Demon Possession (8 page)

She wanted him to stop, needed him to.Didn’t she?

“Please,” She wasn’t sure if the smal sound was meant to stop him, or if it was a plea for more.

But his body stil ed.

He took his lips away from her neck, then, as if it pained him to do so, he final y let her go and backed away. His eyes were stil molten, devouring her.

Instantly the heat from his body against hers faded, and she was left with a chil where he had touched her.

After a moment he seemed to regain his composure. Voice stil rough he handed her a large shirt, “You’l sleep in this for now.” He was averting his gaze now, as if he were … embarrassed? “I’l return in the morning to show you around the ship and then to your new job.”

Analia couldn’t yet speak so she nodded in answer. Then he was gone, rushed out the door, leaving her alone and … desperately aroused for the first time in her life.

Her actions had shocked her. Twice she almost gave in and wrapped herself around him. She had never reacted that way before. Of course, there had never been anything likethatbefore. The intensity of it was almost overwhelming.

And he stopped.

She was baffled. She had asked him to stop and … he stopped.

Not only that, but his touch had been unexpectedly tender. His lips had electrified her skin, making her want more. Even now she could feel them on her.

Absently she realized she was stil being supported by the wal and was stil half naked, the thick white cloth stil wrapped around her.

The things she imagined Sebastian doing to her, the things she imagined doing to him … she had never wanted these things,would never want them. It was only because she was in a new place, with a handsome overbearing male, that she was feeling these strange feelings. And the fact that Sebastian hadn’t actual y hurt her … yet. Once he did—and she was sure that he would—she would be back to normal. She would see things clearly again.

After slipping the shirt over her head and hanging the cloth to dry, she surveyed the room. The large bed in the corner of the room reminded her too much of the one in Darius’s chamber. She couldn’t sleep there.

Deciding on the couch she transferred the pil ow and blankets from the bed and snuggled in. It was lumpy but not bad. It was stil more comfortable than a cold lonely floor. Before she drifted into sleep she al owed her mind to wonder at the possibilities of tomorrow. What does Sebastian have planned for her?

Temporarily insane!

That’s what he was. When the chit had come out of the bathroom in only a towel, stil damp, her scent had assaulted him. Instinct took over and he had to have her. He didn’t remember moving,but before he knew it she was in his arms. She had let out a soft feminine sound and at that moment he needed her as he needed air. The force of it was like a punch to the stomach. When he tasted her his mind had descended into a haze, lost to his lust, it was al he could do to keep from shoving inside her.

When she asked him to stop he had barely been able to comprehend her words. She’d been aroused, absently rubbing herself on his thigh. Even now her scent stil clung to him, urging him to go back and finish what they’d started. He could stil taste the sweetness of her skin on his tongue.

Pul ing away from her was like ripping a hole in his chest, but that was precisely why he was able to do it.

He had never before experienced a need so deep, and it felt … threatening. With al the women before he kept himself detached, using them for what he needed and then leaving them soon after. He never gave them a chance to cling, or ask for more, because he would never give more of himself to a woman.

He’d learned his lesson after he witnessed what had happened with Calic. Cale had become a different man after his mate’s treachery. He had become a harder man, nearly emotionless. Demons mate for life,and Sebastian knew that Calic had been destroyed that day, carried the pain of it stil .

Sebastian vowed to always protect himself from that.

He would have to be cautious around Anya—no, he corrected,Analia. He would not use that endearment again. He realized she had nearly done the same to him? She had almost cal ed him Bastian. Only his family and Marik wereal owedto cal him by the epithet. Yet, when she said it,he had only wanted her to say it again, only in a scream of pleasure as he settled between her legs.

Shaking the thought away he decided that tomorrow he would show her where she was al owed on the ship, then take her to Marik, and be done with her until the mission was over. Soon enough she would be gone. His fists clenched.

Sebastian entered the pub and spotted Sonya instantly. After ordering aflaminginferno, he downed the ful glass in one gulp. Sonya raised her eyebrows at him.

In a slow cautious voice she asked, “How’s Analia?”

“In need of clothing.” His voice was guarded. But Sonya’s sense of smel was as good as any demons and he hadn’t thought to shower or change before coming here. A slow smile spread across her lips.

“Is that al she needs then?”

“Yes.” He snapped. “I’m putting Marik in charge of her,and you too. She’l need a female companion to keep her … occupied.”

“Are you done with her so quickly?”

“There is nothing to be done with.”

“No?”

“It’s not what you think. Nothing happened between us.”

Sonya snorted. “Something happened.”

Sebastian bowed his head into his hands. “The only thing that happed was that I practical y attacked her. That’s why I’m putting the two of you in charge. It seems I lose control when I’m around her. Have from the start. But tonight was … it won’t happen again.”

Considering his words for a moment she replied, “Did you hurt her?”

“Of course not!”

“Did you want to?” She refil ed his drink, pouring the liquid to the brim.

“No … I wanted something else, not to hurt her. But I’m certain I frightened her.” Sebastian recal ed the fear in her voice. Even though she had been aroused, she had been deathly afraid. He took the drink same as the first, one gulp.

Someone at the other end of the bar cal ed for service and Sonya went to refil his glass with something that looked like a mixture of oil and water.

Sebastian knew that drink, he couldn’t remember the name,but it could knock you on your ass. He should order that next. When Sonya came back she said, “The girl is about my height. I can scrounge up a few outfits for tomorrow, I’l ask around for donations.”

Sebastian nodded his approval and got up to leave, deciding against the knock-you-on-your-ass drink.

“Does Marik know he’s on babysitting detail?”

“Not yet.”

Sonya laughed at that.

As Sebastian left he waved the back of his hand at Sonya. He decided to head toward the gal ey. It was time to give Marik the good news.

The only way to get to Marik’s gal ey was to go through the salon, where the crew gathered to eat. The salon was a large L shaped room with an arched ceiling, painted in warm hues of brown. A long window exposed diners to the ever-changing scenery of space. The gal ey was separated from the salon by two thin wal s. A slim rectangular window with a smal counter al owed Marik to put out orders without leaving his space.

Luckily when Sebastian arrived Marik was closing up for the night and no one else was here. Good, no one to witness the ire that was about to be sparked.

Marik’s brown hair was cut short. He was built much like Sebastian and Cale, tal with a strong physique, typical demon features. Prominent scars ran the length of his arms, disappearing under his shirt. Sebastian knew those scars didn’t stop there. “Marik,” he cal ed with a smile, trying to set the mood.

After the demon war, Marik had been taken as a slave. He’d been enslaved for four hundred and fifty years when,by chance,Sonya and he had come across a slave auction,in one of the many space cities they frequented.

As is their nature,demons don’t submit to anyone, unless they want to, or are forced to. Marik had looked strong and proud up on stage, even though he’d obviously been poorly taken care of. The look in his eyeshad been nothing more than that of a beast, which spoke volumes about the tortureMarikmust have endured.

Sebastian had decided to spend the last of their supplies money to win the wild eyed demon’s freedom. Staring down anyone who dare bid against him with a look of pure malice. At that point in time demons had developed a bad reputation as slaves,and most had been freed or kil ed. They were labeled as extremely difficult,and dangerous in captivity.

After the auction was won, Marik, not understanding the situation,and half in a rage, fought against his restraints and against Sebastian. It took him, with the help of Sonya, a good twenty minutes to calm Marik enough to explain to him that he would no longer be a slave and that he had nothing to fear from them. He even offered Marik the chance to refuse to come with them.

Marik had just stared at them for a time, without saying a word. He’d been quiet so long that Sebastian thought he might refuse. But in the endMarikdecided to join them.

When Sebastian had arrived on the ship with the newly purchased Marik, Cale appraised him with a quick glance and then shot Sebastian a look that saidyou had better be able to control him. Ironical y, after his fifty years of freedom, Marik was now the more gentile of the four demons on board.

Marik stopped what he was doing to glance up at Sebastian. “Hey Captain. What’s up? I just put everything away but if you’re hungry—”

“No, I came to give you some good news.”

Marik slowly set down his cloth and eyed him warily. “Yeah?” He said slowly.

“You know how you’ve been asking for an assistant?”

“Not real y.” He scowled.

Sebastian almost laughed at his immediate mistrust, it reminded him a little of Analia. He knew Marik wouldn’t be happy about this situation. “Wel I have one for you. I’l be bringing her over in the morning.”

As expectedMarik’sface grew dark. “The stowaway?” He barked. Disappointment saturated his tone. “Come on Captain. I don’t have time to watch over some female. Does she even know her way around a gal ey? Don’t answer that, of course she doesn’t. You’re just looking to pawn her off on someone and you don’t want her snooping around the ship. Have Sonya take care of her.”Marik’shorns grew molten until they appeared to glow.

“Sonya wil help watchAnaliabut I don’t want her working in the pub.”

Marik’s brows drew together. “Why not?”

Ignoring his questions Sebastian turned to leave. “I’m bringing her here in the morning.” As he left the salon he heard the crash of Marik’s obvious displeasure.

Sebastian headed for his room, ready to put an end to this day. His shaft strained painful y against his pants from his earlier encounter with Analia. He thought it would have gone down by now but every moment alone brought renewed thoughts of Analia’s soft body, her curves against his palm.

Stripping his clothing he entered the shower. Needing relief, Sebastian wrapped his hand around his length. With every stroke he imagined Analia in place of his hand, gripping him tight with her hand, her soft warm core, her mouth. He groaned. Her scent stil enveloped him,encouraging the vision of her. He remembered her soft moan in his ear as he had kissed her tender neck. With astounding force, his orgasm exploded from him. He leaned one arm against the wal as warm water washed over him, while he marveled at the strength of his release.

Finishing his shower he wondered what she was doing now. The thought that she was, most likely at this moment, wearing one of his shirts to bed pleased him more than it should have. Then his wicked mind brought forth the image of her without a shirt at al , naked and writhing beneath him.

He growled at himself when, once again, his shaft began to stir.

In the morning Sebastian stopped by the gal ey to grab some pastries,thenheadedto the bar to pick up the clothes that Sonya had promised. After a quick greeting,she went toherback office to fetch the clothes.

Sebastianalmost dropped the pastries as soon as he saw them. Black, tight, and short. She laid them al out in a smal scattered pile for him to choose from. Imagining Analia in any of them had him growing stiff before he could control himself. There was no way he could put her in these clothes! He looked atSonya with bewilderment.

“Don’t give me that look.” She scolded. “You asked me for clothes. You know how I dress.”

Yes, but he’d never real y noticed before. She was his sister for the love of al the gods, not a wee blond with smooth legs that he wanted wrapped around him. Shifting uncomfortably, he real y needed to stop imagining her like that.

“This is what you have to choose from for now. I haven’t had a chance to check with the other ladies on board.”

Rummaging dejectedly through the pile he chose the longest skirt, a shirt that didn’t diptoolow in the front,and a pair of the flattest shoes in the bunch.

Then Sonya revealed another pile … undergarments. Sebastian ran his hand over his face. This time he didn’t have to choose, thank the gods, Sonya just thrust them at him.

“Here,” she said with a pout. “Brand new, I just bought them before the lock-in.” Dear gods,they were silky and revealing and … why did there need to be pictures of flowers on the front? He tried not to look,stuffing everything into a tight bal of fabric.

Mustering as much sincerity as possible he thanked Sonya and headed to Analia’s room.

When he entered the room he was appal ed at what he was seeing.

Why the hel was she sleeping on the couch?

“What do you think you are doing?” He yel ed,louder than he meant to. Her body jerked. Slowly she peeked one eye open. He instantly regretted his inflection, but stil he demanded in the same tone. “Why are you on the couch?” She didn’t answer, instead, drowsily glanced around the room with tired confusion. “Wel ?” He demanded.

“I … I don’t know what you mean. I thought you wanted me to sleep.”

“Yes. Why aren’t you sleeping in the bed?”

She shrugged and looked to the ground, after a while she answered in shaky voice. “I don’t sleep wel in a regular bed … it gives me nightmares.”

Absurd, thought Sebastian, nightmares are nightmares you don’t get them from an object. A thought pricked at him but he ignored it, noting that she looked as though she hadn’t slept at al . If she had taken the bed she would have been more comfortable and therefore slept better, he reasoned. He told her this and ordered her to use the bed from now on.The chitmerely shrugged in response.