Once Upon A Midnight

by Stephanie Rowe

  Chapter Seventeen

  Basilius sprang to his feet, anger coursing through him as Razor stood bloodied, injured, and furious before him. “What the fuck? You’re supposed to be one of the toughest Demons around but look at you. All cut up and hurt by a little bitty girl. Call yourself a Demon? You’re more like a boy scout.”

  Razor snarled viciously. “She’s fucking lethal. You should’ve warned me about her penchant for using a four foot long fucking blade!”

  “You’re useless, a fucking moron.” Basilius smashed his hand onto the desk so hard it splintered right down the middle. “You better leave before I decide to make an example of you and the only reason I’m letting you live is because I may have a use for you soon.”

  “For what?” Razor snapped as he wiped at the deep wound on his arm.

  “Babysitting.” Basilius grinned evilly. “You can do that, can’t you?”

  “Are you crazy?” Razor looked up wide eyed. “You want me to look after a baby?”

  “No,” Basilius snarled. “I want you to babysit that fucking bitch when I get my hands on her.”

  An evil grin spread over Razor’s face. “I can do that. In fact, I can’t wait to do that.”

  “Good.” Basilius rolled his shoulders. “Because I’m going to deal with her personally after I’ve finished up some work here. Be ready and come when I call you from home.”

  Razor cocked his head to the side, eyeing Basilius closely. “Home as in . . .”

  “Yes.” Basilius chuckled. “Bet she doesn’t like it but you’ll be there to make sure she doesn’t. Won’t you?”

  “Fuck yeah.” Razor’s mouth started to visibly water.

  “I’ll summon you shortly but for now go and sort yourself out. You look like shit.”

  “Fine.” Razor’s eyes glinted. “I’ll be ready and waiting.”

  “You fucking better.” Basilius waved the other Demon away. “Go, before I change my mind and turn you inside out. Somehow I don’t think you’d like that look.”

  Razor disappeared as Basilius’ laughter followed him.

  *****

  Cassius turned Rose in his arms, scowling into her face. “I think we need to talk. Honesty is the only way forward, Ma—sorry, Rose. Your name is really Rose? I thought the title was just a nick-name of sorts.”

  “Rose Marie O’Connell.”

  “At least it wasn’t a total lie.” Cassius pointed to the sofa. “Probably better if we have some distance between us.”

  Rose sat stiffly on the edge of the cushion. “Why?”

  “Because,” Cassius sighed as he sat in his chair, his eyes boring into hers. “I appear to lose my self-control when I’m around you.”

  “I have never, not once, slept with a target. How could I?” Rose shook her head furiously as her face filled with disgust. “Anyone I’ve dealt with has been a revolting being doing despicable things. You have got to believe me, Cassius.”

  “What did he mean?” Cassius saw her face flush and she looked away, down at the floor. “Tell me what he meant,” he said more forcibly. “Look at me, Rose, and tell me what he was talking about.”

  “I’m not sure what you’re meaning.”

  “Don’t play dumb.” He saw her eyes start to fill with tears again. His heart ached when he remembered what the Witch had said about her never crying but he needed answers or this thing that was happening between them was dead in the water.

  “I’ve only ever been like I was with you with one other man, Seth. I can’t give up control in bed. He’s told me that when I find someone that I can do that with then that person’s special and I should hold onto them.”

  “He loves you.” Cassius saw it in the way the man looked at her, spoke to her, held her.

  “I love him too and I thought we could be more to each other.” She looked up at him, a stray tear breaking free and running down her cheek. “But it’s never felt like the way it did with you. I let you do things to me without restraints.”

  “What? Restraints. What are you talking about?”

  “Seth usually had to use cuffs, bindings, stuff like that, before I’d let him, you know . . .” Her face was now scarlet as she stuttered out the words.

  “We’ve had sex, Rose.” Cassius raised an eyebrow at her. “I’ve seen every inch of your body, your most private and intimate parts. I’ve seen them up close and personal, so I think we can have a conversation without embarrassment. Don’t you?”

  “No.” She flushed even redder. “I’ve never spoken to anyone about this. Ever. So, excuse me, Mr. Sexypants Allarde, if I’m a little self-conscious here.”

  Cassius felt his lips tugging up and tried hard to keep his face serious. He failed. “Mr. Sexypants?”

  “Yeah, Sexypants.” Rose now looked angry, her eyes flaring with heat and passion. “You know it, so don’t try and say you don’t. Women must fall at your feet all the fucking time and if you say they don’t I’ll know you’re a liar.”

  “We’re going a little off-track here.” Sobering his thoughts as he again thought on the lengths she’d resorted to. “You’re telling me that you’ve never had sex with the man on top? Had someone bring you to orgasm with their mouth?”

  “Apart from Seth? Nope, not ever.” She shrugged and tried to look nonchalant but her eyes were full of sadness. “I’ve tried but I’ve never been able to. I don’t feel safe, in control, hell, I almost have a panic attack if anyone tries to get me like that. So that’s what he was talking about. He knew I’d given up my control with you.”

  “I’m not sure what to say to that.” Cassius felt happy that she’d allowed him that control but he also felt sad that she’d never before been able to do it. “Seth would restrain you in order to give you pleasure?”

  “Damn.” She looked away again. “Can we not talk about this?”

  “Answer me.”

  “Yes, yes, yes! Alright! He used to have to tie me up because I refused to let him control me, my feelings, my pleasure. Hell, how much more do you want to make me feel ashamed? ‘Cause I’ve about reached my limit.”

  Cassius used his Vampire speed, kneeling in front of her and grabbing her hands to hold her firmly in place. “I’m not trying to make you feel ashamed. I need to know what’s going on between us and how you feel. To do that I needed to know what he meant.”

  “Well, now you know.” She looked away as another tear ran down her cheek. “Don’t you feel all warm and fuzzy ‘bout us having this real good heart to heart? No? Neither do I. I feel mortified and humiliated and let’s not even get started on how fucking good I felt earlier before this all went to hell.”

  “You lied to me.”

  “No, technically I didn’t. My name is Marie O’Connell, I just missed out the Rose part. I am a tech whiz and I was here for a job. It was just a different job to the one you gave me.”

  “Semantics, Rose.” Cassius wanted to embrace her, hold her tight but he held himself in check, needing her to bare her very soul for him. “You allowed me to pleasure you. Why?”

  Rose flushed, again, even her ears now a shade of pink as she intently focused on her nails, picking one as she took a deep breath in. “I trusted you, I’ve never trusted anyone before.”

  Her words hit him like a blow to his chest. The enormity of her allowing herself to be vulnerable with him causing his heart to pound. He could hear hers beating wildly in her chest as she snuck a peak at him. “You, Cassius, are the first man I’ve allowed to do that. I don’t trust easily. Fuck, I don’t trust at all, ever.”

  As her eyes stayed locked on his, another stray tear escaped and he saw her fight the urge to swipe it away. He reached forward, a finger gently removing the offending droplet before cupping her face. “Rose, do you think we can learn to trust one another? Get past this?”

  “I hope so.” Her eyes desolate as she looked at him solemnly. “I’ve never wanted anything so much in my life. I want you, Cassius. If you can forgive me?”

  “I think, for you, I
can.” Gently rubbing his thumb across her cheek he smiled. “Anyone else would be handed over to Valentine, but you, Rose, are staying right here with me.”

  “I’m afraid of what’s going to happen now.” She looked around them as if expecting Razor to return.

  “That’s something else we need to discuss.” He scowled at her. “Don’t ever put yourself before me in a fight situation. I’m more than capable of looking after myself, and you, understand?”

  “That’s gonna be difficult.” She gave him a small, cheeky grin. “I’m an assassin after all. It’s been bred into me to fight and I have to say, I do it rather well.”

  “You do that.” Cassius cocked his head to side, his tone dry as bone. “However, if we truly are soul-mates then it’s my job to protect you. Not the other way around.”

  “Sexist.” She giggled. “I never thought you were the kind of man to be a chauvinist.”

  “Ordinarily I’m not. I have many females in my guards. However,” he chucked her chin, “you’re different, special, and I won’t chance you getting hurt again.”

  “I’m capable of looking after myself. I’ve done it long enough.”

  “That may be so but now you can relax, take time to just enjoy life and let me look after you.”

  “I’ll try but no promises.”

  “I’m curious about something.” Cassius cocked his head to the side. “I’ve heard of The Black Rose, but every person has a different description. Blonde hair, black hair, red hair, oriental, pale skin, hell, I’m sure I heard a description that said she was Japanese. How the hell did you manage that?”

  Rose smirked, looking at him wide eyed. “Magic. I can be whatever I want to be. You wanna see?”

  Cassius nodded, his eyes going wide as she mumbled quietly and she changed right there in front of him. No longer did she have long, wavy, dark hair. In its place was a short cut of platinum blonde, her dark brown eyes now a light green staring back at him. Even her features changed, her small straight nose growing and spreading over her face as her mouth thinned and her lips were no longer pouty and plush.

  “Damn!” He gasped, “Change back, please, I much prefer you as yourself.”

  Rose changed back in the blink of an eye as Cassius frowned. “Shit, is this the real you? Or another facsimile?”

  “This is me.” Rose shrugged. “The original Rose is what you see now.”

  “Thank goodness, because I do like those delectable lips.” He saw her blushing as he moved to sit next to her, his arm snaking around her shoulders as she snuggled into him. “Shall we talk about the enormous white elephant in the room?”

  “Huh?” She looked confused.

  “Who hired you to come here and assassinate me?” Cassius held his breath, hoping it wasn’t someone he thought of as a friend.

  “Can we do that later?” She looked up, lust taking over from the tears.

  “I suppose waiting a little while longer wouldn’t hurt.” Leaning down to kiss her delectable lips.

  “Just what I was thinking.” She almost purred into his mouth as he picked her up, carrying her through to the bed.

  “Strip,” he ordered as he placed her on her feet, his hands already removing his own clothing. Her eyes hooding as his body came into sight. “Now,” he said firmly as the last of his fell to the floor.

  Rose tore her jeans off, then her top and underwear. When she stood naked before him he saw her blanch as doubt filled her eyes. “Look at me,” he coaxed. “I won’t hurt you, Rose. Never.”

  “Promise?” she asked in a small voice, barely a whisper.

  “Yes.” He fell to his knees, prying her thighs apart as his tongue started to lave at her sensitive nub. “Relax and let me do this, Rose.”

  He felt her fighting the urge to stop him as his fingers slipped within her folds and into her warm sheath. Her gasp of pleasure causing him immense satisfaction as he continued to suck, lick, and nibble her clit. Rose’s hands snaked into his hair, pulling him closer as she rode his face. His eyes sought hers but her head lay back, her long dark hair falling down her back as she neared her peak.

  “Come for me,” he whispered before sucking hard to take her nub inside his mouth. Her body quivered, shook, and her orgasm hit her fiercely, his arms holding her tightly as she almost collapsed to the floor.

  “That’s just the beginning.” He grinned as he took her to bed, their bed, no longer his alone.

  Several hours later they’d gotten to know each other’s body even better, finding those areas that brought pleasure and release. Rose allowing Cassius to take the lead as she slowly relinquished total control. He still felt her stiffen at times but he’d talk quietly to calm her fears as he brought her to heights she’d never reach on her own.

  Now they lay in each other’s arms, legs entwined, her arm across his stomach and gently tickling him. “You need food and we still have a conversation to finish.”

  “Do we have to?” She nestled closer to him, tightening her hold on his body.

  “Yes, we do, but first I’d like to know your thoughts on what Seth said about us being soul-mates?”

  Rose frowned. “Hell if I know. I’ve never even thought of anything like that. I’ve been pretty damn sure stuff like that was nothing more than a fairy tale. Happiness forever with one person seems kinda a stretch to me.”

  Cassius ran a finger down her face. “Really? Because I’ve seen soul-mated couples and trust me, they are very happy. However, I never even dreamed it possible for me to find one.”

  “Guess the only thing we can do is see where this takes us.” Rose leaned into his hand, sighing.

  “I suppose so. We can talk about it more later but for now we do need to get up.” Extricating himself, he made a call asking Sue to send up some food before pointing to the bathroom. “We have time for a quick shower.”

  “Hell, you’re such a spoilsport.” She giggled as she sat up in naked gloriousness in the middle of the bed.

  “Shower, now, then food, and then we talk.”

  Following him to the bathroom he made sure the shower was indeed quick. Cassius wanted nothing more than to sink deep inside her once more but knew they would have to face the repercussions of her assignment and the fact she’d reneged on it. He only hoped he could deal with the fallout and keep any ramifications to a minimum. Hopefully, with Valentine’s help they could deal with it quickly and efficiently.

  “Can’t we just go back to bed?” She cajoled as he wrapped a robe around her.

  “No.” Laughing he went to answer a knock on the still broken door. “That’ll be the food.”

  “Darn.” She opened the robe giving him a flash of her delectable body. “You sure?”

  A soft moan escaped him as he fought to control his reaction. “Food, and if you carry on like that I may just have to give that luscious ass of yours a good spanking later.”

  “Promises, promises.” Rose laughed, picking up a pillow and throwing it at him playfully.

  Once he’d retrieved the tray from Sue he turned back, shouting. “Okay, come and eat and then we can discuss who it was that hired you.”

  “I hope there’s fries. I love fries,” Rose said as she left the bedroom, dressed casually in jeans, a tight vest top that had his cock twitching, and her hair up in a loose knot; held in place by those darn silver sticks he’d burned his fingers on. He gave her a slow smile as she stopped, worry on her face. “I’m not sure what we can do about who hired me. He’s powerful, Cassius, very powerful and deadly.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  Rose’s heart stopped as strong arms encircled her from behind, holding her in a vice so she couldn’t even move her arms. Cassius roared, his face a mask of hatred as he dropped the tray. “Let her go!”

  “No.” Basilius laughed and Rose felt herself disappear, her last sight being Cassius lurching to grab her as the Demon took her fuck knew where.

  “Shit,” she blurted, knowing she was in it right up to her fucking neck.

  A
uthor’s Note

  I’d firstly like to thank you for buying this incredible anthology. As you know, all proceeds are being donated to The Epilepsy Foundation, and I’m certain they’ll be very appreciative of your support, as am I and all the other authors.

  I sincerely hope you enjoyed book 1 in The Black Rose Chronicles and I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read it. If you could possibly spare a moment to leave a review then I’d really appreciate it. If you’d like to continue Rose’s story then you can find book two HERE.

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  Remember guys ‘n gals, Live, Love, Read!

  Ava xx

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  A Spark

  By

  ©2016 P.M. Briede

  Spark

  A Charlotte Grace Series Prequel

  Good-Byes

  I look down at the sheet of paper. Those three words stare back at me, taunting me with their finality. How does one prepare for death? How does one let go of a life they dreamed of for more years than a person can comprehend? Life and love cannot be summed up by mere words, and yet, that is all I have left.

  I existed before her, but she gave me life. Emptiness and hate consume a soul. Love and friendship give it meaning. That’s what I had with her, in the end. Friendship. Trust. Love. Faith.

  A tear escapes my eye, leaving a wet blot on the page. Do I start over? Will it hurt her to see the proof of my pain? I consider crumpling the paper and tossing it aside. Then another drop falls, followed by another. I can start over, but it won’t hide the evidence of my sorrow from her. The tears torment me. Setting the paper aside won’t change that. I’ve done so a thousand times already and I can do it a thousand times more. It won’t erase the chasm that opens in my chest every time I think of saying good-bye.