Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
Marcus held his mate close, listening to her strong heartbeat against him.
His mind would replay his mate’s eager response to his first caresses each time he entered this small gathering spot.
He would relocate this chair to his office.
No one else could ever sit here. After all these years of searching for his fated one, his mind boggled at finding her at the opening night of Alaric’s brainchild to matchmake between those pledged to him and special mates who would complete them.
Congratulations, my old friend.
Alaric’s voice made him smile. Of course, the mere thought of the Elder had drawn his attention. You were right, Alaric. Nightfall is our fate and hope.
Your mate pleases you? Many lovely women fill the nightclub tonight.
A flash of anger blasted from Marcus at the idea that anyone could equal the allure of his mate.
You’ve got it bad, Marcus.
Marcus forced himself to relax at Alaric’s teasing tone. I do. I will send her home soon. With an escort accompanying her, of course.
Carina Salvadore is now under my protection as well as the clan’s. Alaric’s broadcasted vow clicked into reality. The Elder’s announcement became law. Everyone connected to him had heard his words. Only a fool would dare touch her.
This town doesn’t understand that yet.
But they will, Alaric predicted.
Thank you, my old friend. I’ll praise your next outlandish idea without pointing out any of the inherent flaws.
You will not be able to prevent yourself from doing that, Marcus. And I must admit, you averted several potential problems tonight because of your preparations.
Marcus nodded. Human nature was often predictable. Unfortunately, their creativity did pose a problem at times. Bram? Send me everything you can find out about my mate. I want to make sure she’s safe and happy.
Women don’t like being investigated, Bram warned.
You’ve already done the work. Marcus knew their tech expert too well to expect anything else. A download of information sped into his mind. Marcus digested it slowly as he watched her sleep in his arms. He enjoyed learning more about her. His mate fascinated him.
Carina’s phone buzzed, and she stirred against him. “Marcus?” she mumbled, wiping the corner of her mouth before flashing instantly awake. “Oh, my God! I drooled on you. I’m so sorry.”
Delighted by her, Marcus smiled down at her. “I’m not. Everything is fine, Carina. Your body needed to recover. I enjoyed holding you.”
“I didn’t dream all this, did I? You can speak in my mind? And….” She waved a hand over herself.
He could hear the tinge of panic in her words. “This is real, Little girl. I promise you are safe here.”
A message from Saya that Karla was on the way meant his explanations would have to wait. His protective instincts kicked into overdrive. He quickly arranged for her safeguarding. Watching her leave would be the hardest thing he’d ever done.
As if sensing his thoughts weren’t focused on her, Carina asked, “Are you going to disappear?”
“Never.”
“Never?” she squeaked.
“No, Carina. You are mine.”
“I’m not a possession,” she said, bristling.
“No, you’re my mate. I believe Karla texted you. Let’s get your clothes back on before she knocks on the door,” Marcus suggested to distract her.
“Oh!” Carina struggled to sit up.
Keeping himself from smiling, Marcus lifted Carina to her feet. He followed her when she rushed over to her clothes and plucked the items from her hands. Within a short time, he had her redressed in everything but her panties.
Marcus lifted that scrap of cotton to his nose and inhaled deeply before tucking them in his pocket, He subtly shifted his rock-hard cock into a more comfortable position. Her mere presence aroused him. Touching his mate without taking her had tested his self-discipline.
“I need those,” she gasped.
“They belong to me now.”
“Marcus, I can’t walk through the crowd without underwear.”
“Karla will never know if you don’t twirl,” he suggested, and she stomped her foot. He couldn’t prevent the grin that spread across his lips. Adorable.
“Or fall down. Or hit a breeze. Or lean over.”
“How many times have any of those things happened in the last month?” Marcus asked, pulling her close.
She pursed her lips and stared at him. After several seconds, she admitted, “None.”
“Let’s avoid them tonight. I need your scent with me.” He lifted his hand to his nose and inhaled. “I will have to wash my hands, eventually.”
Her beautiful face turned an enchanting shade of pink. “Marcus!”
“Daddy.”
Her skin darkened a bit redder with embarrassment, to his delight.
“I can’t call you Daddy.”
“Why?” Marcus raised one eyebrow as he tugged her head back to expose her throat. He pressed a kiss to her pulse, holding his desire to drink from her firmly in check. “You’re definitely mine, Little girl.”
He stroked his free hand over her bottom to slide under her skirt. Swatting her sweet ass once, Marcus enjoyed the flash of arousal that appeared on her face as she gasped. A quick knock on the door interrupted any further plans he had.
“I will be at your apartment soon, Carina. Be good.” He steadied her before releasing her. Pressing a hand to the small of her back, Marcus guided her to the door.
A couple of steps later, she stopped and met his gaze. “Don’t make me go,” she whispered.
“I don’t want you to leave either, my sweet. But you need to sleep before I arrive.”
He opened the door to find Karla and her escort at the door, ready to knock again.
Karla rushed forward to hug Carina. “Are you okay?”
Carina smiled and nodded. “I’m way beyond that. Ready for me to drive us home?”
“Do I have stories to share with you on the way,” Karla told her, linking her arm with Carina’s. She met Marcus’s gaze and lifted her chin in an acknowledging nod.
“Drive safely, Karla,” he requested.
“I will. Come on, Carina.” Karla bent her head toward Carina’s, talking intimately as they headed back to the public areas.
Watching her walk away tortured Marcus. His instincts urged him to go after Carina and never let her out of his sight. Needing his best personal guard, he tuned to the powerful woman at his side.
Shadow them? Saya, who’d accompanied Karla again this time, communicated with Marcus.
Yes, take someone with you. Watch over the two women until my mate reaches Karla’s building. Leave your second there until daylight to watch over Karla. I’d ask you to continue to follow Carina to her apartment complex. Stay vigilant until I arrive.
Marcus arrived at Carina’s just before dawn. The crowd at Nightfall had continued until closing time. No one had wanted to leave. Everyone vowed to return the next day as they were shooed out the door. The clan understood they’d achieved a level of success that would attract a lot of attention.
The first night was pivotal in establishing Nightfall in the community. Those who didn’t wish for the nightclub to succeed would gear up to create problems. His security forces would need to keep their ears and eyes open for any threats and deal with them swiftly and decisively.
They’d already handled obstacles created to block Nightfall from opening. Alaric had smashed through those without difficulty. Marcus had left a large security force in place to guard the nightclub while it was closed. He’d taken care to mingle clansmen with new hires.
Pushing his concerns out of his mind, Marcus concentrated on his mate.
He could sense her restless slumber and wished to comfort her.
Carina’s mind tumbled inside her dreams as her consciousness struggled to comprehend what had happened at Nightfall.
He sped through the almost empty streets to get to his Little girl.
Marcus spotted Saya immediately and nodded his dismissal to her along with a message of thanks.
He approached the well-lit entrance and pressed the button labeled: C.
Salvatore on the top floor. Holding himself together by sheer force of will, Marcus contacted Carina directly. I am here, Little one. Invite me in.
“Marcus?” Carina’s sleepy, sexy voice sounded tinny through the speaker.
Invite me in, Carina.
“Marcus, I’ll buzz the door to unlock it. Come in, please.”
Heat flared down his abdomen to his cock.
Marcus pulled the door handle carefully.
His strength could easily rip the metal hinges off in his mating fury.
Barriers to keep his mate safe were important.
He bypassed the elevator to the stairwell entrance.
He needed to release some of the pent-up energy that had built within him after Carina had left.
By the time he reached the fourth floor, he was more in control of himself.
Marcus did not wish to scare Carina with his intense need.
At her apartment, he pressed his hand to the barrier and called to his mate. Carina. I’m here.
She answered the door immediately. The picture of his gorgeous mate framed in the doorway took his breath away. He could see her alluring shape through her thin nightgown.
“Marcus. Come in.”
He stepped forward into her space and wrapped an arm around her.
Marcus lifted his mate to carry her inside and kissed her deeply as he relocked her entrance behind him.
He gathered the layout from her mind and walked directly to her bedroom, tasting her sweetness as he savored the caress of her curves against his hard angles.
To his delight, she clung to him eagerly.
Marcus ripped his mouth from hers and forced himself to set her away from him. “Carina, before I make you mine, you need to know what I am.”
“What you are?” she repeated, looking baffled. “What does that mean?” She stepped back toward him, frowning when he held her at arm’s length.