Chapter 13

Trish sighed happily as they waved goodbye to Houston and Eric. Both of Holdar's friends had stayed for an early dinner, although she suspected it was more like an early snack since four fish didn't go far, but she had enjoyed the company. Enjoyed it a lot more than some of the society meals she'd hosted, actually, but then those had always been managed by event planners and all she'd had to do was to show up.

"That was fun," she said.

He agreed, a surprised look on his face and her chest ached. How had he managed to cut himself off from everyone over the years?

"You and Houston were having a very intense discussion," he added curiously and she laughed.

"He was picking my brains for marketing ideas. The monthly festivals Elara suggested have really helped, but he wants to make sure the town continues to grow, but in a responsible fashion."

"This was supposed to be a social visit," he grumbled.

"I really didn't mind. It was fun coming up with ideas, although that's the easy part. You also need to manage the campaigns. He said Elara was a big help at first, but now she's busy with Grondar and their business." She took a deep breath. "He suggested I might like to do some part-time work for the Council."

"From Atlanta?"

"Maybe. Or from here."

She'd hoped he would be pleased by the idea, but he was frowning.

"What will your father have to say about that?"

"He won't like it, especially at first, but I am an adult, you know. And it's not like I'll be that far away." He was still frowning so she put a tentative hand on his arm. "What if I still needed a bodyguard? Would you be willing to stay?"

"Me? Return to Fairhaven Falls?"

She watched his face, now familiar with every shade of emotion that flitted across what she'd once thought an expressionless countenance. Doubt, but also hope.

"I… don't know."

"You don't need to decide right away. It doesn't seem like we're leaving anytime soon, does it?"

"No, but I'll call in tomorrow and check."

"Do you think I could talk to Daddy? I know he misses me."

She missed him too, but not as much as she'd expected. The tie that had snapped back into place after she graduated had finally broken.

"I'm sure he does, but I'm also sure he's happy to know you're safe." He studied her face for a moment, then smiled at her. "But I'll ask. Maybe we can set something up for the next call."

"Thank you."

She walked over to him and sat on his lap. He looked surprised but pleased, his arms curving around her waist.

"I've been thinking about your little problem," she whispered in his ear, licking the sensitive edge.

He shuddered, then frowned at her.

"I don't have any problems."

"Issue? Phobia?"

She laughed when his scowl deepened, then tilted her head, exposing her neck.

"I want you to kiss me. Right here. And suck on me a little."

"I'm not a fucking vampire."

"I know. Haven't you ever heard of a hickey?"

Understanding dawned on his face.

"You want me to leave a mark on you?"

"Exactly. One tiny little mark as the result of a very pleasurable kiss."

"Are you sure it will be pleasurable?"

"Absolutely. And if it isn't, I'll tell you."

"I suppose."

Despite his apparent reluctance, he was looking at her neck as avidly as any vampire.

"Go on. Kiss me, my big old orc vampire."

That spurred him into action as he growled and obeyed. He kissed her lightly as first, sending little pinpricks of sensation down her neck. Then he intensified the kiss, sucking hard enough to make her toes curl. She brought his hand up to her breast, sighing happily as his fingers clamped down around her nipple, adding to the pleasure flowing through her veins.

When he finally raised his head, she grabbed his hand, determined not to let him run.

"So? How does it look?"

"As if I marked you."

His voice was thick, guttural, and he stroked his finger over the spot.

"And how does it make you feel?"

"Scared. Aroused. Proud."

She twisted around in his arms so she could see his face.

"Two of those are good emotions. Can you focus on them?"

He hesitated, then nodded, his thumb still stroking the mark, and she gave him a mischievous look.

"Ready for more?" His cock jerked beneath her and she grinned. "That felt like a yes. Where do you want to try next?"

She expected him to say her breasts, but he surprised her.

"Your ass," he said hoarsely.

"Okay."

He moved so quickly she felt dizzy, but then she found herself on her hands and knees on the bed as he drew her dress up over her lips and skated a hand down over her ass.

"You have the most delectable ass I've ever seen, princess."

"Why thank you, sir."

Her voice came out breathless and shaky, her body already quivering with anticipation. She wiggled her butt, earning a smack and a growl.

"Don't move."

He pressed a tiny kiss to one cheek, and then the other, moving back and forth between them the same way he'd moved between her breasts earlier. She'd had no idea the area was so sensitive, but she didn't need his low growl of approval as he dipped his finger between her folds to know how aroused she was.

"How does it look?" she asked.

"Not pink enough."

He returned to her ass, sucking harder at each buttock as she quivered, then sat back as he slowly circled each of the places he'd marked her with his kisses.

"One. Two. Three."

"How does it feel? Still scary?"

"A little, but mostly satisfying." He rolled her over and looked down at her face, his eyes flaring amber. "I want you, Trish."

"I want you too."

He started to lower his head, then hesitated, searching her face.

"You promise you'll tell me if it's too much."

"I promise."

She tugged on his shoulders impatiently and he finally lowered his head, his mouth claiming hers as he stretched out over her. God, he felt good, right. His weight pressing her down, his mouth devouring hers, his scent surrounding her, his cock pulsing against her stomach. He raised his body enough to unfasten her buttons, stroking his fingers over every inch of skin he exposed before pushing her dress aside.

"So pretty," he growled as he feathered his thumb across a nipple.

He lowered his head to her breast, licking and sucking, and this time when he raised his head, he didn't look appalled, he looked satisfied.

"Even prettier."

He moved to the other side, sucking even harder and making her shudder with excitement. She suspected it might have been too much if she hadn't been so aroused but it was simply perfect. He left a love bite on her stomach and two on her inner thighs before devoting himself to her clit, driving two fingers deep inside her as he brought her to a long, wailing climax.

She was still quivering when he positioned himself between her legs, his cock probing her entrance.

"I'll go slow, princess. But I want to hear you say you want this."

"I want you," she said impatiently, raising her hips and moaning as his wide cock entered her.

God, he was so big. Big and rough and demanding and so fucking perfect. Her inner walls clenched around him as her excitement flared, and she heard him groan as his shaft pulsed, hard and heavy inside her. The combination of his piercings and his tattoos reached every inch of her sensitive flesh, making her shudder around him.

"Fuck, you feel good," he growled as he slid deeper.

She couldn't answer, the exquisite pleasure stealing her words as he claimed her, inch by inch, until his balls rested against her. He stopped, letting her adjust to his size, then slowly pulled back.

"Fuck, you're tight," he groaned. "I won't want to hurt you, princess."

"You won't."

He started moving, sliding in and out of her, his strokes growing deeper and longer as she adjusted to his size. His eyes blazed amber and his tusks jutted forward and she knew that the predator had taken over, but it made her feel safe and protected. She arched her back and moaned his name, and he growled his approval, thrusting even harder.

"More," she begged.

His rhythm faltered for a moment, then he picked up his pace, his powerful body rocking hers as his cock plunged in and out of her. Every movement sent shivers of pleasure racing through her, building higher and higher until she cried out his name, her channel convulsing around him. He roared as his hot seed spurted deep inside her, and then he collapsed on top of her, holding her close as his cock jerked and twitched.

It took a while for him to speak, but when he did his voice was husky.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm wonderful," she said dreamily. "Are you okay?"

"Better than I've ever been," he admitted, pulling her closer and pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

Then he lifted his head and looked down at her. She couldn't see everything, but she knew there were pink marks scattered all over her body. She wanted anxiously but instead of panicking, a slow smile of satisfaction curved his lips.

"Perfect," he growled. "Should I add to the collection?"

"I may need a moment to-"

His mouth closed over her nipple again and her ability to speak disappeared in a blaze of sensation. Words were overrated anyway.