21. Melissa

CHAPTER 21

MELISSA

EARLY HOURS OF MONDAY MORNING – FINDING COMFORT IN MARKO'S ARMS

S nippets of memories of happier times with my parents floated through my head. Laughter rang out as instrumental music filled the air, and the smell of candy floss made my mouth water.

"Mummy, look!" I shouted, pointing to the carousel with brightly coloured horses. Grabbing her hand, I tugged her towards it. Her laughter blended with mine as we bobbed up and down on the horses and waved to my dad who watched us.

We next strolled down a quiet street in Rome, savouring gelato, our voices mingling with the sounds of the city. In Montreal, we were running through a park. Dad chased me, lifting me into the air and twirling me around as I giggled with delight.

Mum's voice called my name, and I turned to see her smiling as she crossed the street to collect me from school. She looked so beautiful, and my heart ached as she embraced me tightly, as she always did whenever we were apart.

Suddenly, my mind flashed to abseiling down the side of a building, dressed in black, a rush of adrenaline coursing through me as I saw my dad doing the same beside me.

Then, I watched my parents dance on a balcony under the stars, feeling blessed by their love and happiness.

But before long, things turned bad. A room appeared, reminiscent of the Opera Gallery in Monaco. Instead of art, the walls displayed family photographs, and the sculptures embodied memories of my parents.

No sooner had I registered that fact than the glass shattered unexpectedly, and the pictures curled at the edges as they were consumed by fire, turning to dust. Smouldering paper drifted down like confetti in hell, the heat becoming unbearable.

Panicked, I turned to my parents and watched in horror as their faces melted like wax, their features distorting into unrecognisable lumps.

"No, please! Don't leave me!" I cried, reaching out towards them, grasping desperately at emptiness.

Screams filled my ears. I covered them to drown out the sound, but it was relentless, piercing through my attempts to block it out.

"Melissa! Melissa, wake up, honey!"

The sound of Marko's voice eventually penetrated my subconsciousness, and I came awake with a start, my heart racing, my breathing harsh as tears ran down my face.

"It's okay, sweetheart. It was just a nightmare," Marko said, stroking my hair, as he held my trembling body as the last remnants of the nightmare faded.

Sniffing hard, I lay there and let him soothe me, his warm embrace comforting me as my breathing slowly returned to normal. That was the first nightmare I'd had since I was a child, and it was very disconcerting.

As my brain connected the dots, I knew what it meant. Everyone I cared for and everything we'd owned were nothing but dust. My memories had all been taken in the blink of an eye, and I was left alone.

Leaning back, I looked into Marko's eyes.

"I hate Mathieson for dragging me into his problems and the MP for blowing up my home. I need that bastard to pay," I said angrily.

"I know, Melissa, and we will make sure he does," Marko said, pulling me back into his chest.

My bottom lip trembled as I fought the urge to scream or cry again. Illness had taken both my parents, but the MP had taken my memories and for that he needed to be held accountable.

"Everything's gone, Marko," I said, sadness filling every word and tears threatening to spill despite my best efforts.

"No, honey. Only physical things have been destroyed. Your memories are still intact, buried inside. Nobody can ever take those away from you," he murmured against the top of my head and stroked my back.

"I feel so alone," I sniffed into his bare chest.

Tilting my head towards him, Marko gazed into my eyes.

"You are not alone, Melissa. Not anymore. You have me and I plan on being with you for as long as you'll let me. And you have my family, and together we will destroy the MP. Then after that, if you let me, I will help you relive some of those memories you have and even make some of our own," he said.

I gulped hard. Oh my, I was definitely falling for this guy.

"I'd like that," I said with a watery smile.

Marko's eyes lit up, burning with an intensity that made my heart hammer in my chest and my core damp.

It should have worried me that I was already halfway in love with Marko, we'd only just met after all, and he was part of a dangerous world that I'd vowed to leave behind, but it didn't. Not one bit.

In fact, I loved the idea of being with him. It seemed serendipitous that Marko had come into my life just when I was feeling so lonely and needed help. I wanted to see where this thing between us could go, and I was pleased that Marko felt the same.

Feeling safe and cocooned in his arms, I sighed and snuggled closer to him as he gently stroked my hair.

Of course, it wasn't long before having my hair stroked by Marko, led to thoughts of being stroked elsewhere. Being in his arms had calmed me after my nightmare, but the longer I lay there the more I became aware of the hard planes of his body beneath me, and my fingers couldn't resist exploring them.

I might not be alone as such anymore, but the nightmare had brought home to me exactly what I had lost and the lingering desolation of that remained now I was awake. I needed to find a way past that.

"Sorry I woke you," I said to him. Not truly sorry. My fingers made slow circles over his bare pecks, my hands slipping lower towards his abs with every movement.

"No problem, sweetheart. Are you okay now?" he asked.

"No, I need to be comforted more after my nightmare. Maybe distraction would help," I smiled up at him, waggling my eyebrows suggestively.

A slow grin replaced the concern in his eyes.

"You do, huh? And exactly what did you have in mind?" he asked, his lips twitching in amusement.

"Well, I'm sure anyone who thinks he is better than any book boyfriend could come up with something," I replied wickedly.

"Oh, I'm sure I can find all sorts of ways to comfort you," he smirked.

"Prove it!" I challenged.

He laughed, rolling us over so quickly I squealed in surprise.

Then he was on me, claiming my mouth in a deep kiss. I kissed him back with as much enthusiasm. Our tongues tangled as we delved into one another, exploring every inch of each other's mouths only separating when finally forced to come up for air.

Marko's gaze scanned my body, his lips lifting in a sexy smirk as he looked at me. I could look into his gorgeous blue-grey eyes forever. Nobody had ever looked at me like that and it made me want to melt. Or come on the spot. My pussy spasmed, my lady parts practically humming for him.

The sheet that had covered us fell away as I straddled him, and I watched his eyes darken with lust at the sight of my bared boobs. Grabbing them, he squeezed, then sucked first on one nipple, then the other, lavishing both with the same amount of attention, as he always did.

I brought his head up again and kissed his mouth, before reaching between us and claiming the prize that was hardening nicely for me there.

Marko gasped into my mouth, and I smirked as I moved my hand back and forth, enjoying how he reacted to my touch. His laboured breathing egged me on, and I nipped his ear and kissed his neck before moving lower.

Determined to taste him, I continued to pump his cock as I slid down his body, kissing and licking him from his collarbone, and across his pecs, to down his gorgeous abs. I stopped to lap at his belly button and his panted breaths grew harsher.

Feeling like a sex goddess at how easily I could make this gorgeous male breathless, I smiled against his skin. When he bucked against my hand, I licked his hip bones that formed that sexy as hell V which led to the pleasure centre I couldn't wait to taste. My mouth watered at the thought, and I blew on the little hairs that pointed the way to my anticipated destination.

Marko groaned loudly, his breaths coming fast and harsh, and I grinned as I saw his hands on either side of his hips clutching the sheets tightly, as he fought to lie still and allow me my explorations. God, I loved playing with him.

Finally, I licked the little drop of pre-cum off the tip of the glorious member that had already rocked my world and ruined me for any other man. His hands shot to my head and fisted in my hair. I glanced up to see Marko staring at me through half-closed eyes with a look of raw need that took my breath away.

Watching him as he lay there, panting hard and fighting for control, sent a shiver of smug triumph through me. It delighted me that I was the woman making this gorgeous male feel that good. Smiling, I licked the length of him, and he shuddered before I took him into my mouth.

The slightly salty taste of him was appealing, and I wanted more of it. Sucking him deep, I cupped his balls and gave them a gentle squeeze as I moved my head up and down his length. He was just too big for me to take without gagging, so I clasped my hand around the bottom of his shaft and continued to pump it while I sucked.

"God, Mel, I can't last much longer. If you keep this up, I'm going to come," he panted, his jaw tight with the tension it took to keep from doing just that.

"Come, Marko. I want to taste you. You've tasted me; it's only fair," I said when he started to shake his head.

"Fair is fair," he replied, and suddenly my mouth was filled with his cum. I'd never swallowed before because in the past I'd never liked the taste of semen, but Marko's didn't bother me, and I sucked it down then lapped at his slit to clean him up.

"Phew, that was amazing, honey. In fact, it was the best blow job I've ever had. But I thought I was supposed to be comforting you," Marko said with a huge and very wicked grin as he grabbed me and pulled me up his body.

Positioning me over his face, I gasped as his tongue licked my slit.

Oh, my! I guessed My Sexy Nerd was about to return the favour.

My eyes rolled back in my head as Marko attacked me with relish. If I didn't know better, I would suspect him of trying to ensure that I would soon confirm that he was the best at going down on me than anyone else. I couldn't help but smirk at the thought. Oh baby, bring it on!

It didn't take long before I was gripping the headboard and riding his face like a feral thing. I was so close, just teetering on the edge of a release when Marko moved us so that he was lying on top of me.

I was about to protest, but he cut my words off, capturing my mouth again and adjusting his cock so that it lined up with my entrance. Holding himself there, he reined more kisses over my mouth, jaw and down my neck, making me shiver.

With one hand on my hips and the other at the back of my head, he held himself still, teasing me by rubbing his erection between my wet folds, pressing it against my clit briefly with each upward stroke.

Tilting my hips up, I silently begged for him to fill me, but he wasn't ready to oblige. Playing hard to get, he moved back, teasing me again and again, until I was a hot mess, writhing and moaning with pleasure beneath him.

God, this man did things to my body I never knew were possible and I couldn't get enough of my Mr Sexy Nerd. Grunts, groans and moans filled the room, and I vaguely wondered if anyone could hear us, but then realised I didn't care. Not right now. Later might be a different story, but I wasn't about to let any future embarrassment stop me from enjoying the present.

"Marko, you're killing me," I cried as he chuckled in my ear.

Mr sexy Nerd was playing a bloody tease, and he was relishing the role.

"Please, Marko," I groaned.

"What do you want Melissa? Tell me what you need?" he said, his voice strained with the tension of holding himself over me.

"You, Marko, inside me. Now!" I panted the words out loudly, practically screaming them.

Finally, I felt a nudge at my entrance.

"Yes!" I cried and tried to lift my hips, but he held me down.

Slowly, inch by inch, he entered me, taking his time and staring at where our bodies joined with such a look of awe that I nearly came again from that alone.

"Please," I begged.

He pushed in further, finally seating himself inside me to the hilt, before slowly, achingly slowly, pulling back out, then suddenly slamming back into me.

"Oh, fuck."

"More, Marko, please," I begged, panting hard, lifting my legs, and wrapping them around his waist, pulling him closer.

"Fuck me!" I screamed against his neck, becoming frantic, as he teased me over and over, making me mad with need.

"Stop teasing. Please, Marko. Now!" I cried, smacking his bum in outrage at his teasing ways.

"Ow!" he cried out, laughing hard at my frustration.

I was so bloody horny I was near out of my mind with it and if he didn't give me what I needed right that second I was going to punch him upside the head.

"Oh, I never knew you were so violent," Marko chuckled, making me realise I must have said my threats aloud.

But he got the message, and his teasing finally ended.

Marko's movements sped up, his rhythm becoming almost punishing as his own need grew until all I could do was cling on as he pounded me into the bed so hard I wondered for a second if we were actually going to break it.

I watched my Mr Sexy Nerd as he held himself above me. His muscles strained with tension, his skin glistened, and a small bead of sweat ran down the side of his face. I've no idea why, but I wanted to taste it. So, I did, I lifted my head up and licked it. He turned his face capturing my lips, and I pushed my tongue into his mouth. As usual, Marko quickly took over the kiss, fucking me with his tongue as he fucked me with his cock.

My nipples were being rubbed deliciously as our bodies slid together, sending sparks of electricity straight to my core. Marko groaned, and the sound vibrated right through his body and mine, connecting us both, making me quiver like a tuning fork.

It was as if with Marko, everything was heightened, all my senses more enhanced. If I wanted a distraction, he was certainly providing one. If I wanted comfort, this was anything but. There was nothing comfortable about the way he was fucking me. It was raw, hard, breathtaking, and primal, and I loved it. Seconds later, I exploded, my orgasm making my legs spasm and my vision white out.

But Marko wasn't finished. I lay there gasping for breath and soaring on the wings of my high as he continued to pound me hard, not letting up. I hadn't even come down when I realised my body was building up for another release. How the hell was that even possible? I'd never actually come with a man before, yet with Marko, I'd come every time he touched me. Multiple times, in fact.

My emotions were wrecked. I sobbed with pleasure as he rammed into me, circling his hips slightly with every inward thrust.

Oh my god, how could anything be so good? How could anyone make me feel so amazing? My core clenched and milked his shaft hard. Marko's movements became jerky, then his whole body tensed. We both cried out as our bodies released together.

Unable to move, we clung to each other, savouring the feeling of him still buried deep as the waves of our pleasure slowly receded.

Before Marko, I had thought the sex I had with the few guys I had been with was okay, nothing great, but not bad either. However, Marko had shown me the error in my belief. Those guys had nothing on him.

The chemistry between us was special. This was not just lust or a crush, this went way deeper. In fact, I was sure I was already halfway in love with the guy.

"That was fantastic, Melissa," Marko said when our hearts had stopped racing and our breathing had returned to normal.

Shifting me off him, he tucked me into his side, and I snuggled close. We lay there and enjoyed the calm after our tempestuous love making.

A short while later, Marko broke the silence. Peering down at me, his eyes danced with mirth and his voice was laced with amusement as he asked, "Did I prove it? Am I better than any book boyfriend you could have?"

"Hell yeah!" I replied, laughing. "Although I'm not sure you can keep that up long term," I joked.

"Challenge accepted, honey," he whispered gently nipping my ear, his voice sultry and the Russian accent thicker than usual.

Licking my lips, I bit back a groan as my core clenched in response. Oh my, that accent was a panty melter for sure.

As he rolled on top of me, my eyes widened as I felt him getting hard again.

"Already? Seriously?" I asked unable to keep the awe from my tone.

"Unless you are too tired?" he whispered against my neck as he feathered kisses across my collarbone.

Tired? I was, and I knew we should both be getting some rest, but to hell with it. Rest could wait.

My body quivered in anticipation as I opened my legs in silent invitation. He accepted immediately, positioning himself between them and licking his way down my body. As his tongue lapped at me again, all I could think was, ‘Oh my, he really is taking this better than any book boyfriend challenge seriously.' My toes curled, and I smiled wickedly at that thought. I was going to enjoy this.