I finally snapped that invisible thread on his control because he snarled my name, shifted, and entered me in one full, hot thrust.
“I tried so hard to be patient,” he said as he pounded into me without mercy. “But you won’t let me. You won’t let me protect you,” he said, and I couldn’t stop the rush of euphoria as he pushed me into an orgasm.
I cried his name and gripped him inside me, so lost in love I could only feel.
“You won’t let me care for my affai as I should,” he growled and snapped his hips, angry and needy and so huge I kept coming.
And then he joined me, jerking inside me as he moaned my name and spoke in that lyrical language that was so beautiful, I cried.
“Ah, Tessa,” he groaned and started to pull out, then stopped and sank deeper inside me. His energy bound us together as well, seeking mine naturally.
I accepted him without reservation and felt unbelievably full.
“I can’t believe this is real.”
I nuzzled the underside of his stubbled chin. So sexy, and so mine. “I can’t either.”
Memories invaded, dark, fearful visions of a life without him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, feeling my upset just as I felt his overwhelming love.
“You almost died.” My affection turned to anger. “You were willing to kill yourself for me. I have a problem with that,” I snapped, pushing him off me.
Rolling to the side, I sat up, heaving with anger, and grabbed a nearby T-shirt to cover myself. His, by the look and feel of it.
A glance around showed us both in his bedroom, yet I had no recollection of returning here.
“I’m a little hazy on the details,” Marcus said and lay back on his pillow. He placed his hands behind his neck but watched me, not the ceiling. “I’m remembering bits and pieces, but not the whole. The last thing I remember is you standing up behind the couch, walking right through our protection spell that should have been impenetrable.” He kept his voice light.
I couldn’t tell if he was angry or merely rehashing the incident. “Don’t even try blaming me for any of it. I spent hours alone with that monster and woke up with a raging headache. But I survived. I’m no delicate princess.” I used the word deliberately and scored a hit when he frowned. “I don’t need pampering and protection.” I thought about that. “Okay, so maybe I could have used a little protection.”
“We haven’t been using any, you know.” He grinned, throwing me off. “Protection, I mean. And I can’t say I’m upset about that.” He looked smug then added, “But I would never get you pregnant on purpose. And my kind don’t carry diseases either. A benefit of marrying a Storm Lord.”
“Am I supposed to thank you or get down and worship you because I’m so lucky?”
He smirked. “I’ll accept either.”
I groaned. “I’m mad at you, you jerk. Because I love you so much.” My tears came again.
Well, hell. He’d made me cry, and I never cried.
“Oh, Tessa.” Marcus immediately sat up and cradled me in his arms. “I’m sorry for teasing. I’m just so happy to have you safe and sound. I can’t worry any more about what happened. I love you so much.” He paused, looking into my eyes. “I would gladly give my life for you, Tessa. Without you, life isn’t worth living.”
He kissed me, a meeting of hearts and minds that kicked our desire into high gear all over again.
Much later, we lay in bed together, and Marcus sighed.
“Tessa, when I couldn’t find you after work, I went a little crazy. I’ve been afraid I wouldn’t have what it takes to defend what I prize most. It’s my job to protect you.”
“Marcus—”
“I know. You’re a strong, powerful woman in your own right. I’m not trying to detract from what makes you so special. I’m… I’m trying to explain something difficult for me to say.” He sounded stiff.
“Go on.”
“I make mistakes. I’m not perfect.”
I stared. “And?”
