11. Marie

ELEVEN

MARIE

The house was enveloped in a heavy silence, punctuated only by the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock. Belle, tucked safely in her bed, had succumbed to slumber hours ago, leaving me alone in the dimly lit living room. Tonight, I was at Jesse’s home, because my father had a lot going on at the church with worried people turning to him for assistance, and I didn’t quite know what to make of it. It was all too silent until the front door clicked open, and I bolted to my feet.

It was Jesse, and his weariness was evident in his every step. Without a word, he made a beeline for the shower, leaving me standing there, wondering about the events that had transpired while he was gone.

As the sound of running water filled the small bathroom, I paced in the living room. Something had happened, something that had clearly affected him. My mind raced with a myriad of possibilities, but without any information, I was left to stew in my own anxiety. Minutes felt like hours as I waited for him to emerge from the bathroom. I couldn’t help but worry about the man I had come to care for so deeply. His safety and well-being were paramount to me, and the uncertainty of the situation gnawed at my insides.

Finally, I heard the water turn off, and moments later, Jesse emerged from the bathroom, his face tense and drawn. He met my concerned gaze, and for a brief moment, our eyes locked, communicating a depth of emotion that words couldn’t express. It was hard to focus on anything else when he was only in a towel and there were droplets of water trickling down his muscular chest… but before I could relax into admiring him, I needed to know more.

I couldn’t hold back any longer. “Jesse,” I began, my voice tinged with worry, “what happened out there? Are you okay?”

As Jesse slumped into a worn armchair, his gaze distant, I hesitated to intrude on his thoughts again. The lines etched on his face, normally masked by an aura of strength, betrayed a vulnerability I had rarely witnessed. It was a stark reminder that beneath his stoic exterior lay a man burdened by responsibilities and the weight of his position as an Alpha.

I sat down and shifted on the couch, torn between the desire to offer comfort and the fear of encroaching on his personal space if he didn’t want to share what was going on. The only problem was I really needed to know. As the minutes ticked by, I battled my inner turmoil, yearning to bridge the gap that had grown between us.

Jesse’s eyes finally met mine, and in that moment, I saw a glimmer of something I couldn’t decipher–a mixture of longing, doubt, and a silent plea. There was a pause, as though he weighed his words carefully before deciding to share his burden. “Marie,” he began, his voice low and heavy, “my ex… She’s here.”

My heart clenched in my chest at his words. It was a revelation that sent shockwaves through me. “Oh, I see…”

“She’s the wolf you saw. The one with the diamond across her chest. I guess she tracked my scent to your home.”

I deflated. “What… What does that mean? Is she… the one?”

Jesse offered me a helpless one-shouldered shrug. “I don’t know, but she’s gone rogue, and it seems like this is the work of a rogue wolf.”

I swallowed hard, wondering what I should do next. Jesse’s distress was evident, and the disbelief in his eyes mirrored the turmoil I felt within. The thought that someone he had once dated could become a ruthless killer was almost too much to bear. I wasn’t sure how I would handle it, so I couldn’t put myself in Jesse’s shoes however hard I tried.

“There’s something else,” Jesse continued, making my blood run even colder. My heart quickened, and I nodded, urging him to continue. He took a deep breath, his eyes searching mine for understanding. “Ophelia knows about us. She has been following me and watching us. She knows that something else is happening.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine. “What does that mean for me?”

“She is pretty relentless,” Jesse admitted, “and she’s… Well, she’s incredibly jealous. I don’t know what she might do, but I want you to be extra careful. Even more so than before. I don’t want her to come for you, I don’t want anything to happen.”

The revelation about Ophelia, Jesse’s unstable and possessive ex, sent a shiver down my spine. The idea of someone being jealous of our connection was unsettling, but I couldn’t allow fear to consume me. I knew I had to be strong for both of us.

As Jesse’s deep voice filled the dimly lit room, I focused on his words and the determination in his eyes. We were in this together, and we couldn’t let anyone, not even Ophelia, come between us.

I reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Jesse’s. “Jesse, whatever comes our way, we’ll face it together. I trust you, and I believe you have what it takes to keep everyone safe, including me.”

He looked at me with gratitude in his eyes, and I could see a flicker of relief wash over his face. “Thank you, Marie,” he said softly. “Your trust means the world to me.”

At that moment, we shared a silent understanding, a promise to stand by each other’s side, no matter the challenges that lay ahead. My father was turning out to be the smallest challenge of them all, which came as a massive surprise to me. He wasn’t going to be the biggest issue we faced after all. We couldn’t predict what Ophelia might do, but together, we would navigate the storm and protect the love we had found.

We stared at one another, accepting again that we were in danger, and that life was too short for us to keep pushing us to one side just because other people wouldn’t like it. There had to come a moment where we put ourselves first, and it seemed like this was the right time.

It seemed like the clock had stopped, yet also sped up at the same time, heightening the urgency we both felt.

Jesse moved closer to me, his strong hands reaching out to cup my face gently. His touch sent shivers down my spine, sending electric currents throughout my body. My breath hitched as I stared into his deep, intense gaze. “Marie,” he whispered, his voice rough with emotion, “is this the right thing to do?”

I met his question with unwavering determination, nodding slightly.

“Yes.” The air around us was thick with desire, and I couldn’t remember ever wanting someone so badly. With each step toward him, I could feel my heart pounding against my chest, the anticipation almost overwhelming. As we finally came together, our lips locked in a fiery kiss that spoke volumes without words. The first, and most passionate kiss that had ever knocked me off my feet like this.

Jesse’s strong arms wrapped protectively around my waist, pulling me even closer, and I could feel the heat from his body radiating through my thin dress. It seemed as though time had ceased to exist; all that mattered was the here and now.

Our bodies pressed tightly against one another as the kiss continued, his rough hot tongue invading my mouth, our hands roaming across skin that was familiar yet foreign territory at the same time. The room around us was bathed in a soft, warm light that cast a golden glow on our faces, adding an ethereal quality to the moment.

As Jesse continued to kiss me with an intensity that left me breathless, I found myself being swept away by the powerful surge of desire coursing through my veins. The feeling was intoxicating, and I knew that I would not stop until we reached the peak of pleasure together.

Suddenly, Jesse shifted his weight onto the couch, taking me down with him. My breath caught in my throat as we landed in a lying position together, the softness of the couch cushioning our fall.

The sensation of Jesse’s hard body pressing against mine sent a thrill of excitement through my entire being. This was more than just physical attraction–it was a connection, something deeper that bound us together in a way neither of us could fully comprehend. Our lips parted briefly, allowing us to catch our breaths as we looked into each other’s eyes.

“I want you, Marie,” Jesse murmured softly, his fingers tracing gentle patterns along my bare shoulders.

“You’ve captivated me from the first moment I saw you,” I admitted as he leaned in, his lips brushing against my neck, causing goose bumps to rise across my skin. “Your beauty is mesmerizing, and your spirit is irresistible. I honestly don’t know how I’ve kept away from you for this long.”

I closed my eyes, relishing the tender affection showered upon me by the man I’d secretly admired for so long, but never thought I would really be able to get my hands on. I could sense the genuineness in his words, and it only served to fuel the fire burning inside me.

My hands moved to his broad shoulders, my nails lightly scraping against his skin as I pulled him closer. “I’ve wanted this for so long,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “You have no idea how many times I’ve imagined this very moment.”

Without further ado, Jesse began to undress me slowly, taking his time to remove each piece of clothing and savor every curve of my body. His towel fell away easily, and my breath hitched at the sight of him, his muscles rippling as he moved. It was unfair for one man to be as gorgeous as this. Especially a man who I wasn’t supposed to touch. If my father knew what was going on…

No , I didn’t want to think about any of the outside world, including my father, at this moment. It was too precious for that.

My eyes traced the lines of his arms, the definition of his abs, and the gentle trail of hair leading downward. Desire swelled within me, an insatiable yearning for his touch. Jesse took my hand, guiding me towards where he wanted to be touched the most. The feeling of his rock-hard cock between my soft fingers sent a wave of excitement coursing through my veins, my heartbeat quickening in anticipation. The moonlight streaming through the window illuminated our forms, casting a soft glow over our entwined limbs.

He trailed his fingertips along my cheekbone, caressing my jawline gently as I stroked him, running my hand up and down his cock, trying not to explode already. Fuck, he was too much, I couldn’t stand it. Our hearts beat in tandem, the passion between us seemed to reach a fever pitch, the need for release almost palpable.

I moved my lips toward Jesse’s ear, whispering, “Take me, please.” My words reverberated through his body, making his heart race faster. I could feel it hammering against my now naked chest. The simple request ignited a fire within him, a burning desire to claim what was rightfully his.

Gently, he positioned himself above me, his eyes never leaving mine. I watched intently, my heart thundering in my chest as I waited with bated breath. Slowly, he lowered himself onto me, our bodies meeting with a gentle sigh.

The sensation of Jesse’s body pressing against mine was almost too much to bear. I held him tightly, reveling in the feeling of being completely consumed by this man. He looked into my eyes, searching for some sign of consent.

I nodded again, more firmly this time, a determined glint in my eyes. The assurance in my gaze fueled Jesse’s desire even more, and he looked like he couldn’t wait to explore every inch of my body. I’d been wanting this for far too long, for forever it felt like, and I wasn’t about to turn my back on the chance now.

Slowly, he started to move, thrusting ever deeper inside of me all the time. His hands trailed lightly along my curves, teasing me with gentle touches. I arched my back in response, seeking more contact from him. Each movement sent waves of pleasure coursing through my body, my breath hitching in my throat. This was right. We both knew that it was wrong, there was no way I should have been fucking my dad’s friend, but it felt so right.

I felt as though I was floating on a cloud, carried away by the euphoria of us. Our mouths moved in sync, our tongues dancing together in perfect harmony. I felt a sense of belonging I had never experienced before, as if I were meant to be with Jesse forever.

My body melted into his, our flesh merging together in perfect harmony. Time seemed to stand still as we moved, lost in the blissful dance of passion. Our bodies became one, our breaths aligning in synchronized rhythms.

As the intensity built, Jesse’s hands gripped my hips firmly, holding me close as we both approached the edge of ecstasy. My own grasp tightened around him, desperate for him to take me over the precipice with him.

I whispered softly into his ear, urging him on. “Please, Jesse, make me feel everything,” I pleaded, my breath ragged and my voice trembling with anticipation. I’d been waiting for this, I’d been fantasizing about it, I wanted to feel everything all at once.

The passion between us escalated rapidly, and the room seemed to fill with the sounds of our shared ecstasy. Our breaths grew heavier, our gasps echoing off the walls of the room. The passion between us reached its peak, and I quickly found myself on the brink of pleasure. Jesse, knowing exactly when to push me over the edge, made sure that every thrust hit all the right spots.

I clung to him as I fell over the edge and into the never-ending abyss of orgasm, my fingers digging into his strong back. I loved the sound of Jesse losing his mind as well, I wanted to remain in this blissful moment forever. But of course, it couldn’t last, and all we could really do was sink into the beautiful post-orgasmic bliss together.

The events of the evening had left me emotionally drained, and as I lay in bed, my thoughts swirled in a chaotic whirlwind. Jesse’s revelation about Ophelia and the looming threat of a rogue shifter weighed heavily on my mind. The night had been a rollercoaster of emotions, from fear to determination, and finally, a spark of love and connection.

I curled up under the blankets, seeking refuge in the warmth and safety of Jesse’s home. My eyelids grew heavy, and exhaustion crept over me like a comforting blanket. The steady rhythm of raindrops against the windowpane provided a soothing lullaby, and I drifted closer to sleep with each passing moment.

My phone, sitting on the nightstand beside me, buzzed softly, its screen lighting up with notifications. Yet, in my state of weariness, I paid little attention to it. It could have been messages from friends or missed calls, but none of it seemed important compared to this very moment.

As I finally succumbed to the embrace of slumber, my dreams were filled with visions of wolves and shifting shadows, a reflection of the uncertainties that lay ahead. At that moment, all I craved was a reprieve from the storm that had become my life, if only for a few precious hours.