Free His Desire, Her Surrender by Malia Mallory Page A

kissed her cheek. "Come. Let's take a hot shower and go to bed. A good night's sleep will do us both good."
    Tabitha acquiesced as fatigue settled deep in her bones.
    They were both quiet as they walked through the apartment. They stopped in the dressing room between the bedroom and bathroom. Marcus helped Tabitha unfasten her dress and she hung it up, smoothing out the skirt. Dark, oily splotches stained the fabric and a jagged tear marred the lace.
    "Marcus. My dress is ruined." With her mundane observation, the dam finally broke. Tears streamed down her face and her shoulders shook with deep sobs.
    Marcus reached for her. "Oh, sweetie. It's all right. It's over. We're both fine." He stroked her hair and rubbed her back.
    Tabitha clutched at him, grasping him tightly.
    Marcus held her close, waiting for the storm to pass and murmuring words of reassurance.
    After a few minutes, Tabitha's breathing slowed with only the occasional hitch.
    Marcus kissed her forehead. "Are you ready to shower?"
    Tabitha placed her head on Marcus's shoulder and followed his lead. Her emotional outburst had left her drained and empty. They passed into the bathroom together. Tabitha stepped into the shower and he embraced her from behind. The hot spray rained down on their entwined bodies as they stood still, soaking in reassurance from one another as the rivulets of water carried away the dirt and grime from their skin.
    Marcus grasped a bar of soap from the dish on the wall and lifted the soap to her nose. "I love this scent. I hope you approve."
    Tabitha inhaled the fragrant lavender. "I like it."
    "I want to smell it on you. It will complement your own unique scent."
    Tabitha smiled. "You're not trying to tell me something, are you?"
    Marcus bestowed a small kiss on her nose. "You smell wonderful, always."
    He soaped his hands and explored the curves and planes of her body, leaving a slick trail of fragrant lavender. His touch combined with the hot steam of the shower to heat her skin. Her muscles loosened and the knots of tension unwound.
    Marcus nuzzled her neck. "I can't help but want you."
    "It's a reaction. The adrenaline and all."
    "It's a reaction all right. To you." He took her hand and guided it to his erection, thick and throbbing.
    All that was feminine inside her called out for him. "Yes …."
    Marcus needed no further invitation. He turned off the water and wrapped her in a large, fluffy towel. He swept her off her feet into his arms and strode into the bedroom.
    "I need you," was all he whispered as he bore her down on the coverlet. He unwrapped the towel, cradled her close, and kissed her moist skin. He licked away the lingering beads of water he found as he explored her body.
    Tabitha writhed against him. The gentleness overwhelmed her senses. This was yet another Marcus. A gentle, loving Marcus. She filed the images and sensations away in her memory. Physical and sensual urgency had marked their previous encounters. This was different. This was pure emotion.
    As he entered her, Tabitha trembled. It felt right. It was right. What was Marcus doing to her? She needed this man, beyond anything she had experienced before. Her body not only desired him, he was essential to her on a primal level.
    Their lovemaking took on a different tone, slow, deep and powerful. His hands roamed her body with unhurried, lingering caresses. His kisses drugged her with sensual bliss. She could only accept and hold on.
    Her body spasmed inside, not the hot, powerful contractions of her usual orgasm, but rather deep, slow waves of prolonged pleasure that rolled on and on until they crested.
    Marcus nipped her shoulder as he came and soothed the mark with his tongue. He collapsed on top of her, crushing her against the soft mattress. He kissed his way up her neck to her cheek and then rolled off, gathering her close. He pulled the covers over them, and they savored one another for a moment before sleep claimed them both.

Chapter 8
     
    Tabitha's nerves