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He leans down, giving me a soft kiss, and our towels drop as he easily slides me back across the bed, climbing on top of me as he pulls the covers over us.
His arms pull me close, and his lips meet mine, deeper this time.
His hand palms my breast, and I feel him harden against me.
He reaches for a condom, sliding it on and we move together, slower this time, gentler, but still just as consuming.
He lays on top of me, our breaths mingling, his warmth wrapped around me like a promise.
A few minutes later, he shifts onto his back, pulling me onto his chest, and I drift off into an easy sleep, his arms wrapped around me and the steady beat of his heart reaffirmingthis is real.
Chapter 39
Lila
The pale morning light seeps in through the blinds. For a moment, I’m caught between sleep and waking, unsure where I am – until I feel the weight of Marcus’s arm draped over my waist and hear his soft, steady snore.
A smile spreads across my face. It wasn’t a dream.
I glance around, half-expecting my phone to be by the bed where I always have it, but then I remember – I left it downstairs.
Rolling onto my side, I press a gentle kiss to Marcus’s cheek. His face looks so peaceful, so beautiful. And he’smine.
My heart skips a beat at the thought of waking up to him like this for many mornings to come.
He stirs, and my lips slide over his as his hand finds my face, his fingers curling gently against my skin.
“Mmm,” he groans, eyes still closed.
“Good morning,” I whisper.
His lashes flutter, and with a stretch, he opens his eyes and grins.
“Good morning beautiful.”
I smile, kissing him again as my hand trails down the curve of his neck, brushing gently against the silver chain I’ve noticed he never takes off.
My gaze follows, drawn to the sharp black gem resting against his chest, my fingers tracing the smooth texture of it.
The first time I spotted it was the other night when I surprised him in his room while he was getting changed. His shirt was unbuttoned, framing his body in the most perfect way, and the gem had caught my eye, the pointed end of it directing my gaze south along his chest and abs.
“I like this,” I say, lifting the stone gently between my fingers. “What is it?”
Marcus glances down, then meets my eyes with a small nostalgic smile. “Onyx,” he says. “My gran gave it to me.”
I turn the pendant slowly, noticing fine silvery threads glinting beneath the surface. “It’s beautiful.”
“She was big into crystals,” he says, his voice softening. “Said this one was for protection. It’s supposed to ward off negative energy, chaos, anything that tries to mess with your peace.”
I glance up at him, and the way he’s watching me makes my chest tighten. “So it’s like a little shield?”
He smiles warmly. “Exactly. She gave it to me before I went to uni. Said I’d need something to keep me grounded. The day she gave it to me was the last time I ever saw her. She died peacefully in her sleep about a month later.”
My breath catches in my chest – familiar, painful, and tender all at once. I let the stone fall softly back against his skin, my fingertips lingering there.
“I like that you wear it. Like she’s still watching out for you.”
His hand covers mine, warm and steady. “She is,” he murmurs, shifting to face me on his side. “And now… I’ve got you.”