Two Hundred-Forty-Three

YASMINE

I wake up to my body aching all over and tight arms wrapped around me; I smile as tingles and sparks spread everywhere. I close my eyes and enjoy the pleasure that follows those tingles and sparks. I then snap my eyes open, as I don’t feel the waves of heat or pain run through my body. I turn in Zachariah’s arms and look at his face while he continues to sleep; I reach up my hand and skim it over his cheek, along his jaw, and down his neck to where my mark is on his shoulder.

My eyes go wide at the fresh redness and bruising, telling me that Lorelei and Zelda must have remarked him at some stage over the night. I then move my hand slowly to where his mark sits on my shoulder and wince, realising that he has done the same.

I move slightly closer, lean in, and run my tongue over their bite. I smile against his skin as he lets out a low groan and tightens his arms around me. I lift my head from my mark and place my lips on his. He then