Dare To Be Loved

by Stacy Lee

  I hear her footsteps pause at the front door, her heart rate picks up speed as she debates on whether to enter or turn around. I quickly get comfortable on the couch focusing on the TV which is on but turned down low.

  “You can do this. He isn’t Uncle, there is nothing to fear from him. He promised he wouldn’t hurt you.” She mutters under her breath while she stands with her hand on the nob, her shaking making it rattle. Five minute and a long pep talk later she finally turns the nob and walks in, stopping as soon as she sees me. I keep my focus on the TV ignoring her. After a couple beats she slinks in and sits in the recliner across from me, her head bowed in submission, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She takes a large gulp of air before she reaches over and hits mute on the remote. I slowly turn my head to face her. She doesn’t look up.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put you in danger because I was being stubborn. I understand I need…” She takes another gulp of air and clinches her eyes shut. I sit waiting to hear where this is going. It wasn’t what I expected and I am shocked to hear the acceptance in her voice. Even more surprising is I could feel it also and it ran deep and final. She has finally made peace with her new lot in life. “your blood to live. It just took some time for it to sink in completely. When I was doubled over screaming for you earlier, I realized exactly what not eating when you offered it meant. There are going to be times you get side tracked and forget about me. I need to take what you offer when you offer it so I am not left in this situation again.” She pauses and I believe she is done. I open my mouth to tell her I could never forget about her but she holds up her hand stalling me.

  “Please, Dare. Let me get it all out then you can yell at me.” My eyes widen but I nod in the affirmative. I had planned on talking to her but I hadn’t exactly planned on yelling. It wasn’t my style. I have something else in mind for punishment.

  “I won’t go without again. I won’t put you in danger again. I hate that you did this to me, but that doesn’t stop the fact I care for you. If only to keep you safe I will accept this new fate you have given me. But I’m asking you to not deny me what I need out of control. You already control everything else I do, let me have this. If I have to come to you to live, please show me the respect to give me what I need without making me beg you for it.” Her voice stays strong making me proud of her since her entire body is trembling in fear. I let her sit in silence for a good two minutes before finally speaking.

  “Is that all?” She nods weakly, her chin has never left her chest. “Marnie, look at me.” She hesitates and I can see her warring with herself whether or not to obey the command. Slowly her head rises. When she meets my eyes hers widen at what I’m sure is anger and irritation in mine. Her body presses back into the chair as if she could run from me. She can never run from me. I would find her and I would bring her home.

  “I listened to you. Now it is your turn to listen to me. I’m glad you have accepted this, I was worried I would be forcing you to eat for the rest of your life. I want a woman Marnie, not a child and you have been acting like a child. When you do this I will treat you like one. That is going to have to wait though, because I have more to say first.” If at all possible her eyes widened more. Her mouth pops open to argue the point and I do as she did and raise my hands to stop her.

  “No, it’s my turn. I will not make you beg for food unless you wait till you are hurting from it. Then you deserve anything I give you and you will do anything I say. Being strong and brave is one thing. Being stubborn and childish is another. I won’t tolerate the child, I do not want a child, I want a mate. When you act like a child I will treat you like one. Do you understand this?” She nods with tears in her eyes that she is desperately trying to hold back. It makes me feel slightly guilty till I remember the pain from earlier. My guilt flees.

  “You purposely put both of us in pain instead of coming to me or taking my blood when I pleaded with you to eat. I will not beg you again. I was trying to be nice and let you deal with this in your own way. That backfired on me the minute the enemy attacked. I will not take a chance of putting you in that situation again. Not only you, but me. I had a battle to fight and most of the time I was worried about you instead of paying attention to what I was doing. It made me weak and out of control and there is nothing more I hate than to feel weakness and not being in control. I will not tolerate your putting either of us in this position again. Even if it means I tie you to the bed and pry your mouth open to make you eat. Do you understand me?” One tear slips from her hold and she quickly wipes it away.

  “Yes.” She whispers.

  “I never meant to do this. I never got a chance to apologize for it yesterday but I am sorry things worked out this way, but I am not sorry you are mine. And you are mine, Marnie. Heart, body and soul, forever. Just as you said that night, nothing will change that. With that being said, I will try to keep my commands down to a minimum especially immediately after you feed. This will not be easy for me as this is how I have spoken for hundreds of years. I tried being patient with you the last two days, now it’s your turn to be patient with me. If I forget myself and seem to be demanding things of you that aren’t necessarily meant as a demand but more as a question then you have permission to point out I am not being polite. This is something I want you to do, I need you to do, for both of us.” I am hoping wording it this way she will be able to fight The Binding and be able to speak against me. I didn’t want her to jump to everything I said but wasn’t sure how else to fix it. After discussing it with Archer earlier we were hoping this would help.

  “I also want to say you have permission to argue any point with me that you disagree with. Even if you believe it isn’t what I want, I need to hear your opinion, Parvulum. Your thoughts matter to me. I know what I think about things but I want to know what you think about them too. I do not want you to lie to me. If that means you disagree with me by speaking the truth then so be it. I need the truth. I want the only truth. Do you think you can give me what I need?” By the fates, I hope this doesn’t piss her off but I knew no other way than to stress I needed it so maybe she could say it. A small smile tugs at her lips and I believe she has caught on to what I am trying to do. She quickly squashes it and nods her head seriously.

  “Good. Now, I have one more thing to ask you but I want an honest answer from you. Can you give me that?” Her brow furrows but she tilts her head. “I want to be inside you when The Change completes, may I make love to you, Parvulum?” Several emotions run across her face as she debates the wisdom of sleeping with me knowing I am still angry with her.

  Smart woman.

  “You promised me you wouldn’t hurt me.” Her whisper would be barely audible to most. Anger sizzles through me and she jumps as if I slapped her. “I’m sorry. I know you are still mad at me. I just need the reassurance, that’s all. I know you won’t, I just need to hear it from you one last time. I won’t ask again.” I glare at her for a moment before I decide to give her the truth of my plans.

  “I plan on spanking your ass, Marnie.” She flinches but desire flares in her eyes and deep in the pit of my belly before quickly leaving. I had thought she enjoyed it the second time that night, but I hadn’t been sure till now. My member hardens with the thought. “I will not be easy on you but I will not hurt you. Not in the way you are meaning. I need to punish the errant child but I also want to please the woman.” Again desire flares, this time staying there.

  “My body wants you, Dare. I can’t deny that. It’s my brain that is screaming at me that no way in hell is this a smart idea on my part.” I smile a wicked grin.

  “Then let me change your minds opinion to that of your body’s.” I stand and hold my hand out to her. She hesitates. I drop my hand and squat before her, letting my hands run up her legs to rest on her thighs, my thumb grazing the mark under her jeans. Her body trembles, not in fear. “This is your choice. Do not do it because it is what I want. If you say no, I will let you eat and go to sleep. If you say yes, you ar
e giving me permission to do as I please with you. Think about it. I’ll be in our room when you make up your mind.” She doesn’t move as I stand and walk away.

  “Dare!” I stop and look over my shoulder at her. “The Stroli that attacked me knew I was bound to you. He said I was different. I just thought you might need to know.” She is wringing her wrists with her hands, her nervousness showing. She seems to have forgotten I can feel it just as she feels it. Trying to hide her emotions from me was a useless task.

  “Angie told me. She also confronted Archer and he told her the truth. She will be by in the morning to take my blood to store for you if it’s needed.” She sighs in relief but doesn’t stand. I continue to our room quietly. Cash’s head pops out of his room as I pass.

  “Remember, we have excellent hearing. The last thing I want to hear tonight is you spanking your mate. Keep it down.” He growls before shutting his door. Music begins to blare from behind it. I continue two doors down from his and enter the room. Retrieving my lighter from my pocket I light the candles I laid out earlier before I strip and crawl into bed to await her decision.

  Chapter Fifteen

  I know he is going to make me pay for my actions. The night of The Claiming he showed me what he could do. That’s how we ended up in this mess to begin with. Did I really want to put myself in that situation again? My body is screaming ‘yes!’ My brain is yelling ‘you are a bigger idiot than Uncle said if you go in there now!’ I look to the clock.

  11:22

  He wouldn’t have much time to torture me if he wanted to be inside me at 12:05. If I waited out here till midnight do you think he would forego the spanking and torture? No, I think he would just reverse his plan. He was right, I acted like a child but I didn’t believe spanking me was the answer. Nevertheless, he was going to do what he wanted to do if I said yes and I really wanted to say yes.

  I knew in my head that I shouldn’t. That I should punish him for doing this to me. That I should refuse him for as long as possible. Then I think about feeding from him and know I will never make it without mauling him. The act of taking his blood was an aphrodisiac that made my own blood boil with desire for him. It made my body ache for him. And right now I already ached for him, drinking from him would be the final straw and I would be doing exactly what Cash advised me not to. I would end up on my knees begging him to take me. This way I at least had some control over the fact I said yes with a clear mind before I fed and his blood ensnared me to do his will. My mind is still screaming no, but my body wins this round. On trembling legs I rise and head to my fate.

  As I pass Cash’s room he sticks his head out, his music is blaring behind him. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want. You know that right? Just eat and go to sleep.” I close my eyes and shake my head.

  “You were right. I want him and if I just eat I will be on my knees begging him for it. Saying yes and taking what he gives me will at least be my choice. But thanks for worrying.” I squeeze the hand that is gripping the door to the point his knuckles are white then continue on. His door slams shut and the music gets louder.

  My hearing has become excellent over the course of the day and I am not fooled by the fact there were walls between us and his brothers. They heard that conversation and knew exactly what was about to happen. I grit my teeth and try to ignore the knot in my gut. Four more radios begin to blare when my hand hits the nob. At least they were trying to block it out. I hope it works for them.

  I step into the candle lit room then close and lock the door behind me. Dare is sitting on the edge of the bed, his elbows on his knees, completely naked. Slowly I walk to stand in front of him.

  “Did your mind or body win the debate?” He asks smugly. I’m sure he heard what I told Cash but he wanted me to submit verbally to him. Again. You’d think we would have learned our lesson the first time.

  “My body.” I whisper. He gives a sharp nod before he leans back on his arms on the bed. He was already hard and ready to go.

  “Then you are agreeing of your own free will to do as I say, no matter what it is. Correct?” The smug smile turns to a smirk.

  “Yes, Dare. You once again have complete control over me.” I say sadly. His smirk fades to a frown.

  “Take off your clothes. Slowly.” I oblige by grabbing the hem of my t-shirt and guiding it up my body, over my breasts, then over my head. I let two of my fingers trail behind grazing my skin. His erection jumps when they linger on my breasts.

  Ah-ha!

  He might have control but I can torture him just the same. It may not be much but it was something. As the shirt covers my face I smile. Once it is off I drop it in his lap then unbutton my jeans. I let my hands slide under the material and cup myself before pushing both the pants and the undies to the ground, my hands gliding over my skin as they go. He moans quietly.

  The last thing to remove is my bra. It has a front clasp so I slide my hands from the sides to the center plumping my breasts to look bigger than they are before my fingers deftly pop the latch. I let it slide out from under my hands without removing them. I look up to meet his gaze then pinch my nipples hard before straitening my arms to let the bra fall. His eyes grow wide, his tongue darts out wetting his lips, and the shirt in his lap wiggles with his member jumping. I clasp my hands behind my back and wait for his next command.

  “Come closer.” He croaks out. I try to keep the smile hidden knowing it would only piss him off more but it tugs slightly at my lips. I take a step forward. In a quick movement he grabs my arm and pulls me in between his legs. He bends me over his left leg and uses his right to trap my legs. His hand tangles in my hair, his elbow in my back holding me down. I gasp with the first smack across my ass it is so rapidly unexpected. I knew he said he was going to spank me but he had moved so fast it was a surprise. His hand stays where it lands his fingers kneading the skin.

  “Did you think that was funny?” I’m so shocked at my position I don’t answer right away. His hand leaves and returns harder. I yelp.

  “No.” I squeak out.

  “Then why the smile, Parvulum?” That deadly whisper has returned and I know not to lie to him again.

  “Yes, it was a little funny.” His hand glides across my skin dipping between my legs to insert a finger into my heat. I moan as he caresses my inner walls.

  “Do you like that?” He asks in a hoarse voice.

  “Yes.” I groan. He removes his hand, I whimper as it comes down hard on my ass.

  “I like you fed and happy and yet you refuse. Should I refuse you what you like?” His hand kneads my skin delicately as I debate the right answer. No would probably get me smacked again. Yes would be lying and would probably get me smacked again. Neither was correct so I give him the truth.

  “No.” As I expected his hand comes down hard once more then immediately he sinks two fingers roughly inside me. I groan loudly and he retreats. I growl in frustration.

  “Oh, baby we have a long way to go before you get what you want. Don’t get aggravated yet.” He laughs out. His arm becomes visible, his watch displaying the time.

  11:39

  He could easily keep this up for twenty more minutes. I don’t think I can.

  “Dare, I said I was sorry. Please, just make love to me.” I beg him. His hand smacks me once more, powerfully this time. I cry out with the pain. Unwanted pleasure spirals in my belly and I curse my body for enjoying this.

  “I haven’t told you to beg yet.” Twice more he hits me, harder even. I moan with each slap. His fingers return to take a rapid rhythm. My body begins to quiver, my breathing ragged. So close. His hand leaves and comes down one more time, the most powerful of all. I cry out as he flips me off his lap and shoves me to the ground on my knees. My top half is being held to the bed by his hand still in my hair as he kneels behind me.

  Without warning he slams into me. Tears spring to my eyes with the sudden pain but I bite my lip to hold in my cry. He pulls back and does it again, then again, then again. He b
egins to pound furiously inside me. Pain turns to pleasure and I find myself on the brink once more. He stops.

  “Open your eyes.” He bites out through clinched teeth. I obey to find his wrist in front of me again.

  11:46

  “Not yet.” My body trembles in need as I lay pinned to the bed. When it calms down he starts over. Slow but hard thrusts before he escalates to pounding furiously. Again when I am ready to break he holds his hand in front on of my face as he stops.

  11:55

  I cry out in frustration. My body needed release, now. I was ready to explode and he kept refusing me the pleasure.

  “Now is the time to beg, Parvulum.” He grits out as he holds perfectly still behind me, buried balls deep.

  “Please Dare. I can’t take any more, please.” I whine out. He chuckles making me steam.

  “Please what? What do you want, Marnie?” His voice is low and husky. I whimper. I couldn’t say it out loud! “Tell me or we stay like this till the clock reads 12:06. Then we start over.” The whisper was back, he meant every word of that.

  “Please, let me come!” I scream as loud as I can. I can’t wait any longer. I didn’t even care if his brothers could hear me and by the way the music in the next room grows louder I was sure they could.

  “With pleasure.” He forgets the slowness and begins with the pounding. His fingers find that sensitive spot and begin to caress it sensually making my body jerk in pleasure. It doesn’t take long to ratchet me right back up where I was. He twists his hips and grinds against me hard and I think I’m going to rupture.

  His hand appears in front of me again but this time his watch is gone. “Bite.” He says commandingly. I shake my head. His neck was better, it tasted better, flowed better. I didn’t want his wrist. He stops moving. “Bite or do without. It is the only choice you have. You refused when I offered my neck this morning. Now you get my wrist. Now bite!” Oh, so that was his game. I was wondering why he had kept to my back. Reluctantly, I bite down on his wrist drawing from him. He immediately begins to slam into me shoving the bed forward with each powerful thrust.