by Sean Michael
Table of Contents
Marked
Marked Copyright © 2010, Sean Michael
Book Description
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
About the Author
Dear Readers,
Also Available from Resplendence Publishing
ResplendencePublishing.com ~Gems of Romantic Fiction~
Marked
By Sean Michael
Resplendence Publishing
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www.resplendencepublishing.com
Gems of Romantic Fiction
Marked
Copyright © 2010, Sean Michael
Edited by Liza Green and CJ Slate
Cover Art by Melody Pond
Published by Resplendence Publishing, LLC
1093 A1A Beach Blvd, #146
St. Augustine, FL 32080
Electronic format ISBN: 978-1-60735-878-7
Warning: All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Electronic Release: June 2015
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places or occurrences, is purely coincidental.
Cody can’t help but watch Barker, even if he knows it’s stupid, especially around the full moon. Even with sunglasses to hide his deformity, though, he can’t keep Barker away from him, and he can’t manage to say no when Barker calls Cody “mine”.
Barker has never agreed with the pack banishing Cody. So what if Cody doesn’t fit into the narrow confines of what the pack says is normal? He should never have let Cody go, and he’s not about to let his mate slip through his fingers again.
Full moon or not, Cody is not your average werewolf. When the pack finds out he’s back in town, the pack is concerned enough to stick their noses in. When they discover that Barker may have figured out how to solve Cody’s shifter problems, the situation turns dangerous. The pack wants to make sure Cody’s secret doesn’t affect their entire way of life. Can Barker keep Cody safe and make his mate understand that they’re meant to be together?
Chapter One
Cody sat at the bar, steadfastly ignoring the shit going on around him while the whiskey burned from his lips all the way down to his belly. He was fucking tired of being alone, but he didn’t really feel like trolling—for tail or trouble. Still, the walls of the shitty hotel room were closing in, weighing on his ass. So he’d given up, grabbed his jacket and wallet, and escaped.
This late, the bars were the only option if you didn’t want to spend your waking hours in a twenty-four hour greasy spoon, and the idea of the smells there made Cody shudder and his lip curl.
No. No, give him the whiskey, the driving beat, the crowd behind him moving to the music.
He caught the bartender glancing his way and nodded once. He knew the dark glasses seemed like a ridiculous affectation, he could read that on the man’s face, but the man had figured out, after the first five-dollar tip, to keep his fucking mouth shut.
“One more, man?”
Cody bobbed his head to the driving beat. “Yeah. Make it a double.” He slid a twenty across the bar.
The stool beside his was filled; someone tall and broad, who smelled all fucking male. He licked his lips and kept his eyes on the bar, even though his prick took interest in the scent. Not here for trolling.
“What’ll it be?” the bartender asked.
The roughest voice Cody had ever heard answered. “Whiskey, no ice.” A bill slid across the bar.
He nodded as his own drink was slipped over, the liquid splashing on his fingers. He hissed softly and licked his fingers clean.
He felt eyes on him, the man next to him turning to look. Then a second whiskey was plonked down, one big hand grabbing it. They drank together, and Cody finished half of the double with a couple of gulps before taking a breath. That eased the grind inside him.
His neighbor settled half sideways, and he felt the man looking again. “Busy night.”
“It is. Lots of folks.”
“You’re not looking, though.”
Cody looked up, surprised at the words, at the growl. “Just wanted to be out and about.”
“You could have called.”
“I wasn’t sure you’d answer me.” He slammed back the rest of the drink, just to shut himself up.
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
Cody nodded, closing his eyes against the reflection on the back of his dark glasses. Yes. Yes, they were both here.
“I know why you chose this place. The music called you—that driving beat.”
“Yes. I didn’t want to be alone.” He was so fucking tired of being alone, hiding away.
“Like I fucking said: you could have called.” There was heat in that growl now.
He, ever so casually, flipped the asshole off. Butthead.
“Were you going to at all? Christ, Cody. You’re in town so fucking rarely, and you weren’t even going to call, were you?” Barker stood, towering next to him.
“Don’t. Just fucking don’t. You told me, when I left last time, not to bother!” He wasn’t going to have a fight in a fucking bar, not when he’d spent days in a hotel where he could watch Barker move, sleep.
“Since when did you ever fucking listen to me?”
“Fuck this.” Cody headed for the door, head down, furious snarls bubbling up inside him.
He felt Barker following him, felt those eyes on his ass. His fucking body responded eagerly, even though he told it to back the fuck down. Sit. Stay. Good dog.
As soon as they were out of the bar, one of Barker’s big hands wrapped around his, dragging him along the street.
“What the fuck?” Fuck, that hand. That hand. Jesus.
“You’re coming back to mine.” Barker didn’t slow down for a second.
Cody wasn’t given the chance to argue, to complain—Barker knew exactly how much height and weight he had on Cody.
They weren’t far from Barker’s loft apartment, and all too soon they were walking through the lobby toward the elevator. His hotel room was just across the street, looking in.
“You can’t just drag me in here.”
“I just did.”
The elevator door opened, like the motherfucker willed it, and he was shoved inside. Barker followed, hitting the button for the sixth floor. Then the man stalked right up to him.
Cody blinked behind the glasses, took a step back, unable to resist the compulsion. Barker didn’t bring their mouths together, though. The man just stared down at him.
His heart slammed in his chest, his breath huffed out of him. “I hate you.”
“Mmm hmm. I hate you, too.” Fuck, Barker’s voice was growlier than ever.
The elevator slid to a stop. The doors opened and they stood there, glaring at each other, eyes burning. Then Barker grabbed his wrist and hauled him out of the elevator and into Barker’s loft, the walls nothing but windows.
His glasses were torn from him, and flung across the room, and he gasped, hands immediately moving to hide his eyes.
“Don’t.” Barker grabbed his hands and pulled them away from his face.
Cody groaned, lips parting, fingers curling into claws as he squeezed his eyes closed.
“Look at me.” Before he could reply or comply, Barker’s mouth was on his, the kiss desperate.
Oh. Oh. Cody opened, the flavor crashing over him like a ton of bricks, the need so sharp he yipped with it. Barker shoved him against the wall, body pressing against him. Barker’s teeth nipped his bottom lip, opening him wider. Hot and wet, Barker’s tongue pushed in, fucking his lips.
Cody’s eyes popped open because he had to see this, had to remember every second, every minute. Barker’s eyes stared right into his, right into him.
His cock jerked, hot spunk spurting from him, spreading in his pants from the heat in those dark eyes. Barker’s nostrils flared; he could tell the man was scenting him.
He tensed, embarrassed as if he were just a boy. He had to get out of here, lick his wounds. Then Barker’s mouth was on his again, hips grinding into him. Barker fed from his lips, refusing to let him back away, demanding every second of his need.
“Gonna fuck you,” muttered Barker. “Gonna take this ass.” Barker’s hands grabbed his butt, squeezed.
His entire body went on high alert, but he shook his head. “Won’t let you.” It was a lie, and they both knew it.
“Good. It’ll be more fun that way.” Growling hard, Barker started pushing him toward the big bed.
His cock started coming back to life and he snarled softly, warning Barker that he could bite. Barker groaned, kept pushing him in the direction of the bed. Cody pushed back, their lips mashing together, the pressure splitting their lips. Grabbing his ass, Barker hauled him up against the solid body, his feet coming off the ground, letting Barker keep them moving.
“Cheating,” he snarled, but his legs wrapped around Barker’s hips.
“Can’t cheat. No rules.” Barker carried him right over to the bed and threw them both down on it, the big body pushing him hard into the mattress.
He tried to get the upper hand, but Barker’s teeth found his throat, bit down, insisting that he stay still. He could hear the growl building in Barker, felt it against his skin. His body submitted; there was no other choice. His Alpha, his mate, had him by the throat. Cody arched, offered himself over.
The growl came out, triumphant, sexy.
Barker began to tear at his clothes. Cody’s teeth snapped at the air, his abs tight as strings at Barker’s touch.
“Better,” muttered Barker once he was naked. His right nipple was taken between Barker’s teeth, bitten.
He snapped out a cry, his fingers curling into claws. Barker’s tongue stayed there for a moment, soothing the hurt, and then another bite landed by his ribs. His fingers found purchase in Barker’s hair and tugged, pulling the evil bastard closer. More bites covered his skin, Barker growling and moaning.
“Stop…” Cody rolled up then Barker shoved him down, and his knees went up.
Barker’s tongue slid across his hole. His eyes rolled back in his head, his sob loud. The wet lick came again, and then Barker’s tongue pushed right in. Cody’s howl rang out, tearing out of his chest, so big, so fierce. Barker tongue-fucked him hard and fast, slicking him up.
Words jabbered in his head, the entire universe shrinking down into this single point, this moment. When Barker’s tongue disappeared, the man’s hard, hot cock pressed against his hole in its place.
Barker didn’t move, and Cody knew what the fucker was doing: waiting for him to open his fucking eyes. A low growl came from Barker and Cody gasped in a breath, arching into the sound. Barker’s cock didn’t breach him, though. The man just kept waiting, the low grumble resting in his throat.
“Barker…” Cody fucking needed.
“Look at me,” growled Barker.
“They’re ugly.” They proved his deformity.
“Look at me.”
“No.” His eyes opened though, his heart pounding.
“Yes.” Barker pushed into him, the thrust hard, landing right on his gland.
“Mate!” He screamed with it, desperate and needy and lost with that single thrust.
Pleasure, pride, and satisfaction filled Barker’s eyes, and the man began to pump into him. They slammed together, rutting wildly, and all Cody knew was need. Barker snarled and growled, holding his gaze. So beautiful. So wild. He called out, begging for Barker with all he was.
“Mine.” The word was little more than a needy snarl.
“I can’t be…” Cody knew that; Barker knew it. He was broken.
“Mine,” Barker snarled the word again, slamming into him.
“Fuck…” His teeth gnashed, and the pleasure battered at him.
“Yes.” Barker kept pushing into him, kept pulling on his cock; he was in sensory overload.
He couldn’t shift, he couldn’t come, he couldn’t let go. Broken, he was broken!
Barker wasn’t looking at him like he was broken. “Come on, Cody. Give me what I want.”
He took a sobbing breath, intending to tell Barker that he couldn’t, but his cock could and did, seed spraying over his chest, up onto his face. Barker put his head back and howled, heat pushing deep inside Cody. He felt the marking, sliding everywhere, spreading Barker’s scent.
Barker collapsed onto him, pressing him into the mattress.
Cody held on, knowing it would only be for a few minutes, knowing that shame would have him running the second Barker fell asleep, until the pain and the loneliness drove him back close enough to smell his mate.
A low sound rumbled from Barker’s throat, almost a purr, and one big hand petted his skin. Cody’s body arched, knowing that touch deep in his bones.
“Mine.” The word was whispered this time, Barker’s hand wrapping around his arm.
His answer was to lick Barker’s chin—the act adoration and apology all at once.
That rumble sounded again, Barker clearly pleased.
Now all Cody had to do was file every second in his memory and wait for his mate to fall asleep.
Chapter Two
Barker yawned as he woke and stretched. He felt the sweet lassitude in his muscles, the feeling that meant he’d had his mate, fucked Cody into the damn bed. Humming happily, he moved, arm out to find his lover’s body, to pull Cody in close.
Only to find nothing but mattress. Cold mattress at that. Growling, he sat up and looked around. The place was empty; the only thing left of Cody was the man’s scent.
He let out a roar.
Asshole. Motherfucker. The stupid little son of a bitch. Barker was going to kill the piece of shit.
He got up and threw on his jeans, a T-shirt, and his jacket. Then he hit the pavement, nose in the air. Cody couldn’t have gotten that big a head start on him.
Ten years. Ten years he’d done this. He’d seen his mate on the night before the full moon, tight little body outlined by the light, and he’d known this was it. The one. His.
They’d had one night of pure fucking bliss; then the full moon had come and Cody hadn’t changed. He’d twisted and sobbed, body wracked with pain, and all Barker could do was watch. After that night, Cody was caught between wolf and man—teeth unnaturally sharp, eyes glowing, muscles tight and trapped.
They’d talked to the Clan, to the healers, and everyone had shaken their heads, sighed in sorrow for them. Cody should die, they’d told him. No one could stay sane in that condition. No one could be caught like that forever.
Then William came to him and told him that he had to renounce Cody, had to turn away from his mate and drive him out to die. He’d snarled, fought the Alpha for daring to suggest it, but when the fight was over, Cody had been chased out, the scent of fear and blood the only thing left.
Once every few years, Cody showed up in the city and Barker chased his mate down, dragged him home. And eve
ry time Cody had disappeared again, hiding his tracks.
Barker growled and started following the scent of his lover. Cody hadn’t covered it up as well this time, or at least, it didn’t disappear the minute he was out the door. Maybe Cody wasn’t that far ahead of him.
His mate needed to stop running, stop hiding, stop spending the full moon alone in agony. Barker knew the change was possible. It had to be. His lover was still sane. Mostly. Barker wasn’t a pup anymore, either. He was willing to stand up now, for what was his. Able to.
He followed Cody’s scent to the hotel across the street. Across the fucking street. He knew then, suddenly, immediately, that Cody sat there, watched him. Asshole.
He stormed in and went to the front desk.
A young Asian man smiled up at him. “Good…almost morning, sir. Can I help you?”
“Cody Donner. What room?”
“I’m sorry, sir. Are you on his list of accepted contacts?”
Barker closed his lips on the growl that wanted out and made himself smile. “Of course I am. I knew he was here, didn’t I?”
“Can I have your name, please?”
“No. You’re going to give me Cody Donner’s room number or I’m going to search for the man myself. Floor by floor, room by room.” He leaned over the counter, glaring down, letting the clerk see just how big he was.
“You’ll have to leave, sir, before I call the police.” The little man was drawing up, trying to be tall.
“Barker? James Barker? Is that you, lovely?”
A tiny little slip of a girl in a maid’s uniform bounded up to him, rubbed noses with him. Clan. She was Clan. “Uncle Barker. It is you.”
He searched his brain for a name before coming up with, “Lisa?”
“Mmm hmm.” She waved to the man at the front desk. “I’ll take care of this guest, Matt. He’s family.” One arm crooked in his. “What are you doing out this time of night?”
“Looking for someone.” He aimed a glare back at “Matt” and then scented the air again.
