Page 40 of Feral Possession

She sucked a breath like she’d resurfaced after diving into the ocean. Her face turned a delightful shade of pink and she jerked her hand from his lap, rubbing her wrist. He smirked to see goose bumps pebble her flesh.

Persephone—or was it Seraphina—fanned her cheeks. “How titillating. I’ve always suspected the bond between Chosen and benefactor was a sensual one. To share such an intimate connection must be so satisfying. Do tell us, sweet Dove. What’s it like?”

To Marcus’s dismay, the discussion around the table came to a lull. Heads swiveled their way. He’d expected to draw unwanted attention due to his injuries, not because of his Chosen.

He cringed and leaned forward, formulating a generic response, when Dove squeezed his thigh to silence him.

His molars ground. It seemed she hadn’t learned her lesson at all.

“I became Vivian Laurent’s Chosen at sixteen. While far from sexual, it was the deepest connection I’ve ever shared with anyone. We understood each other on a level most couldn’t comprehend. It’s only recently I’ve paired with Lord Steele.” Her mysterious smile even had Marcus hanging onto her next word. “Our relationship is exciting and new. Blossoming in so many surprising ways.”

“Before our eyes, I gather.” Xavier’s rounded cheeks pulled into a knowing smirk.

“Yes,” she whispered. That small admission had Marcus straightening in his seat.

Was it? No, surely. None but the most twisted of individuals would find him attractive now. Regardless of how she felt toward him, complicating their arrangement was a very bad idea.

Xavier refilled his goblet, sloshing wine onto the tablecloth. “Consider me honored to play host to your budding romance.” He raised his glass. “To new relationships, good company, overindulgence, and merriment.”

Around the table, toasts were made. Marcus drank deeply from his cup.

Rather than withdraw, Dove kept her hand on his thigh. For once, he wished he could read her thoughts. Did she do so to encourage him? Did he want to be encouraged? He inhaled, drawing in her enticing jasmine fragrance, and his thoughts grew fuzzy. Perhaps he did. The warmth of her palm branded his leg. It had been a long time since he enjoyed another’s touch. He found he didn’t hate the contact.

The room was thick with rich scents. Around him, laughter and good spirit abound. Gauzy draperies fluttered from the open windows. The gentle ocean breeze cooled the sultry evening air. It wasn’t often he found himself in such an exotic setting during a dinner party. Most were stuffy affairs. To his surprise, he didn’t hate this either.

Dove sipped from her wine glass while her fingers caressed the inside of his thigh. Blood rushed to his cock, and he swallowed a groan. Look at him, reacting no better than a randy youth. Did she think she was safe from retribution while they were in the company of others? Foolish girl. Marcus was the master of this particular game.

He parted the opening in her skirt and rested his bare hand on her knee. Dove uttered a squeak and choked on a mouthful of wine. She slapped her napkin to her lips, coughing and sputtering.

“Everything okay?” he asked, fighting a smile.

“Yep.” She gasped, tipping her head toward him, whispering, “What are you doing?”

He leaned closer, pressing his lips to her ear. “Keeping up the ruse you initiated without consulting me. The one where we play the role of a lusty couple with stars in our eyes. Well played, by the way. It’s exactly the kind of thing to endear us to Xavier.”

“All part of my plan,” she said, sounding breathless.

Little liar. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” He should have. Why he didn’t was a blur at the moment. The tempting vein in her neck thrummed with an enticing rhythm. He placed a chaste kiss on her shoulder, and her chest heaved with her quickened breath. Her breasts rising in an enticing manner. Seemed his Chosen was caught in a trap of her own making.

He stroked the inside of her knee, smirking at her indrawn breath. The female seated beside him was his. It was his blood that flowed in her veins, claiming her body and soul. He glided his fingertips higher, teasing her inner thigh. Stroking, drawing closer to her core. What would he find if he explored further? The white-knuckled grip she had on her wine glass taunted him to find out. And why shouldn’t he? She is mine.

Before Marcus could make good on the driving impulse, the doors to the dining room swung open, the guard announcing, “Magister Tiberius Steele and guest Carina Petrov.”

Marcus whipped his head around, ice sliding through his veins. What. The. Hell.

In walked his uncle, striding directly to their host. Xavier rose half out of his chair and extended his hand to Tiberius. “Welcome, welcome. So glad you could join us, magister.”

“Apologies for my tardiness.” Tiberius settled into the chair on Xavier’s left, his companion beside him. “I planned to arrive this morning but ran into some difficulties while supervising an arrest.”

“A ruler’s work is never done.” Xavier sighed, as though he knew the meaning of the word.

“Uncle,” Marcus said, tone chilly.

“Marcus,” Tiberius countered.

“I’m surprised to see you here.”

“I could say the same. Still, when Xavier invited me to this soiree, saying my nephew would be in attendance, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to relax while spending time with family.” Tiberius stroked the shoulder of the female seated next to him. “Marcus, you remember Carina.”

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