Haunting Sin

by Leila Knight

  I heard a man clear his throat and that was the only thing that stopped me from falling to my knees and taking Devon’s heavy cock into my mouth. I stepped back slowly with furious red blotches marring my cheeks. Devon escorted me back to the car careful not to touch me. I have never considered myself a conniving woman, but I was hatching a plan to have Devon touch me as soon as we were away from the curious stares of his teammates. I crossed my fingers as he opened the large car door for me. I smiled when Devon jumped into the car next to me, closing the door behind him. The men all turned to look at me expectantly, all except for Devon who seemed completely uninterested. I was confused. Was this not the man who looked like he was fucking me with his eyes only moments ago?

  “We need to get some things straight,” James said.

  “We need to know why you were out here. You see I would be a very happy man if we just saved an innocent from becoming ghost supper, but I don’t think that is what happened tonight. I found salt and sage on the ground and I’m assuming they’re not for your beauty routine.”

  I opened my mouth and closed it again; looking at the hard stare James was giving me. I wanted to tell him a version of events that would give me the least amount of trouble. It only took me a few seconds to notice all the technology strewed throughout the car, I knew I was dealing with military. I swallowed and prepared to tell them a lie; I really didn’t want to become a human guinea pig. I looked at James and all of my hope shot out of the car like an arrow. James wasn’t a man to tolerate lies and I had a suspicion he knew bullshit when he smelled it.

  “I was hired by the family of a deceased woman to investigate her death after the police determined it was from natural circumstances.”

  “And these investigations led to the exploded ghost whose currently dripping down your leg.”

  Bastard was chiding me.

  “Yes.”

  “What kinds of experiences do you usually have with your investigations?”

  I could’ve lied; I wanted to lie, but I still felt unsure if James was all he appeared.

  “I’m nothing special. Really. I’ve seen spirits since before I could talk, so naturally I learned a little psychic self-defense for the ones who couldn’t take a hint and leave.”

  “You usually use…”

  “Crystals, salt, oils, herbs, whatever gets the job done. I’ve only ever helped in four haunted houses, I don’t have much experience.”

  James’ eyes turned calculating, I could feel him analyzing the way I sat, if I blinked too much or too little, or if I breathed too fast or too slow. James had gone into human lie detector mode. I stared evenly at him, not willing to be the first to look away. The men in the car were silent, waiting for their boss’ judgment. James turned back around in his seat and rustled through some papers. He pulled out a toothpick, stuck it in his mouth, and gave me a devilish smile.

  “Well Ms. Beaumont would you be liking a ride home?”

  Just like that all the tension in the car had ceased.

  I wished I didn’t need a ride home, but I was certain my roommate Angela had abandoned me hours ago. Angela and I have never been the best of friends; we became roommates out of pure necessity. Our already strained relationship took a hard hit as soon as she discovered my talent with the occult. She was completely neurotic of the anything pertaining to the undead and she made sure to bitch if I even left a candle out. I just hoped she didn’t find out that I bummed a ride off of her to investigate a murderous ghost, it might be one pull too many on our already tenuous living arrangements.

  I huffed out a breath in frustration. I could see Devon watch the rise and fall of my breast with hungry eyes. I forgot my troubles and leaned back into the car seat, allowing his eyes to grope all over my body. I sighed again, loving the feel of the car’s motor beneath me. I squirmed on the seat working my hips back and forth, hypnotized by the soft rhythm. Devon’s eyes scaled down my breast and stomach, till he was transfixed on my rolling hips. I wasn’t the only one hypnotized; Devon licked his lips as his eyes slowly traveled back up my body.

  I was sad to feel the car come to a halt outside my apartment building. My body still craved the decadent vibrations of the car and the feel of Devon’s eyes. Devon already had the car door open before any of the other men could offer to escort me up to my apartment. A strong hand guided me out of my seat. He anxiously walked me up the stairs of my apartment building. I could feel the tension pouring off of him. I wanted to try to make small talk with him, but I was shamefully intimidated, even after my earlier bravado.

  I had started to wonder if I had imagined our chemistry. Sadly, I reached my apartment door discouraged and insecure. I hid my eyes behind my curtain of hair while I searched for my keys. I turned around to face him and offered a shy goodbye, while not meeting his eyes. I reasoned with myself that I could lock the door on that handsome face if I didn’t stare into those eyes. I was about to turn back around when he grabbed my wrist and pushed my back hard against the door.

  I stared into his eyes then, they were bright with lust. His mouth came crashing down onto mine. There was nothing soft about his kiss; it was as hard as the rest of him. He forced his tongue into my mouth, owning it. With every skillful turn of his tongue he tried to dominate me, but he found me a little harder to tame then he thought.

  I bit down on him in challenge. He didn’t expect that. Devon jumped back, but when he saw the teasing smile on my face, his pelvis slammed me into door and he bit down on my lips in punishment. “I love a good fight,” he rasped in my ear. I wanted him so bad that I couldn’t think; I just wanted him inside of me.

  While he continued the assault on me mouth, I wrapped my arms around him. I started to slide my hands down his taut back until I reached the roundness of his ass and thrust him back into me again. I had to feel that stiff straining cock push against me. His chest rumbled as he reached down behind him grabbing both my hands. He bit down hard on shoulder and gave me a sultry grin as he pinned my arms high above my head. He reached behind me with his free hand and snatched my hair back, forcing my mouth open. I bit my bottom lip, loving the sting of pain. Devon licked a line across my mouth and gave me a husky growl, demanding entrance. I opened my mouth and sucked on his tongue, thinking of all the ways his sinful mouth could please me.

  This man was used to being in control, but he was going to have to wrestle it from me. I was never going to lay back and take it. He began to push against me, the friction made me moan. I wrapped my legs around his thrusting hips, needing more. I began to struggle in his hold; I wanted him out of his pants. My struggling only pleased him. He held my wrists tighter and began to grope my breast with his other hand. He punished me for every stroke of my hips with a tight twist of my nipple.

  I was about to come; I just needed a little more. He slid his big hands down my body. I could feel him dip his thick fingers into my wet slit. I leaned my head back and let out a soft cry as Devon began to caress my nub. He let go of my wrists and as soon as my feet were to the floor he gave my nipple another hard pinch. My orgasm shattered me; Devon clamped his lips over my mouth, swallowing down the sound of my screams.

  I sagged against the wall while Devon kissed along my neck. I started to slide my hands down his sculpted torso, loving the feel of his muscles under my fingertips. I could see his cock straining against his black pants. I reached down and unzipped his pants. I moaned, loving the feel of his cock in my hands.

  “I don’t have a condom,” he whispered. Devon stepped back trying to get out of my grasp, but it was my turn to pin him against the wall. I undid the top button and he sprang free. He was long and thick; the thought of having him inside of me made my toes curl. I slid one hand under his shirt and held him in place, while the other hand ran from the base of his cock to the head. I could see his precum bead at the top and I began to pump him in earnest, twisting and turning my hand. A strangled cry tore from his lips. Devon began to pump his slim hips into my hand. I raked my nails down his chest, ca
tching his taut nipples with my nails. My other hand raked down his body till it began to circle his contracting balls. I clipped my mouth to his neck and bit down as he came in my hand.

  We were both spent and breathing heavily in each other’s arms. I curled my head till it rested in the crook of his neck. I nuzzled against him when his arms came up to wrap around me almost tenderly. He lifted my chin up and gently kissed a path from eyelids to my lips. His gentleness aroused my as much as his roughness. If I didn’t get in my apartment soon, I was going to happily spend the night in my apartment building’s hallway with a handsome, mysterious stranger.

  Devon let me loll my head on his sturdy shoulders as he fished through my purse for my apartment keys. My brain didn’t register the clink of the door lock being opened, but it screamed in protest when he softly stood me inside my door, leaving me with a gentle kiss.

  The sound of crashing woke me from a lusty dream. I turned over to my alarm clock, checking the time. I flopped my head back down on the pillows, urging myself to return to my dream. I heard another loud crash. I slowly dragged myself out of bed. Cardboard boxes were scattered throughout my tiny apartment. Another bang drew me to the kitchenette where I saw Angela madly tossing things into a cardboard box.

  “What are you doing, it’s seven in the morning?”

  “I’m tossing out all of your shit!”

  “Have you finally lost your mind? Why are you throwing my things out?”

  “Oh don’t worry, I’m throwing you out with them!”

  Angela was worse than I had ever seen her. She wore gloves just to touch my things for fear of being infected with any curse. The maniacal look in Angela’s eyes made me wonder if she really did lose her mind. I could hear her rambling about ghosts and demons.

  She took the kitchen tongs and tossed a canister of salt into one of the boxes. I rolled my eyes while she rampaged through the spice cabinet, until the only thing left was a lone container of pepper. I could’ve told her that I had never used those spices to help with the spirits, but I doubt it would’ve mattered.

  I was still in disbelief when after pushing all my boxes through the door, she then ushered me through it as well. I was holding my pillow and staring in shock when she clicked the safety latch.

  “Don’t bother trying to come in tomorrow. I’m getting the locks changed!” I flopped down on one of my boxes and ran my fingers through my hair. There was nothing I could do; Angela’s name was the only one on the lease even though I paid half of everything.

  “You can start leaving now! I don’t want you hanging around and putting any hexes on my apartment.”

  “By the way pepper attracts ghosts or at least your pepper will.”

  I smiled when I heard her howl of outrage. I slid my boxes down the hallway enough that she couldn’t see them out of the peak hole. I had nowhere to go and a pile of boxes to move with me. I snatched my purse off of one of the boxes and hugged it in my lap. A small piece of white paper was on the floor, tucked under my old welcoming mat. I walked over and picked it up to examine it.

  The front of the business card would’ve been blank if not for a phone number. It had no company name or address. I turned over the card and raised my eyebrow at what I read:

  I’d like to offer you a job with our investigation team, room and lodging included. -James

  James was either more than a human lie detector or one crafty bastard. I couldn’t imagine him engineering Angela’s outburst, it was a long time in the making. I contemplated my choices and soon realized I only had one.

  I pulled out my cell phone and dialed the number on the card.

  “James Speaking.”

  “This is Piper Beaumont, from the other night. I found your card under my door mat.”

  “Yes ma’am. Have you considered my offer?”

  “Room and lodging included?”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “When can I start?”

  “You can start now. I’ll send the guys over with the truck to collect your things. See you soon”

  The call disconnected and I had a momentary feeling of dread. My arm was definitely being pinned behind my back, but I was desperate.

  The men arrived at the apartment building in less than an hour. I opened the door with an enthusiastic hello, which was received with a snort from Hopper. “Nice to see you too,” I said lamely. Marcus gave me a very kind quiet greeting that I had to strain to hear. Andrew met me with an open smile and a warm welcome.

  “Are they going to be able to handle all those boxes?” I asked incredulously. Andrew gave me an easy grin. “Marcus, alone, can carry all your boxes. I won’t even be missed. How about I escort you to the car?” I was a little hesitant about taking his offered arm. Andrew leaned in close to my ear.

  “Don’t worry sweetcakes, I know I’m not the man you wish was here.” I had to admit that I was a bit sour when Devon’ handsome face didn’t greet me, but I didn’t know I was so transparent about it. Andrew winked at me. “I’m just here to keep you safe. This really is only a two-man job, but if by some cosmic misfortune that anything bad should happen to you, Devon would have my balls in a chokehold. To the car M’lady?” I took Andrew’s arm in good humor as he guided my to the car. I laughed when I spotted a jar of pepper on the lawn, which obviously Angela had tossed out the window.

  I was doubtful about how long it would take to load the car. I heard Andrew start the car engine and shook my head. I know Marcus and Hopper were huge men, but there had to be at least a dozen boxes. I shifted in my seat and prepared to get comfortable. Andrew looked over at me. “Don’t get too comfortable, this is only going to take a second. Finally there they are.” I only shook my head at him, but when I turned my head, my jaw dropped.

  Hopper was in the front with half a dozen boxes stacked on top of each other and Marcus wasn’t far behind him with even more. It only took them about half a minute to secure the boxes to the roof. “Took you guys long enough. What were you doing having tea?” Hopper huffed his breath and buckled his seat; Marcus seemed to happily ignore Andrew, I had the feeling he had a lot of practice.

  I was anxious at seeing my new home. There were too many feelings warring in my mind and most of them were related to Devon and my new job. I ran my hand through my hair, frustrated with myself that I had accepted a job without even really knowing what was expected of me. James had seemed interested in my ghostly abilities, but I wasn’t being humble when I said my experience was limited. I really couldn’t understand how I could be more useful than their ghost guns. I chewed on my lip and hoped that I wouldn’t need to search for a new home again.

  The car drove around for what felt like less than half an hour, but I soon found myself in an unfamiliar area. The once picturesque neighborhood became littered with dark, crooked trees and the occasional house soon became far and few. The car ride suddenly became steep and the forest grew quiet and eerie. I gripped my collar tight around my neck in fear.

  Finally my trepidation seeped out of me when I saw a house on the horizon. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and an easy smile slide onto my face. When I squinted my eyes, I could see the beginnings of a very large house with a crooked roof. I could tell from the far off hazy silhouette of the house that it was an antique home, probably Victorian.

  The closer the car approached the house, the more I nodded my head in appreciation. I could see the steeples begin to manifest. My neck began to stiffen from tilting my head back to take in the entire house. The house didn’t seem to have an end it just kept growing. I began to shake my head in denial; the house wasn’t quaint, it was a monstrosity of a mansion. I ignored Andrew’s chuckle as I openly gaped at the mansion.

  The Victorian mansion was a fortress made of brick with bundles of mismatched evergreen roofs. “Home sweet home,” Marcus said with a wonderfully cheerful grin, I could even see the side of Hopper’s lips quirk. Both Marcus and Hopper began to unload the car while Andrew jogged up to open the mansion door f
or them. Everything was happening so fast, too fast. I hoped I didn’t make a big mistake.

  Marcus and Hopper had loaded their arms with all my boxes and were walking towards the mansion. I quickly opened the car door refusing to be left alone in front of the intimidating house. The muggy heat had a chill in the air that bit at my ankles. I spun around taking in my surroundings. The space was eerie indeed. I trotted after Hopper’s retreating figure until a jolt of energy smacked me in the face. Hopper placed his boxes down and turned to look at me.

  “Feel that?”

  I shook my head; it was impossible not to feel the strong barrier circling the mansion.

  “I have to admit I was skeptical when James said to come get you. I’ve met my fair share of frauds, but if you can feel that then you’re okay with me.”

  Hopper gave me a flash smile and held my hand to guide me past the barrier. I was spinning from two apparent facts. Firstly, Hopper seemed to actually be a normal human being and not some raging psychopath. Second, and probably most important was that this mansion was very likely the most haunted building I have ever encountered.

  I finally made it through the open door after my initial shock. “How’d she take it?” Andrew asked Hopper. “Like a champ, she’s definitely the real deal.”

  “I told you she wasn’t fake,” Marcus pleasantly chimed in.

  I was astounded by the inside of the mansion. The décor screamed haunted house. All the furniture was upholstered in the moody colors of the Victorian era. Every place I looked I could see intricate carvings peaking out at me. The walls were washed in deep rich hues. I couldn’t imagine five men living here; it looked more like the residence of a centuries old widow. I followed the men through the antique room. Andrew held open a door for me and I was instantly blinded by the light. I had left an ancient dreary room and stepped into a modern kitchen.