by Lexi Blake
The veek shook his head, clutching his thermos. “What’s a skip trace?”
“Look it up on the Internet, Justin,” I said, swinging the door open. “I bet you’re damn good with computers.”
Hugo was laughing as he walked beside me down the hallway. “I feel sorry for Mr. Parker. I believe he will find you a difficult employer.”
“I’ll give him more of a chance tomorrow.” The elevator started toward the seventh floor and some small amount of freedom. My heart was starting to race as the doors opened and I got out. Marcus was here. I could feel him. Warmth spread through me.
Hugo stayed in the elevator. “Tell your master I will call upon him later this evening, after he’s had suitable time to welcome you home, of course. Kelsey, it was a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to seeing more of you.”
I waved to the vampire as the door closed and then raced down the hall. I hadn’t seen my apartment yet, but I didn’t care what was in the place. I cared who was in it. I pulled out the key Quinn had given me and threw open the door. Marcus was standing there waiting like he’d known I was coming, and he had. He’d known I was there the same way I had known he was. He’d felt my presence deep in his soul.
“Good evening, bella,” Marcus said warmly, his eyes already heating up.
I stood and for a moment I couldn’t move. I simply stood there, taking him in. He was heartbreakingly beautiful. He had pitch-black hair that he slicked back, but I loved it when it got loose and fell over his eyes. His face could have been carved by Michelangelo. Marcus always reminded me of a gorgeous bird of prey, with dark eyes and a lean body.
“I missed you,” I breathed as I went to stand in front of him.
His hands pulled me into the firm strength of his body. “Not as much as I missed you,” he said, tilting my head back.
His mouth covered mine, and I thrilled as his fangs popped out. I loved the feel of them. I loved to work my tongue around them while we kissed. If I accidently nicked myself on those sharp teeth, Marcus would groan as he tasted the blood. He would go a little wild. I nicked myself as often as possible.
His tongue played with mine and I felt his hands drop below my waist, cupping the cheeks of my ass. Marcus would play the gentleman much of the time, but when we were alone, he let all of that go. There was no gentleman in our bed. He tugged on my hair, and I let my head fall back. He growled as he ran his nose along the side of my neck.
“Mine.”
“Yours,” I agreed. My whole body softened in response to his dominance. Marcus could be incredibly indulgent, but he liked to rule in the bedroom.
A vision of Gray Sloane, his massive, muscular body working over mine, assaulted me. I shoved it aside. Even when I was with Marcus, Gray was somehow with us. Sometimes I wished I’d never met that half demon because it seemed nothing I did could loosen his hold on me.
“Bed?” I asked, coming up for air.
“Later.” Marcus pulled my shirt over my head. It was tossed to the floor. He flicked the front clasp of my bra, and I was naked from the waist up. His hands covered my breasts. “Have I told you how beautiful you are?”
He was good at that. Sometimes I thought Marcus’s goal in life was to make me feel good about myself. “Not today.”
The tips of his fingers brushed my nipples, making them hard and ready for more. “Then allow me to correct the oversight. You are stunning, bella. I dream about your breasts.”
My breasts aren’t the biggest in the world, but when Marcus’s voice went low and he couldn’t take his eyes off my chest, I couldn’t help but feel sexy. I let my hand slide down his hard body to find his cock. Marcus might like to be in charge, but he also liked it when I misbehaved. I cupped him. “I dream about your cock.”
“Voglio fare l’amore con te.” His hands found my hips and he pulled me against that magnificent erection. My hips rolled against it of their own accord.
I want to make love with you, he’d said. I smiled as I kissed him and gave him my own wording. “Ti voglio scopare.”
Marcus growled, and suddenly I was straddling his hips as he carried me toward the couch. His hands cupped my ass as he pressed my core against his. His big cock pushed against me, and my clitoris was ready for action. “I want to fuck, too. I love it when you talk dirty to me.”
My back hit the soft velvet of the couch. Marcus had it shipped from our home in Venice. He seemed to think it was the perfect size to throw down on. We’d screwed numerous times on that bad boy. He tossed me on the couch and efficiently pulled my jeans off, dragging the silky panties with it. He stood over me, still fully dressed as he looked down on my naked body. I knew what he would want, but he liked to ask for it.
“Touch yourself, my mistress,” he commanded, his eyes dark.
This was where I’d needed to be all day. I let go of all my worries and concentrated on pleasure. All that mattered was being with Marcus. Nothing else could invade my brain at this point. I let my hand wander down my belly to my plump and already ripe pussy. I spread my legs so he got a good view, letting my feet go wide. There was no room for self-consciousness between us. His need rolled off him and into me, making my blood pulse through my system in a rhythmic fashion. He wanted me more than he wanted his next breath and I responded. Arousal flooded my system.
Marcus liked to watch. He liked to know I would play just for him. My clitoris was already throbbing when I stroked my finger over it. Pure pleasure rushed through me. Something about that wave from Marcus made foreplay unnecessary. I could feel how much he wanted me, and my system replied with pulsing arousal. I was ready for him from the moment he turned his eyes my way, but he liked to play. Marcus never went directly to the point when he could draw out the sex.
“Like this?” I asked, delicately rubbing until I was breathless.
“Yes. Make yourself creamy and ripe for me.”
Not a problem. I was already there, but I made a big show for him. My finger slid over my clit and down my labia. It wasn’t like I needed more arousal. It poured out of me, and I couldn’t help pushing a finger into my pussy. It wasn’t anywhere close to what I needed. I needed his thick cock pressing in, but I would take it for now.
I fucked myself with my finger, adding another when it wasn’t quite enough. I knew how good it felt to have Marcus’s thick cock delving deep and I pulled on the memories. I remembered that first night when he’d loomed over me, his big dick piercing me. He’d thrust in and out, in and out. His hips had hammered and I’d screamed in pure pleasure.
I thought about that night as I fucked myself with those fingers. That first night had already saved me once today. I’d gone to that place in my mind when Donovan had tested me. I went there again because it had been one of the best moments of my life. I let it run along my mind, pulling me into my perfect memories.
That night, I’d spread my legs and welcomed him in. He’d moved inside me and for a moment I’d forgotten about Grayson Sloane. I’d lost myself and it had felt so good.
“Let me taste.” His commands had grown guttural. He was on the edge now. It wouldn’t take long before I had him.
I held my hand out. He drew the saturated fingers into his mouth. He sucked off the evidence of my arousal, his tongue circling the fingers and making me sigh.
Marcus groaned and his hands worked the belt at his waist. He shoved his slacks down and was on me without bothering to take off the rest of his clothes. He spread my legs. His big dick unerringly found my slit and pushed in to the hilt.
“You feel right, cara mia,” he whispered. His satisfaction slid across my skin.
He was so hard I had to shift to adjust to his size. It was odd but the pain did nothing to deter me. I liked a bite of pain. His cock was too big, but he shoved in anyway and I adjusted to accept my lover. He felt so good as he started to thrust into me. I heard a deep groan come from the back of my throat. He thrust in and pulled out savagely, as though the day we’d spent apart had been too much and he needed to mark me
again.
I wound my legs around his lean waist and pushed back against him. He angled up, finding that place deep inside me that made me want to howl. The she-wolf who lived within me needed this. Somehow, I could feel her moving inside me, animating me. She lived for violence and sex. I could get a two-shot with Marcus—a mighty orgasm and enough of an edge to satisfy my wolf. I let my head fall back so he could see the long line of my throat. I knew he could hear the pulse of my heart and the throb of blood pumping through my system. He held my head still, forcing me to look into his eyes. Heat flashed through me as his eyes darkened, going to a pure black and crowding out the white as he let me see the vampire living deep in his soul. He ground himself against me as his eyes pulled me in.
This was the best place in the world. I surrendered to his magic and let it take me along. There was no danger here, no harsh realities. There was no betrayal in this place. In this world, I was his, and he was mine. We were all we could ever need. I felt the great force of Marcus’s will and clutched his silky hair as he struck. I sobbed as he pulled on the vein in my neck and I came forcefully.
Marcus was still feeding when his orgasm hit. His body tensed, but he kept his fangs securely in my neck as he pumped into me. His pelvis thrust and thrust until he had nothing left. Finally, he drew one last time on my vein. I shuddered as he released his hold then fell on top of me. He didn’t try to keep his weight off me. He knew I found comfort in it. I loved to be surrounded by him. Everywhere our skin touched I felt a sense of connection. It had been a long day without his skin next to mine. My arms wound around him, and I hated his shirt in that moment. It kept me from him.
He rested against me, letting softness replace the quick and hard fucking he’d given me. I needed this. I needed long, luxurious moments when he stroked me and our intimacy seemed to be the only thing of importance in the world. Time stretched out as I let his satisfaction sink into my soul. Every time we made love, I believed a little more that I was worthy of his affection.
After a long moment, he kissed me softly and moved his weight to the side.
“Come with me, bella. I’ve drawn a bath for us. I wanted to spend time with you before the rush of visitors come calling on our door.” He stood and gracefully discarded the rest of his clothes. I watched him, loving every inch of skin he exposed. I sighed as he cradled me to his chest and carried me into the master bathroom. I always felt delicate and feminine when he carried me around.
This was where I’d wanted to be all day. I sank back against my lover in the hot water, his arms wrapping around me. He kissed my hair lovingly. I’d wanted to be skin to skin with him. I craved it like an addict. Marcus had told me that one day I wouldn’t need this. He’d explained that in a few years, I would be the one who likely walked away, but I couldn’t see it happening.
“I ordered dinner for you. Tomorrow, I’ll prepare it myself, but tonight I wanted the time with you. I needed to be with you. Tell me about your day, cara mia,” Marcus demanded softly.
I glanced around the magnificent bathroom. It was a gorgeous monstrosity of marble and mirrors. The tub we were in was built for two and jetted. The water swirled around us. Despite Marcus’s wealth, our home in Venice was quite sedate and European. It’s gorgeous and tasteful, but trust me, no one does decadence like a faery prince. I could practically swim in that tub. I didn’t know what a steam shower was, but it seemed like fun.
Marcus reached over to grab something from the tray he’d placed at the head of the tub. He passed me a glass of white wine and I sipped it. This part of our day was more about him than me, but I was getting used to fine wine.
He sighed. “Such a good year. That Pinot Grigio is like heaven. I’m going to have fun raiding Devinshea’s cellar. Now tell me, did the king treat you kindly?”
I frowned. “No. The king was an asshole.”
Marcus chuckled as he nuzzled my neck. It was always like that. He was obsessed with my neck. He liked to feed from my neck or sometimes from the vein that ran through my thigh right next to my pussy. Usually though, he preferred the neck. He liked to feed and then kiss me senseless, so I could still taste the faintest hint of blood on his tongue. It was a sweet feeling to know my body fed and sustained his. “You think many people are assholes, Kelsey. What did he do to you today?”
Oh, so many things. This was my time to complain, and Donovan had made it super easy for me to do so. “He put me in chains and threatened to chuck me in a cell. Let’s see. I’m an animal who can’t control myself. I ruined his relationship with my uncle. I’m pretty sure he blamed me for the situation in the Middle East, economic recession, and Miley Cyrus.”
Marcus went dangerously still behind me, and that was when I realized I’d made a huge mistake. His hands cupped my shoulders, and I knew if I turned, his face would be a polite mask. He rarely showed his anger. I knew to be afraid if he got ruthlessly still.
“What did the king do, cara?”
“He was testing me.” I shrugged negligently to try to defuse the situation. His irritation brushed at my consciousness, so I knew it was super bad. He wasn’t able to contain his anger. “It was no big deal. He wanted to see if I could handle myself emotionally, and I did. You didn’t even feel it.”
“Which only proves you are good at shielding your emotions, Kelsey. You’re still at a delicate stage. He could have ruined three months of work in a single, oafish instant.”
I smiled and rubbed my back against his chest. “Well, you should tell him that.”
“Believe me, I will.” He sighed and settled back down.
I would totally let Marcus handle the king. Donovan regarded my mentor as a father figure. He regarded me as a lethal moron, so Marcus was my go-to guy when dealing with that particular vampire.
“I met your friend Hugo.” I said it almost shyly because if he hadn’t liked that first part, then he was really going to be pissed at the next part. I thought about not mentioning it to him, but he was going to find out.
“Hugo is here?” He sounded pleased at the prospect. “Excellent. I will arrange to spend some time with him. Did he mention why he was here? I understood he wanted to stay in London.”
This was the bad part. I winced as I spoke. “Uhm, I’m sure it’s a mistake and we can get it all cleared up, but he thinks he’s supposed to be my new trainer.”
And just like that my tub time was over. Marcus was out in a shot. I pouted and stared at him from the warmth of the tub while he dried his perfectly cut body with short, angry strokes of the fluffy white towel.
“If it helps, Donovan thinks you’re still in Italy.”
Marcus nearly growled. “It does not help, bella, that the king believes I would allow you to leave me behind. Not only did I allow you to leave me behind, but apparently I allowed you to take a lover while you lived under my roof. This may be Daniel’s way. Daniel may allow his wife to sleep with whomever she would like and bring them home to their bed, but that is not the way it will be between us.”
Then he was off in a litany of Italian. When Marcus got going, he could speak at a hundred miles an hour. It was kind of one of his superpowers. I simply nodded and agreed with everything he said and wished I hadn’t opened my damn mouth. Marcus was a possessive man. He’d never tried to hide that from me. He was calm, almost annoyingly calm, ninety-nine percent of the time. That one percent was a doozy, though. As he continued to rage, he got dressed. I felt bad for Donovan. Then I remembered what an asshole he was and I smiled to myself. After what he’d put me through, he kind of deserved a pissed-off Italian coming for him.
A nice-sounding chime played through the house. Even our doorbell sounded elegant and rich. It was a definite step up from the rented duplexes and single-wide trailers I’d grown up in.
“Naturally, the crowd shows up now.” Marcus finished buttoning his dress shirt and stared down at me. “Get dressed. I am sure this is about you since no one even believes I am here.”
He turned and stalked out of the r
oom.
I sighed and got out of the tub. My stomach grumbled. With the exception of that truly excellent orgasm I’d had, it had been a crappy day. I barely had any breakfast, then my lunch was interrupted. No one had offered me a snack. Now dinner was in distinct jeopardy as well. To top it all off, I had to deal with a pissy vampire. Having never been in a real relationship before—I can’t count Gray as our relationship had been short and apparently under the influence of drugs—I never realized how much another person could affect me. My days could often be decided as good or bad strictly on the influence of Marcus’s mood.
The good news was, most of the time, Marcus was lovingly indulgent. The bad news? When Marcus was in a crappy mood, he had two thousand years of shit he could throw around.
I wrapped a towel around my middle and wondered what I should wear tonight. Jeans and a T-shirt would be comfy, but I had no idea if Brimstone had a dress code. If it was anything at all like Ether, people would dress to the nines. I didn’t give a shit if I stood out at Ether, however, I was trying to blend in at this new place. I had the added complication of hiding the fact that I would be seeing Gray tonight from Marcus. I had been planning to be open and honest with him, but now, as he yelled at whoever had shown up at our door, that seemed like a bad plan.
“Slow down, Vorenus,” a familiar voice said. “I don’t speak Italian.”
I rolled my eyes. The last thing I needed was a visit from Trent Wilcox. He never showed up unless I was in trouble. Being a “face the music now rather than later” type girl, I strode out into the living room ready to know what fresh hell the Boston native was bringing me.
Trent Wilcox was in his late thirties. I suppose if you go for the meathead type, he was an exceptionally attractive man. Like super hot and muscular. His dark-brown hair was cut military style, and his T-shirt could barely contain his ginormous biceps. He looked like a guy who spent way too much time at a gym, but he was a werewolf, so his muscles were au naturel. His clear blue eyes found mine. I saw a look of surprise cross his face. He gave me a perfectly natural for a man once-over.