She was amazed at how John knew so much. How he simply accepted his dreams and the knowledge that came from them. She didn’t think she’d be able to do that. But hadn’t she, in her own way, had to accept what she knew in her heart? Hadn’t she heard the voice of the goddess?
It was too early to try to figure everything out. Maybe not all of it could be quantified, but it didn’t really matter. All of it had brought her to this outcome and it wasn’t a bad place to be.
She was sprawled across Marko using him as a bed. She grinned. Her mattress was getting lumpier by the second. He was awake and very aroused.
Kellsie wiggled, rubbing her belly over his erection. Marko gave a playful growl and tipped her onto her side. She squealed and clung to his shoulders as he nuzzled her jawline and neck, leaving biting little kisses in his wake.
She returned the favor, breathing in his outdoorsy scent that pushed her libido into overdrive. He cupped her ass and pulled the cradle of her hips against his groin. She clutched at his shoulders and groaned as her moist heat stroked over him.
When he leaned down to kiss her, she met him halfway. She’d expected a kiss of passion, of driving desire. Instead it was the softest, sweetest kiss she’d ever received. It was one of love.
Without saying a word, Marko shifted position until the head of his cock was nestled against her opening. He lifted her leg and draped it over his thigh, opening her for him.
He kissed her again and again, until the only thing she knew was Marko. His tongue drifted into her mouth and slid against her tongue. Their breath mingled and became one.
She moaned as he began to push his cock into her. Inch by slow inch, he worked his penis into her slick channel. He didn’t hurry. They had all the time in the world.
Except she didn’t think she’d make it.
She reached around, grabbed his ass and squeezed. It was taut and tight and perfect. She flexed her hips, taking him deeper. He broke away from their kiss, his breathing heavy against her ear, his soft hair brushing her face.
“Love me,” she whispered.
“Always,” he returned.
Then he began to rock in an easy rhythm. Given their position, he couldn’t drive deep or withdraw far, but it didn’t matter. He filled her completely, touching every sensitive nerve ending in her sheath.
He cupped her face in his hands and stared into her eyes. She lost herself in his dark gaze. Saw herself reflected there and knew this was a real as it got.
She moved against him in a slow mating dance that sealed their love once and for all. When they came it was together. There was no huge explosion this time, but a flooding of rightness, a sense of belonging, of love that brought tears to her eyes.
“Don’t cry, love.” Marko leaned down and lapped the salty drops from her cheeks.
“I was so scared.” She could admit her fears now that they’d both survived. She clung to his warmth, to the promise of the future. She’d been strong her entire life, was still strong, but now she didn’t have to carry the load alone. Marko would share it with her. Heck, if she weren’t careful he’d carry the whole damn load. Good thing he had her to take care of him.
“I was too.”
Her head rested against his heart and she could hear the heavy thud. His cock still pulsed inside her where they joined although he wasn’t as thick as he’d been. “Really?” She didn’t think he was afraid of anything.
“I thought I’d lost you. Thought I’d failed to protect you.” He buried his face in her neck and they clung together until the sliver of sun creeping in through the door flap told them it was past time to be up.
She moved first and was surprised and happy to see a small basin of water just inside the door. Beside it was a sliver of soap and a washcloth. Kellsie gave a small crow of pleasure and crawled toward it.
Marko gave a moan and she turned her head, only then realizing what a show she was giving him with her naked butt pointed in his direction. She laughed, not at all self-conscious.
It didn’t take her long to wash and dress and grab her tote bag. She wished she had clean clothes, but it was enough for her skin to feel clean and fresh again. With her hair brushed and braided, she felt like a new woman. Of course, all Marko had to do was wave his hand and he was wearing his pants and boots, ready to go. She tried to do that fancy magic poofing business, but it hadn’t work for her. She was stuck getting dressed the old-fashioned way.
When they were both ready, they left the tent and Kellsie made a quick trip into the bushes before joining Marko and John by the fire.
“Good morning.”
“Morning, John.” She sat beside Marko and inhaled the fresh mountain air. “Where is everyone else?”
“They started back hours ago.” John motioned to the pot resting on a rock by the fire. “Help yourself to coffee.”
“Thanks.” She did her best to ignore the heat creeping up her face. Surely John hadn’t heard them making love in the tent. She hadn’t even thought about that at the time. If he had, he wasn’t talking about it, so she could ignore it too.
They ate sandwiches and drank coffee but didn’t linger. It was time to head back. They thanked John, and Kellsie wrote down his address and gave him hers, just in case something came up or he had another dream. She really didn’t want to lose contact with him after everything.
“Walk in peace, child.” John hugged her. “You have great magic yourself now. And with power comes responsibility.”
“I know. Thank you.” She kissed his cheek, grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder as Marko said his goodbyes.
Kellsie was surprised how quickly they reached the former movie set. They’d only been about forty minutes away. She turned in a slow circle. “There’s nothing here.” There wasn’t a bent twig, a piece of garbage, a forgotten prop, nothing to indicate anyone had ever been there.
Marko’s gaze was resting on the far end where the tent had stood. She knew he was thinking about the carousel and the remaining two warriors. She walked up behind him and slipped her hands around his waist to hug him. “We’ll find them.” She kissed the tattoo on his back, loving the way the rest of his body responded to her touch.
He covered her hands with his and raised them to his mouth for a brief kiss. “We will.” He turned to face her. “Does your computer work here?”
“I don’t know. Let’s see if Betsy is here first.” Kellsie wandered around a bunch of low trees and crowed in delight. “Betsy.” Her car was exactly where she’d parked it and there wasn’t a scratch on her. She rubbed her hand over the hood.
Beside her, Marko chuckled.
Kellsie rounded on him and put her hands on her hips. “Hey, don’t laugh at Betsy. She’s going to get our sorry asses out of here.”
“I know. And I truly appreciate it.” He patted the hood as she had.
She smiled and shook her head. It was impossible for her to be irritated with him when he was obviously so happy. Kellsie set her satchel down on the hood of the car and tugged out her phone. Flipping it open, she hit Maury’s number and was shocked when it rang.
“Where the hell have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you for two days.” No such thing as hello, how are you. As always, Maury didn’t waste time on small talk.
“Umm, I’ve been busy, Maury, and cell phone reception is spotty here at best.” She hurried on before he could get into a tirade. “The movie is a bust.”
“What? What?” She had to hold the phone slightly away from her ear and wait for his tirade to slowly wind down.
“The sets already torn down but we get to keep the money already in our account. Right?”
“Of course we keep the money. I made sure there was a cancellation clause. You’re sure there’s no chance at reviving it?”