Threat

From my characters in my book: The Book of Marie.

A threat was a threat, but with Marie when she added a weapon, you could almost bet your ass was in major trouble. Jonas stood before her, watching, and observing every little detail, she might betray.

“Jonas, you and I have a problem.”

Hence, the reason I am here, Lady. He thought wearily.

She wouldn’t look at him. She had one knee perched over the other, and she was using a dagger to clean out her nails.

I cannot decide what I could have done worse, not letting her win or the fact that I rubbed it in her face!

In Jonas's office...

Nothing could have prepared her for the heat flaring to life across her cheeks and down her neck. The base of her skull was aching with fierce tension. Her teeth were clenched inside her mouth that had formed a thin line for lips. Her boots clicked furiously as she walked down the hall. She ran her fingers through her hair, holding it in the air for a moment, before throwing it behind her neck. There wasn’t enough air to ease the heat that flared to life inside of her.

“Jonas, you ass!” She roared as she rounded the corner coming face to face with her brother Daemeon and Jonas. Damn it, her mind muttered.

“Marie,” her brother looked on concerned, “is everything alright?”

She pushed her teeth into the back of her lips, holding her mouth shut so she wouldn’t stand there with her mouth gaping open stupidly. “I’m fine brother,” she gritted her teeth.

A sly smile crept onto Jonas’s lips. “I do believe I am the cause of her frustration, Daemeon. She was cursing me after all.”

She wanted to choke the smile off his face. She wondered how much more pissed off she would feel if she pulled her sword and ran it through his arrogant chest.

“Nonsense Jonas,” her brother laughed. “My sister adores you.”

Her eyes moved between both men wondering why they were baiting her. Power was burning in her limbs, waiting to be tapped, but something worse was burning deep inside of her soul. Was she truly falling in love with Jonas? Had her feelings for Mazero finally begun to fade? Mazero had Lanora now…didn’t he? Her heart ached; her stomach turned.

When her eyes focused again on her intended target, her brother and Jonas had returned to talking politics. But Jonas’s body faced hers. His arms were crossed over his broad chest muscles, the rest of his body in a relaxed lean. Daemeon continued to talk, but Jonas’s eyes zeroed in on her. Her breath threatened to suffocate her at the knot in her throat.

She mentally returned to building up her emotional wall. Jonas would never be Mazero, nor vice versa. Mazero had awakened the woman inside of her, but now Jonas was challenging the woman inside of her. And a hell of a challenge he had offered. Her body shivered remembering his kiss. They had been sweating through another routine working to rebuild her strength, and working on building her confidence in her new powers. And like a faded memory, her body had been pressed into his hard shape; her breathing heightened from their sword play; when those burning eyes had stared down into her face with such fire and lust, she had instantly been wet and wanton. She released a shuddered breathe.

Jonas reached out to shake Daemeon’s hand. Their conversation was over for now. She tried to remember what she was angry about. She tried to not focus on the fact that she was in Jonas’s home, and her brother was about to leave. A huge grin filled his face as Daemeon turned away from Jonas and focused on his youngest sister. He spread his arms wide, a chuckle lingering on his lips at her frustrated look, as she folded into his loving embrace.

Kissing the top of her head, his hands warm against her shoulders, “be fair with him, Marie.” He whispered. “Jonas meant well.”

“You knew,” fire tried to burn a hole in his forehead. Of course he knew. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She felt the irritation in her jaw. “Meant well my ass,” she grumbled.

His laughter made her smile. It had been a harsh road and far too long to get to this moment. The war was over. Her son was in power. Seth would be a wonderful leader and King. Her daughter was whole again, beginning to rebuild her life while she trained with Mazero.

“Be still Marie,” his voice dripped with concern. Her body shivered involuntarily in exhaust. She had to remind herself; there was no reason to fight right now. “All is right now,” he tried to reassure her as he ran his heavy hands up and down her arms and kissed her forehead. “Love you, little sister.”

She smiled. “Love you too, Daemie.” She just continued to stand there staring as her brother started walking away from her. His head softly laughing at her as he walked away and headed to the door.

Reaching out his hand, gripping Jonas’s arm for a moment, “good night,” he paused, “brother.” He smiled.

She felt the blush deepen across her cheeks. Her face was on fire with it; her chest red as she tried to breath deep and remain calm. Should she stay here, or should she chase after her brother? Her eyes focused on Jonas’s back as he closed the door behind her brother. He wouldn’t physically hold her against her will. But maybe she wanted him to. She forgot how to breathe when those green eyes focused on her. She felt the blush flush her body, fill her belly, and clench her womb.

It had been too long, far too long, since she had been embraced and truly loved. “I’m still mad at you Jonas,” she remarked. She perched each hand on either hip and started tapping her foot with anxiety.

She watched his chest fill as he took a deep breath, and then strolled towards her slowly. Her mind was already playing out wicked fantasies about his body with her. Her chest burned. Her entire body clenched. She could almost feel her eyes popping out of her face. He had chiseled his body into the perfect weapon, and it would rightly be the death of her.

She blinked away at her freight. His chest barely lingered against hers. His breathing was slow and even, while she felt certain hers would smother her.

His hand was warm against her cheek. Her eyes closed against the feel of his calloused hand. Goosebumps assaulted her body. “Why are you still mad at me Marie?” His lips were so close to hers.

She couldn’t think; couldn’t remember. Her lips trembled. Would he kiss her again? Would this fire destroy her?

“Hum,” he teased.

She drew air into her mouth, only for it to be stolen away from his lips on hers. She moaned into his mouth as her body stepped into his. His fingers spread around her ear, then further back to cup her head, tilting it to have better access to her mouth. His tongue pushed into her mouth tasting her, crushing her body with anticipation and need. His other hand touched her hip, pulling her into his body as much as he could.

“Marie,” he moaned her name against her lips.

“Jonas,” her body clenched again. Would she have an orgasm before he even touched the rest of her body? His arm was a weighted bar against her side. Her chest ached, would he reject her? She could feel the warm length of him just the other side of her clothing. “Am I…”

He crushed her words with another kiss. His hands gripped her hips; his mouth devouring hers like she was the fountain to life. “I love you Marie.” He kissed her forehead where Daemeon had kissed her, “stop over thinking it all, love.”

She closed her eyes as his lips kissed the space between her lips and her ear, then beneath it against her neck, his teeth gently scraping at the spot on her neck where the tension was the worst. Her body let out a satisfied sigh as he kissed the hollow of her throat just above her chest plate. His arms crushed her chest against his as his lips lingered on the tops of her breasts. She was about to drown in the heat of him.

“I don’t know that I’m ready Jonas,” her body forced her to space out the words.

“Then your mind is lying to you,” He looked down at her face enjoying how she tried to piece everything together. He settled his hands against the curve of her back, waiting, trying to give her the space and moments she needed.

Fear battled inside of her. She would over think everything if he gave her too much time. Her heart was pounding; her chest aching. Along with the need boiling inside of her, she had questions, so many damned questions.

A soft smile lifted his lips. He started to move his hips, suggesting a slow dance; a welcoming distraction. She still felt faint. Her breathing was too quick for her own good. She clasped the edges of his jacket pulling her head down to lean into his chest and listen to his heart beating. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breathe. She wanted to commit this moment to memory.

His fingers moved into her hair, massaging gently. He turned, forcing her to move with him as they simply slowly moved in a circle around the main room. His hands were warm as he pulled her face back to look at him again. There was a drive in his kiss now; a deep need asking for her to recognize his affection for her. She felt like he was baring his soul in that kiss.

“I need you, Marie,” his voice was dampened and husky. “I need you more than I need to breathe.”

Her heart leapt into her throat. A small smile began to form on her lips. “Say it again,” she whispered.

He gave her a full teeth grin, “I love you Marie. And I’ll tell you over and over again until you tire of hearing my voice. I love you.”