Obsession: Darkness Falls Read online

  OBSESSION:

  DARKNESS FALLS

  By Ivory Quinn

  Copyright © 2013 Ivory Quinn

  All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the author. Exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Contents

  Obsession: Part One

  Chapter One

  Chapter two

  Chapter three

  Chapter four

  Chapter five

  Chapter six

  Chapter seven

  Chapter eight

  Chapter nine

  Chapter ten

  Chapter eleven

  Chapter twelve

  Chapter thirteen

  Chapter fourteen

  Chapter fifteen

  Chapter sixteen

  Chapter seventeen

  Epilogue

  For my demons...I shall slay you

  One by one

  And I shall drown no more

  Obsession: Part One

  Chapter One

  He watched her over the rim of his coffee mug as she smiled and bantered with the barista. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold outside and her lustrous auburn hair was dusted with silvery droplets where snowflakes had melted in the warmth of the coffee house. She was his angel. She had no idea he existed. He came here every day to observe her...the way she sat alone in the corner, eating her salad in delicate little bites. She read quietly as the world moved around her, ignoring the men who gave her appreciative glances. She was like a force of gravity, the way people orbited around her like fireflies circling futilely in a jam jar. He bought the books she was reading, flicked through them to understand her better. He had followed her to work and watched from outside the windows as the children she taught glowed in the radiance of her presence. He had followed her home and spent hours shadowing her around her house with his eyes, window to window, the saccharine sweetness of her existence a siren song to his twisted soul. Her figure was a perfect hourglass, lush breasts that cried out to be handled, confined away behind pastel cashmere prison walls; that tiny waist, curving out to hips that would dimple beautifully beneath the pressure of fingertips. She was so wholesome and innocent she made his teeth ache. He wanted to break her.

  Yes. Today would be the day.

  ***

  Noelle Winters, her mother’s idea of an amusing joke, thanked the barista for her coffee and turned to look for a table, crashing instantly into a muscled wall of chest. Hot coffee splattered all over the front of her coat and blouse and she gasped as it burned.

  “Damn it! I’m so sorry!” The stranger scooped his fingers into the neck of her shirt and held it away from her skin as she struggled to set her cup down on the counter without spilling any more of it. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.” His voice was rich and melodious and she looked up into a face that was made for sin. Wavy brown hair tumbled artlessly across classical features, with hazel eyes that looked right into her soul. Glimmers and flashes of gold in his eyes and his hair caught the light and her breath, all at once. He was both gorgeous and vaguely familiar, and she tried to place where she knew him from as the customer in the queue behind her handed over a sheaf of napkins.

  “It’s okay.” Blushing she dabbed at the mess on her shirt. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there. You can let go now.”

  “Has it cooled?” He gently extricated his fingers and the soggy material slapped back against her chest. “You have to get it away from the skin straight away or it scalds it. I once dropped a coffee into my lap and didn’t get my jeans off fast enough. I was walking funny for a month.” She was startled into laughing at the mental image of this beautiful man walking about like John Wayne and it took the edge off her chagrin over the state of her shirt. As though reading her mind, the man turned to the barista. “Can we get a replacement to go?” He frowned at Noelle. “Your shirt is ruined. I have an account at the store next door; I insist you allow me to replace it.”

  “No really, that’s not necessary.” Noelle faltered. She only had three quarters of an hour left of her lunch break from the school. It wasn’t long enough to get home, change, eat and return in time for afternoon classes.

  “Nevertheless, it was entirely my fault. I insist.” He gave her a charming megawatt smile and she abandoned the hopeless cause of dabbing at her shirt. She could pick the least expensive sweater in the shop and try and get the cashier to accept her card. This man was clearly not used to being argued with.

  “Then thank you. I’m Noelle.” She held out a hand and he shook it. His hands were large and warm, dwarfing her own, and rougher around the edges than her soft fingers.

  “Gabriel.” He smirked. “Aren’t we a Christmas carol just waiting to happen?” She snorted with amusement as he reached behind her to pay for her drink and the movement brought him right into her personal space. He smelled gloriously masculine, warm and spicy. It was a heady fragrance. Backing up slightly, she felt her cheeks burning and fussed with her bag so that he wouldn’t notice. “Come with me.” He slid an arm through hers and escorted her to the front of the coffee house.

  They emerged into the winter air and Noelle breathed deeply as crystalline chill swept away the warmth in her lungs. She loved this time of year when the snowflakes were drifting and the world seemed hushed by nature’s blanket. Gabriel watched her eyes flutter briefly closed and smiled.

  “You were aptly named.” He murmured, turning left and walking along the shop front. “The season suits you.”

  “I’ve always loved the snow.” She admitted. “Do I know you Gabriel? Your face seems familiar for some reason.”

  “I often go to that coffee shop.” He replied easily. “It’s possible you’ve seen me in there sometimes.”

  “That might well be it.” All too soon they were entering the warmth of an expensive and upmarket clothes shop and Noelle looked about with trepidation. She doubted she’d be able to afford anything in here on her teacher’s wages. They weren’t exactly paid enough to break the bank. She was about to protest, when a glossy shop assistant with legs a mile long appeared at Gabriel’s side.

  “Mr Hallow.” She purred. “What can we do for you today, sir?”

  They knew him by name? Noelle re-evaluated the man who still had hold of her arm. Now that she was really looking, she realised his outfit probably cost more than she earned in a year. Expensive, handmade Italian leather shoes adorned his feet. His charcoal trousers were perfectly tailored to exactly the right length for him and she didn’t have to look behind them to know they’d fit his rear end perfectly. His sweater was cashmere, and the shirt beneath it was too unique to be off the rack. Yes, the man who had chucked her coffee all over her was probably the wealthiest man she was ever going to meet in her life. What an extraordinary twist of fate.

  “My friend here needs a top to replace the one I ruined, Stacy.” He gave the assistant one of his dazzling smiles. “Probably lingerie too. It was a lot of coffee.”

  “Of course Mr Hallow. Please take a moment to browse and I won’t be long.” With a measuring glance that sized Noelle up in an instant, Stacy of the mile-long legs vanished into the recesses of the store.

  “I really don’t need new lingerie.” Noelle was blushing again, but Gabriel just shrugged.

&nb
sp; “Whatever you’re wearing under that must be soaked too. If you don’t replace it, whatever top we purchase to go over it will also be ruined. Please, I insist.” Without waiting for an argument, he wandered off into the shop and Noelle was helpless to do anything but follow.

  They were perusing the men’s shirts when Stacy of the legs returned and ushered Noelle into a changing room. It didn’t take long for the shop assistant to decide on a top and she efficiently snipped the labels out as Noelle tried futilely to assume some sort of control over the situation. Nothing had prices on and she felt totally out of her depth, particularly when Stacy swept her coffee-stained clothes into a bag and whisked out of the changing room. She either had to follow in the new clothes or emerge naked. She opted for the clothes.

  “Ah there you are!” Gabriel smiled warmly. “Stacy was right, that’s an excellent colour for you. Here, allow me.” He held up a warm woollen coat in a gorgeous damson colour. It was so beautiful it made Noelle’s heart hurt just to look at it.

  “Um...Gabriel, that’s not my coat.” She blushed and he burst out laughing.

  “It is now. Your coat was also soaked with coffee and I simply cannot allow you to return outside in a wet coat. You’ll catch your death of cold. It’s already been purchased, so there’s little point in you arguing.” Oh. Wow. Feeling a little overwhelmed, Noelle allowed herself to be wrapped up in the coat and she felt like a million dollars as she caught sight of herself in the mirror. “There, beautiful.” He smoothed his hands across her shoulders and she thought he meant the coat until she realised he was looking at her face in their reflection. Blushing furiously, she turned from the mirror.

  “I don’t know how to thank you enough.” She stammered out. “Really, this is too much.”

  “Nonsense.” He waved to Stacy and made to escort Noelle out of the shop. “But if you really would like to thank me, it’s been a very long time since I ate a home cooked meal. I live alone.”

  She glanced at her watch and was surprised to see her lunch break was almost over. “Then I would love to cook for you.” She smiled up at him, pleased he’d given her a graceful way out. “It won’t be cordon bleu, but it’ll be homely and healthy.”

  “Sounds perfect. When’s good for you? Tonight?”

  “Uh...I uh...I have an evening class tonight.” She was dazzled by his smile and the prospect of having this charming, bright man in her home. “I do yoga on Thursdays. I could do tomorrow, if you’re not busy?”

  “Tomorrow would be excellent.” Pulling out his wallet, he handed her a business card. “That has all my personal contact details on it.” He explained. “Send me an email with the directions for your house and I’ll be there at the precise time you tell me.”

  “Okay. Thank you.” Flustered, she almost dropped it as she was slipping it into her pocket and their hands brushed as they both made to catch it. His hand closed around hers a moment after hers had closed around the card.

  “Good catch.” He was close, too close. She looked up into his handsome face, her eyes filled with wonder, and he smiled inwardly. Yes, she was caught. “Until tomorrow, Noelle.” Her name was almost a whisper on his tongue as he kissed her cheek, and then he was away, striding through the drifting snow until she could see him no more.

  ***

  When he knocked on her door the following evening, he wanted to savour the moment of anticipation the sound of her footsteps in the hall ignited. Sadly it was over too soon, and she opened her home with a flood of light and warm air, redolent with the smell of home cooking. “You found it okay?” She asked anxiously, welcoming him in, and he set her at ease with a charming smile, a bunch of flowers, a box of chocolates and a bottle of wine.

  “Yes, your directions were perfect. It wasn’t difficult.” He allowed her to take his coat and she led him through to the living room, where he deposited the chocolates on the coffee table.

  “I’ll go put these in some water.” He followed her through to the kitchen with the wine as she hurried off to find a glass. He was pleased to note that up close her home seemed as wholesome as it did from the darkness outside the windows. Gleaming copper pans hung above the island, where baskets of fresh fruit and vegetables sat, looking like they too had been polished. He was sorely tempted to select a rosy apple and sink his teeth into it, but resisted the urge.

  “How was work today?” He asked, as she set the vase of fresh flowers on a counter top, and she turned to smile at him.

  “Good thanks. The kids were well-behaved for once. What do you do, Gabriel? I noticed it didn’t say on your business card.”

  That’s because he’d had it printed especially for her. “I’m in the music industry.” He replied a little vaguely.

  “Oh right. As a producer or a musician?” She continued to smile at him as she selected a copper pan, filled it with water and set it on the range cooker that took up almost one whole side of the kitchen.

  “A little of both.” He shrugged. “What are you cooking? It smells wonderful.”

  “Nothing really exciting.” Blushing, she looked away. “It’s so cold outside, I decided to make cassoulet. I made fresh bread too and there’ll be French beans. Is that okay? You didn’t say if there was anything you didn’t eat.”

  “That sounds like a plate full of heaven.” He had no idea what cassoulet was, but he’d eat it because it had been made by her hands.

  They had a pleasant dinner. The conversation was full of laughter, once she had relaxed, and the food was excellent. The wine flowed freely and they talked late into the night. As the clock finally struck 1am, he glanced at his watch.

  “Wow, it’s late. I should go.” Neither of them moved and, taking her unspoken submission for what it was, he moved across the sofa and kissed her.

  Noelle felt dizzy with breathlessness as his lips moved over hers. He was skilled with his mouth, teasing her lips apart so that he could taste her. His tongue delved into her mouth, seeking out her own, and she tentatively met it with the tip of hers. He made a soft noise of pleasure and it thrilled through her, setting a tingling in her core. The kiss deepened as she grew bold, and his arms came around her, scooping her closer as their tongues duelled and danced.

  She was teetering on the edge of the abyss when he lifted her into his lap and then suddenly jerked away from her, breathing heavily.

  “Fuck, I’m sorry.” He rested his forehead against her shoulder. “I got carried away.”

  “It’s okay.” Now that he had released her, she could think and breathe again and she suddenly felt embarrassed, wondering why he had stopped. Then she wondered how she could have acted like such a brazen hussy. He was almost a complete stranger and here she was, sat in his lap having let him take her to the edge of asking him to stay the night. Her cheeks flushed rosy and she started to move, but he caught her by the hips and held her still.

  “If you move around you’re going to make me kiss you again, and this time I won’t stop.” He warned in a voice gravelly with need. “I didn’t stop because it was wrong; I stopped because it was too right for a first date.” His hips rocked slightly as though proving a point and she suddenly realised exactly why he had stopped. He’d pulled her into his lap right on top of a raging hard on.

  “Oh!” She breathed, losing a little focus as her mind explored the possibilities.

  “It’s too soon.” He gritted his teeth. “I have too much respect for you to do this. Just let me...calm down and then you can move and then I’m going to go home and we can meet again when I’m a little more under control.”

  She wanted to ask him to stay. God, she wanted to ask him to stay so much the compulsion almost hurt. But he was right. It was too soon. They barely knew each other. Gently and tenderly, she cupped the back of his head with her hands, stroking the silky chestnut strands, as their breathing slowly evened out.

  “I’m okay now.” He said eventually, reluctantly, and she nodded, releasing his head so he could pull away. His hazel eyes had darkened to chocolate
with want, but he seemed much calmer and didn’t flinch as she slid back to her side of the sofa.

  There was an awkward silence as they both wondered what to say first, and then both burst out laughing at the same time at the ridiculousness of the situation. It was like being teenagers again.

  “I should go.” This time he actually got to his feet and she forced herself to get up too. “Thank you for a lovely evening.” He gave her a dazzling smile and her legs felt like overcooked spaghetti.

  “Thank you for the flowers and the chocolates.” She knew it sounded formal but it was the first thing that came into her head.

  “I’d really like to do this again sometime. Soon.” A liquid glimmering in his eyes told her that next time they’d maybe finish what they started, and she had to swallow before she replied.

  “Me too.” There was another moment of stillness between them, as they contemplated where the agreement would eventually lead them, and then he reached across and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

  “How about tomorrow?” He asked softly. “Or is that too soon?”

  She thought about the pile of marking she had set aside for the weekend and found herself shaking her head. “Tomorrow would be good.”

  “Excellent.” This time he flashed his teeth when he smiled and it sent a shiver of longing down her neck. He was a beautiful and very dangerous predator. “I don’t expect you to cook again. I’ll email you details when I’ve made a reservation somewhere.”

  “I’m not sure if that’s code for you don’t like my cooking.” She joked and he chuckled.

  “Don’t mock. For a while this evening I was contemplating turning up every night for my dinner. I haven’t eaten so well in ages.”

  “Really?” She asked sceptically, her eyes running almost subconsciously up and down his ripped frame. “That’s a body that takes work. You don’t get that kind of muscle mass without healthy eating and a lot of time in the gym.”