“How did your date go?” she asked, hoping to chase the images away. She needed a distraction, and she needed it fast. The reality of death was overwhelming her.
“It wasn’t a date,” Marcus insisted quietly, although his tone held no conviction whatsoever.
Bri smirked and pulled her pastries from the microwave, plopping down at the table beside him. She picked at the dough, nibbling little bits. “Call it what you will,” she said between bites. “Oh! I ordered more blood…or should I say razor blades, for you,” she said, laughing lightly. “It will be here in the morning. I’ll have them put it in the fridge in the pantry until it can be safely moved. Although, you might not want to keep it in your room just in case you have…company. That would be a hard one to explain if someone were to go in there looking for a bottle of water.”
Marcus glared at her, even though his gut did a strange flip at the thought of a certain someone sharing his room. He pushed the thought away with a mental shake.
“You love to try my patience, don’t you?” he asked, and Bri burst out laughing, shoving another piece of beignet into her mouth–her appetite was returning.
“More than anything,” she mumbled around a mouthful of dough. “It gives my life meaning. Makes me feel as if I serve a purpose.”
Marcus just shook his head, much too tired and confused to be anything but numb. No matter how hard he tried, his mind kept going back to the feel of Elizabeth in his arms, to the point of distraction.
“So, as to not ruin my track record, tell me Bat-boy, how did it go? Did you suck face?”
Marcus groaned and buried his head in his hands. He licked his lips, still able to taste Liz on them, which only made matters worse. It sent a deep need coursing through his body that was becoming hard to get a handle on.
Bri looked at him and burst out laughing, ending with a resounding snort. “Nice,” she giggled.
Elizabeth slipped out of bed the next morning and grabbed her phone, dialing Catherine’s number. She ran her fingers through her hair as she waited for her friend to pick up.
“Lizzy, hi.”
“Hey,” Liz sighed, suddenly feeling emotionally drained.
“Uh, oh. This is not going to be good, is it?”
Liz explained what had happened and how she was feeling, and Catherine listened quietly. When Liz had finished, Catherine was silent for a long while. Finally she spoke, her tone quiet.
“Lizzy, you’re right. Something about this doesn’t feel right.” Catherine knew all too well how extremely smart and crafty these assholes could be. She dealt with it every day. “Why don’t you just hang there for a while and we’ll see what we can find. But, if you are contacted, don’t agree to meet with anyone until you talk to me, okay?”
Liz walked over to the French doors and looked out, wondering if she should find another place to stay. Yes, she could wait it out and see if Catherine and the network could find anything–but, what about her biggest problem? Would she be able to handle being around Marcus? He was messing with everything she had ever programmed herself to feel, and it was unsettling her to no end. No! She was an adult–she could handle Marcus LaGrange. She rubbed her hand over her eyes as a sad smile crossed her face. Yes, she could handle him…she would just avoid him like the plague.
“All right,” she replied finally, resolve washing over her. She could do this. “Just, please. Let me know if you find anything at all.”
“You know I will. I have a few contacts with the local authorities there. I’ll do some checking. Try to relax and enjoy yourself a bit, Lizzy. God knows you deserve it.”
“I’ll try.” Her words sounded hollow and forced, even to herself.
“Let me get on this. Just remember, if you are contacted at all, let me know. Do not agree to meet anyone. These bastards can be exceedingly crafty, and I won’t take any chances with your safety.”
“Thanks, Catherine.”
Liz set down her phone and sat on the edge of bed, wondering what to do next. She couldn’t hide in her room for God knew how long. She took a deep, cleansing breath and went to dress. She could do this.
Liz came down the stairs, her eyes searching for any sign of Marcus. Thankfully, she only found Brianna in the kitchen, bustling about happily.
“Morning!” she called out when she spotted Liz, her face lighting up. “Coffee’s ready. You want some breakfast?”
Liz walked over and poured herself a mug of coffee, delighting in the rich smell. “No, thank you. I’m not really a breakfast person.” Actually, she had been much too worried about running into the man who invaded her dreams at night to the point that her stomach was churning. Food was that last thing that she wanted. “Coffee is fine.”
Liz sat down at the table–her eyes unconsciously straying to the doorway leading upstairs every few moments. She just couldn’t shake the feel of being in Marcus’s arms, tasting that wonderful mouth of his. She shivered and stared down at her cup.
“You seem kind of distracted,” Brianna said, coming over to sit down at the table. She eyed Liz up and down a moment, a smile twitching at her lips. “Didn’t get much sleep?”
“No, I’m fine, really. Just…work issues.” She again caught herself glancing to the doorway and wanted to kick herself right in the ass. She had to stop this.
Brianna watched her a moment, that smile still trying to break free. “What do you have planned for today?” she asked, and had to bite back the laughter when Liz glanced toward the stairs for what had to be the millionth time. “I have some errands to run, and then I plan on going to see a friend. Marcus is asleep, and knowing him, he’ll be out like a light all day,” Liz’s eyes snapped back to Brianna at the mention of Marcus, and Brianna smiled. “You look tired. I have a ton of books, why don’t you just grab one and read out in the garden. Take a day to relax…recharge.”
Liz chewed her lip as she debated. She really didn’t feel like wandering around the city, and the thought of a quiet relaxing day actually sounded wonderful. Could she count on Marcus sleeping all day?
“There’s plenty of stuff in the fridge,” Brianna went on, trying hard to hide her amusement. “Help yourself.” She stood and grabbed her purse from the counter. “I’ll see you later.” With that, she disappeared through the door.
Liz sat there, her hands wrapped around her mug to the point that her fingers were turning white. The thought of Marcus sleeping upstairs caused a heat to start in her belly and creep up her neck. She forced away the image of him lying there, his face relaxed in sleep, and stood. Maybe losing herself in a book would help.
Marcus came down the stairs to an utterly silent house. He searched for Brianna, but she was nowhere to be found. He walked through the kitchen and into the breezeway, checking the small fridge there to make sure that his supply of blood had been delivered, and was thankful that it had, just as Bri promised. He wasn’t feeding as he should and was fighting the desire to clamp down on Liz’s neck each time that he was with her, and he really needed to keep those feelings in check.
He decided to wait until he was absolutely certain that the woman who constantly invaded his thoughts was nowhere near, and walked over to the doors leading to the garden, stepping out into the warm night air. The sun was almost down as he opened the door and stepped out…. a strange pull seeming to lead him there.
He spotted Liz only a moment later, sprawled out on a chaise, an open book in her lap…sleeping peacefully. His heart flipped in his chest as he watched her sleep, her perfect features illuminated by the setting sun. My, God–she was exquisite.
With a will of their own, he found his feet carrying him over to where she lay. It was as if some force of nature was drawing him there, and he was hard pressed to fight it.
He stepped up next to the chair that she lay on and gazed down at her, his body tightening with desire as it coiled around his belly. What was it about this mortal that he couldn’t get out of his head? There was vulnerability, yet strength about her that was compelli
ng. She was kind and funny, and the most desirable woman that he had ever met.
Marcus’s gaze swept over her face, only to land on her sweet, perfect mouth. A slight smile curved those bewitching lips and he felt the overwhelming desire to lean down and taste them once again. Once just wasn’t enough. He wanted more. So much more.
As he fought this inner battle with himself, Liz’s eyes fluttered open and a sigh escaped her as their gazes met. There was that one moment when she first woke that a look of utter contentment came to her face and it knocked Marcus for a complete loop.
She quickly regained her composure and sat up with a start, the book falling to the ground with a heavy thud. And just like that…the walls were back up.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Marcus whispered, completely entranced by the hooded, sleepy look in those amazing eyes. It was sexy as hell. “I’m sorry.”
Liz grabbed the book from the ground and cleared her throat, fidgeting slightly. How long had he been standing there, she silently wondered. Although, the thought didn’t bother her as it should have. The thought of him standing there while she slept instead brought about a strange sense of peace, and safety that she had never before experienced. She was an extremely light sleeper, and the thought that she hadn’t woken as soon as he stepped outside was a shock.
“No, it’s…it’s all right,” she stammered, giving him a guilty smile. “I can’t believe I fell asleep. What time is it?”
“A little before seven,” he replied, sitting down at the end of the chaise, his eyes holding hers. No matter what he tried to tell himself, he was drawn to this woman, her fire, and her compassion…just her. “Have you eaten?” he asked softly, and she nodded.
“I grabbed something before I came out,” she pulled herself up higher in the chair, not liking the way her body trembled with his presence. He made her want things that she had no business wanting.
Marcus watched her fighting an inner battle of her own, and wanted to know what was going through her head. Was it the same pull that he was feeling? When he saw her eyes travel down to his mouth, a grin spread across his face. The heat in her gaze was undeniable. He leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly over hers. Unable or unwilling to stop himself, he didn’t know–but when he made that sweet contact, he couldn’t have cared in the least which one it was. He needed this so desperately.
He heard her sharp intake of breath a moment before her lips tentatively parted and he took full advantage of it. His tongue swept in and teased the recesses of her wonderful mouth, eliciting a soft moan from her as he teased and tempted hers.
His hand came up and slid behind her, fanning out at the small of her back and pulling her closer, instantly realizing that it wasn’t close enough. Could he ever get close enough to this woman?
Liz’s hands slid up his chest, gently kneading the muscles that rippled and twitched under her fingers, causing a current of awareness to ripple through her. She didn’t protest when his other hand swept up into her hair and he pulled her onto his lap, deepening their kiss in a way that had her heart jerking around in her chest to the point that she was breathless…or was it his kiss that was sucking the air from her lungs.
She could feel the proof of his desire pressing itself against her backside and a part of her wanted so much to know what he felt like. To know how it would feel to have him inside her. Warmth spread through her to her core in a mighty whoosh.
The desire rushing through her brought her to her senses and she leaned away from him, breaking their connection. She hastily jumped off of his lap and looked around the garden like a cornered animal.
“I’m…I’m…sorry,” she sputtered in apology, the rush of blood heating her face almost as much as his hands had heated her body. She glanced up into his eyes only a moment before turning and running into the house.
Elizabeth dashed up the stairs and through the door to her room, slamming it shut behind her and falling back against it. She pressed her hand against her mouth, trying desperately to stave off the rush of tears that were blurring her vision and threatening to spill over, her breath coming out in desperate gulps as a fit of panic overtook her.
Damn it! She had kissed him back–again! After she had promised herself that it wouldn’t happen! Shit! Just what in God’s name was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she control herself around him? Why was it that every single ounce of self-restraint that she had flew straight out the window when that man was near her?
She tried to push the thought away, but she shivered at the memory of his full lips against hers–his tongue exploring and tasting her mouth. She unconsciously traced her swollen lips with the tip of her finger, her body aflame at the memory of his strong, muscled body pressed against hers as his mouth teased and toyed with hers. It had been Heaven. Absolute, unadulterated Heaven. And she hated herself for wanting it so badly.
Stop she silently screamed, her heart pounding against her chest with such force that it was making her light-headed. Oh please, she silently prayed, don’t let me have a panic attack! Not now!
Liz nearly jumped right out of her skin a moment later when there was a soft rap behind her. Panicked, she pushed herself away from the door and unceremoniously tripped over her own damn feet as she tried to get away, hitting the carpet face first with a muffled thud. Great! Just freaking great!
“Elizabeth?” Marcus called softly, his voice laced with concern. “Are you all right?” When she didn’t answer, his tone became more urgent. “Elizabeth, I’m coming in.”
Before she could even begin to protest, the door that she had so stupidly forgotten to lock opened, and Marcus’s large frame filled the entryway. Liz groaned from the depths of her soul as she buried her face into the plush carpet, completely mortified now. It wasn’t bad enough that this man made her body hum with longing, or that she had run from him like a frightened child–no, now she was lying sprawled out on the floor like a freaking beached whale! Dear God! Could this get any worse?
Her question was answered only a moment later, when she felt his strong hands wrap themselves around her arms and lift her effortlessly into his embrace–pulling her securely against his rock solid frame. Ah, crap!
“Are you all right?” he murmured, his warm breath whispering across her temple and causing a shiver to run across her body, electrifying every nerve ending that she had in a heightened rush of awareness. It was raw, primal…deep.
Liz nodded against his chest and tried to push herself out of his embrace–but he held her firmly against him–refusing to let her go.
A sliver of panic began to coil in her belly and she thought at first it was because of the fact that he wouldn’t release his hold, but she realized with a tightening in her chest that it was because a part of her–a very large part–didn’t want him to. This man brought out needs in her that she was far from comfortable with, and there was just no way in hell that she was going down that road again. You swore off men four years ago, Elizabeth, she reminded herself harshly, giving herself a mental shake.
“I’m fine,” she whispered, not daring to look up into his eyes. She knew that if she did, she would be lost. “Please, Marcus. I’m fine. I just tripped.”
“Elizabeth, why did you run?” he asked softly, his fingers reaching up and curling under her chin. He raised her face so that she had no other choice but to look at him and the gentleness she saw in his expression was almost her undoing. He just looked so damn honest and sincere, and she felt the brick wall that she had spent years building around herself beginning to crack.
She tried to swallow the lump of fear welling up inside of her, but found it impossible. It was firmly lodged there. How could she tell him that she was terrified of intimacy? That she was absolutely numb at the thought of caring for someone. That she was damaged beyond repair.
Damaged–the word echoed through her head like an annoying buzz that just wouldn’t leave the recesses of her brain. She knew that she would never be able to trust another man–ever, so why did sh
e want so badly to trust this one? Why did the simplest of touches cause her skin to burn? Why did she not feel intimidated by him in the least? She only felt safe and secure…..Wanted.
“It…I…” she stammered, trying desperately to gain control of her raging emotions. “I’m not…I’m not looking for a fling,” she blurted out finally, and felt her cheeks instantly flame. God! What a lame ass thing to say. She cringed, wishing that she could just melt right through the floor and disappear. Good Lord! Really?
Marcus gave her a lopsided smile and brought his mouth closer to hers. “Then, what are you looking for, Liz?” he asked huskily, and she felt her knees begin to tremble violently.
Calling up every ounce of reserve and strength that she possessed, she tried giving him a small smile, and knew immediately that she had failed miserably. She most likely looked like a complete nut case. “I’m not looking for anything,” she whispered, hating herself for her weakness, and for feeling the way that she was feeling. “I don’t have time for complications in my life. I don’t want complications.”
“Sweetheart, I’m sorry, but I just don’t buy that,” he responded, a moment before he closed the small distance between them and took her lips, gently at first, but with a growing intensity as she finally relaxed against him, her mouth tentatively opening to his with a soft, shaky sigh–and a will of its own.
Marcus groaned from the very depths of his soul as he kissed this glorious mortal in his arms. She tasted like nothing he had ever experienced before, and he found himself wanting nothing more at that moment than to throw her onto the bed and taste every single damn part of her. He didn’t know what the hell was going on, he only knew that there was a strange pull that he felt towards her, and his entire body, mind, and soul craved nothing more than to get close to her–to be buried deep inside her as he brought her to heights that they could only imagine. Christ, he thought with a groan, maybe it had just been too long since he had been with a woman–but it was only a moment later that his mind screamed at him that, no….He wanted only her.
Marcus' Mortal Embrace (Book 3) (The Supernatural Desire Series) Page 11
