Riveted (Art of Eros #1) (26 page)

With those thoughts, she opened herself to him completely—mind, body, and her true soul. She had let go of her past self as those shattered pieces melted and washed down the drain. He felt her release and smiled, knowing he could claim her.

Mac pushed Mara back to sit on the bench in the shower, pulling her knees apart.

“Show me. I want to see how you pleasure yourself.” He pushed her to bare herself to him in every way.

Holding her heels, he put them up on the edge of the bench, totally exposing her. Using her fingers, she began to stroke herself up and down. She swirled around the nub that had peeked out and begged for attention. Mac’s eyes were riveted to her, as he became unhinged with every touch.

She saw nothing but sheer love and acceptance in his face. She never thought she would have that from a man looking at this part of her anatomy. The real Mara had emerged, a confident beautiful creature who shone in Mac’s eyes.

“That’s it, my girl. Your pleasure is my pleasure.” His hands ran down her body, tweaking her nipples only to be laved by his tongue, showing her the fine line between pain and pleasure. He trailed a path of fire on her skin down her stomach. Mac lifted her fingers away, replacing them with his tongue as the strokes turned into licks and swirls.

“So fucking incredible,” he murmured as he ate the most delicious fruit ever.

He easily slipped in two fingers, hooking them up to tease her sweet spot. She let her feet drop to the shower floor and ground down on his hand, wanting her release, supporting herself on his broad shoulders. As Mac sucked on her clit, his light beard brushed the inside of her thighs, which only stoked the intense flame. She panted as she began to swell, tightening around his fingers. She was so wet for him, as she threw her head back, free-floating on the high.

“Please. Please, Mac. I can’t hold out any longer. I need you inside me,” Mara managed to say in-between breathes. Her body screamed for him as she moved her hips forward and grabbed his hair.

She heard him chuckle between her breasts. “Patience, my love. I’ll make it worth the wait.”

She called out the name of her savior, her protector, and her love: Mac. Her body began to tighten then suddenly, she was empty as his fingers slipped out of her.

“Don’t come yet,
leannan
. I want to be inside you when we come together.” His voice sounded tight like a man holding on by a thread. That voice was the only one in her head during her abduction. It struck right to her core and kept her sane during the insanity. His unconditional love wrapped around her kept her safe and made her stronger.

As she opened her eyes, the warm rays of morning light had broken through the clouds, casting a warm sheen on the marble that surrounded them. Drops of water covered Mac’s tan skin as he stood like a warrior before her. His eyes spoke of a claiming coming that required all or nothing. His eyes were so dark there was only a hint of green.

He gathered her in his arms, knowing she was ready for him in every way. She wouldn’t be able to hide anymore, and she didn’t want to. Her heart begged to give him everything. In control, he would claim her for himself. He needed her to trust him completely.

“Put your hands above your head and hold to the shelf. Don’t move them until I tell you to. Mac says.” The command sent a shiver down her spine, her body instantly complying. She would have done anything he told her to do, totally at his mercy, finding strength and peace in her surrender to him.

In one swift motion, Mac hoisted her up to his hips as he thrust into her. Mara gave out a small cry of pain mixed with pleasure but moved with him. His eyes focused on the point where they connected, becoming one. He pushed upward, telling her to hold on to him. She gripped his shoulders with her head resting against his cheek.

“I need to touch you, hold you.” She whispered.

Balls-deep inside of her, they both felt something snap as his control vanished. He unleashed himself.

“Always eyes on me, beautiful.” His eyes filled with intensity and clouded with love, lust and loyalty.

He began to move in and out of her, pinning her body against the wall. She followed her instincts, bringing her knees up, giving him greater access to her body. She was full with him. Both feeling fulfilled, neither sure where one began and the other ended. They panted in unison. Mara began to tip over the edge as Mac thrust into her, looking for his release. Their eyes never left each other.

She cried out Mac’s name as white lights exploded behind her eyes and electricity shot to every part of her body.

It’s all he needed and with three more thrusts, he followed her. She felt him swell inside of her and then let go as he moaned into her shoulder and whispered, “
Leannan
.” Mac took away all the hurt Brock had inflicted over the years. She didn’t feel used and abused. She felt loved, cared for and claimed by her Eros.

They held on to each other, as they floated back down to earth. He slowly slipped from her as he released her to stand. The emptiness shocked her after such an intense moment, wishing he could stay inside her forever.

“I didn’t know my body was capable of that.” Her eyes were quizzical, asking, ‘what more do you have in store for me?’

“That’s what your body does when you finally let your mind go. You trusted me to take care of you, and you let go.” His voice full of tenderness as his thumb caressed her cheek. “Now, let’s wash up.”

Mac spent considerable time washing her hair and soaping up her body with gentle strokes. She returned the favor by cleaning him from head to toe, something she could get used to on a daily basis. As she dried him, she paid close attention to the stitches in his arm.

“Who stitched you?” She gently patted the wound dry.

“Sydney. She’s a jack-of-all-trades and is an expert out in the field. In case you’re wondering, and I know you are, I’ve never slept with her. She prefers women.” He smirked, anticipating her train of thought.

Mara’s eyes widened, confirming Mac’s suspicion of her jealousy. He liked that she was possessive of him.

She ran her finger along the outside edge of the wound. “What did you mean when you said it has my name on it?” After all she had been through, Mara still had the glow of innocence that took his breath away. She shone like a unique and beautiful creature.

“I’m thinking about getting my first ink. Across the top will say ‘
Leannan
’ and along the bottom will say ‘
My Eros
.’ What do you think?” He waited for something clever to come from her after revealing that he would make his proclamation permanent.

“Here I thought you already had that written across your heart.” She peered up at him coyly with one raised eyebrow as they laughed together.

“Oh, I do. I want a reminder that light can come from darkness.” Those words seeped into their small hollow spaces, filling them completely. Two souls that found each other to complete the puzzle.

He kissed her, brushing his lips across hers. “Now, woman, you’ve made me hungry burning all those calories. Let’s get some food. Then I’ll make sure to ravage you again before the day is over. Oh, and Marabella, no more running away from me,
capisci
?”

“
Capisco
. I didn’t realize you were versed in Italian.”

“I wouldn’t say versed. I wanted to make sure you understand me.” He pulled her in for one more kiss as he seductively sucked on her lips. His excitement poked into her belly again. Giving him one stroke, she heard him groan at her touch.

“If you keep that up, we’re going to starve to death, my greedy girl.”

Yes, she was his and wanted it to stay that way. She wondered how this was all going to work after Cancun.

Chapter 24

Mac and Mara joined Leigha and Raquelle in the living room, their faces glowing with satisfaction.

“From the look on your faces, I guess I don’t need to ask how things are going with you two.” Raquelle’s smart mouth was welcomed back by everyone as a sign that things returned to normal.

Leigha called Sydney to invite her to join them for brunch. As she made the call, Raquelle and Mara suddenly stopped their conversation to listen to the laughter coming from the next room. If they didn’t know better, they would think she was talking to her boyfriend. Come to think of it, she hadn’t talked to or mentioned Tom for the entire vacation. Leigha sauntered back into the room, staring lovingly at the phone in her hand. Her cheeks flushed like she was embarrassed about something.

“What’s going on, Leigha?” Mara gave her a sly grin.

“Nothing. Sydney’s just very funny.” She laughed at some unknown secret between them.

Twenty minutes later, as the food arrived, so did Sydney. She greeted everyone with hugs and kisses. Mac couldn’t keep his eyes off Mara. Lady Luck had been on his side and gave him another chance with her. They talked about everyone spending the day together as a way to reconnect and recharge.

After brunch, Mac pulled Mara out to the balcony. He couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her, making sure she was real. As she passed one of the end tables, she glanced at something on his phone.

“What’s this picture?” she questioned with a tone of ‘guilty before proven innocent.’

“Your gorgeous legs. I took it while you were dancing at the club. I couldn’t help myself. I’ve had fantasies about those legs wrapped around my waist for a while now.”

She laughed and followed behind him, her heart raced at his touch, certain he would always have this affect on her. He spun her around to face him and pulled her body flush with his. Gently grabbing the back of her hair, he held her head in his hand. He had a grin that lit up his face. It was the kind of smile that happens when you’re completely in love with someone special. Tilting her face up to him, he leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss.

“Come sit with me. There’s something I need to tell you.” Mac sat in a lounger facing the ocean, settling Mara between his legs with her back to his chest. He buried his nose in her hair, breathing in the scent that would always remind him of his new home with her, another piece of her that he would always cherish. They sat in silence for a while as a light, warm breeze came off the ocean and brushed their skin.

“I’m disappointed I missed the sunrise here in Cancun,” Mara said absentmindedly. She heard a low chuckle coming from Mac’s chest.

“Oh,
leannan
, I saw the sun rise this morning. It was the most beautiful sunrise I’ve ever seen.”

Mara lightly smacked his thigh in response to his comment.

“Oh, I see someone’s feisty side is finally coming out. I like ‘em feisty.”

“What did you want to tell me?” She peered over her shoulder nervously as his green eyes sharpen on her.

He wasn’t sure why, but he was uneasy about telling her his news. Hearing the words would make it all too real. But he knew what was in his heart, and he knew what he wanted. He wouldn’t let her wiggle out of this one.

“I’m leaving the British Intelligence Agency.” Her body tensed in his arms. He needed her to understand. “This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I’m burned out. I had a great career with them, but I need to move on with my life. This is the first time in a long time I took a holiday, and then I met you.” Her shoulders relaxed as she turned her body to face him with her legs tucked underneath her. Mara saw the weariness in his face, as if his job had finally caught up with him. “I applied for a job in New York City with McKenzie, Bryan, and Knight, MBK Global Security. They need an international guy and they want me to start right away.” Mac held his breath, waiting for her reaction.

Is she going to think this is too much, too soon? Did she think about us beyond her holiday?

“I was wondering how we were going to make this work. It seems like fate might be on our side, twice.” With bright eyes and a huge smile on her face, she held her hand to his clean-shaven jaw. “Well, it just so happens I’m in the city quite a bit. Maybe we could get together sometime.” She couldn’t help but smile at her own freshness.

He lifted her up as she straddled his thighs. “I want to be crystal clear,
leannan
. I’m in love with you, and when a Scotsman falls in love, it’s forever. Mac says...you’re mine.” He saw tears come to the brim of her happy blue eyes and beyond that, the passion emanated from her soul. Those eyes were always the windows to the real her. He would show her what his possession meant.

Without warning, his mouth came down on hers, nipping her full lower lip as he pushed his tongue into her mouth. She was unprepared for the upwelling of emotions that came with this kiss, but if the last couple days taught her anything, it was to live life to the fullest. Mara’s tears stopped as passion took over. She answered his need with her own and pushed her tongue forward, swirling around his while nipping at his lips, wanting full access to everything he offered. She took control of the kiss and began to slowly move on his hardening cock.

Mac wrapped his hand in her hair and pulled her back with appreciation of the new Mara. She looked at him shyly with flushed cheeks. When he laughed, her hands on his chest felt the vibrations of life and love. With a glimmer in his eye of mischief, he carefully rested her cheek in one hand as if he held a fragile piece of Venetian glass.

“I always knew you had a
bite
to you. I like
Mara the Fierce
. Oh, the things I’m going to do to my kitten.”

His words shot right through her body. Words had never affected her like that before, but this man locked her heart and held the only key.

She retorted, “Just remember, kittens have claws.” Her smile faded as it gave way to the intensity of the moment. “I’m falling in love with you, too. It’s real this time, full of light and hope. You make me stronger and better at being me. I need some time. This is all so new to me. Mara says, Mac wins.”

“You’ll get some time, love, but this man is getting old and wants some beautiful Italian babies. We’re going to have to make them boys because if the girls are anything like you, they’ll have me wrapped around their little fingers in no time.”

Mara threw her head back and laughed until tears ran down her face. She couldn’t believe how wonderfully genuine he was and what he wanted to do together. Funny how she and Brock never talked about having children. She felt her old ‘self’ making a return to her body after a long time away.

“Well, you’re the one with control over that, buddy.”

“Yes, let’s not forget who’s in control.” He winked at her as she laid her head on his chest to listen to his heartbeat, the heart that belonged to her.

She was still curious about one more thing. “Do you mind if I ask you a money question?”

“Sure.”

“You’re staying in a very expensive suite, and the dinner under the tent was extravagant. Does British Intelligence pay you that well?”

“Actually, I inherited money from my uncle, who was an engineer for the government. He didn’t have any children, so my brothers and I are set for life. But that’s not my style. I take pride in my work and I believe in what I do for my country.”

“Well, that seems to be one more thing we have in common.” She nuzzled her head into his neck and breathed him in.

“I have some things to wrap up today. We’ll talk later about our trip to Scotland.”

“You’re taking me home with you?” She jerked her head up in surprise.

“To know the man is to know the land he comes from. My family will be thrilled to meet the woman who has captured me, heart and soul.”

He winked at her, lifting her off his lap. Kissing her on the forehead, he turned to leave, not that she minded the view from the back. His ass was glorious. God, she had turned into an insatiable vixen. It must’ve been in the genes because there were two Luccenzo women who were vixens. It made her wonder about Leigha.

She spent the rest of the day with her sisters and Sydney, hanging out poolside. Mara filled them in on all her plans with Mac. Both Leigha and Raquelle commented on how happy Mara seemed and how they noticed some major changes in her. Then, like it always did, the conversation turned to their latest projects. The sisters never let a day go by without talking about ideas for their works of art. Leigha and Sydney went for a dip in the pool and splashed around when Raquelle turned to Mara.

“Do you notice something going on between them? I know flirting when I see it.” Raquelle kept her eyes on the two women as she leaned over to Mara.

“I’ve been kind of wrapped up in my own world, but now that you mention it, they’re definitely flirting. What’s going on with Leigha? I feel like she’s changed somehow. Do you think she’s interested in Sydney?”

“Well, whatever it is, it brings a smile to her face that I haven’t seen in years. I guess only time will tell.” Raquelle gave Mara her best Cheshire cat smile as she bit down on her straw.

Meanwhile, back in his suite, Mac took a call from McFadden.

“We sent our cleaners to the scene. It has Russian mob written all over it. Needless to say, it was already cleaned. My question is how the fuck did they know so quickly what was going on in Mexico? We barely had a chance to get in on it ourselves.” McFadden didn’t hide his anger at being outdone by anyone, let alone the Russians.

“I don’t really know. They have a lot of surveillance and contacts all over the world.” Mac took a breath to ready himself for what he wanted to say to Neil. “By the way, Neil, I’m leaving MI6. I’m taking a job with the security firm MBK Global Security.” Mac braced himself for Neil’s reaction.

“Congratulations, old man. Doing a lifetime in MI6 isn’t for everyone. You’ll be working for one of the top security firms in the world. I may be calling on you to help me with this Russian problem, though. It’s still an open case, and I’ll need your insights for the situation. Good luck, Mac.”

“Thanks, mate.” As Mac clicked off the phone with Neil, something wasn’t sitting right with him. It had been nagging at him as it sat just underneath the surface. Something felt off about Brock’s death; only time would tell.

In the meantime, he would be focusing on his new life with Mara. Hopefully, it would go smoother than their vacation. It seemed Eros was in the air, ready for his next target.

*****