by Jenika Snow
She made one more gurgled sound before falling to the ground. His knife came free, but also with it a chunk of her flesh. For a second, all Marius did was stare at her, but then he snapped out of it. He grabbed a clean knife and finished field dressing the deer before slinging it over his shoulders and heading home.
Home. That’s where Maya was.
18
Maya finished off her tea and looked out at the property. It was an overcast day, and the look of it, and the scent in the air, told her winter was already here.
“Sherman, come on, boy!” she yelled out for the dog, who was busy over by the fence, whining and digging into the ground.
She set her cup on the banister and walked down the steps. Tightening her jacket around herself, she kept moving toward Sherman. The fact that he was whining had her on alert. Taking out the knife she had tucked at the small of her back, and feeling the knife she had strapped to her ankle, she felt safe with the knowledge she could protect herself. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t afraid of what could be out there.
It might just be an animal, or maybe Marius is back.
Looking around and having her knife at the ready, she stopped beside Sherman. She didn’t see anything, but with Sherman acting crazy, she knew something had to be out there.
“Quiet, boy.”
Sherman whimpered but stayed quiet. The wind blew, the tops of the trees swaying and causing the branches to creak slightly. The longer she stood there, staring into the darkened woods, the overcast sky and shadows causing everything to be hidden, murky even, the more she felt off. Something wasn’t right.
“Come on, Sherman.” She turned, wanting to get into the house where at least she would feel safer than being out in the open. As she made her way quickly toward the steps, she heard twigs cracking nearby. Stopping, she heard Sherman start to growl.
“Go to the house, Sherman.”
The dog whimpered, but she shooed him on.
Looking into the woods again, she knew she should go inside, but she needed to make sure that if there was a threat out here, she got it taken care of. When silence greeted her again, she all but ran to the house, where the rest of her weapons were and where she at least had shelter. But just as she was about to reach the porch, this god-awful groan came through the air, so close to her it felt like it was right on her back. She tripped, the sound startling her. Her foot got caught on the uneven ground, and she turned her head to see an infected shuffling toward her.
He had a long, dirty beard, and debris and black-and-red blood covered the white strands.
Sherman was on the porch barking and growling.
“Stay!” she shouted at the dog.
Rising up, she turned, knife in hand, and faced the infected. He had dirty clothes on, and although his pupils weren’t fully clouded over, as they were when someone had been dead for a long time, there was the start of that milky color. This man hadn’t been turned very long ago.
He reached out for her, groaning and snapping his teeth. She went to lunge at him, to plunge her knife in his skull, but he fell forward, landing on her. They fell back on the ground, knocking the wind out of her. She was an idiot for not bringing her gun, but she knew she had weapons, and she knew how to take down one of these fuckers without ammunition.
Struggling and grunting to get him back, she was having a hell of a time stabbing him in the head and damaging his brain, because she had to keep his face away from hers. He was clawing at the ground, trying to bite her. The sound of his gurgling, of his groaning as he wanted to rip her apart, had the adrenaline pumping through her like a fire infused with gasoline.
Sherman continued to growl, and as Maya tried to get the infected off of her, the scent of his flesh decaying and the sight of the necrosis starting to consume his face gave her a flash that this might be the way she died. She had no clue where he had come from. Hell, he could have been roaming around from when the fence had been busted.
They continued to struggle, and as she lifted her hand, thinking she had a good shot, he turned his head and snapped at her. The sudden act and her fear had reflexes taking over. She dropped the knife, their squirming bodies causing it to move up toward her head. If only she could reach the knife tucked at her ankle.
And then Sherman was on him, growling, tearing at the infected’s clothes. The groaning became louder, but the male still wouldn’t stop trying to bite her, still didn’t stop trying to rip a chunk out of her.
Maya didn’t want to die like this, didn’t want her life to end this way, when she’d found Marius and felt like she could be happy again.
19
Marius heard Maya before he saw her. He took off running, the buck falling to the ground as he charged through the woods and toward the house. He was exhausted, having walked all night, only resting off and on. He just wanted to get home to her.
When he broke through the trees, shock resonated in him, but he didn’t falter in running toward her. Gun now at the ready, he opened the gate and went over to her. He was about to grab the infected, when Sherman attacked the male, tearing at his clothing. The sound of fabric rending filled the air.
Maya turned and saw him, a gasp coming from her and strain and fear on her face. “My knife. I dropped my knife.”
Sherman slammed his body into Marius’s leg, trying to get to the man attacking Maya. Marius used his boot to kick the infected away and off of Maya, and as the male went onto his back, his lifeless eyes staring right at Marius and his groan surrounding them, it was recognition that had Marius frozen for a moment.
It was the asshole who stabbed him weeks ago. It looked like the crazy prick had gotten infected, or had been bitten and changed after he died.
“Let me do it,” she whispered.
He looked at her but then handed her the gun. She clearly needed to finish this.
The infected started groaning and reaching for them.
“Grab Sherman,” Maya said in a calm voice.
Marius grabbed the dog’s collar and watched as his woman handled this.
Maya lifted the gun, aimed it at the male, and fired.
They stood there, both staring at the corpse on the ground. Marius let go of Sherman, and the dog started whining. He went to Maya and butted his head up against her thigh. Marius wanted to protect her, but he also couldn’t help that he was proud as fuck that his woman was kick-ass and wasn’t afraid to blow an infected asshole’s head off.
“Maya, baby?” he prompted low, wanting to make sure she was okay.
She slowly turned and faced him, her face void of any emotion.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I am.” She looked at the infected again, breathed out as if she were exhausted, and then looked at Sherman.
“He’s fine, baby.”
Sherman barked and started licking at Maya’s hand. When she looked at Marius again, it was the tears starting to form in her eyes he saw first.
“Maya?” He was in front of her and had her in his arms seconds later. He smoothed his hand up and down her back, hating that she was breaking down. The gun fell to the ground beside them, and she wrapped her arms around him.
“I’m okay. I really am,” she said between watery sounds. “I guess this all just brought back a lot of memories because of what happened with my dad.”
“It’s all right, baby.” He continued to smooth his hand up and down her back. “You did good. You were kick-ass as well.”
She chuckled softly, and he grinned even if she couldn’t see him. When she pulled back, he pushed a stray hair off her shoulder. “I’d kiss you, but I’ve been hauling a buck carcass for the last day and haven’t brushed my teeth.”
She chuckled again and brushed her fingers under her eyes, wiping her tears away.
“How about I get some water for you, start a fire to heat it up, and get a bath going?” he offered.
She smiled. “I should be the one getting the bath for you.”
“How about we save water and ju
mp in together?”
“I like the way you think.”
Despite the fact that she’d almost been infected and that if he hadn’t gotten here in time, things might have gone a lot differently, the very idea of holding her nude body against this had all worry fleeing. All he wanted to do now was be with the woman he was growing to love, that he’d die for.
Yeah, Marius was already in love with Maya, and he knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. Hell, she might even save his ass from time to time.
That had him feeling like the luckiest bastard in the world.
Epilogue One
The following summer
They’d survived the winter, and although it had been hard at times, Maya and Marius had stuck together. They learned things as well, knew what to expect for this upcoming winter, and they’d be ready.
As it was, they’d been preparing for winter since it officially ended. Nothing had changed with the infection, and in fact, she knew it had only gotten worse. They’d ventured in town once after the snow thawed, seeing if they could scavenge for any supplies, even though she had a feeling there wouldn’t be anything. The once picturesque town of Brook Locke was deserted, rotting corpses lying in the street, and even a few infected roaming. The stench had been intense as the bodies thawed.
They hadn’t actually seen another healthy human, but she was okay with that. No one could be trusted, and they had their sanctuary at the farmhouse and on the land.
The sun was beating down on everything today, and even though she was in the woods, looking for the wild blackberry bushes she knew were close to the property, the oppressive heat could still be felt.
She bent over, pushed some of the foliage away, and saw the bushes of ripened blackberries. A swatch of light came through from an opening in the tops of the tress, giving the berries enough to grow. Maya started picking the berries and putting them in the small basket she carried, but then the feeling of something close to her had her standing and turning around, the knife that had been strapped to her hip now in her hand. She held it out in front of her, ready to use it, but she saw Sherman and Marius coming toward her. He stopped and held up his hands.
“Dammit, I told you not to walk up on me. You’re liable to get stabbed.” She wasn’t teasing. She’d rather jab first and ask questions later, especially in this shitty world.
He started chuckling, and she sheathed her knife again, unable to keep her smile in. Every passing day, she grew to love him even more. They were a team, and she knew that without his company, without his help, she would have had a difficult time living out here by herself. As it was, the last few months when she’d been here alone had been starting to eat away at her. Not even Sherman as her companion had been enough.
Marius came closer, and she eyed him, wondering what was on his mind since he wore a smirk.
“You look like you have something up your sleeves.”
He lifted his arms. “I’m wearing a T-shirt, baby.”
She rolled her eyes at his reply. When he was a foot from her, the tree stopping her from even thinking about leaving, all she could feel was his body heat. “You’re funny,” she said in a bland tone but smiled. He moved a step closer to her. “Marius, what are we doing?” Maya said on a whisper, feeling her arousal rise. This was always how she felt when he was near, when he looked at those with those intense, serious eyes.
He reached out and smoothed his hand on her cheek. “I’m not doing anything,” he said unconvincingly. He continued to move his hand down, over her throat, across her collarbones, and covered one of her breasts.
The only sound that could be heard was of them breathing heavily. Sherman was off to the side rummaging around, but all she could focus on was Marius.
“What would you say if I said I wanted to fuck you right here?”
She sucked in a lungful of air. “It’s dangerous being out here.”
He moved closer until his chest brushed her breasts. “I’ll protect you.” He pressed her up against the tree and ground his hard dick into her belly until she gasped slightly. Maya dropped the basket, the berries forgotten as pleasure stole her sanity and common sense.
“This is kind of reckless,” she said without any worry in her voice, without fearing they were in danger.
“Yeah, and doesn’t it feel fucking incredible,” Marius said without phrasing it like a question.
She closed her eyes when his warm breath teased her throat.
“Look at me, baby,” he said low, commanding.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. He smoothed his hand over the side of her head, grabbed a chunk of her hair, and tilted her head to the side. He then dipped his head and ran his tongue up the length of her throat, eliciting a moan from her.
“God, Marius,” she said and grabbed his shoulders, digging her nails into his cotton-covered flesh.
“You taste good, sweet and addictive.”
She was so damn aroused, her pussy wet, her clit feeling swollen. Although they were alone, doing this out here was exciting, almost like she was living dangerously. Of course she was, she supposed.
She pushed him away an inch, but before he could say anything, she shed her clothes. She only had a T-shirt and capris on, but they’d felt so damn abrasive on her flesh. When she stood before him in only her panties and bra, he took control. Marius helped her take her underwear off by grabbing the elastic at her hips and pushing them down her legs. He then pulled the cups of her bra down so her breasts spilled out of the top. Having that item of clothing still on aroused her even more.
Holding her gaze with his, she heard him inhale deeply, as if he smelled her arousal.
“You smell so fucking good, Maya.” He lifted his hands and smoothed his fingers over her breasts, down her belly, and cupped her between her thighs with a firm hold. A gasp of pleasure left her when he slid his fingers through her slick folds, parting them. He then pushed a thick finger into her pussy hole.
Still keeping his gaze on her face, he removed his hand and brought up the cream-soaked digit. When he licked the finger clean, she felt her mouth part as heat traveled through her. Marius then lowered his hand and placed it between her thighs again, strumming her clit back and forth.
He leaned in close, so his mouth was by her ear. “I’m going to fuck you so hard you won’t be able to walk straight, baby.”
Oh. My. God.
Over the last year, and especially with them being cooped in the house during the winter, she’d really grown close to Marius. He was gentle when the time called for it, let her have control when she needed it, but then there was this side of him, the side that was slightly dirty, very dominant, and needed to command. She was more than happy to give in too.
“That’s what I need,” she said in response and saw his nostrils flare from his pleasure. He moved an inch back, but only far enough away to unbutton his jeans. He pulled his dick out through the fly of his jeans and underwear, stroked himself, and moved closer.
He moved closer to her, gripped her under the ass, lifting her easily off the ground. Marius was so strong, so powerful. She felt like he’d save the world just for her. He pressed her back to the bark, and she made a sound in pleasure and pain from the rough texture.
“I bet that feels good, doesn’t it, baby?” he asked, his mouth by her ear, his now bare cock moving against her belly. The feel of the slickened tip had her mewling.
“Yes,” she moaned that one word out.
He pulled back and looked at her face.
“I fucking love you.”
“I love you too,” she said on a whisper.
He groaned and kissed her hard, possessively. He used his body to spread her legs wide, and she wrapped them around his waist for stability. Arms around his neck and hands gripping the short strands of his hair, Maya let her head rest on the tree and closed her eyes.
He kissed her, long and deep. She wanted more action, wanted to feel the hardness of his body against the softness of hers thrusting int
o her, claiming her. She didn’t want to stop until they were both sated, out of breath, and she was sore between her thighs.
The command and power that poured from him were like a second entity and made her feel so feminine, submissive. He could do whatever he wanted to her, could touch her, dominate her, and control her until she couldn’t stand, let alone think straight, and it would be all because she wanted that, needed it even.
Maya was not afraid to admit she liked to be controlled sometimes, that she craved it.
He had his shirt on, still had his pants on even. The only piece of him that was exposed was his huge, monstrous cock.
“You’re mine, Maya, and it’ll always be that way,” he growled.
“Yes.” As it was, she wanted to submit to him, wanted to be helpless and at his mercy.
Marius dipped his gaze to her chest. “You’re so damn gorgeous, Maya.”
She loved how he said her name, loved the way it made her feel and had her pulse increasing. The cool air brushed along her chest, and she felt her nipples harden even further to the point they ached.
“Are you ready for me, baby?” He sounded guttural and harsh, and she had a hard time keeping her eyes open.
“I’m always ready for you, Marius.”
He tensed against her. “Damn, I love when you say that, love everything about you.”
She leaned forward and kissed him. “Fuck me, Marius.”
He groaned and dipped his head closer so he could run his tongue along her top then bottom lip.
“I want you to touch me, baby.”
She reached between their bodies right away and grabbed his big, hard, and hot dick. Her mouth dried more. Marius was a big man, and his cock was no different.
