There mysterious girl

Chapter 20

They were in the bath, she, and Marcus. Bella was resting between his spread legs, her lolling on his shoulder. It was reminiscent of reading in the garden with Aro- although now she was wet and naked. The water was piping hot, but tempered by the coolness of Marcus's body, creating a pleasant contrast.

They took turns making love to her again that morning. Aro went last, teaching her to ride him before leaving her with a passionate kiss, sighting an important task that needed doing. She initially winced when she submerged her lower half in the tub. Both Aro and Marcus had done their best to ensure that she was well-satisfied, and quite sore.

That initial sting had subsided, but Bella might need a day or two to recover from their intense love making. Marcus had lovingly washed every inch of her, making her blush and sigh with pleasure as his hands worked her body. Now she lay boneless against him, her skin pink from the warm water.

Marcus could not keep his hands from touching her. His palms skated his hands along her shoulders, trailing fingertips along the curve of her neck, dancing across her clavicle. He kissed her reverently, touching her hair and face with his lips over and over. This was what it was to be cherished, she thought happily.

"What are you thinking of, my love?" he asked softly, nudging her cheekbone with the tip of his nose.

"You," she said, matching his quiet tone. "Us."

"What about us, regina?" he pressed. "Tell me."

"I just- I've never felt like this. I didn't know it was possible," she replied simply.

"Don't tease, angel," he groaned, sucking gently on the exposed skin of her throat. "Will you elaborate, stellina?"

"I think you know," she hedged, smiling.

"You are a nymph," Marcus declared, nipping her neck without breaking the skin.

"Me?" she asked innocently. "I'm not sure about that..."

Another, sharper, nip followed the first, making her gasp. It did not draw blood but was certainly hard enough to leave a mark- but then, maybe that was his intention. It was starting to become clear that her mates enjoyed marking her, leaving behind physical symbols of their complete possession of her body.

"I am being tender now, little nymph, but I have ways of making you talk," he warned teasingly.

His threat hung playfully between them, and Bella felt him smile into her throat. She stifled her own giggle, curious about this undiscovered, mischievous side of Marcus.

"Very well," he sighed, the smile still in his voice. "You asked for this, amore mio."

Bella shrieked, twisting, and splashing water out of the tub as his fingers descended to her sensitive ribcage, tickling her without warning.

"Marcus!" she squealed, laughing breathlessly from his assault. "Stop! We're getting water all over the floor-"

"Only if you agree to tell me, my sweet," he hummed.

"There's nothing to tell!" she laughed, crying out when his fingers redoubled their attack on her ticklish sides.

"Are you sure, mia stella?" he asked blithely, unbothered by the bath water, which was now spreading along most of the marble tiled floor.

She said nothing- unable to speak because she was gasping for air through her laughter.

"Very well," he sighed dramatically. "I see that I must use force."

"Force?" she managed. "What do you call- AHH!"

In a fluid motion, Marcus had risen from the water, hauling Bella over one shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Both nude and sopping wet, he carried her caveman style with long strides into the bedroom, where he flopped her down onto the bed. He quickly covered her naked body with his, wedging himself between her open legs.