Chapter 9

Before she could exclaim what he meant he was already atop of her with his eyes ablaze with desire , Lucy taken by surprise froze and before regaining her strength to push Natsu off , his lips met hers. Instantly she felt the warmth and power emanating from his body and as the heat coursed through her body she melted willingly into the kiss. Lucy felt his strong hands gently grabbing at her hair and the small of her back , pulling her even more towards him , and in return she instinctively put her own arms around him toned neck. She felt him slowly take out the flower which she had adjusted into her hair to keep tied back , and he tossed it aside somewhere allowing her hair to tumble down around her shoulders.

In comparison to her only other kiss she had received in her life - which actually was an accident on Natsu's part- , this experience was on a whole new level and although unfamiliar Lucy found herself craving more. As if Natsu read her mind she felt his tongue slowly make it's way across her lower lip , pleading for entrance in which Lucy eagerly granted. As their tongues fought for dominance , Natsu lowered Lucy into the sand where he positioned himself to lay on top of her and in that moment Lucy was all too aware contact of their bodies , and how Natsu was really responding to her.

He moved his lips to her neck , where she felt his sharp canines graze across her sink , there was slight pain with his action but was mainly mixed with burning pleasure , his face lifted from her neck as if he was examining what he had done , again Lucy saw tinges of fire blazing in his eyes , and under the moonlight it was mesmerizing.

Looking back towards Lucy he claimed her lips again but this time with more urgency she felt his hands wandering along her arms leaving a trail of burning tingles , where they then proceeded to her waist and then finally pausing at the side of her thighs. The sudden turn of curious hands caused Lucy to break their intense kiss and she breathed into his ear,

"Natsu this isn't a good idea". However instead of responding Natsu buried himself into her neck whilst inhaling heavily before mumbling

"Mmm Lucy ..."

After a few moments Lucy felt Natsu's weight crushing her and forcing the breath out of her , shoving him off she realized the dragonslayer was completely asleep. The fury that welled up inside her was consuming and she felt like beating the pink haired wizard black and blue. Who kisses someone like that , not just someone, their teammate and then falls asleep ? In her rage Lucy stormed off down the beach making sure to kick Natsu as she did and heading back towards the Hot Springs , leaving him snoring on the beach.

His hot hands were all over her, leaving no place un-touched Natsu growled into her ear

"You're mine Lucy .."

She jolted awake with the sudden surprise of burning light which made her blind for a moment before her eyes adjusted to the sudden intrusion caused by the violent opening of her curtains. A flurry of scarlet strode towards her ,not stopping till their faces were only inches apart.

"Lucy , where did you disappear to last night ?" the requip mage quizzed the blonde , and with the question Lucy recalled last nights events with Natsu and her dream. She felt her face burning , and under the scrutiny of Erza's stern gaze , her cheeks blazed even more.

"Ermm w-well I went for a walk on the beach ,got tired and went to bed , nothing out of the ordinary really" she finished with a fake laugh.

"Why do you ask Erza?" Lucy responded innocently.

"Hmm , did you see Natsu at all after we finished eating ?"

"Nope ! After everyone started drinking I left , never saw Natsu at all"

"Well we found Natsu this morning on the beach , he was completely asleep , but he had this in his hand" , Erza replied holding up Lucy's flower she had in her hair the night before. The flower Natsu had slid out of her hair when they were together. Lucy knew she was busted , and Erza obviously knew something was amiss otherwise she would have never had bothered asking in the first place. Lucy had to escape with some excuse , if not she knew how "persuasive" the red haired mage could be.

"Oh yes that ! I must of dropped it on the beach , silly thing is always falling out , I"ll tell Natsu thanks for finding it for me , well thanks for stopping by Erza now I have to get ready !" and with that the Lucy made her quick escape to the bathroom , where she breathed a quick sigh of relief as she heard Erza exit her room.

Briskly turning on the shower Lucy jumped in , not wanting to seem suspicious incase the requip mage was lingering outside her room. Gradually the hot water relaxed her tense muscles and Lucy had time to think. Quickly her mind turned to dread as she thought of having to face Natsu today. What would he say to her ? Would he act normal of would he still be avoiding her ? How was she meant to act ? Acting like nothing happened seemed childish and inconsiderate , but she didn't want to be the one to call Natsu on about it either. Exhaling in frustration Lucy quickly washed her golden locks with her favourite shampoo and turned of the water and wrapped herself in a towel.

Turning towards the mirror Lucy saw her reflection and caught a glimpse of something on her neck , she in leaned closer to the mirror to inspect and a small crimson flame mark , made very noticable by her own pale skin. Gently Lucy stroked the mark , and although she experienced no pain as she had anticipated she felt a surge of warmness run through her. Lucy thoughts turned to Natsu and how he told of of how dragons mark their mate. Her eyes grew wide , hoping that she had made a mistake. Turning to the mirror again it was clear the mark was not just a love bite , the flame shape was clearly visible. Running back towards her room , Lucy quickly dressed in the first items of clothing her hands came into contact with , not bothering with her hair she left it down and wet from her shower and exited the room in search of Natsu.