Two by Day, Three by Night Read online

  “Yes, they cannot be healed. I… Miss Wells? What are you doing?”

  “Please, just call me Courtney. Now, hush up and look up at me,” Courtney ordered, carefully directing her pen light over his eye. He immediately squinted and pulled away painfully. She smacked his arm, adjusting the light to a different frequency. “Don’t be such a baby. Can you tolerate anything touching your eye, like drops or lenses?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “I have an idea but I want a promise from you. If I can help make the light less painful for you, will you stop being so rude?”

  “I again apologize for my rudeness… it was poor manners. I tend to get… abrupt when I’m fatigued.”

  “Ok, then if I can help you become more light tolerant, would you… Show me your collection? I’m fascinated by antiquities.”

  “Just antiquities? Or the subject matter?” Marcas asked, watching her redden as he stood. “Yes, I will show you; even if you can’t help me. Did you eat?”

  “I did, thank you.”

  “Come to me, Courtney. There is no reason to fear me,” he suddenly ordered. Without recognizing her instant obedience to his command, Courtney stood in front of him. He rested his large hands on either side of her face, pulled her towards him and kissed her temple. A flush covered every inch of her skin and she quivered under his touch. His mouth found her lips and Courtney clutched the desk to keep from crumbling to the floor as he gently, but powerfully, devoured her. Until that moment, the term ‘weak in the knees’ had meant nothing. Now it took every bit of strength she had to just remain standing.

  “We will help each other as we help Sebastian. You must obey my wishes. Will you do that?” Marcas huskily asked before probing her with his tongue and then pressing her against his hard body. His erection pushed impatiently in her belly and she gasped at the size.

  “Uh huh,” she whispered, feeling drained as he released her and allowed her to slowly collapse into the chair. With a smile and soft touch on her cheek, he was gone.

  What the HELL just happened? She asked herself, shaking the cobwebs from her head. How in the world did he manage to reduce me to a bowl of Jell-O? I’m a nurse… ok… Pheromones… yes, can’t deny the effect of pheromones, especially when abundant in gallons… that’s gotta be it. Stimulating the endorphin response. Ok, back to work… Damn!

  When she was able to support her weight on her rubbery legs, Courtney walked upstairs to check on Sebastian. He smiled at her as she entered the room and patted the side of the bed. He took her hand as she sat, squeezing it gently. “How are you doing, my dear? I am so glad you decided to stay. Marcas is going to need a friend when I’m gone.”

  “Marcas needs some serious therapy. Will you please explain that man to me? To start with, how old is he?” she asked casually, making some notes.

  “He’s caught your eye, hasn’t he? Ahh, don’t deny it. He’s a handsome devil, but very particular about the women he’s courted. He has… some peculiar interests.”

  “Is that what you call it? Fetish is a better term,” Courtney chuckled, stroking his arm.

  “Yes… but it is part of who he is. We all have our dark sides, but most of us fear what we can’t control. Only those with true courage stand to face, and accept, that part of who they are. Marcas is doing just that.”

  “You admire him,” Courtney stated bluntly.

  “I admire, love, and trust him. I’ve known him since he was a young boy. He’s 37 now and I still see that precocious child slip out now and then. Especially when he’s in the middle of a treasure hunt.”

  “Treasure hunt?”

  “Oh, yes… that is why we are here. Marcas is seeking the final piece to his collection. We’ve traveled all over the world and everything pointed to here.”

  “Does he know where it is?”

  “Oh yes. He only needs to discover how to procure it,” Sebastian said, his eyes glittering as he gazed at her.

  “He doesn’t strike me as the type who will accept the word ‘no’ as an answer.”

  “He isn’t, however, there are some things that will break if forced. This item must be given to him without conditions. It belongs to a private party.”

  “What if they don’t want to give it away? It obviously has some value.”

  “It is priceless. But, it’s nothing but a showpiece in the hands of the wrong owner. Marcas can bring it to life; he has that way about him.”

  “I’m sure…” Courtney said, her lips still tingling from his delicious kiss. She attempted to change the subject, “Can I get you anything?”

  “I need to sleep. Tell me the truth, child. How long do I have?”

  “I wish I could give you an exact time, but I can’t. Your vital signs are low, but they haven’t started to fluctuate. You’re still able to eat and drink, and you are voiding so your organs haven’t started to shut down. All I can do right now is watch for changes. If you want, I can promise to let you know if I see anything.”

  “This career must be hard for a delicate heart such as yours. I can see the sadness in your eyes,” Sebastian said quietly, still holding her hand warmly.

  Courtney smiled gently. “What I find the hardest is that I meet wonderful people such as yourself and regret not having had the opportunity to know them while they were strong and vibrant. Marcas is a very fortunate man to have known you for so long.”

  “And I, him. He is a very special and unique soul. You will discover the depth of it as you fall in love with him,” Sebastian murmured, his eyes closing.

  “I have no intention on falling in love with him…” Courtney began, feeling his hand grow limp as the medication took effect. She chuckled, tucking the blankets around him after propping his slender body with pillows. “You crafty old dodger. Gotta get the last word, huh?”

  Chapter Three

  “Courtney, I must speak with you immediately. I have urgent business,” Marcas stated, opening up her bedroom door where she was sitting on the bed, reading. Without waiting for an invitation, he strolled in and pulled up a chair next to her and pulled the book out of her hand.

  She frowned. “Excuse me, but knocking is considered customary in this country. What do you want?”

  “You did not present for dinner,” Marcas commented, frowning at her choice of reading material before tossing the book on the end table.

  “So? I wasn’t hungry. Is that what you consider urgent? If so, you may leave.”

  Marcas glanced at the window. He still had at least an hour before sunset. “Your health is important to me. You are to join me at every meal. I made it clear that you were not to skip any meals or to disregard your health. This is not a discussion.”

  “Now listen here, Lurch…”

  “You are a diabetic. Even I am aware of the delicacy of the disease and how it must be handled. Do not sacrifice your well-being to show me how stubborn you can be. I assure you, I have the art of stubbornness and foolish choices down to a science.”

  “What do you want from me, Marcas? Other than to drive me crazy with your bossiness.”

  “I want to take Sebastian back home before he dies.”

  Courtney sat up straight, drawing her legs under her. “I don’t know if he can take the travel, Marcas. He’s very weak.”

  “I know that. He would be happier if he passes in his home than in this place. I can arrange a private jet. I must try to give him this.”

  “It’s between the two of you. The meds are easy enough to control…”

  “You are coming with us.”

  Courtney raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms to glare at him. Once again, he easily met her gaze without wavering. It was a silent battle of the wills and both sides stubbornly held their stare until Marcas cleared his throat.

  “Please, come with us. He… I need you to help me.”

  “See? That wasn’t so hard now, was it? Is he sleeping?”

  “Yes, I just checked on him. How soon can we depart?” he asked, ignoring her gloating.
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  “I have not agreed to go anywhere with you. And, truthfully, I doubt I will. Besides the obvious issues that I don’t have a passport or enough medications to last an extended trip, our circumstances are not ones I considered ideal. If you hold me here against my will, what are you going to do outside the US?” Courtney asked firmly. “You should give him at least one more day to stabilize and see how he responds to a fentanyl patch. By the way, I need to go to your post office tomorrow. I borrowed the basement phone and placed an order for you.”

  “Where are the police?” Marcas asked humorously.

  “Since you said I could go whenever I wished, I had no need to contact them,” Courtney responded, wondering why she had not even contacted the office to tell them of the situation. Did she really desire to leave?

  Marcas smiled knowingly. “I already procured the needed documentation for you. I have political connections. I will call to have the contents of the house packed tomorrow morning, and I can expedite any medication orders you have. We do receive deliveries in my country, you know.”

  “I have not agreed to go with you.”

  “You will.” He stood and held out his hand. “Come.”

  Once again drawn by his power, Courtney placed her hand in his and followed him down the stairs and into the basement. Dancing lights reflected gently off the walls, reminding her of miniature torches. Marcas turned mid-step and grasped her upper arms, pressing his mouth lustfully against hers. Courtney began to shiver as her legs weakened in his hold, and she fought to resist him.

  “Kiss me back,” he ordered gruffly. “Don’t deny your desires.”

  “You arrogant beast,” Courtney said hoarsely as her mouth locked onto his and her arms reached high to his broad, straight shoulders. “I don’t even know you. How dare you make such demands?”

  “I shall make more of you, but not until we arrive home,” he responded huskily, easily lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the divan. “But you must first learn how to obey. You left the grounds this morning and you did not eat dinner.”

  “So?” she asked, sucking on his lower lip and feeling his heart beating in his chest.

  “So, you will honor your agreement.” He suddenly lifted her from a sitting position and laid her across his lap with her tummy pressed over his long, strong thighs. “I promised you chastisement for breaking my rules, did I not? I warned you last night what would occur if you did not take care of your health or if you left the grounds, did I not?”

  “Put me down! You have no right… Hey!” Courtney yelled as his fingers caught the elastic band of the pale pink sweatpants and began to slowly lower them past her thighs. She tried to reach back and save her dignity, only to find both her wrists pinned to the small of her back. His right leg lifted to trap her in place. “Let… me… GO!”

  “I don’t believe I want to let you go, Courtney Wells. You are a genuine treasure to hold and to keep. But you need to learn your place first,” Marcas said, sensually peeling down the bright pink panties with black lace trim, his cock twitching delightfully as she screamed out her protests.

  “My place??! How dare you! This is assault! OWWW!” Courtney yelped as his hand landed with a sharp CRACK on her right cheek, turning it from alabaster white to an instant deep blush. That same hand began to rub the area, gently tracing the outline with his finger. Courtney squealed, wiggling to escape as she felt his interested organ begin to press into her pelvis.

  “OOOOOOWWW!” The second crack of his wide palm resounded off her left cheek. Courtney bucked frantically to escape the biting pain but found herself pinned even tighter against him. Once again, his hand paused to caress the reddening blush of her pale skin.

  “So beautiful…” he murmured, tracing his finger down the back of her tanned thighs. “So soft…”

  “OW! Please, stop! That hurts.” Courtney begged as he stung her again with two more slaps, unable to do anything but wiggle her bottom and point her toes. She had never felt so restrained, so helpless… so wanting. Her treacherous body yielded to his touch and she began to purr under the feathery soft caresses of his fingers. After a few seconds, Marcas lifted his hand high over his head and sent it plummeting to contact the center of her cheeks, grinning as she hissed out her pain while grinding her body into his. Yes, she was a treasure… ripe and ready for training in pleasure and pain. She would make him complete. Ahh, Sebastian… you are wise indeed.

  He resisted the urge to explore the glistening wetness that peeked from between her pale pink lips, inhaling her scent deeply as he closed his eyes. Never before had a woman’s scent driven him to just heights! He longed to taste her… to make her writhe uncontrollably under the strength of his lips. Her perfectly shaped backside with its high curves and velvety soft skin called to him. The pull to make love to it…to kiss and nibble… to sink slowly into the tightness of her most secret place… was excruciatingly irresistible. But that would have to wait; he had business to attend to.

  “Courtney, from this point forward, you will acknowledge having an innermost need to obey me. The hunger is very strong in you and it serves no purpose to deny it. I promise to not force myself upon you nor will you be subject to any harm. You will learn to accept discipline as you also will accept rewards. Do you understand?” His voice was stern, but soft… a contrast of words and tones.

  “This is ridiculous! I’m ordering you to release me!” Courtney’s demands were lost in the throaty desire that was left of her voice.

  “I shall not… Nor shall you release me. Prepare yourself.”

  “For what? Oh my God! Owww!! Stop!! Please!!!!” Courtney yelled out as Marcas’ large hand rapidly fell to cover her snowy white bottom with the stinging slaps of a man who allowed no concession when it came to keeping his word. Courtney fought back the hot tears that threatened to escape her eyes, both disbelieving of her situation as well as appalled by the yearning that began to build within her.

  The spanking ceased as quickly as it had begun, leaving her bottom not only writhing from pain, but aching from want. Marcas once more stroked the angry, red globes, and Courtney suddenly broke into heavy, pained sobs. He smiled, knowing her tears had little to do with the pain he had brought upon her. She had yielded to his power and it shamed her. Very slowly and with deliberation, he pulled the delicate panties back over her tender backside, pausing to rub the backs of her thighs as she trembled beneath his touch. The sweat pants followed and he smoothed them gently before lifting her to his lap and pressing her to his solid chest.

  Courtney wept openly as her face was buried in the base of his throat, his scent sending her into a current of euphoria and urging her to burrow deeper into his arms. Every sense was awakened within her and she felt a complete lack of control over her body. He was right. She did not want to release him. It made no sense to her, this association they had instantly shared… an obtuse connection that defied everything she had fought so hard to obtain. Marcas threatened to take the very thing that she believed made her happy: complete and absolute freedom from commitment to any one person.

  “You will thank me now,” Marcas murmured, stroking her cheek with the backs of his fingers.

  “Thank you for what? You hurt me,” Courtney sniffled, closing her eyes to the mesmerizing touch as she continued to inhale his warm aroma.

  “For showing you the truth of yourself. For opening your eyes to your hidden world.”

  “Don’t speak in riddles, Marcas. You spanked me like I was a naughty child.” Courtney wished she could make her voice sound as bitter as her words, but found it impossible.

  Marcas chuckled. “Ahh, but deep inside there is a naughty child. A little girl who wants to explore all that she can and see the extent of her boundaries. You have always been a good child, yes?”

  “And a little girl? Yes, I guess you could say I was very compliant. I made good grades, never talked back to my parents, and never got into any trouble at school. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

  “
And as an adult? You continued with this behavior, never challenging authority and always playing by the rules so as not to draw attention to yourself other than by your achievements. Always in control. Always safe. Even in combat, you surrounded yourself with things you could control and solidly follow the rules so that no one would challenge you. Yet, part of you longed to be one of those young women who could go to a bar and drink with strangers, or have the courage to speak up to those in charge who you felt were wrong. Am I correct?”

  “What are you, a mind reader?” Courtney asked, allowing herself to lean into him, feeling safety in his hold. “You are a total stranger. How is it that you seem to know so much about me?”

  “Because you and I are of the same fabric. I see myself in you. And… I recognize the struggle. How is your bottom?” he asked bluntly.

  “Fine.” Courtney pouted.

  “Next time, I will not be as gentle. Come, you must eat. After you kiss me.”

  “I have no desire to…ohhhh…” Courtney groaned as his mouth again found hers. Her nipples tingled as his arm brushed against them and her womanhood longed for his touch with a penetrating ache that had no relief in sight. His erection still stood strong against her and she longed for the feel of him inside of her, filling her completely and bringing her to the edge of insanity with long, sweeping strokes. A shudder traveled through her body and he chuckled.

  “The time will come when you will feel me,” Marcas whispered hotly into her ear, once again sensing her thoughts, “but for now, you must have food.”

  He stood her up, kissed her forehead, and started up the stairs. Still quavering, Courtney slowly followed, her hand reaching to her tender bottom.

  “No rubbing,” he ordered from ahead of her. Courtney stopped in her tracks, startled. Maybe he really could read her mind? His chuckle made her heart pound with anger.

  “I’m not rubbing. I’m checking on Sebastian and then leaving.”