Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Delighted by her, Marcus smiled down at her. “I’m not. Everything is fine, Carina. Your body needed to recover. I enjoyed holding you.”
“I didn’t dream all this, did I? You can speak in my mind? And….” She waved a hand over herself.
He could hear the tinge of panic in her words. “This is real, Little girl. I promise you are safe here.”
A message from Saya that Karla was on the way meant his explanations would have to wait. His protective instincts kicked into overdrive. He quickly arranged for her safeguarding. Watching her leave would be the hardest thing he’d ever done.
As if sensing his thoughts weren’t focused on her, Carina asked, “Are you going to disappear?”
“Never.”
“Never?” she squeaked.
“No, Carina. You are mine.”
“I’m not a possession,” she said, bristling.
“No, you’re my mate. I believe Karla texted you. Let’s get your clothes back on before she knocks on the door,” Marcus suggested to distract her.
“Oh!” Carina struggled to sit up.
Keeping himself from smiling, Marcus lifted Carina to her feet. He followed her when she rushed over to her clothes and plucked the items from her hands. Within a short time, he had her redressed in everything but her panties.
Marcus lifted that scrap of cotton to his nose and inhaled deeply before tucking them in his pocket, He subtly shifted his rock-hard cock into a more comfortable position. Her mere presence aroused him. Touching his mate without taking her had tested his self-discipline.
“I need those,” she gasped.
“They belong to me now.”
“Marcus, I can’t walk through the crowd without underwear.”
“Karla will never know if you don’t twirl,” he suggested, and she stomped her foot. He couldn’t prevent the grin that spread across his lips. Adorable.
“Or fall down. Or hit a breeze. Or lean over.”
“How many times have any of those things happened in the last month?” Marcus asked, pulling her close.
She pursed her lips and stared at him. After several seconds, she admitted, “None.”
“Let’s avoid them tonight. I need your scent with me.” He lifted his hand to his nose and inhaled. “I will have to wash my hands, eventually.”
Her beautiful face turned an enchanting shade of pink. “Marcus!”
“Daddy.”
Her skin darkened a bit redder with embarrassment, to his delight.
“I can’t call you Daddy.”
“Why?” Marcus raised one eyebrow as he tugged her head back to expose her throat. He pressed a kiss to her pulse, holding his desire to drink from her firmly in check. “You’re definitely mine, Little girl.”
He stroked his free hand over her bottom to slide under her skirt. Swatting her sweet ass once, Marcus enjoyed the flash of arousal that appeared on her face as she gasped. A quick knock on the door interrupted any further plans he had.
“I will be at your apartment soon, Carina. Be good.” He steadied her before releasing her. Pressing a hand to the small of her back, Marcus guided her to the door.
A couple of steps later, she stopped and met his gaze. “Don’t make me go,” she whispered.
“I don’t want you to leave either, my sweet. But you need to sleep before I arrive.”
He opened the door to find Karla and her escort at the door, ready to knock again.
Karla rushed forward to hug Carina. “Are you okay?”
Carina smiled and nodded. “I’m way beyond that. Ready for me to drive us home?”
“Do I have stories to share with you on the way,” Karla told her, linking her arm with Carina’s. She met Marcus’s gaze and lifted her chin in an acknowledging nod.
“Drive safely, Karla,” he requested.
“I will. Come on, Carina.” Karla bent her head toward Carina’s, talking intimately as they headed back to the public areas.
Watching her walk away tortured Marcus. His instincts urged him to go after Carina and never let her out of his sight. Needing his best personal guard, he tuned to the powerful woman at his side.
Shadow them? Saya, who’d accompanied Karla again this time, communicated with Marcus.
Yes, take someone with you. Watch over the two women until my mate reaches Karla’s building. Leave your second there until daylight to watch over Karla. I’d ask you to continue to follow Carina to her apartment complex. Stay vigilant until I arrive.
Marcus arrived at Carina’s just before dawn. The crowd at Nightfall had continued until closing time. No one had wanted to leave. Everyone vowed to return the next day as they were shooed out the door. The clan understood they’d achieved a level of success that would attract a lot of attention.
The first night was pivotal in establishing Nightfall in the community. Those who didn’t wish for the nightclub to succeed would gear up to create problems. His security forces would need to keep their ears and eyes open for any threats and deal with them swiftly and decisively.
They’d already handled obstacles created to block Nightfall from opening. Alaric had smashed through those without difficulty. Marcus had left a large security force in place to guard the nightclub while it was closed. He’d taken care to mingle clansmen with new hires.