Bites & Bruises (ManxMan)

Seventeen

Snapping from the horrid memory, I forced myself to swallow and then let out a noise as I turned to find Marius staring at me. His hair looked magnificent in the sunlight and it appeared that we had stopped walking and the sensation of being sun burnt sprang to my attention.

I quickly led Marius to a dark walkway that led to a large, mansion like building. In the shadows now, I breathed a small sigh of relief before I felt Marius' hands on my face, bringing my gaze to his.

"Don't think about her anymore," His deep voice sent a shiver down my spine, "Don't think about what used to be, I don't like to see that expression on your face."

"What expression?"

Marius watched me with an intense look before he lent down and brushed his lips against mine. "Like you're five years old and someone just ran over the puppy you got for Christmas... It makes my heart ache and I can't help but want to find whoever caused you pain and end them."

My cheeks burned.

"It's alright, it was a long time a go and I... I'm over it."

He shot me a doubtful look before I wrapped my arms around him and dragged him closer. Making a noise of approval, his hands began to wander from my face to my chest and then they lingered at the waistband of my jeans.

My breathing hitched and though desire stirred within the pit of my stomach, I couldn't help but recall Rosá's parting words.

"We should get to the cells," I whispered, "Rosá was right about not being able to keep her forever."

I felt his lips brush against the vein in my neck and I shivered with anticipation.

"Can't we just spend the day together?" He purred seductively. "I'd love to come inside that tight, sexy ass of yours."

My eyes fluttered closed and I relaxed under his touch, enjoying the promise in his words. My hips flexed against him on their own accord, and his moan of lust brought me back from the gutter of my thoughts.

"Marius," I slid my hand to rest on his chest. "As tempting as that is, I want to do this... If whoever is trying to kill you, I need to try and get to the bottom of it." I nuzzled against his stubble covered cheek, "I'd hate to lose you."

"You won't lose me." He pressed himself against my body as if to emphasis his point. "I'm not going anywhere, when are you going to realize that?"

I pushed back my negative thoughts and then shot him a small smile. "I better get going..."

"Why not just go tomorrow?"

The boyish pout on his lips had me fighting back the urge to giggle. "No, no, no, I'm doing it now."

Reluctantly, he pulled away after giving me a firm kiss on the lips and then shoved his hands into his pockets. "Alright," His gaze wandered to the building at the end of the street, "Come find me once you're done, we'll need to go speak to the Mayor."

"Yes Sir," I pushed off the wall and lent up to kiss his jaw. "I'll see you later."

Marius flashed a smile before he ruffled my hair and then turned on his heels and headed back down the path and out into the sunlight. For a moment I did nothing but stare after him, admiring the way his jeans hugged his perfect ass before he disappeared and the small smile on my lips died.

With a reassuring breath, I turned towards the building that loomed in the distance as a trickle of fear ran down my spine before I shoved my haunting memories away and headed forward with determination in my stride.

It didn't take long to make my way through the abandoned building, the scent of stale blood reaching my nose every now and again. I paused when I reached the heavy steel trapped door which covered a set of stairs.

Trepidation stirred within the pit of my stomach and it had me wanting to vomit. With trembling hands, I forced myself to reach down and swing open the door. It was eerily quiet below and part of me wondered if there was actually anyone below.

Bracing myself, I then made my way down the familiar stone steps to the cells in silence. A wolf I didn't recognize was waiting for me and though his jaw tensed when he laid eyes on me, he made no comment and led me down the hallway. My thoughts were going a mile a minute yet I pushed down the rising fear as I then walked past the cell I had been imprisoned in and was directed into the room of pain.