CURSE OF THE BLOOD MOON

“She will not be bothering us again.” Stephan’s fist clenched, he was angry that he had to lie to her, and that Marquis had put him in this position.

Scarlet felt his body tense, she leaned down to kiss him. Molding her lips to his, relishing the slow rhythm in which they moved against each other. She felt his body relax, his muscles unravel and she knew she had accomplished her goal.

“Why doesn’t he have his room?” the conversation rerouted to SJ.

Scarlet took in a deep breath, trying to reclaim the little sense that hadn’t melted away, “I wanted him close by when you left.”

His soul had always ached for her whenever she wasn’t near him. He had always assumed their pain was the same, but it wasn’t. Scarlet had to go through the burden of making sure she loved their son enough for the both of them. She had to put her feelings aside to care for their sons.

“I won’t ever leave you again.” He swore.

“Promise?”

“I swear it on my life.”

Scarlet pulled on the chain around her neck. Stephan’s wedding ring hung from it, she had tried wearing it, but it didn’t fit on any of her fingers. She had thought of putting it on both the index and middle finger but opted for the saner choice.

She slid the ring on his finger, “That’s a promise.”

***

Stephan lifted her in his arms and carried her to one of the empty bedrooms. That night when they made love it was different. It had a feeling of novelty, something spectacularly different. Scarlet couldn’t put a finger on it, but there was one thing she knew for sure, that night was the beginning of a happy life.

Nothing loomed in the dark to threaten them, no one was after Stephan. She could confidently hold him in her arms knowing for sure no one would take him away from her.

Scarlet stepped on the bed so that she could reach the tattoo of her name on his bareback. She admired how he looked in the moonlight that streamed into the room. Gently she kissed each of the seven words. This was her proof of claim, and she was happy to own him.

They made love wishing that the night wouldn’t end but anticipating the new day. The start of their new lives together.

***

***

Stephan brushed her wavy hair from her back, revealing the pearl color of her soft skin. He kissed the back of her neck and down to her back. He was careful not to wake her up, she hadn’t gotten much sleep the previous night and she needed it.

Scarlet woke up when she felt the smooth tingly sensation of Stephan’s finger tracing the outline of her backbone. She didn’t turn to face him, instead, she buried her face in her pillow.

“I thought you were going to let me sleep in?” she said her muffled voice barely audible.

Stephan wasn’t sure what kind of mood she would wake up in after all that happened. He was happy and relieved to see the smile in her voice and the excitement in her body.

“I just couldn’t resist.” He went back to kissing her back.

Scarlet giggled then pulled the covers over her, “I need my strength Jeraldi, your son is about to burst in through that door. And when he does I plan to be completely rested and relaxed.”

“Don’t worry I’ll watch him for you.”

He yanked the covers off her and flipped her over to face him, “In the meantime, you can take care of me.”

“No, I don’t think so.” Scarlet shook her face and dropped the sides of her lips.

“Are you neglecting your wifely duties?”

“Ah yes, I think I am.” She giggled once more when he rolled over her, trapping her under his body but supporting his weight with his elbows.

Stephan was about to start tickling her when there was a knock on the door.

“Go away.” Stephan groaned, he finally had Scarlet where he wanted her and someone was about to ruin his morning for him.

“I wish I could, But I decided to let you handle the mischief your son gets into once you are here.” Kayla called out from the other side of the door, “You know since you are his biological parents and every insane thing came from the both of you.”

“Is he on the roof again?” Scarlet asked worriedly.

“No, but he is outside doing something that does look innocent, and that worries me.”

They heard Kayla walk away from the door.

“What is she talking about?” Stephan asked surprised. He didn’t understand how SJ could be up to any mischief if he was doing nothing.

“Kayla doesn’t trust his good boy routine, and since she can’t read his mind, she doesn’t trust him. Past events have proven her right and made her wiser.” Scarlet eased herself on her elbows, careful not to topple Stephan from above her. “He has this innocent look and then he just does something crazy.”

“He’s a boy, he’s supposed to get into some mischief.” Stephan defended his son, not knowing what he was up to.

“That is the same excuse Solara gave.” Scarlet shook her head amazed by the ridiculous justification the men had for SJ’s tyranny.

“Should we go see?”

“Definitely.”

Stephan began to move away from her when she pulled him back and kissed him.

“Were you going to neglect your husband’s duties?” she grinned knowing that he could never resist kissing her.

“Definitely not.” He pulled her up onto his laps and held her tightly in his arms.

He kissed her gently at first, taking one-second pauses to look at her face. Then the kisses became deeper and needy, he laid her on her back and moved on top of her. His kisses and need for her getting deeper and demanding.

“Stephan.” She gasped once she pulled her lips from hers.

“Yes?” he responded as he placated her with kisses along her neck.

“We need to go before SJ breaks something and Kayla ends up shipping him to Argentina.” She tried to push him off her but couldn’t.

“Let her, we can always get him back.”

“Stephan!”

“Ok, ok. Let’s go. But he better have taken down one side of the house if I’m being pulled away from your body.” Stephan mopped as he stood up and reached for his clothes.

“Don’t say that.” Scarlet took the clothes he tossed to her.

“Xavier told me what happened with Nikki’s grandmother. I’m sorry that you had to handle that on your own.” He was sorry, even when he had been so close, Scarlet had to make the important decisions about their son alone.

“Don’t worry about it, she understood. And now you are here you can teach your son all that he needs to know. Only what he needs to know.” She rose on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“He’s still on a need-to-know basis.” He circled his arms around her waist.

“Yes, until he is as tall as the twins. And that maybe soon.” She nibbled on his lower lip.

“Ok, that’s fine with me. I will tell him everything about himself as soon as he is five foot eleven.” He stated the precise height of the twins.

“I’m so glad you are never leaving again. This is how peaceful our lives are going to be. Sleeping and waking up in your arms. Taking care of our son together, this is what I call happy family life.”

“It will always be like this. I promise.” It was a promise he was willing to die to keep.