Fortress

Chapter 7

Mina

“Hey!” Rome yelled with a laugh as he gripped my thighs that refused to let him go. I needed him closer I kissed down his neck while grinding against him. My breath came out heavy as pleasure shot through my body. I wanted more. My mouth found his and he allowed me access. Our tongues made love as I ran my fingers through his hair. It dawned on me that I didn’t know what I was doing and I didn’t know if I was doing it right. I had only kissed one boy it was during my freshman year and it didn’t feel right at all but this, this had to be what heaven felt like. I was melting and being molded all at the same time. My head was becoming light when I finally came up for air. I rested my forehead against his and tried to slow my wild heartbeat. I was feeling things I never felt before all I knew was I craved this man more than anything at this moment, but why? Had he done something to me? Was it because he bit me?

“What did you do to me!” I demanded as I untangled myself from Rome trying to put some distance between us. My heart ached the further I walked away but I continued nevertheless.

“It’s the mate bond I told you about last night. I explained that you are my mate” Rome said and redid the towel around his waist. Fire shout through my limbs again as I resisted the urge to go to him.

“I’m not a vampire how can I be your mate” I spat closing my eyes to try to rein in the emotions spiraling through me.

“You don’t have to be a vampire I don’t get to decide what you are it’s just fate,” he said in a soothing voice.

“Fate my ass!” I screamed while balling my fist up. My body was screaming for him and I had no control at all. Rome chuckled and I opened my eyes to see him walking towards me.

“Stay over there!” I demanded. The closer he got the more control I lost.

“Now you know how I feel,” he said stopping to sit on the bed. I shook my head and closed the gap between where I stood and the bathroom.

“I’ll order us some breakfast,” he yelled from the other side and then there was only the noise coming from the television. Fate had a way of screwing up my life. I guess it was fate when my mom was struck by a drunk driver and was ripped from my life. I didn’t have a good fate surrounding me if anything it felt like an omen was hanging over my head. It was better to be alone that’s how I liked to live life. I was very skeptical about letting anyone get too close. It was why I had only one best friend and it looks like I lost her too. Aniyah’s goofy smile drifted into my head and I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. I pretty much left her for dead, what could you have done? I asked myself. Maybe she’s still alive maybe they did evacuate the workers before the insanity took place in the mansion. If fate had its way she’d be dead knowing my luck. I thought back over the conversation from last night thinking about where I should go from here. Paris was out of the equation now. I needed some type of purpose in life and could only think of one.

It was hard to tell how much time had passed but the smell of bacon eventually pulled me from the bathroom. Rome sat in the chair by the door his eyes locked with mine as I sat on the bed. He had found some clothes and was now wearing a black shirt with black pants similar to the pair he had on last night with multiple pockets. Was there some kind of FBI catalog laying around here?

“You really should stop eating pork it’s bad for you,” Rome said breaking the silence. I rolled my eyes before picking up the styrofoam container.

“Helios is still trafficking children?” I asked as I eyed my favorite breakfast meal, french toast with bananas on top, potato wedges extra crispy, bacon, and eggs scrambled with light salt and pepper. I raised a brow at Rome but didn’t question anything. I'm sure he’d only blame it on fate after all.

“Yes our team works around the clock but we’ve yet to locate their base. Many leads come in each day for several holding areas. Some Helios members are captured and questioned but none of the small guys know anything important.” Rome spoke with passion as he watched me fork down my plate hungrily.

“The Elliotts knowingly participated in the trafficking scheme?” I asked around another forkful of food.

“It’s my understanding they knew all along,” he said angrily. I pictured the Elliotts in my head and shivered, they appeared to be normal besides the occasional snobbiness.

“How did you find me?” I asked setting the plate aside I had lost my appetite. Rome tilted his head to the side before he spoke again.

“You. I was able to focus in on you completely and track you down. It took me almost four years because we are not completely mated but once I hit New York I knew you would be there in that house. It was a twist of fate for me.” Ugh, there was the fate thing.

“So now you want me to do what? Drop my life and go with you” I asked while standing. I didn’t really have much of a life and something told me he already knew that.

“Yes,” Rome said flatly.

“What if I told you I didn’t believe any of this,” I said as I walked over to him sitting calmly watching me.

“You do because you feel it,” he said reaching out to grip my waist. I wish he wouldn’t touch me. No, I wish he would touch me more. My inner thoughts battled each other as the fire built within me again.

“I don’t feel a thing,” I said confidently but his smile revealed my words weren't believable.

“Okay” was all he replied with and once again I was attacking his lips. My moans vibrated in my throat as my hands roamed his body. I straddled his lap and felt his shaft through his jeans, it wanted to be free. I worked on the zipper of his jeans and was about to free him when Rome’s strong hands stopped me. I locked eyes with him as he gently squeezed my wrist.

“You don’t want me?” I asked pulling my hands free.

“Of course, I want you I’ve been wanting you for ten years, love” he whispered close to my face.

“Just not like this, let the wild feeling pass it’ll just be a few more days of this. I’ll keep my distance to make things easier” he continued and cupped my face stroking my cheek softly. This was an insane feeling, this wasn’t me. I looked everywhere but his face as I once again had to remove myself from him. How embarrassing and utterly desperate of me, but it wasn’t me it was the bite. The bite I so badly wanted to experience again. Please get your s**t together Mina I thought to myself as I grabbed my phone from my bag. I dialed Aniyah’s number over and over but it continued to go to voicemail. I sent her text messages as well and received no reply. Rome remained unmoving in the chair for the remainder of the day and only talked when he answered the phone and ordered food. He and Jared appeared to be extremely close I observed from eavesdropping on their conversations.

“We’ll be staying for a little while longer let me know if there’s anything you need” Rome stated breaking the silence. I remembered saying the latter of that statement when we first met just a day ago. It felt like more time had passed than it actually had.

I felt my eyes getting heavy and retreated to the bathroom for a shower I emerged and quickly slid under the covers. My hands itched to touch Rome and I groaned turning away from him.

“Goodnight Mina,” he said softly before shutting the lamp off. The only light came from the television and I willed my mind to shut down so I could sleep. I just wanted to feel his lips again and with that thought, I drifted to sleep.

Rome

I stood over my mate as she tossed and turned across the motel bed. Mina was restless and she would remain this way for the next few days. Jared compared this process to a dog being in heat. While it would only last a few days for Mina it would last for however long it took her to accept our union for me. Jared advised me not to travel until her lust fog had passed and I understood where he was coming from. We wouldn’t get anywhere with Mina constantly trying to f**k me. I could smell the innocence on her and knew she was a virgin, but at the rate she was going that wouldn’t last long. I could only take so much from this woman until I gave in. I considered myself a man of honor and I would never take advantage of Mina in such a way but damn was she tempting. Her blood called to me and I was forced to take a step back. Control yourself, I thought as I reclaimed my seat by the door. It was safer over here away from the only woman I had ever wanted.