Within Temptation

Ten (You'd Think I'd Learn My Lesson)

I woke up disorientated in the loft. It takes me a few minutes to get my bearings. My phone is buzzing with messages. I bring the device into my lap. There are videos of Orion saying, "Good Morning". The next one is from Ben. He woke up to meet the hardware store owner he was fast approaching the end of my task list. He ends the conversation by saying he's called Danny; he'll be staying home to pick up Orion and the dogs from my mom's. His final message causes me to stare at my phone in shock.

To: Corinne Bruce

From: Ben Bruce

Take the day for yourself. I will take care of everything here. Expect a candlelit dinner when you arrive home tonight. I love you.

The three words at the end of his text have me believing every word. I reach into my duffle bringing out a fresh flannel, an Atreyu t-shirt, and a dark pair of skinny jeans. I head into the bathroom to shower. I braid my hair when I get out of the shower. I change grabbing my phone and finding a message from Andy.

To: Corrine Bruce

From: Andy Biersack

I come bearing baked goods, permission to enter?

To: Andy Biersack

From: Corinne Bruce

Last I checked, you're an Incubus, not a Vampire. You don't need an invitation.

I hear a chuckle from outside the door. I cross the room unlocking the door. I remember my dream; my choices were questionable, to say the least. I was fairly confident this would blow up in my face. I was playing a dangerous game. Andy is an Incubus they were sex demons who fed off souls. I had the potential to become one of them. He swore it would be different this time. He said it would be on my terms. This time I was being given the choice.

"Morning, Rin." He greets me in a Bengals jersey and blue jeans. I take the bakery box from him setting it on the kitchen counter.

I can feel the magnetic pull even now. I move closer feeling as if I'm in a trance. I know he can't exactly turn it off, it's in his nature. I reinforce the mental barriers in my mind. He won't be able to control me without permission. My arms go around him his eyes flicker to black. It's the first time I've ever seen him use his abilities outside the realm of dreams.

"We shouldn't be doing this." It's Andy who says the words now.

Andy rests his forehead against mine tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. I'm aware of how wrong this is. How if I get caught, I'm proving Ben right. It doesn't stop me from tilting my lips up to meet his. He kisses me back pulling me tightly against his chest. I can feel the demon underneath his skin. I moan, his lips on my jawline. He kisses the hollow beneath my ear his teeth graze my earlobe. I jump up hooking my legs around his waist. He growls his hands resting on my thighs. It's him who pulls away, who sets me on the couch so gently. He puts himself in the corner shifting between forms.

"Are you alright?" I ask worried. I'm compelled to want to help him. It's by sheer will that I remain on the couch. I can't stay, I have a meeting with my crew to discuss taking time off. Then my lunch with the girls where I'd be coming clean to Yumi about Ashley and Andy. I'd end the day with a romantic evening with my husband. Andy was right. I'd been right. We couldn't do this. We had to stop. The question became was I strong enough to turn him away? Could I walk away knowing what I did?

"I will be alright. I'm having difficulty staying in control." He gives me an innocent smile.

Remember what he did. Remember the lives he's taken. He's a monster, Rin. You've seen his wrath first-hand. Get out of there!