Chapter 19
Dove enteredMarcus’s bedroom on shaky legs and breathed slowly to steady her nerves. Soft light illuminated the space. The balcony doors were open. Marcus stood outside with his back to her, his powerful frame a dark silhouette against a starlit sky.
She padded across the floor, joining him at the railing. Together, they gazed into the night. The scent of roses wafted on a cool evening breeze. Despite the tranquil setting, Marcus stood stiffly beside her. His manner reserved.
Best to just get this over with quickly, for both their sakes. “I spoke to Vivian. She says I can rejoin her anytime I’m ready.”
“I assumed as much,” Marcus said, his tone flat, giving her little in the way of feedback.
Was that how he wanted to play this? As though he had no personal interest in her decision? Fine. She could be aloof as well. Though it went against every fiber of her being, she pressed her lips together, refusing to say more. For once she wouldn’t pluck the heart from her sleeve and drop it in his lap, hoping he’d pick up the pieces.
Shadows swirled. One seemed to bump his shoulder, prodding him to answer. At last, he said in a low grumble, “What did you tell her?”
“That I needed time to decide.”
“Hmm.”
Hmm?She gritted her teeth. Males and their emotional constipation. Holding things in until it made their guts grumble and stomachs bloated. Dove was a firm believer that feelings were meant to be shared, analyzed, and purged. That didn’t mean it was easy.
“I think…” Worry over his reaction tied her tongue in knots. “I’ve decided…”
Was it her imagination or did he lean closer, waiting for her answer? Even the shadows seemed to close in.
“Yes?” he prompted, the one word sounding strained.
“I think it’s difficult to make a decision when I’m not clear on my options.” That’s right. She straightened her spine. If he wanted her, he’d need to say it. Even the tender-hearted had principles. Come on, Steele. Give me something.
Silence filled the void between them. That bottomless chasm grew deeper, wider.
The cool evening breezed blew through her. She shivered, her chest hollow. She’d laid it out there and been rejected. At least she’d jumped. Taken the chance. So why did it feel as though her heart had landed in the mud?
“So… um… I guess I’ll go pack.”
“Don’t,” he murmured.
Her heart soared, rising from the goo. “Don’t pack?”
“Ida will do it for you.”
That soaring heart of hers stubbed its toe, tripped, and fell face first into the slop. She stared at his hunched shoulders, mouth gaping. Un-be-lievable. After everything they’d been through, he still felt nothing for her. Dove was little more than a tool he’d used to explore his demon side. That done, he had no further use for her. May as well dump her on Vivian’s porch and drive off. An image of her father’s taillights fading into the distance flashed in her mind. How she’d sobbed, chasing him down Havenhouse’s driveway.
Tears stung her eyes. She dug her nails into her palms, turned on her heel, and headed for the door. “Have a nice life, Steele.”
Her head pounded, short breaths squeezing her chest. Keep walking. Keep walking. You’ve got this. Don’t let him get to you. Don’t embarrass—
Outrage seized control of her body. She spun back and planted her fists on her hips. “Is that all you’re going to say to me?”
He didn’t bother to turn, speaking over his shoulder. “I won’t keep you from leaving if you want to go.”
“And what if I want to stay?”
He stiffened and turned, the darkness hiding his expression. “Do you?”
Did she need to spell it out for him? Apparently so. “Yes, you big dummy. I want to stay with you. But not if you don’t want me.”
“You think that I don’t want you,” he snorted, shoulders shaking with mirth.
Her heart sank deeper into the muck. Tears pooled in her blurry eyes. “Are you laughing at me?” She spun and stormed back to the door. “I am so over this. Over you. I never should have—”
Wham!The bedroom door slammed shut. Dove sucked in a startled breath. Smokey tendrils swirled around her. The lights flickered and winked out, engulfing her in darkness.
“Stay,” Marcus said in a deep, snarly voice.
Her heart raced, and she turned to find him still on the balcony. Legs braced, shoulders heaving. Shadows obscured his features, his right eye glowing a furious red.
She froze, prey locked in a predator’s sights.
He stalked toward her. “Stay and tie yourself to half a man. Stay and condemn yourself to shadows and darkness. Stay and you’ll bind yourself to a monster.”
As he closed in on her, she stood her ground, lifting her chin. “You forget necromancers aren’t afraid of the dark. It’s in the shadows that we thrive. If darkness is what you need, then we’ll dance in the moonlight.”
“You’re choosing me over the life you had. One filled with light, laughter, family?”
How could this powerful vampire think so little of himself? “Understand, this isn’t some horrible sacrifice I’m making. When I’m with you, I feel alive, desired, protected.”
He stood before her and lifted his scarred hand to her cheek, saying softly, “Stay and I may never let you go.”
Dove peered up at him and gasped. “Marcus, your face.” Her eyes traveled over every inch of his flawless visage. Gone was the intricate pattern of burns that had once marred his forehead and temple. Gone was the textured skin that tickled her palm when she touched him. Gone was the face she’d come to love.
He offered a self-deprecating smirk. “A gift from your demon friend. He believed he was playing wingman. Don’t get too attached. I suspect it isn’t permanent.”
At her gaping silence, his lips tightened. “You don’t like it.”
“It’s wonderful, just, this isn’t the face of the man I’ve come to know.” The one she feared had snared her heart. “This is the face of the man who once looked at me not as a person but as an object he could possess. It will take some adjustment.”
His eyes darkened, washed with all the emotions he was no longer hiding from her. “Then stay and let me prove to you that ignorant bastard has changed.”
Dove smoothed her fingers along his jaw, then circled her palm around the back of his neck. She leaned up on her tiptoes, bringing her mouth within inches of his, purring, “Show me.”
Marcus’s eyes widened at her challenge before turning molten. He covered her lips with his own. Confident in achieving his goal, he plundered her mouth. Teased the seam of her lips, demanding entry. Their tongues tangled. His teasing making her chase his. Dove’s head swam, and she circled her arms around his shoulders, leaning into him.
When they drew apart again, she clung to him for balance, whispering, “Whoa.”
“Whoa indeed,”Marcus agreed. Dove had asked him to show her, and yet he was the one having his eyes opened. The woman in his arms had nothing to gain by being here and everything to lose. His wealth, his title meant little to her. Still, she chose to remain at his side. Part of him waited to uncover some motive for her actions. Expected her to betray him as others had in the past. Yet every time he challenged her, she remained true.
That honesty was sexy as fuck.
He may not be the same vampire she’d met at the casino opening, but the creature he’d become was just as eager to possess the striking faerie. To him, she was priceless. Flesh and blood and everything he wanted. No. Needed. It made him nervous, his attachment to something so fragile. What she’d given him, he could not purchase, nor—he’d learned—control.
He feared she may discover he’d lied to her. That much of his old self remained. Because, in that moment, he desired nothing more than to possess every delectable inch of her.
She pressed her forehead into his chest, muttering something he failed to understand. “What was that?” he asked.
She cast him a sultry look from beneath her lashes, tugging his shirt tail out of his pants. “I said, that all you got?”
He tensed. She’d seen his scars many times, but not like this. This was… different. Intimate.
Apprehension coursed through him. He was still discovering his limitations with his new form. With this partnership he’d made with his demon. He’d rather not experiment on Dove’s fragile flesh. However, what she offered was too tempting to resist. He wanted this more than anything he’d wanted in a long time.
“Wait.” He grasped her hands, gently set her away from him, and stepped back.
Dove frowned until he reached for the collar of his shirt. With every button he turned, her gaze grew warmer. At last, he shrugged the fabric off his shoulders, flinging it to the floor.
Her forest-green eyes took him in, stroking his body in a languid caress that sent heat straight to his cock. The admiration in her eyes assured him she liked everything he’d revealed. Shadows swirled, his demon rising.
“And why shouldn’t she desire us?”said a familiar voice. “We are strong. Virile.”
“Not now.” A good wingman knew when to make himself scarce.
“Understood.” The demon’s conscience faded, though his power remained.
For once, Marcus was grateful for the entity he carried. Because of the demon, he stood before Dove on two powerful legs.
Whole.
Despite the need burning in his veins, with Dove, he wanted to savor the moment. He raked her form, demanding, “Now you.” It seemed some of the demon’s influence remained because he found he enjoyed the games they played. He’d had so little of them in his youth. Growing up, games were not meant to be entertaining. Instead, any challenge was met with aggression. Losing was not an option.
Dove stared at him puzzled, then, ever so slowly, a seductive smile blossomed on her lips. “Very well. Tit for tat. Though I think it’s only fair to warn you. I’ve studied with an expert.”
Her former benefactor, Vivian, was a world-renowned striptease artist. Unbeknownst to Dove, Marcus was desperate to lose this game.
To his bemusement, Dove executed a shimmy that had his cock standing up, taking notice. Then, with a shrug of one delicate shoulder, her skirt and top pooled at her feet. The move executed with an expert’s skill. His lungs seized, knocked breathless by the vision before him. Dressed in a simple demi-bra and panties, she couldn’t be more beautiful. Lush breasts beckoned his hands to explore. Her generous hips had his fingers curling.
“Your turn,” she purred in a voice that sent a shock of heat straight through him. In his long life, he couldn’t remember a time he’d been so hard. He wanted her to see him. To see the effect she’d had.
He unfastened his slacks, shucked them along with his briefs down his thighs, kicking them to the side. The warmth in her green gaze had his shoulders drawing back. In Dove’s eyes he was flawless, powerful. He stood before her, proud despite his damaged body.
Her focus dropped unabashed to his manhood and heated, caressing his shaft. His cock throbbed as though she’d reached out and stroked him with her hands. Gods save him. He was ready to explode, and she’d yet to even touch him.
“Now you,” he choked out.
Dove’s pouty lips quirked into a sultry smile. Rather than shuck off her clothing as he did, she gave him her back. While gazing over her shoulder, she lowered one bra strap at a time. With tantalizing slowness, she unfastened the hooks. White lace fell to her feet, and she kicked it away. Hands clasping her breast, she turned to face him. Canted her head. “How will we know who won?”
He’d never been so captivated by a female. His lips drew into a smile. “Drop those hands and we’ll call it a draw.”
She nibbled her delectable lip, eyeing him up in a mischievous manner. “No deal,” she said, still holding her breasts. If she meant to shield herself, she failed. Seeing her palms overflowing with her plump flesh made him ache all the more. Then again, she had studied with a professional. It was more likely she knew exactly what she was doing.
“You’ve decided to forfeit?” He played along. She was close enough he could grab her and end this torment for them both.
“I’ll stop touching myself if you let me touch you instead.” She stood within an inch of him, her manner subdued.
She wanted to put her hands on his scarred body? His throat tightened. He’d thought to use his mouth and fingers to tease her. Then screw her hard and fast before she could come to her senses. Letting her explore wasn’t part of that plan.
She nuzzled her nose beneath his jaw and thoughts grew fuzzy. Then, she brought her tongue into play, laving the vein pounding in his neck.
“Deal,” he found himself groaning.
Before he could draw his next breath, she freed her breast and leaned into him. Just enough to graze her nipples against his chest. He shuddered, and in his moment of distraction, her hands grazed his waist. Coasted up his back and feathered a trail down his spine.
“Is this okay?” she whispered.
He managed a nod while everything inside of him drew tight as a bow. When he lost his grip, he just prayed he didn’t hurt her. Nor embarrass himself.
Dove ghosteda kiss to Marcus’s damaged pectoral while feathering a touch along his spine. Every inch of the vampire was spectacular. In her estimation, her Marcus was a sexy paradox. He was a delightful combination of experienced alpha male mixed with the nervousness of an untried virgin. Dove, lucky girl, was the first he’d let in since his accident. Tonight, she wanted to make love to him. Make him feel desired, cherished.
“First, I want to learn you. Then you can learn me.” She coached him as she had this last week. The pattern feeling natural for them.
“Tit for tat again? Very well. Just know, it’s been a while and already you test my restraint.”
“No worries. You’re a quick study.” Fortunately for them both, Dove had never been shy about her body nor her sexuality. “I only ask that you communicate with me. Tell me if something makes you uncomfortable.”
“Just so happens, I’m extraordinarily uncomfortable at this very moment,” he said, teasing lilt to his voice.
“Are you now?” She stroked his spine, then circled him, letting her breasts graze his arm, her fingers trailing his body. Behind him, she grazed her beaded nipples along his back, her hips against this firm backside. Then trailed her arms around his waist, skating her hands down his chest to his stomach. His head dipped, and he watched her fingers coast down his defined abs.
“You’re stunning, Marcus,” she whispered against his shoulder blade. “Like a phoenix risen from the ashes.” He captured her hand in a tight grip, and she held her breath. Would he deny her? Had she pushed too far?
He guided her hand to his rigid manhood, forcing her fingers to squeeze around his shaft. “Touch me, Dove,” he commanded, and Dove did as she was told.
Three strokes had him groaning, “I’d like to let you continue, but that feels too good. My turn.” He seized her wrist and spun her to face him.
Both of her wrists were trapped behind her back. Marcus grinned down at her. “What was it you said? You wanted me to learn you?”
Her heart raced at the wicked gleam in his eyes. “Tit for tat,” she agreed, yearning for his touch. He didn’t disappoint. His calloused palm coasted down her shoulder to her breast. His rough fingers plumped her flesh while his thumb tormented her aching nipple.
“I want your mouth on me,” she murmured against his jaw.
“Not yet, sweet Dove. Not until I’ve made you burn. Only then will I pull you from the ashes.”
Tricksy vampire. She groaned as his hand coasted lower. Slow. So slow. Too slow!
“Marcus,” she growled.
“Patience,” he coached as his fingers hooked her panties, shoving them down her legs. His calloused palm grazed the back of her knee, then slid up her thigh. Higher. Higher. Again, too slow. Her sex throbbed, aching for his touch. The teacher had become the student.
“Now, Marcus. Please.” She jiggled her leg.
“Since you asked nicely,” he purred, his hot fingers stoking between her thighs. “Is this what you want?”
“Yes!” She fell against him, her muscles quivering.
“Spread your legs for me, beautiful,” Marcus demanded against the top of her head.
Dove was eager to comply. Thick fingers slid easily into her slick opening. Thrusting in. Out. In. His thumb circled her clit, and it was everything she could do to remain standing.
“Almost. Goddess, I’m almost there,” she gasped.
Those delightful fingers vanished.
“Damn you,” she cried out, choking on a laugh.
Marcus’s dark chuckle tickled her nerve endings.
He scooped her into his arms. “I win.”
“Cheater,” she purred against his lips, then kissed him with all the pent-up passion he’d built. Her back hit the mattress, and Marcus followed her down.
His powerful body rested between her thighs. She circled her legs around his hips and ground her opening against his eager cock.
“Please, Marcus, I need you.” She writhed on his shaft.
“Do you?” He held back, gazing down at her, brushing her hair from her cheek. “Because I’m pretty sure it’s me who needs you, and frankly, it scares the shit out of me.”
“And still it’s you who has all the power,” she reminded him, arching her hips. After all, he was the one denying both their pleasures.
“If you only knew…” He pressed his forehead to hers and thrust.
“Ah,” she cried out. Goddess, how he filled her. Thankfully, he stilled. “One moment,” she said. “Just give me a moment to adjust.”
“I’ll give you forever,” he growled in a supernatural voice that had her instincts sitting up, taking notice. Shadows loomed. The lights flickered.
“Marcus?”
“I’m here. With you.” He peered into her eyes, both pupils tight pinpoints, no demon in sight.
“Yes, you are,” she purred, rolling her hips.
Leaning up on his forearms, he surged inside of her. “Beautiful, Dove,” he groaned.
She loved the broken tone of his voice. Muscles bulged in his powerful biceps. His body strong where hers was weak. His flesh dark and impenetrable, where hers was soft and rosy. Together, they were darkness and light.
“More. More of that.” She gasped, and he drove into her. With each thrust, her hips arched to meet him. The two of them, in perfect sync. Each stroke hit her clit in just the right spot. Pressure built. Marcus’s harsh grunts music to her ears.
Still, she felt some piece was missing. She turned her head, baring her throat. “Take my blood, Marcus. I need you to.” He’d denied her in the past. She wanted that connection.
“Don’t know if I have enough control.” He shook his head, sweat slicking his forehead.
“I trust you.” Trusted his demon as well. Neither would harm her.
“Please,” she begged, grinding her sex against him, driving him deeper into her depths.
He groaned, his eyes rolling. “You really don’t play fair.” Fangs punched past his lips. “You’ll stop me if I start to slip.” This was said as an order, not a request.
“I’ve got you,” she said in earnest.
He laved her throat with his tongue and pierced her vein. Endorphins hit her bloodstream. Tingles spread throughout her body, taking her higher than she thought possible. Her walls throbbed. Marcus’s thrusts grew frenzied, driving her closer to the brink. His low, predatory growl danced goose bumps down her shoulder to her fingertips.
“Marcus, I’m there. I’m—” Colors exploded in her mind. Her spine arched, her toes curling against the mattress as she screamed her pleasure. Marcus tongued her wound, then threw back his head, roaring. Ecstasy lit his face. His pulsing shaft throbbed against her walls, filling her body and soul.
Spots danced before her eyes until finally, her lungs remembered to expand. Marcus collapsed against her, rolled to his back, and curled her into his side. Dove lay boneless against him, knee tucked over his thigh, hand on his chest.
He stared at the ceiling, his dark brows tightening. She could practically hear the wheels turning in his head. Already, he was overthinking the situation. “That was—”
Dove pressed her fingertips to his lips. “Don’t ruin it. Just stay in the moment with me. Don’t rob the present worrying about tomorrow.”
Their sweat-slicked skin began to cool.
Marcus rolled, looming over her. “What I was about to say is that I demand a rematch. Best two out of three wins.”
Dove grinned. “Game on.”