Innocence by Lee Savino Page A

you. When I look at my life without…” he trailed away. He paused for a moment with a bent head.
    “You redeem me.” He said finally. “Your innocence. I didn’t know I needed it until I met you. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost it.” 
    Cora looked into his dark eyes, searching them. She found nothing but sincerity.
    Emboldened by her gaze, Marcus took her hands. “I’m telling you sorry for pushing. I just wanted to get started. Life with you, babe, it’s just gonna be so good.”
    “Marcus, I—” the words caught in her throat. “I forgive you.”
    Raising her hands to his lips, Marcus kissed them. His eyes were fixed on hers; she couldn’t hold the gaze any longer. His moves were too good; she couldn’t win. When he opened his arms, she leaned into him. Exhausted, she again closed her eyes, pretended she was home.
    *
    Held in the light of the fire, Cora dozed as Marcus stroked her arm, his lips at her temple. Second by second, she would fade into sleep, only to wake and see him watching her.
    “Hi,” she murmured lazily, smiling.
    “Hey, kid,” he lowered his lips to hers.
    She was still smiling when he pulled away, but he looked more serious. “How have you been sleeping?”
    “Okay,” she said. It had been a week since the long day of walking. “I’ll sleep well tonight,” she added, so his frown would not deepen.
    “I bet you will,” another kiss. “But I want you to be happy.”
    “I am happy,” she said. “It’s just…” she couldn’t find the words, and sighed. She watched the firelight for a moment, trying to think what might possibly be wrong with her life. Over the course of a week, so much had changed. She hadn’t said yes to the proposal, but Marcus had been sweeter than ever. Of the suits who usually watched over her, there had been no sign. I can play this game. That afternoon, he had picked her up from her apartment, driven her himself to a spa in the hills. Dinner was waiting in front of the fireplace, and, after the final course of strawberries and champagne, Marcus drew her into his arms on the thick hearth rug.
    “I just don’t know,” Cora finished, embarrassed at her non-answer. She started to pull away from Marcus to get up, but he said, “No, no, don’t go,” and held her more tightly. She let him, content to be trapped against his chest.
    “I think I know what it is,” he murmured. “You’re bored.”
    “Oh really,” Cora snorted.
    “No, no, hear me out,” she could hear Marcus’ smile, “You came to the big city for stimulation…opportunity, parties, work and all that. A little country girl dazzled by the lights.”
    The kick in Cora’s stomach was a laugh. Marcus’ hand went to her stomach; he stroked it and she almost stopped breathing.
    “You found me,” he purred, “but, when I’m not around...”
    Struggling to keep her thoughts, Cora teased. “I might as well just shrivel up and die.”
    “Took the words right out of my mouth, kid.” A few more minutes went by with him tracing unreadable words out on her skin. Cora closed her eyes and drifted away on pleasure. Hours may have passed before she heard him murmur something more.
    “Hmmm?” She lifted her head.
    “I said, what if I got you a car?”
    “Marcus, you can’t buy me a car.”
    “Can’t I?” he growled, and suddenly Cora found herself rolled onto her back. Marcus was suspended over her, holding his weight on his arms so their bodies were not quite touching. She came awake immediately, wide-eyed under him. They still hadn’t gone all the way, although they kissed often now. She was ready for him; but Marcus clung to some old fashioned code, and wouldn’t initiate things. She thought he was waiting for marriage, although she hoped they could become intimate soon.
    She looked up at him now, feeling breathless. Excitement rushed through her and made her ready. But he only lowered himself close enough to whisper, “I can do anything I want. I can give you the