Eternal Flame (Guardians, Book One) by Valerie Twombly (12 page)

His tongue found her soft folds and began to lick her wetness. He inserted two fingers and began to thrust them in and out, slow at first then his pace quickened. Her breaths came in frantic gasps. She was teetering on the edge.

“Don’t stop.”

Her core tightened around him, sucking his fingers in deeper. She burned like an inferno, and his fangs lengthen. Scraping along her nub, he was unable to hold them back any longer.

“Oh Marcus,” she screamed. Her body convulsed while he continued to swirl his tongue between her folds. He pumped his fingers and nibbled her clit, determined to bring her over the edge again. His free hand reached up and rolled her nipple between his fingers, and she blessed him again with her screams of pleasure.

“Marcus, please,” she begged. “I need you inside me.” Her breasts heaved up and down with each frantic breath.

He groaned. That was precisely where he wanted to be. “Don’t worry, love, I’m not finished bringing you pleasure.”

On his elbows, he poised over her for a moment, rubbing the tip of his shaft along her slickness then thrust hard until he was seated deep inside. He quivered there for a moment and enjoyed her soft wetness wrapped around him. He was where he belonged. He and his mate were joined. From this day forward, he’d kill any man who looked at his woman.

She bucked wildly. Her heat engulfed him, sent fire throughout his body. She was both heaven and hell, and the beast who hid deep inside him emerged, pinning her arms above her head. His pace quickened. The need to drink from his mate overwhelmed him, but he fought it. He sensed her closing in on another orgasm, so he stopped with only the tip of his cock still inside her. The animal in him wanted…no, needed her to beg him. He ran his tongue along her neck, causing her body to quiver.

“Marcus, don’t stop.”

* * * *

He stopped, oh why the hell did he stop?
She shifted, but he had pinned her down. Damn him. He pushed the right buttons. Three orgasms already, but still she wanted more.
Greedy bitch. Yes!

“Marcus.”

Damn it, he licked her neck. Her thoughts moved back to her dreams of when he bit her. God, she wanted him to bite her now. She almost wished he had fangs.
I’m mental.
Her mind wouldn’t stop torturing her.

“Marcus, please. I need you.” She wasn’t beyond begging at this point. It must have worked because he thrust into her, filled her, stretched her and took her to unimaginable heights. He was a perfect fit. She moved her hips, and he started to thrust. His pace hard and fast. God, she couldn’t get enough.
More, more more!
He moved his tongue from her neck to her nipple. Her body burned like she’d been dipped in melted wax. She was on the edge, ready to leap to the other side.

“Come for me, my love,” he whispered.

Body and mind were flung into a bright light. Pleasure gripped her and squeezed until tears rolled down her cheeks. It was never-ending, wave after wave of mind-numbing ecstasy. She walked a fine line between pleasure and pain. When it ebbed and her senses became her own again, Marcus yelled.

“Cassie!” His face twisted with pleasure, and she swore to the heavens he had fangs. There was no time to care, he filled her with hot seed and took her over the edge with him.

They both lay panting, their bodies slick with sweat when he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Warm and tender, unlike a few minutes ago when he had been an animal. She decided she liked both sides of this man. They faced each other, on their sides, still connected. He caressed her cheek.

“Are you alright, love? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

She broke into a smile. “No, as a matter of fact, I have never been better.” She moved a wisp of hair from his eyes and felt a sudden pang. Without a doubt, she could fall in love with this man. It seemed silly to her. She hardly knew him, yet there was a connection.
Stop or you’ll get hurt. End it before he breaks your heart.

“You seem sad. Did I do something wrong?”

“No, everything is perfect.” She curled into him and closed her eyes, letting the darkness overtake her.

* * * *

Strong arms wrapped around Cassie. A smile crossed her lips at the slow, methodical breathing behind her. Muscles ached in all the right places, and her mind reeled from the explosive orgasms of the night before. Christ, the dreams in no way compared to the real thing. It was so much more.

She pulled out her emotions and examined them, but was still left perplexed. Fear drove her to end this, but need said what if? What if unfounded fears ruined a chance at happiness? Take it one day at a time. Live in the moment, mother always said.
I miss you, mom.
Mother would have understood her apprehension.

She rolled over and gazed at the handsome man who slept beside her. Desire stirred. In the light of the morning, the black ink on his left bicep came into view. A symbol, with a pair of wings spread out behind it. Her head tilted, fingers reached to caress the mark.

“Good morning, sunshine,” he whispered.

Flinching, she pulled away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, planting a soft kiss on her knuckles. “Never fear touching me, I belong to you.”

Not sure what the words meant, she went back to caressing his tattoo. “What does your tattoo mean?”

His steely gaze never left hers. “It’s an Ankh, the Egyptian symbol meaning life or living.”

“Of course. I recognize it now.” Her forehead creased. “What do the wings mean?”

“They represent the guardian angel.”

“Oh. A living guardian angel. Right?”

“Right.” Spoken against her lips.

A moan escaped. “Care to join me in the shower?”

“I’ll race you,” he said.

He threw back the covers to reveal a fully erect cock. Her tongue glided across pink lips. She jumped from the bed and raced to the attached bathroom, grateful there was a large, walk-in shower. He slid in behind her and reached for the knob, turning on the dual heads.

The glass door slid shut, and steam rose to the ceiling. She stood under the water and let it roll over sore muscles. His head dipped and kissed her neck. She moaned. He reached for the soap, lathered his hands and ran the suds over sensitive breasts.

“Marcus.” She reached for him. Her thumb rubbed over the tip of his cock, causing it to jump.

He leaned in, his tongue forcing her lips apart. Their teeth collided as he pressed her against the wall. She teased him with slow strokes while her body ached to take him in. His tongue flicked across her nipple, causing her back to arch.

“God, Marcus, I want you. I need you to fuck me senseless.”
Christ, tell me those words did not just come out of my mouth.
She didn’t recognize the woman she’d become in the last twenty-four hours. Not even John had brought out the wench in her.

He nipped her earlobe. “I never disobey.” He turned her, grabbed her arms and placed her palms on the shower wall. “Don’t move.” His knee came between her legs, spreading them apart. Fingers slid through slick folds, sending fire to her clit before he entered from behind.

She gasped. He filled her, stretching her to the limits. He pulled back, only the tip of his cock still seated inside. She pushed back against him, but he held firm, preventing her pleasure.

“More,” she begged.

He pushed deep, hands clasped over hers, pinning them to the wall. His tongue ran up her spine. “Are you enjoying yourself, my love?”

“God, yes. So good.”

“Yes, you feel so good. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.”

Slow movements drove her insane.
God, he’s going to kill me slowly
. “Harder,” she panted.

One hand kept hers pinned against the wall while the other moved down to her clit. His finger rubbed. His cock slid in and out, faster, harder until he slammed into her. Pressure built. It started at her toes then worked its way up her legs until it reached her core. Heat flooded her, she threw her head back and screamed as wave after wave of pleasure pounded her body.

He turned her around, grabbed behind her knees and encircled his waist with her long legs. He pressed her back into the wall and continued his thrusts. Her hands clutched his shoulders, nails dug into his skin while her mouth possessed his. Their tongues matched the ferocity of their sex.

“Gods, love. I’m going to lose it,” he whispered into her lips.

The explosion happened. His cock swelled and filled her with hot seed. She climbed to the heavens and crashed down with him. They cried each other’s name as he gripped her tight. After the waves subsided, he set her feet on the floor, her knees nearly buckling.

He cupped her face and placed a gentle kiss. “Sweetheart. I don’t think…hell, I can’t think.”

“Me neither. Maybe we’d better get cleaned up.”

They continued the rest of their shower in silence. Cassie dressed in a pair of jeans and tank top then ran a comb through her hair before heading to the kitchen. “I’ll start coffee,” she called behind her.

What the hell am I thinking? He looks at me and sends my blood to boiling. Her mind was uneasy as she placed the carafe on the burner and pressed start.

Marcus came up behind and wrapped his arms around her waist. Planting a kiss on the top of her head. “You seem troubled, what bothers you?”

Dare she say the words that haunted her mind? Best to be honest, after all, he had been last night. She turned to face him. “Marcus, I don’t want you to think poorly of me.” Her gaze dropped to the floor. “I mean…I’m not normally like this.”

“So passionate?”

“Such a floozy.”

He gripped her chin. “Never say that again. You are a passionate woman who knows what she wants.” He brushed his lips across hers. “Never be ashamed of that.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

The coffeemaker beeped. “Coffee?”

“I’d love a cup.”

“If I remember, you like it black.” She reached for a mug.

“You have a good memory.”

Cassie poured two mugs, handed him his then put cream and sugar in hers. “Are you hungry? I can make breakfast.”

“No, thanks, I’m not much of a breakfast eater.” He took a seat at the table. “What’s on your agenda today?”

“Jill and I are meeting for an early dinner.” Her eyes widened. “I know, why don’t you come and bring your sister?”

“Really?”

“Sure, it’ll be fun.”

He sipped his coffee. “I’ll check with her, I’m sure she’d love it.” He stood and rinsed his cup in the sink. “I should be going. I have a few things to take care of.” He kissed her. “I’ll call you later and get the details for dinner.”

“Sounds good.”

* * * *

Odage paced, his nostrils flaring as breaths came in short bursts. “Those fucking vampires.” He’d been on the trail of Marcus and his mate, but that fucking shadow-playing bastard, Lucan, had shrouded them in darkness, making them difficult to track. To top it off, he and the king had killed his best minions and freed the hostages.

The spell Sidara had given him was wearing off, and he wouldn’t be able to procure another for at least thirty days. He’d need to come up with a new plan to take the girl.

“Roman!” His fingers ran through his black hair.

The ever-attentive minion entered the room. Blond hair fell into his eyes when he kneeled. “Yes, my liege?”

“Go fetch me a female, any will do, but be quick about it.” If he was unable to complete one task, he would move onto the next. He would need to do something to appease his master, finding the amulet would do just that.

Roman bowed as he backed from the room. “Of course, my liege. I will return shortly.”

He was confident Oroumea could locate the missing half of the amulet. Memory ghouls lived off of the memories of the dead. They mostly fed from the recently deceased, sucking up their memories before they disappeared. However, they loved nothing more than a fresh meal, a live host that they could digest like a rare steak. Excitement sizzled through his body at the possibility of things to come. Where the hell was Roman?

“Will this one do, my liege?”

His body whipped around. “Excellent choice.” He strode up to the petite redhead and stroked her cheek. “You will do nicely, my pet. I hope you have had a nice life because it is about to end.”

The woman spit in his face. “Fuck you, you sick freak.”

He backhanded her so hard her neck nearly snapped. “Haven’t I fucked you enough already?” He ripped her top, exposing large breasts. “I had no idea you wanted me so badly.” His body pinned her tiny frame against the wall.

“I…I’m sorry.” Her body quaked.

Fear pulsed off her skin, engorging his cock. "You’re lucky I’m in a hurry.” He turned to Roman. “Finish stripping her then bind her. Quickly, I’m eager to leave.”

Amusement danced on his face when Roman snapped a metal collar around the girl’s neck then attached it to the chains that bound her wrists behind her back. He tore off her bra and used it to gag her mouth. Next came the jeans and panties. Roman handed the chains over.

“My liege, she is ready.”

Chapter Eleven

As Marcus stepped out the front door, Lucan summoned him.

Marcus, put your dick back in your pants and get your ass home. The king is calling a meeting.

Tell Aidyn I will be there shortly. Oh, and Lucan?

What?

Fuck you!

He heard the guardian snort.
Haven’t you had enough already?

He shook his head and climbed into the car.
You and I will talk later.

I look forward to it.

The engine turned over. He shoved a pair of sunglasses on his nose and backed out of the driveway. The car would have to go back into storage before he could head home.

He flashed straight to the king’s home in Vandeldor a half-hour later. Aidyn, Garin, and Lucan were already seated at the table in Aidyn’s office. He looked around and noticed Seth was still missing. No sooner had he sat down than Seth crossed the threshold.