom door clicked open. Marcus stepped out completely naked, water still dripping down his broad chest and over the hard lines of his stomach. His cock hung heavy between his legs, already thickening as his eyes landed on her. No towel. No words. Just pure hunger.

He crossed the room in three long strides. His big hands grabbed her waist and pulled her up like she weighed nothing. His mouth crashed into hers, hot and demanding. She moaned against him, fingers digging into his wet shoulders. He backed her straight to the tall window. Cool glass met her bare back. The city stretched out far below, tiny cars and people moving like nothing mattered.

Marcus spread her legs with his knee. He rubbed the thick head of his cock through her slick folds, teasing her entrance. She was soaked already, aching for him. "Still dripping from last night," he murmured against her lips. "That's my good girl."

He thrust in deep with one powerful stroke. She gasped, back arching against the glass. He filled her completely, stretching her wide. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he started moving. Hard, steady thrusts that made her breasts bounce and her breath catch. Skin slapped against skin. The city lights blurred behind her. He hit that perfect spot inside her every single time.

"Come on, Lila," he growled low in her ear. "Let me feel you squeeze me. Show me how much you need this cock."

She shattered fast. Her walls clenched tight around him as pleasure crashed through her body. She cried out his name, nails raking down his back. Marcus groaned deep in his throat, slammed in one final time, and came hard. Hot pulses flooded her again, marking her deep. They stayed pressed together, breathing ragged, hearts pounding against each other.

He lowered her gently to the floor. His lips brushed her forehead, softer this time. "You okay, baby?"

She nodded, voice shaky. "Better than okay."

Marcus smiled, small but real. He pulled her close for a moment, just holding her. Then he stepped back. "I'm Marcus Hale, by the way. Guess we skipped the proper introductions last night."

Lila's brain stuttered for half a second. Hale. Tyler's last name flashed in her mind. Same surname. A weird little twist in her stomach. But she pushed the thought away fast. Names were common. Half the city probably shared it. No reason to overthink. She smiled instead. "Lila Monroe. Nice to finally know your name... after everything we did."

They both laughed quietly, the sound warm in the big suite. He kissed her again, slow and deep, like he had all the time in the world.

Later, she slipped into one of his soft robes. It swallowed her whole, the sleeves hanging past her hands. They sat at the small table by the window while room service brought up breakfast. Fresh coffee, warm pastries, cut fruit, eggs. The smell filled the room. Lila ate slowly, feeling strangely peaceful for the first time since she caught Tyler cheating.

Marcus watched her over his coffee cup. "You planning to go back to that apartment today?"

She shook her head hard. "No. I cannot walk in there. Not after seeing him with her. Not after smelling her perfume on my sheets. I just cannot."

He set his cup down. His dark eyes locked on hers. "Then don't. Stay here with me. This suite has more space than I know what to do with. Private elevator, security downstairs that answers only to me. No one gets in unless I say so. I'll take care of everything. New clothes, food, whatever you need for your work. No rent. No bills. No pressure if you want out later. But I want you here. In my bed. Every single night."

Lila's heart beat faster. The offer sounded crazy. She had spent years paying for Tyler's lazy life, scraping by while he did nothing. Now this man, this powerful stranger, was offering her safety and luxury like it was nothing. And the revenge part whispered loud in her head. Tyler would think she was hiding somewhere crying. Instead she would be living better than he ever gave her. Plus Marcus made her feel wanted. Desired. Powerful.

She met his eyes. "Okay. I'll stay."

Marcus's smile spread slow and satisfied across his face. "Good girl."

They finished breakfast in comfortable quiet. Lila finally picked up her phone from the table. It exploded with notifications. Tyler had blown it up. Dozens of texts begging, apologizing, getting angry.

Baby please come home

I fucked up so bad

I love you don't leave me

Where the hell are you? I'm outside the Meridian right now

She showed Marcus the screen. His jaw tightened but he stayed calm, hand resting on her thigh under the table. "He does not get to see you today. Let him wait."

Then a new message popped up. From her best friend Sarah.

Lila!! Tyler is going crazy. He says you're at the Meridian with some rich old guy. But listen, he mentioned his dad owns Hale Global Properties. They own this whole hotel chain!! Tyler's last name is Hale... girl be careful. You okay?!

Lila stared at the words until they blurred. Her pulse hammered in her ears. Hale Global Properties. Marcus Hale. The pieces clicked in her head like a slow puzzle.

She looked up at him slowly. Her voice came out barely above a whisper. "Your last name is Hale. Tyler's last name is Hale."

Marcus leaned across the table. He cupped her face with one big hand and kissed her deep, tongue sliding against hers like he was claiming every part of her. When he finally pulled back, his dark eyes sparkled with something dangerous and satisfied.

"Took you long enough, baby girl.”