Two by Day, Three by Night Read online

  Her eyes fell to the thick band of leather tightened snugly around his waist and she wrinkled her brow before lifting her gaze to his stern face. He nodded silently. The promise was clear: misbehave and she would be feeling that belt on her bare bottom. Courtney swallowed nervously, and all thoughts of causing him discomfort fled out the window.

  They joined Sebastian outside in a courtyard where he sat sipping tea from a delicate cup, his eyes closed to the sound of distant singing and the whispering breeze. Marcas frowned, kneeling before him.

  “What bothers you, my friend?”

  “How well you know my moods. I had hoped to see my church before I left this earth.”

  “I can fly you in!” Marcas announced, grabbing his cell phone. Sebastian stopped him.

  “No, we have no vehicles up there, remember? Perhaps we can send word so my Brothers may meet me here and say goodbye?”

  “I will do that immediately. Courtney said you have time yet, right?” he asked her.

  “Yes, it seems so. You are stabile right now and I don’t anticipate any changes unless you take a tumble or get sick. Your pain is better?”

  “Very much. My friend here works well.” He smiled, patting the pump that delivered morphine in regular doses. “Did you children have a good evening?” he asked with concern. Marcas grinned and nodded while Courtney simply blushed. The old man chuckled, patting her hand. “No need to be ashamed with the gifts God has given you, my dearest. I’ve never seen him more happy, either,” he added with a whisper, making Courtney turn crimson with embarrassment.

  “We are going into town and then to the fields. I will have my cell phone with me should you need me… we’ll be less than an hour ride away,” Marcas stated, sitting as Solphia brought his meal. He glanced at Courtney and then at the old woman. “Thank you very much, Solphia, for this food and for watching over Sebastian. It is greatly appreciated.”

  “You are welcome, Baron. I hope you like it. I also packed you and the baroness lunch,” the woman blushed profusely, unused to, but very pleased, with this side of her employer.

  “I’m not a baroness, Solphia. But, thank you for this beautiful outfit. It’s so soft and freeing. Who did this embroidery? I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “That is her handiwork,” Sebastian announced proudly. “She’s been preparing this outfit since the day Marcas was cursed. She thinks it will bring him luck.”

  “It certainly will a little later…” Marcas smirked. Courtney smacked his arm lightly and he chuckled, embracing her shoulders. “Little Courtney has yet to be comfortable with my lewd suggestions.”

  “She is a lady, Baron. She is not accustomed to gentlemen being so forward,” Solphia defended the girl, hands on her hips and staring into his face.

  “It seems as though Courtney has a mother hen to watch out after her now,” Sebastian teased. “But she is correct, my son. Control that part of you. It is not becoming.”

  Seeing Marcas’ discomfort, and remembering her ‘lesson’ from that morning, Courtney struck up an animated conversation to change the subject, and was pleased to see Marcas smile gratefully in her direction. After the meal and saying some quick goodbyes, the couple exited the manor and started down the mountain to the tiny village. They stepped back in time as Marcas led her by the arm through the embassy trellis’ and into the town square.

  Courtney was captivated by the color, fragrance, and sounds that surrounded her. Instead of the haunting darkness anticipated in gothic Transylvania, Sighisoara was painted in bright happy colors, sweeping architectural lines and hummed with music, voices, and aromas of flowers and food. The streets were paved with well-kept cobblestone, and horse buggies were tied before storefronts and between car stalls. She twirled, looking up at the sharp pinnacles of the buildings, the clock tower, and the mingling of Romanian, Hungarian and German influences. She squealed with delight as they stood before a bakery window filled with ornate gingerbread houses made to look like a town.

  “We hope that we are not struck with rain today, little Courtney. That would be good, yes?” he asked, handing her a spicy pastry to nibble, compliments of the baker.

  “I like the rain. But today is just so perfect. Thank you for taking me here,” Courtney said, clinging to his proffered arm as they strolled down the square. Marcas was greeted warmly by multiple people and he proudly introduced Courtney as the manor’s mistress. They responded with excitement and smothered her with kisses. She grabbed his hand when she realized what he had been telling them.

  “Marcas, what are you implying to these people? Sebastian told me that statement means an honored female guest when there is no baroness.”

  “It does… but I intend on having a baroness and my people know this. Most I have known my entire life. My father… he was well loved,” he sounded sad for a moment. “They are sending prayers that it might be you.” He handed her a pale pink rose that he plucked off a trellis and kissed the inside of her wrist. “I also send these prayers.”

  “You barely know me. I’m not the marrying type either and…”

  “Do not allow past pain to cloud your heart. Romania will help settle your fears if you allow her. I, too, have fear that needs to be put to rest.”

  “Can we just have fun right now and not talk about this?” Courtney asked, feeling anxious as she was struck by painful memories.

  Marcas curled a strand of her hair around his finger and then lifted it to her lips. “Your hair looks and smells like the morning sun. Of course we can enjoy ourselves. There is no need to speak of any of this right now, but be warned… my country is already tugging you into her bosom. As you are tugging into mine.”

  Reluctantly, Courtney had to agree. She was falling in love with Sighisoara, Romania and Baron Marcas Kalnovky. And she was powerless to stop it.

  * * *

  “How did you arrange this so quickly?” Courtney asked as they sat next to each other in a tiny open buggy with Marcas at the reins of a deep chestnut mare. In the back were picnic items and piles of pillows and blankets.

  “I told you, I have ways of getting what I want. That is our destination,” he pointed to a high green hill in the distance. Courtney held her breath as they trotted through the dense forest, the rays of sunlight twinkling in their path. Old, bent trees guarded their journey like sentries, watching over the couple with affection and care.

  “Marcas? Why does the world paint such an ugly picture of this place? I’ve never been anywhere more beautiful.”

  “History paints an ugly picture and then people allow their imagination to add to it. We have had some terrible things here, as you know… and then Hollywood exploited it. Our winters are cold and bleak, but warmth exists in the hearth of every home. Here you can knock on a stranger’s door if you are cold and always be welcome.”

  “I can’t personally think of anyone who would do that that back in the States. It seems that everyone is either afraid or selfish. It’s really sad, if you think about it,” Courtney commented, snuggling against his arm and grateful of the pillows he had lined the buggy’s seat with. Her bottom had ceased being uncomfortable shortly after her spanking, but he wanted to keep her aware that he was watching her, and that portion of her body, at all time. The thought of his wide leather belt again made her shudder.

  “What are you thinking of?” he asked, feeling her movement and glancing at her.

  “Werewolves and vampires.” Courtney forced a laugh. “I’ve never liked horror flicks.”

  “You have nothing to fear from either. I am here to protect you. Although,” he slipped his hand to her knee, “I might have to bite and suck on you soon. Your sweetness is too great to resist.”

  Coming from any other man, she would have found his terms and descriptions to be trite. But rolling off his seductive tongue, Courtney felt charmed and pleased. She never thought she would go for the romantic type but, like many other things she had believed of herself, she was recently being proven wrong. She smiled shyly as he
brought her hand to his lips and tenderly kissed her knuckles. The simple gesture left her feeling like a cherished gem.

  The path gave way to a wide, green field that was covered with a thick layer of fragrant wildflowers. Courtney covered her mouth with glee as a cool breeze blew over them, dispelling the discomfort of the bright sun and making the long flower stems ripple like waves. Marcas drove the buggy a little further to a tiny cabin complete with a stone stall.

  “This was my special place when I was a boy. I came here to hide from chores,” he smiled, helping her down. Before she could remark, she found her lips being crushed against his. He released her, pleased to hear her panting breathlessly. She watched as he placed the horse in the stall, talking gently to it as he gave her food and water. He rinsed his hands and turned to her with an irresistible smile. “Come,” he held out his hand, “I’ll show you my country.”

  Together they walked to the top of the hill where Courtney had a 360 degree view of the resplendent landscape. The dark purple Carpathian mountain ridge lined one side for as far as she could see, the mountains cold, foreboding and yet breathtakingly regal. Below her was the valley, studded with colorful fields and farms, speckled with tiny villages and small herds of sheep. Behind her slept the forest, deep green and rich with folklore, mystery and intrigue. Finally, she saw the towers and churches of Sighisoara and the trickling river etched below. Tears sprang to her eyes and she turned to Marcas.

  “I will never forget this. I never believed such beauty existed except in books.”

  “My grandfather used to tell me that in order to see beauty in the darkness, you must first light a candle. Romania… this town, those mountains, these fields… these are my candles. And I share them now with the most beautiful woman to grace her soil.”

  Courtney groaned as he once again drew her into his strong embrace, kissing her deeply and with such hunger that she was left weak in his arms. He lowered her to the field, crushing the sweet-smelling flowers as he pressed her down, his lips never leaving hers. Courtney returned the passion, unable to hold him close enough, to probe his mouth deep enough…

  Marcas untied her sash and slipped his hand under her flowing blouse, lifting it to expose her pert breasts and hard pink nipples. His mouth found one, nibbling and pulling it as she squirmed underneath him, her eyes closed to the bright shining light of the warm sunshine. Another breeze blew past them, making her shiver. She wanted him, all of him… she could no long deny her need.

  She reached to unbuckle the belt from his waist and free him of his shirt, tossing it in the grasses next to them. His bare skin was remarkably tanned for someone who had avoided sunlight for so many years. She commented on her observation as she traced his bronzed skin with her finger.

  “Tanning booth and eye-guards,” he snickered, settling his body over her. “I could not allow myself to look like Count Dracula, could I?”

  “We wouldn’t want anyone to think that.” Courtney smiled back, biting his shoulder as he pulled her into his arms. “What if someone sees us?”

  “Then they will see two people enjoying one another as nature and God intended,” Marcas said, divesting her of her clothing until she lay naked beneath him. Her fingers fumbled with his trousers after he pulled off his boots and soon he, too, lay naked on the soft flowerbed. Marcas felt her skin tremble beneath his fingers as he stroked her flesh. Plucking a flower, he ran the petals along the length of her body, resting on the point of her arousal. Courtney reached for his growing cock, wanting him without reservation.

  “Make love to me, Marcas. I want to feel all of you in me,” she begged as his finger ventured down and slowly parted her moistened lips to stroke the pulsating bud.

  “How would you like me, little Courtney?” he asked, dipping his fingers into her trove of delights and slowly stroking them in and out.

  “However you desire. I want to feel possessed by you. Take me… from behind,” she moaned, surprised to hear such words coming from her mouth. She sounded so wanton! So bold and uninhibited. How could this be happening? This certainly was not the self-possessed Courtney she was accustomed to.

  “I shall do so, but first,” Marcas said, picking up the wide strap, “let’s satisfy your curiosity. On your knees, little Courtney.”

  Without waiting for her to obey, Marcas quickly flipped her to face the ground and pulled her to her knees. Her bottom was raised high in the air and wagged shamelessly, beckoning for his attention. He ran his hand across the palm flesh and picked up the heavy belt, doubling it over in his large hand. He drew his arm back and swung. Courtney gasped as it met her soft cheeks in a thud that made her moan. Again, the strap landed across her flesh, sending chills of pleasure through her body.

  “Do you enjoy the strap?” Marcas asked, marking her with another stroke along her raised sit spots. “Does it please you?”

  “It feels so good! I thought it would hurt…oh…” Courtney mumbled, resting her head in her arms as he placed a lash along the backs of her upper thighs.

  “The strap can bring as much pain as it can pleasure, depending on the arm of the one wielding it. Today, only pleasure…”

  He struck her five more times, seeing the glistening wetness of her body seep from between her thighs. Indeed, his treasure. Without warning, he knelt behind her and inserted the engorged head of his manhood into her wet, waiting opening. Grabbing her waist, he pulled her back towards him, embedding his rigid cock deep within her. Courtney cried out with delight and sunk her head to the ground to give him unhindered access to her body. He placed his hands on her hips and forcefully pulled her against him again, driving himself deep within her.

  He was rough this time, demanding, animalistic. Courtney had never felt so feminine and undeniably desirable as he fiercely sunk his long, thick cock into the depths of her womb, magically filling and touching every part of her inner core. She screamed out her pleasure, unaware that her cries carried over the valley and reverberated against the village walls. Church bells joined her joyous exclamation as Marcas surged within her, filling her with his hot seed. Courtney collapsed under his demanding body, her nose filled with the aroma of flowers combined with the intoxicating scent of their arousal.

  Very slowly, Marcas lowered his body down next to her and rolled her onto her back to rest in his arms. They closed their eyes to the sunshine, once again feeling the cool breeze caress their naked bodies and carry the fragrance of freshly cut hay, the forest and the flowers to fill their senses. They dozed, holding one another closely.

  A loud rumbling awoke them from their slumber and a chill traveled over them as they hurriedly dressed and ran barefoot to the cabin while the rain began to pelt down upon them. Marcas laughed, closing the cabin door behind them.

  “Such memories this brings! I used to make my mother crazy when I would fall asleep in the meadow and come home drenched to the bone.”

  Courtney smiled, lighting a fire in the small fireplace and placing a kettle over the warmer. “What happened to her?” she asked softly.

  “She caught a chill and departed us when I was ten. The very thing that she feared for me, she had met. My grandmother passed shortly after my father was killed,” Marcas said softly.

  “When was that?”

  “Two years after my mother. Sebastian assumed my guardianship rather than send me to live with an uncle. He was good to me. I had a happy childhood, even with my losses. I just could never let go of my need to control. Or my self-conflict. It kept me from being free.”

  “I guess we have a lot in common. My parents were wonderful and I still miss them. Something kept me from even exploring this side of me. Maybe you were right and it was self-imposed fear.”

  “Are you still afraid, little Courtney?” he asked tenderly, pulling some grass out of her hair as he pulled her to rest between his knees as they sat before the fire.

  “No… not as much. You… you chased away a lot of my monsters. Thank you,” she said, resting the back of her head on his sho
ulder and looking up at his strong chin.

  “I will always chase away your monsters, except for the monster that is me.”

  “You’re not a monster. Even your irrational side… it’s part of you.”

  “Which side do you prefer though?” he sounded distressed. Courtney reached her right hand to caress his face.

  “I’m falling in love with them both. I need both. Just like you do.”

  “You will have to choose one if you wish this curse to be broken,” Marcas whispered.

  “Why? To take away one side is to take away who you are. What if I don’t choose? Will it hurt you? Or us?”

  “It will mean that you will have to face both sides every night for eternity. I will be as I am now in the day, but at night I will be forever conflicted and battling with myself.”

  “And if I chose one?”

  “That one will be who I stay, day and night. It is a curse brought about by my foolishness. Now enough of this talk. We are sitting in a cabin atop a windy hill, before a warm fire and an afternoon storm rages around us. Do you have anything you might wish to do?”

  “Actually, yes…” She turned to face him, covered his mouth and chin with tiny kisses and love bites. She felt his pole start to harden again as she wrapped her hands around his neck. “Feed me. You owe me a picnic.”

  Chapter Ten

  Courtney rolled her eyes as she sat between the two halves as they headed back toward the manor. They had been arguing non-stop since the rending occurred and she was getting annoyed.

  “Ok, boys, I have had enough out of both of you. First, you do not own me and have no claim, so stop trying to out-testosterone each other. Neither one of you will win. Second, I had a perfect day. Don’t ruin it for me,” she scolded.

  “I wish to have you tonight as we sleep. I will not be deterred,” Marcas grunted, grabbing her hair and pulling her head backwards to steal a kiss. “You want me in your bed, do you not?”