(smut at the end)

•••

"Are you alright, love?" Marek asked Inara who was sitting on their honeymoon room bed.

She glanced up with a small, shy smile. "Yes, I'm okay."

Marek moved closer, kneeling before her, his large hands resting on her smaller ones. "You can tell me if you're overwhelmed. I know this month has been... a whirlwind."

Her smile softened further, and she looked down at their joined hands. "I am happy," she mumbled and just her three words caused his heart to beat faster and he broke out in a smile. "I hope I figure things out."

Marek nodded, his gray eyes steady as they met her blue ones. "You don't need to figure it all out now. Let's just take it one moment at a time. How about we explore the island? The locals are kind, and I think you'll enjoy the food here."

Inara hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "That sounds nice."

They stepped out of the hut into the warm sunlight, a gentle breeze carrying the salty scent of the sea. The island was alive with color—vibrant flowers lined the pathways, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore added a serene rhythm to the atmosphere.

Marek led her through the narrow paths, pointing out little details enthusiastically that made her smile. "Over there, they sell the freshest fruits you'll ever taste. And this spot," he said, gesturing to a shaded bench under a sprawling tree, "is where I used to sit when I needed a break during training missions."

"You've been here before?" Inara asked, glancing up at him.

"A few times," Marek replied. "I used to think of it as a retreat. Now, it's ours."

The possessive warmth in his tone made her cheeks flush, but she hid it by looking around.

They stopped at a small food stall, where an elderly man greeted Marek with a wide grin. "Ah, Marek! It's been a long time!"

Marek clasped the man's hand with a laugh. "Too long, Renal. I've brought someone special this time."

Renal's eyes twinkled as he turned to Inara. "So this is the lucky lady?"

Marek smiled, his tattooed arm brushing lightly against hers. "This is Inara, my wife."

The word still felt strange to her, but the pride in Marek's voice eased her nerves. Renal beamed. "Welcome, my dear. Any friend of Marek's is family here."

Inara murmured a soft thank-you, her shy smile returning.

They ordered a variety of dishes, and Marek insisted she try a local specialty—a sweet, flaky pastry filled with honey and nuts. She laughed softly as he wiped a stray crumb from her lips.

"See?" he said, his tone teasing. "Told you it was good."

"It's amazing," she admitted.

As the sun began to set, they found themselves on the beach, walking barefoot along the shoreline. The golden hues of the sky reflected in the water, casting a magical glow around them.

"Are you happy?" Marek asked suddenly, his voice quieter now.

Inara looked at him, her heart swelling with emotions she couldn't quite name. "I think... for the first time in years, I feel safe."

Marek stopped walking, turning to face her fully. "You'll never have to feel unsafe again, Inara. Not as long as I'm here."

Her throat tightened, and she nodded, unable to find the words. Marek reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You deserve this, love. All of it."

Inara smiled through the mist in her eyes. "Thank you... for everything."

"Always," Marek murmured, pulling her into his arms as the waves lapped gently at their feet.

Later on, the couple sat in their cozy hotel room, watching the sunset outside in each other's arms.

They hadn't been a normal couple till now. A few dates, yes it counts but nothing sexual had happened between them.

"Would it be good? Will he hurt me?" All the negative questions ran in Inara's mind as she stared at the orange and red hues taking over the sky.

Marek's arms tightened around her slightly, his warmth steady and grounding. "What's on your mind, love?"

Inara's cheeks flushed as she heard the term of endearment again. She shifted slightly in his embrace, avoiding his gaze. "Why haven't we kissed yet?" she asked softly, sitting up on the sofa and meeting his eyes.

Marek blinked, surprised by the question. For a moment, he studied her, the innocence and uncertainty in her expression tugging at his heart.

"Is it because I was a prostitute?" she added, her voice barely above a whisper.

Marek's heart sank at the vulnerability in her tone. He also sat up, reaching for her hand and holding it gently. "No, Inara. It's not because of that. Never think that."

"Then why?" she pressed, her blue eyes wide and searching.

He sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Because I don't want you to feel rushed. You've been through so much, and I know trust doesn't come easily after everything you've endured. I want you to feel safe with me, to know that I'll never do anything you're not ready for."

Her eyes widened slightly, and she studied him as if trying to discern if he was being truthful. "You mean... you care about what I want?"

"Of course I do," he said firmly. "You're my wife, Inara. Your comfort, your happiness—it matters to me more than anything. I'll wait as long as it takes for you to trust me completely. There's no rush."

Inara stared at him, her heart pounding. In her village, men never asked for a woman's opinion or considered her feelings. Marek's words felt foreign, almost unreal. "No one's ever... cared about my permission before," she admitted quietly.

His jaw clenched at her words, a flicker of anger flashing in his gray eyes—not at her, but at the world that had made her feel this way. "Then I'll show you what it means to be cared for," he said softly, his voice full of resolve.

"Inara," he said, his tone gentle but firm, "You don't know how many times I've had to take cold showers just because we hugged or I saw you in your flimsy dresses. I've always wanted to take you anywhere I wanted but I controlled myself, not because you're a prostitute but because you're a human and most importantly, my wife."

She felt herself getting wet at his words, it was a weird feeling, this never happened before. The way he confessed his fantasies made her ecstatic and curious.

"Can I show you then?" he asked for her permission, making her nod slightly. "Yes," she whispered, feeling anxious and excited at the same time.

Marek leaned in, his movements deliberate and gentle, as if afraid she might disappear. Inara could feel the faint warmth of his breath before his lips finally met hers. The kiss was soft and unhurried like the first notes of a melody meant only for them.

Her eyes fluttered shut, her hand instinctively reaching for him, their fingers intertwining as the world seemed to pause. There was no rush, no need for words—just the quiet connection of two hearts finding their way to one another.

When Marek's hand brushed her cheek, it was like a spark igniting. The touch was warm, his fingers slightly calloused yet impossibly tender. The sensation sent a shiver down her spine, her skin tingling in the wake of his touch.

When they pulled away, her breath hitched. Inara felt both weightless and grounded, as though she'd found her place in the world and it was right there, in his arms. Her lips still tingled from the kiss, a lingering reminder of the moment they'd just shared.

"How was that?" He asked her once they pulled away, out of breath. "Did you like it?"

"That was amazing," She whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her body felt different as if something new had ignited inside her. "I've always wanted to feel happy and beautiful."

"You'll never be deprived of that then," Marek mumbled on her lips and soon enough she found herself in his lap, half naked.

Her tits were out in the open and his tongue sucked and licked them. Her hands were in his hair as he gave her the pleasure she deserved. Her moans drove him insane and the way she would say his name.

"Mhmm baby, you taste so sweet," he whispered, his vibration traveling through her body, making her even more wet.

He cupped her breasts, squeezing them to give her the utmost pleasure as if she were in heaven itself. His mouth dipped lower and lower, taking off the rest of her white dress, her bare body coming into his sight.

"Tell me if this is too much," Marek said, his voice dipping into a lower gravitas as she shook her head. "I want more," her words made him reach toward her beautiful womanhood, making him smile.

"You are so beautiful just like heaven on Earth," he praised her, his fingers traveling south and watching her glistening pussy clench on nothing.

Inara knew this was something she wanted but didn't know if it was everything she desired. "Don't think too much. I'll be gentle, I promise," Marek spoke, his voice sincere and soft but only for her.

She nodded, knowing he wouldn't ever hurt her. In the month they had been together, she had grown to trust him even if other people had made her feel insecure.

He gently entered his fingers inside her, her slick making it easy to slide them in and out. Her breath hitched and she closed her eyes, savoring the way her body was reacting to his.

"This feels so different," she mumbled, tears accumulating in her eyes from the intense pleasure and the knot forming in her tummy.

Marek chuckled, leaning down and pushing her on the couch. "This will feel even better," he said as he replaced his fingers with his hot tongue.

She moaned loudly when his tongue slid inside of her, licking her pussy and diving into her gorgeous depths. Her hands wrapped around his long, lustrous hair, tugging on them from the way he made her feel.

Her skin felt like it was on fire, her mouth felt dry from the way she groaned louder and louder. His hands held her thighs apart as he ate her out like he hadn't had a good meal in days.

Inara's legs shook as an unfamiliar knot formed in her stomach. She had felt this before but not with her consent, it was rather disgusting.

"Oh Marek, keep going," she moaned out, her thighs closing around his head as he licked and sucked, giving her the utmost euphoria while her back arched, her body shaking.

His thumb began to rub her clit, drawing her closer and closer to her orgasm and it worked.

Her body shook, tears running down her pretty face, her hair disheveled, her toes curled, her lips formed an 'o' before she came hard. Her vision blurred for a moment and her brain became fuzzy.

"How can he be so good at this? Why didn't I feel repulsed by this?" Were the thoughts ringing in Inara's head as he let her ride her high out and placed tiny kisses on her inner thighs to calm her breathing.

Marek finally let go of her pussy before coming up and placing his lips on hers. "I can see you loved it," he nurtured softly, smiling the way she felt tired. Her liquids ran down her thigh and onto the couch.

"I'll clean you," he pecked her lips again and grabbed her tired body off of the couch before taking her inside the bathroom.

He placed her naked self on the bathroom slab as he filled up the tub with warm water and positioned her inside the tub. "Stay," she mumbled sleepily.

Marek smiled with a nod before taking his clothes off and entering the water with her. She lay against his chest, her long hair coming in contact with him as he gently washed her.

There was nothing sexual about this. Marek held her close, the warm water lapping gently around them as he continued to wash her with a tenderness that made her heart ache. His touch was careful, his large hands moving as though she were made of glass.

The rhythmic motion of his fingers along her arms, the back of her neck, and her shoulders were soothing, unraveling the tension she didn't even realize she'd been holding.

The air was warm, a fire crackling softly in the hearth. Marek set her down on the bed, then knelt before her, drying her hair with slow, deliberate care. He met her gaze, his gray eyes soft but unwavering. "You're alright, love. Just let me take care of you."

She nodded, her throat tightening at the overwhelming gentleness in his voice. No one had ever treated her like this before—not like someone worthy of kindness. As he smoothed out the strands of her hair and tucked the blanket snugly around her, she couldn't help but feel her chest swell with an emotion she hadn't felt in years: peace.

When he finally joined her on the bed, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her against him. His warmth enveloped her completely, and as she rested her head against his shoulder, her breathing slowed, her body relaxing for the first time in what felt like forever.

A/N

Sorry if the smut was boring, I wrote it after a long time tehe.

How are you liking Marek so far? There will be some drama in the upcoming parts but dw, my stories always have happy endings.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed! Please vote and comment.

See ya soon!

xoxo

-lily