A knot of anxiety coiled in my stomach as I paced back and forth by the cabin door, waiting for Marcus to return. The flashbacks were relentless – the sight of Marcus’s fists connecting with the face of the man who’d been following us, blood staining the earth beneath him. It was hard to watch, but I couldn’t deny that it had been necessary.
This world, this darkness that seemed to cling to Marcus like a second skin, was far more dangerous than I’d ever realized. And though I knew he would do everything in his power to keep me safe, I was afraid it might not be enough.
When the door burst open, I nearly jumped out of my skin. Marcus stumbled in, blood streaking his knuckles and spattered across his shirt. My heart clenched at the sight.
I rushed to him, clutching his massive, bloody hands in mine. “You’re hurt.”
“It’s not my blood.” His gaze seared into mine. I nodded and guided him to a chair and began tending to his cuts and bruises, hands steady despite the chaos I felt inside.
“Talk to me,” I murmured as I gently wiped the blood from his skin.
“He’s probably halfway down the mountain by now,” Marcus said quietly. “I let him go, just like I promised you.”
“Thank you.” Relief washed over me.
“Olivia, you never have to be scared of me,” Marcus said, his voice soft yet firm. I could hear the fear underneath. “I need you to believe that.”
“I’m not afraid of you, Marcus,” I told him. “It’s just… everything else. This new reality. I’m adjusting.”
“I get it. I’m sorry you got dragged into this mess.” He reached up to brush a strand of my curly hair behind my ear, a tender gesture that made my heart race. “But I swear on everything I’ll never let anyone hurt you.”
“I know that. But Marcus, as powerful as you are, you can’t control everything. That man found us, someone else could too. I’m not naïve enough to think the danger is over.”
“Unfortunately, you’re right,” Marcus admitted, his jaw tensing. “As soon as it gets dark, we’ll get out of here. Ditch the car and find another place. Somewhere more secure.”
Once I’d finished bandaging Marcus up and helping him change into a clean shirt, I composed the thoughts swirling in my head. “I’m glad we still have a few hours before we leave the cabin,” I said, my voice resolute. “There’s something I need you to do for me.”
“Anything,” he replied, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “What is it?”
“I want you to teach me how to defend myself and shoot properly,” I told him, watching his expression shift from surprise to concern.
“Olivia, it’s my job to protect you.”
“Marcus,” I countered, “giving me the confidence and tools to hold my own in any situation is protecting me.” I met his gaze, willing him to understand. “You can’t always be right by my side, and I refuse to be a helpless damsel in distress.”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I hate the very idea of you having to fight, but…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “You’ve got a point. It would be safer if you knew what to do.”
“Exactly,” I replied, grateful that he was willing to see reason.
Outside, Marcus set up makeshift targets using empty bottles and cans. The air was crisp and cool, the scent of pine filling my lungs as I took slow, deep breaths to calm my nerves.
“Watch me first,” he instructed, demonstrating the shooting stance and grip on the rifle. His movements were fluid and precise, each shot hitting its mark with deadly accuracy.
I mimicked his stance, trying to absorb every detail of his form. My finger hesitated on the trigger for a moment before I squeezed, and the shot echoed through the trees. One of the eight targets shattered, a minor victory that only fueled my determination to improve.
“Good,” Marcus said, nodding in approval. “Keep your feet planted, lean into the shot, and focus on your breathing.” He replaced the target and told me to go again.
I did as he instructed, trying to remember every piece of advice he offered. My aim improved with each round; I felt exhilarated by the growing sense of power and control.
“Remember,” Marcus said as I prepared for another round, “you’re not just shooting to hit the target, you’re shooting to survive. Use all of that determination to focus your mind, your eyes and your aim.”
His words resonated within me, solidifying my resolve. Once I managed to hit all the targets in a row, Marcus said it was good enough to move onto the next phase of my training: self-defense. The lovely dappled sunlight casting shadows onto the grass was a strange contrast to the grim determination I felt learning how to fight.
Marcus demonstrated a variety of techniques to disarm and escape an attacker. “Focus on using their momentum against them,” he advised, his voice low and steady. “A small person can easily win against someone twice their size if they know how to use agility to their advantage. And don’t be afraid to fight dirty if it means getting away.”
As we practiced, I marveled at his strength and precision. He moved like a panther—graceful, powerful, and deadly. But there was a tenderness in the way he guided me through each move, always mindful of my safety and comfort.
“Let’s try this one,” he said, moving behind me and placing his arm around my neck in a simulated chokehold. My body tensed momentarily, but I focused on the technique he had just shown me. With a swift motion, I used my elbow to break free and spun around, catching him off-guard.
“Nice!” He grinned, eyes shining with pride. “You’re a natural, Olivia.”
“Thanks,” I panted, feeling a surge of confidence. “But I’m not finished yet.”
Our sparring continued, the contact between us becoming more fluid and playful. Each time he lunged or swung at me, I deflected or dodged his advances. As our bodies collided, the heat and tension between us grew palpable. I felt alive, invigorated by the thrill of the chase and the knowledge that I was becoming a force to be reckoned with.
“Whew, last one,” Marcus said, his breath ragged with exertion. “Show me what you’ve got.”
He moved towards me, arms outstretched, and I seized the opportunity. With a swift motion, I deflected his swing and spun him around, pinning him against a tree with my body pressed against his. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, the world disappeared.
“I’m not familiar with this particular fighting style,” Marcus said as my breasts pressed into his chest, my hand snaking around to hold him closer to me.
“Just trying to build on your lessons with my own creativity,” I replied before capturing his lips in a passionate kiss.
Our mouths met hungrily, our bodies entwining as we lost ourselves in the raw, primal desire that had been simmering beneath the surface all day. My hands roamed over the firm planes of his chest, feeling the heat of his skin and the rapid beat of his heart beneath my fingers.
Marcus groaned into my mouth, hands sliding under my shirt. I rocked against the hard length of him, desire pooling low in my belly.
Tangling my fingers in Marcus’s hair, I pulled him closer, our lips crashing together with a fervor that mirrored the desperation clawing at our insides. Our kisses were rough and demanding, each one a desperate plea for solace amidst the chaos that had become our lives. As Marcus’s hands slid down my back, gripping my hips firmly, I could feel the heat of his arousal pressed against me.
“Fuck, Olivia,” he groaned into my mouth, his breath heavy with need. “You have no idea what you do to me.”
“Show me,” I whispered huskily, my body responding to his touch like a magnet drawn to its polar opposite.
But just as Marcus moved to lift me up, a sudden sound in the brush nearby caused us both to freeze. We held our breath, waiting for what seemed like an eternity, before realizing it was just a pair of squirrels scrapping over some hidden treasure.
“Shit,” Marcus muttered, the tension leaving his body as he exhaled slowly. “Let’s get back to the cabin. At least there’s a locked door between us and the rest of the world.”
“Good idea,” I agreed, my heart still pounding from the adrenaline rush.
We hurried back to the cabin, hand in hand, our pace quickened by the urgency that thrummed through our veins. The moment we stepped inside, Marcus slammed the door shut and locked it, then turned to me with a feral grin.
“Where were we?” he asked, his voice low and seductive.
“Right about here,” I replied, capturing his mouth with mine once more.
We shed our clothes with abandon, discarded haphazardly on the floor as we stumbled towards the bed. Once there, Marcus gently lowered me onto the soft sheets, his eyes dark with desire.
“Spread your legs for me, baby,” he commanded, and I eagerly complied.
Marcus dipped his head between my thighs, his tongue exploring my folds with a hunger that was nearly insatiable. His fingers joined the fray, slipping inside me as he worked me into a frenzy of pleasure. My first orgasm hit like a tidal wave, leaving me breathless and shaking beneath his expert touch.
As my climax subsided, a wildness built inside me. I rolled us over, straddling Marcus’s hips. “Two can play at that game,” I purred, grinding against him.
He groaned, thrusting up to meet me. I slid down his body, wrapping my lips around his cock. Marcus cursed, hips jerking as I took him deep. His fingers twisted in my hair, guiding me on how to please him.
The sounds spilling from his lips drove me wild. I reached down to touch myself, moaning around his length.
“Fuck, Liv, stop.” Marcus tugged me up for a searing kiss. “I want to be inside you when you come.”
My heart stuttered. “Yes.”
He flipped us again, nudging my thighs apart. “You’re so wet for me.”
Marcus slid two fingers inside me, curling them as his thumb found my clit. Pleasure erupted, wrenching a cry from my lips. He worked me through the aftershocks, replacing his fingers with the thick head of his cock.
I gasped at the stretch, nails biting into his back.
“Breathe,” Marcus murmured, kissing me softly.
He inched forward, letting me adjust to his size. The burn faded into mindless bliss as he filled me inch by inch.
“So perfect,” he groaned, fully seated. “You feel like heaven.”
I wrapped my legs around his waist, urging him to move deeper, faster.
Marcus pulled back slowly, watching my face. He thrust in again, building a steady rhythm.
“Yes, just like that,” I moaned, rocking my hips to meet his.
He kissed me, muffling my cries with his mouth. I clutched at him, drowning in the sensation of his cock sliding into me again and again.
Marcus changed angles, hitting a spot that made stars burst behind my eyes. “There,” I gasped. “Right there, don’t stop.”
He chuckled and pulled back. “Wait. Get on top,” Marcus panted, flipping us over. I obliged, marveling at the intensity of his gaze as I sank down onto him. The power I felt in that moment was intoxicating – raw and primal. It stirred something deep within me that I hadn’t known existed.
“Ride me, Olivia,” he urged, his hands gripping my hips as we found our rhythm together.
Thrust by thrust, we climbed higher and higher, each movement bringing us closer to the brink. Our eyes locked, sharing an unspoken bond that transcended words, as our bodies melded together in a symphony of passion.
The coil in my belly tightened, then snapped. I screamed his name, collapsing onto his chest.
“Fuck,” Marcus groaned. His hips stuttered, warmth flooding me as he found his own release.
We lay there for long moments, a tangle of limbs and harsh breaths.
Marcus gently stroked my face. “You okay, baby?”
“Mmm.” I traced idle patterns on his chest. “Better than okay.”
Every single time, having sex with Marcus was amazing, but this was different. More primal and deeply connected. I loved it. And, I realized in that quiet moment; I loved him too.