I spend the rest of the day just basking in the feel of Darius. It is so different without the influence of Markus. I don’t know if Darius can sense the difference, but he does enjoy it. He snuggles in and talks to the babies. I love feeling like a family.
I also figure out a plan to deal with Markus, not sure it’s a good plan, but it’s a plan. I will enact it soon. I have to lay the groundwork first. It’s going to be hard now that I have no feelings for him, but I have to. For Darius, I have to.
The next morning I left before Darius could wake up. I hated to do it. I wanted to stay by his side, but he will never get better if I don’t do what I need to. I go straight to Markus’s room. I give the door a light knock. I don’t want everyone knowing that I am here. He opens the door a bit sleepily. Rubbing the back of his head. He’s shirtless and his sweats are hanging really low.
When he sees me he seems to instantly wake up. “Morning, beautiful. What are you doing here this morning?”
“I missed you. Can I come in?” I shift a little, trying to look uncomfortable. I am but not for the same reasons that he thinks.
“Yeah, come in beautiful.” He takes my hand leading me into the room. I want to cringe, he isn’t my mate, but I need my plan to work.
He closes the door, pulling me into his arms. “I have missed you too.” He closes any distance between us and his lips land on mine. I do my best to return the kiss, but it doesn’t feel the same. It’s more like the very early kisses with Darius. Markus doesn’t seem to notice the difference.
Just as I hoped he deepens the kiss and lifts me up. He takes possession of all of me. When he lays me on the bed, I know I have him where I want him. “Wait.”
He groans pushing into me. “Beautiful. I don’t know how much longer I can wait to claim my mate.”
I put my hands on his shoulders. “I know it’s hard for me too. I just don’t want to hurt him. He’s already sick.”
He sighs and rests his head on my shoulder. “I know, I know. I just have to fight this feeling and it is so hard.”
“That’s why I have been staying away. I know it’s hard. We have to fight it though. We don’t want to kill him.”
I see this weird glint in Markus’s eyes that I never noticed before, when he looks intently back in mine. “Of course not. I just want my mate. I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” I brush my fingers across his cheek. I want to convince him as much as possible.
“Can we meet somewhere? I know this is hard with everyone around all the time. Somewhere private. We can’t be in the open either or else I would suggest our spot.”
It seems too easy. I want to suggest the cells. That way I can corner him and get him to admit everything. But it seems too soon. “I don’t really know. Where do you suggest?”
“What if we go to the cells? There are no prisoners at the moment, no guards either. We would be completely alone. I know it’s kind of gross down there. But it is out of the way, and far enough away from the pack house that no one will see us go there. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Well, I don’t know.” I don’t want to sound too eager. He can’t know what I am planning.
“Please, I want some alone time with you. I need time with you.” He looks at me pleadingly.
I am still pinned under his body. “Are you sure that is a good idea? We can’t go too far.”
“I will do my best. You are so delectable though.” He smirks as he kisses me again. He moans as he takes my lips. “Meet me tonight at eight, please.”
I moan back. “Alright.” I think I might be a better actress than I thought. He is buying it all.
He nips at my lip. “That’s my girl.” He pulls me up. “I want you so bad right now, it would probably be best if you leave now. I will compose myself before tonight.”
“Thank you Markus. I look forward to our time later. I’ll bring you something special.” I smile seductively. I want him to be unguarded. I will have to come up with a surprise, but that’s fine.
“You are such a good mate. No wonder Darius wants to keep you.”
“Please for tonight, let’s not bring up Darius. I want it to just be us.” I look in his eyes pleadingly. I need him to think I only want him.
“As you wish, beautiful.” He kisses my lips and grips my ass. “I want you so bad. You need to stop being so delectable.”
“I am not sure I can do that. I don’t know what I do to be delectable.” I counter.
“That is exactly why you are hot as hell.” He nibbles on my lip again. “Go, before I don’t let you go and the whole house knows that I am claiming my mate.”
I scurry out of the room. I can’t have him do that now. It would do nothing for my plan. Not to mention I don’t want to.