by Leia Shaw
Marcelo sat up and claimed her mouth while he centered her over his shaft. She lowered herself onto him, savoring every sensation as he stretched her. She moaned and let her head fall back. He filled her so completely the intensity threatened to overwhelm her. Then his hands were on her, solid and grounding. Firmly he rubbed up and down her thighs, soothing her as she rocked against him.
“Touch me,” she commanded. Was that her voice, so smoky and seductive?
His hand slid between her curls and parted her intimate flesh. One stroke between her folds and pleasure rippled through her so suddenly she squeezed her thighs around him and cried out, “Oh god!”
He sat up and covered a nipple with his lips and when she gasped and trembled, he suckled harder, his thumb rubbing slow circles around her throbbing flesh.
“Yes,” she said, breathless.
A cross between a growl and an agonized groan came from the back of his throat and he dug his heels into the mattress shoving himself deeper inside her. He grabbed her backside with both hands and squeezed, rocking her back and forth against him. Tension built in her nerves, sweat beaded on her brow. The climax was coming. Just a little more and she would explode.
But Marcelo sat straight up, holding her against him with an arm wrapped around her waist. He nuzzled his nose into her hair.
“Aila, love, I need your trust,” he whispered against her ear.
She hesitated. Without another word he gently flipped her beneath him and nudged her thighs apart settling his hips between them. She could feel his length up against her opening. Panic erupted. She squeezed her eyes shut and tightened her thighs around him, preventing him from entering her.
His scratchy cheek rubbed up against hers, warm and reassuring.
“Shh…mi amor, I would never hurt you.” He smoothed her hair from her face. “You know I won’t hurt you. Mi vida, mi alma. My life. My soul. I could never hurt you.”
Was it true? Could she trust him? Marcelo had said trust was a risk. Was she strong enough to take that risk? Here she stood, at the edge of a precipice, where the only man she’d ever loved was asking her to take a leap of faith. Could she trust that he would be there, ready to catch her at the bottom?
“Aila, know that I would do anything to protect you. Feel it. Trust it. I am your mate. I will always be here for you.”
She took a deep breath. And jumped.
“Yes, Marcelo. I trust you. I’m ready.”
She grabbed onto his ass and pulled him in. But her mind didn’t betray her this time. There were no painful memories. Only Marcelo. His warm body against hers. His heart pounding pressed up against her chest. His tender chocolate-brown eyes looking down at her, sparkling with male satisfaction. In that moment, he was her world.
At first he only moved in slow circles, allowing her time to adjust to the position. He kissed her face, her neck, her chest. He kneaded her breast with one hand, tugging gently on her sensitive nipples.
“Ah, mi amor, you’re so hot and sweet and perfect, do you know that? You feel so good. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.”
He pushed in further, burying himself deep inside her. Possessing her, scorching her very soul.
“I love knowing how wet and aroused you are for me,” he whispered against her ear. “I may never let you wear underwear again.”
She laughed and felt the anxiety ease from her body. He pulled out then thrust back in, the sensation leaving her breathless.
“You left me hanging that night by the lake, querida. You have a lot to make up for,” he teased with a smirk, grinding against her. “Later I’m going to taste you, keeping you on edge for so long you’ll be begging me for release. Then I’m going to take you in the shower, up against the wall where you’ll be at my mercy, and when you come, querida, you’ll see fireworks.”
“Holy shit,” she whispered, her eyes wide with longing. A new flood of liquid poured to her center, lubricating her channel.
With long, slow strokes he pumped in and out, until her muscles trembled then turned to jello. Her back arched, a quiet moan escaping her lips.
“That’s it,” he praised. “Surrender, Aila. Surrender to me.”
In an ultimate act of trust, her legs fell wide open. He shoved in with a firm thrust and she gasped, grabbing onto his shoulders, digging her nails into his flesh, anchoring her before she floated away.
“That…that’s good,” she murmured.
Marcelo ran a hand down her thigh and pulled her leg up around his waist. She wrapped the other around him.
She heard his teeth grind together as he hissed in a shaky breath. “Ah gods, you’re perfect, Aila. Just like this. Pinned beneath me, open and bare, your legs locked around my waist. Beautiful.”
He bucked into her. Firm thrusts impaled her, over and over, taking her to the edge while he whispered endearments in Spanish. He was relentless, possessive. He attacked her mouth, nipping and sucking. A fury of sensation overwhelmed her. She was coming undone. Falling, tumbling, and suddenly afraid to let go.
“Just one more thing,” he said against her lips. He pulled out and rubbed against her clit. She whimpered at the loss. “Who do you belong to?”
She squirmed beneath him. “You.” Always you.
He smiled. “That’s my girl. Now come with me.”
One more hard thrust as his tongue dove into her mouth and she screamed, his lips catching it. Her orgasm hit like a tidal wave, washing over her, stealing her breath away. Marcelo roared while he pumped into her, his seed branding her channel.
She blinked, her vision blurry through wet eyelashes. Her eyes stung and her cheeks were wet. Why are my cheeks wet?
She was crying. Not tears of joy or pain. She wasn’t sad or hurt. She was simply…at peace. The demons that had haunted her were gone. Chased away by a big, bad vampire. Marcelo kissed her wet cheeks then rolled off her and cuddled her into his arms.
He didn’t ask about the tears, just held her tight and wiped them as they fell.
Wonderful man.
***
“I’m going to need a good long soak in the tub,” Aila told him an hour later, waking up from dozing in his arms.
“I think I promised you a shower.” He ran his fingers through her hair as they stared up at the ceiling. His lips were at her ear. “Do you remember what I said I was going to do to you in the shower?”
Heat rushed to her center as she pictured his head between her legs, that wicked tongue working its magic. Damn. How does he do that?
He laughed and she knew he noticed her arousal. She cast him a dirty look. “That’s not fair.”
“Of course it’s fair. My job is to satisfy you. How can I do that if I don’t know when you need me?” The back of his hand grazed across her breast. He gently pinched her nipple.
Her body tingled but she swatted his hand away. “Stop that! I’m still tired. And if we keep up this pace I’ll be so sore I won’t be able to walk.”
“But it’s a good reason to be sore.”
She pursed her lips in determination.
“All right.” He exaggerated a sigh. “I’ll give you reprieve. But if you keep wiggling naked in my arms like you’re doing now, I can’t promise it’ll last long.”
“Do you want me to put my clothes back on?”
“Try it and I’ll tie you to the bed.”
She giggled and tightened her arms around his torso.
Suddenly all laughter was gone. Marcelo grasped her chin and pulled her head up to meet his somber gaze. “Aila, I want you to know that I plan to make love to you in so many different ways that you completely forget the bad thing that happened to you when you were a child.”
She bit down on her lip and nodded. The sentiment was sweet but she didn’t think that would ever be possible. It was too engrained in who she was.
“You don’t believe me,” he stated. “But I got you past your fear of people, didn’t I? After all, you shot me in the neck to run off and meet up with the fae.” H
e arched a brow at her guilty expression. “Isn’t that right?”
“About that…I’m not sorry I left but…I am sorry I shot you. I should have confided in you. Given you a chance to accept my plan. For that, I’m sorry.”
“I know.” He kissed the top of her head. “But I didn’t exactly make it easy, did I?”
“Trust goes both ways.”
“You’re right. I know I’m a bit protective – ”
“A bit?”
“Querida.” His voice was solemn. “I’m trying to apologize here. It isn’t easy.”
She made a motion of zipping her lips.
“I’m sorry for my part. I should have trusted you instead of imposing my will. I can’t promise it won’t happen again, I’m still learning how to compromise. But, Aila, you can’t run off like that again. If you’re scared, tell me. If you’re mad, hit me. But you don’t run. No matter what we face in life, we face it together. I’ll have your vow on that.”
“You mean no more arrows to the neck?” she said in mock disappointment. “A pity.”
“I mean it, Aila. No more running off by yourself. Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“Good.” He kissed her firmly on the lips. “Now then, let’s have a talk about the use of weaponry in this relationship. I’m glad you’re so competent with your bow and arrow but I don’t know if my ego could handle being bested by a mere fae again.”
She shot up in the bed. “A mere fae?”
Laughing he pulled her back down, draping her over his chest. “Speaking of fae, would you like to tell me who this KW is?”
“Keiran, the Unseelie fae prince.”
“Ah, I see.”
“We’re supposed to get married.”
His body tensed beneath her. She looked up at him. His eyes were dark, almost black. His lips formed a snarl. A growl started deep in his chest.
“Relax,” she said, placing a hand on his bare chest. “Obviously I refused him.”
His expression didn’t change but his muscles relaxed and the fury receded from his eyes. She laid her head back down on his chest.
His arms tightened around her. “I must confess I’m a bit jealous.”
“Duh.”
He gave her a squeeze that threatened to snap her bones. “Disrespectful little thing.”
“Well, why should you be jealous? I chose you.”
“Yes, but he gave you a gift. A very valuable one.”
Her forehead creased. “The bow and arrow? You don’t want me to have them?”
He cupped her cheek and tilted her head up. “Of course I do. In fact, I expect you to keep practicing with them.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips. “But I have a gift for you as well.”
“Really? What is it?”
“Later. Now you rest.” He shifted her so her head was on top of a pillow. She pouted at the loss of his body heat.
“But my sister –”
“I’ll wake you when she comes.”
“Where is she?”
“She went Topside to look for you. You were late in your arrival and she had a bit of a meltdown. I’m surprised the castle is still standing.” He rolled off the bed with unnatural grace. “Sleep now. You are weary. I can see it in your eyes.”
She was. The small nap hadn’t been enough to replenish her. He tucked her under the blankets then pulled on his jeans. But she wasn’t ready for him to go.
She reached out a hand. “Stay with me? Please?”
He looked at the door and she thought he would refuse. But with a sweet smile he nodded and returned to bed, tugging her into his embrace, enveloping her in his warmth.
That morning she had wondered if Marcelo would ever forgive her for leaving him alone in the forest. He had been furious with her, but he hadn’t hurt her. He’d barely even yelled at her. And he’d forgiven her easily.
Trust really was a risk. He could still reject her. He could use her, abuse her, or just ignore her. But it was too late to guard herself now. She’d already jumped.
Chapter 17
Marcelo kept Aila cushioned against him while she slept. He couldn’t remember ever feeling so content. He finally had his mate, naked in his arms, right where she should be. Just an hour ago they’d made the sweetest love he’d ever had. Life was perfect. What was wrong with him that his immediate thought was “how long will this last?”
Aila hadn’t given up on the pursuit of her destiny, he knew that much. It worried him. The fate of an entire race shouldn’t rest on the shoulders of one small fae – his fae. He had to convince her it wasn’t her responsibility. Maybe he could distract her with sex. His chest puffed up in pride when he thought about how she had opened herself to him, trusting he wouldn’t hurt her, only give her pleasure. He was hard again just thinking about her willing surrender. And damn if she didn’t look good riding him like a cowgirl, impaled on his member, breasts bouncing, head thrown back exposing her slender neck. If she would let him sink his fangs into her delicate skin and taste her rich, addicting blood, it would be the ultimate pleasure.
Though his erection was uncomfortable, he managed to drift off under the hypnotic effect of her steady breathing and heartbeat.
She woke with a tired smile and gazed into his eyes.
“How long did I sleep?” she asked between yawns.
“Just a few hours,” he answered. “You can sleep more if you’d like. You still look –”
She shushed him with a gentle finger on his lips. “No. I feel much better.”
“What is this, querida?” He snatched her wrist and stared at the bracelet dangling from it. She hadn’t been wearing a bracelet before visiting the fae.
“Uhh…just a bracelet Kieran gave me.” She pulled from his grip and tucked her arm under her body where he couldn’t see it. He wrestled it back into view.
“It’s not a big deal Marcelo. It’s just…I had mentioned I liked this one statue of a fox. It was made of red jasper which protects against fears of the night. He thought it might make me feel better.” She lowered her gaze and fingered the red beads that encircled her wrist. “Do you want me to take it off?”
Yes, he did. But he didn’t say so. He didn’t want her to resent him for his possessive ways. “Keep it. Anything that protects you is added benefit for me.”
She smiled.
“That’s two gifts now the fae prince has given you,” he teased. “How am I to compete?”
Her smile was gone in an instant. She dropped her gaze.
Mierda, there’s more. “What else, querida? Might as well get it out now.”
“Well, there’s a book.”
He sighed. “Of course there is.”
“It’s about the fae and magic and I should probably read it.”
“Yes, you should. As jealous as I am, Aila, I recognize that you are fae, and you always will be. You could no more ignore that side of you than I could my thirst for blood.” He arched a brow. “Anything else I should know about?”
“Nothing else. I promise.” She traced his lips with a finger then kissed him. “I need to get up and stretch my legs though.” She rolled off the bed holding the sheet tightly around her. His body felt the loss. “Let me get dressed then you can give me a grand tour of Sage’s…um…lovely home.”
He tried to focus on her words but her firm nipples jutted out from under the sheer sheet, taunting him. “We can start with the bathroom. I think you’ll love the shower.”
“No.” Her voice was stern but there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes.
He licked his lips remembering the taste of her soft skin, sweet and refreshing.
“I’m serious! We can’t just fool around in bed all day.”
“Not just in the bed. In the shower, on the floor, up against the wall. We could even get creative with the dresser.”
She bit down on her lip as if she were holding back a laugh. “You know what I mean. I miss Sage, Marcelo. I need to find her.”
Her tone was pleading and he
realized it would be hard to deny her anything again. And he didn’t like that one bit.
“Now, I am going into the bathroom, by myself, and I’ll be out when I’m dressed.”
With a disappointed sigh, he pulled on his jeans and t-shirt. Several minutes later she returned, dressed in the flimsy, yellow sundress that was far too delicate for the dusty Underworld. Images of stripping it off of her flooded his mind. Her flat stomach flared into curvy hips and backside. Her breasts were the perfect size to fit in his palms. He looked down at her legs remembering them wrapped around his waist, pulling him deeper inside her.
I’ll never lose this hard-on with her around.
She cleared her throat. When he met her gaze, her lips were quirked in an amused little smirk as she eyed the bulge in his jeans.
Little minx. In one long stride he had her in his arms, pressed tight against his chest. He arched a brow. “Keep staring at it and your tour will never extend beyond this bedroom.”
With a mischievous sparkle in her eye she said, “Maybe you should just control yourself better.” She licked her lips and looked down again.
“That’s it.” He pushed her up against the wall. “You asked for it.”
When he lifted her she wrapped her legs around his waist, tight like a vice, and attacked his mouth with such ferocity he almost dropped her. I’ll be damned if I can’t appreciate an aggressive woman. He dove into her mouth, licking and nipping and sucking while his hand reached under her dress.
“I thought I told you no more underwear,” he teased upon finding the inconvenient barrier.
He shoved a finger under her panties and squeezed her swollen clit. She gasped and her legs tightened around him. He ripped the offending garment right off her body.
“Hey! I need those!”
“No you don’t. In fact, let’s get rid of this too.” In less than a second her dress was in tatters on the floor.
She gasped. “You better hope I can find something of Sage’s that fits!”
He nipped her swollen bottom lip. “New rule. No clothing in the bedroom.”
She nipped him back sending jolts of electricity straight into his shaft. Ah, gods, the woman makes me crazed!