Marked: Discontinued | See Page 26

Marked

-Prologue-

Was she going to make a run for it? Should she? Of course she should. She has every reason to run. She has every reason to not believe him. None of this made sense.

But the look in his eyes was dead serious. It was honest, assuring, and immensly passionate. But at the same time, it was his secret that scared the living daylights out of her.

"I need to protect you." He had said.

From what? She clutched the necklace that adorned her neck. What could this mean?

She still remembered how his ice cool hand felt on her warm tender skin,

"They won't spare you."

"And I can't let anything happen you." He continued as his fingers made their way up her arms. They grazed upon her shoulders and finally made contact with her neck. "Don't ever take this off."

"Why, it's just a piece of jewelry?"

She closed her eyes remembering engraged expression on his face when she was about to take it off. His bloodshot red eyes, his roaring voice, and the passionate plea within it.

"DON'T YOU DARE TAKE IT OFF!" He grasped her shoulders.

It was until she whimpered in pain he let go.

"I'm sorry." He turned so his back faced her.

"Just please..." He requested. "Don't take it off." The sudden change in his voice shocked her. One moment he was ready to pounce on her, another he was as delicate as can be.

"Why?" She mustered up the courage to ask.

He quickly turned around and gathered her face in his hands. Looking into her deep brown eyes with his intense gaze he leaned in closing the space between them. His lips pleasuring hers yet hurting her at the same time. His kiss was urgent and it seemed like he was a thirsty animal who finally found his source of water.

Her fingertips made their way to her lips remembering the feeling when he kissed her virgin lips.