Mark of the Bear

Chapter Ten

Kellsie couldn’t think. All she could do was feel. Her skin was alive with sensation. Every square inch tingled. She’d never been more aware of her body or of herself as a woman in her entire life.

Her head was still spinning, her chest aching from the explosive release. She’d orgasmed before, but none of her previous experiences has been like this one. It had been off the charts, like the fireworks from Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve all rolled into one.

And it was only the beginning.

As if a tether had finally snapped, Marko surged inside her, pushing past the natural resistance of her body. Her inner muscles quivered and stretched to accept his long, thick shaft.

But he would not be denied. He pushed steadily until she thought there was no way she’d be able to take all of him. He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers. “Stop fighting me.” He kissed her gently, his lips firm but soft against hers.

“I’m trying.” She concentrated on breathing in and out. Slow, deep, steady breaths. Her leg muscles were tense, so she forced them to relax.

She was very aware of the scratchiness of the branches beneath her where their discarded clothing didn’t quite cover every needle. She should be cold as it was the darkest part of the night, but she wasn’t. Not with the heat they were generating.

The astringent scent of pine, the rich smells of the earth and the arousing aroma of masculinity and sex surrounded her. He shifted position, his large hands holding her hips captive as he continued to forge his way into her. He was gentle, but there was no escaping him. Nor did she want to.

He was relentless, like the wind and the ocean tides. He would have her.

But she would have him too.

Planting her feet on the ground, she shoved her hips upward. The fullness inside her bordered on pain, but it felt incredibly good. He was so large and hot and alive, more real than dream.

Kellsie paused for a moment, uncertainty eating at her. She nibbled her bottom lip as she studied his face. His eyes were heavy lidded, his lips parted on a low snarl. He was feral and wild, something more than a man. His hair brushed his massive shoulders and his eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight filtering in through the cave opening.

“More.” He ground his hips against her, circling them. Each rotation moved him closer to his goal. Sweat rolled down his temples.

He reached between her thighs and stroked her clit with his thumb. The shock reverberated throughout her body. Moaning, she stared up at him, wondering if she’d survive his lovemaking. It was so intense and overwhelming.

It’s a dream, she reminded herself.

Marko pulled Kellsie tight against his groin and groaned, a sound half pleasure and half pain. While the fit was snug, he was finally seated to the hilt. He throbbed within her, causing mini ripples to roll up and down her channel.

Kellsie was just getting used to the feeling when he pulled back slightly and surged inward again. Forget the fact that she’d just orgasmed, she was primed and ready again. It should have been impossible. She’d never been a multiple-orgasm gal before, not even in the privacy of her own home with her battery-operated boyfriend.

A dream?

It didn’t feel like one. And, if she was being honest with herself, it never really had. It was all too raw and real and…frightening. Marko was touching her to depths no other man had, and not just physically. There was a connection between them that defied logic and reason. He filled her heart, made her wish for things she’d never had, like a real home and someone to share it with.

For a woman who shied away from commitment, who feared losing herself in a relationship, it was terrifying. “Marko.” She said his name, not quite sure what, if anything she wanted to say to him.

She was having sex with a man she’d just met, a man who might very well be an immortal warrior. After all, she’d seen him turn into a bear before her very eyes. And if she wasn’t drugged and this wasn’t a dream, then that left only one alternative—it was real. He was real.

She should stop him, but she didn’t want to. Not now. Not when she was experiencing the best lovemaking of her entire life.

Oblivious to her internal turmoil, he continued to thrust in and out, his strokes getting harder and faster. He reached down, gathered her into his arms and sat back. The motion displayed his incredible strength and drove him even deeper into her tight channel.

Kellsie’s gasp quickly turned to a whimper as Marko lowered his head and buried his face in the crook of her shoulder. He raked sharp teeth over her skin, sending a shiver of delight down her spine. She clutched at his shoulders, his hair, never wanting him to stop.

She rocked her hips, moving up and down to help him. Not that he seemed to need it. His strength knew no bounds. He handled her as if she weighed nothing.

She closed her eyes and enjoyed the ride, concentrating on each and every sensation that raced through her body and over her skin. The cool night breeze was a welcome contrast to the heat between them. Goose bumps raced down her arms even as a bead of sweat trickled down her temple.

His hands were firm on her hips as he lifted and lowered her over his cock. He pulled almost all the way out before filling her once again. Every nerve ending in her body was screaming for release.

The tiny flutters in her channel were the first indication she was close. Marko’s hands were everywhere, running up and down her spine, shaping her butt as he took them both to the brink, at the back of her head holding her steady as he kissed her. It was if he had to touch her everywhere.

She stroked his biceps, his pectorals, marveling at the slabs of muscles, his thick neck, his broad shoulders. She could feel him growing even larger within her. His movements were frantic, and she clutched at him, holding on to the only secure thing in this wild, crazy ride.

He roared out her name as he came hard and fast. She felt the blast of wet heat inside her and then she was coming. Tilting back her head, she arched her hips into him and cried out. The release went on and on until she feared she’d pass out.

Out of strength, she fell forward, allowing him to support her. His arms banded around her, holding her close. His heart pounded against hers and she smiled as she buried her face in the curve of his neck, nuzzling his warm, salty skin.

Gradually, her breathing slowed and her heartbeat returned to normal. The sounds of the night penetrated the haze of sexual satisfaction that enveloped her, making her very aware they were in a cave in the middle of the forest. Marko rubbed her back, his palm making small circles against her skin. It was comforting. Nice. Not something she expected after such hot sex.

She leaned back and smiled at him. “Boy, if this was a dream, I really wouldn’t want to wake up.”

In the blink of an eye, the mood changed. The indulgent lover was gone, replaced by the warrior. He narrowed his gaze, studying her until she began to feel uncomfortable. His cock was still pulsing deep in her core, causing minor spasms to rock her. She wasn’t ready for a conversation, but that didn’t stop Marko.

“How long are you going to deny the truth?”

Defensively, she crossed her arms over her chest and tried to get off him. He simply tightened his hold on her, anchoring her on his lap.

“Your truth, you mean.” But she knew she could not deny the truth any longer. This was something beyond her reality.

A man did not become a bear. Not unless there were hallucinatory drugs involved. And she didn’t feel drugged. She felt fine, but maybe she only thought she was fine.

God, she was making herself nuts trying to reason all this out.

Marko sighed and carefully lifted her off his lap. She sucked in a breath as his penis withdrew. He wasn’t quite hard but he wasn’t exactly flaccid yet either. The thick erection dragged over her sensitive core sending spasms of delight through her. She chewed on her bottom lip to keep from begging him not to leave her.

He lay back on their makeshift bed, tugging her down beside him. Tenderly, he brushed a long, blonde lock away from her face. “Kellsie, no matter how much you wish this was a dream, it is real. I am a warrior of the Lady of the Beasts, imprisoned by Hades thousands of years ago. You have freed me and have become part of this ancient battle for power.”

She shivered, the night air suddenly cold. It chilled her skin and penetrated her soul. She remembered her dream and the man she never saw, the one with the suave, slick voice that gave her the heebie-jeebies. She really didn’t want to believe Hades had invaded her dreams, but she was beginning to believe he had.

Marko held her closer, rubbing his hands over her shoulders and arms, sharing his body heat with her. “Everything will be okay.”

She shook her head. “If what you’re saying is true, then you can’t guarantee that.” And what was she thinking to even entertain the idea that this was real? A realist, that’s what. The cold air, the hard cave floor, the man before her, who she’d seen only in a dream before now, it was all very real.

Kellsie pushed away from Marko’s warm embrace and sat. She pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. It would be too easy to depend on Marko. He appeared to be everything the other men in her life hadn’t been—dependable, strong, someone she could count on. Appeared was the keyword though. When push came to shove, he’d do what was best for him. It was what everyone did.

She supposed she was no different in that respect.

“This is crazy.”

Marko surged to his feet in a graceful motion. For someone his size the man could certainly move fast when he wanted to. He reached down and grabbed his pants and pulled them on. “If you won’t believe me then we will go back to the carnival and face Hades and his minions there.”

Feeling very naked and vulnerable now that Marko was half dressed, she reached out and snagged her top, tugging it on. She didn’t bother with a bra, wasn’t even quite sure where it was. The light penetrating the cave wasn’t bright enough for her to find it.

She wished she had water and a washcloth to get cleaned up. What she wouldn’t give for a bath or even a shower. She frowned as the reality of the situation hit. If this were a dream she’d be concentrating on the afterglow of her amazing orgasm, not fighting with Marko about the reality of demons and a curse. Nor would she have to worry about such things as showers and cleaning up after sex.

Oh God. This was real. All of it.

Kellsie rubbed her temples, trying to ignore the headache brewing there. Her emotions were all over the place. Fear and anger and sexual longing and hope all rolled up in a ball that pinged around inside her like some manic video game.

She squashed the hope. If Marko was the real deal then he was an immortal warrior. So not good dating material. Talk about a dysfunctional relationship. And she thought things had been bad with Jonathan. They’d be a million times worse with Marko if he were embroiled in a battle with the Lord of the Underworld.

She dragged her jeans off the pile of boughs, ignoring the bed where only moments ago she’d experienced such ecstasy. Now it was nothing but a pile of sticks and pine needles, which poked at her skin. Ignoring the mild discomfort, she tugged on her jeans. She might not be wearing underwear but she didn’t feel quite so vulnerable now that she was covered. She needed her socks and shoes.

Marko crouched beside her. She’d avoided looking at him for the past few minutes. She honestly didn’t know what to say or do. She was on the verge of tears and that just wouldn’t do. She was a woman of action, a doer. That’s what she had to keep reminding herself.

He didn’t say anything. Instead, he picked up her right foot and dusted off the sole. She grabbed his shoulders for support so she wouldn’t fall on her ass. When he was satisfied, he slipped her sock on and followed it with her sneaker. Then he did the left one. When he was done, he stood. Her sneakers were unlaced so she bent down and laced them while he watched. Neither of them spoke and the moment seemed to expand with the growing tension.

She still stubbornly refused to look at him. He was too good looking for her peace of mind, too male, too overwhelming to her senses, too everything. But he had other ideas and caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger to tilt her face upward until their eyes met.

“We will be cautious. No one must see us or we will have to fight for our lives, our very souls.”

A shiver skated down her spine and goose bumps broke out on her arms beneath her long-sleeved shirt. She wished she had her jacket. A thought occurred to her. “If this is real then why aren’t Hades and his minions or demons or whatever they’re called already after us?”

A dark frown crossed Marko’s face. “I don’t know. And that worries me. The others who were released before me were never able to come back and tell us Hades’ plan of battle. It’s possible he wants me to get attached to you and forget all about trying to rescue my brothers-in-arms and the Lady.”

He didn’t look pleased at that thought. In fact, the way he was watching her, as if she might be a minion of the devil himself, was making her very uncomfortable.

She’d had sex with a hot guy. So what? Why did it have to be anything more than that? They’d go back to the movie set and go their own ways. Simple.

She snorted under her breath. Nothing about this situation was simple. Damn, she had the worst luck ever when it came to men. Marko was gorgeous, but he came with a lot of baggage.

She held up her hands in a placating manner. “Listen, bud. I don’t have any idea what Hades’ plans are. That’s even assuming I believe in him.”

“He’s very real. Make no mistake about that. Just as I am. Just as you are.”

Kellsie swallowed hard and tried to still the trembling in her knees. Marko suddenly looked very large and angry. She needed to distract him from his current train of thought. “Tell me about the others who came before you.”

The anger bled from his face to be replaced by sorrow. “Phoenix and Stavros are lost.” He raked his hand through his hair, his agitation growing with each passing second. Kellsie didn’t move, afraid to do anything that might provoke him to violence. Not that she really thought he’d hurt her. After all, so far he hadn’t, but she didn’t want to take a chance.

She paused and frowned when she realized she wasn’t really afraid of him. And how stupid was that? Now that the initial moment had passed, she felt quite comfortable again. Not only that, she wanted to console Marko, drive out the sorrow pressing down on him.

God, she really did need therapy.

“Mordecai has joined with Hades.”

“Mordecai?” Now this was traveling back into the realm of reality. “The same Mordecai I met on the movie set? The one who is supposed to play my leading man? The one who let me ride the carousel?” Or at least she thought he had. She was no longer certain what had really happened earlier.

Marko growled low in his chest. “He will not touch you.”

Okay. Her bear was feeling a tad possessive. It was silly how good that made her feel. She ignored it and forged onward. “Who else?”

“Roric, the white tiger. With the help of the female who released him, he fought Hades.” Marko shook his head. There was tension in the way he held his shoulders. “I only wish I knew where he was, what has become of him and if they are safe.”

This was getting crazier by the second. “Umm, I think I might be able to help with that.” Marko grabbed her shoulders and pulled her toward him. Kellsie went up on her toes and slapped her hands against his naked chest for balance.

“How?” he asked.

Oh, Marko was fierce, but it made him all the more attractive. And she was obviously losing her grip on reality if that was foremost on her mind. “I was doing some research for the role and Googled the Lady of the Beasts. I came across a website owned by one Aimee Horner and a guy named Roric. There was an icon for a white tiger, but before I could click on it I lost my Internet connection. There was an email address so we can contact them if I can get my netbook and a decent connection.”

Marko closed his eyes for a brief moment, when he opened them again he was all business. “A netbook. That is a computer?”

“Yes.” How could he not know?

As if reading her thoughts, he tapped the side of his skull. “I know many things, but it is not always easy to assimilate and understand them.”

She wasn’t touching that one. She was having a hard time coming to grips with the idea that this situation was very real. And if that was the case, she was well and truly screwed. Not only was the devil himself after her, she’d just had unprotected sex with an immortal warrior. She hadn’t cared about the unprotected sex when she thought it was only a dream.

“Can you get me pregnant?” she blurted. “Or give me any diseases?”

He stilled and canted his head to one side as if the thought had never occurred to him. He shook his head. “No. You are human and I am not. Only the gods can mate with humans, and we do not have human diseases.”

Great. Instead of the wave of relief she should be feeling, she was vaguely…disappointed. Which was crazy because she wasn’t ready to be a mother. Her career was up in the air and, hey, she might be dead by tomorrow.

The reality hit her like a sledgehammer and she slowly sank to the ground, or would have if Marko hadn’t been holding her.

“Oh my God.” This couldn’t be happening. But it was.

She studied the man in front of her. There was nothing crazy in his steady brown-eyed gaze. He was straightforward and strong. Honesty shone from him like a beacon in the night. Unless he was a hell of an actor, he was telling the truth.

For the first time since they’d met, she believed him with every fiber of her being. “What are we going to do?” The enormity of what was before them was almost too much for her to comprehend. And this wasn’t fair. She hadn’t asked for this. Didn’t want it. All she wanted to do was make a movie, bank some money and help her career.

Marko tightened his fingers around her shoulders. His expression was grim.

“Whatever we have to.”

“This is useless.” Mordecai stalked through the woods, not bothering to mask his footsteps. It was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Around him, the small woodland creatures cowered, sensing his power and his growing anger. The moon gave more than enough light to search by, not that he needed it with his preternatural vision. But there was simply too much ground to cover and time was running out.

Hades was meeting with his brother. Not wanting to make Zeus suspicious, Hades had been forced to join the god for dinner. He’d left Mordecai in charge and the warrior wasn’t about to fail.

Behind him, Brittany struggled to keep up with the pace he’d set. He couldn’t seem to shake her and was beginning to believe that Hades had set her to watch him. If that was the case, he’d give her something to tattle to the god.

Mordecai came to an abrupt halt. “We’re going back to Hell.”

Brittany stumbled to a stop beside him, her blue eyes wide. “What do you mean?” She nibbled on her bottom lip and struck a seductive pose, but he was immune to her dubious charms.

“We need to find them before Hades returns. That means I need to use the mirror.”

Brittany gasped and swallowed hard. “You can do that?”

“Yes, I can.” He was the only other person in Hell who could use it besides Hades, and he’d never done so before without the god’s express permission. But this was an emergency.

He held out his hand and felt the dark, sticky power of Hades well from within him. This was another little perk Hades had temporarily bestowed upon him. He could conjure up a portal to Hell. Hades held that power tight as it opened his realm up to others, but he’d gifted Mordecai with the ability while he was away with Zeus. Hades would know what he was doing and Mordecai knew he’d have to answer for it later. So be it.

The dark circle swirled before them, growing larger with each passing second. When it was his height, he stepped forward, bracing himself for the cold nothingness that existed in the space in between realms. Brittany jumped in behind him before he could shut the portal, not that he’d expected anything different. He was convinced now that she was indeed Hades’ spy. Brittany much preferred the world and her current form than residing in Hell.

He stepped out into a pitch-black corridor and started walking. Red eyes glowed from the darkness. There were a multitude of demons watching him, but none challenged him. He ignored them and turned left down a wider tunnel.

It only took him a few minutes to orient himself and he headed for Hades’ chamber. There he would use Hades’ enchanted mirror to find the bear and his lady. Once he knew where they were, he would return to the earthly realm and keep an eye on them until Hades arrived.