This Is Where I Want To Be

212. Restoration

Chris

Juliet was sitting on the couch in her office, waiting for Michael and me. I paused after the door slid open, taking in the scene. She was deep in thought, her head leaned low over her knees, picking at her fingernails. I took in a deep breath, feeling a little guilty; I decided not to tell her about my conversation with Selena. For some reason, Juliet didn’t want us to sleep with her at night, and as a result, it didn’t leave much time for us to have long conversations… I stepped over the threshold and joined her on the couch. I pulled her onto my chest. She came willingly and softened in my arms. I had not only thought about Sita and our marriage but Juliet at the beginning of our relationship. Juliet had loved me for so long before I even saw her for the first time. She still loved me and… The smell of her hair under my nose calmed me. The familiar perfume she used still sent me spiraling. Her instant touches to my chest and our fingers joining made me close my eyes and forget about everything. After my talk with Jessy, I felt even worse for what I had done. What she had to go through. “Please go back,” she whispered with desperation in her voice. I could feel her breath on my neck, but I didn’t reply.

My grip tightened around her because Marcus had asked me the same thing. I had gone to see him one time. He had not spoken to me. All he asked was for me to go back. With all the children, it wasn’t that easy. It is only one timeline, and I’m the only one that gets replaced with a future me. I would have to take all of them. It could never work if it’s not an hour or a day. I had thought about it so many times. Three babies. Two toddlers and one teenager. I didn’t believe I could take someone with me, let alone six others. After those considerations, there were the other people in our lives who might not feel the same way. Charlene, Kubra and Romero. Carl would be back under his father’s thumb, and although Michael didn’t take well to manifesting… I didn’t think he would want to give it up. Marcus would still be living with Qadir. I shuddered at the thought. Regardless, Juliet and Marcus would rather want to be back there… in their compound of hell, than go through what they were going through. “Chris.”

“Yeah.”

“Michael is here,” I snapped out of my planning. Juliet stood to her feet.

“We ready to go?” Michael asked, rubbing his hands together. “My side is waiting. Let’s do this.”

“I’ve changed my mind,” Juliet said softly.

“What?” “Why?” Michael and I said at the same time. We were ready to go help Earth. Our teleporters were manned to transfer people all over the world to secure locations. Our army was already dressed and waiting on that field. We had no more threats on En-gannim and could send all our men and women to make a significant difference. Michael had figured out where to get food and water for the starving survivors.

Juliet’s eyes came up and looked from me to Michael, “I’ve… been meeting with Jade.” Michael and I shared a look. “I fixed their teleporter,” I wanted to say something, “I know… I was gambling, reckless, and put myself in danger. But… Marcus. It was the only way I could get him out… safely…”

It was frustrating seeing her like that. My Juliet wasn’t there anymore. Everything we said, everything Soren had said and done, was clouding her judgment. I was not used to seeing her filled with doubt… Too many words were uttered, and too many truths had come to light. “What’s the conditions?” I asked. I would at least try to fulfill my role. I would see her again—my Juliet.

“To choose who we want on Palmyra…”

“Jade is fed up with Ian, isn’t she,” I ventured.

Juliet nodded and answered, “I have to tell you. I want to go in there and wipe them out as we planned. But leaving them on Earth might be better for all of us. We can always help Earth… But I don’t want two Enemies. It seems Fahan wanted to cut the connection between Ian and him for a long time… Soren doesn’t want to kill Ian.”

“You went to talk to Fahan?”

She shook her head, “When we were there, he came to talk to me a few times. Felt bad that he couldn’t get me out. Sat and kept me sane some of the time… One positive is that Ian and Soren think they have to kill a branded mate, and the others die out. Like we believed.”

“But it’s the other way around. Soren doesn’t know what happened to the werewolves or to Charlene.” Juliet nodded. “Look at you making connections and climbing the corporate ladder.” I thought it would at least draw out a smile from her—nothing.

“I… am sorry. Marcus took me out about letting one relationship I struggle with dictate the others. First, it was Marcus and Louis… then it was Marcus, then you. Then Michael… And now—”

“I can see the pattern,” Michael interrupted. That made her smile. “But Juliet… Please give yourself a break.”

She looked up for the first time and met Michael’s gaze…“It wasn’t my fault, none of it?” Her voice trembled, “It was always one of you that caused something? I did the best I could. All of us did…” She huffed and turned around. I had not made her talk after she came back from Soren. Juliet was holding back tears, “He hasn’t spoken to me in eight months.” She struggled to compose herself and turned toward us again, “We had one fight… where we said so much, and it wasn’t all good things… We only had sex once and was rudely interrupted.”

“It’s not about Louis, is it?” She shook her head. “You know he will come back.”

“The whore pulls me out of bed every night, makes me walk the ten steps to the door, makes me stand there until he’s tired, and lets me go…” I frowned and shared a look with Michael. “He even knows when I’m alone in bed and on En-gannim. As if he’s counted the amount of steps it would take.”

“Why, you’ve not wanted any of us there.” She nodded. “How do you know it’s not Marcus?”

Juliet’s eyes came up, and she shook her head, “Marcus is not the sentimental type… I don’t want to push. My one rule. I won’t force anyone to stay… Every time I do fight to keep them,” she held my gaze. “You’re the only one who doesn’t mind.” I smiled, but it bothered me that neither of us had fought this time to dig deeper and find common ground on the subject.

Michael approached her, placed his hand on either side of her face, and lifted her eyes to his, “I think you know that’s not true… anymore. Every time you have, it might not have been what I wanted—but what I needed.” Juliet’s lips pulled tight around her mouth. “Maybe it’s time for you and Marcus. Go. Stay there and don’t worry. I think Chris and I can handle things,” he glanced at me, and I smiled. Michael had changed so much; I hardly recognized him. “Chris, you need to say goodbye?” he leaned down and kissed her, “I’m kind of sexed out.”

Juliet’s lips pressed together, holding back a smile. Instant naughty mirth filled her features. I tilted my head, “Me too.”

Michael’s head turned, and he let her go. She spun around, and we knew. “Every day?” he asked.

“Yeah, for the last three months.”

“Me too!” Michael answered

We both glared at Juliet. She was falling face down onto the couch.

“You trying to get pregnant again, flipping a coin? Is this about your dream?”

Her muffled voice was barely audible…“No, I’m on birth control.”

“What!”

“Trying to catch up to the whore?” I asked.

Juliet laughed. It was the first time she had in three months. Michael and I were so happy. I had to keep going, “You want to try it together.”

Juliet laughed even more, “That would be so funny. The two of you.”

“We would do it for you. Just to make you laugh,” Michael pitched in.

Juliet turned and sat up, her feet dangling over the side of the couch, “Can you please go back?”

“I would... Marcus asked me too.” Juliet let out a raggedy, breathy groan.

Michael sat down where I was only a few minutes ago, “I don’t think telling you everything will be okay will help at this point.” Juliet fell back, and her head landed on his lap. “Every day?” he looked at me, “Your celibacy is out the window.”

“Why do you think I go to Zoreah twice a week,” they both laughed. “I long for the day my girlfriend crossed the galaxy for a booty call.”

“I will never forget that day. Poor Jamal,” Juliet laughed again, “I saw him the other day… with one of the vampire girls.”

“No!” I had to sit down. “He’s moving on. I’m so happy.”

“She is so pretty and feisty. He introduced me and doesn’t know what to do with her. Asked me for advice.”

“Ira, the other day, when we told him about not mixing the species,” Michael said.

“That was a good day,” Juliet jumped up, “Okay! You convinced me. Jessy has all the plans for today. It’s rather simple. Everything here is running smoothly.” She handed me a plate, “Jade is the only one you guys can work with... She will explain everything to you.” I nodded. “Tell her I will come back, and we will meet with Charlene.”

“We will handle it,” Michael slapped her ass. She jumped forward and spun around. “What you gonna do. I’m so ready. Had a lot of practice.”

She laughed, rubbing her ass. She placed a chaste kiss on his lips, “I’ll be either back later today—”

“Or we will see you in a while, My Queen.”

“Oh,” she groaned, “I can get used to this,” she kissed him again.

Juliet walked over and stopped in front of me, “You… really… sexed out? Riphath?” I pulled her in for a hug. No kiss. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nestled into her hair and relaxed, hoping I would not have to go back.

Juliet reciprocated and melted against me, “I can never have enough,” I whispered. She was reluctant to let me go. I knew what she needed, but I couldn’t give it to her. I was still too angry and hoped that Marcus would have a better idea of how to handle—this. I pushed her away and out the door.

Michael and I became serious as soon as the doors closed, “We have to find him,” Michael said.

“Yeah. You didn’t stop looking, did you?”

“No.”

***

Louis

The air was brisk that morning; the field covered in a layer of fog. Our spies had told us where Soren and Ian would come out, and we were scouting the area. They were attacking Europe that day. They always had one spot they needed to travel to for days to get enough men on the ground.

I had been going from continent to continent to regroup the watchers and finish what Michael had put into motion. Tried to talk to the most influential generals. I thought that if Earth didn’t unite the armies left, they would get nowhere. It took them a month to decide where the world wanted to populate, who would be in charge, and how to get it all done without teleporters, boats, or any transportation.

Soren used Africa as their feeding ground. The nations there had no way to counter the attacks. The people were rushing for the borders like Zoreah did for the winter, traveling for months to reach or even find secluded areas. If you could look at Earth from the air, you would see trains of people walking out in lines from populated cities. Rows of ants in Lyla’s jar. The safest thing was to be somewhere on a boat. Scattering was what Earth called it. America had fled in desperate attempts since Fahan was moving east. And most of Ian’s troops had been there clearing the place for months, crippling the infrastructures of every city, town and farm. It was as if they wanted to start from scratch. The rest of the world was still being targeted with surprise attacks, and the numbers were dwindling.

For the first time, I regretted not growing up on the compound. Being conditioned into society… was maybe better… than what I had done to pass the time. I didn’t allow myself too much time to go down that road and what it meant for my future. There was too much to do.

Before I left, I had figured out how to bypass En-gannims' controlled teleporting system. I used the power without anyone knowing, and no one was helping me. I was coming and going with a plate in hand. The nights I pulled Juliet out of bed were the only thing I had left to convince myself she was still there. However, every time, I was reminded that my life was really a nightmare and I wasn’t stuck in some dream… We were apart, and I couldn’t face her. Samuel and I were in contact. Only to let me know when she would be alone and in her bed. That was all I asked for, and it was all he said. I didn’t know what was going on with Juliet or with En-gannim. It left me empty, and the space she had filled and satisfied was draining out again.

Once the fighting on En-gannim started and I was in my vampire manifestation most of the time, my demons surfaced again, the ones Rodrigo had unleashed. It was the reason I ignored her for three months; I didn’t want to take it out on her. After Soren, it had been more months, so for almost eight months, Juliet and I had not had one decent conversation or sex... Even though I was two hundred years old, and time meant nothing to me anymore, it wasn’t the case for her. She felt every second of every minute. The longer I stayed away, the worse it would get. My past had caught up to me. I couldn’t read her anymore, and I was losing my mind.

All the destruction I had seen was because of one girl… And my entire future lay in the hands of another. There really was nothing else Lyla could do but watch the world crumble. I did fear Jacklin would go to Soren. It was a possibility. But in the end, it wouldn’t matter; what could she possibly do? I didn’t even know who she was.

I let out a heavy sigh, waiting, and glanced at Carl next to me. The four men had not left my side. I felt guilty because they didn’t want to go home without me. The five of us were waiting for the first wave. We were always ready. Strangely, Ian didn’t realize we had spies in their midst. They kept coming, and the numbers rose for a few minutes. If there was insufficient traction, it would stop, and they would move to a different location where we would have more men waiting. Our spies were on the ball, giving us the coordinates of the day. And so it went all over Europe. Traveling, fighting. Back and forth. Piggybacking on where they would go. I had seen Jade a few times, even Fahan. I didn’t think they knew who I was. She had taken much of the ground we thought we could keep but, in the end, needed to retreat.

At that moment, we were figuring out where to get the men their next meal, let alone do any damage in future attacks. I just teleported to Zoreah, hunted, and came back. People were more challenging to feed. With the water sources poisoned, it was becoming harder and harder to find places Ian and Soren had not gotten their hands on.

We had to keep Europe—if we lost it—it would be over. Our men had come and reported the day’s events. Ian and Soren were planning three different sites to attack. The five of us would scout all three coordinates and report back while the armies fought with their last breath. With the one plate, we needed to travel one at a time. It was a pain, but it couldn’t be helped.

We were hiding at the last location. It wasn’t in Europe. Jade dropped down, and the five of us looked at each other in confusion. After that, Chadari groups of thirty dropped down, moving out of the way for the next one until all you could see were thousands of them. Fahan was the last to come. He walked around the group, pushing them together. He met up with Jade, drew her into his arms, and kissed her temple. Jade held up a plate. It was different… I drew in a breath. It was the giant teleporter on En-gannims'. In the blink of an eye, they were all gone. The five of us stood to our feet, stunned. Didn’t know what it meant or how it happened. I traveled back to the other two locations. Ian was at one and Soren at the other.

I traveled back to Carl and the other men, “Ian and Soren are still fighting.”

Carl walked up to me, “What the hell just happened? The Chadri left them here?”

“I don’t know?”

“Can we go home now, Louis? What if the Chadari go to En-gannim?” Carl asked. I pushed the plate into his hand. “You can’t stay here.” Carl glanced around him, “If Ian is stuck on Earth, it will be a never-ending war…” I turned away from him. “Come on, Louis. It’s time you go back. Don’t run away from your responsibilities.”

I couldn’t look at him, “I can’t.”

“You were supposed to stay, Louis.” I closed my eyes at his words. “She would’ve forgiven you anything if you had stayed.” I pressed my fingers into my eyes to make the tears stop. “You always do this. I don’t understand with everything you can do. Why do you always pull away?” I shook my head. “Louis… you can’t be scared right now. You have to ask.”

The boy knew us so well, all the little details of my whole life. Everyone knew, and I didn’t think Marcus would accept me anymore. Chris or Michael. It was over, and I could do nothing about it. “Carl… Go, please. Send the plate back when you’re able.” I spun around and pointed my finger at him. “And do not tell her where I am! Do you understand me?” The boy glared at me in disgust. I knew. It was how I felt about myself. “Go Carl. Charlene is waiting. I’ll wait here for the plate.”

Carl swore and walked around for a while, thinking. He talked to the four men, and one by one, they disappeared. At least I found Carl. It did mean something. Jack was the last to leave. I looked at him and saw his reluctance. We had never talked about all he had to go through because of me. Jack’s face was as composed as Marcus’s. He never showed emotions or seemed ruled by anything that came his way. “I’ve watched you the last few months we were here. You’re stronger… You’re out of control on the battlefield. Never in your normal manifestation… The day Michael gave you that first shot, I knew… It’s not your fault!” My eyes filled with tears. “The day Juliet put her hand in yours… Held on to you… and didn’t even realize she was doing it…” The first tear dropped. “Louis… You can’t save yourself. You need her.”

Jack disappeared, and I crumbled to my knees. The plate came back immediately. I hesitated to pick it up, deciding if I would go home. Stared at it for a long time, wondering what lay down that road... Wherever I was, the sun was bright, and I lifted my head to the warmth… If I didn’t have Juliet anymore, I didn’t want to know. Decided, I picked up the plate and buried it all even deeper.

A message from Samuel.

Sam { Juliet is out of The Tower for the foreseeable future }

I wanted to toss the thing into a rock. Take away the only way I could ever go back. I felt uncomfortable in my own skin. The one and only thing that brought me any peace was a message Juliet had sent. In all the time I had been on Earth, it had kept me sane.

Juliet { Please come back home }

It broke me every time I read it. It made my chest shake, and every muscle tightened to not run back… But I wasn’t worried anymore. She wouldn’t completely break down if one of us left—even me. I was sure she had grown up enough to not be that romantic anymore. She was not seventeen anymore. Her relationships with the other men were her problem, and knowing what she and Marcus had gone through together. It would be the worst time for me to go back.

***

Juliet

My heart was filled with trepidation all the way to a place I’d never seen. My eyes were not on the landscape or the house. I was making my way from the station towards… Marcus. The intoxicating anxiety I’ve always had about him would never go away. Keenly, it rose in waves with every step I took. The same eagerness I could not curb at fourteen, nor could I take control of it at twenty-three. The instant longing and satisfaction he could give me—I would lose—if it was over between us.

He was seated in a chair nestled in a cut patch of grass, looking out over the vast pink ocean. No stoic expression on his face. A numbness I had not seen... As his thoughts drifted, a frown played on his brow. His lips tightened, and he shifted around uncomfortably. It was terrifying seeing Marcus so uneasy in his own skin. The three months I had been pregnant, he was at least calm and civil. Agatha was with him, playing with Naji in her arms. The baby was fussing, and Agatha couldn’t get Marcus to look at her or his son. I drew in a breath at the scene. I had taken everything he ever wanted away from him. She was exasperated, signing with one hand. Unfeeling, Marcus would turn his head from her and the baby. Naji would fuss even more, being jerked around by all the movement of her body and arms.

Agatha was irritated, and her head came up; seeing me, she abruptly stopped her rant. I waved to say hello and signed to ask her to give us a minute. Marcus didn’t even notice our exchange or her shift in behavior. He waited till she was gone and continued his aimless peering into what I could now see was... nothing. Marcus was caught in a mindless spiral of thoughts. Once she was gone, he lay back, and the numbness took hold.

The grass was long, swaying softly in the wind. I stepped through, gliding my hand over the blades, only a tiny distance left to cover. It was so quiet and peaceful, yet Marcus’s heart was racing. It would slow down and quickly climb again. The following five minutes would either end Marcus and I or—

I moved closer and closer until I was behind his chair and stood for a while, waiting for him to notice me. It didn’t come. He either didn’t even register or wanted me to go… Reluctantly, I reached out and ran my fingers through his hair. Marcus grabbed my wrist and pulled me down on his lap. He buried his face in my chest and let out an agonizing cry. His fingers closed around my shirt, pulling it tight around my shoulders. For a moment, there were no sounds, and then he wept uncontrollably. Painful guttural sounds broke through the desolate wails escaping his shaking chest. His fingers clutched and unclutched against my skin. He pressed himself against me in frustrated movements, sobbing. I glanced up. Agatha had come out and stood at the door. Her eyes were drooping pits of despair for her child—her only child. She turned, and I soon followed him in his grief, wrapping my arms around him and resting my chin on his hair. Tears mindlessly ran down my cheeks. Marcus tried to breathe but couldn’t. It was too much, and I let it run its course. For a long time, he wept until his breathing evened out, and his head turned to the side, still fixed in my arms. I drew him close, and he pulled me in. My heart was racing. His was suddenly calm. I didn’t know what it meant.

Agatha stood at the door, and I nodded. She dared to approach us and handed me the baby. She held out some tissues for Marcus. I smiled down at our son. He was so cute until he was not, manifesting in and out while he slept. Marcus rested his head on my chest and looked at the boy. Agatha said she was leaving and ran her hand over Marcus’s hair; he clasped it and pressed his lips to her palm. They both let go, and she was gone. For a moment, I let it all sink in. Waited till Marcus touched his child. He did, and his other arm came around me and drew both of us in for a hug.

I breathed out my reluctance and stood up to walk around, talking to Naji. He was waking up. Still so small. I kissed his cheek and nestled into his neck, “Boy, but you’re ugly like that.” Marcus chuckled. I turned at the sound. Our eyes met, holding each other in that moment, conveying words that were better left unsaid. I’m sorry. Will you forgive me? It’s all my fault. What can I do to make it better? I f— up. My eyes left him and roamed over the landscape and the house. My gaze had to drift high up into the sky. Three stories of beauty. I took it all in and cursed myself for being so stupid.

Naji and I stepped through the door. I gasped. It was bigger than I thought. I smiled at all the reading nooks in narrow little alcoves. Some had large cushions on the floor at each bookcase. Others had built-in benches with a view against large windows. Candles and coffee tables. Dim lighting and inviting blankets. Another was sunken into the ground with round couches and a fireplace on one side.

There were so many books—everywhere. Paper books. Between the fantasy lay a large kitchen, and in another corner, hidden away between two high walls, was a dining room; I walked around the bend to take in the hidden space, which revealed more books on either side of a big wooden table. It was too much. The sandy-colored stone they used to build all their structures complemented the light interior, pale wood finishings, and clean but homey lines. Plants grew out from every corner or hanging holders that could bring the place to life.

I heard Marcus in the shower and wondered what the room would look like. I couldn’t find the room or him. It was strange looking for stairs. There would be none. I searched for a booth or a corner that would take me to the next floor. I glanced around and saw a hollow-out space with a plate on the wall. I stepped in and came out on the second floor. I jolted and had to pause for a moment, taking in every detail. There was no bathroom. It was one large story of the house—just for the bed. A massive open floor with a mattress laid on a stone slab in the middle of the wall, close to the arched windows. With no glass. None of the Venetian arches framed any security to the elements. The roof was draped with interval curtains on either side of the room, hanging low to the ground, creating a walkway—to the bed.

The water stopped running. Marcus came out behind me and slid his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. I drew in a breath; this was it. “Juliet.” I reached around to feel him one more time. “I don’t want you to stay with me because of… history or a baby… or because we’ve come so far. Or because of that mark on you.”

I turned around quickly to face him. His arms dropped, and his hands hung by his sides. I searched his eyes, “I can’t live without you. Please don’t leave. Please, Marcus. I will do anything. I know I screwed up in ways I can never take back.” I went on my knees with our baby in my arms and pressed my head to his stomach.

He placed a hand on my shoulder and kneaded my skin, “I… don’t want to leave.”

Marcus waved his hand in front of the wall. I got up. A glass bassinet appeared. He took Naji, put him inside, and waved again. My baby disappeared— “Whe—” Marcus’s lips were on mine, soft and tenderly moving. He held my face in two hands, kissing and releasing, looking down into my eyes. More subtle kisses. Not his usual passion. I had a feeling it wouldn’t be the same as always. It would be like the first time we slept together, pushing through to connect. Other people had to tell us it was time. If Marcus wanted to push through and stay, I would, too. I will let him set the pace and match his touch. He was being so careful with me. I reached around his waist and groaned inwardly, realizing what was going on. Why he had stayed away for months. Why his kisses were different. Why I had slept with Chris and Michael every day. Why I had asked Michael two days later to love me up against a wall. And why Louis left. It was because of what we saw… Not that we were disconnected… It was because of Louis.

I softened my lips under the gentle persuasion between us. Hands touched me with careful consideration. He lifted his head and led me to the bed, looking back at me. He sat down, and his eyes met mine, begging me to forgive him. I held out my hands. Marcus paused but placed his in mine. I took them and put them on my breasts. Marcus broke our gaze, thinking. It took a moment, and he smiled. He closed his eyes and nodded. I unbuttoned my shirt while his hands cupped my mounds, and his thumbs rubbed over my nipples. Our eyes held fast to the future we knew we had. Once the last button was done, his fingers drifted up to my shoulders, and the material fell to the floor. His hands kept moving, caressing my skin, down between my breasts and over my stomach, back up again in between my breasts, feeling the crevice of my collarbone. His thumb laced in my bra strap and slipped it off my shoulder. His hand kept grazing my skin to the other side, and he did the same. I reached behind me and unclipped my bra, letting it fall to the ground. The chill in the air caught me off guard. My nipples perked up and pebbled. Marcus smiled, and we both looked out over the view. The open windows did not think about that. I looked at the bed. It was covered in thick duvets and blankets. A lot of pillows. It all made sense. I looked down at him and ran my hands through his hair to bring him back to me. He could worry about windows later.

He looked up, and I took his face in my hands and lowered down on him, hovering my lips above his. I parted my thighs over his legs and stepped onto the bed with my knees. Marcus went with me, lying down and waiting. My thumb slid into his mouth. His lips closed around my skin, playing with my finger, licking and sucking. I shuddered at the feel of the hard strokes of his tongue on my skin. He grinned. I was getting there, and he knew. I tugged down for him to open. He relaxed and waited as I came down on him. Our lips met with mutual desire. My kiss was persuasive and longingly taking possession of my territory. His head came up to deepen the kiss, his hands grasped my breast, and I pressed myself onto his bulging length. He drew in a muffled breath and went directly to unlace the strings at my waist, undid a button, and slowly unzipped my pants. He was holding back but was also getting there as I moved over him. His hand cupped eagerly into my underwear, and one finger felt its way between my folds. He slid in without any friction. Marcus moaned into my mouth. His other hand slid over my back and pushed me down as his finger delved deep, in and out. The next thrust was two. I couldn’t look at him anymore. My face turned and rested on his forehead, matching his rhythm. His lips found my skin and trailed lethargic languid, licking kisses behind my ear and down my throat.

My pants didn’t leave much room for him to work. He let his fingers slide out of me. Irritated, I looked at him. He smiled and touched my breast at the same time, kneading and rubbing his thumb over the taught dark skin. “I can’t anymore, Marcus. It hurts.” It was all I had to say. He lovingly pushed me over onto my back, stepped off the bed, and pulled down my pants and underwear at the same time, holding my gaze. I writhed around, waiting. He flung off the towel and tossed it aside. I took in all of him and fell back on the bed, lifting my eyes to the roof, thanking the universe that I did not lose him after all. I felt him pushing my legs open with his, and I waited. Nothing happened. I came up on my elbows. He rested on an outstretched arm next to me and leaned over me, catching my lips. Our kiss was not soft and slow anymore. He took himself in hand and rubbed soft skin against mine. I moaned as he used himself up and down my heated flesh, letting his mouth leave mine to work its way down to close around my nipple, taking as much of my breast as he could into his lips.

My knees came up, and I opened my thighs even wider, focused on every movement, willing him closer. I felt his thighs more firmly against mine. He nudged at my entrance, taunting me. He kept sliding over my length in rhythmic, warm strides, nudging inside me to wet and spread every part of me, focused on my most sensitive part, and waited. I was throbbing, wanting his full length to fill every inch of me. “You have to talk to me.” I nodded, and the next thrust buried himself in me. He groaned as he retreated and thrust in again, and again, and again. Agile fingers swiped with every firm push, insistent for me to let go. “Juliet?” Marcus whispered. I shook my head and grabbed the sheets next to me. My back arched. Marcus laughed softly. I clamped uncontrollably down on him in ripples of pleasure. He waited and slowed his movements while I came down off my high. I nodded, and he lifted his finger off me. “May I.”

I giggled and nodded. Marcus was not going to lose control. He finished slowly and tamely, lying on top of me, breathing ragged, panting breaths. “Do you have nothing to say to me?” he asked breathlessly.

“Thank You.” Marcus laughed and pulled out of me, rolling onto his back. I dragged a pillow down and clutched it with my head and arms. I closed my eyes and drifted off.