Marked by Hades by Reese Monroe Page A

together. How right she’d felt beneath him, responding to his touch. His body tightened, and energy roared through his blood, flooding to his face.
    She drew in a deep breath, her nostrils flaring. “Justin.”
    Could this be the real deal? He’d witnessed these intense feelings from Theo in response to his Mate, Sadie.
    No!
    She reached for his hand, which lay on the bed beside him. A blanket covered his lower half, leaving his bare chest exposed.
    Inches separated her bare fingers from his. He knew deep down he wouldn’t turn to dust, but he would get the Mark on his neck.
    Unlike a Gatekeeper, his neck had always been vulnerable, but once he got the Mark, demons would know he was mated. That there was someone who was a target for termination or capture just to get to him. Or to his Gatekeeper.
    He should stop this right now. Pull away so he didn’t get the Mark. Didn’t get attached. But damn, he wanted her in this bed with him right now, naked and kissing him. Even despite how sore he was.
    Wait. Her injuries were gone.
    “Stop,” he said.
    She froze.
    “Your injuries.” Sadie had said Yvonne was stabbed twice, then did battle with both her and Halena to get to him. “They’re gone.”
    A red hue imbued her cheeks. “Seems I don’t stay injured for very long.”
    “Even a Mavet?”
    She nodded. “I’m not a demon, Justin.”
    At least not now, but was it because of a spell? A curse? This could all be a trick. She could somehow be related to Theo’s capture.
    She leaned toward him, and he pulled in a breath, steeling himself for contact. He’d heal first, then figure this all out. His guard would remain up.
    Had to.
    Warm fingers melded with his.
    Heat erupted in his neck, and he couldn’t hold back the flinch, which led to other aches igniting along his side where the deepest stab wound had been.
    “Oh, God.” Yvonne yanked her hand away and watched with wide eyes.
    “It’s okay,” he whispered.
    Lines of heat twined up his neck as he knew it would. His Mark was branding his skin. Marking him as hers. Her as his. Binding them. Not as completely as a kiss or sex would, but it was a start.
    One he was uncertain of but needed to trust. It might help him heal faster, which meant finding Theo faster. Maybe even…
    No. He wasn’t going there. Yvonne had been a demon, in with Aggie at one time.
    But damn, her touch had felt good.
    “It’s happening,” she whispered. “Your neck.”
    She clutched her shoulder, watching him. Her chest heaved, and that broke his resolve. Tension crumbled around his heart; his defenses fell away. All he saw was Yvonne. Her eyes. Her body. Her lips.
    He had to kiss her. Touch her. Join with her. His body came alive. “Yvonne.” His voice sounded deeper with the building lust.
    He’d never needed anyone so badly before.
    It’d always been on his terms. His whims.
    She sat beside him and took his hand in hers again. Oh, the silky, smooth flesh. Warm. Enticing. His body jumped at the reaction, and she gasped.
    Her other hand brushed along his neck. “Amazing.”
    Wonder filled her sage eyes. No. She wasn’t demon. Wasn’t in on this with Aggie. She was his Mate. His to cherish, love, and protect.
    Her fingers danced along his skin, then combed through his hair. She closed her eyes, as if she’d never touched anyone in her life.
    Slowly, she palmed the side of his face, her thumb stroking the skin beneath his eye, then his nose, and finally his bottom lip. He nipped at her, sucking her thumb, and her eyes went wide.
    “Come here.”
    She crawled onto the bed. “You’re hurt.”
    “Not that hurt.”
    She smiled, and by everything holy to The Great One, her smile could shatter the darkest of nights.
    She smoothed her hand over his bare chest, and everything else faded out. He only registered the touch of her fingertips caressing his skin.
    Pressing her cheek to his chest, he dipped his fingers into her long, silky hair. Purring, she straddled one of his legs, and