Rock Hard

by LJ Vickery

  He meant the last as a joke, but he sensed an immediate fear that flared off of Tess in palpable waves. When she didn’t respond, he worried that something was terribly wrong. Were the drugs still in her system?

  “Tess, are you okay? Snap out of it!” He crossed the room to touch her shoulder, but she flinched away, and actually cowered against the wall. She straightened quickly, but not before Marduk felt her terror.

  “If you don’t mind,” she told him shakily, “I’m perfectly capable of taking my own shower. If I need help, I’ll do the mind-thingy and let you know.”

  Marduk scowled with displeasure. He didn’t want her to be alone in the shower. Tess was still recovering, was most likely experiencing some post-traumatic stress from the attack earlier, and, selfishly, he would miss out on the warm water…and soap…his big hands sliding up and over her body while she glistened with bubbles. He let his imagination soar.

  Once her petite body was slippery with soap, he’d rock his hardness into the soft curves of her ass, while his fingers explored her pert nipples. Marduk pushed that idea into her mind to see what her reaction would be, and saw her cheeks redden. She stumbled backward, putting space between them.

  “I’m fine with the soap, all by myself,” she flung at him with a gasp. “The only thing I’ll need from you are some clean clothes.” She backed up slowly, as if she expected him to protest and follow. “Maybe a T-shirt and some sweat pants I can roll up?”

  “You won’t need to borrow anything,” responded Marduk, taking a step away. He was getting the picture from her that he really wasn’t welcome. He must be behaving like an ass. “Enlil packed a few things from your place and brought them over, just in case you needed to stay for a while. They’re in the bottom drawer.” He indicated a charcoal, low slung, retro bureau against the wall, briefly wondering if Tess would be angry over that invasion of her privacy. It may not have even registered. She sent him a quick “thanks,” scurried into the bathroom, and firmly closed the bathroom door behind her.

  Marduk sat on his gray silk sheets, perplexed. Didn’t Tess find him attractive? He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had trouble winning the interest of a woman. Had he lost his touch over the ages? He realized, from television, that ladies in this era liked the sensitive type. He could do sensitive! What would that entail? Flowers? Candy?

  He’d also been told in the past that he was well-built, handsome, funny, and an amazing warrior. He flexed his muscles, unconsciously. So what was the problem? He was puzzling over his next move when he heard a distinct thud from behind the bathroom door.

  “Tess?” He was on his feet in a heartbeat. “Tess, are you all right?” He knocked on the door, knowing she would hate it if he burst in. When he received no answer, her shy reluctance be damned, he entered the bathroom. She was crumpled on the bottom of the glass shower stall, water cascading over her still form. Marduk cursed and wrenched the door open. His T-shirt was instantly plastered to his body, and he whipped his hair back as water streamed across his brow. He knelt slowly by Tess’s side.

  “Tess.” His heart was in his throat as he moved his hand across her shoulder and down her arm, picking it up to feel her pulse. She began to stir. Thank the gods.

  Marduk had every intention of keeping his gaze averted from her breasts as she awoke, but his eyes moved over her curves of their own accord. Beautiful handfuls. His fingers itched to touch. That was when he saw the marks. His hand stilled mid-trajectory.

  What the hell? Those are not natural! Inside his head, he roared. He had seen enough injuries in his long life to know that the marks on her breast had been made quite deliberately with a knife. Someone had cut his beautiful Tess! Who had dared to defile her in such an evil way?

  Anger lit him up from within. He would kill whoever did this! His hand moved forward again to touch the evil marks, as if he could take them away, but he drew back sharply when her eyes fluttered open. He had just enough time to count before she fully awakened. Twelve marks. Twelve marks he would avenge in the cruelest of ways should he ever find the person responsible.

  “What…what?” Tess suddenly became aware that she was no longer alone, nor was she upright. “Oh!” She sought to cover herself with her hands.

  “Don’t be afraid, little one.” Marduk’s voice vibrated low, full of compassion that threatened to choke him. “You passed out in the shower. I’m going to help you to your feet.” He took her hand and placed it on his shoulder, while wrapping her waist with his arm and levering them both to a standing position. Quickly, he turned off the water, then reaching behind him, grabbed a fluffy cotton towel from the shower door and wrapped her into its warmth before she could protest.

  Tess looked up at Marduk, suspicious of his next move. He’d come in to rescue her but, now that he was here, what would he expect? Odd. There was nothing sexual in his gaze. She was seized with a sudden and unreasonable gut wrenching disappointment.

  She got the picture. He must have looked at her naked body before she had come to and been disappointed with what he had seen. She was no prize with legs that were too thin, breasts that weren’t full, hips that could only be called boyish. She’d never had any illusions that she was a desirable female, but damn, couldn’t she just this once…

  Wait! What did she care? Was she crazy, messed up in her head by the drugs that were still in her system? Did she want Marduk to like what he saw? She thought he’d been interested before, but really…she scoffed at the ridiculous notion. Most guys could get hard in a stiff wind. Did she really imagine a male like Marduk, a god no less, (and she did, finally believe he was a god) could be aroused by her? Grow up, Tess.

  If Marduk was aware of her internal dialogue, which in all likelihood he was, the deity was doing a great job holding his tongue. She could only think how confused he must be listening to her, since she was giving off such mixed signals, but truly, she didn’t know what she wanted from him.

  Tess leaned back against the shower wall. “Thanks for coming to my rescue. I guess you were right about my safety,” she admitted with transparent reluctance.

  “Next time,” he said gruffly, “you’ll do well to listen to me. Come,” he continued, “let’s get you into some clothes.” He left the small enclosure, giving Tess time to re-group.

  She stumbled on her way from the shower and he moved with swiftness, his arm coming around her for support again. She thought she heard the sound of indrawn breath, but surely that was her overactive imagination. There was no way this magnificent male could be at all affected by her nearness. Marduk grabbed another towel on their way out of the bathroom.

  “Sit.” He pushed her onto the bed, allowing for no argument, then knelt at her feet. Without glancing up, he started at her toes and wiped the moisture away, leaving warmth in the wake of his fingers. Slowly he worked his way up and over her calves, rounding her knees, spending just enough time on the undersides to tantalize her nerve endings.

  He moved to pat the length of her thighs with a deliberateness that left her languorous. First one, then the other, up to the edge of her towel, then back. His touch melted her bones. Tess felt something deep inside start to sizzle and, without realizing it, she placed her hands on Marduk’s shoulders.

  Marduk had been lost, massaging her flesh, and was startled by her touch. He looked up slowly so as not to spook her, and watched Tess pull her lush bottom lip into her mouth. He saw her pupils flare, and felt his desire rise. The urge to kiss her was so strong. Dare he try?

  He would have to move slowly. His little mouse had been hurt at some point in her life, and he didn’t want those memories to get in the way. He didn’t want her to fear him. Marduk let the towel drop deliberately from his hands. He let her see what he was doing and urged her mentally to set the pace. The warmth of his fingers replaced the rough cotton and he played lightly over her skin. He could have sworn her legs parted slightly and the pulse in her neck quickened.

  Marduk moved closer, breathing in her scent, and bro
ught his face level with hers. His nose nudged her undamaged cheek. She didn’t move away. Instead Tess turned into his touch, and he felt the tentative brush of her mouth at his jaw. It was all the encouragement he needed.

  He tipped his head and drew her in with gentle hands at her shoulders. Carefully, Marduk brushed his lips to hers, once, twice, tasting the delicate mouth he wondrously held beneath his. When she finally softened and brought her fingers up behind his neck, he couldn’t help himself. Marduk claimed her mouth in a desperate crush.

  His hands moved of their own volition down to the outside of her legs and followed her flanks upward under the towel. He felt her gasp at the boldness of his touch, but kept his mouth fused to hers, seeking her tongue and plunging into her warmth. Heaven.

  His hands found her lightly muscled ass and curled around its taut softness. Tess stiffened and began to draw her body back. He tried to coax her forward again, but now she tensed. Her gasps changed in a way that made him suddenly unsure. He drew his hands away from her curves, but kept possession of her mouth, still eager for her kiss, when she stiffened completely and began beating at his chest. Marduk pulled from his sexual stupor, instantly contrite. He moved away and grabbed her pummeling fists, quieting her like a he would a trapped animal.

  “Tess! Tess!” he crooned. His words fell over her again and again. He caressed the insides of her wrists with tender strokes. She needed to fight her panic and realize that he wasn’t going to force her into anything. “It’s okay, Tess. I would never hurt you. It’s okay.” Marduk continued reassuring her until he felt her come back to herself, calm, and go still.

  “I’m sorry…” they both whispered at the same time.

  Marduk brought himself to his feet, trying not to look directly at Tess. He didn’t know what to say. “They’ll, uh, be waiting for us downstairs. I’ll give you some time to get dressed and…” He ran a hand back through his hair. “Let me know when you’re through.”

  Tess watched the god leave and thoughts tumbled through her head. First and foremost? What Marduk had been doing had been amazing and had totally turned her on! She’d loved the way his mouth and his hands had felt on her until her stupid body had betrayed her and shut down. That was nothing like what she’d felt in the past. She wanted more…but she was scared. Had she blown it with her fears? Was she going to lose the opportunity to get to know Marduk?

  He’d been taking things so slowly. He’d been gentle. Things had been going so well, and she reveled in the fact that once again, she had been sure that he found her attractive. The way his hands had tenderly stroked her skin, she had felt a small flame of desire start at her toes and move its way up to her belly, where it had spread and sent an unaccustomed warmth to her pussy.

  Curious, she brought one hand tentatively down between her legs and was amazed to find her fingers wet with arousal. She had never experienced this before. Tess stifled a cry of confusion. She had enjoyed Marduk’s touch that much, but then he’d grabbed her bottom and she’d panicked. Oh God! What if he didn’t have the patience, or want her enough to try again?

  She was suddenly filled with rage and regret. If Gage stood in front of her right now… Her fists clenched. The bastard had screwed up her head, and was in danger of ruining the rest of her life. She couldn’t let that happen.

  Marduk leaned with his back to the door, having closed it as gently as possible behind him, even though all he felt like doing was slamming the damn thing. What was the matter with him? He had seen the marks of abuse on her tender skin, and then he couldn’t keep his frigging hands to himself. Tess must think him the worst kind of beast!

  He groaned and berated himself. To play on her tired and confused emotions, taking advantage of her while she was not herself, was utterly despicable. How could he have lost control of himself like that? If only she’d give him another chance, he’d do his best by her. He’d be so very careful.

  First, he needed to apologize, which wouldn’t be easy, especially as he sucked at making amends. Second, he needed to earn her trust and show her that what they could have would be earth shattering. He wondered if she’d give him the opportunity. Marduk pushed himself away from the door and walked slowly down the hall.

  Tess slipped on her jeans and a bright yellow T-shirt that said “Hot Buttered Popcorn.” Holly had given her the shirt as a joke and, even though she’d never worn it before, she hadn’t had the heart to throw it away.

  Enlil must have come across it in the back of her closet. It hugged her small curves in all the right spots, which was what she wanted right now.

  She rushed out into the hallway, determined to follow Marduk. He hadn’t gone far and, as he whirled around at the sound of the door opening, his eyes went to her shirt. It must have done the trick, because he flushed, and struggled to address her.

  “Listen, Tess…”

  “No, please,” she said beseechingly. “I want to apologize for my behavior.”

  Marduk looked as if he would interrupt again, but Tess wouldn’t let him. She plunged ahead, not having rehearsed what she would say.

  “It’s not like I’m a virgin or anything,” she rambled. “It’s just that I’ve had some issues…some troubles…” She lost her train of thought in her rush to explain.

  “Some troubles with a former boyfriend who decided to use you as his own personal knife sharpener?” Tess heard the disgust in Marduk’s voice.

  Great. He had seen her scars.

  “Something like that,” she sighed, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. “He wasn’t the most gentle or understanding boyfriend, and he had some…um…anger issues.”

  “No Tess,” Marduk disagreed. “I have some anger issues.” His voice rose with his obvious agitation. “That asshole had some fucked up shit going on inside his head. If I ever catch up with that sorry piece of scum, I’m going to cut him into tiny little pieces with the same knife he used to carve into you!”

  “Wow.” That was all Tess could think to say in the face of Marduk’s diatribe.

  “Yeah, wow,” Marduk agreed, breathing deeply to calm himself. She could sense him trying to find his inner Zen. “I want you to know right now that it won’t deter me from getting to know you better.”

  Tess was silently thrilled that he wasn’t going to give up on whatever they’d been feeling. Maybe he was sorry for coming on so strong. His hormones must have exploded past his good intentions.

  “What I want more than anything else is to protect you from your fears. You need to know that the things we will do together won’t cause you pain. I will never hurt you.” He took her hand. “Anything that happens between us will be beautiful.” Tess’s mouth parted slightly, feeling the sincerity behind his words.

  “Don’t mistake me,” he warned softly, “I want to hold you and touch you all over. I want you to feel all of the mind blowing and wonderful things that your body is capable of…and,” Marduk’s voice went very low and raspy, “I want to make you come in all kinds of ways that you never thought possible. Do you hear what I’m saying?” His eyes glowed. “We can do this, Tess…together.”

  Tess stood, transfixed. She was definitely wet again. That was just about the sexiest declaration that she’d ever heard. Part of her wanted to weep with relief that he was going to pursue her, but another part was scared shitless. In either case, humor had always been her best fall-back position, and she stirred herself now to do something funny that would break the palpable tension.

  Tess remembered the movie Marduk had referenced in the hospital, and cleared her throat. She turned, shakily, walking down the hall, her voice wafting back over her shoulder.

  “Buffalo gals, won’t you come out tonight, come out tonight, come out tonight. Buffalo gals, won’t you come out tonight….aaaaand dance by the light of the moon.”

  If she’d been watching his face, Tess would have witnessed the enormous grin that swept across Marduk’s features when the tune reached his ears.

  Chapter Fourteen

&n
bsp; Marduk didn’t remain immobile for long. He caught up with Tess, amazed at how quickly she’d recovered from his little speech. He hadn’t meant to blurt things out quite so crassly, but he hadn’t had occasion for “sweet talking” in hundreds of years.

  Tess further surprised him as she slipped her hand into his and squeezed. His spirits soared and he let her know by returning the pressure and also by giving her a peek into his head. My arms wrapped around your naked form, chest to chest, stomach to stomach, groin to groin. Maybe they could make this work after all.

  “Don’t get your hopes up, god-man,” responded Tess as she read his thoughts, and blushed. “Sometime I’ll let you know just how fucked up things are with me, and you’ll be lucky not to run screaming in the other direction.”

  Marduk took that as a promise and, with positive resolve, pushed open the door to the meeting room. He knew everyone inside was holding their breath, hoping beyond hope to regain their body in the presence of the woman at his side. Marduk sighed to himself. No additional bodies. No such luck.

  Tess was aware only of Enlil and the man standing next to her, but she felt the strangest surge of frustration as she walked into the room.

  So, not this time, she heard murmured.

  It’ll be fine. We’ll get our turn. She wasn’t hearing things. These were her gods.

  She shook her head as if to clear the cobwebs and, all at once, voices crowded into her brain.

  So this is the one, eh Marduk?

  Man, would I like a piece of that!

  She’s got a sweet little body…

  Have you given her a ride?

  Tess was fully aware of how guys bantered, having spent a lot of time in her brother’s gym. She wasn’t offended. Tess hid a grin. It wouldn’t hurt to give them back a little of their own to let them know she was no push-over.

  “No, we haven’t fucked yet,” she supplied flippantly, “but I plan on giving him a blow job later if you’d all care to watch.” She mentioned this smugly to the room while studying her cuticles and was greeted with stunned silence.