Marcus: Bad Boys Love, #2

By Savina Joyce

Bad Boys Love Good Girls

 

Fresh off deployment, Marcus was back in Newport. He wasn't looking for anything serious, he just wanted to blow off some steam. He decided the best way to do that would be a game of ex-girlfriend roulette. He planned to shoot his shot at each one of his exes and bed anyone willing to take the bait. He wasn't counting on India. She was his high school sweetheart and still held a piece of his heart.

India had no time for reckless bad boys. She expected commitment and nothing less. After giving her heart to Marcus in high school, she swore she would never make the same mistake again. She only had room in her heart for the dogs that she rescued. Not a man who could deploy again at a moment's notice.

Can a rescue dog steer Marcus and India back into each other's arms? Read more in the second book in the Bad Boys Love Series by Savina Joyce. Each book features a different couple and can be read as a standalone with a happily ever after ending.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Savina Joyce
• Release date: May 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9798201281939

Book preview

Chapter One

India

India went through the door and braced herself. She knew the attack was coming. She heard the thundering footsteps and the panting. As soon as she heard the clink of the gate handle shut, she knew Gunner was coming. She bent her knees to stabilize herself. Gunner weighed at least eighty pounds and though India weighed more, that was a lot of weight to have flying at you. Gunner’s mouth was hanging open with his tongue dangling at a comical angle and he was headed straight for her.

Just as his front paws left the ground, Dosha, the most motherly dog at the shelter, bowled into him barking happily. The two of them rolled around and scuffled playfully for a moment or two, they seemed to have forgotten all about India. She laughed. The dogs were her favorite part of her job. Her laughter was enough to remind Gunner that she was there and the mutt bounded over happily licking her bare legs. India cringed. She should have known better than to wear shorts around him, lotion was Gunner’s favorite treat. Whenever she wore lotion, he would lick it right off of her legs. Any kind of lotion would do, but he really liked lotions with aromatic smells. It was off-putting, but he was such a good boy. She hoped he would find a forever family soon.

Even though India worked with animals every day, her own landlord wouldn’t allow her to have pets. Since she couldn’t afford to move yet, all of her love and affection went to the dogs at the Portside rescue. She poured every bit of her extra money into the shelter. Even though he had only been there for a few weeks, India made fast friends with Gunner. And that was just what he needed. He was just a puppy, so he had more energy than he knew what to do with.

He wasn’t the most focused puppy and Dosha used that to her advantage. She had a few years on Gunner so she knew just when he was distracted and she would sneak up on him and pounce. She looked like she might be a pitbull lab mix, but without a DNA test there was no telling what breed Dosha actually was. Her best friend and coworker Bree liked to call Dosha a Grade A boss, and that’s exactly what she was. She must have had a litter before they rescued her because she considered it her personal job to keep all the puppies in line. They only had one adoption day since Dosha had been there, and she made sure that each of the puppies was on their best behavior; no nipping, moderate jumping and all-around good behavior. It was too bad because Dosha had been so focused on monitoring the smaller pups that she hadn’t met a family of her own. Not all the puppies were adopted, but it was wonderful to see all of Dosha’s hard work pay off. Until she was adopted, Dosha helped keep India on her feet.

Just as India was about to pick up her phone to see where exactly Bree was, the gate to their yard swung open. Before she could even see what Bree was holding, India caught a whiff of fresh roasted coffee. Bree always seemed to know when India direly needed a coffee. Her stomach growled at the scent of it.

Was that you or the dogs? I heard that all the way over here.

Hilarious. I woke up and came straight here, I didn’t have time to stop. One of us has to be on time.

If you’re mean to me, I won’t tell you about that chocolate chip muffin I have stashed away in the office for you.

Bree, India squealed. You’re the best friend a girl could have. Why didn’t you tell me that the muffin was inside? I would have saved all the small talk.

Based on the way his ears perked up when you said the M word, our friend Gunner here knows exactly what muffins are. I didn’t want him getting any ideas, but I guess it’s too late now. Let the dogs play while we go have our breakfast because I have some news for you.

India raised an eyebrow, but didn’t ask any further questions. If there’s one thing she knew it was that Bree’s gossip was always current and juicy.

India patted Dosha’s head just in time as Gunnar came over again. He stormed right between them, begging for attention. India laughed and gave him a pat on the hindquarters before heading inside. She hurried in and grabbed a chair behind the desk. Folding her hands, she looked at her friend expectantly. Bree laughed..

Since you took my seat, I don’t know if I can remember all the details of my very exciting story.

"Lucky for you, I know that you’re not just a great friend, you’re also generous with your seating.

Bree mumbled while she munched on her muffin. You know what, have your chair. I wouldn’t want you to fall down when I tell you this news I have, anyway.

Oh boy, this must be good news.

Good isn’t the word I would use.

This sounds serious. India took a swig of her coffee and put the mug down on the table. She didn’t want to risk choking. Who knew how the story would unfold.

Well you remember Marcus, right?

India’s mouth went dry. She was glad that she put her coffee down. It was hard to forget the man who broke her heart. Bree knew just how she felt about Marcus and wouldn’t bring him up lightly. This definitely wasn’t the news she was looking for.

I can tell by that look on your face that you most certainly do remember him. You know that I normally wouldn’t bring him up but while I was out picking up coffee, I heard that he’s back in town. He finished deployment, and he’s thinking about moving back to the area. His dad was going on and on about how thrilled he was to have him back again.

India felt sick. The only thing that made their breakup bearable was that she never had to see him again. It was bad enough. The whispers of people in town and dealing with the sad looks from his father whenever they came in contact with each other. Marcus’s father was one of the sweetest men India knew. Years ago she hoped he would even be her father-in-law someday, but Marcus made sure that day would ever come. And now he was back.

Bree reached over and grabbed her hand I’m sorry to be the one to break the bad news, but I thought it would be better if you heard it from me than if you bumped into him on the street or something. India squeezed her hand in return.

"I appreciate you telling me. You think