Marked (The Recruits: Book One) (16 page)

Knowing Chris was back, he set up a meeting with him for that evening, and then, the planning really began.

* * * *

It had gone surprisingly well, Faye thought as she closed her eyes and arched her back. Jake had taken her surprise announcement like a man, giving her his assent and praise, before falling on her like a starved animal.

He sucked on her clit, the harsh caress nearly sending her into oblivion. Before she could lose herself however, she grabbed his hair in both hands and held on. “More!” she called out, and he was too happy to oblige.

Chapter Twenty–Nine: Who Dares?

Faye came down the staircase, clad in a vibrant blue gown and sparkly stiletto heels. The corset pushed her breasts up, nearly making her spill on top. The laces were tight enough her waist felt pinched. The skirt flew over her hips and followed the curves of her legs. Her hair was up, wisps flying in her eyes every time she turned her head. She had more make–up on her that she’d ever worn before. She was panicking at the thought of what could happen, here and there. But she’d never felt more beautiful, and as soon as Jake’s eyes fell on her, she stumbled to a stop. And she knew. Before he even opened his mouth, she just knew.

“You look amazing, baby. Absolutely amazing.”

She grinned up at him, taking in the way his tuxedo was cut tight across the shoulders and hips. The smooth material hugged his powerful thighs, making her want to run her hands all over them. He looked positively lethal in black and white. “So do you.”

He took her hand in his and led her outside, down the steps to the limo that waited. Once they were safely ensconced inside however, he slowly lowered his head and pressed his lips on hers. She couldn’t help but moan, excitement bubbling inside her. This was it! She opened her mouth, his tongue plunging inside to meet hers.

Suddenly ravenous, they kissed each other as if they hadn’t made love only hours before. His hands found the skin of her breasts, dipping underneath the corset to tease her nipples into hardened nubs. He growled in disappointment when she told him he couldn’t push the dress down, that she wasn’t sure she could dress herself again if he did.

Instead, his hands found her bare thighs and drew up. She quickly parted them and he let out a soft sigh when his fingers encountered nothing but bare skin. He pulled back from her, and said, “No underwear?”

“Surprise!”

He fell on her, taking her mouth again while his fingers delved between her inner lips. Her clit sat up and paid attention. Her hands found the front of his pants and drew his zipper down. Hot, taut skin met her hands, and it was her turn to be surprised. He’d gone commando? Hell, they were starting to think alike!

Shutting her mind up, she palmed his cock in one hand and his balls in the other. She teased him, lightly at first, then with more strength. He kept on kissing her, his thumb playing with her clit at the same time. They caressed each other into a frenzy of lust. When the driver spoke on the speaker and told them they were nearly there, it only spurred them on. Their moans echoed in the darkened car as they made each other come, their mouths meeting once again for another deep kiss.

It was only when the car slowed to a stop that Faye realized she needed to put herself back to rights. She fussed with her dress, opened her tiny purse to fish her mirror and lipstick out so she could reapply it. And well, tidy the damages Jake’s mouth had done. At least he’d shaved, she thought as she winced, imagining the state of her face if he hadn’t.

“Okay?” he asked her as the door opened.

She nodded, taking him in. He’d wiped his cum with his handkerchief, had done the same to her thighs. He’d zipped himself back in, and looked once more like the dapper model he’d been only ten minutes before. “You look positively yummy,” she found herself saying as she followed him out.

“Hold that thought for later,” he whispered in her ear as he took her hand and led her inside.

She did.

* * * *

It was going exactly as she’d imagined. Faye circled the ballroom, her gaze fleeting from face to face, examining the tables that were nearly crumbling under all that food. Champagne was flowing, cocktails were being created. Everyone was having a great time, which probably meant she should start feeling less nervous. The party was a success, right?

She turned around, her gaze finding Jake’s. He was standing in front of the double doors, his stance relaxed even though John was only feet away. She made a beeline for him, wanting to be at his side to offer him her support. Maybe he didn’t need it, but she didn’t care. She had to be there.

He smiled at her when she popped up at his side, his arm automatically wrapping around her waist. He drew her close, his mouth finding hers for a quick kiss before he stood back upright and went back to greeting more well–wishers. Voices erupted in the lobby, his back tensing under her fingers. She looked up at his face but he was already turning away. Someone stopped in front of him, and just like that, he wasn’t at her side any longer. Feeling bereft, Faye fought the urge to go to him, knowing she needed to show she was strong, even if she was once more on her own. She’d organized all this, nearly by herself, she reminded herself inwardly. This was her place, her new home. She was their First Man’s Mate.

When fingers bit into her forearm and dragged her backwards into an empty corridor, she didn’t complain, thinking Jake had found an empty spot so they could have some more fun together. But when said fingers became brutal, when she was pushed so roughly her forehead bumped into the wall opposite, she began struggling.

“Stop moving for fuck’s sake!” the voice swore, the man’s weight pinning her against the wall. “You think you’re so good, inviting me to this stupid party. Do you think I care? Do you think people will care? They know I’m right. They know it, and you know what? Things are going to change. Soon. Do you hear me?”

“I hear you,” Faye muttered. “Let me go, John.”

“I don’t know.” His voice turned syrupy. “I didn’t understand what he saw in you the first time I met you, but now I get it. I could do something with those tits. What do you think?”

“Get off of me!” she shouted, trying to dislodge him as best she could. He was just too big for her. Damn those Immortals! “If Jake sees you, he will kill you.”

John laughed, his hands drifting up her stomach. “How funny you are, dear. Don’t you know? He tried last time, but they stopped him. They’ll never let him kill me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” Jake’s deadly voice echoed over them, and suddenly she was free.

She whirled around and cried out at the sight of Jake, tackling the blonde man to the ground. “Jake!”

“Get help!” he said before slamming his fist into the other man’s face. “Get my dad!”

“Your dad?” Oh no. He’d gone crazy. That was it. His dad was dead! “Shit, shit, shit!” She grabbed her skirts and started running towards the end of the corridor, but before she could rejoin the party, a man stepped in front of her. “Ah! Who are you?”

“I’m Jerald, Jake’s father. Are you his Mate?”

She found herself blinking, all thoughts of the fight leaving her mind. This was… “What?” she murmured. “But…I thought you were dead.”

The man laughed, a booming laugh that heralded his arrival to all and sundry. “I’m not dead, dear, not as far as I know. Didn’t Jake tell you that?”

“He didn’t tell me anything.”

“That sounds like my boy all right, always keeping his cards close to his heart.” Jerald, who looked like a darker version of his son, called out behind him, “Girls? Girls, come over here! Jake’s Mate is here!”

A blonde woman appeared soon after. She had curves in all the right places, her blonde hair perfectly coiffed, her ballgown amazingly beautiful. The two women who followed were nearly carbon copies of their mother, but with a more willowy frame. They had Jake’s eyes however. Green, sparkling eyes that instantly lit up at the sight of their brother. Their brother who was fighting his number one enemy.

Wisely deciding to hide what else had happened and how the other man had pushed her into the wall, Faye used her calmest voice and replied, “I know he did, but you know what will happen if you kill him. Jake, please, listen to me. Why don’t you extradite him to his home country instead? He doesn’t have to wait his judgment here, in this very compound, right? He could do so elsewhere.”

* * * *

Jake looked at his Mate, looking so beautiful he wanted nothing more than to hide her from the rest of the world. He’d organized all this for her, and that damn man was going to ruin everything. Again.

“Okay,” he finally said as he let John go, watching him fall onto his knees, breathing heavily through his bruised throat. “I’ll get Chris onto it. I want him gone in ten minutes however. Otherwise, I can’t promise what I’ll do…or won’t do.”

He watched his father leave, knowing he’d help with the arrangements. For a second there, he wanted to rebel at his dad taking over, but the feeling didn’t last. All this was his now. His father could help, would help whenever he could, even if it meant doing so long-distance. Once a First Man had abdicated in favor of his first-born son, he needed to leave the country and live in another’s territory. That rule had made sense centuries ago when fights for survival were common, and jealousy even more so. But he regretted having to be away from his family. He missed them.

But not as much as he’d miss Faye if she were to leave. He went to her then, grabbing her face in both hands and locking her gaze with his. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

Jake grabbed her hand and pulled her forward. He trapped her against him and bent down to kiss her, the sweet caress turning riotous after some seriously glorious minutes. Then he drew back and, as if it made the utmost sense, declared, “Now, let’s get married.”

Chapter Thirty: Love Is In The Air

She wasn’t too sure how it all happened, and how she found herself being led to another room. Sofia handed her a bouquet of white and pink flowers, and winked at her. When she dropped a veil on her head and attached it to her hair as if it had always meant to be there, Faye remembered the other woman had been the one who’d helped her getting ready earlier. “Sof!” She turned around, determined to get the truth out of her friend, but she was already slipping away.

Gentle hands pushed her forward, and she walked, step by hesitant step, towards the podium that had been raised in the middle of the room. Jerald was there, dignified in his white tuxedo. He was carrying a…Bible? Were they really getting married then? What the hell was happening?

She looked around and came to an abrupt stop when she noticed her family standing nearby. “Mom? Dad?”

They waved at her, happy smiles on their faces. Her mother was already dapping at her eyes, tears forming once more at the sight of her daughter getting married. Again.

“But…” He grabbed her hand and put it on his arm, her fingers clenching and probably squeezing too tight. His serene mask never wavered, however. He led her forward, the crowd parting to let them through. People exclaimed at her beauty, making her want to snicker out loud. Thankfully, she refrained.

By the time she found herself in front of Jerald, Jake was there too. He stared at her, his eyes turbulent with emotions. He took her hand in his and they turned towards his father. The ceremony started, but she barely heard any of it. All she could think about was that Jake had organized this, for her.

He’d managed to convince her family to come. And even though she knew he’d probably used his powers to do so, she was just too happy to have them here to complain.

He’d somehow gotten his family to visit, and God knew she’d have to get the truth out of him about that. He’d made her believe they were dead!

He’d known it was important for her that she was legally married, so here they were, and oh God, she loved him so much.

They were pronounced man and wife, First Man and Mate; and when Jerald said that the groom could kiss the bride, she felt herself start to shake.

Jake grabbed her veil and lifted it, baring her face to his intense eyes. He stared at her in silence, the audience growing silent too as if they’d understood the magnitude of the moment. He palmed her cheek in one hand and lowered his head. He stopped inches from her mouth and said, his voice echoing in the room, “I love you, Mate.” And then, he kissed her.