Chapter Thirteen
Marius
I watch Brigid from the shadows, hardening as she searches for me. The sway of her hips, the curve of her full tits beneath her thin shirt—fuck, she ’ s driving me crazy without even trying. My cock strains against my jeans as I drink her in.
She ’ s mine. Or she should be. But those other bastards keep circling her like vultures.
I flex my hand, tamping down the urge to stride over and claim her right here. Callen, Lochan, Tiernan—those assholes don ’ t deserve to breathe the same air as her, let alone touch her.
I see her brow crease. She ’ s getting frustrated.
My lips curl into a smile. I love when she gets all worked up. Makes me want to work her up in other ways...
But beneath the lust, an unfamiliar protective instinct claws at my chest. Those other idiots, they ’ ll only hurt her in the end.They can ’ t help it. They don ’ t know who she really is, inside.
I may be a bastard, but at least I ’ m honest about it. Brigid needs someone who can handle the darkness inside her.
Someone who revels in it.
Someone like me.
I shift in the shadows, weighing whether to reveal myself. Part of me wants to keep watching. But the larger part craves her attention, her touch.
“ Looking for something, little bird?”
Brigid whirls around, her eyes widening as they land on me. “ Marius,” she breathes, relief and something else—flashing across her face.
I saunter towards her, drinking in every detail. The way her chest rises and falls with quickened breath. The slight parting of her lips. The heat in her gaze as it roams over me. She can ’ t hide it.
“ I ’ ve been searching everywhere for you,” she says, a hint of accusation in her tone.
I smirk. “ Maybe I didn ’ t want to be found.”
She rolls her eyes, but I catch the slight upward curve of her mouth. “ I need to talk to you about something. Alone. Somewhere private.”
I arch an eyebrow. We both remember the last time Brigid and I were alone together. Images flood my mind—Brigid naked and wriggling beneath me as I made her come undone.
“ Lead the way,” I say, gesturing for her to go ahead
She might not realize it yet, but she ’ s mine. Mine to protect, mine to possess.
And I always take care of what ’ s mine.
As we approach Brigid ’ s room, movement in my peripheral vision catches my attention. Lochan lurks in an alcove, his eyes narrowing as he watches us. Jealousy radiates off him in waves. I should fuck her right here and now, let him watch.
I consider telling Brigid that he ’ s there, but decide against it. Let him fucking stew in his impotent rage. It ’ s not my problem if he can ’ t handle the truth of what ’ s between Brigid and me. I could give a fuck about Lochan and whatever his issues are. My only concern is Brigid.
The door clicks shut behind us, and suddenly the air feels a hundred degrees hotter. Brigid turns to face me, her lips parting to speak. But I ’ m done with words.
In two quick strides, I close the distance between us. My hands frame her face as I capture her mouth with mine. She gasps, then melts against me, her body responding instantly.
My hand slides down her neck, over her collarbone, cupping her breast. Even through her shirt, I feel her nipple harden. A low growl escapes me.
I rub my thumb in circles over the nipple, bringing my hand down to do the same to her other breast, relishing the way she shudders.
Satisfaction roars through me. Mine . All mine.
Suddenly, Brigid ’ s hands press against my chest, pushing me away. I blink, momentarily disoriented as she takes a step back, her chest heaving.
“ Marius, wait,” she pants, shaking her head. “ We can ’ t—I didn ’ t bring you here for this.”
Irritation flares in my gut. I clench my jaw, forcing back the urge to pull her against me again. “ Then why did you bring me here, little bird?” I growl, not bothering to hide my frustration.
She runs a hand through her hair, messing up the silky strands. My fingers itch to touch them, to fist my hand in that hair and bring her down to her knees.
“ It ’ s about Rory,” Brigid says, her voice soft but firm.
Fucking Rory. Cockblocker. I grit my teeth.
Brigid ’ s eyes flash with desperation. “ I need your help to open the rift. To get him out of the void.” She hesitates, wringing her hands. “ I... I tried a ritual with Tiernan, but it didn ’ t work.”
My jaw ticks. Tiernan. That sanctimonious prick. My fists tighten at my sides as I imagine his hands on Brigid, performing some intimate ritual.
“ Tiernan.” I can ’ t keep the snicker out of my tone. “ And how exactly did that go?”
“It didn ’ t work,” she repeats. “ That ’ s why I need you. Your power, combined with mine... I think we could do it. Like we did before.”
I study her, noting the dark circles under her eyes, the slight tremor in her hands. She ’ s desperate. And as much as I hate to admit it, seeing her like this... it does something to me.
I step closer as I tilt my head and hold her gaze. “ And what ’ s in it for me, little bird?”
She swallows hard. “ What do you want?”
A slow, predatory smile spreads across my face. “ One night. Alone. Just you and me. No interruptions, no other... distractions.”
I watch the conflict play out in her eyes.
I can see the gears turning in Brigid ’ s mind, weighing her options. Her lips part slightly, indecision etched across her face. I need to remind her of what we share, of the pleasure I can bring her.
I quickly pull her in to me, crushing my mouth against hers. My hand grips the back of her neck, fingers tangling in her hair, and a shudder runs through her body as she melts into the kiss, her resistance crumbling.
I break away. “ Remember how good it felt last time, little bird? How I made you come all over my fingers?”
Her pupils are wide, and she ’ s breathing heavily. I slide my hand down her body, savoring every curve until I reach her waistband. She doesn ’ t stop me as I slip beneath it. I roughly push my hand down further, finding the crotch of her panties and sliding my finger under it to the velvety softness of her pussy.
I whisper against her ear. “ You ’ re so wet for me already, and I ’ ve barely touched you, little bird.”
Brigid moans softly, her hips jerking involuntarily. “ Marius, I...”
“ Shh,” I soothe, now circling her clit with my thumb. “ Let me take care of you. One night, that ’ s all I ’ m asking. And we ’ ll get your precious Rory back.”
Brigid ’ s eyes flutter closed for a moment, her breath catching. When she opens them again, she stares directly into mine, unblinking.
“ One night,” she agrees. “ Just one. Then you leave me alone.”
I step back, withdrawing my hand from her pants. A half-smile tugs at my lips as I watch her try to compose herself. The fucking irresistible scent of her cunt lingers on my fingers, and I bring my finger to my mouth, licking the delectable taste of her off it, as Brigid watches.
“ Deal,” I say, letting my satisfaction seep into my tone. She ’ s mine, if only for a night. And I intend to make it count. This has gone on too long.
Brigid smooths her clothes, a hint of defiance returning to her posture. “ Don ’ t look so smug, Marius. It ’ s just sex.”
I chuckle, enjoying her attempt at bravado. “ Oh, little bird. We both know it ’ s never ‘ just ’ anything with us.”
She rolls her eyes. “ Whatever. We need to focus on recreating the rift. That ’ s the priority here.”
“ Of course,” I agree, my voice dripping with false sincerity. “ What are you waiting for? Tick Tock.” I tap my watchless wrist.
Brigid narrows her eyes at me, unamused. “ Just... behave yourself, okay? This is serious.”
I hold up my hands in mock surrender. “ I ’ m always serious when it comes to you, little bird.”