Disclaimer: Priest and its characters belong to Scott Stewart.

Claimer: I own Tessa.

WARNING: This chapter contains mature content.

Chapter #14: Only the Beginning

Tessa woke up slowly the next morning, her eyelids fluttering open. Mouth stretching in a yawn, she looked down to see he was still asleep beside her, half his face nuzzled into her breasts. He showed no signs of stirring, and she could see his form gently rising and falling with the patterned breathing of a deep sleep. He looked so peaceful, and she decided not to wake him. Carefully, she got up and lowered his head onto a pillow before gently pulling the blankets over him. Her fingers weaved delicate paths through his hair, and she heard him release a contented sigh in his sleep. The smile on her face was of pure love as she leaned down and placed a lingering kiss on his cheek.

She decided to take a warm bath while she still had the privilege. They were going to be leaving that morning, and there was no telling when she would be able to have the opportunity again. It seemed she wasn't the only one who put this into consideration, however, because it wasn't five minutes after she'd stepped into the tub that she heard movement outside the door, which she had left slightly ajar. She looked up at him as he stepped into the room. He hadn't bothered to put any clothes on, and before she could stop them her eyes were wandering his masculine form with an admiring stare. During their activities the night before, she had taken the opportunity to learn him completely, memorizing every freckle, scar, and hair. Not only that; she had located every single one of his sweet spots, which she had taken great pleasure in stimulating as she listened to his moans of ecstasy.

"What are you staring at?"

"You. It's been five years since I've been able to really look at you." Sitting up, she scooted forward in the tub so there was room behind her, and she beckoned him forward with a finger and fond smile.

He walked over to the tub and stepped into the warm water. She waited for him to find a comfortable position before leaning back against him, and she smiled when she felt him wrap his arms around her. Her head tilted to the side as his lips made soft contact with her neck, her eyes drifting shut.

"So beautiful," he whispered.

She smiled, as he trailed the backs of his fingers down her arm, his breath tickling her neck. For a long, blissfully serene moment they simply sat together, as he traced his fingers up and down her arm and shoulder, his head rested against hers. The quiet sound of an arm lifting out of water caught her attention, and she felt his fingers cup her chin with the force of a feather. He slowly tilted her head back, and he captured her lips in the slowest, gentlest kiss she'd ever experienced. Her bones turned to rubber, melting into his body like warm butter. When he pulled away, she opened her eyes to look up at him as he gazed down at her dotingly. That same look was in his eyes from the night before. They were beautiful.

"What?" she asked quietly. He was quiet for a long moment, and after nearly a minute of him silently staring at her she started to feel a little uneasy. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Why did you do that?"

She stared. "Do you regret it?"

He scoffed. "Hell no. Even if I did… it's not like I had much of a choice."

She smiled faintly when she caught the amused jest in his voice.

"I just didn't realize you were such a freak," he said, smirking roguishly as he did so.

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me."

He smiled at her. "What's your favorite color?" His smirk grew when she failed to hold back her laughter. God, he loved that sound.

"I'm an artist, Julian. My favorite color changes as I find my muse."

"Fine. What's your current favorite?"

She was quiet a moment, and he could tell she was thinking. "Gold."

Slowly, a smile crept its way onto his lips. "I'm your muse?"

Leaning her head back, she smiled up at him. "They're like two molten pools of gold. I've never seen anything like it."

He smiled. "What was your favorite before that?"

The grin on her face grew at the fact they were actually having this conversation. "Amber."

He quirked his eyebrow at her. "Why amber?"

"…It was your original eye color."

He stared at her, smirk having fallen to make way for a look of poorly masked disbelief. "You remember my damn eye color?"

"Hey, you remembered I like desert roses."

He smiled again. "Fair enough."

Not long after that, they got out of the tub and dried off. They had to get moving. After packing as much as they could onto two motorcycles, Kaiya tucked safely in the pouch against Tessa's stomach, they headed off towards the nearest populated town. Briefly, she found herself wondering about the surviving priests. Were they aware of this new threat that was supposedly out there? She doubted it. If Julian barely knew anything, then the others likely didn't either. It was nearing dawn by the time they reached the town. They would stay the night before moving on. They parked the bikes behind an inn, and Tessa gathered Kaiya as they ascended the front steps. A middle-aged, kind-faced woman was running the front desk, and when she looked up she flashed them a welcoming smile.

"Hello. How can I help you?"

Black Hat remained a little off into the background, head tilted down just enough so that his hat was hiding his eyes from the woman's view. It was Tessa who answered, stepping up to the desk with a friendly smile.

"We're looking for a room for the night," she answered.

The woman opened the guest book. "One bed or two?"

"One," she said.

Behind her, his lips turned upwards the slightest bit. There was a moment of waiting as the woman scribbled something down into the book, before she spun it around to face Tessa. "Just sign in, and that'll be five shillings."

Tessa reached into her pocket and removed the required amount before dropping them onto the counter, and she signed in one of the slots. Black Hat stepped forward after her as she turned to hand him the pen. He made sure his eyes remained hidden, taking notice of the fake name as he scribbled down an alias of his own. Smart girl. Once that was done, the clerk led them to their room, which was on the second floor. It was simple, but it was sufficient for the night. It had a bed with clean sheets, a dresser, nightstand, and a bathroom. Tessa used the drawer in the nightstand to create a makeshift nest for Kaiya as Black Hat shed his coat. Worry bubbled in her stomach as she realized they couldn't continue to carry the bunny around forever. Eventually the stress of the constant travelling would get to her—maybe even kill her—but there was nothing she could do about that right now. The last thing she wanted to do was give her up, but if she didn't think of something else soon the situation was inevitable. Eventually, she stripped down until she was wearing nothing but her bra and underwear, not noticing his eyes watching her as she collapsed onto the bed with a tired sigh. It was a few minutes later that she felt him climb onto the bed, where he wedged himself between her and the wall. She rolled onto her back to look up at him and was greeted with an intent stare.

"What…?"

"Did you ever do that with anyone before me?"

Blinking at him, she was left staring dumbly. "What?"

"Last night."

"Oh…. No. Why?"

"I've never experienced anything like that before."

She laughed a little. "I can't imagine you have. I'm sure it's not every day you're caught off guard and tied up like that. I'm interested to see if you've picked up any new tricks, though."

Eyebrows creasing together a bit, he frowned at her lightly. "What do you mean?"

"You've had sex since our night in the city, right?"

His silent stare was her answer, and slowly her smile fell.

"You haven't…?"

"Does that surprise you?"

"I'm sorry, but… yeah. A little," she admitted. "I mean, most guys who've experienced sex can't get enough of it, and with this whole new smooth criminal persona you've acquired over the years…" She trailed off as she realized she was rambling. "Sorry."

"Have you?"

She met his eyes, and she felt her heart liquefy when she realized he looked vaguely wounded. "No," she answered immediately, and she saw some of the light return to his golden orbs. "I can live without it. I just don't really see the point if I don't have a special connection with the person, you know? Sex is one thing, and it feels great, but making love… that's an entirely different level of pleasure."

His eyes fell briefly, and she tilted her head at him.

"What is it? You look like something's on your mind."

He just shook his head. "It's nothing."

"It's not nothing. Tell me," she pressed. "Did I say something?"

She watched his stare shift back to her fleetingly, and if she didn't know better she might have even said he appeared a bit bashful. "It's just… now I'm worried I won't be able to satisfy you, I guess…" He avoided her eyes, and she could tell he was both ashamed and embarrassed at having to talk about this with her. All she did, however, was smile softly before lifting her hand and gently pushing back on his shoulder. As he lay on his back, she straddled his waist, resting her elbows on either side of his head as she leaned down to meet his lips in a devoted kiss.

"There is absolutely no way you could ever disappoint me, Julian, so get that ridiculous thought out of your head this instant."

His eyes met hers, smile renewed. "I gotta ask, though… why the shackles?"

"Was that bad?" She winced the slightest bit.

"Actually, I found it quite invigorating. Not being able to move… I don't really know how to explain it. You know how that feeling builds up, and you can't help but arch or move around?"

She nodded slowly.

"You can't move around and expel that intense sensation building up in your nerves when you're bound, so it just kind of eats away at you, but in a good way. If anything, I think it made my climax three times stronger. What I felt in the apartment was nothing compared to last night. I thought I was gonna pass out."

A small smile had been tugging at her lips the whole time he had been speaking, but then it suddenly fell as she realized something. " I get that… but, damn, Julian, why didn't you say anything?"

"What do you mean?"

"Not to demean you, but I might have taken things a little slower if I had known it was only your second time."

"Slower than two hours? You tortured me for two hours before letting me come, and you would have waited longer? You trying to kill me, woman?" he exclaimed.

Tessa laughed out loud. "Well, I guess when you put it that way…"

He scoffed incredulously, his expression matching his thoughts on the matter. She smiled. Nothing could describe the elation he felt as seeing her gazing upon him with the sheer fondness she had looked at him with back in the city. She was his again. He had been so sure she had given up on him, but she hadn't. In the end, she had been the only one who stayed. She rested her chin down on his chest, her fingers gently tracing the recent claw and bite marks he'd obtained from his abduction.

"I wish I had found you sooner…"

"It doesn't matter now. I can't change the past… but I can change the future."

She sensed his statement had a double meaning, but she didn't comment on it. Instead, she lifted her body slightly so she could lean up, and she kissed him softly on the lips. "I love you, Julian."

His eyes snapped to hers in shock. "What?"

"I love you." She smiled softly. "I'm in love with you."

"…You are?"

"Hopelessly so." A gentle, loving smile danced across her lips at the look in his eyes.

He was rendered to a complete loss for words. He had known she cared for him, but not once had he allowed himself hope on the possibility she would ever love him back. He was silent as she leaned down and kissed his neck, and he could feel her gently nibbling on the sensitive space between his neck and shoulder. Closing his eyes, he leaned into her touch as she gently sucked on the supple flesh. He was ready for her within seconds, the feeling of him erect against her stomach telling her so, but she wanted to take this slow. Sitting up, she got off him, and at his confused expression she motioned for him to turn over. Although he seemed unsure as to why, he did as she requested without question, and she placed her hands on his shoulders. She proceeded to massage him, firmly kneading at his shoulder blades and making her way down his back. When she glanced to his face, she saw his eyes were closed, and he looked relaxed. After giving his entire back a thorough massage, she placed one of her hands on his neck and the other on his shoulder, where she kneaded the skin and muscle together like dough. He moaned deeply, and she smiled.

There was a small shift in the mattress, when he smiled as he felt her lips make light contact with the space between his shoulders. It was a repeat of her actions in the apartment, as she gently kissed his scars, new and old, and counted each with her lips. Releasing a sigh of pure happiness, he melted beneath her as her hand glided over the set of faded claw marks on his side.

After a few more minutes, he rolled back over, looking up at her with brilliant, amorous eyes that were filled to the brim with desire. She allowed him to switch their positions, and she released a surprised gasp when he took her right breast in his mouth. At first she thought he would pierce the tender flesh with his fangs, but he didn't. He was in complete control, and so she relaxed, moaning softly as he gently suckled her. She shivered as his breath tickled her skin, kissing the valley between her breasts as he ran his hand down her stomach. His hands were all over her, as they glided over her smooth hips and up her sides, careful of her wounds. They ran down her thighs, and she let out a lustful sigh of pleasure, as his palms switched to her inner thighs, her back arching with a gasp, and he smiled a little. His stare was so warm with tender need that she felt herself dissolving as he positioned himself over her, but he didn't move to enter her right away. He had that look in his eyes again, and her heart skipped a beat as she realized what it was she saw in their depths.

"I want you," she whispered.

It was as if she had put a spell on him, because without really thinking about it he was gently entering her a moment later. She let out a deep sigh mixed with a moan, wrapping her arms around him as he buried himself inside her. He couldn't believe this was actually happening. They were making love again. It wasn't just sex. It was so much more, as they gazed into each other's eyes with nothing short of lust and need for one another.

four hours were probably the first time aside from their night together in her apartment that he had ever felt loved, needed, and desired. Priests lived harsh and lonely lives, often taken from their homes and families at a very young age, and he had gone straight from that life to the life he had now, which was hardly a fairy tale. Perhaps she was just kidding herself, but she didn't think so. Without thinking about it, she slowly slid her hands up his back, and she felt him arch against her touch as she pushed her fingers into his hair. She used her grip on his hair to gently direct his face towards hers, and she gazed into his eyes a moment before bringing his head down into a passionate kiss. She gasped into his mouth when he increased the speed of his thrusts, and she moaned, her arms hugging his back, when all of a sudden she took him by surprise when she gently rolled him onto his back, her hands on either side of his head.

She rocked slowly on top of him, and his hands came to grip her hips tightly. His eyes shifted up to hers as she loomed over him, and then to her swaying breasts as she leaned her head back with a sound that lit his blood on fire. They switched positions a couple more times, but it ended with him being on top with her arms and legs tightly wrapped around his back. He had his face buried between her neck and shoulder, and she could feel and hear each breath as it grew more and more labored.

"Say my name," he rasped hoarsely.

Her hand gripped the back of his head as she arched back. "Julian," she breathed.

He quickened his thrusts, taking her harder and deeper than before, and she let out a cry before moaning his name, louder this time. She continued to moan and whisper in his ear, holding him close as he drove into her. She could tell he was close, but she was closer, and when her orgasm hit her body lurched up into his with a passionate cry.

"Julian!" she cried. Bright flashes of light shot by before her eyes as wave after wave of almost unbearable pleasure washed through her body. She heard him let out a feral moan and knew he was about to reach his own release. "Let it go, love," she breathed to his ear. "Come for me, Julian. Right now. Come now!" She could feel his body begin to tremble, and then a moment later he was shattering in her arms. He came with a shout mixed with a groan, and he trembled in her arms as he came long and hard, his breath ragged and ardent in her ear.

His heart was racing, pounding against his ribs as he regained his breath. Being what he was, he didn't run out of breath very easily, but Tessa was able to leave him gasping within minutes. It was mind-blowing, but he loved it. She was truly the most incredible person he had ever come to know. Now that he had her, nothing could defeat him. He was invincible. With her at his side, he could take any pain, sacrifice, and horror, and he would surrender his soul to Satan before he let anyone else harm her.

Recovered, she shifted closer to him, and he moved his arm so she could rest her head in the junction of his elbow. She felt his left arm slip around her waist, and she met his eyes. They were so close their noses were almost touching, and the look he was giving her could have burned straight through her. He was giving her this deep, intent stare, and she felt as if he were looking straight into her soul. She could tell he was thinking deeply about something. Then all at once he broke away and shifted to get more comfortable. Lifting her hand, she cupped his cheek and watched his eyes shifted back to hers before she shifted closer to him to the point her breasts were pressing into his chest, and his leg slipped between hers. His eyes were burning through her as she moved closer. Not a word was said, and she reached down to grab the blanket before resting her head on his shoulder and drawing the blanket further over them. She felt the heat of his palm on the small of her back, and he lowered his head so their foreheads were touching, never breaking from her eyes. A small shiver ran down her spine as his hand made slow circles on her back, and she closed her eyes with the relaxing sensations.

"I love you, Tess," he murmured.

"I love you, too, Julian. Never doubt that again."

He smiled. It was him who ended up falling asleep first. He had fought against it for awhile, as she ran her fingers up and down his spine, purposely soothing him to sleep. She watched his eyes gradually drift close, blinking sleepily as she smiled at him lovingly. Leaning in, she kissed his forehead, and when she pulled back away his eyes were closed, his breathing evening out to a slower, deeper pace.

"I see something in you," she whispered. "Something you yourself can't see. Not yet." Gently, she trailed her fingertips over his cheek. "I missed you," she whispered. She kissed him once more before settling down and closing her eyes. Because her eyes were now closed, she didn't see his open, or the soft smile that came to dance across his lips.

Some minor wording changes and grammatical corrections have been made to this chapter.

And so the journey begins. They can't be warm and safe forever. Read and review, and I'll get the next chapter up asap! Vacation is almost up, so updates might start to slow down again, but I'll try to keep a decent pace. xoxo