Marked by Passion (35 page)

"They know about the scrolls? I thought—"

"There's one monk who's entrusted with the secrets. He keeps track of the lineages. Which is how I found you." He smiled deprecatingly. "I borrowed his record of the five families."

"But—"

"Enough for now," he interrupted. "You're shivering. You'll feel better for a bath." He pried the keys out of my death grip, unlocked my door, and guided me inside. "We need a bag to put your soiled clothing in."

"I can handle it." Shrugging out of his hold, I headed to the kitchen for a bag. And to put some space between us. I hadn't shown anyone that much emotion in—well, forever. "You can leave."

The only sign of annoyance was his taut jaw. When he replied, his voice was all cool reason. "Not until I see you cleaned up."

To see me stripped even barer? That scared me.

He must have read my thoughts, because his hand grabbed my clothes before I could step away. "I need to make sure you're okay, Gabrielle. There's no compromise in this."

Something in his voice made me look up. His eyes blazed with concern, fury, and—

I shook my head. Exhausted, I obviously wasn't seeing straight. But I was too weary to fight it, so I led him to the kitchen and fished two bags from under the sink. I placed the knife in the first one, rolled the top closed tight, and stuck it in the fridge with the scroll.

Struck by the urge to take it out and hold it, I paused. Then I looked at Rhys.

He stared into the fridge, a faint frown around his mouth.

If he were going to take the scroll, this was the time. Considering the state I was in, he had an edge over me. I waited to see what he'd do.

Turning away, he picked up the other bag. "Bathroom, love?"

The breath I didn't know I was holding whooshed out of my lungs, and hope bloomed in my chest. Nodding, I closed the door. Rhys held out his hand, and I took it and led him away.

We squeezed inside the tiny space, me facing him but looking down. "I—"

He placed the softest kiss on my lips, halting my words. "Let me," he whispered. "Please. I need to do this."

Swallowing thickly, I nodded.

He slipped my jacket off and dropped it to one side. He efficiently stripped every layer of clothing until I stood in just my panties. Then he wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.

His body thawed me, and slowly my trembling stopped. I burrowed my head in the crook of his neck and, without thought, placed my hand over his heart—over his mark.

He inhaled sharply, and his arms clasped me closer, his hands soothing my back. He murmured words into my hair—words I couldn't hear but that comforted me nevertheless.

"Gabrielle, I need—" He swallowed and, hoarse with emotion, asked, "Where is your mark?"

Without thought, I covered the spot on my hip with my hand.

He released me, taking a small step back. I was going to protest when he dropped to his knees, his hands gripping my waist. He looked up, his gaze fierce, not asking permission but wanting me to give it anyway.

I let my hand fall away.

Triumph flushed his face. Slowly, he lowered his gaze to my right hip, just inside my pelvic bone at the elastic of my panties.

My mark.

He ran his thumb over it, and I felt it like a caress across every inch of my body. Then he leaned forward and touched his lips—one brief, electric, heart-stopping kiss—right over it.

Gasping, I arched into it.
More
.

As if he heard me, he gently bit my thigh before kissing it again, longer this time.

By the time he stopped, we were both panting. He nuzzled my panties, hooked his fingers in the elastic at the sides, and caught my eyes.

My heart pounded with excitement and, truthfully, fear. I knew what he was waiting for—I knew if I said yes there was no going back. I also knew I didn't want to consider the ramifications of what I was flirting with. I just needed to feel something besides hate and sadness. I needed to feel love, and for some reason I knew no one but Rhys could give that to me.

So I placed my hands over his and started to shimmy my underwear off.

His hands caught mine, stopping me. "Be sure, Gabrielle."

At the moment, it was the only thing I was sure of. I wanted this. I wanted him. Pushing his hands aside, I slipped out of my panties and tossed them aside.

His eyes blazed with emotions so deep I thought I could drown in their depths. Slowly he lowered his gaze, skimming over my lips, down my neck, my breasts, and abdomen, to rest at the juncture of my legs.

I widened my stance. Just in case he needed encouragement.

Rhys dipped one long finger in, grazing ever-so-lightly over the moist folds. Suddenly, he popped to his feet, tangled his hands in my hair, and brought his mouth down to ravage mine.

Every lick of his tongue was like a fire burning inside me. I ran my hands over his shoulders and down his arms to pull him closer. It turned me on to feel him dressed against my completely bare skin, but I knew it'd turn me on even more to feel him naked. I tugged his jacket and murmured into his mouth. "Off."

"Bed?" he asked without breaking our kiss.

My futon. But that was in the living room, and I was afraid if we took the time to relocate I'd come to my senses. Plus, who knew where Wu was and when he'd turn up. I shook my head. "Here."

He lifted his head and stared down at me. He frowned a little, but I didn't care, since he grabbed my butt and set me on the counter.

Wrapping my legs around his waist, I dragged him tight against me. The fly of his jeans rasped me intimately, and when I pressed closer I felt how hard he was. For me.

He shrugged out of his jacket and tore his shirt over his head. I let my legs fall open so he could take his pants off. Watching me hungrily, he pulled a condom from his pocket and undid the top button of his jeans. "Touch yourself."

"Bossy," I accused, but I slid a hand down to brush over my clit. I gasped, the feeling so much more intense than when I touched myself all alone, and I wondered if it was because Rhys had me so primed or because I wanted him so much. Much more than I'd ever wanted anyone else.

Dipping my finger lower, I moaned. Wet—so wet. I imagined Rhys doing this to me, his strong finger buried in me, his mouth making love to me. I moaned again and let my head fall back.

And I hit the mirror behind me. "Ouch."

"Next time we'll use my bathroom," he said, unzipping his jeans. "It's bigger."

I surprised myself by smiling. I hadn't thought I'd ever smile again. "It's always about size with you men."

He frowned, his eyes narrowing. He shoved his pants and underwear down and clasped me against his chest. "Don't mention other men to me," he said before he kissed me to an inch of my life.

Just when I thought I was going to pass out from the intensity, he arched me back to kiss down my neck to my breasts. He hovered there a moment before he covered a nipple with his hot mouth.

It was like flames licking at me, and, grabbing his hair, I cried out.
Tu ch’i
pulsed to life, echoing the pounding of my heart. Instead of repressing it, I let it flow through me and mingle with Rhys's energy.

With a low groan, he switched to my other breast, laving it with the scorching attention. Conscious of his hands resting at my hips, I didn't know whether to tell him to hurry it up or slow it down so I could hold on to this feeling forever.

I opted to hurry it up. And because actions spoke louder than words ... I slipped my hand between our bodies to clasp his hard-on.

We both froze as I explored what I had a hold of. Thick. Silky. Hard. Really hard. I gave it a test squeeze.

Rhys growled, his hands tightening on my hips. "Don't toy with me, Gabrielle."

"I'm not." I looked into his eyes, seeing how close he was to losing it. And it thrilled me. "I want you."

Something shifted in his gaze. Tearing the condom packet open, he unrolled it over his erection and, with another growl, he tilted me back, positioned himself, and pushed himself into me.

Full. Hot. Perfect.

Gasping, I speared my fingers into his hair to bring him closer. I clenched his waist with my legs and rocked against him.

His hand snaked up to cup my breast, and the gentle abrasion of his palm felt so good I undulated against it. He placed one hand on the small of my back, tilting my hips, and thrust.

We groaned together.

Leaning in, he bit the curve of my neck, soothing it with a kiss. "You make me burn."

Panting, I shook my head. The heat of him scorched me on the inside, and the friction with his every surge only made me hotter. "You've got that backward."

"Do I?" he said, his breath choppy. Staring into my eyes, he sank in and out of me, slowing his pace as if to make sure I felt every smooth inch of his cock.

"Yeah, pretty sure you do." I moaned again as he rubbed against just the right spot.

"Yes, love," Rhys whispered, his blue eyes filling my vision as limitless and open as the sky. He began to thrust longer and deeper. "Give yourself to me."

He was just as close—I felt it in the way his hard-on throbbed and the greedy grip of his hands on my body. I clutched him with my legs to match his movements, wanting to drive him over the edge as much as I wanted my own release. Just as I felt myself start to swell with my climax, he rolled my nipple and squeezed.

I cried out as I came apart. Then I heard his answering shout, saw the blazing passion in his gaze, and, with one last driving push, felt him come, too.

My hands still tangled in his hair, I slumped against his chest. I could feel him still firm inside me, distantly noting that he pulsed in tune to my heartbeat.

He held me to him, safe and secure.

"I could stay here forever," I murmured against his mark.

His arms tightened around me. After a moment, he pressed a kiss on my temple and slowly withdrew from me.

Frowning, I blinked at him. "What—"

A soft kiss silenced me. "You've yet to take your bath."

Oh. Right. I sat on the counter, befuddled as he turned on the faucet and adjusted the water's temperature. When the bathroom began to steam up, he lifted me into the shower.

"You aren't joining me?" I asked when he started to close the curtain.

"Next time, love." He ran a finger over my mark, and I shivered, my body instantly taut with need again. He shook his head and said, "We have all the time in the world," but I saw the desire flare in his eyes all over again.

He snapped the curtain shut, and I stood under the spray, listening to him getting dressed. Hoping. But then I heard the door open and shut, and I resigned myself to showering alone.

Overwhelmed by everything that had happened tonight, I closed my eyes and soaked under the shower. The hot water brought me back to the moment, renewing me in a way I hadn't thought possible an hour ago.

Or maybe Rhys had done that. I paused as I scrubbed myself, trying to pin the emotion churning in my chest.

When I finished, I found a clean set of sweats on the counter next to the sink and all my bloodied clothes taken away. Rhys was waiting for me in the living room when I came out.

So was Wu.

"What is this man doing here?" Wu demanded when he saw me. His arms were crossed and his mouth set in a severe scowl. "Do you know who he is?"

Not now
. But at least he hadn't barged in while we were having sex. I glanced at Rhys. "I'm sorry, but you should go."

He came to me and took my hand. "I assume the ghost is friendly?"

"Spirit," Wu corrected.

Blinking, I gaped at Rhys. "You can see him?"

"I can see a vague outline. He speaks to you?"

"You can't hear him?"

"No. Who is he?"

"My scroll ghost." I frowned at the way he cocked his eyebrow in question. "Your scroll didn't come with a ghost?"

"No." Rhys reached out, hand still several inches from Wu. "Interesting."

Wu glowed brighter, showing his agitation, and waved his arms frantically. "Get away from him, Gabrielle! He's another Guardian. He's after your scroll."

"Tell me something I don't know." Shivering from the creepy cold as his arm passed through me, I waved Wu away. "Stop that."

"
Think
, Gabrielle," Wu exploded. "What other reason can he have for finding you and being here with you?"

"None." At least for finding me. For being here ... I glanced at Rhys, remembering how reverently he touched me. Wanting him to love me like that again.

Wanting him to love me. Period.

As if he sensed my surprise, Rhys squeezed my hand. "What's happened?"

My brother had turned out to be the bad guy, and the bad guy was turning out to be my Prince Charming— that's what had happened. But I said, "Wu, my father's ghost, thinks you only want my scroll."

"I only care what you think."

"I—" Confused, I shook my head.

"Gabrielle, I came to you with less-than-sterling intentions. I've told you, I won't apologize for them. I can't be sorry I was led to you. I found a woman I never dreamed existed. A spirited, talented, passionate, beautiful woman who set me on fire in a way my powers never did." He lifted my chin, his gaze solemn and earnest. "I found home. None of the money in the world can buy the home I've found in your arms."

Tears flooded my eyes, and I tried to duck my head.

He held firm, not letting me hide. "I am sorry I hurt you, but believe that I want the best for you. I want to help you develop your powers. I want to protect you. I want to love you."

My heart clenched, elated and afraid. "Pretty words—"

"Which I mean." His eyes burned with sincerity. "Don't judge me for my original intentions. Judge me on what you've seen with your own eyes."

"Tell me you don't believe him," Wu demanded from the sidelines.

"I don't know what to believe," I said, addressing both at the same time.

Rhys brought my wrist to his lips. "Believe that I love you. I love you with the force of my being."

Wu drifted next to us, scowling fiercely. "He loves your scroll."

Overwhelmed, exhausted, completely depleted, I disengaged and stepped back. "I need time."