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  Marcus paused and studied Christina’s face. His brows furrowed, and the corners of his mouth dropped.

  “You are very quiet, cara. What are you thinking?” His voice sounded low, slightly above a whisper as if he waited on bated breath for her answer.

  Christina stared at him in disbelief for a few seconds while she processed what he’d told her. He had said he loved her, wanted her to move in. She’d not been expecting this. They had only been dating a few weeks. A job awaited her in Atlanta. It was too fast.

  Wasn’t it?

  “I am shocked,” she finally replied, when she found her voice. “So, are you saying you want me to move in with you?”

  “It’s more than that.” He left her hands in his as he lowered himself down onto one knee. “I want you to not only move in with me but be my heartmate, my wife to use the human term.”

  His heartmate! He wanted her to stay with him in this amazing home. Her dream man asked her to live with him in this fantastic setting. If what he’d told her was true, he’d love her in a way that went beyond what any husband could. To stay, she would have to give up her job in Atlanta, but look what she would get in return. It seemed like the plot from one of her romance novels, her innermost fantasy come true. But did she dare to say yes?

  Chapter 14

  “What do you say, will you marry me?” Marcus knew a moment of trepidation, unsure what her answer would be.

  “I-I don’t know what to say.”

  The smile on her face reached her eyes, and Marcus hoped that was a good sign.

  “How about saying yes? Say you’ll be my heartmate.”

  Christina threw herself into his arms. Luckily, he was stronger than a human or he would have fallen flat on his ass.

  “Yes! Yes I’ll be your heartmate or wife or whatever you want to call me!”

  Marcus embraced Christina in his arms and spun the two of them around the room before lowering her back onto her feet. His chest swelled with happiness. This amazing woman just agreed to be his, and it made his heart sing.

  Her beautiful smile lit up the room as her eyes fell on his gift.

  “May I touch it?” She nodded toward the piano.

  Her emotions poured over him, felt overwhelming, inspirational. And he knew she needed to play them out.

  “You can do more than touch it. Please play for me.”

  Christina approached the piano and ran her fingers along the glossy black satin lines of the instrument. As she rounded the edge, she looked taken aback. “It’s a Bösendorfer.”

  Marcus smiled with satisfaction. “An acquaintance in Vegas helped me to get it. I hope you like it.”

  “Like it?” She clasped her hands together in glee. “I love it! I’ve always wanted a Bösendorfer.”

  Christina pulled out the bench and sat. She carefully lifted the wooden cover, removed and folded the rectangle of velvet found underneath, and then gently caressed the keys. After her fingers found their resting spot and her feet located the petals, she played a dark, romantic melody.

  Marcus stood spellbound by the concerto for a moment before he glided toward the piano as if drawn by magic. A hauntingly beautiful song, he’d never heard such a piece. Its romantic melody and fast trills that crescendoed into majestic chords were utterly magnificent. He watched Christina while she played, knowing she played only for him. When she completed the sonata, their eyes met over the shiny black surface.

  “That sounded absolutely beautiful. It stirred my soul.” Marcus walked around the piano and sat beside his mate on the bench. “What is it?”

  “It’s a piece I composed the night we met about a woman who falls in love with a vampire and gives herself to him body and soul, loving him like no other. I’m going to call it Heartmates.”

  Marcus rose from the bench, taking Christina by her shoulders. Lifting her to her feet, he drew her to him, crushing her to his chest. He leaned in to capture her lips with his. Her lips parted in offering, and he accepted, thrusting his tongue deep inside. The kiss deepened as she melded against him.

  Marcus broke the kiss. “I want you, Christina.”

  He hoped his love for her showed on his face, and her answering smile seemed to say it did. Her hand cupped his cheek. “Then make love to me.”

  She didn’t need to make the request a second time. Their lips locked in a searing caress. Without breaking the kiss, Marcus scooped her into his arms. Using his preternatural speed, he took her to his bedroom and closed the bedroom door with a mental command. With his next thought, he willed the candles in the room to life, bathing them in a golden light.

  Marcus laid her gently on the black satin sheets. “You are so beautiful, Christina.” He gazed deeply into her emerald eyes, drinking her in.

  His hands moved under her sweater so he could span her ribcage with his fingers. Christina arched as he removed the sweater. He cupped one breast, taking the weight of it in his hand. With his other hand, he popped open the clasp on the front of her bra, and her breasts spilled free.

  “Umm,” he purred. “Stunning.”

  His head bent and captured her nipple in his mouth. She groaned as she ran her fingers through his hair. She cupped his head in her hands, holding him to her. The scent of her arousal perfumed the air with each draw of his mouth.

  He felt her need grow into a palpable force that surrounded him. His inner beast roared with relief to finally be able to claim its mate.

  Marcus moved his hands along her ribcage and slowly lowered them, spanning her flat stomach until they came to rest on the waistband of her pants. His fingers deftly undid the fastenings. As he slid them over her hips, his fingers hooked the edges of her white lace panties and took them along for the ride—down her supple thighs, over her muscular calves, and finally past her toes to the floor.

  Marcus rose above her on his knees and stared at the buffet before him. Her sex blossomed in front of his eyes like beautiful petals of a delicate flower, glistening with the morning dew.

  “Why did you stop?” Christina bit her lower lip, making Marcus’ hard shaft jump in response.

  “You overwhelm me, cara. The way the candlelight dances on your skin takes my breath away. I had to stop and enjoy the view for a minute while I remember how to breathe.”

  Christina’s concerned expression turned to one of wanton anticipation. She sat up reaching for the buttons on his shirt, her fingers trembling.

  He gripped her fingers, stilling them as he looked down into her sweet face. “You don’t have to do this, if you aren’t ready.”

  “No, no, I want to.”

  He didn’t know how he would manage it, but if she wanted to stop he would somehow find a way. However, it would have to be before she got him naked, because once there was no cloth barrier between them; he didn’t think he would be able to stop. “Are you sure, cara? I don’t want to pressure you.”

  Christina smiled and looked at him from under the fan of her lashes. “I’m sure.”

  Thank the heavens above! The Alpha released her hands so they could complete the path down his shirt until it opened, giving her a view of his muscular chest.

  She ran her hands over his abdominals. A finger traced each of the distinct lines between his six-pack. They rose, glided over his pectorals to catch the edges of his shirt and push it from his shoulder. Marcus shrugged out of his shirt with Christina’s help, then shimmied out of his slacks, very grateful he had decided to go commando.

  He lay beside his heartmate, turned her face to his, and took her lips in a gentle kiss. When she parted her lips in welcome, his tongue danced in her mouth, and she responded in kind. As their tongues glided between their lips, Marcus lowered his hand to the junction of red curls between her legs. His fingers found the tiny spot he longed to touch. As he began to rub Christina’s sensitive nub with tiny circles, she relaxed her legs, allowing them to fall open. The sinuous sensation pushed her body higher and higher. Marcus felt her tighten in anticipation.

  The rhythm of her h
eart increased, her face grew flushed. His mate ground her hips into his hand in encouragement, abandoning all inhibitions. He pushed one finger into her as he drove her skillfully over the precipice. Her velvet folds gripped his digit tightly, milking it with a silky heat.

  “So tight,” he whispered as he slowly withdrew his finger and added two more in its place. He worked her sex by scissoring his fingers within her softness, readying her for his thick shaft.

  “You are so wet. I can’t wait to be inside of you.” He withdrew his fingers and licked them while Christina watched. The erotic sight made a new pool of moist heat spread down her thighs. Marcus rolled over, putting his knees between her legs. He fisted himself in one hand and then positioned his shaft at her creamy entrance as he braced his weight on his other hand.

  Marcus gently pushed the tip of his penis against her opening. Sweat broke out on his forehead from the effort to go slow, to allow her body to stretch and accommodate him so he would not hurt her.

  When he reached her barrier, Christina tensed beneath him. She closed her legs, locking Marcus between her thighs.

  “Look at me, Christina,” Marcus whispered. Holding still, he remained poised over her, their bodies barely joined. He captured his lover’s eyes, holding her to him. “Stay with me, cara. Relax for me, sweetheart. I promise I’ve got you.”

  Marcus reached down between their bodies. Easily finding her most sensitive nub, he began rubbing the spot. As his thumb made slow circles, Christina began to relax, giving in to the sensation he created.

  Marcus moved his hips slightly in time with his circles, careful not to breach her barrier. When Christina’s legs fell open and her eyes closed, he pushed into her mind and found her drifting on the sensuous wave. Marcus drove her body higher toward the heavens; a feeling of warmth consumed her as hot as if she neared the sun itself until she thought she would burn from the flames licking over her skin.

  She gripped the sheets in tight fists, tossing her head from side to side, capturing her lower lip between her teeth. As she floated to heaven for the second time, Marcus thrust forward.

  With one quick surge, he broke through her barrier and buried himself to the hilt. Christina gasped. Her eyes wide, she gripped his shoulders, looking for a way to anchor herself to earth.

  He didn’t move, simply filled her feminine channel, allowing her fiery inferno time to adjust to the size of him. “That’s it, baby. One moment of pain. From now on only pleasure. I promise, only pleasure.”

  Marcus captured her lips in a scorching kiss that drove all thought from her mind. The pleasure of having him over her, in her, consumed her. Marcus moved slowly in and out, building the heat between them. As his timing increased, Christina met each of his thrusts with a rise of her hips. She clung to the warrior’s broad shoulders as if they were her lifeline when her next climax raced through her body.

  Marcus felt her nails score his back, reveling in the pleasurable pain. A soft keening sound escaped her pouty lips, drawing his gaze to her face. Her lashes lay on her flushed cheeks in dark crescents. A fine sheen of perspiration glistened on her forehead. The light of the candles danced over her skin, creating a swirl of patterns. She looked like a goddess with her hair fanned out over his pillow.

  The Alpha knew true happiness for the first time in his long life. This felt right—felt like coming home. This amazing woman lying beneath him, giving him pleasure like he had never known before, was his. His love.

  His heartmate.

  A growl escaped his throat as his inner beast voiced its approval. His balls drew up tight, and an orgasm boiled up from below, gathering in his loins, in his brain. His vision tunneled to only her.

  His hips pistoned faster, in a rapid tattoo, against her flesh. Marcus brought her over the edge once more, this time going with her. Her tight folds gripped him like a fist, milking him with her hot sheath until he exploded into her. Her spasms rolled over his shaft, causing it to jump inside of her.

  Breathing hard, gasping for air, Marcus slowly separated himself from Christina and rolled to her side. Gathering her in his arms, he nuzzled her hair with his chin.

  She sighed, snuggling into his hold. “That was amazing, Marcus. I had no idea sex would be like that. I hope it was okay for you.”

  “It wasn’t okay, it was incredible. You were so brave.” His hand rubbed tiny circles on her back. “I love the way you feel. I love the way you trusted me. You are perfect, cara! As long as I live I will never forget this moment with you.”

  Marcus willed the shower on and lifted Christina into his arms. “Come on, let’s get cleaned up.”

  When the water washed over her, the look of contentment on her face made Marcus push once again into her mind. The water warmed her as it poured down her skin. She felt a little sore, yet deeply satisfied.

  She found him very loving, making her first time special and very pleasurable. His mate thought he had been wonderful in bed, and she considered his body a thing of beauty. She loved the way his muscles played under his skin, the way they felt under her fingers.

  Christina’s heated gaze raked his body, and his cock stood at attention in a passionate salute, ready for round two. He needed something to focus on or he would take her again here in the shower. But that would be uncomfortable for his mate. And making her uncomfortable in any way, physically or emotionally, was unconscionable. He reached around her and grabbed the soap and a washcloth.

  After he lathered the cloth, he brought it to Christina’s shoulders, gently making tiny massaging circles over her sensitive skin. He carefully made his way down her body, washing away the evidence of her innocence mixed with his seed from her thighs. Once she was clean, he took the bottle of shampoo and squeezed a circle into the palm of his hand.

  “Turn around,” he commanded, his voice husky even to his own ears.

  When Christina did as he asked, he washed her hair, taking care not to pull it. A low moan pushed from her throat, and she closed her eyes.

  “That feels sooooo good.” Her body swayed as if her legs were boneless.

  Marcus’ mate leaned back against his hard frame, allowing his sturdy body to support her. Her exhaustion pulled at him. His protective instincts demanded he let her rest, make sure she got what her body needed.

  He quickly rinsed the suds from her hair, watching the soapy bubbles dance down her body. He intended to get her into bed so she could rest, but before he turned off the water, Christina grabbed the soap and began to lather her hands.

  The Alpha clasped her hands between his much larger ones.

  “What do you think you are going to do with that soap?” he inquired, one eyebrow raised.

  “I was going to return the favor and wash your back.”

  “Lover, you do that and I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to get any sleep tonight. You touch me with those soapy hands, and you will awaken the sleeping giant,” Marcus quipped with a wink before looking pointedly down at his long member that jerked under her gaze.

  “Oh.” Color flushed up Christina’s neck into her cheeks.

  He took the soap from her and quickly washed himself before turning off the water, giving her no chance to protest. After stepping from the shower, he wrapped a towel around his waist and grabbed another to towel her off. Reverently, he wiped away the beads of water from her body, then led her back to the bed. While they lay naked together on the satin sheets, he wrapped his body around hers, her warmth enveloping him. His heartmate snuggled into him and closed her eyes. When sleep took her, Marcus looked down and wondered what in his long life he had ever done to deserve such a gift as her.

  Chapter 15

  Keeping her lids closed, Christina awoke thinking about the wonderful dream she had about she and Marcus making love. Marcus. Memories from the previous day flooded her mind. He had asked her to marry him, be his…heartmate. It was like a dream. Opening her eyes, she looked at her beloved and realized the dream had been real.

  She stretched, scissoring her legs
to discover she didn’t feel as sore as she expected. When she stirred, Marcus rolled and captured her lips with his. Her lover claiming her lips pushed the sleepy haze from Christina’s mind. His kiss, soft and welcoming, created a blaze of desire within her. When he pulled back from their kiss, the look on his face humbled her.

  His love and reverence for her showed. His expression said the words he did not. The heat in his eyes said he adored her, found her desirable. He slipped a hand under the covers, finding the juncture of her thighs wet and ready for him.

  “You’re incorrigible.” Christina smiled, parting her legs in wanton invitation.

  He gladly accepted her summons, moving over her.

  “You mean insatiable, not incorrigible.” Marcus smiled down at her and gently kissed her cheek as he slipped inside her body.

  ****

  That evening, Christina glanced over the paper as she and Marcus enjoyed the meal Payton had prepared. When she read the headline, she gasped.

  “This is awful. Listen to this, Marcus. According to the paper, they found one of the two missing girls.”

  Marcus’ dark brows furrowed deeply over his eyes in confusion.

  “Remember the two sisters, tourists visiting from Virginia who were missing and believed to have met with foul play?” she clarified. “One of the girls is still missing, but the other was found dead in an alley. It says her neck was broken.

  “What is happening to this town, Marcus? It used to be so safe. Now every day it seems like someone is going missing.”

  “You’ve got a point.” Marcus wiped his hand down his face and pulled the skin taut. “I need to make a phone call. I’ll be right back.”

  His heartmate was correct. Someone disappeared every day…or rather every night. Marcus suspected a vampire might be behind the disappearances. His thoughts traveled back in time to an eerily similar situation.