“Yes. If you don’t think at all.”
Clytie went stubbornly silent.
“You are my baby sister and the man is probably a criminal. Did you drink anything he gave you last night?”
“He didn’t drug me!”
“Are you sure? Sarah’s lips were pinched and Clytie had to wonder when she had become such a judgmental prude.
“I had sex with him because I wanted to. Listen to me. I. LIKE. HIM.”
“Think for a minute. You can do so much better.”
“Enough.” Clytie glared at her sister. “I am not a child. This is none of your business. So butt out!”
The silence lasted for all of ten seconds.
“It is my business when you bring him to our place of business. My children are here. What is happening to you? First you want to chuck everything we built to become an artist and now you’re taking up with someone completely inappropriate. Is this some kind of late teen rebellion you’ve been storing up? Because I thought you got it out of your system when you ran away from home and changed your name.”
The thought occurred to Clytie this fight was about more than not liking her date. “I love you Sarah but I am nearly 30 years old. I spent a lot of years helping you build the life you wanted for you and the kids and I loved every minute, but that doesn’t mean you get to make my decisions for me, or judge me when you don’t agree with them.”
Sarah held up a hand. “Fine. You want to be an artist. You don’t want to work in the store, fine. But this guy. The man is massive. He has a shaved head, a tattoo on his neck and his name is Demon. Could you pick anyone more assured to alienate the family?”
“Since I’ve been alienated from the family for years, I don’t think this is going to make much difference. Unless you mean it will alienate me from you.”
Absolute silence. Clytie swallowed hard.
“Well, since you have no say in whom I date all I can say is: Tough.”
Sarah’s lips went rigid. “Maybe the family has been right about you all along.”
“When did you become such a sanctimonious prude?”
“About the time you became a slut apparently.”
This time the silence reverberated through her chest. Ouch. Clytie swallowed with an effort. “Why are you acting like this?”
“I’m not the one bringing her one night stand around to meet my children.”
Clytie ground her teeth. “Fine, I will do you a favor and take my slut self and my thug lover elsewhere.” She turned in high dungeon and went back out into the garden to find Demon. “We’re leaving.”
“What is it Baby?”
“We.Are. Leaving.”
Demon thought about asking questions but one glance at the fire in her eyes convinced him later would be better. He nodded his good-byes while Clytie relented enough to hug the teenagers before leading Demon to the back gate. Sarah did not make another appearance.
Unfortunately, the visit tarnished the glow she had started the day with. Clytie no longer felt quite so sure about herself or her out of character choices. She wiped the angry tears from her face and stared out the window. She didn’t argue when he suggested they skip lunch. She was more than ready to head back to the real world to think. She didn’t like fighting with her sister. She took a deep breath. Sarah was wrong about Demon but she was right about a few things. This was definitely not like her. A little time to herself to think about everything would not be out of order here.
They pulled into the garage back at the compound and they sat as Clytie thought about what she wanted to ask. .
“We never talked about Birth Control. I’m on the pill, but I just wondered why you never asked.”
He turned off the car and sat, face void of expression. Shape-shifters didn’t carry disease but he couldn’t very well tell her that.
“I don’t carry any diseases and you were a Virgin.” That was the certainly the truth. “As for having a baby, I’ve never been with another woman without wearing a condom but in your case… I guess I don’t mind the idea of getting you pregnant.”
She blinked. That was not what she had expected to hear. O.K. Think of a new subject please.
“Next subject.” She said a little desperately. “What do you do in security?”
He leaned back getting comfortable. “My specialty is computer and building security. The company as a whole? Essentially, we go in and pinpoint weak areas, then fix them.
“So, not just a pretty face.”
He smiled, a touch brutal, “You are the only person I ever remember calling me pretty.”
She leaned over and ran her hand down his scarred cheek. “Maybe you’re right. Compelling is probably a better word.”
“Compelling?”
“I’m an artist. Trust me. Compelling is better than pretty any day.”
“And that’s your professional opinion?”
“Absolutely.” She smiled and placed her hand back in her lap. “I had a good time.”
“You say that like its over.”
She peered at the clock on the dash. “As dates go 16 hours is usually considered adequate.” She smiled again. “Some might even say excessive.”
“Like your sister?”
“Not something I want to get into right now.”
“I want you to stay.”
She unhooked her seatbelt and opened the truck door. “Good. I’ll expect you to call me in the near future.”
Demon went around to help her down and ended up pulling her up into his arms instead. “Stay.”
“Demon. I can’t.” But it was the most natural thing in the world for her arms to circle his neck, her legs to capture his waist and her nose to bury itself in his neck. “I have my art, and a show coming up. That should me my priority right now. What happens when you touch me is wonderful and exciting but I need to stop and take a breath. Think about what I‘m doing.”
That sounded like a horrible idea to Demon. “We can bring your supplies here. You can paint here for a few days.”
“Demon,” She laughed a little breathlessly, lifting her head from his neck and putting her hands on either side of his face to get his full attention. “I’m not a painter. See? We don’t even know each other.”
“All the more reason for you to stay so we can get to know each other.”
She huffed in exasperation. “You are the most stubborn…” She shook her head. “Let’s try it this way: I am going home now. I will talk to you in a few days. We will have a second date where we will actually converse, get to know each other. Dinner might be involved.” She leaned up and kissed him, smiling. “There is also a good chance for mind blowing sex.”
He harrumphed and placed her on her feet, rubbing his nose against hers. “I don’t want you to go.”
She kissed him full on the mouth and said succinctly “Tough.”
He growled and she headed for her car, her laughter trailing behind.
The phone rang as soon as she walked in her front door. She rushed ahead to pick up the receiver before the machine could pick up.
“Hello?”
“It’s Demon.” His voice was a hard growl on the phone making nerves dance up her spine.
“Yes?”
“I wanted to make sure you got home all right.”
She rolled her eyes. “I did.”
“Good.”
Silence.
“Was that all?”
“Dinner.” The word came out in a bark. Not remotely sounding like a question.
“What about dinner?”
“We can have that date tonight.”
She rolled her eyes. “No. Call me Friday.”
“Damn it Clytie! That’s too long.”
She laughed. “You know clinging is an unattractive quality in a man, as is whining. I’ll talk to you Friday. Bye.” Click.
Chapter 6
After a shower and a change, Clytie went into her workroom and glanced around. Quite a few waxed bases in differing sizes had been
started. A whole table of finished products waited for the last layer of resin to be applied then they would need weeks to cure. Encaustic was not a fast process, but she loved it, and it was just what she needed today. She changed quickly into her work clothes.
Unfortunately, she was not in the same mindset she had been when she began all the on going projects. She itched to begin something different. She grabbed a large plaque of bare white beeswax she had prepped weeks ago, this one about five feet by five feet. She started with a bold turquoise. One of the largest bases, she’d put off using it, waiting for inspiration to hit. Now she had something particular in mind. She set the wood base, melted wax and swirled colors, scraping away layers. From there she mixed and melted, coated and pressed until the abstract wash in her mind came to life.
Between drying layers she worked on other projects, using dental tools for the intricate details and filling in with color. She worked on pieces as small as 6 inches with the idea she would puzzle them together in a type of tile design. A few stand alones in 2-foot squares needed some finishing touches.
She lost the light and didn’t even notice she was squinting until it affected her color palette. She flipped the switch and washed the room in artificial light. She stopped to get a bite to eat as several things dried and only then realized her back ached and her fingers needed a rest. Several messages waited on her machine. She let the message light blink. Did some stretches and got back to work. Rarely did her art flow so smoothly.
It was several hours before she finished for the day. She yawned, rubbed tired eyes, and stretched aching muscles. She covered all the burners and flipped off switches. Her fingers shook a bit, and she had several superficial burns but she was happy. Most of the smaller pieces were done. The intricate tiny details of the tile collage had been exacting work but the result was more than worth the effort. In contrast, the big piece seemed to be some alien landscape. Even half-finished it was the best thing she’d ever done.
She winced, remembering the fight with Sarah and the harsh words between them. Too tired to think, she ignored the blinking answer machine in favor of a shower and sleep. She fell into bed and was out as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Sometime during the few hours remaining of dark she dreamed of big warm hands and a hard presence at her back. Warmth seeped into her aching back, and she moaned and burrowed closer. She breathed in and wanted to curl that masculine scent around her like a blanket. She sighed out a breath and swore lips caressed the back of her neck beneath her hair.
Clytie woke up the next afternoon with a smile on her face, until she stretched and every muscle in her body protested. Between Demon and her art, she had seriously overtaxed her muscles.
She convinced herself to get up by promising herself a soak in the tub. She chose the lavender bath salts for relaxation and dropped into water almost too hot for her skin. The wet heat made her think of Demons whirlpool tub, swimming pool size as opposed to hers that barely held enough water for her to fully submerge. Demon would never fit. She groaned, bent her knees, and dunked her whole head under water. No thinking about Demon.
She pulled herself up and slicked back her hair. On the other hand, Wow. Her hand palmed a breast as she remembered how he made her feel. She shook herself, reaching for the towel as she stood up. Time to get back to work before she did something stupid, like called Demon for hot monkey sex. Then she would never get anything done. Except Demon. Her body pulsed with the thought. Beyond tempted, she groaned shaking her will power back into place and standing up. She dried herself briskly then slathered on the lotion. She combed out her wet hair and dressed for another day of playing with hot wax.
On her way downstairs, she caught the message light on her answer machine again but kept ignoring it. She did not want to be any more tempted to call Demon, and she wasn’t ready to field questions from her family yet.
The week was long but productive. By midnight Thursday, she had worked like a dervish and finished all but the largest piece. At this point, she might be ready for a second show and come morning she would call and inform Marion at the studio. In the meantime, she had one more week before her first professional gallery showing. She breathed deep trying to still the butterflies that took flight when she thought of her showing. It was even worse now because she wasn’t sure if Sarah and the kids would still come. Did she want Sarah there?
If the fight had been strictly about Demon, she could deal with it. She didn’t like that Sarah had taken one look and rejected him but that could maybe be attributed to overprotective older sister. It was the judgments on the rest of her life that Clytie hated. Sarah had acted like only her opinion counted, and her opinion was that Clytie should continue to work for her and stop playing around with her art. It meant Sarah did not really see her and that hurt, a lot. She was the only sister she had left and one of her few good family connection but she was becoming as judgmental and closed minded as the rest of them.
She needed someone to talk to. Cassandra was the only one who might understand and she was probably sleeping about now. Tomorrow, she would call and talk to Cassandra tomorrow. As the other black sheep of the family, she would understand the situation. Clyties stomach growled insistently, reminding her, she had other concerns tonight.
This time she had peanut butter toast and a shower before falling into bed and conking out. She fell asleep thinking about Demon, just like she had every other night. Tomorrow, she would call him tomorrow.
Apparently Demon wasn’t willing to wait that long.
The morning was half gone by the time Clytie awoke. She stretched her arms above her head enjoying the warmth at her back. The hand on her thigh pulled her back tighter against a hard body. A nose burrowed deeper under her hair to nuzzle her neck. Clytie froze, trying to think back to a moment when someone, a naked someone from the feel of it, would have been invited to her bed. No such thought came to mind but she knew it was Demon behind her.
How did he get in? Stupid question. Hello, Security specialist. Was it paranoia on her part to think maybe this wasn’t the first night he had slept in her bed? O.K. yes the thought was a disturbing one. Now the important question: Why was he making a habit of sneaking into her bedroom?
Clytie turned over to face him. His eyes were open.
“Morning baby.” His voice was a rough growl, and immediately her nipples pebbled like he had run his tongue over them.
“Do you make a habit of things like this?”
His hand started making soothing circles on her hip.
“A habit? No.”
“I could get freaked out by this.”
“You could.” His lips found her neck and nuzzled. It made Clytie catch her breath.
“It’s important for me to know that should this relationship end you won’t become some crazed stalker with combat training.” Her little speech would have been more powerful had she not ended with an arch of her neck and a moan, but what can you do?
“Won’t.” He growled low, his lips moving up her neck to just beneath her chin.
“You won’t become a crazed stalker?” Clytie found herself unexpectedly on her back with Demon above her.
“We won’t end.” He said, both hands cupping her face, his weight braced on his elbows. He nipped at her lips and she grabbed his arms for stability.
“We won’t?”
“No.” Intense and possessive, his eyes were hot enough to brand.
“OK.”
“You aren’t afraid of me.” More a command than a question it made Clytie smile.
“If you say so.”
“I do.”
Her smile faded and her eyes became serious. “I missed you.”
“Good.” The wealth of satisfaction in the growled word made her laugh again. His marauding lips captured hers, stating with every thrust of his tongue he had missed her too.
Clyties t-shirt and panties disappeared in shreds under his ruthless hands. She didn’t have the breath left to protest. His hands trail
ed down to capture a breast, holding it captive for the lips that soon followed. Clytie arched with a gasp and moaned his name, her hands clenching into his hair to hold him in place.
“Oh no baby. I’m driving.” He clamped his teeth down on the breast in warning and she yelped even as heated cream pooled in her sex. She let go of the death grip she had on his hair and he laved her abused nipple with his tongue before trying to suck her breast down his throat. In the mean time, she was so wet and ready her thighs were slick with it. Finally, he left her much-coddled breasts and moved down her body. When she managed to lift her eyelids, it was to see Demon on his knees. Between her thighs, he held her open at the knees engrossed with the view of her spread out before him like some pagan offering.
“So fucking beautiful.” He growled. His eyes finally lifting to meet hers with a fire scarcely banked. “Mine baby.” He cupped her sex inserting his big finger down to the first knuckle. She arched with a cry, loving the way he filled the emptiness he created. “This is mine.”
Clytie might have been able to form some kind of argument against his proprietary claim but at this moment in time, she couldn’t recall why she’d want to bother.
“Demon please.”
“Did you touch yourself without me baby?”
“Did you?”
Demon tsked, “Wrong answer.” He flipped her over leaving her empty once again and smacked her ass.
Clytie squeaked. “I am not a child.” But her independent words lost something with her head buried in the pillow.
“Did you touch yourself?”
“You have got to be kidding.” She growled her frustration. He spanked her again. Not hard, but enough to cause a sting.
“Wrong answer, baby.”
“O.K. Fine. No, I worked.” Between the yearning in her cunt and the pain in her ass, she needed him. “I’m not comfortable doing that.”
“Doing what baby?”
What did she have to do to end this conversation? She tried to turn over and received another swat for her troubles. “Masturbation, you bastard. I’ve never been able to do it!”
Keeping Her kh-1 Page 6
