“Okay, this is really weird,” he said, looking at her.
“What is - my locket?” she asked.
“Yes, but not only the locket. I have a connection with you and your family,” he said. “And this, well,” he mumbled, and he held his hand to his head, unable to keep it all to himself any longer, not now he had seen the pendant.
“What do you mean?” Matilda asked.
“When it all happened to your family, eleven years ago, I was fifteen, and well, something happened to me too.”
“Mike, you’re not going to go weird on me are you?” she asked a concerned, and thinking back to what Eric had said about demons possessing other people.
“No, don’t worry, I’m not a nutter or possessed by a demon,” he said speaking her thoughts aloud.
“Oh, that’s good to know,” she said in sarcastic relief.
“I can assure you I’m not going to hurt you or anything, and if you don’t want to believe what I’m about to tell you, I understand.”
“Believe what, Mike? I’m starting to get a more than worried here,” she said.
“Yes, well maybe you need to be,” he replied. “Maybe we both do.” He stood and starting undoing his shirt.
“Erm, Mike, what are you doing?” she asked.
“Don’t worry, it’s only the shirt coming off,” he promised.
“Why?” Matilda asked, watching as he discarded it on the table.
“I need to show you my tattoo,” he replied. Her eyes lifted back to him, and her gaze roamed across his broad shoulders, down to his six-pack, and lower to his tightly chiselled stomach. Her eyes followed the V of his hipbones below the waistband of his jeans. Shit, he was gorgeous.
“Tilly, look,” he said, and he turned his back to her. Matilda’s eyes lifted to his shoulders, and to the writing that spanned across his back. ‘Forever, my one true love’, and below the initials MAR. She stood and leaned her hands on the table.
“What the hell,” she muttered. He turned around and faced her.
“I don’t know,” he replied.
“When did you get it done?” she asked.
“I didn’t,” he replied.
“What do you mean you didn’t?”
“Okay, this is where it gets weird. You know I said things started to happen to me when I was fifteen, and I went to a house to drop off a quote.”
“Yes.”
“Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Weird shit’s been happening to me all my life, but when I came here to your Hall to drop off a quote for your father things really got bad.”
“Here?” she said surprised. He nodded.
“Your father wanted to have some work done on the Hall, but when I got here, something happened to me. It was October 31st, eleven years ago tomorrow,” he said.
Matilda stared at him in disbelief.
“I wanted to tell you everything from the first day we met, but I wasn’t sure how you would react. I thought if I were to get to know you better, you would be more inclined to believe me. I remember approaching the Hall, I rang the bell but no one answered so I popped the quote through your door. The next thing I remember is being in your lounge and I saw something, I’m not sure what. Then I saw you cowering on the floor as it came towards you. I can remember holding you and trying to protect you from it, but at the same time, it wasn’t me.”
He glanced at her, and tears were falling down her cheeks.
“I know it doesn’t make sense, but that’s how I felt, like I was there but I wasn’t in control of my body. I remember there was a blinding light and then it all went dark. I woke up at home in my bed. There was a terrible pain in my back, and when I looked in the mirror, the tattoo was there.”
She sat wordlessly, staring at him.
“I don’t know how I got home, or how the tattoo came to be there. I hid it for years from my parents, too afraid to tell them. Something has brought us back together, Tilly, I’m here because I’m meant to be with you, I know I am.”
She sat wordlessly, staring at him.
“Tilly, say something for God’s sake,” he pleaded.
She caught her breath, her heart pounding as she stared at him.
“Why do you keep calling me Tilly?” she asked in a whisper. The way he had said her name then sounded just like the whispering voice of Eric.
As his eyes ran over her face, her heart shook at the intensity and she wanted so much to kiss him.
“I don’t know, it just feels right,” he said.
“You saw it?” she asked. He nodded and the tears continued to course down her cheeks.
“Please don’t cry, Tilly,” he begged, and he moved around to her and lifted a hand to wipe her tears.
“No one believed me,” she mumbled, looking up at him.
“I do, Tilly. I spent years trying to understand what happened that day, and it has been driving me crazy, you disappeared and I couldn’t find you anywhere. When you emailed my dad’s company about this job, I couldn’t believe it when I realised it was you.”
“But I don’t understand what’s going on, I thought he was the one,” she mumbled.
“He, who’s he?”
“The ghost,” she replied.
“You’ve seen a ghost?” he asked.
“Yes, I told you something is going on in this Hall. I can see him as clear as I see you now. I can feel him, and he me,” Matilda said.
“He touched you?” he frowned.
“Yes,” she replied in a breath. She raised her hand to the locket, opened it, and showed it to him. “Explain this to me?” she said. “It opened when you touched it.” Matilda stood, and he took hold of it in his fingers. She inhaled him, and his scent lifted her heart.
“It’s me,” he said, and he looked at her, “and you, but we are wearing old fashioned clothes.” She nodded. “Tilly, there is something else about me, and I have never, ever told anyone, not even my parents,” he said.
“What?” she asked.
“This,” he said, “but please don’t be scared okay, I would never, ever hurt you, I would rather die,” he pressed. She nodded and watched as he held out his trembling hand.
“Lluminare,” he whispered. Matilda stared in amazement at the orb of light that appeared in his hand.
“Mike,” she whispered.
“It’s okay Tilly, it won’t hurt you,” he said, concerned as to her reaction. The last thing he wanted was for her to be scared of him.
She lifted her hand towards him.
“Lluminare,” she chanted, and she watched his face as the orb of light grew within her hand.
“Holy shit!” he exclaimed, and lifting their hands towards each other, they watched the power of the light as the orbs of energy swirled in their hands. Matilda closed her hand, and the energy disappeared, he did the same.
“Tilly, you too,” he said. She nodded.
“I think I’m witch,” she said.
“You can do more?” he asked, and she nodded.
“Me too,” he confessed. “I think, I maybe a warlock. You know it’s what my name means, Tovenaar,” he said. He put his hand on her shoulder, and his fingers gently caressed her soft, pale skin. “You used magic on that key the other day, didn’t you?” he asked.
“Yes, I did,” she confirmed, as a rush of electricity coursed through her body at his touch.
“I wasn’t completely sure. I can see demons, Matilda, in everyday normal people. You remember that creepy guy at the pub?” She nodded. “He was a demon, I’m sure. When I looked at him his face changed.”
“Changed, what do you mean?”
He lifted his hands to his face, and pulled it about. She laughed. “Seriously, it’s horrific their faces mutate into something so gross and evil.”
“The demon today on the roof, you saw it, didn’t you?” she asked.
“Yes, I did,” he confirmed. Mike moved in closer, nudging her chin gently with one finger. Their eyes met and there was no hiding the attraction sizzling between t
hem. He ran his thumb lightly over lips and watched them part instinctively. He pulled her towards him until her body was flush against his. He brushed his lips over hers, and as he deepened the kiss, her lips began to move against his with a moan.
“I’m sorry, Tilly,” he whispered, as he broke from their kiss, “but I’ve wanted to do that for so long.”
“Mike,” she whispered, and her heart was pounding. “I’ve wanted you to do that for so long too.”
His mouth met hers she wrapped her arms warmly around his neck, excitement swirling through her, a curling warmth invading her stomach. She gripped hold of him tightly, her nails digging into the bare flesh on his back as she pushed her body against his.
Mike’s hand moved down the curve of her neck, caressing the tension in her shoulders before sweeping his hands through her long, silky hair.
His touch sent a rush of passion through her and she groaned against him, her fingers tracing along his tight, stomach muscles. She could feel him as he pushed against her, and as his hand slipped to her breast, she broke from their kiss.
“Mike, come with upstairs with me,” she begged.
“Are you sure?” he asked. She smiled.
“I have never been more, sure of anything in my life,” she replied her voice a husky whisper. His eyes widened with desire for her and he smiled giving a nod. She took hold of his hand, and he weaved his fingers through hers.
“Parker, stay,” he said to his dog, and he closed the kitchen door. They hurried up the two flights of stairs to the tower. She closed and bolted the door.
The way he looked at her sent a delightful shiver through her whole body. His eyes cast around the room.
“I remember this room,” he said, moving towards her.
“Well you were up here yesterday,” she said. He shook his head.
“No. It was before then, a long time ago.” Sudden movement caught her eye, and she gave a gasp. It was Eric, he smiled at her, and she smiled back. She looked at Mike, and he was staring straight at her.
“Mike,” she said, but he didn’t reply.
“Eric, what have you done to him?” she asked, worried. Eric walked towards her, and the resemblance between the two was uncanny.
“We are the same, he and I,” he said, and he turned and walked behind Mike, holding his arms open he appeared to walk into his back.
“Eric,” she called, but he had disappeared. Mike took a step towards her, and she took a startled step back.
“We are the same, he and I,” Mike said, lifting his hand and holding her cheek, her skin silken under his fingertips.
“I don’t understand,” she replied.
“You will,” he promised, pulling her too him. He kissed her deeply until she was quivering with need for him.
Matilda released her mouth away from his, her finger tracing the line of his jaw as she kissed across his cheek, down his neck and across his incredible shoulders.
He swept his hands through her hair, and his lips moved down to kiss the exposed curve of her shoulder. He murmured against her neck as he slowly slid the zip of her dress.
As the dress fell to the ground, Matilda stepped out of it and kicked it away.
“God, you’re so beautiful,” Mike said. He cupped her breast and his thumb toyed with her nipple through the silken fabric of her bra.
Matilda groaned as his hand moved down her stomach and he slipped his fingers inside her knickers. She buckled against him as he teased her.
Her hand slid across his chest, to his tight stomach and to the buckle on his belt. She undid it quickly, the urge to have him take her now firmly in control. As he caressed her breast, his mouth kissed around her earlobe and she fumbled to unbutton his jeans.
“Tilly,” he moaned against her mouth as she ran her hand up and down him.
“Mmm,” she replied. He pulled back from her, and a shiver of anticipation ran down her back at the intention she read in his eyes. As their mouth met in a fevered kiss, her body moistened and he forced her backwards until her legs hit the bed.
He winked at her, and it was about the sexiest thing she had ever seen, and with a playful smile, he pushed her onto it.
She giggled, bouncing on the mattress as she pulled herself backwards up the bed.
“Hey where do you think you’re going,” he teased, and slipping off his jeans, he crawled across the bed after her.
She squealed as he grabbed her ankle and pulled her back down the bed. He straddled her and held her down.
“There’s no escape now,” he whispered.
“Why would I want to escape,” she purred. Mike’s blood pressure shot off the scale at her sexy drawl. He leaned and swept his lips across hers unable to resist her any longer. His hand ran down the length of her body and unclipping her bra, he threw it to the floor.
Matilda watched him, and shudders rocked her body as his wandering lips curved into a smile and he took her breast into his mouth.
He groaned as she slipped her hand inside his boxers and caressed his hardened length.
“I want you, Matilda,” he begged.
“I want you, Mike,” she moaned in replied. As he kissed down her stomach to her thighs, she gripped hold of his dark hair, her hips rising from the bed as he slowly pulled down her knickers.
Dropping them to the floor, he massaged her inner thighs, and slipped his fingers inside her.
Matilda groaned.
“Mike,” she whispered. “I want you now.” His eyes met hers, bewitching him, begging him and he smiled. Removing his boxers, he climbed on top of her. His hands caressing her breast, as his mouth kissed the nape of her neck. Matilda’s body arched towards him, his touch making her whole body tingle.
He swept his mouth across her jaw before settling back on her mouth. His tongue entwining with hers, he deepened the kiss, his body trembling as his fingers slipped back inside her, stroking her, teasing her.
Matilda’s body moved in rhythm with the penetration of his fingers.
“Mike, for god sake, please” she gasped. She was so close but she wanted to feel him inside her. He withdrew his fingers, and grabbing her wrists, he pushed her arms either side of her and held her down.
“Are you ready?” he asked, his voice, smooth and sexy.
“Yes,” she moaned, opening her legs wider in anticipation. His scent lingered as he ran his hands tantalisingly down her arms, and across her shoulders. He flicked her nipples with this thumb and then tweaked them.
She cried aloud out as he entered her.
“Tilly,” he groaned as he made love to her. Matilda grasped at his back as she past the initial pain.
“Oh god,” Mike moaned, as the sensation of her nails digging into his flesh turned him on even more and his thrusts became hard and rhythmic.
Matilda felt as if she was in heaven, and it was how she had always imagined losing her virginity. She had never been interested in the quick one behind the bike shed to get it over with, as many of her so-called ‘friends’ had done at school. This she concluded had so been worth the wait.
An orgasmic pleasure tore through her body as she came. Her mouth opened, her chest heaved, and her eyes rolled. It was the most glorious feeling, ever.
“Tilly,” he groaned, releasing, and she gasped again as the warm rush of his orgasm fill her inside, and sent another wave of pleasure through her. He collapsed on top of her and nuzzled into her neck. Matilda pulled her arms and legs around him and held him tightly, never wanting to let him go. For a moment, they were quiet lost in their own pleasure, both gasping to catch their breaths. He lifted his head, and looked at her his hand rising to cup her face, his beautiful dark eyes gazing into hers. For a second, concern flooded Matilda and she was unsure if she was looking at Mike or Eric.
His body suddenly arched, he groaned, and took a breath. Her eyes lifted behind him, and Eric stood smiling at her.
“We are the same,” he whispered, and he faded into the darkness.
“Eric,” she mumbled.
“How do you know my name is Eric?” Mike asked. Matilda snapped her attention back to him.
“Sorry?” she asked.
“How do you know my name is Eric?” he asked again. As he ran the back of his knuckles on her cheek, she turned her face and kissed them.
“I don’t know,” she replied. “Is it?”
“Yeah, my full name is Eric Michael Jonathan Tovenaar, but everyone has always called me Mike.”
“Really, that’s weird,” she mumbled, and she glanced past him to see if Eric had reappeared, but he hadn’t.
“Tilly,” he said, his lips gently skimming across hers.
“Mmm,” she mumbled, too busy enjoying the feeling to reply.
“Were you a virgin?” he asked. Matilda pulled her head back from him and gave a nod.
“Don’t worry I’m on the pill, for well you know, other reasons,” she whispered. Sudden realisation crossed his face.
“Shit, I’m so sorry, I didn’t even think,” he said, shocked that he had taken her without any precaution. “I promise I’m clean,” he said, trying to reassure her.
“It’s okay, I trust you, Mike, besides I wanted it too,” she whispered. “In fact,” she said, with a grin. “I wouldn’t mind doing that all over again.”
“Me too,” he replied, and he smiled before planting his gorgeous lips back on hers.
A loud banging sound reverberated through the room.
“What the hell was that?” she said, looking towards the door.
“I’m not sure,” he replied. “I’ll go and see.” He jumped off her, picked up his clothes, and began to dress.
“Wait, you can’t go alone,” she said, “it’s too dangerous.” Matilda scurried over the bed and slid off. Ignoring her underwear, she grabbed her dress, and put it on.
“Let me,” he said, as she struggled to do up the zipper. She spun around and he swept her hair to one side. Unable to help himself he kissed the nape of her neck as he did up the zip.
Matilda closed her eyes at the sensation, pushing herself against him.
Mike turned her around.
“What do you mean it’s too dangerous,” he said in a whisper.
“This Hall is full of ghosts, and demons,” she said.
“What like that thing on the roof?” he asked.
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