Mark of the Bear

Chapter Sixteen

Marko knew they had to stop soon. In spite of the hunger gnawing at his gut and the thirst raking his throat, he could go on indefinitely. He was used to such hardships. Kellsie, however, was human. She couldn’t take much more of this. He could hear her gasping for breath with each step she took. Yet she never complained, never asked to stop. He was in awe of her courage.

He sensed the cave up on the other side of the mountain meadow. He cocked his head to one side and could hear the trickle of a stream not too far off. Good. At least she could drink and rest.

There was a cougar prowling through the trees not far from here and a fox about ten feet to his right crouched beneath a bush. But the animals wouldn’t bother them. They might be curious about Kellsie, but they also scented his bear and acknowledged him as the apex predator of the forest. The only things they had to fear here were Hades and his demons.

“We’ll stop here.” He came to a halt and she plowed right into his back. She would have landed on her butt if he hadn’t whirled around and caught her. He growled as he swept her into his arms. “I should have carried you.”

Kellsie snuggled closer to his chest and rested her cheek against his flesh. “I needed to walk. My legs were getting too cramped riding you.”

Riding him. Just hearing her say those words had all sorts of images running through his brain, all of them sexual. Which wasn’t appropriate at the moment considering how exhausted she was. He was more than an animal. He would take care of her.

He carried her to the stream first. He could tell the moment she heard the sound of the stream. She perked up and licked her lips. “Water?”

He tightened his hold on her. “You can drink and wash up. You’ll feel better.” He broke through some low alder bushes and saw the shallow river. It wasn’t very deep, but it was more than enough to serve their needs.

He lowered Kellsie to the ground and she all but fell face first into the water. She rolled her head from side-to-side before sitting back and laughing. “That feels so good.”

Her hair was plastered to her skull, there was dirt on her forehead and her shirt was ripped in several places, but her smile was brighter than the sun could ever hope to be. There was such innocent joy beaming from her face. The fact that she could even consider smiling after all they’d been through was a testament to her resilient spirit.

Marko went down on one knee beside her and used his thumb to wipe the dirt from her face. She laughed. “I guess I’m a mess.”

He sensed she was suddenly self-conscious. It was in the way she ducked her head down and tugged on the sleeves of her shirt. “Beautiful,” he assured her.

She raised her head just as he lowered his. Their mouths touched, and when she swiped her tongue along the seam of his mouth, he parted his lips and invited her in. The kiss deepened, growing more heated, more desperate with each passing second. He wasn’t touching her anywhere else but his body was on fire for her.

One of her hands came to rest on his shoulder. He groaned, wanting to feel her hands everywhere on him. They were small but strong.

He pulled back, knowing if he didn’t stop this soon, he’d strip her naked and take her right here in the dirt. “Get cleaned up and I’ll take you to a cave.”

“Promise?”

He heard the underlying question. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. Even though he knew he should be on his guard, he needed Kellsie worse. “Yes.”

She studied him for a brief moment, searching his face for something. Whatever it was, she seemed to find it and nodded. Slowly, she peeled her top over her head, exposing her creamy white skin. She was wearing a bra but she might as well have been naked. The thin barrier didn’t cover much. Her nipples were hard pebbles against the fabric.

Marko licked his lips, unable to turn away.

Kellsie dipped the sleeve of the shirt into the water and used it to wash her face, neck and torso. The motions were sensual as she stroked the cloth over her skin. Marko growled, shifted closer and plucked the garment from her hands. “Let me do your back.”

She turned and presented her back to him. Her spine was so delicate, yet he knew she was strong in ways he couldn’t even begin to understand. Her tattoo drew his attention and he traced the brown bear with one finger. He liked the fact that she was marked for him. She was human but had put her life on the line for him, an immortal warrior.

What would prompt her to do such a thing? She’d had the opportunity to be free from this nightmare. Instead, she’d stayed. With him.

Marko tried not to read too much into the situation. Kellsie obviously had a high moral fiber and was doing what she thought was right. It didn’t mean she had deep feelings for him. Still, he couldn’t smother that small kernel of hope that burned within him.

She shivered and he frowned as goose bumps covered her skin. The water was cool and so was the air. The sun was out but it didn’t penetrate the dense forest well. He didn’t feel the cold and therefore didn’t even think of it. He dropped her shirt and manifested the fur-lined cloak once again, spreading it around her shoulders.

She swiveled her head, peering up at him. He could see the question in her eyes.

“You finish up. I’m going to get washed up.” He stalked along the bank of the river and rounded a thicket of trees to give her some privacy.

“Marko?” The panic in her voice had him racing back toward her.

His sword was in his hand but he couldn’t remember even manifesting it. He moved in a circle, searching for the threat. “What’s wrong?”

She was standing there wrapped in the long cloak looking lost and alone. She pushed a damp lock of her blonde hair behind one ear. “I was afraid you’d left.” Her confession was little more than a whisper, but it floored him.

“Never.” It was both a vow and a promise. It was obscene for her to even think such a thing.

He stalked to her side and pulled her into his arms. “I’m only going around the corner to give you some privacy. I’m only a call away. Okay?”

He felt her nod before she answered. “Okay. But could I have my sword back?”

He’d forgotten he’d sent it away when she’d fallen off his back earlier. He manifested it and handed it to her. “Keep it close.”

“I will.”

Reluctantly, he released her and walked back up the side of the river. When he finally turned he couldn’t see her. He could hear her and smell her and that was enough. He stripped off his pants and boots and lay down in the river. The water flowed over and around him, barely enough to cover him. As cold as the water was, it couldn’t cool his ardor for Kellsie. His cock was hard and throbbing, aching to be clutched inside her moist warmth. Soon, he promised himself. Soon.

Kellsie took the opportunity to duck behind some bushes and take care of business. When that was done, she went back to the river and had another drink. Her hair was in tangles but she had a brush in her bag. Pulling her tote bag to her side, she opened it and rummaged around until she found what she was looking for.

She undid her braid and worked the brush through her hair. It didn’t take her long to deal with the tangles and quickly braid the mass once again. As much as she wanted to leave her hair down, she knew it was more efficient to have it out of the way in case they had to run again.

Her fingers touched her phone when she was returning the brush. Curious, she dragged it out and turned it on. No service. Not surprising in these mountains. Sighing, she tucked her phone away.

The air was growing colder and a mist was moving in. She hoped it didn’t rain. Shivering, she pulled the cloak around her. It was warm and soft and reminded her of Marko.

A splash caught her attention. It was all too easy to imagine him naked, sluicing water over his broad chest and huge arms. The tiny rivers of water would roll down his rock-hard abs to his equally hard cock. Kellsie groaned as a blast of heat shot through her. She was thirsty again and wouldn’t mind licking the water from Marko’s warm, slightly salty skin.

A branch rustled just off to her left and she jumped to her feet. It was also all too easy to imagine demons lurking in the trees behind her. She squinted to try to see what might be hiding in the woods. It was probably a bird or a squirrel or something. But there were also larger, more dangerous predators in the area, not just demons.

She heard the sound again and was just about ready to scream for Marko when she heard him coming back. Relief struck her when he came back into view. He was her lifeline in all this madness. The one thing she could count on.

Which wasn’t right. She had to depend on herself. Not anyone else.

Straightening her shoulders, she grabbed her tote bag, her damp shirt and the short sword. “Where to next?”

Marko frowned at her but didn’t say anything about her abrupt behavior. He pointed upward. “There’s a cave about fifty yards that way.”

She was exhausted but she could do this. The thought of getting to rest, even if it was just for a while, gave her the boost of adrenaline she needed. Marko’s large hand rested at the base of her spine, guiding her, helping her up the steep hill. She knew he’d have carried her if she’d asked him, but she didn’t want to weigh him down in case he needed to fight.

Finally, the cave came into view. It was deep and dark. She stopped and stared at the opening. “You’re sure it’s safe?”

A soft smile crossed his face. “Absolutely. There’s nothing in there to harm you.”

She took a step and stopped again, nibbling on her bottom lip. “What about bats?” She’d done a movie about eight years ago—The Killer Bats of Boston—and had hated the creatures ever since.

He shook his head and the corners of his mouth twitched. “No bats or spiders or mice either.”

She knew she was being silly considering they were running from demons, but she didn’t care.

“It’s safe. I promise you.” His dark chocolate eyes gleamed with sincerity.

Kellsie gave him a nod, took a deep breath and walked forward, stopping abruptly when it got too dark for her to see. Marko went past her and she could hear him walking around. “It’s not deep, only about thirty feet or so.”

Kellsie could just barely make out his form as he came toward her. When her eyes adjusted to the gloom, she moved farther inward. The ground was hard but there didn’t seem to be too many rocks. That was good.

Not that it mattered. She was so tired she could rest anywhere.

She set her bag down to the floor, spread her damp shirt out over a rock and propped her sword against the wall. She eased down and leaned her back against the cool wall.

Marko sat beside her. God, she could feel the heat radiating from his body. The man was like a blast furnace and she longed to wrap herself in his heat. She didn’t object when he lay down and pulled her down with him. He urged her into his arms and she went, snuggling her head on his chest.

“Rest. I’ll watch over you.”

Kellsie closed her eyes and let the steady beat of his heart soothe her.

She had no idea how much time had gone by when she woke, startled by the darkness. It took her a moment to remember where she was and who she was with. She was draped over Marko, her breasts pillowed on his chest, her pelvis pressing against something very hard and hot.

His arm was around her waist, keeping hold of her even as he slept. He lay on the hard ground while she used him for a mattress. She was warm. No, she was hot. The air around her was slightly damp and earthy, but blended with it was the scent of Marko.

Her jeans rode up, the seam of the crotch pressing against her core, against her clit. She was so aroused it wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge. She wanted to move, to adjust her pants so they weren’t pressing quite so hard against her sex. But she didn’t want to disturb Marko.

Her hand rested on his chest and she could feel the steady beat of his heart against her palm. He was so strong, so solid. Dependable. Honorable.

Kellsie felt safe and secure, which was a fallacy. There was nowhere safe from Hades. She knew he was playing games with them, that he probably knew where they were right this very moment.

She shivered, snuggling closer to Marko. She didn’t want to think about the dark god nor what he wanted from them. Time enough to deal with him when she had to.

The air was cool but she was warm. The combination of Marko and the lined cloak were better than a featherbed with a goose-down duvet. She rubbed her nose against his bare chest, inhaling his musky, masculine scent as the hair on his chest tickled her skin.

“You’re awake.” His chest rumbled as he spoke. His voice was so deep, so rough. She shivered again, but it wasn’t because she was cold or scared. It was pure arousal.

His erection pulsed and flexed beneath her, prodding her stomach, reminding her it was there. As if she could manage not to notice. Impossible. It was all she could think about.

As inappropriate as it was given the situation, she wanted Marko. She’d been aroused earlier, but exhausted. She was still tired, but not that tired.

“How long did we sleep?” Her voice was sleep-roughened and husky.

He brushed several tendrils of hair away from her face. The gesture was so tender and unexpected from a man of his size. But he was always that way with her. Had been from the moment they’d met.

Had that been less than twenty-four hours ago? It seemed such a short time, yet it was a lifetime.

“Not long. A couple of hours.” He peered toward the entrance. “It’s getting dark.”

Kellsie didn’t want to think about what would happen when nightfall came. All hell would soon break loose. Literally.

She rubbed her face against his chest. “Tell me about your life before you were cursed.” She longed to know everything about him.

He shrugged his massive shoulders. “The goddess created us. We protected her, wandered the earth, ate and lived together.”

“But what did you do for fun?”

He frowned at her. “Fun? We did what we were created to do. We are warriors.”

And how sad was that. The fact that all he thought about was duty was telling. She longed to show him the wonders of the world firsthand and make him laugh. “Did you ever settle down in one spot?”

“No, we were constantly traveling as the Lady oversaw all the creatures of the Earth. Why so many questions?”

“I was just curious.” He shifted position and she barely bit back a moan of pleasure as his cock rubbed against her.

“It’s not long until nightfall.” He stroked his fingers absently up and down her spine.

“Then we don’t have much time.” Determination filled her and she sat, her legs straddling his hips. Her jean-clad sex rode the hard column of his erection, making her groan. Even through his pants and her jeans, she could feel his heat. The cloak fell from her shoulders, pooling behind her.

Marko’s eyes glittered in the fading light that flickered in through the opening of the cave. She wished she could see all of him, every golden inch of his skin, the flex and play of his incredible muscles. But that wasn’t to be.

And right now, she’d take whatever she could get. She could certainly feel him beneath her hands, velvet over pure steel. The bands of muscles on his chest would put any bodybuilder to shame. Yet his muscles came from fighting, from wielding a sword. He was incredibly fast and agile, as well as strong. And for the moment, he was all hers.

“Kellsie.” Her name was a groan as she placed both hands on his chest and rocked her pelvis against him. “Are you sure?”

Was there any wonder she loved this man? And yes, she did love him. No use lying to herself any longer or denying the truth that was staring right back at her. Why else wouldn’t she have taken Hades’ offer and run? She’d only known Marko a matter of hours, but he mattered to her more than anyone ever had.

She wanted him to live more than she cared about her own life. That had to be love. There was no other explanation.

She was fully aware that Marko didn’t feel the same way about her. Oh, he cared. That much was obvious. But he was honor bound to protect her because she’d been the one to release him.

That thought depressed her a little, but she shoved the unwanted emotion aside. Time enough to deal with the fallout from this if they survived. She wasn’t stupid enough to believe an immortal warrior would settle down with her in Los Angeles. For one thing, what the heck would he even do? And secondly, he was a gorgeous immortal warrior who could have any woman he wanted. Why would he want to stay with a B-movie scream queen?

But he wanted her now and that was what mattered. For the first time in her life she understood that true love was unselfish and giving. She wanted to show him how much she cared and that she wasn’t expecting anything in return.

It was freeing in many ways. No games to play, not that she’d ever played those kinds of emotional games, but she knew many who had. No sitting by the phone wondering if he’d call. Once this day was over she’d probably never see him again, assuming they were both still among the living.

He had a mission and she had her life, such as it was.

And Marko was still waiting. His hands were wrapped around her waist, anchoring her to him. He was tense beneath her and she knew whatever she decided he would abide by it.

It was an easy choice.

Leaning down, she nuzzled and kissed the thick cords of his neck. “I’m sure.

His fingers flexed, tightening briefly. He swept one hand up her spine while the other one banded around her waist. With her top drying on a rock, she was wearing only her bra. His touch sent tingles racing throughout the rest of her body. Her breathing was getting shallow and she bit her lip to keep from moaning aloud.

God, all he had to do was touch her and she was ready for him. Her core was rhythmically clutching and she wished he was already buried inside her. Her panties were damp and her bra was nothing but a nuisance.

She raised her head slightly and Marko reared up, capturing her mouth with his. His lips claimed hers as his tongue swept inside, taking ownership. She gripped his head, tangling her fingers in his long hair to keep him there.

His tongue made leisurely forays over every inch of her mouth. He took his time exploring every crevice, every nook and cranny. He tasted wonderful. Like fresh river water and mint combined with hot male. Delicious.

Her stomach growled, reminding her just how hungry she was. She’d eaten two granola bars earlier, but that wasn’t nearly enough to sustain her. Marko had to be twice as famished.

She ignored the sound but Marko heard it and pulled back. She tried to follow him, not wanting the contact to end, but he held her slightly away from him. “You’re hungry.” He frowned and said the words almost accusingly.

She couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m hungry, but you’re more than enough to sate me.” The double entendre made his eyes widen, then narrow. His nostrils flared and his lips pressed together.

Feeling brazen, Kellsie licked her lips, noting how his eyes followed the movement of her tongue. “Let’s see, where shall I start?” Scooting down, she lowered her mouth to his chest and licked at his hot, salty skin.

He groaned and he cupped the back of her head with one large hand, holding her to him. She smiled, feeling her power as a woman. Using delicate licks of her tongue, she worked her way to one flat brown nipple and lapped at the tip.

A low growl filled the air around her. “Like that, do you?” Not that she had any doubts. Not with his erection pulsing heavily against her.

He tensed beneath her and she knew he was going to make his move. She sat back and shook her finger at him. “No, this is my turn. I want to touch you, to taste you. All over.”

Marko groaned. “You’re going to kill me.”

She took that as a yes and lowered her head again. “You’re tough,” she told him. “You can take it.”