Page 22 of Marked for Redemption

“There had to be one, Colton. I don’t think that I would have been that malicious if there wasn’t.” I hurried my words so that he didn’t kill me while I tried to explain. “Hoping the core of who I am is still the same. I would have never done that to you if I knew who you were. I hope I was doing it to protect people. That there was a just cause. I hate that you were the casualty. I violated your trust, broke your heart, and I can’t even apologize to you in a way that rights the wrong. You deserve better, my love. You shouldn’t have to face your tormentor every day just because I’m human and need protection. Colton, you’re not crazy. Not a fool. I think that the reason I continued was because I felt that connection between us, too. Somewhere along the lines, maybe things had blurred.”

“But you don’t know that for sure, do you?”

“I don’t. You said I did it for weeks. Made you have affection toward me. Listening to how far gone you were for me, it sounds like you weren’t alone. If it was just you and I, no sound, me inside your head… I would have been lonely, too.”

“Victim.” He scoffed.

“No. A fact. A hard one at that. I was in there,” I tapped his head, “because I wanted to be. I think I needed you, too.”

“It changes nothing.”

“You’re correct. I violated you. There aren’t any excuses for what I did.” I turned to look into his eyes. “None.” Though I couldn’t remember it, he lived it every day, and I hated that I’d hurt him this way.

He roughly grabbed my waist from the right while his left caressed the side of my breast. He bit the side of my neck with just enough pressure to leave a mark without breaking the skin. His body covered mine, warming me differently. The kind where your core melts and your breathing becomes erratic. He pulled my legs apart and nestled between them. His shorts were the only thing that separated us. He was hard, his member pushing against the fabric of his sleepwear, begging to be freed, to enter my core.

Colton rocked against me, prodding my entrance through the cloth. I spread for him, eager to feel him in any way that wasn’t jaded. He lowered his head between my breasts, licking down the center of my body. He kissed my stomach before nipping along the softest parts. More kisses followed as he moved south, taking a long lick as he parted my folds and sloshed his tongue inside me.

“Colton!” I moaned out.

He tongue fucked me, but slowly withdrew and moved onto the bed.

“Good night, little slave.” He directed.

I silently protested. I needed more than what he’d offered. However, this was a move in the right direction. Even the smallest amount of attention that wasn’t harsh was good. I may have lost the battle, but I was determined to win the war.

Standing up, I leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Good night, Master.”

I walked out of the room and crawled onto the couch. Positive that we’d made strides, I closed my eyes to sleep. I’d left my towel in the bedroom and didn’t want to take any chances by going back for it. During the night, Colton brought me a blanket and covered me completely. The lone gesture gave me hope.

Maybe there was a chance.

Maybe.

COLTON

During the meeting to discuss humans, I couldn’t focus on the shortage. My mind was on the one living with me. She was the enemy yet, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her going through this transition. Whatever was happening didn’t give her the advantages she already had. She couldn’t see the change in her features as I could.

The definition in her muscles was missing, making her softer. I noticed all the places to sink my teeth. She even tastes different. Not like Zendaya, but not like Renee either. Before, she smelled like rose water. Now it reminded me of something more tame and sweet. Less spice, more sugar. Almost like fruit. And I’d fucking sampled her. What the fuck was wrong with me?

“Colton?” The call of my name drew my attention.

“Yes?” I raised my eyebrow.

“Any thoughts?” Damon asked.

“I have a few ideas where we can round some up. There have been whispers of activity to the west. I’ll take a few males and move that way to see what we find.”

A single nod had him moving on to the next person. Afterward, a group of men approached me, willing to go. We agreed to meet at nightfall with two of the trucks. I could not leave Renee here alone, so she’d have to go. I had her prepare a bag for herself. We’d be gone at least a day and she’d need to bring food and supplies. We rested. Before it was time to leave, I went over the rules again with her to make sure that she understood the seriousness of the situation.

“If anything happens, you find me immediately.” I lifted her chin, so she looked into my eyes. I didn’t need to chance anything happening today.

“Yes, Master.” Renee was obviously nervous, and that wouldn’t help us.

“If I can sense your fears, they will be able to as well. Relax. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Part of me wanted to console her, but I didn’t want to offer false promises about anything more happening between us.

“Thank you.” Renee relaxed visibly, dropping her shoulders, and exhaling relief. I could tell she felt less afraid of our mission.

I’d stalled long enough. It was time to get things moving. I provided a warm coat for Renee and made sure I bundled her into it. Though it wasn’t summer, there was still a bit of warmth in the air. She was still cold and couldn’t seem to retain the heat in her body.

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