Finally, the cave came into view. It was deep and dark. She stopped and stared at the opening. “You’re sure it’s safe?”
A soft smile crossed his face. “Absolutely. There’s nothing in there to harm you.”
She took a step and stopped again, nibbling on her bottom lip. “What about bats?” She’d done a movie about eight years ago—The Killer Bats of Boston—and had hated the creatures ever since.
He shook his head and the corners of his mouth twitched. “No bats or spiders or mice either.”
She knew she was being silly considering they were running from demons, but she didn’t care.
“It’s safe. I promise you.” His dark chocolate eyes gleamed with sincerity.
Kellsie gave him a nod, took a deep breath and walked forward, stopping abruptly when it got too dark for her to see. Marko went past her and she could hear him walking around. “It’s not deep, only about thirty feet or so.”
Kellsie could just barely make out his form as he came toward her. When her eyes adjusted to the gloom, she moved farther inward. The ground was hard but there didn’t seem to be too many rocks. That was good.
Not that it mattered. She was so tired she could rest anywhere.
She set her bag down to the floor, spread her damp shirt out over a rock and propped her sword against the wall. She eased down and leaned her back against the cool wall.
Marko sat beside her. God, she could feel the heat radiating from his body. The man was like a blast furnace and she longed to wrap herself in his heat. She didn’t object when he lay down and pulled her down with him. He urged her into his arms and she went, snuggling her head on his chest.
“Rest. I’ll watch over you.”
Kellsie closed her eyes and let the steady beat of his heart soothe her.
She had no idea how much time had gone by when she woke, startled by the darkness. It took her a moment to remember where she was and who she was with. She was draped over Marko, her breasts pillowed on his chest, her pelvis pressing against something very hard and hot.
His arm was around her waist, keeping hold of her even as he slept. He lay on the hard ground while she used him for a mattress. She was warm. No, she was hot. The air around her was slightly damp and earthy, but blended with it was the scent of Marko.
Her jeans rode up, the seam of the crotch pressing against her core, against her clit. She was so aroused it wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge. She wanted to move, to adjust her pants so they weren’t pressing quite so hard against her sex. But she didn’t want to disturb Marko.
Her hand rested on his chest and she could feel the steady beat of his heart against her palm. He was so strong, so solid. Dependable. Honorable.
Kellsie felt safe and secure, which was a fallacy. There was nowhere safe from Hades. She knew he was playing games with them, that he probably knew where they were right this very moment.
She shivered, snuggling closer to Marko. She didn’t want to think about the dark god nor what he wanted from them. Time enough to deal with him when she had to.
The air was cool but she was warm. The combination of Marko and the lined cloak were better than a featherbed with a goose-down duvet. She rubbed her nose against his bare chest, inhaling his musky, masculine scent as the hair on his chest tickled her skin.
“You’re awake.” His chest rumbled as he spoke. His voice was so deep, so rough. She shivered again, but it wasn’t because she was cold or scared. It was pure arousal.
His erection pulsed and flexed beneath her, prodding her stomach, reminding her it was there. As if she could manage not to notice. Impossible. It was all she could think about.
As inappropriate as it was given the situation, she wanted Marko. She’d been aroused earlier, but exhausted. She was still tired, but not that tired.
“How long did we sleep?” Her voice was sleep-roughened and husky.
He brushed several tendrils of hair away from her face. The gesture was so tender and unexpected from a man of his size. But he was always that way with her. Had been from the moment they’d met.
Had that been less than twenty-four hours ago? It seemed such a short time, yet it was a lifetime.
“Not long. A couple of hours.” He peered toward the entrance. “It’s getting dark.”
Kellsie didn’t want to think about what would happen when nightfall came. All hell would soon break loose. Literally.
She rubbed her face against his chest. “Tell me about your life before you were cursed.” She longed to know everything about him.
He shrugged his massive shoulders. “The goddess created us. We protected her, wandered the earth, ate and lived together.”
“But what did you do for fun?”
He frowned at her. “Fun? We did what we were created to do. We are warriors.”
And how sad was that. The fact that all he thought about was duty was telling. She longed to show him the wonders of the world firsthand and make him laugh. “Did you ever settle down in one spot?”
“No, we were constantly traveling as the Lady oversaw all the creatures of the Earth. Why so many questions?”
“I was just curious.” He shifted position and she barely bit back a moan of pleasure as his cock rubbed against her.
“It’s not long until nightfall.” He stroked his fingers absently up and down her spine.
“Then we don’t have much time.” Determination filled her and she sat, her legs straddling his hips. Her jean-clad sex rode the hard column of his erection, making her groan. Even through his pants and her jeans, she could feel his heat. The cloak fell from her shoulders, pooling behind her.
Marko’s eyes glittered in the fading light that flickered in through the opening of the cave. She wished she could see all of him, every golden inch of his skin, the flex and play of his incredible muscles. But that wasn’t to be.
And right now, she’d take whatever she could get. She could certainly feel him beneath her hands, velvet over pure steel. The bands of muscles on his chest would put any bodybuilder to shame. Yet his muscles came from fighting, from wielding a sword. He was incredibly fast and agile, as well as strong. And for the moment, he was all hers.
“Kellsie.” Her name was a groan as she placed both hands on his chest and rocked her pelvis against him. “Are you sure?”
Was there any wonder she loved this man? And yes, she did love him. No use lying to herself any longer or denying the truth that was staring right back at her. Why else wouldn’t she have taken Hades’ offer and run? She’d only known Marko a matter of hours, but he mattered to her more than anyone ever had.
She wanted him to live more than she cared about her own life. That had to be love. There was no other explanation.
She was fully aware that Marko didn’t feel the same way about her. Oh, he cared. That much was obvious. But he was honor bound to protect her because she’d been the one to release him.
That thought depressed her a little, but she shoved the unwanted emotion aside. Time enough to deal with the fallout from this if they survived. She wasn’t stupid enough to believe an immortal warrior would settle down with her in Los Angeles. For one thing, what the heck would he even do? And secondly, he was a gorgeous immortal warrior who could have any woman he wanted. Why would he want to stay with a B-movie scream queen?
But he wanted her now and that was what mattered. For the first time in her life she understood that true love was unselfish and giving. She wanted to show him how much she cared and that she wasn’t expecting anything in return.
It was freeing in many ways. No games to play, not that she’d ever played those kinds of emotional games, but she knew many who had. No sitting by the phone wondering if he’d call. Once this day was over she’d probably never see him again, assuming they were both still among the living.
He had a mission and she had her life, such as it was.
And Marko was still waiting. His hands were wrapped around her waist, anchoring her to him. He was tense beneath her
and she knew whatever she decided he would abide by it.
It was an easy choice.
Leaning down, she nuzzled and kissed the thick cords of his neck. “I’m sure.
His fingers flexed, tightening briefly. He swept one hand up her spine while the other one banded around her waist. With her top drying on a rock, she was wearing only her bra. His touch sent tingles racing throughout the rest of her body. Her breathing was getting shallow and she bit her lip to keep from moaning aloud.
God, all he had to do was touch her and she was ready for him. Her core was rhythmically clutching and she wished he was already buried inside her. Her panties were damp and her bra was nothing but a nuisance.
She raised her head slightly and Marko reared up, capturing her mouth with his. His lips claimed hers as his tongue swept inside, taking ownership. She gripped his head, tangling her fingers in his long hair to keep him there.
His tongue made leisurely forays over every inch of her mouth. He took his time exploring every crevice, every nook and cranny. He tasted wonderful. Like fresh river water and mint combined with hot male. Delicious.
Her stomach growled, reminding her just how hungry she was. She’d eaten two granola bars earlier, but that wasn’t nearly enough to sustain her. Marko had to be twice as famished.
She ignored the sound but Marko heard it and pulled back. She tried to follow him, not wanting the contact to end, but he held her slightly away from him. “You’re hungry.” He frowned and said the words almost accusingly.
She couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m hungry, but you’re more than enough to sate me.” The double entendre made his eyes widen, then narrow. His nostrils flared and his lips pressed together.
Feeling brazen, Kellsie licked her lips, noting how his eyes followed the movement of her tongue. “Let’s see, where shall I start?” Scooting down, she lowered her mouth to his chest and licked at his hot, salty skin.
He groaned and he cupped the back of her head with one large hand, holding her to him. She smiled, feeling her power as a woman. Using delicate licks of her tongue, she worked her way to one flat brown nipple and lapped at the tip.
A low growl filled the air around her. “Like that, do you?” Not that she had any doubts. Not with his erection pulsing heavily against her.
He tensed beneath her and she knew he was going to make his move. She sat back and shook her finger at him. “No, this is my turn. I want to touch you, to taste you. All over.”
Marko groaned. “You’re going to kill me.”
She took that as a yes and lowered her head again. “You’re tough,” she told him. “You can take it.”
Chapter Seventeen
Marko didn’t know whether to laugh or roar with frustration. He’d come awake with Kellsie draped over him, her hot mound pressed against his raging hard-on and her hands stroking his skin. Hades couldn’t have designed a better torture for him if he’d tried.
Yet this was a slice of heaven as well.
There was no denying he wanted her. It wasn’t safe to be indulging in sex right now, but if not now, then when? Time was running out. Marko had a gut feeling that soon after the sun went down everything would change.
For whatever reason, Hades was giving them this respite. The question was why?
Did he want them to build up false hope? Was he hoping to make them feel more desperate by waiting until the last moment?
With the dark lord it was anyone’s guess. Some people thought of him as violent and cruel, and while he might be ruthless, he wasn’t impulsive. He was cold and calculating, manipulative and sly. There was no mercy in him. Anything Hades did had a purpose, and it was always one that favored him.
Kellsie’s clever tongue circled one of his nipples and he completely lost his train of thought as lightning bolts of pleasure shot through him. He gripped her head, holding her close. He felt her lips curve into a smile before she closed her lips over the nub and sucked.
He groaned and tightened his fingers around her. He had to force himself to ease back. Had to remember that she was human and he could hurt her.
That was enough to dampen some of his ardor. The last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt Kellsie.
And maybe that was the god’s plan. Make him so enamored of Kellsie he’d do anything to protect her, even give up his life and his mission to the dark lord.
Marko tried to think, but that became impossible as Kellsie’s lips left his nipple and she started to graze down his torso. Her lips and mouth and tongue kissed and laved and nipped their way over his abs and down to his waist.
Not wanting to wait any longer, he willed his pants away.
Kellsie froze for a moment and then she laughed. “Now that saves time.” She eased away and sat beside him. He could feel her gaze on his cock and wished there was more light. Not that he needed it to see by, but she didn’t have his enhanced vision and he knew she couldn’t see him as well as he could see her. He watched her as she licked her lips again. Damn, she was so unselfconsciously sexy.
He wanted to flip her onto her back and fuck her. But she deserved this time to do as she wished. And damn him, but he wanted it too. He wanted to feel her fingers wrapped around his cock, her warm mouth closing over the thick head.
But first, he wanted her naked. “Take off your bra.” He’d been so caught up with what she was doing to him that he’d forgotten she was still mostly dressed. She might not be able to see him all that well, but he could see every inch of her pale skin. And she was perfection.
The darkness seemed to give her confidence and she reached behind her and unhooked her bra. The froth of lace and satin fell away to reveal two perfect globes tipped with rosy-pink nipples, the bear claw pendant nestled between them.
“Magnificent,” he breathed. He reached out and cupped both mounds, testing their weight before circling the tips with his thumbs.
“Marko.” He loved the way she said his name, half-moan and half-demand. He didn’t know if she wanted him to keep going or to stop. He brushed her nipples with the pads of his thumbs.
She cried out and pushed forward, settling her breasts more firmly against his palms. She was so responsive to his touch. He gently pulled on the tips and she bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out.
“Marko.” She was panting hard now. “I want my turn.”
Frowning, he eased his touch, palming her breasts to soothe the ache he knew she must be feeling. He could have her. Right here. Right this moment. He could see it on her face. She wouldn’t stop him. She’d welcome him with open arms.
But she’d be disappointed at not having her way, and damned if he couldn’t stand the thought of her being disappointed. As hard as it was, he pulled his hands away and rested them on his stomach. Her gaze followed and then went lower. His cock flexed as soon as her gaze settled on it.
“I’m all yours.”
Kellsie smiled and jumped to her feet. For a brief second he thought she was going to run from him again. He tensed, ready to give chase. Relief struck him like a sledgehammer when her hands went to the opening of her jeans. By the time he’d processed the fact she wasn’t leaving, she had her sneakers, socks and jeans off and was shimmying out of her panties.
Praise the Lady.
The oath was a vivid reminder of his mission. Was he jeopardizing it by spending time making love with Kellsie? Before he could decide, she was kneeling next to him.
A new tension filled him as she reached for his shaft. She stroked one finger up and down the hard length, tracing the thick vein on the underside. “You’re so hard, but your skin is so soft.” He wanted her to hurry but managed to keep his mouth shut. Although if she didn’t speed things up a bit he’d have a much larger problem on his hands. He was closer to the edge than he wanted to be.
She wrapped her hand around the base of his shaft. “You’re so big, so thick. Yet you fit inside me.” He was going to come if she kept talking like that. He felt his dick getting even bigger, swelling beneath her touch.
“I want to know what you taste like.” She lowered her head and he held his breath. She delicately lapped at the bead of liquid that seeped from the slit. “Salty and warm. Mmm.”
Goddess, he didn’t know how much of this he could take. He clenched his hands into fists by his sides. He’d hold out as long as he could because as much as he wanted his cock buried in her moist cunt, he wanted to experience her mouth on him.
She wrapped her tongue around his cock head, bathing it in moist heat. His hips arched upward. She had to take him in her mouth. Now.
But it didn’t happen. Her hand continued to stroke up and down his hard length while her tongue and lips teased and kissed. Finally, he could stand it no longer. “Kellsie,” he growled. “Take me in your mouth.”
“You sure you want it?” she teased. He couldn’t answer. If he opened his mouth he’d roar with pent-up sexual frustration. Inside, his bear was snarling at him to mount her, to take her and mark her as his.
As if sensing he was at the end of his tether, she parted her lips and took him inside. Marko’s back arched and he yelled as his hips thrust upward. Kellsie used her hand to keep him from going too deep too fast. He was glad she had some control over the situation because his was shattered.
The stroke of her tongue, the feel of her hot breath and mouth closing around him was as close to perfection as he’d ever felt. As willing as he was to die for his cause, he wanted to live to experience this sensation again.
Kellsie lightly dragged her teeth over him and Marko thought his dick might explode. He gritted his teeth, not wanting it to end too soon.
Kellsie hollowed her cheeks and sucked. God, Marko tasted good—musky and masculine and hot. His erection was pulsing and flexing in her hand, virile and alive. She didn’t think it was possible, but he was getting even harder.
He arched upward and a low, inarticulate sound broke from his lips. It was more like a growl than a sound a normal man would make. Maybe it should have frightened her, but it didn’t. Instead it made her hot and she knew her sex was damp with growing need.
Mark of the Bear hc-2 Page 20
