Hunter's Mark

by Wendy Smith

  “Corey,” she whispers.

  My patience runs out. I need to taste her.

  She whimpers as I pull away, spreading her legs and exposing her core.

  I move down the rug, dipping my head between her legs, inhaling her scent.

  Maybe this is wrong. She’s more than ten years younger than me with zero experience of the real world. But I’ve wanted her since she arrived that first night, bluster covering her fear. She never needs to be afraid with me.

  I grasp her thighs as she shivers.

  I don’t know what’s a bigger turn-on: that she wants me as badly as I want her, or that this is virgin territory. Literally.

  The thought that Ash Harris controlled her life grates on me. Who the hell was he to decide who she was to marry, who she was to fuck? Pride swells in my chest that my girl ran rather than did as she was told.

  She picked the right time to get away. The gnawing pain in my chest reminds me that if she hadn’t, if she’d gone along with Ash’s wishes or been caught by him, her fate would have been a lot worse than this.

  At that thought, I throw all doubts from my head and plunge my face into her pussy. She’s all kinds of sweet, and wetter than I’d realised, but then it’s not like she’s had a man’s hands all over her body before. And I’ve touched her nearly everywhere.

  I moan at her taste, her clit swelling as I tease it with my tongue. Tonight, Constance Shaw gets everything I’m able to give her. She deserves that.

  “Corey.” She reaches down and grips my hair as she bucks her hips. My senses in overload, I push her harder, licking her like an ice cream, plunging my tongue as deep inside her as I can get. I want it all, and as much as I take, she’s prepared to give me more.

  Her body tenses, and I suck on her clit gently as she lets out a cry. She’s all mine. She shudders under me, and I smile to myself in the hope that I’m the first one to make her come.

  “Corey.” There’s so much emotion in her voice when she says my name this time. I slip a finger into her as I look into her eyes. She shivers when I stroke her clit with my thumb.

  “Feel good?”

  She’s breathless. “That was amazing. Can we do it again?”

  “We can do that as many times as you want, sweetness. Next time I want to see your face when you come.”

  Her eyes search mine.

  “Right now, I need to get a condom. Should have thought about that before we ended up here.” I chuckle against her thigh.

  “I’m on the injection. Ash—”

  “The last person whose medical advice I trust is Ash Harris. I’ll go and grab one.”

  She nods, and I sprint to the bedroom and grab the condom box from the bedside cabinet. I grin as I return. “Hope I haven’t broken the moment too much.”

  She shakes her head, sucking in a deep breath.

  “It’s okay, Con.” I kneel between her legs, taking a condom from the box and tearing the wrapper. She watches as I roll it down my cock, her eyes wide. “We’ll take it slow.”

  She trembles as I lower myself over her, and meets my gaze. There’s fire in that look, and a little bit of fear. She’s scared, but she wants this, wants me.

  “It might hurt a little at first, but I promise it’ll get better.”

  She gives me a small nod, and I line myself up with her entrance. Her heat makes me gasp as I dip into her, the head of my cock finding warmth inside. She feels like heaven.

  She feels like home.

  I move slow, pushing my way inside. She reaches for my biceps and grips them as we meet.

  “You’re really tight, sweetness. Just relax.”

  “I’m trying.”

  Bending, I run my tongue over one of her nipples before finding her mouth with mine. She’ll taste herself on my lips, smell herself on my beard, and she moans when I flick my tongue across hers.

  Her body loses tension, and I give it one final thrust to take myself all the way in.

  She’s around me. Despite me being the one who needs to take the lead, I want to melt into her and let her do what she wants. Maybe next time.

  I move slowly, savouring every movement. She’s snug around me, her body coaxing mine to let go, but I won’t give it that satisfaction yet.

  She lets out a contented sigh, and I look into her eyes. They’re so full of emotion, drawing me in as her body does.

  “I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

  She shakes her head. “I just feel really … full of you.” A smile crosses her lips, and I laugh.

  “As long as you’re okay.”

  She reaches for my beard, looping her fingers into it and pulling my face back to hers.

  “I’m more than okay,” she whispers.

  I kiss her again, moaning my release into her mouth. Relief floods through me as the pressure that began to build earlier in the evening is released, and I give myself to her, ecstasy rolling through me in waves.

  Pausing, I scan her expression. Her breasts heave as she takes a deep breath.

  “Thank you,” she whispers.

  “For what?”

  “For taking me seriously. For giving me what I wanted.”

  I smile. “I wanted it, too.”

  “I know, but …” Tears roll down her cheeks, and I roll to her side, swiping them away with my fingers. “I’m so glad it’s you, Corey. If I’d stayed, I’d have had sex with a stranger and given myself to a man I didn’t want.”

  My insides burn at the thought. “You will never have to do anything you don’t want. I promise you that. If you let me, I’ll give you everything, but I’ll never expect you to stay if you change your mind about this, about us.”

  She shakes her head. “I’ll never change my mind.”

  “Never is a long time, sweetness.” I pull myself out of her arms.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To get rid of the condom. I’ll be back in a second.”

  When I return, I watch her for the moment. She’s pulled the blanket down that lives on the back of the couch, and she’s lying on her side just watching the fire.

  I’ve already given my heart to her. There’s no way I can deny it. I was never one to fall fast, but with her, there’s been no thinking about it. It just happened.

  Now, I just need to keep on keeping her safe.

  “What are you thinking about?” I kneel on the floor beside her, pulling her into my arms as I lie down.

  “Everything. How it was so dark that night I ran, and when the rain hit, I considered turning back. It all just seemed impossible.” She smiles. “And then there was you. You were there when I needed you, and you’ve not hesitated since.”

  “I’ll be there for as long as you need me.”

  Her eyebrows twitch. “Well, Corey Campbell, I think that might be a very long time.”

  The embers are dying in the fire, and as much as I love lying here, stroking her body, it’s time to move.

  “What are you doing?” She laughs as I stand and lift her off the floor, scooping her into my arms, blanket and all.

  “We’re going to bed. It’s going to get cold here.”

  “It’ll be cold in the bed.”

  “Just as well I have you to keep me warm.”

  I walk her down the hall and into my room. Tugging back the bedclothes, I place her gently on the sheet.

  “So, this is Corey Campbell’s comfortable bed,” she says, wriggling around as if she’s testing it out.

  “I told you it was better than the one in the other room.” I slip in beside her, pulling her into my arms. Despite her concern, the bed is warm. I might have a fire to heat the house, but I still love my electric blanket.

  “So much better.” Her eyes search mine, and she reaches up, raking her fingers through my beard. “I don’t know what to say to you because I’m unsure of how I feel. Thank you for being so wonderful.”

  “Thank you for stumbling into my life.”

  She smiles. “It’s so weird. I thought I’d be scared until I
was miles away from that place. But you make me feel safe.”

  “You are safe. I’ll make sure of it.”

  She nods. “If I know anything, it’s that.”

  I lean over, pressing my lips to hers. It’s a gentle kiss, and when I pull away I realise just how exhausted she looks, her eyes hooding over with tiredness.

  “You don’t have to sleep on that uncomfortable bed anymore,” I murmur.

  With a faint smile, she snuggles into my chest and closes her eyes.

  It only takes me a few minutes to join her in sleep.

  12

  Constance

  Corey’s breathing evens out, but I can’t sleep.

  He has one arm under my neck, the other draped across my chest, and I lie on my back and stare at the ceiling.

  I don’t regret what we’ve done. Being with him was everything I ever dreamed of. But the very nature of my upbringing leaves me with a sense of guilt.

  Ash and before him, his father, made all the decisions in the community about who married who. Chastity was drummed into us, although when Ash took over, his little harem was an obvious breach of that. Except that was okay, because it was the leader. He was different. The girls he picked usually thought it was some kind of honour.

  The idea of Ash Harris’s hands on me makes me nauseas.

  Corey’s, on the other hand …

  “Con.” Corey’s deep voice rumbles in my ear, and his lips brush my neck. “Having trouble sleeping?”

  “I thought you were asleep.”

  “I’m a pretty light sleeper. Pays to be when I sleep rough while working nights.”

  I turn my head. The room’s so dark, I can’t see anything, but Corey’s all around me.

  “Are you okay?” he asks.

  “I’m fine.”

  “But you can’t sleep.”

  I sigh. “I’ve barely left this house, but this world is so different to the one I grew up in.”

  “You’re feeling guilty because we had sex.”

  I wish I could see his expression. How the hell does he know that?

  “A little. I’m glad we did it.” I close my eyes. “Being with you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  “Sweetness,” he murmurs. His lips land on mine, and he gives me a gentle kiss. It’s not filled with the urgency of his earlier kisses, but then again, it’s for a different reason. This is why I have no regrets about being with Corey. While there’s this raw attraction between us, it’s not just sex. He cares.

  “I don’t regret walking away from the life I had, but I do miss Mum and Dad.”

  “Do you think they’ll ever leave?”

  I shrug. “They were there long before I was born. They’ve lived there for probably forty years. It’s the life they know. I remember my dad saying ages ago that he didn’t know how they’d cope out in the world. It’s so isolated inside those walls.”

  “Maybe now you’re here, they’ll change their minds. We can help them if they want to go.”

  My heart thuds. “I can’t go back to talk to them.”

  “No, but maybe I can.”

  “You’d do that for me?”

  His breath is hot on my cheek. The ache in my core which has existed since that first night when he put his arms around me gets worse. I’ve gone from one extreme to the other.

  I want him again.

  Now.

  “I’d probably do anything for you, sweetness.”

  I melt at his words. “There’s only one thing I want,” I whisper.

  “What’s that?”

  I choke on the words. This is so unlike me, but if I don’t show Corey, he’s never going to know. Turning the rest of my body to face him, I hook my ankle around his calf.

  “Oh.” He shifts his hand to pinch a nipple, and I gasp. “You want me inside you again?”

  “Yes.” The word is strained, but it’s clear, and before I can say anything else, his mouth is on mine. Every lash of his tongue, I meet with mine. I’m so determined to prove I’m his equal in this.

  “Jesus, woman, you undo me.”

  “I hope that’s a good thing.”

  “It’s a spread-your-legs-for-me-and-I’ll-take-care-of-you kind of thing.”

  I roll onto my back, and Corey moves quickly, quietly. I don’t even hear him lift off the bed, but his breath moves from my cheek to between my legs.

  I arch my back as he plays me with his tongue. I never imagined sex could be this good. Back home, it wasn’t talked about much once a couple was matched. The descriptions I’d heard had sounded clinical.

  There’s nothing clinical about the way Corey’s touching me.

  He grips my thighs, his face pressing into my flesh. I tear up, loving that he’s the only man to touch me this way. He’s the only man I ever want to touch me.

  “Hey.” His voice is in my ear again, and I turn my head despite the darkness of the room. “Are you okay?”

  “How did you know?”

  “You sniffed. It wasn’t loud, but I happen to have excellent hearing.” His tone is kind and loving. I’m the luckiest woman alive right now.

  “I’m just really happy,” I whisper.

  “I’m glad.” He captures my mouth with his, and I surrender to my feelings. Nothing else in the world can compare to this.

  In the dark, the drawer opens, and his weight’s on me. I want this—I want him so much. He’s so gentle despite his size, and I part my legs wider to let him all the way in.

  “Fuck you feel good,” he murmurs in my ear. I close my eyes as his lips graze my neck. He lingers, his breath floating above my skin as he moves inside me slowly. “Can’t believe I could have fallen asleep and missed this.”

  I laugh. “I’m sure there’ll be plenty of other opportunities.”

  His face is so close to mine as he speaks. “This is still our first night together. We only get one of these.”

  He speeds up, his weight lifting from me as he moves. I want to see this, want to see him, but the room’s so dark, and even though my eyes have adjusted, I can’t see enough.

  I meet him with every thrust, and he groans. “Keep that up and I’ll be finished before I’ve started.”

  But I can’t stop. I’m way past my initial discomfort when he was first inside me, and the sensation of him moving in and out feels so good.

  This is what sex should be like.

  He finds my mouth with his, and his hand slips between us. I moan when his thumb strokes my clit.

  “Come for me, Constance.” His voice is right in my ear, and I spread my legs a little wider to give him more access.

  Butterflies build in my stomach again, and when my climax hits it comes in waves, my body clenching around him.

  “Holy shit.” He slams into me and stops. His movements become slow and small, and I wish that I could see his face in the dark.

  When he shifts off of me and to my side, I sigh. There’s something comforting about having his body pressed against mine.

  “Tomorrow, I’ll go and get my annual check-up out of the way. It’s a little early, but if you’re on the injection, then we can ditch the condoms.” He runs his hand up my neck. “I want to be buried deep inside you with nothing between us.”

  My breath catches. “I want that, too.” I squeak, and he laughs.

  “I think I’ve completely corrupted you.” Corey plants a kiss on my forehead.

  “You just woke me up.”

  “I like you being awake.”

  Corey was right.

  His bed is a million times more comfortable than the spare bed is.

  On the much softer mattress, I’m surrounded by him. He’s so tall and well-built that I’m cocooned against his chest, wrapped in his body.

  I feel safer than ever.

  I didn’t plan for this to happen. Maybe it was inevitable with the electricity between us. Though, until yesterday, I didn’t know for sure it went both ways.

  Now I do.

  Corey stirs, burying
his face in my neck, his lips grazing my skin. “Good morning,” he murmurs.

  “Good morning.”

  “I’m glad you’re still here. I thought you might run in the night.”

  “Is that why I’m trapped underneath you?”

  He gives me that throaty chuckle I love. “You’re free to get out any time. I just like sleeping like this with you.” His mouth latches onto my earlobe as his hand dips down between my legs. “Are you sore this morning?”

  “A little. Not that I want to let it stop me.”

  “Good.” He teases my clit with his index finger. “I don’t know about you, but I could do with more of this.”

  “Me too,” I whisper.

  “But I also have things to do today and lying in bed isn’t going to help.” He leaps out of bed, and pulls back the curtains.

  I roll until I’m looking at him, and pout. The morning sun catches his loving eyes, his broad shoulders—he’s so beautiful.

  “You can stay in bed. Get some rest before tonight.” He waggles his eyebrows, and I laugh.

  “Will I need it?”

  “Yes. So, stay here and I’ll bring you breakfast in bed.”

  “Really?” I tap my forehead. “I should have moved in here on my first night.”

  Corey chuckles. “I’m glad we got to know each other first. At least I know what you like for breakfast now.”

  I grin as he exits the room. The sight of him naked makes me sigh.

  There’s no way I could get rid of my grin, even if I tried. Last night was everything I ever imagined could be possible. My heart’s a goner.

  “Before I cook bacon, I should probably put on some clothes. That stuff spits.”

  I laugh as Corey flops back onto the bed. “That doesn’t look like getting dressed.”

  He looks up. “Maybe I don’t want to.” Desire flashes in his eyes, and he crawls up the bed, pulling the duvet off me as he goes.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I want to love you in the daylight, sweetness. Then we can have breakfast.”

  I squeal as he keeps coming toward me, lowering himself next to me and draping his arm over my chest.

  “Mine.”