Possession (9 page)

Chapter 11

Tonia paced in the guest bedroom, not sure what else to do. Thankfully her stomach finally decided to settle, but she still felt woozy. If a kiss caused this much discomfort, she didn't want to know what going further with another man would do.

Another
Man
. Was Fallon even human? She’d seen fangs. What the hell was he?  A vampire?

Frustrated, she went to the bed and picked up her cell phone. She had to get away, too much was happening too fast. A knock on the door made her hesitate. Not sure she wanted to face him now, she waited before answering, “Yes?”

"It's Fallon, may I come in?"

How could she find it so difficult to turn away a man who could possibly be some sort of hellish beast?  "Yes."

Fallon walked in, his gaze meeting hers only for a moment. “How are you feeling?”

“I don’t think I have to tell you how I feel right now,” she replied. “You can probably see it. I’m still green.”

“It is my duty as your mate to protect you, at all times.” He eyed the cell in her hand. “You can’t leave this house now Tonia, you will have to live here.” He remained in place, just inside the door.

She stalked to stand in front of him. “What? Will I begin throwing up again if I get too far from you? I can’t believe this shit. By the way, you didn't have to look so horrified to be tied to me. Obviously, you're not happy, so why don't you help me leave?”

Other than a slight tick at his jaw, he remained outwardly calm. “It's not what you think. I could not wish for a better mate. And if you go far from me, you will not get sick. Not exactly.”

What choice did she have? The more information she got, the easier it would be to deal with the situation.  Tonia stepped back to allow him to pass. “I can’t wait to hear this.”

His demeanor changed. With flared nostrils and voice tight, Fallon's demeanor finally snapped. “I didn’t want this anymore than you did Tonia. If ever there was a worse time to be mated, I can’t think of it.” He raked his fingers through his hair, which of course fell back into place perfectly. “Unfortunately, it’s done. We’ll be mates for the rest of our lives. We must accept it.”

He took a deep breath seeming to calm and switched back to the old perfectly in control male. “I will be a good husband to you. You will never have to worry for anything. I will provide anything you need. You don’t have to work unless you wish to.”

She wanted to yell in frustration, but kept quiet and waited to see where this was heading. His violet eyes reflected her anxiety, at being thrown into an unexpected situation. “The next few days will be hard for the Protectors, but once we get a certain situation under control, we can spend time getting to know each other, maybe even go on a trip.”

She went to the fireplace and stared at the logs. “I'm sorry Fallon, but I can't allow this relationship to go further. We were nothing more than casual lovers.  But now...I saw your fangs down there when you became angry. I lost my husband to a demon. I won’t be in a relationship with one or whatever you are.”

When he closed his eyes and hung his head, she faltered. “I won’t lie, I find you very attractive and our chemistry is strong, which is what got us into this. But I’m leaving. I have to.”

Fallon rubbed the back of his neck, his forehead pinched. Letting out a breath he motioned for her to move closer. “Sit…please let me explain."

Ensuring not to sit near him, she chose the smaller chair and watched him lower to the love seat opposite her. Of course, her attention was drawn to how the pullover—cashmere no doubt—sweater stretched across his well-formed chest. Her breathing hitched.  A strong need for him burned making her wonder if she'd developed a fever. Tonia forced her eyes up to his.

"I’m not a demon. All Protectors have fangs, we developed them for protection and for…er other things. Think about it, would a demon live with slayers?”

She studied him, the handsome man actually looked contrite and immediately an overwhelming urge to soothe him filled her. Clenching her hands, she kept from moving to him.
Get the facts Tonia.
“What happens if I don’t stay here?”

“Mates weaken if away from the other too long. As a matter of fact, what you're feeling right now is normal, it's imperative that we...bond, and soon. We must touch, be in contact regularly, otherwise we’ll deteriorate, lose our ability to think clearly. Physically it's torture, but mentally, it's worse.”

“I can’t afford that.” Her voice hiked. “My job requires me to remain sharp.”

“Obviously I can’t either,” he told her, his voice dull.

“Can we compromise?”

“How?”

“After we finish, here." When he looked to the bed, Fallon actually blushed. "You can move into one of the guest cottages on the property. We can meet every morning as you leave for work and I return home. To…er to touch or something.”

“What exactly do you mean by touch?”

“It has to be intimate.”

“What?” She glared at him. “This crap just keeps getting better. Can’t we do something else?”

“Like?”

“Hell, I don't know, how about if we hold hands?”

“Hold hands?” He stared at her, eyebrows raised. “That’s not intimate.” He exhaled sharply. “Last night, it didn't seem to be such a stretch to be intimate."

He had a point, yet her choice was taken. "I had a choice."

Flat eyes met hers. "A kiss may suffice. I've never been through this either.”

“Is this why Wendy flings herself at Kieran every morning?” she asked.

Fallon shook his head. “No, they actually love each other.” He leaned forward in the chair opposite hers, but didn’t move to touch her. “Can we try what I’m suggesting?”

Not feeling she had a choice she nodded.

"Come here."

Tonia trembled at the husky request, her mouth opened to allow air into her lungs. Lifting from the chair her body detached from her brain, it would not be denied.

The Protector waited for her to near, and then he stood and pulled his sweater off over his head, eyes on hers, he began to remove his pants. Tonia shook, but began to undress as well. If he wanted to keep it clinical, then she would do the same. If this were just a fuck to ensure they would remain sharp, then she'd take that. Use him.

Fully nude they both stood facing each other, neither wanted to give in first, which she found almost comical, if not for the damn thick erection between his legs she'd swear he wasn't turned on. A drop of cum appeared from tip and glistened. Good, he wanted her just as badly.

Fallon took her hand and pulled her to him, his mouth crushed hers and she grabbed his butt, her nails digging into the plump orbs. A deep moan came from deep in his throat, the rumble in his chest vibrated into her.

With quick motions, he lifted her and rushed to the bed.

"Fuck me.” Tonia grabbed his cock and guided it to her, irritated when he pulled back.

"No." His breathing was fast, his chest expanding with each breath, but his movements were slow, his lips pressing kisses down her throat until finally closing over her nipple. When he sucked it into his mouth with force, she arched into him.

Her core pulsed with yearning. "I-I need you now." Once again she reached between them, but he grabbed her hands and held them over her head. 

"No."

Helpless to move as his large body pressed over her, Tonia closed her eyes and lifted her hips grinding into him. The friction helped.

With one hand holding hers in a tight bond, Fallon moved the other between her legs.  His darkened eyes bore into hers. "I want to make love, not fuck."

A smart response stuck in her throat when he began to caress her now throbbing center with his thumb while slipping a finger into her.  She opened her mouth for him taking his tongue into her mouth with greed.

At the precipice of release, her body strung so tight, Tonia cried out.  The nudging between her legs could only mean he would finally enter her.  For fear he'd stop, she wrapped a leg around his thigh. "Please."

"Yes!" She cried out when he finally thrust in, stretching her, filling her completely.

The bedding around them combined with his heated body formed a nest Tonia didn't want to leave. She was tucked under his arm, her head on his chest, and her arm around his waist. Once the haze of their lovemaking lifted, she could not ignore the cold truth. The sex had been intense, almost as if they'd shared each sensation. The climax taking them damn near to blackout. God she could become addicted to it.

"I can't stay in this house with you, I will take you up on the offer of the cottage." Tonia spoke, unsure if he was awake or not.

The only reply was a deep exhalation.

“I need my things. I am wearing borrowed clothes from Wendy, and she is a lot shorter.”

“I’ll drive you to your townhouse.”

They went downstairs into a garage that housed a varied amount of vehicles, which included several huge motorcycles, a Jeep and a small red sports car. Fallon directed her to his silver Jaguar and held the door open for her. After she slid in, he went around and climbed in behind the wheel. Wearing jeans and a long sleeve dark blue polo, he could walk into a magazine shoot and be perfect. His elegant fingers slid across the radio buttons while he set it to a jazz station. Tonia swallowed when his gaze flicked to her.

“So is Trent your original last name?”

“Yes, my name is Fallon Ashton Trent.”

Fallon Ashton
. It suited him.

"So, what did you mean when you said, this was the worst time for our mating to happen?"

A muscle at his jaw tightened. "Our mission, the war with the demons...it's not a good time to be mated as it puts our mates at risk. Targets for our enemy."

"So other than Wendy and Kieran, no others are mated?"

"Its actually rare for so many Protectors to be mated, most choose to remain unattached. Kieran’s brother Cynden and also Roderick, the one who treated you, are also mated." He signaled and turned.

"Why did Julian do that to you?  Is it normal for him to do this? To punish in that manner?"

"No, only me."

"Why?"

"It's between Julian and I."

"So he doesn't like you?"

He reached for the radio and turned up the music. End of convo looked like.  She sat back and crossed her arms. Oh yeah, he definitely kept something from her.

For the duration of the drive to her home, they remained quiet, each deep in thought.

Upon arriving at her townhouse Tonia realized she didn’t have her keys. “Crap, I don’t have my keys.”

“It's not a problem. I can get us in.” When they reached her front door, Fallon stepped forward and placed his hand on the smooth surface. The locks clicked and he opened the door.

“Ever consider a career in crime?” she asked him, staring at the open door, not looking forward to going in and facing the bloody mess.

Inside her townhouse, nothing seemed disturbed. As a matter of fact, the space had been thoroughly cleaned. Tonia noticed several articles missing however and began looking around to see what else was amiss.

“They were here. The demons destroyed some of your things.” Fallon told her, remaining by the doorway. “I put everything back that was not broken.”

He’d cleaned up her place. She pressed her lips together. No, she would not allow her heart to soften toward him. He was still hiding something from her, she knew with unmistakable certainty.

“Thank you, you didn't have to do that.”

Moving past the bathroom, she could not stop from looking in. It too had been cleaned. She had a hard time picturing the wealthy hunk cleaning up her bathroom.

Once in her bedroom, she pulled a large suitcase from the closet and began packing. When that one filled, she grabbed a second one.

“Do you need any help?” Fallon asked some time later, from the bedroom entryway, he eyed her already bulging suitcases. “Should I hire a U-Haul perhaps?”

Chapter 12

Two days later, Tonia kicked her blankets off her too sensitive skin. She'd barely slept, tossing and turning all night, her body hummed with need. She’d dreamt of Fallon both nights and had almost thrown herself at him that morning when he stopped by for a kiss after returning from work. She’d noted circles under his eyes and it helped somewhat to know that he didn’t seem to be having an easier time of it either. Lack of sleep, a side effect he’d conveniently left out.

Why had she been so stubborn?  Would it be so bad to sleep with him instead of the cottage?  Yes, first he had to come clean, tell her the entire truth about himself. Yet she couldn't continue like this.

Today would be different—she’d demand he come in and have sex with her—damn the consequences. Tonia needed to get over this in order to be any good when she returned to work.

At Fallon’s first knock, she tore the door open and threw herself at him, arms wrapped around him, mouth fused to his. The warmth and hard planes of his body against hers helped dim some of the fire inside and she sighed against him in relief. Trailing kisses down the side of his face to his neck, she was pleased when he began to breathe faster. There was no way he’d resist. Victory within reach, she took his hand and tugged him past the doorway.

Darkened eyes met hers. “No.”

Pulling harder she glared at him. “What the hell do you mean ‘no’?”

“I want a relationship.”

“You’re kidding me right?” She dropped his hand and moved back into his arms running her tongue along his jawline. "Fallon, let’s do this, we both need it. You feel it, need it, as much as I do."

“No,” he growled softly and moved away from her. Turning on his heel he headed to the house.

She jogged after him and pulled on his arm swinging him to face her. “I am not going to let you force me into something I am not ready for.”

He stopped and looked down at her. “I am not forcing you into anything. You’re my mate, my wife. I won’t have sex as a means to get rid of this desire. I want more.”

“How much longer do you think you can resist?” Jutting her chin out stubbornly, she pinned him with a sharp look.

“As long as it takes,” he replied, his tone patient. “Would you like to join me for dinner?” he motioned to the house. “Please?” He took her hand and waited.

Wanting more than to hold his hand, she let out a huff and began to walk towards the house. He would change his mind, she’d make sure.

The other two Protectors were already sitting at the table when they entered. Logan nodded at her. "Hey Tonia, how are ya?"

"Good, thank you," Tonia replied, and then went to the other side of the room to offer Wendy help.

Throughout the meal, she caught Fallon watching her constantly, his heated gaze making it hard to sit still. Just watching him fanned her desire for him. On occasion, she would reach over and touch his leg or his arm, each time his gaze would lift to hers, his expression soft—a slight lift to his lips.

"I'm going to bed. If it's all right with you guys, can we meet before heading out tonight?" Fallon stood, yawned and stretched. Following his every movement, Tonia debated whether to go with him, as he didn't invite her.

"It's more than okay with me," Kieran answered, his hand caressing Wendy's back. "I'm ready for bed myself."

Wendy leaned over and kissed his jaw. "Sleepy?" She nipped at his ear and his lips curved.

"Not really."

Tonia looked away to Logan who studied Fallon with clinical intensity. A shiver ran through her, what was the cowboy looking for?

Fallon got her attention, “See you tomorrow.” He lifted her face and pressed a chaste kiss on her lips. Placing her hands behind his head, she ensured the kiss lasted a bit longer until someone cleared their throat.

He straightened and left the room. Tonia stared in disbelief at his retreating back.

Kieran stood. "I'll be right back, going to run a bit with Albert. Wait for me." He kissed the top of Wendy's head and went to the door, the dog on his heels.

"Tonia?" Wendy frowned. “What’s the deal with you two?”

Tonia swallowed and looked to Logan who remained eating. The oblivious Texan cut into his steak and lifted his eyes to them when he felt their stares. He looked up at them. “What?”

“Nothing, keep eating Logan,” Wendy shook her head and smiled.  “Come with me.” She grabbed Tonia’s arm and pulled her from the room.

“What did I do?” Logan called after them.

Once in the library, she closed the door and pointed to the couch. “Sit down and spill it.”

She sat down, but remained quiet, not sure what to say.

“Why aren’t you sleeping with Fallon? I thought you guys were already intimate prior to the mating.”

A private person by nature, heat rose to her cheeks. “We were.”

“So?”

“I have a problem being married to someone that I didn’t choose. This whole situation is so strange. I barely even know him.”

Wendy nodded. “Yeah, I get you, I really do." With a faraway look, she looked past her to the wall. Misted eyes met hers. "I'm so sorry Tonia, I really am. But it’s done now.” She patted her hand and sighed. “And it can’t be undone.”

Tonia sighed and sunk further into the plush couch, pulling her feet under her. “The reason I’m staying in the guest cottage is because I can't accept this ultimatum, this forced union.”

“Did you guys consummate the marriage?” Wendy asked peering at her closely. “Because neither of you look too good.”

Tonia shifted uneasily under Wendy’s scrutiny. “We’d been intimate, right before Julian mated us and once right afterward.”

“Oh my God! Is that it?” Wendy shrieked. At her nod Wendy's hands covered her mouth. “How have you made it this long?”

“It's only been two days. We kiss every morning.” She sagged. “What the hell am I saying? Honestly, I am not sure I can take it much longer. But he won't have sex now unless I agree to a relationship."

“Kiss?” Wendy’s wide eyes and raised eyebrows made Tonia mirror the look in consternation.

"Yeah, but you know what? If he doesn’t agree to it, too bad, I’m climbing in that bed and taking him by force.” Tonia pointed to the ceiling. "Do you still feel this way? Like a nymphomaniac on crack?” Tonia asked.

“No, not as bad as the first days.” Wendy sighed a dreamy look on her face. “I don’t know how I made it through that wedding reception, I wanted to hump Kieran in front of everyone. I didn’t care if my whole family saw us naked and all over each other.” She hesitated. “It’s still there, that raw need for him, but mostly it’s because he’s so damn yummy.”

Nodding, Tonia understood. She didn’t need a mating ritual to want Fallon, but being forced into the current situation didn’t sit well with her.

"What is keeping you from accepting his proposal?"

Tonia sighed. "There's something he's keeping from me. A secret."

Wendy bit her lip and looked away. That confirmed it. There was something else.

"Look I'm not going to ask you what it is. Not that you would tell me, and besides, I want him to be honest with me. I’m going for a jog.” She stood. “Care to come?”

“Err…no way, not after all this talk about intimacy. I’m going upstairs to wait and catch Kieran before he goes to sleep.”

Wendy hesitated then took her hand. “Tonia, Fallon is a good man. You loved your first husband, and he was probably a great guy, but you’ve been doubly blessed by meeting Fallon. Get to know him, you couldn’t ask for a better husband. All this that happened to him is not his fault”

Tonia forced a smile at her new friend. Her mind whirled.
What happened to him?

After Wendy left, she remained sitting, mulling over her options. Too stubborn to admit defeat, she went outside to jog within the walled land surrounding the house. Running helped. But very little.

The buzz of the cell phone woke Tonia from a deep sleep. She reached for it, and seeing it was Douglas, sat straight up.

“Marcus is dead,” her partner told her without preamble. “I’m at the scene right now. It’s not pretty.”

Already jamming her jeans on, she rushed into the bathroom. “Give me the address.”

She called Fallon and told him about the call.  He told her a Protector would be in the vicinity of where she was headed and ten minutes later, she zipped through downtown streets, arriving at a pay-by-the-hour hotel. Pulling her badge out of her windbreaker pocket, she rushed past a couple uniforms who eyed her and motioned to where Douglas stood, just inside the rundown room. She stepped through the doorway with care to avoid the glass and blood that covered the dingy carpeting.

The body was already gone, all that remained were the markers where the body had been and investigators dusting for prints and other evidence.

Douglas turned as if sensing her. “Mohr, you didn’t need to come, it's your first vacation in a long time.”

“How did it happen?”

Her partner frowned but knew better than to argue and motioned for her to follow. They walked out of the room and around the building to stand outside the room’s window. “He was attacked here, seems like he was thrown through the window into the room. They finished inside. His neck was practically torn out. He bled to death. Who ever did this was a sick fuck.”

A demon.

“Anything else stand out?” Her voice shook.

“Not sure yet, but it seems like he’d been trying to get himself together. The hotel manager said he’d prepaid for the rest of the month. That he’d told him he recently got a job, at that new restaurant around the corner, as a cook.”

“Damn.” Tonia shook her head. “I told him to leave town.”

“Yeah well, as usual, he didn’t listen.”

“Marshals can we get some information from you?” a detective called out to them.

They talked with the detective for another hour.

“I’m going home,” Douglas told her, looking every bit of his forty-five years. “I suggest you do the same.”

He studied her. “You still with that British fellow?”

“Yeah, we’re still hanging.”

“Good, that’s good Mohr, you need a distraction from all this.” He looked toward the hotel. “We talked and he seems like a good guy.”

Recalling Fallon cleaning her apartment, his patience with her and Wendy’s words, she nodded. “He is.”

“Good night Mohr, see you on Monday”

“Good night Douglas,” she replied watching him get into his nondescript sedan and drive off at a slow speed.

Restless she strolled around the block. Keeping her fingers curled around the hilt of her dagger, she scanned the streets looking for demons. The need to rid the city of them gnawed at her insides. If only she could be part of the Protector army, learn their techniques. She'd be able to make more of a difference. Spotting movement, she leaned against a wall and watched to see who headed her way.

Friend or foe?

***

Some nights were suffocating and endless, this one felt like such. Being constantly on edge from the evil inside him and now with the added pressure of the lack of sexual release, Fallon wasn’t sure how he kept from accepting Tonia’s offer that morning. Almost four in the morning, there were still at least two hours until sunrise. He adjusted his fly, the hardness aching.

“What are you doing?” Fallon spotted Logan walking toward him. “You’re out of your sector.”

The man stuck out like a sore thumb, seeming to belong more in a western movie scene than walking down in the middle of midtown Atlanta. “Kieran is gone to check out something. A demon attack, from what I gather it’s a blood bath.”

“Why are you here?”

The uneasy look Logan gave him spoke volumes. Losing his temper he groaned in frustration. “I don’t need a fucking babysitter.”

“Yeah well, Julian’s orders,” Logan replied, his hand massaging his shoulder.

“What’s wrong with your shoulder?”

“Oh yeah, I meant to tell you. I ran into this Master Demon the other night. The fucker threw a dagger at me and cut my shoulder. He bled like a pig when I shot him too.”

Fallon’s eyes widened. “Let me get this straight, you run into a Master Demon, who can kill you almost instantly and you shoot at him?”

Logan gave him a droll look. “Yeah well, I like to shoot.” He shrugged. “Anyway, listen. He bled. The dude was weak.”

“Who was it?” Fallon asked, wondering if it could have been Gerard.

“I didn’t ask his name,” Logan told him, watching a group of young people crossing the street, with them a gangly demon male.

“What did he look like?”

The cowboy continued watching the group. “Tall, dark and ugly.” He laughed at his own joke. “Six foot two, sleek build, long hair, past his shoulders, straight, I would say black or very dark brown, widow’s peak.”

“Gerard.”

“Yeah well I figured he’s probably the one that’s got you marked. Sorry I didn’t kill the fucker, but he flashed away before I could get him.”