Mark of the Bear (Hades' Carnival)

by N. J. Walters

  He’d also saved her life when he could have easily traded it to get what he wanted. That meant he cared, at least a bit. And that was enough.

  His fingers tightened in her hair, tugging at her scalp. “I’m going to come if you don’t stop.”

  Hmm, that sounded fine to her. She used her teeth to rake gently over his hard length as she stroked up and down.

  He swore and fisted his hands a bit tighter. “Kellsie. I’m serious. You have to stop.”

  She raised her head and blew on his moist, heated flesh. “Why?”

  She sensed she’d startled him. His groan sounded more like a growl. “I have no idea.”

  Her fist squeezed the base of his shaft. “There you go. There’s no good reason.” With that, she lowered her mouth again. As she began to work his cock with her mouth, she reached between his legs and cupped his testicles with her free hand. A low moan was dragged from him when she carefully squeezed. His sac was taut and pulled up tight against his body. Wouldn’t be long now.

  Now that he knew she wasn’t going to stop he let go of his ironclad control. He whispered her name over and over like a prayer.

  The hot flex and pulse of his shaft in her hand and mouth told her he was close. She knew her jaw would be sore after this. His erection was broad and thick and she had to stretch her mouth to get around him. But it was well worth the effort.

  Kellsie moved her hand to the region between his testicles and his anus and felt a new tension invade him. Using her nails, she scraped over that sensitive spot.

  He went wild. She was grateful she had her fist wrapped around the base of his shaft so he couldn’t go too deep. He was out of control as he pistoned his hips into her mouth.

  His legs and body stiffened. She could sense the shift, feel the release shooting up his cock and into her mouth. Kellsie swallowed and kept sucking until he was spent.

  Marko groaned, threw his muscular forearm over his face and went limp. Kellsie gave a few more light sucks before releasing him. Now that the heat of the moment had passed, she realized how chilly the cave had become. Reaching behind herself, she tugged the fur-lined cloak over her back.

  The needs of her body were making themselves known the longer she lay there with her head resting on Marko’s stomach. Her sex was hot and wet and her breasts ached for him to touch them. But as much as she wanted sex, wanted him, she was content to lie next to him, basking in the pleasure of his release.

  To pass the time, she toyed with the curly hair of his groin and was surprised when his cock stirred to life once again. She raised her head, turned and looked at him. He was watching her, his dark gaze roaming her face. She wasn’t certain what he was looking for.

  He gripped her shoulders and urged her up and over him until she was lying right on top of him. Oh, that was perfect. The thick hair of his chest felt good against her stiff nipples and his hardening shaft rubbed against the folds of her pussy.

  “Thank you.” There was such wonder in his voice she leaned down and kissed the tip of his nose.

  “You’re welcome.”

  She should feel self-conscious. After all, she hadn’t even known the man for one whole day. But none of that seemed to matter. She grazed her mouth over his smiling lips when they parted for her.

  He gripped her ass and began to knead the rounded globes, grinding her pelvis against his. She was shocked by how quickly he was recovering. His shaft was as hard as it had been before he’d come in her mouth.

  She swiveled her hips and his erection rubbed against her clit. She didn’t even try to smother her cry of pleasure. Instead, she did it again.

  Marko laughed and swept one hand up her back and buried it in her hair. He rolled and her back hit the ground. No, it wasn’t the ground. It was the thick cape, which was far more comfortable. Somehow he’d gotten it spread out beside him before he’d moved. Maybe he did that magic poofing thing he was always doing with his belongings. Either way, she didn’t care. The soft fur caressed her skin like a million stroking fingers.

  He propped himself up on his arms and stared down at her. The position pressed his erection against her in a most gratifying way. She hooked her legs around his flanks and began moving over his cock.

  Oh, yeah. Each stroke brushed her swollen flesh and clit. It felt incredible.

  “Kellsie,” he groaned and buried his face against her neck. He nipped at her neck with his sharp teeth, making her jump. Then he laved the sting with his rough tongue. She almost orgasmed on the spot. Who knew her neck was so sensitive?

  He laughed and she loved the low sound. It was a slightly rusty sound and she knew he surprised himself each time, which made it all the more precious to her. He hadn’t had much reason to laugh during his long years of imprisonment.

  “It’s my turn now,” he whispered against her ear. A shiver raced down the side of her neck and over her arms. Goose bumps rose on her chest at the dark promise.

  He sat back and flipped her onto her stomach. He did it so easily, as if she weighed nothing at all. His strength was enormous.

  His hands settled on her shoulders and he dug his fingers in, loosening the tight muscles. She groaned long and low. “That feels wonderful.”

  He straddled her thighs and settled in, working his magic on her back, tracing his fingers lightly over her tattoo as he worked his way down to her butt. She knew he liked her tattoo and was glad she had it. If she lived through this it would always remind her of Marko and their time together. Kellsie sank into the soft fur beneath her and moaned as her body turned to jelly beneath Marko’s touch.

  He shifted position so he could work on her thighs and calves. Heat pulsed between her legs until she thought she might explode. She parted her legs, hoping he’d take the hint and touch her.

  The fiend stroked her everywhere but there. Her sex burned with need, her slick channel clutched at air, wanting his cock buried inside her.

  “Marko.” She wanted him but didn’t quite know how to ask. As though her saying his name was the signal he’d been waiting for, he slid his arm beneath her stomach and urged her up onto her hands and knees.

  Excitement skittered through her. Her skin was warm and flush but his hands were positively hot as he steadied her. “I want to fuck you. So hard and long you’ll never remember another man you ever had.”

  If she could catch her breath she’d tell him that was no problem. She couldn’t remember anyone but Marko and never would.

  The broad head of his cock nudged against the opening of her channel. She shoved back, trying to get him inside her.

  “You want me.”

  It wasn’t a question but she answered him anyway. “Yes.” And if he didn’t take her soon she was going to take matters into her own hands.

  He dug his fingers into her hips as he slowly fed his cock into her one slow inch at a time. He was broad and long and stretched the delicate muscles. It was almost painful, but stopped just short. Waves of pleasure washed over her as he filled her completely. She’d never felt so possessed by a man before. It might have frightened her if it had been anyone but Marko. For some reason she trusted him completely. And that in and of itself should have scared her to death.

  Maybe it would later, but all she wanted him to do now was to move. She rocked her hips slightly, driving him even deeper.

  His breath was hot against her spine as he kissed the line up to her nape, his sharp teeth grazing her skin and making her shiver with desire. He glided his hands over her torso until he captured her breasts. Then he started to move.

  He started slow and she cried out when he almost slid all the way out of her, only to moan in delight when he powered his way back in. Her body eagerly stretched to accommodate his girth and length. It was delicious. The hot slide of his penis in and out of her pussy was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. In this position he felt even larger than he had the first time he’d taken her.

  She relaxed, enjoying the sensation. That’s when it changed. The thrust of his hips gr
ew faster, harder. He toyed with her taut nipples, tugging them gently as he rammed into her from behind.

  Her breathing grew faster until she was panting in time with each thrust. “More,” she cried. She was so close now, every nerve ending in her body firing.

  Marko thrust hard, his hips smacking against her butt. He nipped at her neck, grazing the skin with his sharp teeth. His testicles bounced against her with each motion, brushing her swollen clit. Their skin was damp with perspiration and the slapping sound of their bodies coming together over and over echoed in her ears. The smell of sex permeated the air around them, filling her nostrils.

  Kellsie reached for her orgasm. She was so close. She moved with Marko, shoving her hips back on each of his forward thrusts. It was too good. She knew it couldn’t last.

  Her inner muscles clenched down hard on his shaft. Heat flashed over and through her like a wildfire out of control. Crying out, she threw back her head and screamed his name as she came.

  He didn’t slow down. Didn’t stop. If anything, he pumped even harder and faster. Only his grip on her was holding her up. Her orgasm went on and on. Or maybe she had two. All she knew was she was on fire, burning from the inside out in the most marvelous way.

  Marko gave a yell, ramming against her one final time. Hot jets of semen filled her as he came. When it was over, he groaned and collapsed, taking her down with him. He rolled them onto their sides, still buried inside her.

  His lips grazed her temple. His warm breath bathed her face.

  Kellsie was content to stay like this forever. What she got was a few minutes before Marko stirred and slowly disengaged his body from hers. She bit her lip to keep from whimpering at the loss.

  He turned her onto her back and traced her forehead, nose, cheekbones and jaw with his fingers, as if memorizing her features. She thought he might say something, give her some indication of what he felt for her. She waited with bated breath, silently begging him to give her something to hold on to.

  Nothing.

  He sighed and sat. “We need to get dressed.”

  That fast the mood was shattered. Kellsie blinked back the tears that came out of nowhere. She would not cry. She was a modern single woman, totally independent. She didn’t need anyone, least of all a man.

  Just because the sex was spectacular didn’t mean there was anything else between them. And she was lying to herself. She already cared way too much. Heck, she loved him and nothing would ever change that. He’d ruined her for other men. If she survived this mess, she knew she’d grow old alone. No way any other man would do after Marko.

  Don’t think about it, she admonished herself. She had more important things to deal with. Like the fact she was still stark naked.

  Grabbing her underwear, she dragged them on. God, she wished she could get a shower. She was sticky and sweaty.

  Marko moved into her line of vision. He was already wearing his leather pants and boots. Of course he was. He could just poof them on. He didn’t need to get dressed like a mere human did. It was another bucket of cold water in her face, a reminder that he wasn’t human. He was her lover for this brief interlude, but she couldn’t expect any more from him than that.

  The reminder settled on her like a heavy weight and she didn’t look at him as she pulled on her jeans, socks and sneakers. He hovered beside her as she hooked her bra and tugged on her long-sleeved top. Thankfully, the sleeves had dried. The last thing she wanted to do was to wear damp clothes.

  As much as she wanted to wrap herself in the cloak it was too bulky. “You need to get rid of that.” She pointed at the rumpled fabric that had served as her bed only minutes before.

  “Kellsie.” There was an underlying emotion in the way he said her name, but damned if she could figure out what it was. And right now she didn’t have the time or energy to figure it out.

  She rubbed her arms and moved away from him. “How much time do you think we have?” Better to get things back on a business-like setting. It would be all too easy to forget Hades and his minions were out there. And that would be a fatal mistake. They’d been left pretty much alone up until now, but Kellsie had a feeling in the pit of her belly that told her the situation wasn’t going to last.

  Marko sighed but said nothing as he picked up the cloak and shook it out. Between one moment and the next it disappeared back into the void or wherever the hell that stuff came from. It was like a cosmic closet or something. She’d love to have one just like it in her tiny apartment. Talk about a space saver.

  The sword he’d given her was resting against the wall and she reached for it. Marko caught her arm and stopped her. She looked at him then. He looked every inch the intimidating warrior he was. Massive and dark and not the kind of guy you’d want to meet in a dark alley. But definitely the kind of man you wanted by your side in a fight.

  He didn’t say anything, didn’t make any promises or declarations. He simply pulled her against his chest and closed his arms around her. The tender gesture almost undid her. She swallowed the lump in her throat and dragged in a shaky breath. She had to get a grip on herself.

  “We have to go.” She thought she detected some regret in his voice but maybe she was projecting. Either way, he was right. It was past time.

  And speaking of time… She glanced at her watch but couldn’t see the hands in the dark. For once she wished she wore a digital with backlighting instead of an old-fashioned watch with hands.

  When he released her, Kellsie took a deep breath and reached for the sword. Marko manifested his own weapon and led the way to the opening of the cave. “Stay close.”

  As if she’d run off into the woods by herself. Hello. She was an actress in horror flicks. She knew what happened to the dumb-ass chicks who ran off alone into the woods. No way did she want to meet one of those scary demons by herself. Not when she could have an immortal warrior beside her.

  “No problem,” she muttered when he seemed to be waiting for her reply before stepping out into the night.

  Chapter Eighteen

  She didn’t know what time it was, but evening had closed in around them. Kellsie stood beside Marko and looked up at the sky. The moon rode high and the stars flickered against the dark backdrop. It was a beautiful night. Would be even better if Hades and his demons weren’t after them.

  She shrugged philosophically. A girl couldn’t have everything.

  “But you can,” a deep voice answered her thought.

  She threw up mental blocks. Better late than never. A black circle formed in front of them. It was like a void, sucking the light from all around. It grew larger, spinning in a counterclockwise circle.

  Marko shoved her back a few steps as figures formed in the opening of the circle. Kellsie quickly realized it was a gateway or a portal of some sort. Hell of a special effect. Further proof that the god was simply playing with them. He’d known where they were all along.

  Had he watched them making love?

  Kellsie shivered and her gut clenched. She felt sick at the thought. It was too late to worry about that now. What was done was done. And she wasn’t ashamed of anything she’d done with Marko. No way in hell would she allow Hades to make her feel any differently about it.

  Hades stepped into the clearing, looking as dapper as ever in another of his expensive suits. He wore a red power tie and even had a little hankie folded into a perfect triangle sticking out of his pocket. He looked more like a Fortune 500 CEO than the devil. Of course, she’d often thought some of those guys had made deals with the devil. Maybe she wasn’t so far off.

  The god threw back his head and laughed, exposing the long column of his neck. His dark hair brushed his shoulders. He was a handsome devil. Pun intended.

  He brushed at the corners of his eyes. “You are a never-ending source of entertainment, Kellsie. I’m going to enjoy having you around.” She could see miniature flames flickering in his black eyes. “Think about it. You’ll be the star in a continuous horror flick for all eternity. The star. The l
eading lady.”

  Kellsie tried not to tremble but her limbs weren’t paying her any attention. If it weren’t for the fact she was wearing jeans the sound of her knees knocking together would have been heard by everyone there, which included Mordecai who was standing silently behind his boss with his arms crossed.

  The warrior looked like some mob enforcer, the dumb muscle waiting for his boss to give him his orders. But she knew he wasn’t stupid. Intelligence shone from his black eyes, but that was all. She couldn’t get a read on what Mordecai was thinking or feeling at all.

  She leaned on her sword for support, using it more like a cane. No good for her to try to brandish it before her with her arms shaking as much as they were. She was more likely to cut herself with the damn thing. Still, she tried for a nonchalant pose, bracing her hands on the pommel.

  “I’ll pass, thanks all the same.” She was proud there was no tremor in her voice. Heck, she was happy she hadn’t fainted in a dead heap. Her heart was galloping a mile a minute and her breathing was none too steady.

  “You had a choice,” he reminded her. “One you turned down.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” She tended to be flippant when she was scared and she’d never been quite so terrified in all her life. “Leave and never come back. My ex destroyed, my movie career skyrocketing. Yadda yadda.”

  Hades’ eyebrows shot up. “You dare to mock me?”

  She shrugged. “Why not? You’re going to kill me anyways.”

  His voice turned dark and cold, oozing into her bones. “There is more than one way to die, Kellsie. And once your soul is mine, I can torture you at my leisure.”

  The pendant on her necklace felt warm as it pulsed against her chest. To ground herself, she wrapped her hand around the bear claw. She drew strength from the talisman and from the man standing beside her. Marko hadn’t said a word, but he stood at her side, his huge sword at the ready. Maybe it was his presence enabling her to be brave. Or maybe it was because she had nothing left to lose.