Between by Mary Ting Page B

next but he couldn’t control himself, nor did he want to miss this opportunity. He would make her forget what he was about to do, but he could make her remember how it felt to be with him.
    As his eyes continued to pierce into hers, he drew a vision of them inside Claudia’s mind. She was trying to fight back, but she was not in control. Too caught up in his spell, she whirled into a dizzy spin and surrendered. Her mind was now at his command. In the vision Austin had created, Claudia could feel his lips pressing onto hers as he held her tightly in his arms, afraid that she may slip away. He wanted her and needed her in ways he knew could never be. Longing to feel every part of her, he gently pressed his body into hers.
    His hands, resting on her hips, slowly glided up and traced every dimension of her back. Continuing to the small fragile nape of her neck, he ran his fingers up through her hair, clenching his fingers in hunger, and kissed her deeper. Claudia broke free from his lips, dazed and confused, and then succumbed to her own desire and let her head drop back, exposing her bare neck. Austin understood this as permission to continue, so he began kissing her neck, sliding his tongue lower, making her quiver.
    Their lips joined again passionately as he caressed his hands down to her rear and lifted her up. Her legs tangled around his hips as he held her against the wall. Her sweater had slid up, and she could feel his hands on her bare skin, moving upward, making her tremble with pleasure. Claudia felt hot with confusion, burning with the desire of wanting Michael, but she was kissing Austin. A part of her wanted him to stop and the other part of her was enjoying this moment of passion. She never knew that she could feel this way with him; she never wanted to know. It was Michael who she loved and wanted, not Austin.
    But Austin had fulfilled his desire. He had wanted Claudia to get a glimpse of how she could feel with him, and he had succeeded. Then suddenly, he stopped and moved away when they were interrupted.
    “ Tsk, tsk, tsk. Getting cozy on the job? Making out in her mind are you?” It was Michelle, and Gracie followed behind her. Michelle was gloating, her eyes glistening with joy, smiling with satisfaction to have caught Austin red handed.
    Austin threw his hands down as if he had just put his hand over burning flames. Claudia broke out of her trance, breathless, weak at the knees and dazed, but she didn’t know why. It took her a few seconds to realize where she was and to refocus on what she wanted to say. Before she could say a word her gaze rested intently on Michelle and Gracie. Astounded by their presence, she continued to stare, realizing they were at Patty’s birthday party.
    “ What are you looking at?” Gracie snapped.
    Claudia looked away, embarrassed by her comment, and turned to Austin to vent her frustration. “Don’t tell me they are venators too?” Claudia asked hastily.
    Austin rolled his eyes. She guessed that was a possibly a yes; either that, or he was extremely irritated by their presence.
    “ You told her about us?” Gracie asked, surprised.
    “ I had to. I had no choice,” he said in his defense, though he hadn’t disclosed any information about them, yet.
    “ You always have a choice,” Gracie fired back. “You can’t control yourself around her.”
    “ Don’t mind Gracie. She’s just jealous. Austin doesn’t pay that kind of attention to us,” Michelle informed. “So, you’re the one causing all sorts of trouble. A couple of our male angels seem to be forgetting that having impure thoughts is forbidden. Well, impure thoughts are okay by me, but acting on them is a whole different story. Not that we follow that rule either.” Michelle snickered. “Mind control can be fun too.”
    “ That’s enough.” Austin was livid.
    “ Augustine, baby, don’t get mad.” Michelle pouted, swaying her hips across the floor, trying to seduce him. After she reached him,