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Post by Christian Ward on Jan 10, 2017 22:01:21 GMT -5
Holding hands and meditating, that was all that Christian would need to do to become Diana's spirit anchor and block the assassin that was invading her mind. Burke's warning that the long ritual would require Christian to be well rested seemed redundant; if they were only meditating while Derek performed the spell then he didn't see how it would be an exhausting process. But despite Burke's reassurance that the assassin wouldn't try to take control of Diana twice in one day, Christian couldn't be too careful and they ended up having a quiet day at home together.
Christian stayed near Diana though they engaged in their own activities, and at night the slept in the same bed. As the days passed on without any carnal activities, and despite falsely proclaiming that he was able to seek pleasures away from Diana, it was becoming increasingly difficult to sleep so near the alluring brunette.
The morning did him no favors as he once again awoke with Diana's scantily dressed body wrapped around his. His body responded without consent from his head and in a half asleep haze he gave over to his desires, kissing her neck as she slept.
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Post by Diana Ward on Jan 11, 2017 0:57:15 GMT -5
Diana's sleep had been fitful. She was haunted by images from past and present that caused her to cry out and reach for Christian in the night. As he was about to become her spirit anchor, he was already the anchor that allowed her to sleep peacefully.
Curled into his strong arms, legs intertwined, cheek to chest, she found a sanctuary in which she could hide from the demons. But it did prove for some awkward mornings.
Her dreams had been worse than ever and thus her grip on the man that soothed her had been strong all through the night. She was exhausted still. She was only just beginning to settle when she felt his lips against her neck. She released a welcoming sigh and pulled him tighter against her.
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Post by Christian Ward on Jan 11, 2017 1:06:39 GMT -5
She pulled him nearer her, closing the already limited space between them, and it fueled him on. His arms were already holding her, his subconscious reaching out in the night to comfort his wife's disturbed sleep. Christian's body shifted as one hand snaked down the length of her body until he felt her perfectly shaped ass. He gave a soft, lustful growl against her skin.
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Post by Diana Ward on Jan 11, 2017 1:19:30 GMT -5
She encouraged his movements, still unconsciously acting. She was lost in a dream, and after the nightmares she had endured, this dream was heaven. His hands on her elicited a sensual moan of approval as she arched her body into his straining to be even closer.
It wasn't the practiced hip movements she had learned that Christian liked, instead it was a subconscious need that she was trying to meet.
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Post by Christian Ward on Jan 11, 2017 1:37:37 GMT -5
Their bodies reacted naturally, even without being fully awake they seemed to be in tune with each other. Christian needed Diana in that moment. She needed him too, perhaps.
He bit lightly at her chest as his mouth moved downward, his hands roaming across her smooth skin. She was suddenly wearing far too much clothing and he slid his hand under the waistband of the tiny shorts she wore. His eyes closed though he was more awake now. Hungry for her.
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Post by Diana Ward on Jan 11, 2017 1:44:25 GMT -5
She didn't stop him. Instead she urged him on, practically attacking him in her desire to feel his warmth. He too was wearing too much clothing, and she began to claw at him reaching her hands underneath the shirt he wore. A shirt that felt foreign as he usually slept without one, then again she usually slept without shorts. Something was wrong, but she couldn't place it.
She called his name, but she was almost afraid to wake up, as if upon waking she would lose something precious.
"Please..." she whispered begging for the peace she would find in his arms, praying that she wouldn't lose it if she opened her eyes.
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Post by Christian Ward on Jan 11, 2017 1:55:19 GMT -5
Her pleas for him, his name on her lips, it all sent him over the edge. He was instantly another man. He didn't fight against her, he wasn't jealous or standoffish and when he cursed it was in a sensual tone that emphasized how much he wanted her. Not because she was there. Not because he was bound to only her. Christian wanted Diana; passionately and intensely.
He felt the warmth of her body that he'd been denied for too long and stared down at her exotic features. There was a small imprint on her lips from where she had bit it in the night during one of her nightmares. Christian lowered himself to meet his lips with hers. Every imperfection was alluring, he wanted to taste them all.
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Post by Diana Ward on Jan 11, 2017 2:05:32 GMT -5
Her eyes opened, and for a lovely moment the dream was reality. She had her Christian back. It seemed as though his betrayal and her subsequent regretted response was nothing more than a nightmare.
She reached for him with even more desperation than before. She called his name over and over again like a prayer of gratitude and necessity.
But just as she was ready to let go of her anxiety and worry over her dreams she remembered his shirt that was still frustratingly preventing her from feeling his skin.
It was such a small thing. Just a shirt, and a thin pair of shorts. But it was important. Suddenly other memories came rushing at her as she began to wake fully.
Christian accusing her of sleeping with other men.
Christian tearing apart their wedding photo.
Christian trying to kill her.
It wasn't a nightmare, it was reality. Her heart shattered all over again in that moment.
Clarity returned to her eyes, and her resolve came stumbling into place as she stopped responding to him.
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Post by Christian Ward on Jan 11, 2017 2:16:43 GMT -5
He didn't notice at first, her figure was enticing enough without her arched back, her tilted neck, her subtle moans. But he was not a selfish lover and something had changed. She was suddenly different. Or rather, more of the same.
He suppressed a sigh as he kissed her shoulder then looked into her eyes questioningly.
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Post by Diana Ward on Jan 11, 2017 2:20:11 GMT -5
"No." she whispered, but she was fighting herself more than him. Her chest ached. Her body throbbed with longing. A part of her wanted to hold him tighter and reclaim the precious few moments of blissful ignorance, but a stronger part - a part he himself had cultivated in her - pushed at his shoulders.
"I'm sorry Christian. I can't."
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Post by Christian Ward on Jan 11, 2017 2:29:59 GMT -5
He clenched his jaw and pursed his lips before heaving a large sigh. Christian pushed himself off of her and sat on the edge of the bed, his back to Diana. Suddenly he was standing and heading for the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
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Post by Diana Ward on Jan 11, 2017 2:35:39 GMT -5
She wanted to. Merlin she wanted to.
She jumped when the door slammed shut, and curled onto her stomach after he was gone to cry into the pillow. She wasted a few more tears on the situation before pulling herself together. Something had to be done. They couldn't keep living like this.
She looked over at the clock, they had an hour before Derek arrived.
She sighed getting to her feet. She changed quickly and went down stairs. Breakfast wasn't anywhere near the substitute for what would have been fantastic passionate sex, but it was all the apology she could muster.
Since she couldn't cook she stuck to oatmeal and tea.
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Post by Christian Ward on Jan 11, 2017 2:42:57 GMT -5
It was nearly a half an hour before Christian came downstairs. He was dressed in jeans and a button down, the sleeves rolled up on his forearms. His hair was combed back but there was an effortless look to it. He was simply handsome.
Christian sat at the table and thumbed through the paper until he found the economy section. He straightened it with a sharp snap and read silently, eating the food Diana had prepared and ignoring any discussion of the frustrating morning thus far.
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Post by Diana Ward on Jan 11, 2017 2:48:46 GMT -5
She wasn't actively ignoring him, but she didn't have anything to say either. She took her tea into the other room sensing Christian's mood. She didn't care to stare at the other end of a newspaper.
Instead she waited by the window and sighed at the overcast day. Christian had once loved her with a passion that defied reason, he had looked at her like that this morning, and instead of nurturing that seed she squashed it. But she knew better, she could nurture all she wanted, the seed was dead and so was the man she loved. He was never coming back.
She wiped a tear from her eye and steeled her emotions once more. She would survive Christian's indifference. Hopefully she would survive the final board member. But first she had to survive the assassin.
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Post by Christian Ward on Jan 11, 2017 3:00:16 GMT -5
He finished eating and folded the paper. He looked to the clock; Burke would be there soon. "Joy," he growled as he placed his dishes in the sink and set them to washing themselves.
He stepped into the other room before Diana had a chance to turn toward him. She was sitting in front of the window, a dull grey light surrounding her and giving her a dark, yet angelic glow. She was magnificent and his body's response to her was purely aggravating at this point. He was about to say something to her when the doorbell chimed.
Christian turned and saw Derek's face through the glass pane in the door. He considered not answering it for a moment, turning instead to Diana and pulling her to him and kissing her. Instead he opened the door. He greeted Derek with only a look and stepped back to let him in. A cold breeze kicked up and brushed past them in the foyer before Christian could shut the door.
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Post by Diana Ward on Jan 11, 2017 3:08:40 GMT -5
Diana brightened when the bell chimed. While it was true they had a history and she obviously cared deeply for the man, her recent desire for Derek stemmed from his knowledge of 'her' Christian. Derek's memories were proof that Christian had loved her. It was as though she had someone to commiserate with over the loss of her lover and his friend.
She stood in anticipation.
***
Derek was far less irritated this morning and more apprehensive. They had no other choice, they had to anchor Diana's consciousness to her body, and that required a very strong bond. The lifebond alone between the pair made them the obvious choice, but Christian's strange attitude toward Diana was unsettling. There were sever consequences should Christian f*ck up. But it was the lesser of two evils at this point.
He barely acknowledged Christian, but had a warm smile for Diana.
"Alright then, let's get started."
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Post by Christian Ward on Jan 11, 2017 12:38:53 GMT -5
Christian looked between Diana and Burke, the warmth between them was annoying and made Christian's lip curl. He was all too eager to get this problem with Diana's consciousness resolved so that he could obliviate Derek and not have to bother with the man as frequently. They would still work together to bring down the only remaining board member of Crawford Industries, but he wouldn't have to look at the compassionate display between Derek and Diana. The show made his skin burn for some reason.
Burke had been rather tight lipped the day before, and Diana hadn't spoken much after scolding Christian when he complained about being her anchor in this process. 'Getting started' was ambiguous to the man who liked clearly defined plans.
"Sitting room?" he asked bluntly. Would they need a peaceful garden or some sort to meditate in, today's weather wouldn't lend well to that, or would the sofa be enough to accomplish whatever level of transcendence they needed?
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Post by Diana Ward on Jan 11, 2017 13:04:04 GMT -5
Derek set his bag down on the sitting chair. He raised an eyebrow at Diana,"Anywhere is fine."
Derek accurately assumed that Diana had been vague in her explanation of what was about to happen. Nor could he blame her. He wondered just how much Christian knew.
***
Diana had been vague knowing Christian would never willingly participate if he knew he would have to be unconscious.
Diana moved toward Derek, "I'll get the tea ready." she offered.
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Post by Christian Ward on Jan 11, 2017 13:22:04 GMT -5
"You're sure you know what you're doing?" he asked Derek sternly. "Her life is at stake, you know." As was Christian's. And Liam's. There was a lot resting on Derek's shoulders and he only hoped the sickening display of compassion between he and Diana was enough for the man to take the job seriously.
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Post by Diana Ward on Jan 11, 2017 15:32:32 GMT -5
"Says the man who tried to kill her." Derek retorted, "Twice." he brought his eyes up to look at Christian. Diana still looked pale and withdrawn, it wasn't how Derek was used to seeing her and it shook him. She was obviously doing very poorly under Christian's care, which was reason enough for the camaraderie between the men to wane.
"Just do your part. I'll do mine."
Diana returned before any further hostility could be shown between the two men. She set the two cups down on the coffee table to cool then sat on the sofa.
She watched as Derek placed the talismans he needed for the spell out on the coffee table, it was quite a nifty cache of dark objects.
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