by T. S. Ryder
“What does that mean, matching mark?” she asked, looking up at him and shuddering at the warmth that flooded through her when his hand slid into hers. He smiled, leaning down and brushing his knuckles across her cheek.
“It means that you and I are destined to be together. We’re soul mates,” he grinned, brushing her hair out of her eyes and smiling when her round cheeks flushed lightly. She wanted desperately to tell him that he was crazy, that there was no such thing as soulmates, but after everything that she had gone through that night, soulmates seemed to be the easiest for her to understand.
“I suppose you probably think that means I’m just going to fall into your arms?” she whispered when he leaned in, biting her lip when he slid his hand gently down to rest at the base of her neck. Chuckling, he shook his head, his eyes flashing with adoration.
“No, course not, but I would appreciate it,” he breathed, smiling when she leaned in before sealing the gap between their lips slowly.
The sensation of electricity racing through her body when their lips pressed together was intoxicating. Closing her eyes and tangling her fingers into his hair slowly, she hummed at the feeling of his hand sliding down her side to rest on her hip.
Grinning against her lips when she made no move to stop his hands, he pulled her gently into his lap. Humming when he lightly bit her lip, she granted him access into her mouth with a purr, her nails lightly needling at his scalp when he rolled his hips upwards slowly. Grinning against his lips, she pulled his bottom lip between her teeth and sucked lightly, her eyes closed as she rolled her hips downwards in response.
“You’re beautiful,” he grinned against her lips, his hands sliding under her shirt to trail over her stomach slowly. A hum left his lips when she started to press heated kisses down his throat, and he slid her shirt up and over her head.
“Wanna take this to the bedroom?” she breathed in his ear, lightly trailing her teeth along his earlobe. She didn’t have to ask twice. Before she could blink, Nate had her over his shoulder with a broad grin on his face. Laughing, she clutched onto his shoulders, squealing as he rushed into the bedroom.
Despite the arousal and excitement that was coursing through her body, Clara was able to make out the features of Nate’s room. It was as gorgeous as he was, the bed at the center of the room was covered in cream silk sheets and beautiful navy pillows and the furniture all looked as lush and comfortable as any five-star hotel she had ever stayed in.
Letting him lead her to the bed, Clara looked up at Nate through her lashes and shivered when he leaned down to slide their lips together with a hum. Trailing her fingers shyly over his broad chest, she squeaked when he pinned her against the sheets.
It was a nice change, to be treated like a princess. Normally men were intimidated by her powerful stature and commanding attitude, but Nate didn’t leave her room to overpower him. His body language, as well as his powerful grip on her person, made sure that she understood that he was in control. For the first time in her life, she couldn’t find it in herself to be intimidated by this.
“You are so beautiful,” Nate breathed in her ear, his hands sliding over her body slowly, mapping out every curve with a discerning eye. Blushing lightly when he reached up and trailed his fingers through her hair, she shivered at the adoring look that he gave her as her chestnut locks tumbled around her face.
“Not as beautiful as you,” she mumbled, looking down at the growing bulge between his legs and shifting nervously. It had been a while since she had had sex. She had been too busy with work.
Catching where the woman’s eyes were wandering, Nate laughed softly and pressed his lips gently to the corner of her mouth to draw her attention back up to his face.
“Relax. I promise I’m not going to do anything you don’t want to do. We’ll take it slow if that’s what you want,” he mumbled sweetly, before sliding his hands over her stomach slowly, drawing a shiver from his lover. “Now relax, and let me take care of you,” he rumbled dominantly in her ear.
Relaxing against the sheets as her lover slid his fingers under her shirt, Clara’s breath caught in her throat softly. His hands were warm and powerful against her skin and left her melting against the sheets. Shivering when he slid her shirt up over her head, she let out a delicate gasp when his hand slid between her legs and gently rubbed against her clothed opening.
“You’re already wet. Are you that eager for me?” he hummed in her ear, trailing his tongue over her throat and chuckling when she let out a whimper at the sensation that rolled through her body. His body was gorgeous, and the mark they shared was pulsing powerful waves of pleasure through her body.
Whining submissively when his powerful body ground down against her own, Clara let her legs fall open completely, exposing herself to his wandering touches. Letting out a satisfied hum, Nate slipped his fingers over the zipper of her pants, slowly sliding down the zipper to reveal the lacy blue underwear that she had chosen that morning.
“It matches your eyes,” Nate grinned, leaning down and sliding their lips together with a laugh, his fingers sliding over her stomach. Loving the soft moan that fell from her lips, he slid his tongue over one of her breasts, sliding his hand behind her to unhook her bra. Letting it fall away from her chest, he grinned at the way her voluminous chest bounced freely.
Self-conscious, Clara hid her face in her hands, shuddering as he reached up and gently pried them away from her face.
“I want to see you,” he breathed, leaning in and sliding their lips together sweetly while his hips slowly ground against her own.
Nipping at her lip with a growl, the scent that had been driving Clara mad seemed to increase, leaving her hips bucking up to meet his own. Chuckling huskily at her plaintive cry, Nate slipped his fingers between her legs and slowly slid down her panties. Tossing them aside, he growled playfully, sliding down between her legs as she keened.
She had never felt so out of control in a situation, her entire body welcoming every touch he provided her with. Gasping when her legs were lifted onto his shoulders, Clara let her head loll back. The sensation that the mark on her arm was sending through her body was leaving her legs quivering, her body opening up to his advances eagerly.
“I want you,” she begged, gasping when he let a long finger slide between her folds and gently tease at her clit. Whimpering as she arched her back, she was stunned to feel an orgasm roll through her body at the gentle touch. Gasping in surprise at the sudden feeling, she curled her toes and whined lowly.
“One thing that I forgot to mention was that the marks allow us to arouse our partner just being in their presence. I suppose you’ve noticed that,” Nate chuckled heatedly, mouthing at her throat and chuckling when she bucked her hips down against his gently moving finger.
Sitting back a bit so that he could slide out of his own pants, Clara felt her heart flutter in her chest when she finally caught sight of his length. He was far larger than any of the partners she had had in the past, and the idea of him being inside of her left her entire body quivering with need.
“I told you it was nothing to worry about,” he winked, leaning down to kiss her as he slipped his fingers between her legs again. Gently slipping a finger inside of her, he let another wave of the scent roll between them, leaving her arching her back in delight.
“Ah! Nate!” she groaned, biting down on his seamless shoulder, marveling at the way the sparks traveled across his beautiful body. Trembling lightly when Nate slipped a second finger alongside the first, rubbing lightly at the bundle of nerves inside of her that left her arching towards his touch, Clara let out a delighted cry.
“Your body is so ready for me. I don’t even need to stretch you out, do I?” Nate smirked, his free hand sliding over one of her hips with a grin and rubbing at the soft skin there. Obviously relishing at the way she squirmed and gasped beneath him, he leaned down and slid his tongue over one of the nubs on her chest, his teeth sliding over the nipple slowly.
Wrapping h
er arms around his shoulders, Clara marveled at the contrast of their bodies, her soft skin pressed against his muscular chest. Gasping when his fingers slid out of her, she whined lowly as he leveled the tip of his throbbing erection at her opening.
“Ready for me, love?” he breathed in her ear, smirking when she nodded eagerly. Trembling as he slowly pressed inside of her, she gasped at the sensation of every inch of her being filled. Biting down on his shoulder once more to keep from screaming, she wrapped her legs around his strong waist, gasping as he pressed into her until his hips pressed firmly against her backside.
“Nate, you’re s-so big!” she gasped desperately, her entire body quivering around his shaft as he rolled his hips forward slowly. Letting out a delighted gasp as he gradually started to pick up speed, Clara clung onto his broad shoulders, letting her nails drag over his back eagerly.
The sound of their breaths tangling together and the slap of skin on skin in the otherwise silent room left Clara writhing under her lover.
“Nate!” she cried, her eyes rolling back in her head and her mouth falling open with a gasp. Whimpering when he slid their lips together, their tongues sliding together in a battle for dominance, Clara felt her body twitching around his massive length.
She had never felt this way while making love to a man before. Her entire body felt as though it were on fire, and her hips jerked up to meet his thrusts with a need she could barely contain. Whimpering desperately as Nate held her in place, she let out a desperate keen and bit down on his shoulder, finding her climax with a muffled scream.
Above her, Nate groaned, his hips snapping forward into her once more before he too found his release, filling her to the brim as he held her in place. Groaning softly, he pressed his face to her chest, his breathing heavy as Clara clung onto his shoulders desperately.
Curled up in each other’s arms, they both started to doze. Nate groggily slid out of her before pulling her against his chest with a yawn. Too tired to protest the mess he had left, Clara pressed against his chest with a moan, falling asleep in his arms without another word.
Chapter Five
After a few weeks, Clara wasn’t sure how to explain her relationship with Nate. She had woken up the next morning to Nate cleaning her off gently with a soft warm cloth, his eyes soft and adoring. They had exchanged gentle kisses and a warm shower, but as soon as they entered the workplace they became two separate people again.
He explained to her that as much as he wanted to show affection to her during the day, the last thing he wanted was for her to end up with a bad reputation because of him. They could have each other in their free time and at night, but during the day they weren’t lovers. They were employee and employer, and Clara was happy about this.
Things were going great until she started feeling nauseous in the mornings. After waking up and rushing to the bathroom immediately for a week straight, she shook off the idea of food poisoning or a stomach bug and quickly realized that they might have a far more severe problem on their plates.
She was pregnant, and she had no idea how she was going to tell Nate.
Sitting at her desk with her head in her hands, Clara groaned as she glared down at the decaf tea sitting on her desk, wishing desperately that she could have coffee or at least something with caffeine with it. She had a headache that could split a board and her stomach felt as though it was attempting to escape her body through her esophagus.
“You don’t seem to be feeling well this morning,” a voice hummed behind her, earning a grimace from Clara as she looked up. Her supervisor, Jeremy, was eyeing her slowly as he tapped a pencil on his clipboard. “Late night?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at the cup of tea on her desk. “I could get you something with some caffeine if you’d like. It might help.” He grinned, his eyes flashing as if he knew.
She had never liked Jeremy. He was aloof and incredibly self-important. He had never liked her either but had never had an excuse to get rid of her. She was good at her job and close to the boss, and as his personal assistant, this seemed to infuriate him.
“No thank you,” she grumbled, forcing a smile onto her lips as she looked up at him. “I’m trying to cut caffeine out of my diet. Healthier for you.” She shrugged, her hand unconsciously fluttering to her stomach when she saw the irritated look on his face.
“Ah, I see. Good for you. I understand how difficult it is to give up one of your vices,” he rumbled, his pale eyes flickering towards Nate’s office before returning to Clara’s face. “Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to let this one go?” He smirked, turning and walking towards Nate’s door as it swung open.
“There you are, Jeremy. Would you mind running these files down to the first floor for me?” Nate asked, handing the man a stack of files before moving over to Clara.
Clara couldn’t help but notice the glare that Jeremy sent their way, her already unhappy stomach clenching at the near murderous look in his eyes. She knew that the man hated her, but she wasn’t sure why he had suddenly got so violent.
“Clara, I got your memo.” Nate smiled, meaning the text that she had sent him saying that they needed to meet up. “Would you like to get lunch and discuss it now?” he asked with a raised eyebrow, resting against her desk with a carefree smile.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to eat, but I do need to discuss this, so yes.” She nodded, moving to her feet and snagging her purse. “C’mon, let’s go,” she whispered to him, ignoring the worried look in her lover’s eyes as he followed her into the elevator.
“Is everything alright?” he asked, once they were alone in the small space, his hand reaching out to rest on her cheek, his thumb brushing over her warm cheek gently. Pressing against his warm palm, she hummed softly, reaching up to clutch at his hand gently.
“Everything is fine,” she mumbled. “I just have something I need to tell you that’s very important and potentially life changing.” She sighed as he pulled back before the doors opened. Nate looked back at her with a worried expression on his face but said nothing to push the matter.
The diner that they selected to eat at to be alone was a bit further away than anyone would normally travel to lunch, but it was quiet, and Clara enjoyed everything on the menu. Sitting across from her lover with a sigh, she smiled when Nate’s hand gently took her own and his lips pressed against her knuckles gently.
“Tell me what’s going on that is so life changing,” Nate ordered, his soft eyes locking onto her own with a concerned look on his features. Sighing softly, Clara lightly squeezed her lover’s fingers and ran her fingers through her hair slowly.
“Nate, I’m pregnant,” she mumbled, looking up at the other through her lashes to catch the change of expression on her lover’s face.
It seemed to take a moment for him to realize exactly what she was saying. His face was frozen in a sort of dazed expression, his mouth hanging open while he fought for the words he needed to say right then. Reaching out to touch his hand, she smiled when she seemed to draw him out of his daze, his eyes fluttering up to meet hers while a smile formed on his face.
“Sweetie, that's great!” He laughed, a beaming smile forming on his lips as he took her hands in his. “This is amazing! I mean, this changes a few things, of course, we’re going to have to announce our relationship to the company, but we can figure out the logistics and such later!” He grinned, earning a laugh from Clara as she rolled her eyes.
“I’ve been applying at a few other corporations so we don’t have to worry too much about a scandal,” she explained, laughing when he leaned across the table to kiss her on the lips.
“We can figure all of this out once you get off maternity leave,” he insisted, squeezing her fingers with an adoring look on his face. “I just hope that the baby has your looks.” He grinned, pressing a kiss to her button nose and earning a soft hum from his lover.
“I’m just going to be happy if it comes out with all its toes and fingers,” she grinned, leaning back with a
relieved sigh when he continued to all but bounce in his seat with excitement. “Why did I think you were going to be upset?” she asked, earning a laugh from the man.
“Not a clue! I love children! I just wish we could have gotten married first,” he lamented, earning a snort from Clara.
“No marriage until this thing is out of me. The last thing I want to do is try to fit a baby bump into a wedding dress,” she insisted, earning a shrug from Nate, who leaned in and kissed her once more.
“You’re my mate. The marriage is just for the press.” He winked, cupping her cheek in his palm. “I promise everything is going to be just fine, my love,” he whispered, rubbing circles on her cheek before pulling back with a sigh. “Now, what are we going to order?” he asked, lifting up the menu.
Chapter Six
Clara’s hope that Nate would be able to take her home after work was quickly destroyed when she realized after their lunch that the man had meetings that were going to run late. At least, she figured, she would be able to take a shower and relax before the alpha returned home.
Pulling into the garage of Nate’s home a few minutes after leaving work, she slid out of her Elantra and locked it behind her. She hated coming home by herself. She could never shake the feeling that someone was watching her. That someone else was there.
Pulling her jacket a little further around her shoulders, Clara pushed open the door and slid inside, locking it behind her. Letting out a sigh of relief as she flipped on the lights in the hallway, she moved into their room and settled her purse on the bed.
Sliding out of her heels and pantsuit, she pulled on a lacy nightgown and a robe before moving into the kitchen. She hoped that Nate was ok with take out because she certainly wasn’t feeling like cooking that evening. Nate was usually the cook, and he was pretty good at it. She had a tendency to burn whatever she put in a pan.
