“Just Marcus being Marcus,” he laughed against her hair. “He sends his love by the way.”
Abby looked up into the eyes of her mate and smiled. “You didn’t tell him that we were here, did you?”
Desmond shook his head and walked over to a chair, sitting down and pulling her onto his lap. He nuzzled her neck as his arms held her tightly against his strong, solid frame. “He is falling for the human,” he stated matter-of- factly, and Abby giggled.
“Who would have thought?” she tittered. “And, I suppose that he is fighting it tooth and nail?”
“Of course. Would you expect anything less?”
“No, I wouldn’t. You LaGrange men are as stubborn as mules.”
Desmond burst into laughter. “I guess I can’t argue with that.”
Abby kissed him, her lips lingering for only a few precious moments before leaning back and giving him a wink. “You’re learning, my love,” she said with a smile. “I suppose there is hope for Marcus after all.”
“We can hope,” Desmond murmured against her neck, his teeth gently scraping against her pulse, and he felt her shiver. “But, he has carried this guilt with him for a very long time. I only hope that this mortal is strong enough to break through his walls.”
“Hmm,” Abby husked, as she tilted her head ever so slightly to give him better access. “You’d be surprised what we women can do once we set our minds to something.”
Desmond chuckled against her skin, his lips moving down to the hollow of her throat. He knew better than anyone the powers of the fairer sex. “Indeed.”
Chapter Eleven
Liz came walking out of the bathroom dressed only in a towel as Marcus closed the door to her room. She gave him a gentle smile as she shook her hair out, and Marcus instantly felt that all too familiar stir of desire hit him like a ton of bricks as he watched her go about getting dressed. She moved around the room like a damned Giselle, her long legs bare and shimmering with moisture, and he felt his body respond quickly.
She grabbed a few things from a drawer and turned to look at him. “What?” she asked, her brow quirking up in question as she caught him staring at her.
“Good God, you are exquisite,” he husked, and he felt his chest tighten when her cheeks colored in embarrassment. This woman just had no idea he thought with a shake of his head. He realized that that was one of the many things about her that he found so damned endearing. One of the many, many things.
“You really need to get your eyes checked, LaGrange,” she scoffed, as a soft, lilting laugh burst from her lips that had his body vibrating with need.
Marcus took a step closer to where she stood and reached out his hand, but she darted away and ran through the bathroom door. “I’ll only be a second,” she called, the humor in her voice evident. “I need to be fed, and if you start getting frisky, that will never happen.”
Marcus clenched his fists at his sides as a groan rushed past his lips. Jesus! He had no self-control whatsoever around this woman. “You’re killing me,” he whispered to the empty bedroom, and swore that he heard her chuckle. Damned Vixen!
He walked over and plopped down in a nearby chair, closing his eyes and trying to get his raging libido under control.
He heard the downstairs door open and close and realized that Bri was back. He stood back up and walked over to the bathroom door, tapping on it softly. He figured that now was as good a time as any to see if Sebastian had found anything. Besides, if he sat there and stared at the door much longer, he’d never be able to control himself.
“Elizabeth?”
The door opened a crack and one of those sapphire eyes peered out at him. “Yes?” He could see her smile and leaned down a bit, so that they were nearly face-to-face, and damned if he didn’t want to kiss her.
“I’ll meet you downstairs,” he said softly, wanting nothing more than to ease the door open and see what she was wearing…or wasn’t wearing. “I’m going to go downstairs and talk with Brianna while you dress. If I stay here, thinking about you in there…naked, we’ll never get you fed.”
Liz gave him a saucy little grin before throwing open the door and kissing him quickly, and Marcus couldn’t help but notice that she had indeed disposed of her towel. Crap!
“So, not playing fair,” he snarled as he reached for her, but she backed up and closed the door.
“Go talk to Brianna,” she called with a giggle, and he realized that he absolutely loved her laugh. It was like a warm summer breeze on a hot day. It soothed and comforted. “I’ll be down in ten minutes!”
He leaned his forehead against the door and sighed. Yes. Falling damn deep.
Marcus found Brianna in the kitchen, her face shoved in the refrigerator as she rooted around. He cleared his throat. “I’m entering the room,” he chuckled, not wanting to scare her yet again.
She turned her head and looked at him from under her arm, “I appreciate the heads up,” she laughed. She grabbed a bowl from one of the shelves and turned to face him. “I swear to God, Sebastian better start stocking his fridge with something other than type B!” she grunted, opening the lid and sniffing at the contents. She shrugged her shoulders and walked over to the table, sitting down with a grin. “So…” she said with a wicked lift of her brow. “You’ve been a busy boy.”
Marcus walked over and sat down across from her, trying hard to give her a glare, but he just couldn’t do it. “I guess you could say that.”
Brianna snorted, her eyes shining brightly as she watched him. The smile faded from her lips and she reached over and clasped his hand. “I’m glad, Marcus. You deserve this.”
Marcus frowned. He deserved this? He deserved to be tied up in knots over a mortal who was swiftly becoming someone very important to him? He deserved to feel alive for the first time in his very long existence? He didn’t say anything; he just looked at her, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Brianna knew exactly what he was doing and she just wasn’t going to have it. She was done letting him torture himself for something that he had no control over whatsoever, and she was putting an end to it. “You need to just let the past go already, Marcus.” She rolled her eyes in exasperation, shaking her head. “I am only going to say this one more time–so listen closely. You deserve to be happy. You did not kill Josephine. Your sadistic, bitch of a mother did, and she got what she deserved.” She gave his hand a squeeze and took a breath, her lips curling slightly. “Now suck it up, big boy, and just enjoy yourself. Elizabeth is an amazing woman. Mortal or not, you need to let yourself go and enjoy whatever this is. You aren’t betraying anyone by letting yourself care for someone.” She grabbed a piece of shrimp from her bowl and popped it into her mouth, giving him a wink. “And…I’m done.”
Marcus stared at her in silence for a moment. Damned if she wasn’t right. If they weren’t all right. He had spent so much time blaming himself for something the he had no control over that it had paralyzed him emotionally. Liz had walked into his life and made him want something more than just a numbing release. She made him care.
He nodded his head slowly, gracing Brianna with a warm smile. “I promise you that I’ll try,” he whispered. “I know everyone is right, it’s just that I’ve carried this with me for such a long time that it has become second nature.”
Brianna nodded in agreement. “I know that, but it’s time, Marcus.”
Marcus smiled as the vision of Elizabeth popped into his head. Her smile, the way her wondrous eyes darkened when she was excited…the way her skin felt beneath his fingers…yes, it was time to let the past go.
“On another completely random note,” he said with a grin. “What is going on between you and Sebastian?” His smile widened as her cheeks flushed. He knew that their renewed acquaintance had become much more than merely her working with him to help find the rogues, but he wanted to hear her say the words. Brianna deserved happiness as much as he did, and he wanted that for his friend. Besides, he really liked Sebastian. He was swiftly becoming
a trusted friend and comrade in their fight to change their world.
Brianna cleared her throat and glanced around the room, not meeting his eyes. “He’s just helping us,” she stammered, her face turning a brighter shade of red, and Marcus burst out laughing.
“Brianna…” Marcus warned. If everyone in his life was going to hound him about him fighting his feelings, he was not about to let them do the same damn thing!
“All right!” she growled. “We like each other, Okay? Geez! You’re a pain in the ass! It’s new and exciting and I guess I just forgot how much I liked the man. Happy now?”
“Exceptionally,” he replied with a wink.
He turned as he felt Elizabeth enter the room. She came walking in looking like a vision. Her thick hair fell over her shoulders, which were bare from the white cotton, sleeveless shirt that she wore, and the faded jeans she had on hugged her curves in the most distracting way. Yes, he thought, his body reacting to this woman instantly, he was going to relax and let himself see where this went. He would tackle the issue of what he was when the time was right. He just needed to have a little faith.
“Good evening, Brianna,” Liz said from the doorway as Brianna stood and took her bowl to the sink. She looked at Marcus and felt her heart skip a beat. The man was perfection, and no matter how hard she tried to fight it, he made her tremble.
“Hi, there. Listen, Elizabeth, I’m really sorry that I haven’t been around much,” Brianna murmured, shooting Liz a happy grin. “But, I’m certain that Marcus has been taking good care of you.” Brianna bit back a giggle when she saw Liz’s cheek color. Oh, this was so good!
Liz glanced at the floor, feeling that heat creep up her neck. “Um, yes…he’s been wonderful. And, really, I don’t expect you to entertain me,” she replied as lightly as possible, suddenly feeling extremely warm.
“You two better get going. The restaurants will start filling up fast.” She turned back and glanced at Marcus, giving him a snarky grin. “Enjoy your dinner.”
Marcus stood and shot her a look that she returned with an innocent wink. He knew that his friend loved every minute of this. Holy Hell.
He took Liz’s hand and headed for the door. “Have a good evening, Brianna,” he called as he led Elizabeth out the door.
Marcus slipped Liz’s hand in his as they made their way through the French Quarter, and she felt that now familiar tingle ripple through her. The feel of his hand holding hers was such a welcome pleasure that she found herself biting back the stupid grin that wanted to make its presence known. She had never had this before. No one in her entire life had ever been so caring or gentle with her before…and it was mind-blowing.
She glanced up through her lashes at his perfect profile, and felt her heart jerk in her chest when he looked down at her and met her gaze. The warmth in his eyes was something that was new to her. It was soft and genuine… and it made her breathless.
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, his mouth turning up into that lopsided grin, and she felt her body heat in an instant. Good Lord, what this man could do to her!
Without saying a word, he stopped and pulled her into his arms, his mouth descending on hers with a quiet demand that had her knees shaking. His tongue slipped along the seam of her lips and her soft moan gave him the opportunity that he needed to slide his tongue along hers, a low growl rumbling in his chest and vibrating through her entire body, right to her very core. It was a slow, sensual warmth, much like warm molasses rushing through her veins that had her body trembling.
Elizabeth couldn’t help but respond to him with a wanton abandon. She was vaguely aware of the hoots and whistles coming from the people walking by them as they stood there in the middle of the street, kissing like two fools...but she couldn’t have cared in the least. She had never in her life just allowed herself to feel…to enjoy the feeling of being young and alive. Free from always feeling scared or not good enough. This man had changed all of that in the blink of an eye. He made her feel wanted, sexy, and beautiful. And, damn if it didn’t feel good.
Marcus reluctantly pulled away from her mouth and rested his forehead against hers, trying hard to gain some semblance of control. He just couldn’t seem to help himself where she was concerned. It was as if he lost all reason when he looked into those eyes of hers.
“Sorry, but I really needed to do that,” he apologized, his voice as smooth as silk.
Every bit of self-control that he possessed flew straight out of the damn window when he was around her, and he could think of nothing else except tasting that sweet mouth of hers, feeling that silky smooth, warm skin beneath his fingers. Jesus, he really had it bad. He couldn’t remember a time in his entire existence that he had been so drawn to someone. Even Josephine had never brought out this hunger in him. This need to touch…to taste…to feel. It was constant…primal.
The realization that the guilt he had always carried with him didn’t rear its ugly head as those thoughts flitted across his mind caused him to still. Dear God. For the first time in forever….he felt happy. Genuinely happy. And, it was all because of this lovely creature standing in front of him. There was no pang of guilt, no self-loathing that he didn’t do enough. There was only peace.
“Are you getting hungry?” he asked softly, trying to curb his wayward thoughts, and she nodded.
“A little,” she whispered with a soft smile touching her mouth, not wanting this amazing moment to end.
How could she possibly tell him that she would be content never to eat again just as long as he continued to kiss her like that? That she felt amazing and safe when he held her in his arms. That he made her feel as if the past had never happened. Easy there, girl, she thought with a quick mental shake. Damn, she was just getting all kinds of loopy! She needed to just enjoy the moment, and take it for what it was–a fabulous, life-changing tryst.
She knew that she had unwittingly stepped off that proverbial ledge and that she was falling for this man, and that no matter how hard she tried to fight it, there was nothing at all she could do about it. Once you took that first step into the abyss…there was no chance of going back. This man made her feel normal and desired. Not damaged.
“Come on, let’s get you something to eat,” he said, taking her hand once again and leading her down the street to a little out of the way café. “You’re going to need your strength tonight,” he chuckled, and she felt her cheeks warm. Oh, yeah. She was falling hard.
The café was dark and cozy, with candles flickering on the tables as the soft strains of jazz filled the air. They were led to a small, quiet booth and Liz slipped in, Marcus sliding in right beside her.
She glanced around the nearly empty restaurant as the wonderful smells assaulted her senses, and she felt her stomach growl hungrily. Guess she was ready to eat after all, she thought with a smile.
Marcus ordered them a bottle of wine and gave her a grin, his eyes moving over her face. “See, you are hungry,” he laughed, leaning over and nibbling her ear a moment before his lips traveled down her neck, and she felt her cheeks flush with heat as her breath left her body in a gentle whoosh. She closed her eyes and let her head fall back slightly to give him better access to her sensitive flesh, feeling goose bumps rise on her skin. His hand slid over her thigh, his thumb stroking gently, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. He was just much too good at this! He could have her trembling in a heartbeat.
She cleared her throat nervously and sat up a little straighter as the waitress brought over their wine, chattering happily about the evening’s specials. Liz didn’t hear a word that the poor woman said; she was much too distracted with the way that Marcus’s hand stayed on her thigh, moving back and forth slowly…torturously. It felt as if they were a couple and not…well, not whatever the hell they were. Liz wasn’t going to let herself even begin to hope that she and Marcus could have a future together. They each had their own, separate lives. She didn’t even know where he lived for God’s sake. No, for once in her miserable life, she
was going to just enjoy the moment and live.
“You, Mr. LaGrange, are a distraction,” she laughed, her voice low and husky. He had to know what he was doing to her, she thought with a smirk, and was probably enjoying every second of it!
“That’s funny,” he responded softly, placing his lips against her ear. “I was just thinking the same thing about you.”
The waitress came over and took their orders and Marcus found himself wondering how he was going to pull this off. His mouth lifted in a smile as an idea came to him. He knew that he could take a few small bites and not really have any adverse effects, and that was all that he needed.
“This place is really cute,” Liz murmured softly as she sipped her wine and glanced around, pulling Marcus from his thoughts. Christ, just the sound of her voice was like an aphrodisiac!
“I love the small, out of the way places,” he replied, his eyes scanning her face. He felt that damned tightening in his chest once again as he watched her, finding it hard to concentrate on anything other than this glorious creature sitting beside him.
Liz nodded. “I can see why.” She glanced up and blushed when she caught him staring at her. “Thank you, Marcus,” she whispered, as she nibbled on her lower lip.
“For?”
“For everything,” she responded, taking a breath and meeting his gaze. Her heart did a little flip and she swallowed hard, still intensely aware of his large hand moving along her thigh. It was a soft, unconscious movement that she found hard not to respond to. She wasn’t even sure if he was aware that he was still doing it. She gave him a small shrug and took a breath. “I’ve never really had someone…treat me the way that you have these last few days, and I just wanted you to know that, it’s nice.” She felt like a complete ass, but she needed him to know that he made her feel. As crazy as it sounded, she just needed that. If he walked away tomorrow, at least he would know that he had made a difference in her life.
Marcus closed the distance between them and kissed her. Soft, tender, and it was as if everything around her stood still. The feel of his mouth on hers was sublime, and she found herself wishing that she could have a lifetime of this. A lifetime of this wonderful, gentle man being beside her. She shook the thought away and kissed him back, promising herself not to think too hard about tomorrow or the day after. Just enjoy the moment.
Marcus' Mortal Embrace (Book 3) (The Supernatural Desire Series) Page 15