Mark Of The B*E*A*S*T*

by Rebecca Goings

  He glanced at her, with her head leaning against the window. Her breaths came in a slow, steady rhythm, but she wasn't sleeping. She was far too exhausted to do so. Hell, so was he.

  "Hungry?” he asked.

  "Yeah."

  A few moments of silence passed before he spoke again. “Wanna eat?"

  "No, but my body's going to hate me if I don't."

  "Let's get some fast food, then. We're a few hours outside of Jacksonville. Maybe we should stop. I don't know about you, but I gotta use the men's room."

  Robyn nodded. “All right."

  Her despondent tone reached inside his chest and grabbed hold of his heart. He could only imagine what everything must be like for her, being thrust into his world.

  "Do you...remember anything?” he asked, thinking about their interlude on his bed earlier.

  She glanced at him with an arched brow.

  "About us. Do you?"

  "Not much, why?"

  "Back in Miami, when we were..."

  "Yeah?” she asked when he stopped.

  "You said we'd move Heaven and Earth. You've said that to me once before."

  She gave him a look of shock. “I did?"

  "Uh huh. On the trip from Oregon to Texas, when we almost—"

  "—made love,” she finished.

  He cleared his throat and pulled off the interstate at the first sign of golden arches. “Right."

  "It...just seemed like the right thing to say."

  "Maybe you're remembering more than you think you are."

  Robyn shrugged and remained quiet while he pulled into the parking lot of the burger joint. He found a spot and shut off the car.

  "I don't want you to hope for something that might not happen.” Her words were unexpected. He'd already unhooked his seatbelt and opened his door to climb out. “Maybe what I said was a coincidence."

  He gave her a long, hard stare. Her scent was guarded. And scared.

  She blinked a few times, as if it was hard for her to hold his eye contact.

  "I know damn well who I made my mate, Robyn. It doesn't matter to me one way or the other if you remember. As long as we can make new memories.” Before she could say anything further, he leaned over and kissed her. Her fingers stroked his face before cupping his cheek.

  "Do you really want me, Mackenzie?"

  "How can you ask me that?” Her question caught him off guard. He tried to keep the indignation from his voice, but he wasn't too successful.

  "You came for the person you thought you'd find. But you found me. It mattered that I remembered Jet and not you. Are you so sure it doesn't matter if I don't remember the rest?"

  "It mattered to me about Jet because I was goddamn jealous, sweetheart, that's all. Sure, I want you to remember me, but I'm not going to be crushed if you don't. You already remember more than I could have ever dreamed.

  "Robyn,” he continued. “You're my mate. You're never getting away from me. Best you find your peace with that."

  He winked and she smiled at him. Damn, but she was gorgeous. His pants were suddenly constricting blood flow.

  "Dinner?” he asked, just to give himself a distraction.

  She nodded and stepped out of the car when he did.

  He had to make love to her before they reached Jacksonville. He'd be damned if he had to bear the others’ scrutiny any longer. She was his. And he was more than

  ready to prove it.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  TEN

  "Where are they?"

  "Heading north. I'm not too far behind them."

  "Are you sure?"

  The man driving the white Lexus growled into the cell. “Of course I'm sure, asshole. The signal is coming through loud and strong."

  "Watch your mouth, Dylan. Our arrangement can be nullified whenever I see fit. You really should take a different tone with me."

  Bastard Carver. That scientist had him over a barrel and he knew it.

  "Fine. Plan still the same when I catch them?"

  "I got buyers. Unless you want to take their place, you'll obtain them unharmed."

  Dylan couldn't help his eyes from flashing in the dark. “You got it,” he said, his voice harsh with venom. He snapped his phone shut and threw it on the seat next to him. What he wouldn't give to rip Lucian's flesh from his bones. Ever since Covington's death, Lucian had been calling the shots, taking the experiments from bad to worse.

  Dylan's own experiences had been so horrid, he'd been willing to do any damn thing to get out of B*E*A*S*T*'s clutches, even if that meant betraying his own. He knew good and well he was one of Carver's biggest assets. He didn't really believe he could win his freedom, but he had to try. He had to.

  He'd spent the past two months in the same cage with Robyn Groves. Carver wanted to know if they could copulate as owls. Obviously they couldn't. She'd never laid a single

  egg. They weren't real owls, so of course she never had!

  But that wasn't all they'd made him do. He'd been on the table more times than he'd care to count. His DNA was a friggin’ mess. They'd made him a common barn owl. Then, they crossed him with a crocodile. As if that wasn't enough, they threw in a silverback gorilla for good measure.

  Dylan couldn't help but chuckle at Lucian's own naivete. It was his beloved crossbreeds that had brought down the compound in Florida. They were too damn unstable, nearly immune to his safe word. But Carver didn't give a shit. It was business as usual. As long as they lined his pockets, they were a success.

  One more B*E*A*S*T* compound was intact somewhere out west. Dylan didn't know where it was but that wasn't his problem.

  If he returned Robyn and the jaguar with her, he'd gain his freedom—freedom from being a shifter. At least, that's what he'd been promised. The full removal of all B*E*A*S*T* DNA and a chance at life once again as a normal human being.

  Lucian better make good on his promise, Dylan thought. Or there'd be hell to pay.

  He pressed harder on the accelerater while the light of the GPS device blinked red. It wouldn't be long now.

  With full bellies, Mac and Robyn were back on the interstate. He'd been too much of a coward to suggest they make love before they reached Jacksonville. He knew she was aware of his tension. No doubt she thought he was still upset about his friends.

  But Robyn was tense as well. Perhaps he was being selfish. Perhaps he shouldn't force her hand. It would happen when it happened.

  He almost laughed at his own thoughts. Given their luck, it would never happen.

  At the first rest stop, he pulled off the road once more.

  "Is everything okay?” Her voice sounded strained.

  He didn't answer until he parked far from prying eyes. Darkness enfolded them. Not even the lights of the rest stop lit up the car.

  "Robyn,” he said, finally turning to her. “I don't know

  if this is the right time or the right way, but...I've never been good at this."

  She looked at him expectantly.

  "I want to make love to you."

  He'd surprised her. Her scent changed from shock to desire at the drop of a hat. Mac leaned closer.

  "If we wait for the perfect time, it'll never happen. Robyn, sweetheart, I don't have much in this world. I've got these clothes, a little money...and you."

  She gasped.

  "But I don't have you. I've never had you, no matter how much I wanted you. And now you're my mate. Good Lord, I need you so damn much!"

  His eyes were on fire. It was hard to breathe. The emotions he kept tucked away came rushing to the surface.

  "Mackenzie,” she whispered, framing his face with her hands.

  He reached for her and she didn't hesitate.

  "The back seat isn't as big as the rear of your Hummer, but we can make do,” she said in his ear. Her breath made shivers race down his spine.

  Her lips sought his and she kissed him with aching tenderness. It was hard not to take over and devour, but he allowed her to lead him. Rob
yn's fingers delved into his hair, holding him close while her tongue sensually played with his.

  The woman deserved more than a quick lay in the back of a stolen car. Shit! He should have known better than to suggest they have sex like a couple of teenagers in his mother's sedan.

  "Stop."

  Mac pulled away and gripped the steering wheel to keep his hands off Robyn.

  "What's wrong?"

  "Damn it, I told you I was no good at this. I can't take you here. What was I thinking?"

  Leaning forward, he rested his forehead on the steering wheel as well, pounding it a few times. Getting a motel room now was out of the question. They had to be at their destination sooner rather than later to meet up with the guys.

  That's what he got for thinking with his dick again.

  Robyn caressed his shoulder, eliciting a groan from deep in Mac's throat. The sound excited her beyond reason, making every nerve ending scream his name.

  Now that he'd told her what he needed, she couldn't deny him any more than she could deny herself breathing. His heart was breaking. He'd lost her, then found her, only to realize he really had lost her. Then two of his best friends were killed, forcing him to run before ever marking her as his mate.

  He needed a release—in more ways than one.

  Robyn knew he was the kind of man to keep his feelings deep inside him. Now, however, they were bubbling up, and he was desperate for her. She needed him too if her chafing nipples and wet panties were any indication.

  "I have an idea."

  He looked at her sharply, his eyes filled with questions.

  She smiled and crooked her finger at him to follow.

  Opening the passenger door, she looked around for other people. Thankfully, the parking lot was quiet. Once Mac was out of the car, she rounded the hood and began tugging at his shirt.

  "What are you doing?” he asked, his voice almost panicked as he glanced at the lot.

  "Come with me,” she whispered, quickly disrobing in the shadows. Once her clothes were shed, she shifted and took to the sky.

  Circling, she heard him curse foully, which made her return to the car. She landed on the roof and pecked at him a few times, cooed, then took off again, flying low over the trees. She spied him, finally shedding the rest of his clothes before shifting himself.

  Thank God for the cover of night.

  Robyn would have smiled at the sight of a huge yellow jaguar running after her—if she could. He was so breathtaking, it didn't matter if he was human or jag. She'd only seen him in his shifted state once before, when they'd liberated the compound in Oregon together. It was one of the reasons why she'd...

  Robyn faltered in the sky. She remembered. Holy

  crap, she remembered!

  Flying into the trees, she found a secluded spot far away from the road and the rest stop. It wouldn't be long before Mac found her. His sense of smell was much keener than hers.

  She shifted in the moonlight, her heart beating a mile a minute. She couldn't help but chuckle through her tears, wanting nothing more than to tell the man she adored that she remembered him. It had just come to her. One minute she'd been flying, the next, she could remember every look, every touch, every single moment in his presence.

  Even the time spent in the back of his Hummer.

  Her own tears rolled down her face as she lay on the ground, waiting for her mate. It didn't take long for him to break through the trees.

  With a loud growl, Mac was there, looming over her. He'd never left her, never abandoned his search for her. He would rather have died than let Lucian take her without a fight. He was gorgeous. Absolutely, one hundred percent magnificent.

  And he was hers.

  When he shifted on top of her, his eyes were full of concern. “What's wrong?” he asked.

  "Nothing.” Her chin trembled as she laid her hands on his bare shoulders. “Mackenzie, while I was flying, I..I remembered everything!"

  "What?” he asked, his expression blank.

  She pulled his lips to hers and kissed him over and over again. “I remember you,” she whispered. “I know how you looked at me, I know what you said to me, I know how you smelled, how you kissed, how—"

  That was as far as she got.

  Mac's control shattered. She was beneath him and they were both naked. By the hardness pressing into her belly, she knew he wasn't going to stop until he was inside her.

  That thought alone made her arch into his body.

  His thighs demanded hers to spread for him. She caressed his hips with her legs, inviting him to sink into her, but damn him, he prolonged it, teasing her with both his tongue and his erection. Robyn yanked his hair to get his

  attention. Mac pulled back, but only barely.

  "You remember calling me a coward?” he asked, his hot breath scorching her ear. He drew her earlobe into his mouth and suckled, sending sensual tremors throughout her limbs.

  "If you don't make love to me, right now, jag, I'm gonna call you one again."

  Mac chuckled, playing in her wetness with his thick flesh. “That's my girl,” he said, clearly pleased with himself.

  Without warning, his hands stroked her breasts, rolling her nipples on his palms. The sensation shot tendrils of fire straight to her groin.

  "Mackenzie, please. Don't make me wait another second."

  His mouth descended, cutting off her air. She felt him, finding her entrance and pressing forward. He filled her with his tongue and his length, bringing her to new heights of...pain.

  Mac stopped cold as he stared down at her. She'd cried out the moment he'd thrust home. She hadn't meant to cry out. Good Lord, what was wrong? Tears filled her eyes as she stroked his face. She'd wanted this moment to be perfect and here it was, anything but.

  "Robyn,” he said, his tone reverent. “You're a virgin!"

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  ELEVEN

  "I'm so sorry!” she wailed, suddenly ashamed. “Oh God, I didn't know. I didn't know!"

  "Shh,” he prompted, giving her small pecks on the lips. “Don't apologize. This is a gift, sweetheart."

  "I wanted this to be perfect.” She bit her lip, too afraid to look into his eyes. Instead, she focused on his chest.

  "This is perfect,” he told her, rubbing his nose on hers. “You're my mate, you have my name, you're covered in my scent. Now, I know your body hasn't been touched by any other man. You're all mine, Robyn Bishop. Don't ever be sorry. You've given me everything."

  Mac withdrew only to push forth again, but this time slow and easy. It was still painful, but not as much as it had been. He filled her heart, her mind and her body. She closed her eyes and concentrated on him, wanting him to thrust again if only to get used to his size.

  He did, and bent his head, intent on feasting on her nipple. Cupping her breast, Mac brought it to his mouth and tasted her, bringing forth a new rush of wetness, just for him. His next thrust was easier, as was his next and his next, until the pain was almost gone.

  "I can't hold on much longer,” he confessed through the sweat on his brow.

  "You gave me an orgasm back in Miami. Let me give you one now."

  "No,” he replied, shaking his head. “I want to come together."

  "I don't know if I—"

  Her words broke off the moment his thumb dipped

  between them and rubbed her. Without another word, he licked her nipple again, no longer suckling, but flicking, in time with his rhythm. He rolled it with his teeth as well, restoring her desire and making her buck underneath him.

  His thrusts were still controlled, deep plunges that kept most of her pain at bay. But now, she wasn't thinking of that. She was straining for the pleasure he'd given her once before.

  Trusting him completely, she opened her legs wide, aware suddenly that she'd clenched them together. He could finally push against her without hindrance. Again and again, he advanced and retreated, panting hard, obviously trying to keep his own pleasure in check until she teeter
ed over the edge.

  Robyn looked into his eyes a split second before she demanded a kiss. Fiery shards of delight exploded within her as she whimpered into his mouth, lifting herself for him.

  Mac growled at her orgasm and finally let go, giving himself three more plunges before coming himself, hard and intense inside her. His cries were sharp, echoing all around them in the night.

  "Holy shit,” he whispered into her hair, his voice muffled.

  Robyn held him close, her entire body trembling. Tears were close to the surface, yet she was anything but in pain. She was overwhelmed. Making love to Mac had been better than she'd ever imagined. She hadn't known she was a virgin, but he was right. She belonged to him, wholly and completely.

  "Still hurting?” he asked, leaning back enough to look her in the eye. He was still buried between her legs.

  "No,” she said, stroking his cheeks. “But I told you we'd move ‘em."

  It took him a moment to realize what she meant. When he did, his thousand-watt smile stopped her heart.

  "Amen."

  Mac led Robyn back to their car, which thankfully, hadn't been disturbed. A few people milled about near the bathrooms at the rest stop, but no one noticed them. Mac wiped the dirt from Robyn's back before she dressed, knowing she had to have been uncomfortable on the ground during their interlude. But she hadn't complained.

  Once he'd donned his own shirt and pants, he hugged her from behind and gave her a few soft kisses where her neck met her shoulder.

  "You are amazing,” he said, giving her a squeeze.

  His Robyn had returned. She'd remembered it all. Giddiness filled his heart until he could barely contain it. He would have lived the rest of his life with her whether she remembered or not, but the fact that she did made it all the more special.

  "What about you?” she asked, leaning back. Her arms went above her head and behind his neck.

  He took advantage and palmed her breasts under her t-shirt. She hadn't put on her bra. Despite their earlier loving, Mac's body roared for another round.

  "You're incredible, Mackenzie."

  He scoffed playfully. “I'm not incredi—okay, yes, yes I am."