Marie Harte - Below the Surface

Tessa could have been harmed , was all he could think. In his agitation, he paced the room, wondering what he should do to prevent Tessa from a future wraith encounter. As he paced, his glance returned time and time again to her motionless frame.

She looked so damned beautiful lying there. So still, she afforded him his first opportunity to study the stubborn woman without the threat of reprisal.

In sleep, she looked serene, soft even. Her golden skin shone under the bright light keeping the night at bay, and he readily admitted how much he wanted her. Auburn tresses framed a strong yet feminine face full of promise, full of passion. But her mouth…full lips begged a second taste, and upon seeing them, he immediately recalled how supple and inviting they’d felt under his mouth.

His body stirred, and though he knew now was not the time for fantasies, he couldn’t help himself. He paused in his pacing and sat next to her on the bed, tracing the line of her petal-soft cheekbone.

She had such strength. For the past six months he’d tried very hard not to notice the assertive redhead with the autocratic mouth made for sin. She demanded the very best of herself and her peers, and never talked down to anyone. It was with some surprise that he’d realised she deliberately avoided him, but considering the fierce attraction he’d been unable to shake, he figured her instincts had served them both well.

Yet working so closely with her this past month, he couldn’t help wondering what it was she found so offensive about him. He had no complaints about her, except for her recent penchant for breaking into his office. Pondering his possible deficiencies, his mood soured.

A woman like Tessa Sheridan walked like she owned the world, and she very well did. She had a successful career, friends and a close family—her brother had sent her flowers on her birthday that had put a smile on her face for days. She could have any man she wanted with the snap of her fingers, and she walked with an air of confidence that made one take a second look. She had it all. Perhaps she’d sensed that same assurance lacking in him, that ‘perfect’ quality he’d been missing for most of his life.

Though others saw what he wanted them to see, he had the uneasy feeling Tessa sensed the truth of his character. Yeah, and mauling her over my desk the other day must have really put me over the top . He grimaced in remembrance.

“Marcus?” She groaned and opened her eyes, capturing his attention.

“Tessa? How do you feel?” He stroked her hair, unconsciously seeking a measure of the closeness he feared he’d destroyed after whisking her from the office.

“A bit hazy.” She rolled her head back and forth on his pillow, her hair spreading like a silken curtain across his sheets. The image made his blood surge, and his hunger for her grew.

Suddenly she stopped moving her head and blinked up at him, her bright blue eyes narrowed with accusation. “You knocked me out. Right after you killed that, that thing , you did something to me.” She fingered her clothes, eyeing him suspiciously.

He refrained from rolling his eyes and sighed instead. “I did nothing more than take you away from a dangerous situation. I most assuredly did not take advantage of you.” Unable to resist, he leaned closer and murmured softly, “When I do, you’ll know it.”

She blushed becomingly and bit her lip, then frowned slightly, and he could almost see her reliving their battle with the Netharat . But instead of asking him questions, she thanked him.

“For what?” he couldn’t help but ask. It was his fault the Netharat had endangered her in the first place.

“You saved me,” she said simply. “They would have killed me if you hadn’t put yourself between me and them.” She swallowed hard at the memory but quickly regained her composure and narrowed her eyes. “But about your little threat to ‘take advantage’ of me,” she paused. Instead of leaning away or scowling at him, she pulled him close and shocked the hell out of him by brushing his mouth with hers. “Promises, promises.”

Tessa tried to tell herself she suffered from a head injury, or perhaps the aftereffects of dealing with those nightmarish creatures. But the powerful attraction she’d been feeling since setting eyes on Marcus Storm had finally come to a head.

She knew without asking that she lay on his bed, in his room. She could smell him on the sheets, a masculine blend of sexuality and spice she couldn’t resist anymore. And the way he stared down at her, his expression cocky yet tender, his eyes dark with erotic suggestion, it was just too much to take.

Well, she was done waiting around for him to make a move. He’d done that once and left her high and dry. It was time for Tessa to take the lead.

Their lips met and thoughts of control faded. His mouth tasted like forbidden fruit. Sweet and addicting and more than dangerous. Flashes of his protectiveness in the office, of how he’d moved to save her life hit her, and she deepened the kiss, as much in thanks as in awe of his raw power.

Finally, she’d met a man as strong, if not stronger, than herself. The knowledge was almost as powerful an aphrodisiac as his touch.

She groaned under the sensual onslaught of his mouth and stroking hands. As if she’d unleashed a tidal wave of pure sensual aggression, the ‘gentlemanly’ Marcus plundered her mouth, conquering any resistance she might have tried to find.

“More,” she said breathlessly when his lips left her mouth for her ear, running her hands through his thick black hair. She loved that he kept his hair a tad longer than was fashionable, and rubbed the silky strands as he nipped at her earlobe.

He shifted over her, trapping her beneath his massive strength. Then his hands stole under her shirt and cupped her breasts through her bra, moulding them to his warm touch. She arched into him, duly aroused when she heard his groan of appreciation.

“Yes, sertia , like that,” he said thickly, before plunging his tongue in her ear.

She almost shot off the bed, but his large hands held her down, hungrily stroking her breasts, teasing the nipples into hard points. All the while she felt the heat of his large body atop hers, felt the hard contours of muscle and arousal.

His erection burned against her belly, and she pressed up against him, urging him for more.

He kissed his way down her neck and lingered at her pulse point, leaving stinging bites of desire in his wake.

Just as she was about to tear his clothes off, he stopped and leaned over her.

“This is your last chance,” he said, panting heavily. “Yes or no,” he fairly growled, his blue eyes so dark they looked black, swirling seas of desire and need.

“Yes,” she whispered and gasped.

With a speed she wouldn’t have believed had she not seen it, he whipped off her clothing and stood staring down at what he’d revealed. She couldn’t help noticing the large bulge in his trousers and ached to see his flesh bare.

He noted her gaze and smiled, a charmer’s grin of seduction that looked dangerously sincere. And she knew if she wasn’t careful, she could completely fall for this man, as countless others had. Without missing a step, Marcus peeled off first his shirt, then his shoes, socks and trousers. And stood before her naked.

Her eyes widened, aware he was huge and more than aroused. “No underwear?”

“Too constricting.”

I’ll say . She licked her lips and he focused on the movement like a predator seeking prey. A hint of nerves flared—she was finally going to get the man she’d been lusting after for months. She could only hope she’d measure up.

“You are so damned beautiful,” he rasped and descended slowly, crouching down on the bed until he knelt between her legs. He spread her thighs wide, and she grew wetter seeing his intent gaze.