Chapter 15 Auden
AUDEN
The next three weeks are nothing but excitement as I keep Mark running through the trees. I’m waiting for it to lose its excitement. I’m waiting for Mark to tell me he needs a break. I’m waiting for his fighting to get tiresome and the thrill to fade.
Right now, I’m planning for the next time even though we just finished this time.
We’re not in the trees today. We’re in one of the cabins deeper in the woods. Happenstance, since Mark didn’t realize there was a cabin out this way. Dragging him inside was a whole new thrill I hadn’t expected.
I enjoy being the predator to Mark’s prey. Perhaps far more than is healthy.
I haven’t taken him in my arms yet. As I get rid of the condom, I watch as he curls in on himself to catch his breath. I always allow him a minute to change mindsets, time to recognize that the scene is over before I approach.
Usually, that’s marked by the moment his body stops trembling. Watching his fear and adrenaline slide away is almost a visible event. That’s what I watch for.
His hair is all puffed up and frizzed out. He has the kind of hair that can get really big if he’s not mindful of keeping it tamed. I love it. The look is wild. Even more, I’m aroused by the knowledge that he looks like that because of me.
While I wait for Mark to come down, I examine his body. He’s nearly entirely naked this time. I enjoyed forcing his clothes off. I think I might have only lost one button on his shirt. At least we didn’t entirely ruin this set of clothes in the forest like we have no less than half a dozen others.
Maybe I should give him time to change into something he doesn’t care if it gets ruined. I could wait an extra few minutes for him to change.
No, that breaks the illusion.
There’s a laceration on his thigh that’s mostly closed. That’s not from this time. It’s from two times ago. Last week. The time he texted me ‘Chase,’ and I might have gone a little wild at the thought that he wanted me to take him like a victim.
His request. I’ve come to realize that his request sets fire to my blood like nothing else.
There’s a bruise forming on his hip. I think that’s when he managed to jerk himself free unexpectedly on both our parts and slammed into the edge of the bed frame. It’s a thick, sturdy frame. I’m not the least bit surprised that it’s going to leave a mark.
Mark sighs, and I watch as the tension in his body releases. Smiling, I climb onto the bed with him. I still generally wait until he gives me the signal he’s ready to be taken care of before I bring him into my arms. I don’t want to push too quickly.
“That time really hurt,” Mark says, and his eyes turn up to mine. He’s still wearing his glasses. Somehow, they stayed on his head despite being thrown around a few times.
I try to think if I’d done something differently. “Too much?”
“No. I liked it. I don’t know why it hurt more this time. But I think I’m going to need a break for a couple days.”
I hum. “I’m not going to suggest this as a disregard for your needs, but we’ve focused on penetrative play as the only outcome to these scenes. How do you feel about other forms of, uh… forceful sexual interactions?”
“My brain is still recovering from being jostled, so I’d appreciate it if you’d spell it out for me.”
Grinning, I say, “I can force you to get off. I can use your throat as my fuckhole. I can molest your body, though, as I say that out loud, I will never use ‘molest’ again. Not even in our play.”
Mark smiles. “Hold me now.”
I slide closer until I can gently bring him into my arms. Curling around him, I release a pleased exhale at the way he relaxes into me.
He fits like a puzzle piece. No matter how he’s curled up when he drops, he just fits in my hold.
Maybe I mold my body to match his. Interestingly, I find that I look forward to this moment nearly as much as I do the hunt-and-fuck portion of our play.
The quiet intimacy is something I haven’t truly enjoyed before. Perhaps it’s never been presented in the past. The more realistic reason for its absence is most likely that I’ve never opened myself up to that kind of closeness. I’ve never made myself available for it.
“Yes,” Mark says, and it takes me a minute to remember what we were talking about. “I don’t actually have a preference on the specific acts that result from you catching me. Whatever you feel like, as long as they don’t result in permanent harm.”
“Never,” I promise.
Mark nods. “Cool. Then yes, do whatever you want. I think my ass needs a break, though. You are an expert abuser, and my body feels it.”
“I should not take pride in that the way I do,” I muse.
We’re quiet for a few minutes, and I let my mind wander to all the things I’m going to do to him next. Perhaps next is going to be forced orgasms. Maybe I’ll match that with edging. Hell, I’m also going to force my cock down his throat.
“How are you at deepthroating?” I ask.
Mark laughs. “Uh. Not my favorite, but I don’t care what you do to me. If that’s what you want to do, then do it.”
“So accommodating.” I grin and let my hand run lightly over the bruise on his hip. “How do you feel about being marked like this?”
He shifts a little to look at the bruise. I can practically feel his frown. “I don’t recall you hitting me or… doing something to make that appear.”
“I believe it’s from when you ran into the bedpost.”
“Ah.” Mark is quiet as he thinks about my request. “I don’t think I want to be hit, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I’m not. I have no desire to hit anyone. Unless I’m going to kill you, I don’t have any intention of laying a violent hand on you.” I contemplate those words. “Though I think that’s maybe contradictory to what we’re doing. It feels like this is actually pretty violent, no?”
“I understand what you mean. Again, I guess as long as it’s not a permanent mark and not visible when I’m dressed. So not on my face or neck or hands…”
“Discreet. Understood.”
“What other things do you want to do?” Mark asks.
“I don’t know. I think these are things I never fully contemplated before, but now that the moment has presented itself, other cravings are making themselves known.
Perhaps…” An image forms in my head. Abstract at first as it attempts to form.
I lick my lips. “How do you feel about being tied up and fucked?”
Mark shivers. “Like, we’re going in with that intent or tacked on to the hunt?”
“I don’t think I have a preference. We can do either. What do you think?”
He’s nodding already. “I think hiding those marks will be more difficult.”
I hum in agreement. “I’ll think about it, but ultimately, you’re right. Those marks will be more difficult to hide. Unless I bypass your wrists and use your upper arms instead?” I say, verbally thinking it through.
“I guess nothing says that the only way to tie someone up is by their ankles and wrists,” Mark agrees.
“Mindful bondage,” I muse, making Mark laugh quietly.
My fingers continue to move over his skin. This is the first time we’ve both been mostly naked after a scene. It makes lying like this feel just as private and personal as the scene itself. My arm tightens around him for a minute, and I close my eyes. I like this feeling. A lot.
I like everything about this. Having someone to explore the darker, depraved cravings inside me is a new high that I can’t explain.
I’ve always liked Mark, but I like him a whole lot more now.
We’ll always have this quiet secret between us.
Something that we’ll think about whenever our eyes meet over the years.
For this moment in time, we’re giving into a primal need that isn’t talked about in more than hushed voices. It’s raw and sexy and painful. It’s a base instinct, highly emotional, and heavy on trust. Exposing all our vulnerable pieces.
My phone ringing sounds like a hammer against the glass wall between us, shattering this quiet bubble and revealing the outside world before we’re ready.
I contemplate letting it go to voicemail, but think better of it.
While I won’t say it’s impossible that this is a social call, I can’t remember the last time someone has called me just to chat.
Usually, it’s a relatively important conversation.
I kiss Mark’s temple and set him more fully on the bed. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back. This isn’t over.”
He sighs. The new tension in his shoulders relaxes.
This better be important. I don’t like being the cause of tension in him after a scene. I miss the call by the time I dig my phone out of my pants, but see that it’s Jalon. Yep, certainly not a social call.
Before I have a chance to return it, he calls again. This time, I answer right away. “Hey. Sorry.”
“Everything alright?” he asks.
I look at Mark on the bed. “Yes. Just not within arm’s reach of my phone. Everything okay with you?”
“It is. The package I spoke of—the one the triplets were tracking—has been secured. It’s en route. They’re taking their time, so don’t expect it for a week or so. Imry will text you with coordinates when it’s been dropped.”
“Make sure they’re mindful of the cameras. Keep the package concealed until they’re well within the perimeter,” I needlessly remind Jalon.
He’s not annoyed at my reminder. Then again, maybe he is. It’s rare you’ll ever hear an indication of Jalon’s emotions reflected in his words or tone. “I’ll remind them. Please relay to Rhodes that this one doesn’t get to die quickly. Prolong it. Let the pack have fun.”
“Noted. That bad?”
“That bad,” Jalon agrees. “If my boys hadn’t already been messing with him for as long as they have, I’d let them take care of him. I think Ellory is a little too hungry for his blood, though, so I need to remove him from the situation.”
“Please don’t consider this as advice on how to raise your kids, Jalon,” I say as I move back toward the bed. “But I think you should treat Ellory more like you do Loren. When he’s hungry for blood, give him the same safe atmosphere you provide Loren.”
“I do. That’s why his brothers are always with him,” Jalon says.
“You’re telling me that Imry or Avory suggested Ellory come home instead of finishing the job?”
Jalon doesn’t answer. I lie back on the bed and tug against Mark’s arm so he’ll come close again.
“Point taken,” Jalon says. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll watch for one of their texts.”
“How’re the kids?”
The last thing I want to think about right now, while I’m naked with Mark, is my kid, but I answer all the same. “Everything is fine. Bennett is getting restless in bed, which has Rhodes a little tense, but he’s working on keeping his aloof mask in place.”
Jalon chuckles. “Good to hear. How’s Mark?”
I look at Mark and grin. “He’s really good, Jalon.”
“I’m glad to hear. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Soon,” I agree and end the call. Rolling onto my side, I bring Mark right back into my trapping hold that he’d been in earlier.
“Really good,” Mark repeats. I feel his smile against my chest.