I hope all the mommy’s had a wonderful Mother’s Day! I got to sit down and visit with Mark and Charlie for a bit. I forgot just how much fun these two are! I’ve missed my boys, and Mark is one of my favorites. Anyway, I couldn’t wait to share this with you guys. We all know what a smartass Mark Dixon is … he reminds if just in case you forgot! Enjoy!
Three days ago was Mother’s Day. Three. Did the asshole remember? Nope. He was too busy working on some project with Jackson. I haven’t said a word though, because revenge is a dish I would prefer to watch him choke on.
There are literally three days out of the year that a man is supposed to remember. My birthday, Mother’s Day, and our anniversary … that’s it. Yet the genius can’t manage that. Why is this so difficult? It’s even on the damn calendar! My iPhone sent me a reminder, however, he was too worried about their boys’ weekend in Vegas. Assholes. I bet Jackson didn’t forget to get Catherine something. And I damn sure know Liam would never forget.
I got the defective one of the bunch. Lucky me.
Mark took Cullen and Makenna to the park since I was being “bitchy”. I’ll show him bitchy.
Eight minutes later, they burst through the door.
“Mommy!” Makenna comes running. Her blonde hair is plastered to the side of her face. “We got wet!”
“I see that,” I glare at Mark. When they left the house they were dry. “Why are you all soaked?” I look at Cullen who is in Mark’s arms as he drips all over the hardwood floor.
“Daddy took us swimming!” Cullen claps his hands.
Mark laughs and rubs the back of his head. “It was the funniest thing.” I have a feeling I’m not going to find it funny. “Cullen decided he wanted to feed the birds. So he ran toward them, which caused them to run toward the lake.”
“Mark!”
“He followed after them. Which required me and Makenna to go in as well.”
I close my eyes and begin counting. It doesn’t help. “You’re the parent. You’re supposed to watch him. You know he’s a loose cannon!”
Everyone knows this. Cullen is a monster. A freaking adorable, smart, and devious creature sent to this earth to punish me.
“Yeah, but he’s fast,” Mark shrugs.
“You’re the Navy SEAL. Mr. I’m-such-a-badass-just-ask-me couldn’t outrun a six-year-old?” Unreal. This is what I married.
He puts a very soaked Cullen on the floor. Mark’s feet move forward as he stalks closer. I put my hands up, “I am fast.”
“Mark,” I warn. “I swear to God.”
He continues to close in. “I just want to hug my wife.”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t you love me?”
“Not right now,” I step backwards, trying to retreat. “Go get a towel.”
His smirk spreads into shit-eating grin. “I’m cold. Hold me.”
I hit the wall and he lunges. “Mark!” I scream as I dodge to the right, but his arms wrap around my waist, hoisting me against his cold, wet body. I wiggle and fight to get free. “I’m gonna kill you!” His strong grip keeps me in place as he nuzzles my back, soaking every inch of us that is connected.
“You can try,” his deep laugh echoes in the room. The kids both laugh as they drench my once clean floors. “Get Mommy!” He yells he brings me to the ground.
They jump on top of me, ensuring no part of me is unscathed. The laugh that escapes me fills the room. The kids, and my very large man-child find this entertaining. I squirm and giggle as Mark sits on my legs, and they bounce on my back.
“Okay,” he finally says. “That’s enough.” He pulls them both up into his arms.
Makenna dangles upside down, so I grab her. “Let’s get them cleaned up.”
I grumble under my breath about husbands as I get her in the bath. “When you get older, pick a doctor or a lawyer,” I tell her. “Men like your daddy will only make you lose your mind.” She doesn’t get what I’m saying, but I feel better giving her some advice. “And they’ll forget special days like Mother’s Day. It’s okay though. Mommy is going to get a few presents with Daddy’s American Express card. Which will make it all better. Can you say Louis Vuitton?” I kiss her nose.
Once we’re all cleaned up, I head down to see the mess. Mark is on his hands and knees cleaning it up. “Sorry, baby.”
“For what?” I ask as I crouch down to help.
Maybe he finally remembered …
“Making a mess.”
Or not.
“What else is new?” I know it’s just one day and I’m being really petulant. But being a mom was never something I had anticipated. It’s nice to be appreciated once a year. I don’t need gifts or fancy dinners. I only wanted a card.
“Are you on your rag?”
I stop moving and scowl at him. “Are you serious?”
“It would explain the mood,” he shakes his head.
There are a few times that my training comes in handy, this is one. The fact that I don’t beat the ever loving shit out of him is a testament of my patience. I do, however, take the towel and throw it in his face. I stand with my finger pointing in his face. “It’ll be a long time before you’ll see my vagina again. Maybe never. This cycle is going to last forever.”
“Charlie,” he whines. “I was kidding.”
“Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. You’ll figure it out soon enough.”
A few hours later of me ignoring him and dealing with the kids, I head into my office. While it’s not outfitted with as many gadgets as I once had, it’s enough to keep me happy. I’ve been consulting with another agency, and Mandi has been trying to convince me to return to the agency on a case-by-case basis. I’ll think about it, but then I see the photo of my two babies smiling at me. The idea of not being here to watch them grow is enough to keep me here.
There are many women who do it, and I never figured I’d be one of the few who can’t. But I am.
“Mommy,” Makenna knocks on the door.
“Yes, baby,” I turn and see her with her hand behind her back.
“Daddy said he loves you,” she shifts forward and hands me something before running off.
I look at the item in my hand. A flowered out tampon.
Dead.
He’s going to die. My children will have to endure the loss of their father because he’s going to meet God. Since he’s a minister … he should be comfortable with this.
I stand, but before I get far, Cullen runs in. “Here!” He throws four of them at me, then exits.
Makenna returns with a huge smile and chocolate on her face. “They’re flowers, Mommy!” She hands me another five tampon flowers.
“Mark Dixon!” I scream, feeling the heat spread across my face.
Cullen peeks his head over again, hides, then puts his hand out with tampons literally looking like a bouquet.
I walk over, take them from my innocent son, and march out the door. He better be hiding.
This is one of those times where I’m not sure to laugh or kick him in the balls. Who the hell makes their kids bring you a bouquet of Tampax? My husband. That’s who.
I turn the corner to find him standing in front of the table with a mischievous grin. “You’re fucking hilarious.”
“I think I am,” he winks.
“I assure you, you’re not.”
He steps closer, “I figured you needed them.”
“You need to step back before you find yourself missing a piece of anatomy I happen to like,” my voice is low and full of promise.
“I didn’t forget, baby.”
Mark’s eyes lock on mine as his words seep through. What alternate universe is he living in? Of course he forgot. Mother’s Day was three days ago and not even a card. Hell, he didn’t even acknowledge it. “You really are old.”
“Not funny,” he deadpans. “I didn’t forget. I just didn’t have your gift. I wanted the day to be special.”
“Special equals tampon flowers?”
His body presses against mine as he hooks his arms around me. “No, my love.” Mark’s lips touch my nose. “Go look outside.”
I don’t know what he’s up to. He releases me and then swats my butt. Jerk. I open the front door and see the car I’ve been eyeing for months. I couldn’t justify spending the money when my car was perfectly fine, but he knows me.
“Happy Mother’s Day my giant pain in the ass wife,” he says as he leans against the wall.
He really outdid himself. I smile and leap into his arms. He falls back a little, but holds me up. “I love you.”
“I’m pretty lovable.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “I think I’ll keep you.”
His lips touch mine as he presses me against the wall. He kisses me with so much passion I could burst. That’s the one thing we’ve never lacked, and I’m grateful that two kids later it hasn’t ebbed. Mark is sexy even when he’s not trying. I love him more than I can express and he loves me more than I deserve.
He gets my crazy.
I get his arrogance.
But it works for us.
One thing I know for certain. There’s no one else I want to spend the rest of my life with. Even if he drives me insane.
Mark breaks the kiss and I realize we have an audience.
Cullen and Makenna stand there with mixed emotions splayed across their face. His is a look of horror and hers is curious.
“And that is how you do CPR,” he says with a nod.
I burst out laughing. “I’m sure we’ll practice again tonight.”
He wiggles his brows. “I think you need to practice some blowing a balloon.”
This is us. Sexual innuendoes in front of our kids.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
If you enjoyed Defenseless, be sure to check out Quinn and Ashton in Indefinite which is AVAILABLE NOW in Kindle Unlimited!
Penny Leidecker says
Thank you so much for sharing this with us! I absolutely LOVE it! FREAKING amazing!
Lilian says
I think that you are marvellous with all your knowledge that you can create. Than you it makes marvellous reading.
Sue Dayoub says
Thank you for this, so so funny!
Lora says
Mark is still my favorite….maybe it’s cuz I read his book first, but he is just so great! Loved this snippet!!! Thanks for sharing it!
Kristine says
LOL! Love this and thank you for continuously giving us glimpses behind those magical three men! My favorite line…I got the defective one of the bunch. Lucky me.
Shannon Boltin says
Very funny… LOVE these two and their banter ❤️❤️
THANX CORINNE
pam toney says
Oh my I love it
Lee Lowerre says
You outdid yourself I’m still smirking ad saying f in hilarious. Love the flowers!
Stacy Shattuck says
LOVE THIS!!! ????
Christina Veach says
Omg thank you so much I have missed them not to be selfish but MORE MORE PLEASE ❤❤❤❤
Nikenya Rodney says
I just love it. Absolutely hilarious!
Cathy Campbell says
Loved it!!
Renee Jamison-Hardman says
This was a wonderful treat. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Nancy says
Thank you – this was funny, sexy, sassy and sweet. I loved it – but I’m now depressed missing these guys. PLEASE WRITE MORE!!!!!!!!!!!
Diana says
That was completely hilarious and awesome! Made my day so much better! Thank you.
Joy says
Exactly what I needed today…a great does of Twilight ad Charlie. Loved this, thank you!!
Mary Goodman says
I love this scene , it’s filled with a lot of love and lsughter
Trish Sutherland says
This has made me start my day with a smile. Nothing like some loving banter.
Thanks Corinne.
Jackie says
Is was awesome and funny. I love them two.
Tonja says
Love it! I miss them, I may have to reread the series.
Beck says
Loved it!!!
Sue Maturo says
I missed Mark and Charlie so much. Thanks for this! Xoxo
Donna Wolz says
I absolutely love this!!
Angela Johnson says
Thank you so much for sharing this! I totally loved it! Way cool! <3
Kathleen Bylsma says
What is the title???? I must read this!
Corinne says
This is Mark from Defenseless.
Kathy Jo says
If Mark’s the defective one in the bunch, I’ll take one just like him. 🙂
Elizabeth Ann Swain says
Omg! Flower tampons only from your crazy wonderful mind!!!
Bhawana says
That was awesome, crazy love….hmm dreamy 🙂
Laura Martinez says
Loved it! Hilarious and swoony! That’s the perfect definition for Mark & Charlie ????
Laura Redeker says
You rock. I could not survive without you writing little updates to all your books. I crave these!!!
Amie Moore says
And this Corinne Michaels is why I LOVE YOUR FACE…. Thank you for giving just another taste of our delicious NAVY SEALS!!
Veronica says
Thank you so much for the small glimpses into their lives. I didn’t realize how much I missed your characters until you shared a bit of their on going life beyond the epilogue. It truly makes me as a reader feel special when an author gives us a little bit more of characters we love. Much love Corinne!
Christine says
Thank you for this. This couple is so much fun! The banter between them is hilarious as always!
Debbie Rice says
Too perfect and hilarious!! Loved it
Karie says
Lol!! I freaking loved it!! It actually made me lol !! I can’t get enough of your men. Please keep them coming…
Lynn says
That was so awesome!!!!
Sharon Forbes says
I just happened to stumble across this tidbit in an e-mail, and OMG, SO freakin’ funny, I LOVE the sarcastic wit here! PLEASE tell me how I can get more of these, books, or e-books(for Nook please! ) I want to read MUCH more, thanks! 🙂
Corinne says
Hi Sharon,
All of my books are available on Nook or paperback. This is a glimpse into the couple in Defenseless, which is the 5th book in the series. Thanks for checking it out!
cheryL says
So Loved it..❤❤❤
thank you so much for this..????
S Hix says
Really funny! I loved all of you books! They have a bit of all: love, drama, mystery and wit. I hope there will be soon more,
Sherry Hobbs says
OMG I absolutely LOVED this! While I love the guys, Mark is definitely my favorite!
Phyllis BardfieldGelman says
OMG so funny, so Mark–loved it !
Jeanne says
Thank you Mark was my favorites.
Anna says
This was hilarious! Loved it, so Mark! This book was amazing! And you’re awesome!!!
Cathy says
Thank you for such a cute shorty! Loved the flowers! Something tells me you write from experience.
BTW my fav hero is Liam.
Norma says
I love the books I love mark he the best.