Possession Page 6

“It’s cold outside!” she argued.

  “So? You can’t go into a demon bar looking like that. It screams ‘lunch’.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her hip at an angle. “Well, then I’m not going!”

  “Sorry, not an option. You’re going, and you’re going to change clothes now.”

  Catherine remained defiant. “No.”

  The tendon in his jaw ticking with anger, Julian charged up the two steps to tower over her. “Get your fucking skinny ass up those stairs now and do what I bloody tell you.”

  She lifted her chin. “No. I’m not a piece of meat, yours or anyone else’s. You want me to go; I’m going like this, or not at all.”

  He nodded, then bent his knees and put his shoulder into her stomach, hoisting her over it to dangle upside-down, and charged up the stairs two at a time.

  “Julian! Put me down, you Neanderthal!”

  “Only if you quit acting like a spoiled brat, love.”

  She wasn’t going to go easily. She squirmed and kicked, pounding his back with her fists, though his leather coat mostly absorbed the blows. He dropped her on the first landing when she finally managed to kick him in the balls.

  Catherine took advantage of landing on her back to kick the side of his knee with her heel. Julian dropped to one knee as she got up and ran down the hallway towards the back stairs.

  ***

  He pushed the pain away and took off after her.

  The knee grit and shifted as he put weight on it. Teach a girl a new trick, and she uses it against you.

  “Errgh…Catherine, will you stop? This is bloody stupid. Everybody’s waiting.”

  She stopped and turned around at the end of the hall. “You’re the one who insisted I change clothes, and tried to drag me upstairs. We could be on the road by now.” She turned the corner, heading for the back stairs.

  How’d she get that far, already?

  “I’m going to tan that pretty little ass if you don’t get back here and do as you’re told!”

  ***

  Have to catch me first, Catherine thought.

  She’d spent her free time, once she was allowed to roam freely, learning the mansion’s nooks and crannies, as well as doing research in the library. Like many extremely old and large residences, the house had a few secret passageways, like the one she was hiding in now. She was betting on Julian running past to take the stairs and not pay attention to her heartbeat in the wall.

  If his footsteps slowed, then she’d move.

  She watched him fly past, leather duster billowing behind him. She waited a minute, then opened the door panel and cautiously peeked out, only to be grabbed by her collar and yanked out of the passage.

  ***

  Julian pulled her out of hiding by her sweater, but the struggle wasn’t over. He was pissed off, but he didn’t want to damage her permanently, so he wasn’t using his full strength, and Catherine was a slippery little thing.

  They came to a stalemate, her back hitting the wall as she pressed a sliver of wood against his t-shirt over his heart. He glanced down at the pointy object, then at her defiant glare.

  “Clever girl,” he murmured. “Dust me now, and you have your freedom.”

  He could practically see the options running through her mind. 1) Plunge the stake through his heart and get the hell out of Dodge. Alana wouldn’t stop her. 2) Drop the stake and be at his mercy, whatever he planned to do to punish her.

  Being an impatient sort, Julian opened door number three.

  ***

  Catherine found herself being kissed. He leaned forward just enough to press his lips to hers, the point of the stake making a dent in his shirt and skin. All she had to do was push and he’d be dead, but the kiss…

  Oh, God…

  Her arms wrapped around his neck, instead. He growled into her mouth and pressed her body against the wall with his.

  What am I doing, what am I DOING? I’m dead or unconscious… I’m dreaming. Julian conked me on the head and I’m dreaming…there’s no way this is real. How does he taste so good?

  His hands were on her waist. She jumped up to wrap her legs around his hips. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, grinding his erection against her center.

  ***

  She’s so warm, so unguarded.

  He’d turned a key and somehow unlocked the passionate woman inside the girl. The way she sucked on his tongue when he tried to pull it back, how she pressed her breasts against his chest whenever he shifted his hips a certain way, the little whimpers she made each time he pressed her against the wall again. Her right hand clutched the back of his neck, her nails slightly digging into his nape, the stake somewhere on the floor. Her left hand clung to his coat. She wasn’t afraid he would drop her--she wanted to keep him close. It was a heady thought, and god, he wanted to rip her clothes off and have her right here—

  “Ahem.”

  They froze, waiting for the sound to have been a fluke. Imagined.

  “Yes, I’m still here,” Alana said, rolling her eyes. “The girls were getting antsy. Should we go without you?”

  Catherine slid her legs down Julian’s body and hid her face in his coat. He cleared his throat and turned to his partner.

  “We’ll be right there,” he replied.

  Alana shrugged and teleported away.

  ***

  Oh, God, oh-god-oh-god-oh-god…

  Catherine sidled away from her make-out partner and started walking to the stairs.

  “Pet…”

  “Don’t. It was just a fluke. I’m going to straighten up, and I’ll meet you at the car.”

  She ran the rest of the way down toward the bathroom by the kitchen.

  Julian punched the wall, leaving a dent in the wood paneling.

  What a cock-up this is…

  ***

  Why did I let him kiss me? Why did he let me almost stake him? This place is stealing my sanity…

  After making herself presentable, Catherine walked to the foyer to join the other girls. One of them handed her the purse and coat she’d dropped when Julian tossed her over his shoulder. The driver was standing by the passenger door. Julian was waiting on the other side of the limo, at the front. There were six girls plus Alana to sit in the back. She was glad he wasn’t among them.

  ***

  Alana gave her a sideways glance as she took her seat, but didn’t comment. It wasn’t anyone’s business what she’d seen upstairs. Frankly, the half-demon wasn’t surprised something like this happened. Julian had been storing up sexual tension for quite a while. And the teen virgin? That was a powder keg of sexual energy just waiting to explode. She just wondered which one made the first move.

  ***

  Catherine sat primly while the demon girls chattered and speculated on which club they might be going to. It was oddly comforting and disturbing that they sounded just like the college girls she’d been surrounded by just a few weeks ago. They wanted to go where it was “cool” and meet hot males. They’d primped their scales or feathers or whatever to perfection and put on their most alluring clothes. The couple she knew had been nice enough, though they clearly didn’t understand the “weird human girl”.

  Maybe she could stick with Alana all night.

  In front of a building with a red door and small neon sign on a dark street, Julian gave his rules to the demon girls before letting them inside.

  “Remember, while you’re completing your course with us, there will be no going home with any males you meet, and if you’re hung-over tomorrow you still have to be in class. Practice your skills, dance, and have a good time.”

  Catherine followed Alana inside and to the bar.

  “You can’t hide from him forever,” the half-demon said, waiting for the bartender.

  “I can try. I really don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Well, you can’t follow me around all night like a limpet. I have people to talk to, and you’ll only cramp my style.”

 
“Please, Alana? I won’t say anything!”

  “Fine… I don’t think you have to worry, though. Julian’s already busy over there.”

  Catherine turned to see where Alana pointed, and saw Julian whispering into the ear of some blonde chick. She smiled at him, and they disappeared further into the club. She should have been relieved, but for some reason the sight…burned.

  “I can sense that,” Alana stated, sipping from something pink with an umbrella in the glass.

  “Huh?”

  “And, it’s fading…come on, before I get bored.”

  At least Julian hadn’t taken them to some dive. It actually looked like one of the nicer places in L.A., and the clientele were behaving themselves, dancing or huddled in booths for a drink.

  He’d been right about seeing all kinds of demons in the flesh. It was one thing to read about them or see a tiny drawing, quite another to see them in real living color, and smell.

  Catherine was acutely aware she seemed to be the only human in the place.

  They passed into a different section, with tables and billiard games.

  She hung back and let Alana do her thing, leaning against the wall and watching the scenery. It took a while to notice that the cute guy across the room was trying to catch her eye.

  Me? she mouthed, pointing to herself. He nodded and crooked his finger, indicating she should come over. She glanced at Alana, then pushed off the wall and made her way across the room.

  Chapter 8

  “Alone tonight?” he asked.

  Ooo, nice accent.

  “With friends,” Catherine said.

  He glanced at the table where Alana and the demon were engrossed in conversation. “She didn’t seem to be including you.”

  “She’s working,” she replied. “You know how it is.”

  “Dangerous friend you have. How does an American girl come by such a companion?”

  “Long story.”

  “I’ve got some time, Miss…”

  “Catherine.”

  He smiled. “Pretty name. So, Catherine, what brings you to England?”

  “School. A little learning abroad. It’s my first real night out.”

  And now I’m flirting?

  “My lucky night, then. Care to dance, before you get back to the books?”

  She took his offered hand. “I’d love to, Mr.….”

  “Ian.”

  Catherine followed his lead to the dance floor. Ian was just her type, dark-haired and broad-shouldered. Pretty hazel-green eyes. His hand was warm, so at least he wasn’t a vampire. She wasn’t ruling out some kind of demon, since many could appear as humans, and they were in a demon bar.

  Spotting Julian chatting up a girl out of the corner of her eye, she made a show of wrapping her arms around her partner’s neck and smiling up at him. Just in case someone was watching. Had to put this makeover to use somehow, right?

  “So, how long do you plan to stay here?” Ian asked.

  “Not sure. Maybe a couple more weeks. I do miss home.”

  “And where’s that?”

  “California. I miss the sun.”

  He chuckled. “It is a rare thing to see, especially this time of year. I bet you look beautiful in sunlight.”

  She sighed. “Too bad we can’t find out…but I bet you say that to all the girls.”

  “I only compliment those worthy of it.”

  She smiled, shaking her head. “Good answer.”

  The song shifted to a fast techno beat. The old Catherine wouldn’t have tried staying out on the floor; the new her put her new skills to work and kept the boy’s attention.

  ***

  Julian watched Catherine moving with abandon on the dance floor with some pretty-boy ponce, and went to find Alana. He pulled her out of a booth in the back, mid-sentence.

  “Hey! Hands off the merchandise!”

  “Explain to me why Miss Mitchell is teasing the dick of some pillock on the dance floor. She was supposed to stay with you!”

  “She’s an adult, Julian. She can handle a dance or two. I’m in the middle of something!”

  “Not in a room full of demons!” he hissed. “In here, she’s just bait.”

  “Then, if you’re so worried, you go tell her she can’t dance with the hot incubus.” Alana started to walk back to her client.

  Julian grabbed her arm and yanked her back. “You let her go off with an incubus?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Your bumpies are showing.” She walked back to her table. They only had to worry if the incubus was looking to mate.

  He shook off his fangs and stomped off into the crowd, searching for Catherine. They were here a friggin’ minute ago…

  He was going to kill her if she left the building. He searched all of the common areas and came up empty.

  “Are there any private areas in the building?” Julian demanded of the bartender.

  “What’s it to you?”

  He slammed a hundred note on the counter. “Private. Rooms. Where are they?”

  “Door at the end of the hall by the loo. Leads upstairs.”

  It took pounding down five doors before he found her.

  “God, what is your damage, Julian? Knock, much?” Catherine exclaimed.

  He looked her over in a second, before yelling, “Do you have any idea what he is?”

  She rolled her eyes. “We were just talking. It was loud down there.”

  Ian held up his hands. “Hey, no hard feelings, mate. Didn’t realize she was taken.”

  “I’m not,” Catherine stated. “He’s my…chaperone,” she explained, then turned to Julian. “Go away!”

  “Oh, gee, since you asked so nicely…no. He’s an incubus.”

  She blinked. “So?”

  “So, they seduce women, show them a good time, and then you’re having demon spawn burst out of your innards four weeks later like one of those things from the ‘Alien’ movies,” he explained.

  “A chest-buster? You are seriously deranged, Julian.” To Ian, she said, “I’m so sorry. He’s still not housebroken.”

  “You…two…seem to have some things to work out…” Ian replied, and made a hasty retreat out of the room.

  Catherine threw her hands up in disgust. “Oh, that’s great! The one guy who’ll talk to me in this place and you chase him away. Thank you, Julian! This night has been so fun.” She grabbed her purse and jacket in a huff and made for the door, only to be yanked back by the arm. “Let. Go. Of. Me.”

  “No.” Julian slammed the door shut. “We need to talk.”

  “No, we don’t! I have nothing to say I haven’t already said.”

  “We kissed, Catherine.”

  “You kissed me.”

  “You kissed me back. Or did I just imagine you wrapped around me with all four limbs, making all those delicious little sounds.”

  “A lapse in judgment,” she coldly replied. “It won’t be repeated.”

  Julian stalked forward, stopping boot tip to boot tip. “So, just the heat of the argument, then? A bit of cold comfort?”

  “You kissed me when I had a stake at your heart. Question your own motives before you start in on mine.”

  Catherine pushed past him and yanked the door open, her feet clomping loudly on the stairs a minute later.

  He stood the picture of tension, flexing his hands open and closed, grinding his teeth.

  She’s drivin’ you bug-shaggin’ insane. Just let her go.

  It was nearing midnight when Julian came downstairs. He rounded up the girls and said they were leaving, much to their dismay. Catherine was over with Alana, but he ignored her. The atmosphere between them couldn’t have been any colder during the drive back.

  ***

  Alana followed Catherine up to her room, inside, and shut the door.

  “Can I help you?” she asked the half-demon.

  “Is this…whatever…between you and Julian going to screw up business around here?” Alana asked.

  “Not as far as I
’m concerned. I don’t care what he does.”

  “Uh-huh… I’m guessing he screwed up, since he’s male, so what are you going to do now?”

  “Do?”

  “Curse him, ignore him, chop his man parts off…you know, the usual.”

  Catherine sighed and sat on the bed. “Nothing so drastic. I don’t even know how this all happened. It’s insane! I shouldn’t even know he exists, or you exist. I was happy minding my own business in my little college life… I wish everything could go back to the way it was. I just want to go home.”

  “So go home.”

  “I can’t, yet.”

  My allowance won’t be in the bank until the first.

  Alana shrugged. “Suit yourself. But you’re going to have to find some way to get by until you are ready, because he won’t hide from you in his own home.”

  “I know.”

  Catherine thanked her lucky stars most of her routine could be conducted before Julian was awake and out and about. He typically got up at sundown, spent time in the office, and then joined them for dinner. It was Saturday, so that meant it was movie night in the TV room instead of class time. She could avoid him tomorrow, too, since Sunday was her day off from self-defense training.

  On Monday, he came to find her before dinner.

  “Look, we’re both adults, so there’s no reason we can’t be professional during the remainder of your stay, right?” He stood stiffly, his voice neutral.

  “I’m agreeable to that,” she said.

  “Good. I’ll see you in the gym after supper, then.” Julian nodded curtly, then walked off.

  Her stomach fluttered nervously through dinner at the prospect of sparring with him, being in close contact. You couldn’t practice a full-contact sport without touching the other person.

  Stupid hormones.

  Her head wasn’t looking for a boyfriend, and her heart wanted to go home, but her body kept responding to the one attractive male she was around for the past month. It made sense from a biological standpoint, except you couldn’t reproduce with a vampire. But her body didn’t care about details. It only recognized that he was pleasantly shaped.

  She needn’t have worried.

  Julian brought in one of the other girls to do the actual sparring. He just gave instructions. It was the least fun she’d had in class since she started.