“You still want to do this? After everything you’ve experienced and seen? You want to proceed with chasing these things?” he asked soberly, his voice low and steady, “with me?”
“Of course, I do! Why wouldn’t I?” she asked impatiently, not understanding his underlying question.
“I thought that after what you’d seen, that it would have…” scared you, he thought but knew he couldn’t use those words, “made you change your mind, that maybe this was more than what you bargained for.”
Confused, Tabitha made herself go over the past twenty-four hours and the conversations they’d had. Realization dawned on her and it took all of her willpower to hold back the anger and relief that overcame her. “Of course this is more than I bargained for! Anyone with a sane bone in her body would think this was more than what they bargained for! But it’s not like I can just ignore these things. They’ve been a part of my life since I was little, they are a fact. And life is like that, things happen that you never imagined you’d have to deal with but you either do and become a participant in your life or you become a spectator. I choose to be a participant!” she paused to catch her breath and her temper. “Frankly, Justin Murphy, I’m insulted that you would assume that I would choose otherwise!”
“Oh God, Tabitha! I wouldn’t, I didn’t!” he breathed into the phone, relief sweeping through his body, “I just wanted to make sure that this was your decision. I didn’t want you to hate me ten years down the road, blaming me that I dragged you into this life.”
“I can’t believe you would shut me out to protect me! While I find your actions appalling and underestimating, I understand that you thought you were being, uhm, chivalrous. But you promise me right now, Justin, that you will communicate with me, any concerns, worry or doubt that you may have regarding our future. Do you understand?”
The tone in her voice made him flinch and smile all at the same time. “I promise, from now on, I will talk to you about everything. I know it sounds corny, since we’ve only been together for less than a week, but I’ve missed you, Tabs! Horribly!” he added.
“Well, truth be told, I’ve missed you, too. What’s sad is that because of your chivalry, we’ve lost twenty-four hours of our life together.” she giggled, then added warmly, “So don’t do it again!”
“Yes, ma’am, I mean, no ma’am. Never again. So, what are you doing for lunch? I could make you something special at your place, say half an hour?”
The seductive tone in his voice was like a warm drug that filled her belly and spread outwards but she held herself firm. “Unfortunately, I have meetings all day. I called because Stacia wants a time for Thursday night.”
“Right, right.”
She smiled at the disappointment she heard in his voice.
“Make it for six-thirty at your place but I need to see you before then.” His voice because serious as he thought of the reflective demon he’d interacted with the night before.
She instantly picked up on the change in his voice and became guarded. “I’m free tonight but what about your ‘business affairs’?”
“I got them wrapped up last night. I’ll FedEx them this afternoon before we meet. How late are your meetings going to run?”
“Till about four-thirty. I need to go home and take a shower, I’ll throw something together for dinner, say around seven?”
“Not soon enough. I’ll pick up something and join you in the shower. Say about five-thirty? Something Italian?”
Smiling to herself, she shook her head, “No, I hate cold Italian. Be there at five, we’ll shower and then order something to be delivered. I would like to work up an appetite first.” she teased playfully. “And you’re the appetizer!”
TWENTY
She was amazed at how fast the afternoon went by, considering the fact that her mind and anticipation were on the evening ahead. She’d caught Stacia as she was leaving the office for a luncheon meeting with prospective clients and told her the time that Justin had set. Stacia acknowledged the time of their meeting with professional courtesy. It may be an unusual meeting but it was still a meeting in her eyes.
Though somewhat distracted with thoughts of Justin and the night to come, she’d found the perfect silk wallpaper and felt the carpenters understood her vision of the new bar perfectly. She had wrapped up her meetings and had flown out of the office to flag a cab at precisely four. As she relaxed in the cab, thinking of being with Justin, she glanced up at the reflection of her driver in the rear view mirror. Her driver’s face, a friendly Indian face that had greeted her earlier, was twisted and raw on one side. The flesh appeared to be eaten away on one side, exposing raw meet and teeth, causing the impression of a permanent grin. The eye on that side was myopic and red, too closely resembling that of the boogymen.
She sucked in her breath to hold back a scream and the driver, as if sensing her sudden unease, turned a diseased eye to her in the mirror. “Are you ok, Miss?” the wet, guttural voice made her shiver.
“Yes, I’m fine.” she whispered, unable to tear her eyes away from the horrific reflection. The face, raw and wet, lifted it’s fibrous cheek as if in a smile and growled. “If you’re going to be sick, there’s a vomit bag hanging on the back of the seat.”
She looked away from the reflection and looked directly at the driver, noticing it was only in the reflection of the mirror that the driver was distorted and torn. “I won’t be sick.” she stated more strongly than she felt, knowing the demon was playing with her. She’d seen boogymen in her mirror before but they had never taken on any other form. They just scared the life out of her, sitting quietly in the corner of her mirror, causing her to whirl around and of course, find them gone. She had never dealt with one creating this kind of visual distortion.
It took all of her willpower to tear her gaze away from the horror but she forced herself to look out of the window. She tried to focus on the passing buildings, the window shopping crowds and the people watchers but she couldn’t help glancing back at the rear view mirror. She was relieved to see the driver’s handsome face back and no sign of the demon, or so she thought. Focusing on the glass in the rearview mirror, she saw little tiny water spots, exactly the same as what were found in her and Justin’s apartments.
She was comforted when the cab pulled up to her building and she was able to get out. She paid the driver, took a deep breath and fled into the lobby. When she opened her door, she was deluged with soft, relaxing Celtic music and the smell of lavender and vanilla. She smirked as she heard humming from the bathroom. Setting her purse down, she made her way towards the deep tenor tone. She found Justin lighting another candle, the bath three quarters of the way filled and water still flowing, bubbles threatening to overflow the sides of the tub.
She cleared her throat and he spun around, looking as guilty and caught as a kid with his hand in a cookie jar.
He smiled warmly at her and shrugged his shoulders. “I missed you and I couldn’t wait until five.”
“I missed you too.” she acknowledged as she drew him up and into a kiss. She clung a little harder, the fright in the cab still fresh. Determined to push it away and enjoy the man in front of her, she began to undress him and pull him closer to the tub. “Care to join me in this wonderful bubble bath?” she asked seductively.
“Why, Ms. Reynolds, I thought you’d never ask.” He began to unbutton her blouse as she pulled his shirt over his head. It started out tender and patient but as they tasted more and more of each other’s skin, the need became more frenzied. Soon clothes were being pulled and torn in a frantic attempt to be rid of them.
She pulled him on top of her, the thick, purple bath mat providing cushion from the hard, tiled floor. Tabitha didn’t care, her need for him to fill her was all encompassing.
Justin felt her need and felt a thrill run through his belly as he realized her need for him matched his need for her. She had been just as lost as he had this last day that they had been apart and that knowledge drove his desire de
eper. Now that he knew he had her emotionally, he had to have her physically.
He wondered if she knew she possessed all of him, emotionally and physically. There was something about her, despite their obvious shared talent, that he was drawn to, pulled towards and beginning to crave. The thought of being without her brought such despair that he physically felt sick. He was precipitously brought back to the present as Tabitha did a flick of her tongue in his mouth, pushing all thoughts out of his head.
She knew he had been momentarily distracted but wasn’t going to let him distress over whatever had plagued his mind for that moment, right now, she was determined to make him focus on her and the here and now. She felt him shiver and she recognized that she once again had his full attention as he started to caress the side of her face. She sensed a change in his demeanor, he seemed more open and vulnerable. She pulled back slightly and searched his face, looking for any kind of evidence of what had changed or why when he met her gaze. She saw yearning and adoration mixed with what she hoped, was love.
Not wanting to push him after their time apart, she smiled at him, leaned up and kissed him fervidly before whispering in his ear, “Take me now, Justin, I want you now.”
He didn’t say anything, just pulled her up into an embrace, his arms wrapping protectively around her and began to stroke her back sumptuously. She felt her body go limp as she succumbed to the sensations flowing over and through her body. When the tingling on her skin and the heat flowing out of her body became too much. she pulled him back down to the floor.
He didn’t hesitate or draw out the anticipation, his need overcoming his patience. When he filled her, they both moved frantically, racing towards the release they had desperately strived for from the moment they touched. They both released the stress and anxiety of the past two days and relished in each other’s bodies.
Every sensation, every touch, every kiss was vividly crisp, almost surreal and magnified for Tabitha. She felt as if she were literally a part of Justin, her heartbeat matching his own, their blood pumping in unison, their breath quick and heavy. She had never felt so full, so complete as she did at this moment. She had everything her heart desired; her dream job, more money in the bank than she could ever use and a gorgeous man who cherished her and made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. Sure, she could focus on the negatives; demons coming out of shadows and mirrors, her boyfriend a self proclaimed demon hunter, but who didn’t have problems? She would much rather have this, a situation she could somewhat control as opposed to dealing with a life threatening disease or being trapped in an abusive relationship. Things could be so much worse.
“Whatcha thinking about, Tabs?” Justin growled softly in her ear.
Smiling, she gently rolled him off her so she could look into his eyes on an even level. “How much I love my life and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!”
“Yes,” he signed, “it’s such a glamorous life. Cleaning up after decomposing beasts, avoiding shadows and romps on the bathroom floor. The rich and famous would be jealous!”
She punched him in the arm for his sarcasm and started to get up, feeling her joints protest at being on a hard surface for too long. “You don’t think you have a wonderful life? You own all of these hotels in beautiful, scenic places, you have the financial means to up and leave at anytime you choose.”
“I have a gorgeous, exotic girlfriend who can’t keep her hands off of me and worships the ground I walk on.” he interjected.
Tabitha’s eyes got big and round, innocence filling her eyes, “You have a girlfriend? How could you do this to me, you cad!”
“Alright, smartass, so you don’t worship me but you do care, don’t you?”
The worried look on his face had her giggling and she helped him up. “More than you know. Good thing you made the bath water too hot, it’s about the prefect temperature now. Care to join me?” She stepped into the tub, pulling on his hand to follow her.
“How can I turn down an offer like that?” he stepped in and nibbled on her neck and she settled in between his legs, leaning against his muscular chest. “Just don’t tell my girlfriend.”
She laughed as she pushed him down into the bubbles. “You ass!”
TWENTY ONE
Thursday flew by in a whirlwind of meetings, phone calls and measurements. Because she and Justin had spent every free moment with each other, she felt stronger, more sure of herself. Is this was love did? Empower you, make you feel like you could take on the world? She now understood why people sought out love. The high you felt when you were with someone you believed you were in love with was more powerful than she imagined any drug could provide.
They had exchanged stories of their interactions with the reflective boogymen and Tabitha agreed with Justin’s surmise that they were indeed keeping tabs on them, for what they had seen and how they were going to handle it. Tabitha passionately agreed with Justin that it would be too dangerous to involve outside people to try and help dissect the creatures.
He planned on purchasing several microscopes and slides with a high definition printer. Maybe if he could print out a picture of the specimen on a slide, it wouldn’t be as risky. They agreed it would be easier to set up things in Justin’s apartment and keep Tabitha’s as the designated living area. They had both agreed that Tabitha’s place held more of a homey, calming presence, whereas Justin’s place was a step above military barracks. Tabitha had felt a little thrill when Justin had brought over his toothbrush and some changes of clothes. Because she had dressed sparingly and frumpy for so long, there was ample room in her spacious walk-in closet.
Although she knew the meeting in her apartment tonight was not a social occasion, it was the closest thing she’d ever had to a party at her house so she insisted on making appetizers and having beer and wine available. They might all need a drink after what was going to be discussed and Lord knows, food always helped soak up the alcohol if the subject got too intense.
Justin said nothing other than to interject a teasing remark about the added value of a domesticated woman, which promptly got him slapped along the back of his head. He didn’t say anything else after that and just stayed out of her way. He quickly found his mouth watering at the delectable smells that came out of the kitchen.
Stacia showed up promptly at six, an expensive bottle of Allengrini Amorone wine and a summer bouquet of flowers and presented them to her hosts. When Tabitha balked at accepting such an expensive wine, Stacia waved her away and stepped through the door. “Nonsense. My Dad raised me with manners and I was taught you never showed up at someone’s home empty-handed.”
They made small talk as Tabitha pulled the last of the coconut shrimp out of the oven and began arranging them with their dipping sauce on her serving platters. Justin poured the wine and helping Tabitha with the other platters, they all made themselves comfortable in the living room. Stacia chose the over-stuffed maroon and black-striped, velvet chair and Tabitha and Justin sat on opposite ends of the matching couch. They had both agreed to keep up the appearance that they were involved only on a professional level so as not to have Stacia worry about personal feelings coloring their judgment and make her uncomfortable. Before they had a chance to say anything, Stacia jumped right in.
“I appreciate you welcoming me into your home and exposing yourselves and your secrets to an outsider.”
Tabitha and Justin exchanged wary glances, unsure of the tone that Stacia held in her voice.
“All three of us know we are not dealing with rats, rabid or otherwise and I know the two of you are involved on a personal level. With your permission, I would like to treat this place as a sanctuary, a safe haven, if you will, where we can express all of our thoughts and emotions without the worry that anything goes beyond these walls. Is that acceptable to both of you?” she looked at Justin, then Tabitha, waiting for acknowledgement.
When they both nodded in agreement, Stacia smiled and leaned back, relaxing for the first time since sitting d
own. “Good. If it’s alright, I’d like to tell you my story, while I still feel brave, then I’d like to hear yours, both before you met and then after.” she paused, finishing her glass. “May I have some more wine? It is awfully good!”
“Of course!” Tabitha leapt to her feet to grab the wine but Justin beat her to it.
He looked at her and smiled, “Why don’t you put some of those delectable treats on three plates while I pour the wine and then we can all sit back and enjoy.”
She quickly put several coconut shrimp, chive and goat cheese dip with crackers and some red grapes on plates and handed them to Stacia and Justin. With filled plates and glasses, Stacia curled up in the oversized chair that made her look like a child curled up for story time.
Stacia took a large drink of her wine, sat back and inhaled a deep breath before she began. “My story began when my sister was born. I was six years old and although she was unexpected, she was loved and wanted. After I had been born, the doctors told my parents that I had been a blessing but because the pregnancy had been so tough on my mother, they explained she wouldn’t be able to carry another child without risking the baby or my mother’s life. Because of this, my father went and had a vasectomy two weeks after I was born. I remember my parents doting on me, almost smothering me because I was their only child. I remember lots of laughter and joy. A few months after my fifth birthday, I remember waking up to yelling and crying, something smashed in the kitchen. I had tiptoed into the living room and saw my mother sobbing into her hands at the kitchen table, my father, tears streaking down his face, yelling.
“I was terrified because I had never heard my father raise his voice before, never to my mother. She kept sobbing, ‘It’s yours! I would never betray you!’ I wouldn’t understand the complexity of that fight until I was older; my mother was pregnant.” She stopped to take another drink, trying to compose herself.
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