Page 22 of Relentless Refuge

I brush my teeth and begin peeling the layers of clothing off, fully intending to take Marco up on the offer to turn in early. My body is growing a human being and it’s exhausting me. I’d go to a doctor for prenatal care, perhaps some vitamins and medicine to help with the nausea, but I can’t alert anyone to what’s going on, so I’m left to suffer on my own.

When I’ve stripped down to only my panties, I head for the dresser and open the drawer. I search for a nightgown, standing in the chilly air that hardens my nipples. I hear the door click open. I glance over my shoulder to see Marco walk in. He looks calmer than he was earlier, and he has a compassionate expression.

“Are you okay?” he asks, coming to stand behind me. His warm hands grip my biceps and he kisses the back of my head.

“Feeling sick. I think I have the flu or a tummy bug. I’ll be fine tomorrow.” I pluck a red satin gown from my pajama drawer and start to back away, but Marco wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my shoulder.

“Victor left. We have a plan to keep our defenses high and our eyes alert. There isn’t much we can do unless we know what sort of retaliatory strike they will bring against us.” He kisses my shoulder again, and I lean my head against his.

I’m becoming comfortable with him now, no longer embarrassed or shy to be naked in front of him. It’s true what they say about sex, how it changes everything. It’s taken this complete stranger, a mere business partner I work with, and made him seem closer, intimate with me. And Mother was right, this mutual respect has turned to a fondness. I realized it the other night when we were alone and talking softly.

I enjoy Marco Romano as a man, not just as a business partner or leader. He’s rough around the edges, he has a temper like a pit viper, and his bark is definitely bad, but his bite is lethal, and all of that amounts to a ferocious king I can both respect and feel safe with. Not to mention the way he makes my body feel and the things he says to me, the way he treats me. I get the feeling that this isn’t just business for him, either. I sense he’s growing fond of me, or attached at the very least. It makes me wonder about our future and our child, but I get no further than a fleeting thought before his hands slide up my arms to my shoulders.

He begins working my muscles, massaging and kissing. It feels good to have the tension rubbed out of them, so I stand there and relax, letting my head hang. The red satin nightgown hangs from my hands and I moan softly.

“Wow, I didn’t realize how tense I was.”

“It’s not easy being at the top. You carry it all in your body, and then you find ways to get the needed release at times,” he says, and a kiss follows his words. His lips brush over my shoulder,then his hands push my dark locks aside so he can kiss the back of my neck.

His thumbs push into my muscles and swirl, pinching and kneading the flesh beneath them. I lean backward into him and feel his growing erection. To him, this isn’t just relaxation, this is preparation for release. He’s hungry for me, and I find my body responding to the feeling of his cock against my ass. But I soak up every second of the massage and ensure that he hears my pleasure moans.

The nightgown falls from my hands, landing on my feet, and I reach around and grip his thighs as his lips press against my skin and he gives a light suck. The stubble of his chin scrapes on my skin, eliciting waves of goosebumps. This is a man I could bed every night the rest of my life and it would never get boring or old. His fingers know just what my flesh needs, and he willingly meets those needs without my even asking.

“Should we retire to bed?” His kisses on my shoulders continue as his hands slide back down my arms. I tilt my head to the side and allow him to suck on my earlobe, and he bites it.

“Mmm, I think that sounds amazing.” He leads me to bed and turns the covers down, but I’m never quite prepared for what comes next. My body is supercharged and ready for whatever it is he wants to show me this time. I am his willing participant. I just hope I don’t throw up again.

17

MARCO

Isabella's skin is warm beneath my hands as I slide them across her body. I pluck her panties from her, tugging them over her hips and down her legs until they're puddled on the floor next to my slacks and shirt, which I shed moments ago. She lies on the pillow, looking up at me innocently. She has no idea what she does to me, how hard she makes me.

I part her knees, and she looks hesitant as I lower my face to her core. My tongue flicks out, and I tease her swollen clit, making her moan loudly in this empty room. My cock aches inside my boxers, throbbing for her.

"Marco…"

My name falls from her lips as I plunge my tongue into her wet heat, twisting and swirling inside her. She tastes like honeydew melons, sweet and delectable. Her nails dig into the sheets as I bring her pleasure, my other hand gently circling her clit. I can feel her walls clench around my tongue, and I know she's enjoying it. I groan against her skin, and she moans louder. I increase my pace, sliding my tongue faster, fingers curling inside her, and nibbling on her clit.

"Oh, fuck… I…" She moans as her hips buck upward, grinding against my face. Her orgasm is building, I can tell by the way her body tenses.

"Marco… I'm…"

I don't reply, only push her further toward the edge by flicking her swollen nub with my tongue. Her thighs tremble around my ears as she climaxes, screaming out my name, her juices drenching my face. I continue to lick her until she finally collapses back onto the bed, panting and trying to catch her breath.

I climb up her body, pressing my lips to hers in a passionate kiss. My cock is hard and aching for release as I press against her.

"Marco…" She murmurs against my lips as her hands roam over my chest, down to the waistband of my boxers. I help her remove them before positioning myself at her entrance. She's still panting from her orgasm, but she nods eagerly when I ask if she's ready for me. Her eyes widen as I reach for the restraints from the bedside table, but she doesn't resist when I gently tie her wrists to the headboard. She looks up at me with anticipation and trust, and it turns me on even more.

"What are you doing?" she asks, and I feel her legs quiver on either side of my hips.

"There are all sorts of fun things I get to teach you,caramia." I kiss her fingers as I finish tying her hands up.

Then I kiss her lips softly before trailing kisses down her neck, collarbone, and between her breasts. Her nipples are already hard and begging for attention, so I give them some by taking one into my mouth and sucking on it lightly. She moans as I switch to the other nipple, rolling it between my fingers whilemy tongue flicks over it. Her hips start to move against mine, seeking friction.

"Please, Marco," she whispers breathlessly, arching her back and pressing herself closer to me.

I can feel myself getting close to the edge just from these simple acts of foreplay, but I want to make sure she's fully satisfied first. I kiss my way down her body until I reach her core again. This time, instead of using my tongue, I take out a small vibrating bullet from the bedside drawer.

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