Master for Tonight (24 page)

“Yes,” she replied as she turned the water
on, gathered some towels from the linen closet, and placed them in
the towel rack beside the shower. “Maz and Reese will be here soon,
and I mean to do what I told you.” She stripped and got in, leaving
the door open behind her.

He rushed to disrobe and joined her. She was
under the spray, and water fell down her body. She reached up,
stretching her arms into her hair, getting it wet. He couldn’t wait
any longer and latched onto her nipple and sucked the water away.
She held her hand at his head, and reached between them with her
other hand to grip him.

She tapped him to get his attention, and he
stood to face her. She looked at his cock and back up at him.

“Mine.” Kate was in control, and he was in
for whatever she had in mind. “Not hers. Mine.” She released his
cock, took the soap and worked a lather in her hands.

He watched her movement, relishing her words
of possession of him. He slid his hands over her ass, palming and
squeezing the twin lobes as she worked his cock up and down in her
hands, slick with water and soap. Her eyes stayed on his member as
she washed every bit of him. She pulled the skin back from his head
to run her fingers under and around it. Paying equal attention to
his balls, she cleaned him thoroughly. Her ministrations quickened
him, and he was ready to be inside her.

She stepped away from the spray and rinsed
him clean, checking closely to make sure all the soap washed
away.

“Should I do it again, lover? You said you
cleaned it at least three times after.”

“If you do that again, I’ll be undone on
your stomach.”

She sat on the stool in the corner, pulling
him by his hips to her. His cock was level with her collarbone.

Her green eyes were fevered, lashes wet and
glistening with droplets as she took him in her hands. She turned
her eyes to him and then to his cock as she stroked him up and
down, her wrist finding a rhythm. He slapped his hand against the
shower wall as he watched her take him as her right, owning
him.

She tilted her head, licking up the vein of
his shaft, curling her tongue underneath his head. Again, she
licked him up and down before swallowing him into her mouth and
taking him as deep as she could. Her hand stroked the length she
couldn’t take. He hit the back of her throat as she tightened her
lips around him, sucking and licking. The ribbed veins buffeted
against the sides of her lips as her head bobbed back and forth.
She reached for his hand on the shower wall, putting it on the back
of her head. His fingers went into her hair, and he rocked his
hips, encouraged at her groans. He couldn’t take much more.

“Beauty, stop. I’m going to come.”

She released him from her mouth, but
continued to work his shaft with her hand. She tugged at his balls
with the other.

“You will let me do this. You will. I want
this. I want you inside me all the ways you can be.”

He didn’t stop her. He understood as he
needed to claim her in the same ways. Some things they would need
to work up to until she was ready, but claim her, he would.

Her mouth enveloped him again and the
pressure in his loins beat against his control.

“Yes!” She grabbed his hips and swallowed as
much of his cock as she could as his essence shot down her throat.
She slowed her tongue, but kept him in her mouth until his tremors
ceased. Smacking her lips, she cleaned him again, this time with
her tongue, and she looked up at his eyes as he watched her do
it.

When she was done, Julian pulled her up, sat
on the bench, and got her into his lap.

“You’ve ruined me.”

“Do you mean for other women?”

“No. You’re it for me, and I mean it. You’ve
ruined me, because I feel as if this was my first time, and I am no
virgin.”

“I did take you. For me. You are mine, just
as I am yours.”

He grabbed her by the back of her head,
holding her firmly as he spoke, “I’m going to have every inch of
your body. You’ll give me all of you. Won’t you?”

“You can have all of me. When I told you I’m
yours, I meant it. I know I’m not where you are with me
emotionally, but my connection to you is solid and strong. I care
for you very much and want to see where this goes.”

He pulled her to his mouth, plundering her
until she leaned back away from him.

“We need to get dressed, lover. Reese and
Maz will arrive soon.”

“They can wait until I’m done with you,
beautiful girl who holds my heart.”

*

“I’m sorry. I think the doorbell is broken,
or something,” Kate said as Mazzie walked past her to the
kitchen.

“Yeah, right.” She looked back to Kate. “You
should take a break from him. Get some distance.”

“Like you and Reese should?” She
grinned.

“That’s different. I know how to handle
myself.” Mazzie started plating the take-out she brought over.
“Thai good for you?”

“Oh, yes. Thank you.” Kate picked up her
plate and went to the fridge to get a bottle of water. “I know what
I’m doing. Let’s go eat in the living room.”

Reese was sitting on the coffee table,
remote in his hand, clicking through the channels.

“Music starts in the 800s,” Kate suggested,
sitting down on the couch by Julian. “Too bad you can’t have any of
this. It’s really good, baby,” she said, swallowing a forkful.

“Mmmmm… ‘Baby.’ I like that.” He put his arm
around her waist and whispered, “Scream it later tonight as you
come on my tongue.” He laughed quietly and gave her a loud smacking
kiss on the cheek as her face bloomed red.

Reese cleared his throat as he sat in the
chair.

“I wanted us all to meet tonight to
strategize our next move relating to Evangeline. None of my
contacts have seen her in the city, but we all agree, given her
level of hatred of Kate, it is not likely she has given up her
quest to kill her.”

Kate’s fork clattered onto her plate, and
she set it on the coffee table.

“She can’t get in my house, right? Not
without my permission.” She looked from Julian to Reese, and
back.

“That’s correct,” Reese confirmed. “That
would not, however, stop a human from breaking in. A human she has
influenced to do her bidding. Do you have any weapons? A gun,
anything?”

“No. I don’t like guns.” She paused. “I
couldn’t shoot someone. I just couldn’t. Julian is here with me,
anyway.”

“Yes, I am, but I am much weaker during the
daylight hours and cannot go into the light at all.” He stood and
went to the center of the room to address them. “I have the
solution to all of this.”

“Oh, no.” Reese placed his hand over his
face.

“Well, what is it?” Mazzie asked.

“Reese will change Kate tonight.”

“What?” Mazzie yelled, jumping to her feet.
“You can’t do that to her!”

“Julian, I’m not… I don’t know.” Kate
stammered. “That’s a big decision.”

He knelt in front of her, taking both her
hands in his.

“I know it is, but it’s the only way you
will truly be safe forever from her or anyone, anything else.”

“Even you?” Mazzie snapped.

“Julian.” Reese interrupted.

Julian continued, “If Reese changes you, you
will be as strong as I am. Maybe even stronger. We wouldn’t need to
fear any longer for your safety.” His eyes bore into hers. “We are
committed to each other, yeah?”

“Yes, but—” Kate removed her hands from
his.

“Don’t let him pressure you into this. This
entire thing is his fault, because he couldn’t keep it in his
pants.”

Julian nodded his head in resignation.

“Shall you get your blade and meet me on the
lawn?” He stood. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m in love with your
best friend.”

In an attempt to mediate, Reese said,
“Mazzie, Julian, please. This isn’t helping.”

“In love? Oh, please. Let’s see where you
are in six months,” Mazzie grumbled.

“If she would agree, I would marry her this
night.” He threw up his hands and ran his fingers through his hair
in frustration. “Why do you think I want Reese to change her? I
want to be with her, love her, protect her, and be her companion
forever.”

“For better or worse, huh?” Mazzie
continued, and made the check sign in the air. “One down.”

“Mazzie,” Reese interrupted again, “Julian
is being honest. I know Kate’s your friend, but you need to back
off a bit. This is between them.”

“Between them? I don’t think so. Where was
he when she was Zombie Kate and on suicide watch before she got
attacked? Not here! Kate, don’t let him do this to you so soon,”
Mazzie said, pointing her finger at Julian before spinning to look
at Reese. “You do it, and we’re through. Do you hear me?”

“Everyone, just stop!” Kate got up from the
couch to stand in front of Julian, taking his hand in hers. “Julian
and I are together. He loves me, and I care for him. I also don’t
doubt him. I just don’t know where our relationship is going yet.
I’m not agreeing to anything tonight.”

“Kate,” Julian whispered.

“No. I can’t make such a big decision right
now. I need to think it through.”

“I know you.”

“Yeah, well, she doesn’t know you. The best
thing you can do for her is get rid of whoever attacked her, and
then leave her alone.”

“I do know him, Maz. Julian and I talk for
hours.”

“‘More,’ and ‘don’t stop,’ do not qualify as
communication, K.”

Reese snorted and covered his mouth.

“Enough!” Kate yelled, and plopped back down
on the couch.

A reporter on the TV screen said, “In our
top story tonight, the serial killer the media has dubbed ‘The
Cutter’ has claimed yet another victim.”

“Julian.” Reese directed his attention to
the TV, motioning for everyone to be silent as he turned up the
volume.

“The body of Ruth Greene, single mother of
two, was discovered by a father and son on a camping trip in the
woods, off Route 178.”

“Look at her picture, Reese. Another just
the same.” Julian went to Kate. “Did you see? Did you see her
picture?”

“Yes. What does it mean?” She clutched his
arm, her frightened eyes lifting to his. “She looked—”

Reese said, “Yes, she resembles you. All the
other victims do. There are thirteen who have been found. The
killings started the day after you were attacked. Julian and I
believe Evangeline is behind it. I cannot tell you strongly enough
how important it is to arm yourself. She is enraged at how Julian
deceived her and about his love for you. She is murdering women who
look like you because she can’t get to
you
right now. I fear
she will soon resort to getting you by any means necessary.”

“Oh, my God! Thirteen?” Kate’s hand went to
her mouth. “All those women. All those families. Hurt because of
me. I’m going to be sick.”

She ran to the downstairs bathroom and
retched into the toilet bowl as Julian stood outside.

“I have a gun she can use.” Mazzie pulled it
out of her purse. “Got my conceal and carry license in January.”
She went to the bathroom door. “Move. I’ll take care of her. She’s
not going to let you go in there.”

He nodded at her in thanks and returned to
his seat.

“I know you don’t want to leave Kate
unattended, but we need to hunt every night. This has to stop.”

“I know, but how can I leave her? If she
would just agree to let you change her, none of this would be
necessary.” Julian tugged at his necklace.

“Would have been nice to know beforehand
that you planned to spring that on her.” Reese rolled his eyes.
“Your approach and timing were impeccable, as always.” He sighed.
“They’re arguing in there.”

“Yes, I hear them.”

The bathroom door opened and Kate re-entered
the room.

“What do we do?” Kate asked, looking at her
lover as he pulled her to him.

Julian hesitated before replying, “Reese
believes we need to hunt Evangeline each night until she is
located. This means you would be alone, and I can’t do it.”

“I’m surprised you don’t want to use her for
bait,” Mazzie snarled from the bathroom door.

Kate dropped to the sofa, groaning.

Julian was in front of Mazzie in a flash of
speed, and she jumped back away from him.

Kate ran to him and grabbed his arm.
“No!”

“Do you believe I would hurt her? I only
want to speak to her. Her constant barbs at me are upsetting you. I
know I deserve every single word of hatred and disdain from her
heart, but I will not stand by as she hurts you by going after me.”
He looked at her hard. “Sit down.”

She didn’t budge from where she stood.

“You’re not going to influence her. Are
you?”

“No. Sit down. Now.” He pointed her to the
couch and nudged her towards it. She obeyed and sat.

“Watch her,” Julian said as he walked into
the bathroom with Mazzie, shutting them inside.

“Reese, are you worried?”

He rubbed his hands over his face, scrubbing
his jaw. “Very much so. Julian may not survive the next few
minutes.”

“I’m not scared of you! I don’t care what
you are!” Mazzie yelled at Julian.

“Let’s go to your kitchen.” Reese took
Kate’s arm and guided her through the foyer, to the nook table.

“You can still hear them, can’t you?” Kate
asked.

“Oh, yes. Can’t you? She’s not holding
back.”

“It’s really not a bad idea. Using me as
bait.” She held her hands up, palms out. “With you and Julian
there, what could happen to me?”

“You’re very brave to offer yourself, after
what you’ve been through. I agree, it’s a perfect tactical move,
but Julian would never agree to it.”

“What if she thought we broke up?”

“Evangeline would still want you dead,
because he had loved you at some point.”

“Even if he broke if off with me, instead of
the other way around?”