by Anna Santos
“Why did you act so cold to me, then,” she complained.
Marcus trailed kisses on her smooth skin and then pressed his lips against the curve of her neck. Breathing deep and closing his eyes, he pushed himself harder inside her. She swallowed a shriek and tangled her legs around his as her hips danced at the same pace as his. “You were an offense to my dear wife. I was able to shut myself from the world, keep my mind away from women and sex for two centuries, until you walked into my library and fell into my arms.”
“Aren’t you saying anything to that?” he asked when she didn’t reply to him. Through his narrowed eyes, he noticed her closed eyes and parted lips as she smiled in pleasure. He clutched his hands to her legs and raised her body against the pillows, sucking her right nipple.
“I’ll make up for all that time away from you,” she gasped. “I promise, Marcus.”
Marcus held her tight against his chest and suddenly his warm semen filled her, and his shaft shuddered against her sensitive walls, making her come again. First slowly then with full power when his hand stroked her inner lips and softly caressed her clit.
Seconds later, he let her fall on the bed, tired and satisfied. As he lay down next to her, he listened to her breathing and heartbeat calming down until she looked peaceful and happy.
“What?” he asked, brushing the few loose strands of her hair as she grinned.
“Nothing. I’m just happy,” she explained, opening her eyes and brushing his face with the pad of her fingers.
* * *
JESSICA
Jessica watched him lay down on his back, naked, glowing under the lamp. Frissons of lust rippled her skin as her sex still throbbed from her orgasm. She liked to stare at his naked torso. He was muscular. His skin was perfect. Even the hair he had on his body looked perfect on him. He had a nice six pack and he was well proportioned in all the areas. She blushed when she realized he was still aroused. Two hundred years was probably a lot of time to not have sex. She liked his stamina. She had been tired because of the drinks she had, but the coffee and his stunning figure had wakened her up. However, their mating had left her exhausted. She could just close her eyes and sleep like a baby. But she didn’t want to. She wanted to keep talking to him and making love to him again. The fear of sleeping and waking up with no memories of them was also lurking inside her mind. However, she pushed it aside and decided to enjoy the happiness she was feeling.
Jessica touched him with her fingers, exploring his skin and drawing his muscles. He let her.
“You should rest now. I know you are tired,” he mumbled.
“I want you to drink from me,” she whispered near his mouth, kissing him on his chin and laying her head on his chest. “Don’t let me fall asleep just yet.”
“Let’s wake you up then,” he whispered, getting up and taking her in his arms. They went into the bathroom, where he turned on the water in the shower and waited for it to warm. Then he kissed Jessica’s neck. “We need a good shower. I want to lick you from head to toe,” he teased, biting her lip and leading her into the shower where he let the water pour down on them.
Jessica was quiet as he turned her against his chest and began washing her with a sponge and shower gel. He was gentle, teasing her a bit as he pressed his shaft against her butt or slipped it between her legs and rubbed it against her inner lips. He massaged the tension on her muscles and aroused her once again with the sponge and his sex. His tongue kept licking her neck, making her crave his teeth in her flesh. Her nipples were hurting because of how aroused they were. When she began moving faster against his hard member, he placed his hands over her breasts and made her face him. She had to stay on her toes to be able to kiss him, now that he had straightened up. He was tall and strong. She liked to stroke his chest with her hands and grab his hair between her fingers. She liked to feel his hard shaft against her stomach. She liked even better when he pulled her up in his arms, laced her legs around his waist, and stroke his manhood against her soft and wet inner lips.
Marcus pinned her against the shower wall. The water cascaded down his back as his mouth was busy kissing Jessica’s. Their tongues became impatient and wild as they kissed hard and deep, their sexes stroking each other. His shaft pressed against her clit, making her sex wet again. As it began to drip with expectation, his cock found its way to her core, making her gasp for air as their pelvis’ began to move at the same pace. She held her arms around his shoulders as she thrust her pelvis against his. Since she met him, she thought about sex more often than she used to. Having him between her legs was like heaven on earth. As if a piece that was missing had returned to her. It didn’t matter how sore she felt, she only knew that she wanted him again.
“Marcus,” she pleaded against his ear. “Oh, Marcus! I love you so much, I could die just now.”
“Jessie, if you died, I would probably die, too. Don’t be silly, honey. Don’t say things like that. Dying is not an option, unless you want to kill me with heartbreak.”
“Of course not.” She shook her head and held tight to his neck. “I want you to bite me and…I want to mark you. I want to do so many things with you.”
Brushing his lips against her cheeks, he requested, “Just close your eyes then.”
Jessica shook her head. “I want to watch you.” She squeezed him tighter and swallowed the pleasure that coiled in her stomach and tensed her sex.
“I love you, baby,” he whispered, stroking her wet braid on her shoulder.
She noticed how intensely he looked at the place he intended to bite her. She felt his body shuddering against hers and then she closed her eyes when his tongue licked the soft skin between her neck and shoulder. Moments after, he kissed it slowly, rolling his tongue around before placing his teeth in her flesh to draw blood. Then she squealed as her eyes squeezed tighter and her body tensed when his teeth sunk into her skin.
Chapter Twenty-Four—The Claiming
THE KING
Marcus didn’t want to take too much blood—just the right amount to stay inside his body and create a bond with her. But, he wasn’t expecting that her blood would be so sweet and taste so exquisite. It was the sweetest blood he had ever drunk. Suddenly, he lost his ability to control himself. The beast overtook him, and he grabbed her tightly, making her squeal as he drank from her.
Jessica's blood was the most amazing thing he had ever tasted. Drinking from her while being inside her was an out-of-this-world experience. He wasn't able to control himself as he felt the longest, most satisfying orgasm he had ever had. He growled softly against her neck, trying to gain control of the beast and not harm his mate by drinking too much.
His nails clenched the wall to control his urge to press deeper with his fangs and drink her dry. His strength cracked the shower tile under his palms. As pieces clattered to the floor, he held Jessica’s legs around his waist so her feet weren't cut. He’d controlled himself, stopping when he heard her grunt in pain, but his lips were still against her wound in the neck, tightly pursed so he didn't bite her again.
He could barely control his strength and restrain his sharp fangs. His sight was clouded by the ecstasy and the hunger. Their pelvises were tightly pinned together, his throbbing member shuddering in pleasure inside her dripping entry. It felt so good it hurt. The bliss made him stiffen against her body. Fortunately, he had channeled his instincts against the hard wall instead of into her fragile body.
Moments later, he pulled his head back and sucked in air, letting go a painful, long growl. It was a scary growl. He had finally gotten himself under control and pulled his mouth from that delicious place. He had to keep his fangs off of her or he could do some serious harm. He would rather die than harm her, of course, but why did she have to taste like the sweetest nectar? Her blood was like a drug, he felt it burn inside his veins while his eyes glowed with untamed lust. His mind began to drift away as his thoughts became clouded by his urge to feed again. He had to distract his thoughts from the hunger and control himself b
y thinking about how much he loved her and how it would destroy his soul if he ever hurt her or worse.
Then he tensed when her lips brushed his neck and her teeth nibbled his flesh. She seemed to be asking him for more, gripping his hair and pulling his face toward hers so she could kiss him.
He could tell that Jessica was unaware of the danger she had been in. Unaware that he lusted for her so badly that he could only think about kissing her as he fed from her lips and thrust his swollen erection against her warm wetness. Lust and hunger were what he wanted to satisfy at that very moment. He had to move away from the temptation.
“Please, please. Don't stop now,” she gasped, nibbling his lower lip and pulling it inside her mouth as she squeezed him, trying to make him move.
But he had to stay away from her. He set her feet on the floor and drew back, staring into her confused eyes and pouty face. He fisted his hands, turned his back on her, and punched the tiled wall.
“Please, move away from me,” he pleaded, shutting his eyes and clenching his jaw so he could control himself. He needed to stop thinking about slashing her throat open and bathing in her sweet blood. He wanted to suck and lick her perfect body covered with her blood. It was insane, twisted, and in complete contrast to the part of him that loved and cherished her and wasn't driven by instinct and hunger.
* * *
JESSICA
Jessica leaned against the wall opposite to him, where he had crushed the tile to pieces, watching his tensed muscles and his fisted hands.
She was confused. Not scared, just confused. It hurt when he pressed his fangs harder against her neck. He pulled her too tight, but then it didn't hurt at all. She felt a rush of adrenaline hit her and make her mind float away, she felt his thoughts and sensed her mark burn on his back, just next to his right shoulder. He had a mark, without her giving it to him. She knew he had it, even if now, as she looked at his back, there was nothing there.
She turned off the water and walked toward him carefully, trying not to cut her feet in the broken tile. As she caressed his shoulder, she put her arms around his waist and leaned her head on his back.
“Tell me what is wrong,” she pleaded.
“I lost control. Your blood is so sweet! You have no idea…how difficult it was for me to control myself from drinking you dry. Your blood is intoxicating. I've drunk human blood from the source before, but it didn't taste nearly as good as yours.” He spoke softly, relaxing his body and holding onto her hands. “Drinking it felt like having an orgasm in my mouth. You have to promise me that you won't let me feed on you again. I…don't want to hurt you.”
“It's over now. You didn't hurt me,” she whispered, kissing his skin and holding tight to his hands. “Witches’ blood is sweeter. You will get used to it. Don't worry. You didn't harm me at all. I—You just gripped too tight.”
“You don't understand, honey. I…didn't want to stop. I almost killed you!”
“I'm a powerful witch I can defend myself if you try to take too much. Come on, look at me. Hold me. We need to finish the marking. I need to carve my rune on you.”
“Your blood,” he whispered with a pained voice, turning to face her. Suddenly, his hands burned on her flesh, and his eyes shone orange like flames in a fireplace. He kneeled in pain, and she grabbed his face.
“What’s wrong?” She gasped in panic.
“It burns in my veins and...I feel all this heat inside wanting to burst out.”
“I need to mark you,” she said with trembling voice, watching how his skin radiated heat.
No one ever told her that her blood would have that effect on her mate. She wasn't expecting to hurt him. She was only expecting that her blood would bond them together. She needed to complete the rune. She needed to touch the mark that she had given him years ago when she became a woman and her powers blossomed.
Jessica explained, caressing his pained face, “This is how witches recognize their mates. When they come of age, they give their rune to their soul-mate so they recognize each other in the future. Then, when they mate, they exchange blood like a pact, and their runes must be united. You aren't a witch, so I just need to touch your mark and…I don't know what will happen, but my blood is inside you. I'm sorry. No one ever told me it would be so painful.” She put her hand over his shoulder and felt the burn of her rune, which was invisible to the human eye. As she touched it, it began to glow. She fell on her knees when the energy that was consuming him was sucked inside her, hitting her soul and imprinting his mind inside hers. She knew when he experienced instant relief from the burning sensation. “Everything will be okay now. We are bonded,” she whispered in his mind.
* * *
THE KING
“Don't be scared,” he whispered back, sensing her deepest thoughts and fears. She was troubled and afraid that he wouldn't love her anymore after knowing what she was thinking and feeling deep inside her soul. “Whatever you have done, Jessie, whatever fears and doubts you have inside you, I won't love you less for that.”
“Will you always know what I'm thinking?” she asked, staring deep into his purple eyes.
“I'll know what you want me to know and what you let me know. Whenever you want to talk to me, if you think of me, I will hear. It will come naturally. Don't worry. Why do you keep calling her Isobel as if she is not you?” he wondered aloud after listening to her question about how it was with his former mate. “I've already come to terms that you and she are the same person. You shouldn't deny that part of you.”
“It's just strange. Besides, you still love her.”
“Of course I love her. But you are her,” Marcus explained, trying to make her understand that she shouldn't feel threatened by his memories of Isobel. “Baby...”
“I'm not pouting,” Jessie protested before he could speak again.
“Thoughts are more than words, and we share more than sentences here. Can you hear me, even if I don't think?”
“Yes, I can feel what you feel too,” she said, kissing his lips.
“Then, do you still think that I would abandon you? Do you still think that I don't love you as much as you want me to love you?” he asked, kissing the tip of her nose. She shook her head, and her tears started to fall silently. “Your parents were jerks. You are home now. We love you. I love you.”
Jessica hugged him and dried her tears on his chest.
The king stroked Jessica’s wet braid, aware that she was wet and harming her knees on the tile. Straightening up, he leaned down only to lift her in his arms, bridal style. Then he exited the shower and put her on the floor to wrap her in a towel. Jessica tried to dry herself with trembling hands.
Marcus focused on her feelings, realizing that she was taken aback with his words and the knowledge of what was going on inside his mind. For her, sharing thoughts, feelings, ideas, and fears was terrifying and incredible at the same time.
“You will learn to compartmentalize your thoughts,” he whispered as he untangled her braided hair and dried it with another towel. “You can block me out if you want. You can decide what you want to share with me and what you don't. We don't need to share everything. Privacy is important. Yes, I know.” He smiled at her thought that he was much more complex than meets the eye. His mind was alive with thoughts and ideas, and he expressed them much more now that they were together, no longer quiet around her. “Yes, you do talk too much. But I love it.” He drew her against his chest and kissed her wet hair. “You are shivering. Are you cold? I don't want you to fall sick.”
She shook her head, “I'm just feeling really tired all of the sudden.”
“You need to eat the rest of the toast and finish your coffee. Your body needs sugar. No baby, I’m not leaving you alone,” he said, focused on her thoughts. He grinned and kissed the top of her head to reassure her that he wasn't planning to go anywhere. “I'll give you a lot of kisses after you eat.”
“I'll never get tired of you,” she whispered to him.
Marcus knew she had rea
d his mind. His inner fears were surfacing. Her words were comforting, nevertheless.
Jessica pulled his arms around her chest. “I don't want to sleep, though, because I'm afraid that I might wake up and find out that all this was a dream.”
He turned her around and gazed deeply into her eyes. Nothing he could say could make her feel better, nor him, for that matter. He was also afraid that it was a dream. He had lived in his dreams for decades, ever since she was taken from his life. He had relived his memories inside his dreams and fantasies, but he didn't want to dream anymore. He wanted to live. He wanted to make new memories with his newfound mate.
He would make her happy and give her all his love. He would keep her safe. He shared all that with her as he stared into her eyes and flooded her mind with his thoughts. She kissed him and wrapped her arms around his neck as he took her in his arms and led her to their bed.
Chapter Twenty-Five—Fountain Of Youth
JESSICA
Jessica woke up with the sun on her back and her body wrapped around her mate's body. They both smelled of sensuous shower gel and sex. It had been a long night of lovemaking. She was grinning like a fool at the memory of their night’s activities. She was sore and exhausted but happy. So happy she just laughed into his chest and smoothed her face along his skin. She wanted to lick and kiss him all over again. Waking him up to have morning sex wouldn't be a bad idea if she wasn't starving.
She caressed his arm and touched his shoulder-length hair as she tried to shift his heavy arm from around her waist that had pinned her to his side. He was heavy, but his naked skin next to hers was so enticing that she couldn’t help but touch him. She bit his nipple and rubbed her leg over his stomach, feeling his morning prominence poked against her thigh. She giggled as he growled and moved his hand to her breasts, sliding her down to press against his bulge.
