Innocence (Tales of Olympus #1)(30)

“Marcus,” she gasped when he released her lips.

“It shouldn’t have taken me so long. With any other girl it wouldn’t have taken me so long.”

“So long to do what?” she asked, her thoughts still swirling.

“This,” he said, and again his mouth closed over hers. The breath rocketed out of her, her hands flying up and hovering by his face. But she didn’t dare touch him, terrified to break the spell. But she needn’t have worried.

His whole body got into the kiss, closing in, dominating. His heat and scent surrounded her, flooding her with fire. Her hands gripped his strong shoulders, clutching the bunched muscle, nails digging into the fine Italian fabric as if they would scratch the smooth olive skin underneath.

“That’s it, angel. Hold onto me,” Marcus ordered, propping her on the desk and drawing her head back by her hair as his lips seared a brand onto her skin. His large palm cradled her head as his mouth worked down her neck. Cora let her head loll back, her body arching as Marcus pushed up her shirt and covered her breast with his hot mouth.

“Marcus, Marcus,” she panted. Her body was dry tinder, a field baked in the sun all summer. One spark and everything went up in flame.

His large hand slid down her midriff, skimming over her soft skin into her jeans and panties, touching her where no one had ever touched her before. Her eyes flew open, lips parting. Only to catch Marcus’s wolfish gaze as he stared hungrily into her eyes.

“So sweet. Such an innocent. Cora,” he groaned against her mouth, his eyes becoming hooded as his finger swirled between her slippery folds. “You like this?”

Her eyelashes fluttered. She— It felt— She’d never— Oh gods.

“Answer me.”

“Yes,” she finally managed to gasp.

“That’s it, my goddess,” he whispered, his fingers fluttering against the sweetest spot. Her stomach was liquid and she could feel this...this insane amazing pleasurable pressure building. Oh gods she’d never felt anything like it before. How was he—? Oh gods yes, right there, like that, right there—

Her knees knocked and his breath caught. “Go over.”

At his command, the tightness cracked and eased and everything poured out. Oh, oh, ooooooooh!

Her hand came up to stop him but, no, it simply took the plane of his cheek as if she would hold him to her, and her fingers raked through his hair, her breath coming out in a shudder as his mouth covered hers again. The shocking waves of pleasure, she’d never…oh—

She sagged against Marcus, breathing in the crisp linen scent as aftershocks stiffened her limbs, stiffening and releasing, stiffening and releasing.

Marcus gave her a final stroke, making her entire body shudder again, and withdrew his hand.

I’ve never done that before, she wanted to tell him. Everything is new with you. I’m new with you. The satisfied smirk tucked into the corner of his mouth told her he knew.

She ran her fingers over his perfect lips and the elegant line of his jaw. He was real, flesh and blood. Not a god. Not a statue carved by a master sculptor. He was a man.

He was hers.

Catching her gaze in his grey one, Marcus pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his hand. He folded it and pressed it to his nose, inhaling before replacing it in his pocket. Her cheeks burned.

“Beautiful.” Marcus pulled her close to his body. At her height, sitting on the desk, the position pressed her soft center against his crotch. A hard length pressed there, distorting the tailored slacks. Her eyes rounded.

Marcus’s thumb skimmed her jaw. “Gorgeous. Tell me you’re my girl.”

She didn’t even hesitate.

“I’m your girl.”

“You belong to me.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes.”

“You gonna give me what I want?”

“Yes.” She swallowed, searching his eyes. “What...what do you want?”

“Everything.” He took her mouth, pressing close and tipping her off balance, forcing her to hang onto him until he broke the kiss.

“But not tonight.” He stroked her porcelain cheek. “You’re tired.” He held her quietly, her head against his chest. She listened for his heartbeat again, and soon, realized he was speaking, telling his love to her over and over again, maybe in the only way he knew how.

“I’ll keep you safe, babe, you know it. You won’t ever need a thing. You’re my goddess, and I won’t let you go—”

“Marcus,” she sat up. “This is happening so fast.” Didn’t he realize she wasn’t going anywhere? There was plenty that should have scared her off, maybe, okay scratch that—definitely should have scared her off. But she still wasn’t going anywhere. This thing between them was too strong, too powerful. So powerful it scared her sometimes, on top of everything else. “There’s no rush.”

“I know you’re scared, babe.” Of course he knew. His dark grey eyes never left hers. “But you’re with me. You’re going to be okay. You can’t escape, angel... This is your destiny.”

Cora collapsed forward, resting her forehead against his.

“I want you,” he said. “But you’re so perfect. So innocent. I wanted to do it right.” His fingers threaded through hers, rubbing the ring.