Forced Affection

I’m not sure what time it was, but I was assuming it was closer to the morning than it was to the night when Leo got home. He didn’t bother trying to keep quiet. I heard the door open and close when he walked on. I could see from the corner of my eye him taking off this clothes and I started freaking out. I didn’t want to see him naked! He went into the bathroom and I could hear the tap running. I wasn’t sure what he was doing but I saw him walk out in boxer shorts brushing his teeth. He walked over to the balcony and made the sure the doors were locked before going back into the bathroom. This time when he came out he turned off the light and made his way to the bed. I tried to causally move over to the very edge without making much noise or making it obvious.
‘I know you’re awake.’ Leo mumbled lying down next to me.
‘Find yourself a whore?’ I questioned wanting to go back to sleep. I still hadn’t opened my eyes since he lay down, just hoping he would fall asleep.
‘Hmm you’re here? Funny one isn’t you?’ Leo mumbled. I assumed he was about to fall asleep. How dare he come in here and wake me and then fall asleep straight away? He got me so angry. I opened my eyes and sat up straight.
‘Don’t think you can come in here and fall straight to sleep after waking me up!’ I snapped once I turned to him though I realised he was wide awake just lying there hoping exhaustion would finally come and over power him as well.
‘Please I’m not going to fall asleep anytime soon’ Leo snapped grabbing the pillow I had been sleeping on and swapping them.
‘What the fuck Parker? That was mine?’ I snapped I had tested out all the pillows until I decided that one was the most comfortable.
‘Yeah and it is mine. Find another’ he snapped.
‘No’ I hissed leaning over to him and trying to take the pillow.
‘Hallie piss off’ he snapped grabbing my arm. In my defence I punched his chest wanting him to let go of me. Pathetic I know right? Where had the strong Hallie gone from a night ago? A lot of things had changed in a mere 24 hours.
‘Let go of me’ I snapped at Leo. He let go of my hands and gave me another pillow from the side of him.
‘Why is there a feather?’ Leo asked picking up a feather I hadn’t cleaned up.
‘I don’t know maybe you had crazy sex in here with some whore and forgot to clean up the mess?’ I snapped rolling over and turning my back to him.
‘Oh yeah that must be it!’ Leo snapped back sarcastically.
‘Why couldn’t you have snuck in quietly so I had stayed asleep?’ I snapped.
‘Because I wanted to wake you up so we could enjoy this heart warming conversation’ Leo snapped back clearly getting annoyed.
‘Please nothing could ever warm you heart’ I snapped as I got out of the bed and grabbed a pillow and went over to the sun bed to sleep there.
It was not nearly as comfortable as compared to the bed and with my dramatic get out I forgot to get a blanket and I didn’t know where they were kept so I would just end up cold anyway. I looked down at my black cami and grey shorts-probably could have found a better pair of pyjamas. I lied on the sun couch and tried to get comfortable but nothing was going to work. I heard Leo get out of bed but chose to ignore him.
He went to the chest at the end of the bed and grabbed another blanket out of it. Is he really going to put it on me? I thought to myself. Maybe my comment had some affect on him? Nope I was overestimating his generosity! Leo threw it at me.
‘There stupid’ he snapped at me.
‘I don’t want it’ I snapped before even thinking-me and my big mouth, of course I wanted it!
‘Fuck you annoy me so freaking much! Never has anyone got under my nerves as much as you! Seriously Hallie what the hell are you doing to me?’ Leo snapped as he walked over to me and picked me up off the sun bed.
‘Leo put me down or I will scream at the top of my lungs!’ I threatened.
‘Go ahead I couldn’t care less’ Leo mumbled preparing himself for me to scream. But I was too shocked.
‘Parker, why are you warm?’ I questioned as he placed me down on the bed, back where I had been laying.
‘Because apparently the blood of a fire chick makes your body fuck up-like I don’t know...um no longer being cold? But rather fucking hot!’ Leo snapped. Leo stood up and went to walk away but I pulled him back, kneeling on the bed I wasn’t nearly as tall as him but I could still grab him.
‘I’m sorry, I had no idea it would do that’ I mumbled looking into his eyes.
‘Neither of us did because most people aren’t stupid enough to do it! But I’m assuming you’re going to feel much colder than you’re use to’ Leo responded not yelling but still forcefully.
‘I don’t yet.’ I responded still holding his wrist making sure he wouldn’t walk away from me until I allowed it, I was in control here this was my room now.
‘You already feel colder to me than you ever have’ he said closing his eyes for a second longer than necessary. I had no idea what over took me but I leant forward pushing my lips onto his. I didn’t want it to stop. Leo pulled his wrist from my hand and wrapped his arms around my back lifting me up onto his waist. My legs wrapped around his waist and I knew we were going to do something we would regret but neither wanted to stop.
The alcohol was fuelling Leo and desire was all I needed. I pulled back for air as Leo kissed my neck. It sent shivers down my spine as I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him again. I took control opening my mouth and pushing my tongue to the bottom of his lip. Apparently he liked it when I took control. He opened his mouth and fought for dominance as he laid me down onto the bed. He was still on top of me and I don’t think either of us was actually thinking this through. I just wanted him and well I’m pretty sure he just wanted physical contact, it would not have mattered who the other female was.
‘Hallie?’ Ashlea called from the door, ‘Are you ok?’
Leo snapped and realised what was happening. Quickly he got off me and went straight to the door opening it for his sister.
‘Oh Leo. I didn’t...’ Ashlea trailed off looking at Leo.
‘Leo what is happening?’ she questioned.
‘I don’t know I need to go. Home. I can’t stay here.’ Leo answered leaving. He rushed out the door. Leaving before I could even say or do anything.
‘Ashlea? I’m confused?’ I started as I heard Leo’s Ducati start and take off all before I had even realised what we had been doing.
‘So am I Hallie, so am I’ Ashlea said confused leaning on the door frame.

The next morning brought no answers as well. I awoke to the sun blinding me through the window, but still no Leo. I wasn’t sure about what I should do or what I could do for that matter. I climbed out of bed and had a shower. There was no point in wasting the day being left to my thoughts. I realised the weather was a bit cooler than it had been in Costa Estralia and that would mean I would have to search through my summer clothes to find some winter clothes.
I settled for a pair of leggings and Rae’s old All American Rejects Tour shirt from many years ago, that she gave to me as a going away shirt. I knew she loved this shirt and just looking at it made me smile. I loved that girl more than anyone else in the world!
I grabbed some socks and made my way down stairs. I couldn’t hear anyone and knew that there was no point in trying to hear vampires, they were pretty stealth.
‘How are you this morning?’ the soft voice from last night asked. I turned to see Nick in just some boxer shorts.
‘Better, I mean I can now find my way around the house without getting lost and even find my own room’ I responded smiling at him.
‘Wow that’s a pretty big accomplishment for our little girl isn’t it’ he said in a baby’s voice as he patted my head being a smart arse the same way my own brother Alex would have.
‘Yeah. Yeah whatever. So last night? Any good?’ I asked making small chit chat as we made our way towards the kitchen.
‘It was ok. Nothing to exciting. Music was pretty shit but they had cheap drinks so that was a bonus’ Nick answered pushing the door open and holding it for me. I made my way through the door to see Drew, Lucas and another guy sitting there but no Leo.
‘Hey’ Nick began ‘Didn’t realise you were all here?’
‘Yeah we we crashed here last night. We didn’t make it much further than the Blue before we came back here and then we got up this morning and no Leo’ Lucas answered as the guy rubbed his head and Drew looked at me concerned.
‘Why did he nick off? Wow that doesn’t sound like him at all’ I mumbled walking over to the fridge.
‘Nathan, Hallie-Leo’s fiancé’ Drew said nodding towards me. I wasn’t sure how to respond to being called his fiancé and well to be honest I wanted to ignore it. Well I guess it was my lucky day.
‘Why you smell good? That is something I would definitely track. You reek of Leo though’ Nathan said as he held out his hand ‘nice to meet you’ he finished.
I thought about ignoring it but decided I didn’t want any more enemies and thought it would just be easier to be polite. I shook his hand but didn’t say anything. I couldn’t even feel the temperature difference between his skin and mine.
‘I was expecting your hand to be warm’ he muttered loud enough for me to hear.
‘Well what would life be if we could predict it?’ I responded snatching my hand back. This was not what I wanted.
‘I don’t know maybe we should ask Ash?’ Nathan answered thinking he had out smarted me.
‘Please as well as she does it, she can’t predict everything’ I replied realising I didn’t like Nathan at all and I wanted him away from me.
‘Nathan, back off’ Drew said placing his hand on his chest and calming him down to being polite again.
‘Can I show you something?’ Lucas asked me once Nathan had been calmed down and Drew was trying to call Leo. Nick stood near me but didn’t feel the need to stop Lucas-apparently they trusted him a fair bit. I still couldn’t shake the feeling I got from him last night.
‘I’d much rather you didn’t’ I responded as I closed the fridge and wanted to escape the heat of the kitchen.
‘Please I thought you might be able to explain it’ Lucas tried again standing up from his seat and walking towards me.
‘Unless you want me to kick your arse I suggest you stop coming near me. I said no if you can’t explain it why would I be able to?’ I snapped taking a step back from him and wanting to get out of the kitchen. By now everyone’s focus was back on us.
‘It’s about Leo. I assumed you would be able to explain it?’ Lucas tried again as he stopped coming near me but lent on the edge of the counter.
‘Even if I could, why would I want to?’ I snapped and pushed past him. I didn’t want to be anywhere near here and I wanted to escape but knew I couldn’t.
I pushed open the kitchen door and found myself walking straight into Leo.
‘Oh the prodigal son has returned’ I snapped and pushed him with all the strength I could muster. This must have caught him off guard as he fumbled backwards but didn’t do anything in retaliation.
‘Just go away’ he mumbled as he walked into the kitchen and left me to go up stairs to my room by myself lost for words again.

The week passed quickly, I spent most of my time in my room and the least amount of time with Leo. He hadn’t stayed here since the first night, we couldn’t handle being in the same room as each other and I ignored his friends whenever they were around. I was still yet to meet the infamous Skye and well to be frank it didn’t worry me-I didn’t want to compete for some guy I didn’t want.
The time that I wasn’t in my room I spent with Ashlea or in the library I had discovered near Craig’s office. I hadn’t been into his office but that was where it was or at least that was what Ashlea had informed me.
A week since moving here I would like to say I felt more at home but I had never felt so lost. Ashlea had just informed me she was leaving to go back to boarding school for her final year and it was then that I realised she was still a bit younger than me. I had no one to turn to and had finally met the Arden Ashlea had told me about but couldn’t bring myself to needing a complete strangers help.
I climbed down the stairs on second last day Ashlea would be here feeling pretty down. Not paying attention and so use of being by myself I was jumping down each stair individually and trying not to slip as I lost footing on one of the steps. Regaining my balance I couldn’t help but look up and smile at myself in some sort of accomplishment for not falling flat on my face. To my horror I saw Arianna and Craig standing at the door opening it to 3 vampires I had never met before. They all smiled at my carelessness and I felt the blood rushing straight to my cheeks. In any other moment I should have turned around and ran away but wasn’t given the opportunity.
‘And allow me to introduce of course the amazing Hallie. Come down here sweet heart’ Arianna said holding out her hand. I felt very much under dressed in a grey jumper and black tights on, as compared to the 3 vampires that looked like most as if they had just stepped out of a modelling magazine.
‘This is my sister Penelope and her husband Martin’ Craig began ‘This is Hallie Cortez, Leo’s fiancé’ he finished not making any eye contact with me.
‘Still without the ring I see’ Martin said as I immediately decided I didn’t like him. I felt Arianna put her hand on my back and try to calm me.
‘That’s because we haven’t found one with a big enough diamond yet’ I responded sweetly but still wanted to hit him.
‘And that’s right darling, don’t settle for anything less’ Penelope said trying to cover up the awkwardness.
‘Yeah wouldn’t that be a mistake’ I said staring directly at Martin.
‘I have you know that I am the Lord of’ Martin snapped at me before Craig cut him off.
‘And moving on this is Jensen, Penny’s son to her first marriage’ Craig said making Marin step aside for Jensen to step forward.
He had darker skin than most vampires, I assuming from his father and dark curly hair that fell to just above his eyes. His eyes were a warm golden and a smile that could light up an entire room. There was nothing scary about this boy and yet no doubt he was probably still a few years older than me.
‘Hi, nice to meet you Hallie? Yes’ he said as he leant forward and shook my hand and gave me a small kiss on the check.
‘Aunty Arianna, you look well. Where is everyone?’ he said turning on the charm as he hugged his aunty and came through the door, into the open entrance and turned around admiring the inside.
‘You have re decorated again I see?’ Jensen quizzed.
‘Guilty. I thought the place should have a makeover for Hallie and a new era so to speak. After all we won’t all be living here much longer.’ Arianna said as she stood out to show Jensen more.
‘Come let me show you the rest of the house. Maybe you will appreciate it more than Craig’ Arianna laughed pulling her nephew along. I was left standing there with Martin and Penelope.
‘Well Penny, I trust you know where your room is. The usual one; in the South Wing, overlooking the city on the second floor. Martin Penny will show you, but excuse me I have some important business to attend too that require Miss. Hallie’s help. C’mon along now’ Craig informed Penny leaving before they could object leading me back up the stairs as I followed suit.
‘I thought I better rescue you from them. No one actually cares who Martin is even if he is the Lord of Manchester and so on and so forth’ Craig said as we reached his office door.
‘I thought they had an accent. From England I assume?’ I said standing at the door. I had never been in there before and I wasn’t sure if this was some sort of invitation.
‘Yep moved over there after Harry died, Jensen’s father. Couldn’t find a better fellow, couldn’t believe she married Martin. Didn’t talk to her for nearly a decade after that. Always looked out for my nephew though. Very nice boy. Come in’ Craig said leaving the door open as I followed him in. He went straight to the bar as I stood there nervously.
‘Take a seat. Drink of some sort?’ he offered.
‘No thanks, I’m good. Try not to drink on an empty stomach’ I laughed trying to break the ice.
‘Very wise. But when ever that man gets here I will need the strongest scotch I have. No chaser’ he replied sitting down behind his desk.
‘Take a seat child I won’t bite and besides I do need your help’ Craig said pointing to the seat as I sat straight down not wanting to get into trouble.
‘Now I understand that you and Leo are having a few difficulties and to be perfectly honest you probably always will. He has never been around such a strong woman before, why do you think him and his mother don’t get along?’ Craig began.
‘Listen I don’t want to be rude and well I know I have no right, but please can you not lecture me about him’ I said letting all the emotion come through in my voice.
‘Oh please I would never lecture you about such a pointless cause. You won’t get through to Leo until he finally grows up and that could take centuries but I just wanted to warn you that people will start talking soon about his loyalty and the shame everything is supposedly. Which is why I’m making him take you ring shopping on Saturday. You need one and he must understand the commitment you have made even if he isn’t.’ Craig said finishing his drink.
‘Thank you and also I know I haven’t exactly made things easy but thanks for not going psycho and stuff’ I mumbled not wanting to push my luck. After all I had really spoken much to Craig and on the original introduction I did insult him.
‘Yes well not to worry, and also beware of Jensen. Let’s just say he and Leo are very competitive and well he will come on to you and try to get in between you and Leo. I know you probably don’t care but don’t be fooled. And well when the media are around keep that in mind. I don’t want them to have anything on you as a couple. Besides I think it will be hard enough anyway.’ Craig said smiling as I seemed thankful for his warning.
‘Thanks I really will take it on board and believe me I know my fare share about honour and I wouldn’t jeopardise this for some other guy who knows the right words even if I did loathe Parker’ I said feeling a bit more comfortable talking to Craig.
‘Good to know and well there is another matter we must speak to you on...’ Craig began looking a bit awkward.
‘Oh god, I don’t have to fall pregnant’ I said straight away as soon as Craig trailed off. He looked at me shocked.
‘For Heaven’s sake no. That wasn’t the matter. Please there is no need for grandchildren for many many years. No I wanted to talk to you about your um introduction skills. After all you insulted me when we first met, I heard you had a run in with Leo’s friends and well as much as I enjoyed you having ago at Martin well it was disrespectful.’ Craig finished.
‘Yeah, about that...’ I began.
‘No, I don’t know if you have a problem with authority or males but it needs working on’ Craig said sternly.
‘Yeah, I don’t have a problem with males. I mean there has always been that secret want to push against the authorities but I think my rudeness has just been caused by fear and embarrassment. I’m so use of defending myself that I just do that as soon as someone makes me feel uncomfortable and that was what I did in all those situations, defend myself the way I always have’ I defended myself without getting into an argument.
‘Ok well I’m glad we have discussed it, but sometimes you just have to let things go. Especially when you’re being introduced to new people and believe me it will happen often enough now and well if you do that to every male you meet there is going to be a long list of people you will have to watch out for’ Craig answered calmly.
‘Ok. I understand that. And believe me thanks for listening to me rather than just ignoring my side and everything.’ I said finishing up knowing I would be kicked out soon.
‘Not a problem. Well kiddo run to your room and hide there to avoid Martin. If you do see him ask him about England’s World Cup attempt that usually makes him shut up. But remember what I told you about my nephew. And if you do see Leo around them please try and be polite. I um kind of said you two were getting along much better than what you are. Sorry about that’ Craig finished.
‘Yeah no problem, your secret is safe with me. I can fake politeness, it’s what I did every time the Halliwells’ were around’ I smiled getting up and ready to leave.
‘Good job kid. Oh and if you need anything feel free to knock on this door’ Craig said as I opened it.
‘Thanks’ I finished closing the door and making a deadline to my room trying to avoid Martin or even Penelope for that matter.