Unholy Union, page 18
“You have nothing to fear. Let me hold you.” He reached.
Despite her body’s eager clamor for him, Elaine scrambled from the bed, falling through the curtains to the stone floor. She was so busy trying to escape Ash she barely noticed her surroundings. She got the vague impression she was in a castle. Surrounding her were stone walls hung with tapestries. A great black bear skin lay on the floor before the fireplace that was large enough to roast an entire ox.
“Why are you running?” he asked as he unhurriedly pursued her. She crawled along the floor, her hair hanging loose in her face, blocking her vision.
“I don’t want you! Leave me alone!”
As she reached the bear skin, Ash caught her, his muscled arm curling around her waist.
He flipped her over so that she lay on the fur rug on her back. He pinned her with his body.
Despite her fear, Elaine groaned to feel him hard against her mound, ready to pierce her the way she ached to be pierced.
He stared in her eyes, his expression gently reproving. “You love me. The priest told you the truth of my feelings for you. Why are you denying yours now that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt how I feel?”
She struggled halfheartedly, the feeling of his rigid cock so achingly close to her entrance sparking the demanding desire he’d cursed her with. “How can I love my killer?”
He tugged at the nightgown, pulling it up over her thighs, up to her waist. Ash wriggled until his thighs were between hers, opening her for the first thrust. He yanked his nightshirt off over his head, and the fire turned him into a golden-skinned god. “I can make every moment you have as sweet a dream as this. Let me make you happy, Elaine.”
Ash’s shaft touched her entrance, and the tip found her wet. She shook her head, knowing she would give him everything he wanted, because she wanted it too. “I don’t want to die.”
“You have immortality through your writing. I guarantee it.” He moved a little, parting her nether lips with his manhood.
She groaned, all resistance fleeing. Her insides yawned like an empty cavern, desperate to be filled with him. She twined her legs around his. “Please, Ash.”
“Elaine! Wake up, Elaine!” Thomas’ voice boomed like thunder.
Ash snarled, his face darkening into the beautiful black monster he was. Warm, strong hands shook her, and Elaine felt the incubus’ cold fingers clutch desperately as the dream shredded around them.
She opened her eyes to see Thomas leaning over her. His dark good looks filled her vision, along with his bared torso. He only wore drawstring pants, having apparently just wakened. In her aroused state, it took all she had to not run her hands over his sculpted chest.
“Elaine, thank God. You were moaning in your sleep like the devil himself was after you.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling close. A big mistake. His arms went around her, holding her against his chest, and she burrowed against his warmth, feeling the crinkly hairs against her cheek. Her mound went damp with desire for the priest.
“Ash came to me in a dream. I’m sorry, Thomas. I can’t fight him off. He’s too strong.”
Thomas stroked her hair. His touch was so good, so right. “You’re skin is cold.”
“Save me.” She was crying.
“I’m trying to, Elaine.”
He kissed the top of her head. She lifted her face, and his lips found hers. They clung together, slowly exploring each others’ mouths. Elaine’s hands crept down Thomas’ chest, her fingers running trails through the light sprinkling of wiry hair, her fingers tracing the contours.
Her lips and tongue followed her hands’ path down, tasting his slightly salty skin. As she kissed her way down, his hands cupped her breasts through the thin tee shirt she wore. She moaned to feel him molding her flesh. He groaned in response as she took one of his nipples in her mouth, flicking her tongue over its erect point.
Elaine kissed her way across his chest towards the other nipple. “I can’t control my craving for him. I feel desperate, like I’ll lose my mind if I’m not with him.” Her hands moved down his rock hard abdomen, down lower and lower until they found him, stiff and straining against the softness of his sweatpants. As she suckled, her hands outlined the thick length of him.
She kissed her way down his body, coming closer to the sweet flesh she wanted to taste most. “You’re so much warmer than he is. So kind and giving.”
Thomas groaned as she uncovered him. Free of the pants and his undershorts, he curved up tight against his belly. Elaine breathed on him, letting him feel the warmth of her breath on his masculinity. A drop of moisture beaded on the tip of his penis, and she collected it with her tongue, rolling his salty goodness in her mouth. Thomas fell back on the bed, surrendering to her.
She licked up and down his length, marveling at his so masculine beauty. In his own fashion, Thomas was every bit as gorgeous as Ash. Elaine worshipped him, running her tongue over the pounding vein on the underside of his penis, cupping the softness of his scrotum in her palm. He watched her as she pleasured him, his lips parted and chest heaving. The look in his eyes left her with no doubt of how much he wanted her.
Elaine closed her mouth over the head of his manhood and took him in as far as she could. Her hand curled around the base of his penis, firmly gripping. Thomas arched with desire. She fellated him slowly, gently, letting him revel in every sensation. His hands tangled in her hair.
Her mouth worked more eagerly as her craving intensified. Her head bobbed up and down over him, making him gasp louder. Elaine tightened her lips around his shaft and rubbed her tongue hard against that throbbing vein. She fought with the desire to let him spill his juices into her mouth, but her need to be penetrated below was too great. With a loud sucking sound, she pulled free.
Elaine crawled over Thomas to straddle him. His eyes were dark on her as his hands crept beneath her shirt to cover her breasts. She arched into the warmth of his touch.
Thomas sat up, pushing her back onto the pillows. He covered her body with his, and Elaine moaned to feel him hard and ready for her. Only the thin fabric of her panties kept their flesh from marrying. His kiss was almost brutal with need.
This would save her from Ash. This good true love, with no dark intent behind it would snatch her from the jaws of hell. She could feel it. “Please Thomas. Don’t let him have me.
Don’t let me die.”
Thomas jerked at her words and suddenly sat up. His head fell back and he groaned at the ceiling. The sound was that of a damned man who’d seen paradise only to be dragged into purgatory. “Elaine, I can’t!”
He threw himself from the bed, leaving her gaping in shock. He yanked his pants up, covering himself, and turned his back to her. “God forgive me.”
She jumped up to join him, clutching at him. “I need you. You said you love me.”
Thomas’ head hung down, his chin resting on his chest as he squeezed his eyes shut. “I do love you, Elaine. I love you so much I can barely breathe. But this isn’t the way.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks. She couldn’t believe he was rejecting her, not when he wanted her as much as she wanted him. “Help me,” she begged.
“We must pray for strength.” He balled his hands into fists.
“Prayer can’t stop this need. It’s consuming me, tearing me apart!” How could he turn his back on her like this? She didn’t understand.
He opened his eyes and turned his tortured gaze on her. “You have to find refuge in faith.”
There was no hope for her. She backed away. “Thomas, please.”
“I can’t.” He shook his head, pain suffusing his face.
Elaine grabbed her slacks from the top of the bureau and yanked them on. Sliding her feet into her ankle boots, she grabbed her purse. “What good is faith when one man’s love is killing me and the other’s is too weak to save me? Either way, I’m lost.”
He grabbed for her as she bolted for the door, but she evaded him. Elaine ran from Thomas for the last time.
She raced outside into the sunny lawn of the rectory. She stopped short to see Ash’s Lexus parked in the driveway. He got out, walked over to the passenger door and opened it.
They stared at each other for a few moments before Elaine slowly walked over to him.
If you’re going to save me Thomas, now is the time to come rushing out after me. Last chance.
She reached the car and looked up at Ash. He smiled gently at her and smoothed her hair from her face. Thomas didn’t come out.
“It won’t hurt, will it?” she asked Ash.
His voice was heavy with love and regret. “No pain, only pleasure. Ecstasy beyond any you’ve ever known.”
She glanced at the door of the modest little house. No Thomas. Her heart thudded painfully.
Her voice caught. “Make me happy again, Ash.”
“You have my word.”
She got in the car, and he closed the door. Elaine couldn’t help but watch the house, something inside still praying Thomas would rethink the situation.
Ash got in the drivers’ seat and started the engine. It purred to life, and he reversed down the driveway. The car swung onto the road, and Ash put it in drive. They drove away.
Too late, Elaine saw Thomas’ door open. The priest ran out to stare white-faced after them as they sped away.
Chapter Twenty Two
Thomas went through the sacristy like a whirlwind, blindly gathering vestments and anything that looked like it might remotely be of help, piling things on a table with no organization whatsoever. His thoughts were as chaotic as his frenzied collecting.
Can’t lose her. Stupid, stupid! A bottle for holy water. That’s what I need. She looked to me, and I failed her again. Why am I so weak? Please God, I’ll do whatever You want. What is it You want from me? Are You trying to drive me insane? Just don’t let me lose another one.
“Thomas, what are you doing?” James stared at him from the doorway.
“Good, I was going to see you next.” Thomas considered the censer, pushed it aside.
“Ash has Elaine. I need a copy of the exorcism rite.”
“I told you, the incubi are different from other demons. Standard exorcism doesn’t work with their kind.” James grabbed Thomas’ hands, stilling his wild grabbing. “Thomas, stop. You can’t help Elaine by rushing madly into this.”
“I got Harris Tucker to track her down. Almost all of Ash’s former clients are dead.
Dead!” Thomas was nearly screaming, but he didn’t care. “He’s got her at the Four Seasons. I have to get there before he takes Elaine away.”
“Thomas–”
“Damn it, James, give me something to fight him with!”
“Stop it!” James roared. His palm cracked against Thomas’ jaw.
Warm pain radiated from the blow, and Thomas froze. He stared at James open-mouthed with shock.
James’ chest heaved from emotion, and his eyebrows beetled together in a fierce expression. “Do you have control of yourself now?”
Anger stirred in Thomas’ thoughts, but it was fury at himself, not the elder priest. “Yes, James. I’m sorry. I let my fear take control.”
“Understandable.” James relaxed. “Listen to me. The only person who can truly save Elaine is Elaine herself. All you can do is offer her faith and love.”
Thomas shook his head. “The bastard turns my love for her against me. He makes it into lust.”
“Then take that weapon from him. Make it your own.”
Was James saying what he thought he was saying? Thomas stared, aghast. “But I’m a priest.”
“You’re a man. A man in love. Do you see evil in that?” He smiled gently. “You don’t have to wear the collar to serve God.”
“You’re telling me to cast aside my vows. Give up the priesthood.”
James patted his shoulder. “I’m telling you that doing God’s will shouldn’t mean battling yourself, Thomas. Look in your heart and recognize what you truly want, because that’s what God wants for you. Acceptance of that may free both you and Elaine.”
“We’ll go to Europe. Tour Asia,” Ash said as he kissed his way down and back up Elaine’s naked body. “Go on a cruise. Whatever you want. Whatever you’ve ever dreamed of doing.”
She sighed, wallowing in the sweet sensations pouring through her body from his caresses. “You’re going to spoil me senseless.”
“I’m going to give you everything you deserve.” His fingers found her core and slipped inside. He pumped in and out, slowly sliding through her wetness.
She arched against the clandestine touch. “All I really want is you.”
“Liar.” He gave her such a look of sadness, her passion was momentarily dampened.
“You love your Father Thomas. If you weren’t compelled by your desire for me, you’d stay with him.”
“I love you both,” she said, searching for some way to erase the woeful expression he wore. “Thomas is married to the Church and his principles. I can’t compete with that.”
“I win by default.”
“I’m completely yours, Ash. No holding back anymore.” She brushed his hair back from his eyes. “I’ve made my choice.”
“I love you so much, Elaine. If I could change the outcome of this, I would. I swear it to you.” Ash’s voice caught.
“Hush. I believe you. Make love to me.”
Ash’s mouth joined his fingers at her font. Elaine lost herself in the delightful strokes that made her wetter and wilder by the second. His tongue rolled around and over her clit, making it swollen with aching need. He knew her body so well now, knew when to be gentle and when to be rough. He knew every fraction of an inch that felt best, and he drove her to the pinnacle of pleasure where desire consumed all.
Elaine fed Ash her precious self, giving up her life piece by piece.
Harris led Thomas down the hall of Malone’s one upscale hotel. Thomas was surprised a town as small as his could support the lodge, even with the skiing of Titus Mountain nearby.
“Here we are,” Harris grunted, coming to a stop before Room 111. “You really think this Ash is a demon, huh?” He eyed Thomas with more than a little suspicion.
“If you’re so unsure, why are you helping me?”
“Because Curtis is in trouble, supernatural or not.” Harris stared at him. “You never asked why I called her cell phone this morning. Lucky for both of us she forgot it in her rush to run away.”
“I was in such a panic to find her, it never occurred to me to be nosey. All I cared about was finding out if you knew her whereabouts.” Thomas’ eyes narrowed as he looked at Harris’
grim expression. “Why did you call?”
“A woman she knew went nuts and committed suicide in a particularly gruesome fashion last night. She was the second of a group of ghost busters Elaine was writing about to kill herself.”
Thomas swallowed. “How did she die?”
“I’ll spare you the gorier details, but she did it on the altar of her Episcopal church. My cop friends said she apparently performed some pagan-style rite using herself as the sacrificial lamb.”
“God help us.”
“Yeah. Every woman who went to that farm in Constable has suffered in some way or another.” He eyed Thomas skeptically. “You’re sure you don’t want me to go in with you?”
Thomas shook his head with slow emphasis. “Ash may possess you and use you against UNHOLY UNION Tracy St. John 110
me and Elaine.”
Harris snorted. “Demon lovers and Satanic rituals – you can’t make this shit up.” The big man’s face abruptly became concerned. “Be careful, Father. Yell if you need me.”
He produced a key card, slipping it into the door’s slot. Thomas didn’t ask how he’d gotten hold of it. He was impressed with the private investigator’s abilities.
The light indicator turned green, and Harris quietly opened the door. Soft moans came from within, and the men exchanged looks. Harris’ face turned red, and he looked extremely uncomfortable.
Gripping his crucifix in his sweating palm for comfort, Thomas pushed past him and barged into the room.
Even the sight of Thomas standing over them couldn’t stop Elaine from climaxing. She groaned with the thrill of him looking upon their eager coupling.
“Get away from her, Asmodeus!” Thomas cried, brandishing his crucifix.
Ash grinned at Elaine, carefully disengaging from her clinging sheath. “I wondered when you’d show up, priest.”
He stood to confront Thomas, baring pointed teeth at the priest. Thomas stepped close to him, unmindful of the bestial expression or the other man’s nudity.
Weak from Ash’s feeding, Elaine could only gasp a protest as she lay unmoving.
“Thomas, don’t. Ash, leave him alone.”
Ash looked Thomas up and down as if evaluating a purchase. “Now I can give our Elaine all she wants.”
“Both the men she loves?” Thomas shook his head. “I’m not going to help you kill her.”
Ash narrowed his eyes. “No, you won’t. I feel that from you. It’s that concern that keeps me from claiming you.” He looked at Elaine. “But this can’t be changed now, priest. She will die or go insane for want of me. You can help me make what’s left of her life happy.”
He bent to touch her, and Thomas grabbed his arm, pulling him away. “Leave her alone, leech. I’ll find a way to keep her sane.”
“It’s not possible. They all die or go mad.”
Elaine was getting her breath back, though she still couldn’t so much as twitch a toe or finger. “Not all. One survived you, Ash. Maria Randall.”
He scowled. “I never knew a Maria Randall, my love. Trust me, I remember all the women I’ve known. It’s as much a curse as what I do to them.”
“You repped her under her maiden name.” Elaine searched her memory, a little spark of hope igniting before she could quash it. There was no hope for her. Best to accept that fact. “It was Winston or Wilson – something like that. She writes children’s books, Harris said.”
