Marked Me Like a Bloodstain - 18+

Don't you see what you're finding? This is Heaven in hiding

"Well aren't you considerate?" She murmured before taking a sip, he watched her every move, eyes dropping to her throat as she swallowed.

"How does it compare to the motels?" He said when he finally met her gaze, the blue piercing in the grey light of the morning.

Manon turned to him, "Much better, thank you. Why didn't you wake me?"

He locked his phone and set it down before replying, giving her his full attention.

"I did try, you sleep like the dead." He said seriously and Manon snorted.

"Shame, I had this wonderful idea I wanted to try out but I guess you'll never know."

That ever present heat between them seemed to burn hotter as she watched him, her laughter dying in her throat when tension so thick she could almost reach out and touch it filled the air. Jake's eyes narrowed a second before he wrapped a hand around her wrist, dragging it to his mouth and breathing her in, pressing a kiss against her pounding pulse before he released her. Manon released a breath and tried to ignore his smug smirk.

"You can always show me later, Manon." He turned away to drink his own coffee, the promise in his low voice sending a thrill through her and wishing it was later, now.

"Perhaps." She agreed, forcing her mind away from the gutter and back onto what was happening that day.

"What are you planning to do while I play hostess?" She asked quietly.

"I'll keep working, there are a few trails I want to follow and see if they bear fruit."

"Can I ask what those are or do you want to wait until you know for sure?"

"I'll wait, they could be nothing but it doesn't hurt to try." She smiled, nodding.

"Okay, sure you don't want to help? You could keep the attention off me." She was joking but a part of her wanted to witness the scene if he was there to greet them, the drama would feed her for weeks.

He cut his eyes to her, amusement clear in the set of his mouth "I'm sure. You'll enjoy it, you don't seem to mind being the center of attention around me."

Manon gave him a wicked grin and leaned closer, his gaze trained on her red lips.

"Oh, but I can't do to them what I do with you, Jake." She practically purred and Jake groaned, eyes darkening and pinning her in place.

"No you definitely can't." He agreed, voice guttural, "Do you delight in tormenting me, Manon?"

A spark caught, quick and hot in her core, the heat of it warming her through.

"I do, you seem to like the end results though." She shrugged, feigning nonchalance and he edged closer, their faces so close they shared breath.

He drew in a long breath, nudging her nose with his and his hand gripped her chin tight. Manon held her breath, his eyes kept flicking to her mouth and she felt as though she'd crawl out of her skin if he didn't kiss her.

"I don't want to mess it up, this colour on you is striking." He whispered and she had the urge to laugh but reigned it in, anticipation fizzing through her veins. The compliment so unusual she made a note to wear lipstick more often.

"It'll be fine." She whispered and closed the distance between them.

It wasn't their usual frantic, desperate kiss. He kissed her slowly and sensually, as if he had all the time in the world to map her mouth. Pliant lips gentle against hers, making them tingle in reaction and when he licked at the seam of her mouth she let him in, a lazy slide against her tongue. The hand at her chin tilted her head, giving him better access and she wound her own through his hair, scratching lightly at his scalp. The hum of pleasure he made making her smile, he shifted and she felt his other arm wrap around her waist, fingers splaying against the small of her back. The warmth of them soaking through her thin shirt and sending goosebumps across her skin.