The Devil is in the Details
Title: The Devil is in the Details (13/?)
Series: The Powers That Be
Author: Romanceguru
Disclaimer: Joss is the boss of me.
Rating: NC-17 for heaps of immorality.
Fandom: Firefly/Angel
Pairing: Marcus Hamilton/River Tam.
Warning: Possibly very dark and disturbing.
Summary: After Marcus saves River from an ghastly intruder, they share a bed. When they awake, they share something more.
Notes: Takes place right after Inner Demons part’s one and two. Hopefully this is as much fun to read as it was to write. *eg* Betaed by my faithful elsibet34. : )
The bulk of the story can be found here.
Dawn broke across the vast room, causing Marcus to stir first, severing him from the nothing he dreamed of. His arms were unnaturally full, skin against skin with masses of dark hair tangled about his throat. The girl had relaxed her grip during the night, but only because he had instinctively tightened his.
Her breath was shallow and unassuming against his chest. There were no whimpers or fits of terror, just deep, peaceful sleep. If he had had rules, this moment would never have come to pass. But even so, a distant part of him was aware of the betrayal to his former self, the one who didn’t hold girls during the night without the added benefit of a good thrust… or several.
Before he could begin to think on how to rectify the situation, River stirred, slowly propping herself up with one hand, and pressing the other to her pounding head. She had been tossed about quite brutally the night before and was feeling the aftereffects.
There was a dull ache in her leg from where claws had gauged deep, and her current position, beside a partially clothed Marcus, left her feeling a little nonplused. Last night was the closest he had ever let her get.
“Sleep well?” Marcus queried simply as he sat up and leaned back against the headboard, resting his folded hands across his stomach.
River peered out from under her hand at him, the staunch smell of blood and death lingering. “I dreamt of frogs raining from the sky.” She answered calmly, curious as to why she felt so composed. This was the first time she’d slept through a candid nightmare without waking in a disoriented panic.
Twiddling his thumbs, Marcus cracked a wry smile. “We do have that scheduled in the distant future,” he affirmed almost wistfully. It was nice to have confirmation of these things.
Long hair fell across Marcus’ chest as River leaned her head to the side, trying to get past the pull of gravity and into the abyss. “Your sleep is dark.” She noted, consciously moving the conversation away from that of plague and devastation. “But you‘re curious.” She plucked. “Want to know what it’s like to dream.”
Holding her eyes for a moment, Marcus said nothing to either confirm or deny her assertion. There really was no point anymore; refutation was wasted in her company. She knew him, reader or not.
“It’s overrated.” River offered bluntly, a far away longing captured in her eyes as she stared through and past him. “Wish I could be blank. Live in the darkness and feel nothing.” Returning her sorrowful browns to Marcus, she braved the truth. “Sometimes when I’m with you, I’m allowed that.”
As Marcus stared back, he found it intriguing how he could offer her so much without even really trying. With detached affection, he lifted his hand to her cheek, touching her as a lover would. “Careful, River,” he warned, the value of her soft skin under his own slowly registering. “You’re walking a dangerous line. There is no comfort in what I am. You and I both know this.”
As Marcus continued to caress her, he found his ever-present need to protect the girl from himself interesting. It was a conflict of interests, wanting her, and wanting her unsullied. He no longer wished to turn her. It would ruin the extraordinary balance between them.
River nodded against his palm obediently. Deep down she knew their kinds were never meant to co-exist. Yet somehow, his hand no longer felt like an object, hard and impersonal against her skin. “But you came back.” She pointed out. “I waited and you came back.”
Moving his fingers down River’s cheek, Marcus ignored truth and grabbed a hold of her chin, turning her face from side to side to check for any swelling. The thought of what would have happened had he not returned left him feeling rather hollow. Well, more hollow than usual. He was relieved she was alive and here with him now. Another thing to add to the growing list of Marcus firsts.
Finding her unblemished, Marcus schooled her lightly before letting go. “Thinking of setting any monsters loose today?”
River smiled slightly, his tone was neutral, and she knew he wasn’t mad at her anymore.
“Just the one.” She taunted, placing her hand on his chest for emphasis. Just beneath, she could feel the wild thing caged, dressed in human form and verb. “There’s no containing him.”
Marcus smiled back, amused by her flirtation. “No, I imagine not.” Glancing down at her hand and then over to the clock on the nightstand, he noticed that the morning was passing them by. “Do you think you can walk?” He encouraged. “Can’t spend all day in bed.”
As he said it, his mind naturally went to that place, his eyes dissecting her with a new sharpness. After all, it was easy with the girl in such vulnerable proximity, hair messed and eyes naturally wild. To say he was tempted was an understatement.
The air changed as Marcus’ thoughts injected River, abrupt and forceful, causing a red warmth to flood her cheeks. She was still unaccustomed to being noticed in that way, a real girl with working parts. There was all this energy, palpable and swelling with nothing to contain it.
Averting her eyes, River focused instead on testing her leg, bringing it up slightly to an angle. “It hurts.” She observed thickly, alluding to more than the obvious.
“Well, let’s have a look then.” Marcus gestured coolly, looking to distract himself from wicked compulsion. She looked so very appetizing all heated and flustered.
Nodding, River scooted closer and carefully positioned her legs across Marcus’ lap so he could have better access. The feel of him pressed hard through the thin material of his boxers caused the knot in the pit of her stomach to tighten. She knew what that meant, what he wanted.
Breath unconsciously bated, an anticipatory silence hung in the air, doing nothing to mask one body’s reaction to the other. She watched as Marcus’ large hand slid up her leg to unfasten the clip, and followed the rhythmic motion of layer upon layer of gauze being peeled away. Every time his thick fingers brushed the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, her body tensed, shocked by the thrill of hands so close to where she ached.
As he worked, her eyes followed the linear path up his bare arms, stopping to appreciate the flex of muscle beneath freckled skin. The circumference of them alone was a curious thing, and she loved to be fascinated, enthralled by the details uncovered in proximity.
Once unwrapped, Marcus took in the deep gash, calculating its severity. First he pressed at the sides, probing, and then ran a finger lightly over the raw, jagged line.
There was a stinging, like fire, which caused River to suck in a sharp breath and automatically jerk her leg open and away from his touch.
As silk rode up, Marcus couldn’t help but silently admire the new view left to him. She really was such a beautiful creature. Smirking, Marcus met River’s eyes, and announced his prognosis. “I believe you’ll live.”
Fighting the urge to return his gaze and thoughts to the apex of the girl’s thighs, Marcus reached for the bandages instead. It wasn’t often he deprived himself of what he most wanted. Only around her, for her, it seemed.
Before he could start redressing her wound, a small hand closed around his, firm and decided.
Looking up, Marcus met determined eyes as River moved his hand back high on her leg, encouraging further exploration.
“I know what you want.” She avowed, leaving her hand atop of his. “Pretend to be, but you’re not a gentleman.” When Marcus didn’t look swayed, River added with certainty, “I’m ready.”
Marcus sighed, but didn’t pull back. He was tired of self-restraint, of the internal conflict she brought about. How was it that he ended up the moral conscience of the two?
Changing positions, River straddled Marcus, draping her arms over his shoulders and losing her hands in his short hair. Marcus allowed her tentative caress to sedate him, but only for a moment. Giving up total control was an audacious move, it left one susceptible to all things human.
“This will only end badly.” He half-heartedly warned, knowing they were way past the turning point.
“I know.” River answered truthfully, giving him sad smile as she tugged distractedly on small curls at the nape of his neck.
“You’ve seen it, then?” Marcus probed, vaguely curious of their outcome. After all, nothing lasted forever, even a decent sized apocalypse. These people had found a way out of dystopia, moved on and rebuilt anew. That’s why it was so important for them to stay ten steps ahead of the game.
River looked away as tears began to well in her eyes; she was terrified of the pain yet to come, of the everything it would take. “Your concerns are well advised.” She admitted, fighting back emotion.
Marcus remained indifferent, yet intrigued. “And you still want this? Knowing what you know?” The girl really was a true sadist.
Staring quietly at him a moment, River answered the only way she knew how, by seeking his kiss, enveloping herself in the cold truth.
Marcus didn’t fight it, and as he responded, the bitter ice melted into a torrent. She welcomed the arctic rush, allowed it to turn her into lead. She desperately wanted to be swept away and pushed far beneath the churning waters.
As their lips separated, River’s voice sounded tragic, but sure. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
A twinge of something stirred deep at her words, something warm and not entirely unpleasant. Marcus had never known anyone to willingly enter their doom, especially not for him. “Can I ask why?” He implored, unable to get past the selflessness of her affection.
River shrugged, keeping the poems he wouldn’t understand locked away. She wondered if he could ever know love, feel it in his bones the way she did. In the end, she supposed it didn’t matter.
Tickling her fingers lightly down his chest, tempting the animal within, she answered, “The journey isn’t so bad.”
Kissing his face and neck cautiously at first, then more determinedly, she pleaded further, “Take me there?”
Marcus remembered their conversation in the garden not long ago, her order of things. “Thought you wanted to take things slow?” he toyed, enjoying her virginal seduction.
River leaned back and bit her lip. “Yes, slow. Go slow.”
Hmmm, slow. The idea almost seemed foreign to Marcus. He supposed she’d want him to be gentle as well? Pondering that, he decided he could view at it as a challenge, the practice of restraint. And as Marcus took in her expression, the way she nibbled shyly on her bottom lip, it was one he was suddenly eager to explore.
Reaching for the hem of her gown, Marcus slowly peeled it up, taking it over River’s raised arms and tossing it over the side of the bed. Placing his large hands on her hips, he let his eyes wash over her form, which was fully illuminated by the breaking day. Everything about her was fresh, soft curves coming into their own, tender skin beckoning.
“You might have to tie me up.” Marcus practically growled as he slid his hand up to touch her, enjoying the look of utter pleasure impressed upon her face as she fluttered her eyes closed.
A light hum echoed in River’s mind as the strength of Marcus’ hands slid across her body, grounding her and turning porcelain skin to flesh. Then there were lips kissing in places foreign, his treatment slow and excruciating, making everything on her body both sing and hurt for more.
Marcus carefully reversed their positions, turning her gently on her stomach. His hands never left her as he swept her long hair away from her neck. Lowering his body slightly above hers, he placed slow kisses across shoulders and down her back, enjoying the sweet taste of youth and innocence.
Every touch of his lips sent an anticipatory shiver down River’s spine. She couldn’t see him, but the imposing energy at her back thrilled her to the core.
Marcus worked his way down her body, kneading and nibbling nubile flesh as he went, paying special attention to her backside and the spots behind her knees and ankles. When he was finished, he moved back up and attacked her neck with equal voracity.
Thoughts of the girl’s fragile mortality gripped him as his lips met her pulse. The fact that he was no longer tempted to still the blood flowing just beneath, reminded him of how far he’d truly come.
He could feel her shudder as he hit all the right places, and it felt powerful, giving her exactly what she asked for. Speaking low into her ear, breath hot and heavy, he asked, “Is this slow enough for you?”
Smiling into the sheets, River struggled to recover her senses. “Yes.” She panted breathlessly and turned her head, claiming Marcus’ lips. She kissed him unabashedly, trying to convey her appreciation. He had tamed the beast just for her.
Resting his lower-half against River’s, Marcus pressed himself firmly to her bottom as he continued to kiss her, leisurely emulating the motion his body craved. Hard and steady he moved, the yearning to be buried deep inside her dominating his thoughts.
Reaching down, Marcus easily removed his boxers and the panties impeding the contact of skin against skin. Moving his hand down her body, it molded to her curves as she arched in grace, he found her front and slipped a thick finger through her curls. She was slick and willing and he had to fight the desperate urge to open her and plunge deep, to take what was his.
River could feel him slide between and against her wetness, thrusting with patience as he awaited permission to join her. Excitement mixed with apprehension as she remembered and realized the impossibility of his size, the inhuman rigidness and the power behind it. She wanted to be invaded, stretched and taken, but found it hard to hope that she could enjoy any of it.
Turning over, River looked up into eyes, dark blue with lust, and reached up to trace lines contorted in agony. “Tell me it won’t hurt.”
“Are you afraid?” Marcus asked in a strained tone. To say that the notion didn’t still play on his dark predilections would be a lie. Fear was the ultimate aphrodisiac.
“No.” River admitted unfalteringly. Smoothing her hand over his shoulder and down the hard bulk of ancient strength, River grabbed Marcus’ hand and flattened her own small palm against his.
Comparing size and fit, she threaded her fingers through his and confessed, “I want to feel what you feel.”
Pinning their joined hands above River’s head, and firmly against the mattress, Marcus moved himself against her entrance. He felt her tense, her small body bracing for pain, so he offered her this, knowing what she was capable of. “Come outside yourself, River. Come inside. I promise I’ll be good.”
River trembled at the notion. Up until now, she’d only peeked, safe on the banks where it was dry and bright. Stay too long and they found you. They pull you under and sink you beneath the rotting weight of despair.
But he promised, so she surrendered and fluttered her eyes closed, drifting into his thoughts and under his skin. The body she left behind was numb, and all she could feel was a suppressed longing more powerful than anything she’d ever known.
All at once, it was warm, tight and wet, the pressure intense and excruciating. It was surreal, experiencing everything backwards. A strong moan fell from her lips as Marcus pushed deeper, fighting and enjoying the resistance, breaking down taunt walls.
Marcus’ thoughts were messy and sporadic, meshed with hers, but separate. There were no dark intentions, all atrocity locked neatly behind a solid door. Only the enjoyment of each thrust could be felt, pleasure gripping and radiating deep.
She saw herself as he saw her, beneath him like a coveted thing, a creature beautiful and unique in this common place. Opening her eyes, River drifted back into herself, no longer afraid to be the person he desired and of the hurt it’d bring. As their bodies met, long and deep, the hands stretched above her head tightened and released in synchrony.
Marcus made sounds too, low and deep against her ear. The scent of her hair combined with the intoxicating smell of sex spurred him on. His faced grimaced and contorted, wrapped in a good ache as he drove deep, the need to fill her growing like a flurry. It was torturous holding back, not using his full strength, but then again, he’d always been one for pain.
As River moaned his name, her small hands dug into the muscles of his back, struggling both to get closer and to hold on. She was full to bursting, aching for release. There were things she wanted to say, deviant confessions, but the words were lost and buried in the heaviness of pleasure.
Marcus kissed River’s lips hard as he neared the brink, finally accepting the heightened sense their intimacy brought about. Holding to the unbearable pace, he marveled at how ramped his desire was. It had replaced his normal cool and calculated demeanor with something more uninhibited. This new freedom was like waking up eternal, and selfishly, he already desired more.
“How does this end?” Marcus inquired heavily, practically crushing his body to hers, he was suddenly more curious than ever about the end game. He couldn’t give her up, not now. Screw prophecy and the grand scheme of things, she was his for as long as he could keep her.
The sound of his voice and the possessiveness in his thoughts were enough to set River free, clinging tight, she smothered her moans in his neck, shuddering uncontrollably as wave after wave tore through her small frame.
Marcus soon followed, thrusting one last time as everything tightened and burst, flooding her and leaving him drifting on a euphoric high, the feeling more gratifying than crushing the life from some poor soul.
Settling himself fully upon River, a feeling of contentment washed over him for the first time in ages; everything had changed. “Well?" He pushed, catching his breath and eager to know if he could fix fate.
River hugged Marcus tighter as she stared wide-eyed at the ceiling above them. Her voice was distant and small when she finally answered, so much so Marcus could barely discern her words.
“I kill you.” River confessed mournfully, a new emptiness threatening to swallow her whole. “I kill you.”
---
TBC…
Next: No Rest for the Wicked
Series: The Powers That Be
Author: Romanceguru
Disclaimer: Joss is the boss of me.
Rating: NC-17 for heaps of immorality.
Fandom: Firefly/Angel
Pairing: Marcus Hamilton/River Tam.
Warning: Possibly very dark and disturbing.
Summary: After Marcus saves River from an ghastly intruder, they share a bed. When they awake, they share something more.
Notes: Takes place right after Inner Demons part’s one and two. Hopefully this is as much fun to read as it was to write. *eg* Betaed by my faithful elsibet34. : )
The bulk of the story can be found here.
Dawn broke across the vast room, causing Marcus to stir first, severing him from the nothing he dreamed of. His arms were unnaturally full, skin against skin with masses of dark hair tangled about his throat. The girl had relaxed her grip during the night, but only because he had instinctively tightened his.
Her breath was shallow and unassuming against his chest. There were no whimpers or fits of terror, just deep, peaceful sleep. If he had had rules, this moment would never have come to pass. But even so, a distant part of him was aware of the betrayal to his former self, the one who didn’t hold girls during the night without the added benefit of a good thrust… or several.
Before he could begin to think on how to rectify the situation, River stirred, slowly propping herself up with one hand, and pressing the other to her pounding head. She had been tossed about quite brutally the night before and was feeling the aftereffects.
There was a dull ache in her leg from where claws had gauged deep, and her current position, beside a partially clothed Marcus, left her feeling a little nonplused. Last night was the closest he had ever let her get.
“Sleep well?” Marcus queried simply as he sat up and leaned back against the headboard, resting his folded hands across his stomach.
River peered out from under her hand at him, the staunch smell of blood and death lingering. “I dreamt of frogs raining from the sky.” She answered calmly, curious as to why she felt so composed. This was the first time she’d slept through a candid nightmare without waking in a disoriented panic.
Twiddling his thumbs, Marcus cracked a wry smile. “We do have that scheduled in the distant future,” he affirmed almost wistfully. It was nice to have confirmation of these things.
Long hair fell across Marcus’ chest as River leaned her head to the side, trying to get past the pull of gravity and into the abyss. “Your sleep is dark.” She noted, consciously moving the conversation away from that of plague and devastation. “But you‘re curious.” She plucked. “Want to know what it’s like to dream.”
Holding her eyes for a moment, Marcus said nothing to either confirm or deny her assertion. There really was no point anymore; refutation was wasted in her company. She knew him, reader or not.
“It’s overrated.” River offered bluntly, a far away longing captured in her eyes as she stared through and past him. “Wish I could be blank. Live in the darkness and feel nothing.” Returning her sorrowful browns to Marcus, she braved the truth. “Sometimes when I’m with you, I’m allowed that.”
As Marcus stared back, he found it intriguing how he could offer her so much without even really trying. With detached affection, he lifted his hand to her cheek, touching her as a lover would. “Careful, River,” he warned, the value of her soft skin under his own slowly registering. “You’re walking a dangerous line. There is no comfort in what I am. You and I both know this.”
As Marcus continued to caress her, he found his ever-present need to protect the girl from himself interesting. It was a conflict of interests, wanting her, and wanting her unsullied. He no longer wished to turn her. It would ruin the extraordinary balance between them.
River nodded against his palm obediently. Deep down she knew their kinds were never meant to co-exist. Yet somehow, his hand no longer felt like an object, hard and impersonal against her skin. “But you came back.” She pointed out. “I waited and you came back.”
Moving his fingers down River’s cheek, Marcus ignored truth and grabbed a hold of her chin, turning her face from side to side to check for any swelling. The thought of what would have happened had he not returned left him feeling rather hollow. Well, more hollow than usual. He was relieved she was alive and here with him now. Another thing to add to the growing list of Marcus firsts.
Finding her unblemished, Marcus schooled her lightly before letting go. “Thinking of setting any monsters loose today?”
River smiled slightly, his tone was neutral, and she knew he wasn’t mad at her anymore.
“Just the one.” She taunted, placing her hand on his chest for emphasis. Just beneath, she could feel the wild thing caged, dressed in human form and verb. “There’s no containing him.”
Marcus smiled back, amused by her flirtation. “No, I imagine not.” Glancing down at her hand and then over to the clock on the nightstand, he noticed that the morning was passing them by. “Do you think you can walk?” He encouraged. “Can’t spend all day in bed.”
As he said it, his mind naturally went to that place, his eyes dissecting her with a new sharpness. After all, it was easy with the girl in such vulnerable proximity, hair messed and eyes naturally wild. To say he was tempted was an understatement.
The air changed as Marcus’ thoughts injected River, abrupt and forceful, causing a red warmth to flood her cheeks. She was still unaccustomed to being noticed in that way, a real girl with working parts. There was all this energy, palpable and swelling with nothing to contain it.
Averting her eyes, River focused instead on testing her leg, bringing it up slightly to an angle. “It hurts.” She observed thickly, alluding to more than the obvious.
“Well, let’s have a look then.” Marcus gestured coolly, looking to distract himself from wicked compulsion. She looked so very appetizing all heated and flustered.
Nodding, River scooted closer and carefully positioned her legs across Marcus’ lap so he could have better access. The feel of him pressed hard through the thin material of his boxers caused the knot in the pit of her stomach to tighten. She knew what that meant, what he wanted.
Breath unconsciously bated, an anticipatory silence hung in the air, doing nothing to mask one body’s reaction to the other. She watched as Marcus’ large hand slid up her leg to unfasten the clip, and followed the rhythmic motion of layer upon layer of gauze being peeled away. Every time his thick fingers brushed the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, her body tensed, shocked by the thrill of hands so close to where she ached.
As he worked, her eyes followed the linear path up his bare arms, stopping to appreciate the flex of muscle beneath freckled skin. The circumference of them alone was a curious thing, and she loved to be fascinated, enthralled by the details uncovered in proximity.
Once unwrapped, Marcus took in the deep gash, calculating its severity. First he pressed at the sides, probing, and then ran a finger lightly over the raw, jagged line.
There was a stinging, like fire, which caused River to suck in a sharp breath and automatically jerk her leg open and away from his touch.
As silk rode up, Marcus couldn’t help but silently admire the new view left to him. She really was such a beautiful creature. Smirking, Marcus met River’s eyes, and announced his prognosis. “I believe you’ll live.”
Fighting the urge to return his gaze and thoughts to the apex of the girl’s thighs, Marcus reached for the bandages instead. It wasn’t often he deprived himself of what he most wanted. Only around her, for her, it seemed.
Before he could start redressing her wound, a small hand closed around his, firm and decided.
Looking up, Marcus met determined eyes as River moved his hand back high on her leg, encouraging further exploration.
“I know what you want.” She avowed, leaving her hand atop of his. “Pretend to be, but you’re not a gentleman.” When Marcus didn’t look swayed, River added with certainty, “I’m ready.”
Marcus sighed, but didn’t pull back. He was tired of self-restraint, of the internal conflict she brought about. How was it that he ended up the moral conscience of the two?
Changing positions, River straddled Marcus, draping her arms over his shoulders and losing her hands in his short hair. Marcus allowed her tentative caress to sedate him, but only for a moment. Giving up total control was an audacious move, it left one susceptible to all things human.
“This will only end badly.” He half-heartedly warned, knowing they were way past the turning point.
“I know.” River answered truthfully, giving him sad smile as she tugged distractedly on small curls at the nape of his neck.
“You’ve seen it, then?” Marcus probed, vaguely curious of their outcome. After all, nothing lasted forever, even a decent sized apocalypse. These people had found a way out of dystopia, moved on and rebuilt anew. That’s why it was so important for them to stay ten steps ahead of the game.
River looked away as tears began to well in her eyes; she was terrified of the pain yet to come, of the everything it would take. “Your concerns are well advised.” She admitted, fighting back emotion.
Marcus remained indifferent, yet intrigued. “And you still want this? Knowing what you know?” The girl really was a true sadist.
Staring quietly at him a moment, River answered the only way she knew how, by seeking his kiss, enveloping herself in the cold truth.
Marcus didn’t fight it, and as he responded, the bitter ice melted into a torrent. She welcomed the arctic rush, allowed it to turn her into lead. She desperately wanted to be swept away and pushed far beneath the churning waters.
As their lips separated, River’s voice sounded tragic, but sure. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
A twinge of something stirred deep at her words, something warm and not entirely unpleasant. Marcus had never known anyone to willingly enter their doom, especially not for him. “Can I ask why?” He implored, unable to get past the selflessness of her affection.
River shrugged, keeping the poems he wouldn’t understand locked away. She wondered if he could ever know love, feel it in his bones the way she did. In the end, she supposed it didn’t matter.
Tickling her fingers lightly down his chest, tempting the animal within, she answered, “The journey isn’t so bad.”
Kissing his face and neck cautiously at first, then more determinedly, she pleaded further, “Take me there?”
Marcus remembered their conversation in the garden not long ago, her order of things. “Thought you wanted to take things slow?” he toyed, enjoying her virginal seduction.
River leaned back and bit her lip. “Yes, slow. Go slow.”
Hmmm, slow. The idea almost seemed foreign to Marcus. He supposed she’d want him to be gentle as well? Pondering that, he decided he could view at it as a challenge, the practice of restraint. And as Marcus took in her expression, the way she nibbled shyly on her bottom lip, it was one he was suddenly eager to explore.
Reaching for the hem of her gown, Marcus slowly peeled it up, taking it over River’s raised arms and tossing it over the side of the bed. Placing his large hands on her hips, he let his eyes wash over her form, which was fully illuminated by the breaking day. Everything about her was fresh, soft curves coming into their own, tender skin beckoning.
“You might have to tie me up.” Marcus practically growled as he slid his hand up to touch her, enjoying the look of utter pleasure impressed upon her face as she fluttered her eyes closed.
A light hum echoed in River’s mind as the strength of Marcus’ hands slid across her body, grounding her and turning porcelain skin to flesh. Then there were lips kissing in places foreign, his treatment slow and excruciating, making everything on her body both sing and hurt for more.
Marcus carefully reversed their positions, turning her gently on her stomach. His hands never left her as he swept her long hair away from her neck. Lowering his body slightly above hers, he placed slow kisses across shoulders and down her back, enjoying the sweet taste of youth and innocence.
Every touch of his lips sent an anticipatory shiver down River’s spine. She couldn’t see him, but the imposing energy at her back thrilled her to the core.
Marcus worked his way down her body, kneading and nibbling nubile flesh as he went, paying special attention to her backside and the spots behind her knees and ankles. When he was finished, he moved back up and attacked her neck with equal voracity.
Thoughts of the girl’s fragile mortality gripped him as his lips met her pulse. The fact that he was no longer tempted to still the blood flowing just beneath, reminded him of how far he’d truly come.
He could feel her shudder as he hit all the right places, and it felt powerful, giving her exactly what she asked for. Speaking low into her ear, breath hot and heavy, he asked, “Is this slow enough for you?”
Smiling into the sheets, River struggled to recover her senses. “Yes.” She panted breathlessly and turned her head, claiming Marcus’ lips. She kissed him unabashedly, trying to convey her appreciation. He had tamed the beast just for her.
Resting his lower-half against River’s, Marcus pressed himself firmly to her bottom as he continued to kiss her, leisurely emulating the motion his body craved. Hard and steady he moved, the yearning to be buried deep inside her dominating his thoughts.
Reaching down, Marcus easily removed his boxers and the panties impeding the contact of skin against skin. Moving his hand down her body, it molded to her curves as she arched in grace, he found her front and slipped a thick finger through her curls. She was slick and willing and he had to fight the desperate urge to open her and plunge deep, to take what was his.
River could feel him slide between and against her wetness, thrusting with patience as he awaited permission to join her. Excitement mixed with apprehension as she remembered and realized the impossibility of his size, the inhuman rigidness and the power behind it. She wanted to be invaded, stretched and taken, but found it hard to hope that she could enjoy any of it.
Turning over, River looked up into eyes, dark blue with lust, and reached up to trace lines contorted in agony. “Tell me it won’t hurt.”
“Are you afraid?” Marcus asked in a strained tone. To say that the notion didn’t still play on his dark predilections would be a lie. Fear was the ultimate aphrodisiac.
“No.” River admitted unfalteringly. Smoothing her hand over his shoulder and down the hard bulk of ancient strength, River grabbed Marcus’ hand and flattened her own small palm against his.
Comparing size and fit, she threaded her fingers through his and confessed, “I want to feel what you feel.”
Pinning their joined hands above River’s head, and firmly against the mattress, Marcus moved himself against her entrance. He felt her tense, her small body bracing for pain, so he offered her this, knowing what she was capable of. “Come outside yourself, River. Come inside. I promise I’ll be good.”
River trembled at the notion. Up until now, she’d only peeked, safe on the banks where it was dry and bright. Stay too long and they found you. They pull you under and sink you beneath the rotting weight of despair.
But he promised, so she surrendered and fluttered her eyes closed, drifting into his thoughts and under his skin. The body she left behind was numb, and all she could feel was a suppressed longing more powerful than anything she’d ever known.
All at once, it was warm, tight and wet, the pressure intense and excruciating. It was surreal, experiencing everything backwards. A strong moan fell from her lips as Marcus pushed deeper, fighting and enjoying the resistance, breaking down taunt walls.
Marcus’ thoughts were messy and sporadic, meshed with hers, but separate. There were no dark intentions, all atrocity locked neatly behind a solid door. Only the enjoyment of each thrust could be felt, pleasure gripping and radiating deep.
She saw herself as he saw her, beneath him like a coveted thing, a creature beautiful and unique in this common place. Opening her eyes, River drifted back into herself, no longer afraid to be the person he desired and of the hurt it’d bring. As their bodies met, long and deep, the hands stretched above her head tightened and released in synchrony.
Marcus made sounds too, low and deep against her ear. The scent of her hair combined with the intoxicating smell of sex spurred him on. His faced grimaced and contorted, wrapped in a good ache as he drove deep, the need to fill her growing like a flurry. It was torturous holding back, not using his full strength, but then again, he’d always been one for pain.
As River moaned his name, her small hands dug into the muscles of his back, struggling both to get closer and to hold on. She was full to bursting, aching for release. There were things she wanted to say, deviant confessions, but the words were lost and buried in the heaviness of pleasure.
Marcus kissed River’s lips hard as he neared the brink, finally accepting the heightened sense their intimacy brought about. Holding to the unbearable pace, he marveled at how ramped his desire was. It had replaced his normal cool and calculated demeanor with something more uninhibited. This new freedom was like waking up eternal, and selfishly, he already desired more.
“How does this end?” Marcus inquired heavily, practically crushing his body to hers, he was suddenly more curious than ever about the end game. He couldn’t give her up, not now. Screw prophecy and the grand scheme of things, she was his for as long as he could keep her.
The sound of his voice and the possessiveness in his thoughts were enough to set River free, clinging tight, she smothered her moans in his neck, shuddering uncontrollably as wave after wave tore through her small frame.
Marcus soon followed, thrusting one last time as everything tightened and burst, flooding her and leaving him drifting on a euphoric high, the feeling more gratifying than crushing the life from some poor soul.
Settling himself fully upon River, a feeling of contentment washed over him for the first time in ages; everything had changed. “Well?" He pushed, catching his breath and eager to know if he could fix fate.
River hugged Marcus tighter as she stared wide-eyed at the ceiling above them. Her voice was distant and small when she finally answered, so much so Marcus could barely discern her words.
“I kill you.” River confessed mournfully, a new emptiness threatening to swallow her whole. “I kill you.”
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TBC…
Next: No Rest for the Wicked