Paranormal - The Choosing

Even the long, cold shower couldn't help.

Bella emerged from her bedroom, retying the sash of her robe as she finger-combed her newly washed hair. She sighed deeply for the hundredth time since Jason left an hour ago. Every second he'd been gone, she questioned her actions, and how she could possibly have let him leave, thinking as he did. That she didn't want him. Because he was wrong, so wrong.

She had wanted him - all of him. Dammit her body was still buzzing from the touch of his fingers and lips, the taste of his tongue dancing hotly against hers. Her breasts still ached, heavy with the need to be caressed and suckled. He'd only been inside her home for barely half an hour, but every minute had held a heated promise that she knew he would have easily fulfilled, again and again. She could still remember the feel of the turgid, throbbing ridge of his cock outlined against her naked thigh, searing her skin even through his pants leg. And she groaned out loud in regret.

She figured she wasn't getting any sleep that night. It was a punishment she deserved for throwing away what could easily be her only chance with Jason. She wished now that he'd given her the opportunity to explain; they could have found a way to work things out. Well, maybe now she'd never know...

The sound of knocking startled her, making her jump.

Jason...was her first hopeful thought, as she turned eagerly from the window she'd been gazing out of. Placing down her mug of hot cocoa, she rubbed  her suddenly wet palms on her robe. He'd come back, she thought, her heart singing. He had left in sort of a huff, and she wondered if he'd returned so they could talk - or continue from where they left off. She wasn't sure how easily she'd be able to resist him this time if he tried to change her mind...

Taking a deep breath, she decided she needed to at least hear what he had to say. Her heart was pounding dully as she threw the door open, a hesitant smile on her face.

The smile vanished and her heart stopped beating entirely when she found the dark, tall figure leaning against her doorjamb.

"Marcus," she gasped, hand instantly moving to her chest in shock and not a little bit of fear. What was he doing here?

He lifted his head to look at her, saw her expression. "You look like you've seen a ghost," he murmured, straightening and shoving his hands into his coat. There was a half-smile across his lips, though his eyes blazed as they roved all over her with her face and body flushed from her recent shower. She instinctively wrapped protective arms about herself.

He noticed her action, and his smile thinned. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"

Bella bit on her lip, stepping back at once. "Sure," she said, and then he brushed past her into her flat, and suddenly everything seemed dwarfed by his huge frame.

She backed the door shut, standing there as she watched him look around curiously, walking to that table or that shelf to glance at a frame or knick-knack. It was almost impossible to believe he was actually there, in her home.

"How did you know where I live?" she blurted out, now that her heartbeat had returned to normal - almost. She wasn't truly afraid of him, but she was surprised to see him, and had been caught off guard. She'd never have dreamed he'd show up that night of all nights.

"You're my secretary," he drawled, taking up a picture of her and the members of her family in a group portrait. "There's not much I don't know about you. I know your birthday is next week; that your parents live less than an hour away, that you have a sister and a brother - and oh, that your cat, Olsen, died several months ago."

"Oh," she said, pushing away from the door to march up to him. "Do you take that much interest in all your employees? Or is it just me?"

"No, Bella, it's not just you," he half-mocked, placing down the frame and facing her. "I actually stalk every one who works for me. Following them around almost every night, watching out for them when they go for a late-night visit to the gym, or for that quick stop at the local library for a book. I generally hang around their flat when ever they bring back a friend or two home for coffee at night, and wait till those friends leave and the lights finally go out in the flat - all except one which is always left on in the kitchen."

As he wound to a stop she stared up at him in bewilderment. "Marcus," she gasped. "All those things..are you saying you've been watching me?"

A self-mocking little smile lifted one corner of his lips. "Someone had to look out for you," he murmured with a slight touch of humor, which disappeared from his tone as he lifted a hand to her cheek, running the tip of his fingers along the slopey curve. "I never felt any peace till I was sure you were okay. That when you weren't at work, you were still safe. And tonight..."

He shook off what seemed to be an angry thought, yet his touch was gentle as he threaded his fingers through her damp hair, his large hand cupping the back of her head. Bella was just too dazed by his words to speak, or move. Her eyes darted and he felt the way she stiffened as he drew her closer.

Sighing heavily, he withdrew, walking over to the window she'd only just been looking out from before he'd arrived. "Don't worry, Bella. Your boss is not some psycho killer staking you out. There are just some...things you don't know about me, things I was going to tell you, in time. But believe me, I'd never hurt you. And I know I never let you see this, but I care about you, deeply. That's why when you.."

Once more he broke off, turning around to face her again. "What happened, Bella? With Jason? I know you two went out to dinner and he came back with you..I also know he left an hour ago."

"Jason...," Bella echoed, trying to gather her scattered wits as she tried to make sense of everything Marcus was telling - and not telling - her. Her heart thrilled to know that he did feel something for her, but she wondered if she shouldn't be a little frightened. Who was Marcus, really?

"Jason...had to go," she said at last. "But, Marcus..."

"Ssh," he said gently, and this time he had a warm smile, relieved and somewhat triumphant. He pulled her to him, hands on her waist keeping her from trying to pull away even if she wanted to. Not that she did. This was Marcus, the man she'd hungered and pined for, dreamed of for all these months. She'd fallen for him that first day and it still hadn't ebbed, only deepened. There were still some things about him that had become a mystery to her, but all of it didn't matter now. He was here, holding her close, waiting to kiss her. That, for now, was all that counted.

His head was slanted, lips hovering over hers. A deep sigh escaped him when she didn't push away, but instead lifted her arms to wrap around his neck. His grip on her waist tightened for a moment, before he eased up and commanded softly, "Kiss me."

It didn't occur to her to protest, or hesitate. Bella lifted her chin the few inches it took to mould her lips to his. And in that instant, it all felt so..right.

Marcus began to take, the moment she gave into him. There was no gentle build-up or awakening. He dived in and snatched her along for the ride. He ground his mouth against hers in a kiss that was moist and hard and deep, pushing his silky tongue hungrily through to taste all her waiting secrets.

Bella wasn't sure how her sash had come undone, but now the robe hung open, and the feel of his hands pushing past its folds to touch her brought a shudder through her now exposed frame. Half-distracted by his kiss, she moaned as he instantly cupped her breasts in his hands. He squeezed and stroked them with maddening expertise, making her gasp, open-mouthed, against his lips.

"Marcus," she half-sighed, half-moaned, when he pulled away to run his lips along the slope of her jaw and neck. Suddenly, he scooped her into his arms.

"The bedroom," was all he said.

"That way," she managed to reply, pointing. Moments later he was laying her down across her sheets.

His coat was chucked off, then his shirt and shoes. His hand hesitated at his belt buckle, and Bella made a disappointed pout when he stopped. There was no mistaking the enormous bulge pointing out between his legs, but for now, he seemed content to keep that part of his anatomy a mystery. Which Bella felt was such a shame...she’d thoroughly enjoyed watching him strip from where she lay on the bed, her own robe half on but spread open so her naked body was bared to his heated gaze. Her gleaming eyes roved over his hard-packed torso, and she licked her lips in delicious anticipation. She couldn’t wait to run her tongue over every rippling sinew, right before she’d pull out his cock and pop it into her mouth. Damn, she could hardly wait...

He joined her on the bed, kissing the tip of her nose."Beautiful," he whispered, then planted a kiss on her mouth, saying again, "Beautiful..." And then his lips followed a molten path to her breasts, and he sighed out one more time, "So...fucking...beautiful," before capturing the thrust-out nub in his mouth. He rolled it over and over in his tongue while his hand stroked and teased her other breast almost roughly. Bella couldn’t seem to stop moaning, as the moisture between her thighs pooled and dripped. Fucking hell, she thought, almost dazed with pleasure.

And it got even better, as after torturing her breasts with his mouth for several minutes, he finally trailed a hot path down her belly to her parted thighs, where her pussy lips glistened and quivered with lust. She heard him rumble with delight right before he laid his tongue flat against her pinkish folds, lapping his way over and up to tongue her pulsing clit.

Bella groaned out loud as if in pain, her fingers raking through his hair. She couldn't help it. It's been what, almost half a year since she'd waited for this. She'd been totally celibate, never wanting anyone else but him. And Jason...

Her eyes flew open as her ecstatic haze cleared long enough for her to register the thought, Jason.

She'd wanted him too, for just as long, and just as much. Earlier that night he'd kissed and touched in ways that had convinced her that their passion was pure, and powerful. As it was right now, with Marcus.

Marcus’ mouth, hot and hungry, suckled and tongue-fucked her, sending shockwaves of pleasure spreading from her pussy to the rest of her body. It made her throb with a deep need that longed to be filled, truly filled. His thumb stroked her clit button with a sure yet tender touch, tearing his name from her lips within a string of belly-deep moans.

She fought to think, telling herself that if she stopped him now it would be like suicide. His fingers were now thrusting deep into her pussy, three at a time. It felt like she was ready to erupt with the way he shoved roughly in and out of her while his tongue never let up on its torment of her outer folds.

She wanted this very, very much. For Marcus to claim her completely. And it would happen soon enough. And yet she asked herself, why settle for less than what she wanted, and truly deserved?

So for the second time that night, she said "no" to only the second man she'd ever wanted so bad it made her pussy melt just by thinking of him. He drew away in a look of amazement that was becoming very familiar. Jason had had much the same look not too long ago.

"I don't understand," he said with a slight frown as he watched her fold herself into her robe, tying it securely. "You sent Jason away...that's why I assumed it was...well, me you chose."

"That's just it, Marcus; I can't choose," she cried, shaking her head in self deprecation.

"You're going to have to, Bella," he said patiently. "Or you'll end up having neither of us."

"But...what if I want to have you both?" she asked softly, raising her head to look at him. The look on his face was hard to describe. Like he couldn't credit his hearing.

"Us both as in...?"

"As in you, me and Jason. That's all I've ever wanted, Marcus. And that's the only option I'll be willing to take..."