Free Marked (The Recruits: Book One) by Emma Hillman

one–night stand! It was supposed to be a secret between us!”
    Jake shrugged. “You came here willingly. You begged me to fuck you. You didn’t even react when I didn’t use protection. You obviously wanted this.”
    She felt her eyes widen. “You’re such an asshole. It was sex! And I wanted to complain about the condom, but you shut me up!”
    His eyebrows rose. “I don’t recall this happening.”
    “You are not my Master, and we are not married!” She pushed on his shoulders with all the strength she had, but he barely moved. “Let me go, damn it!”
    “I can’t let you go.” His arms found the small of her back, dragging her tight against his hard body. “You’re mine, pet. Body and soul. I’ve Marked you. I’ve spent my seed inside you. We are married, even if you don’t want to understand.”
    He’d spilled himself inside her . Faye closed her eyes, the fight leaving her as she realized what that meant. “I don’t believe this. What are Immortals? What the hell are you?”
    “We’re human, if that makes you feel better.”
    She snorted. “Immortal and human? Do you really think I’m that stupid?”
    Jake’s eyes flashed. “I wouldn’t have picked you if I’d thought you were stupid. You’re perfect for me, Faye.”
    That made her snort again. Her, perfect? “Guess you need glasses then.”
    “Stop this!” he growled. “I deem you perfect, and that is going to be the end of this.”
    “Do you really expect me to believe you?”
    “I do.” He turned and nodded at Chris.
    The other man started speaking right away, his words soft and gentle, “Faye, you are one of ours now. You’ve been Marked by our First Man, and you will come live in our compound as soon as we can arrange it. Do not worry about anything else. We’ll take care of you.”
    “You will?” She blinked, a weird lethargy taking over her body. She could feel her mind, almost as if it was trying to battle her friend’s monologue, but it wasn’t strong enough. Minutes later, she found herself nodding, accepting them at face value, as if she had no intellect left.
    It was only when Chris stopped talking, that she became herself once more. She pushed on Jake’s arms, wanting some space between the two of them. Wanting to find a quiet corner so she could think things through.
    And that’s when Sofia’s voice rang close. Too close. “It’ll be easier if you just accept it all, Faye.”
    Before she could guess his intentions, Jake whirled her around so she was pressed tightly between the two of them. And then, it happened again. Sofia’s mouth, Sofia’s teeth, dug where Jake had, pain flaring up once more. Faye gasped, writhing in their embrace.
    Thank God it didn’t last long. Footsteps drifted away as she let herself fall against Jake’s chest, unable to comprehend what was happening. How could one night of crazy sex lead to this? Had she lost consciousness somewhere along the way? Was she just dreaming?
    Then Chris spoke up, his voice harsher than she’d ever heard it before, “Take care of her, First Man. She is our future.”
    “I know,” Jake answered but he didn’t watch them leave. His attention was focused on her, and only her.
    She looked up at him, feeling tired all of a sudden. “Now, what?”
    “Now, I show you what a good husband I can be.”
    The bright smile that graced his face was so unexpected she would have stumbled if she hadn’t been propped up against him.

 
    Chapter Thirteen: New Rules, Same Game
     
    Jake had grabbed her hand and tugged her to the en–suite bathroom. Once there, he’d turned the taps on in the large whirlpool tub, and had motioned her to sit on the tiled bench that ran along the opposite wall.
    Faye grimaced as the cold ceramic hit her butt and thighs, her already stretched nerves yearning for warmth and comfort instead. She should have been thankful that he took care to widen her thighs and clean their mingled juices. She should have thanked him when he pulled