Chapter 10

The idea of his cock down her throat suddenly came to mind. As if reading it, his cock decided to test the constraints of the black jeans he was wearing. He sent a prayer upward and out, glad they were tight because it meant he was hurting his own self and not poking at her.

"You probably don't want to know." Taker growled, capturing her hands and bringing them to hover between them. "This changes nothing, Tahlia, if it happens. You know that, don't you?" He was giving her a warning.

Things had changed between them though, ever since she became a member of the Ministry of Darkness. She was supposed to be a soldier, someone Taker relied on to do his bidding and nothing more. Yet he had singled her out of everyone, had shown kindness and the last thing Tahlia wanted to do was ruin that. Sex complicated things, she wasn't stupid and Mideon once again popped into her head, forcing a frown to spread across her face.

"Then we should keep things the way they are now and…you should treat me just like everyone else in the Ministry." Nodding as if reassuring herself this was the right thing to do, Tahlia slid off his lap and put some space between them, shoving down any desire she felt for him. "The last thing I want to do is cause problems within the group and this would definitely do it. Because even though you say nothing changes if we sleep together, it will. And you know it. And I know it. So, it's better to just not cross that line."

She was right, though he hadn't necessarily meant it that way. He had meant between them personally. Taker would still be her master, her Lord of Darkness, and having sex with her wouldn't change how he treated her in front of others, or what he expected from Tahlia. There wouldn't have been any 'easy', but... for other reasons she was right because regardless of how much they would have tried, sex complicated things in the most stupid of ways. Grunting, he pushed himself up, staring down intently at her.

"You're right." He didn't have to like it though.

"I don't want to be. I really don't. But can you honestly look me in the eye and tell me things will stay the same if we have sex? And that's all it would be is sex. And then when it's over, what do we do then? I want you, I won't deny that, Taker. I've wanted you since you kissed me at the mansion." Tahlia was battling with herself, her brain and heart at war with this situation. Her hand pressed against his chest over his heart, gold locking on acid and she could clearly see the desire in his eyes. "If we do this, if we cross this line, there's no going back. So, tell me if the risk is really worth it for one night together. Unless you want more than one night, I'm fine with that too. You have to tell me what you want though, so we're on the same page. Because I do want you, but I won't jeopardize my career either."

"I want you." Taker wouldn't lie, but now – now it seemed like there was too many complications and his compulsive desire to play games was beginning to peak. "But... you're right, it would change things. I doubt you'd be able to tolerate me treating you as one of the boys, which is what you insinuated you wanted." He shook his head, removing her hand from his chest. "And then, you'd always wonder if your spot was earned in the ring or in my bed." Eventually, she would.

"The only thing I want you to do is treat me like everyone else. I don't want any special treatment, I never did. And if I fuck you, I fuck you as just me and not your minion." Tahlia wanted to make it clear she would not bow to him in the bedroom like she did in front of the other members of the Ministry. "I can handle anything you throw at me, Taker. But what happens between us in the bedroom, if it happens, STAYS there. Business and pleasure stay separate. No mentioning it in front of the guys or using it against me as leverage, should I piss you off for whatever reason. Those are my terms." It was the only way to ensure her career was safe and Tahlia honestly didn't care who thought she slept her way to the top. The only opinion that mattered to her was his. "The ball is in your court, Judgy."

"I can't promise you that, Tahlia." Taker couldn't because he was just that kind of man. "All you would have to do is say or do something and I would use it against you." Because that was just how he was. If, for instance, Tahlia decided to defect or something, he'd use it against her viciously as a way to retaliate and demoralize her. And he would tear her down with it. "I am... a vicious, cruel person and you haven't seen the fullest extent of that." He was being kind and warning her. "You want this, then there are no strings or conditions. It happens and what occurs afterwards... you deal with."

No matter how badly she wanted him, Tahlia couldn't deter from her conditions set out to him. She smiled sadly, nodding in understanding and had to squash whatever she felt for Taker. Defection would never happen, she was with the Ministry until the end…until he didn't need the group anymore. She was branded by him as the ultimate vow, but apparently that wasn't enough. Nothing ever would.

"Then I can't."

Sex wasn't worth destroying her career over. Tahlia had worked too long and hard to get where she was to let a man destroy it all. Professional wrestling was her passion, everything she'd ever wanted to do in life and her family disowned her because of her pursuit. Taker didn't need to know any of that though.

"I'm your follower and nothing more, we're in agreement." That would make Mideon happy.

"So we are." Grunting, though he was as fickle as the wind, Taker reached out to grab Tahlia by the arms, hauling her to him hard enough to cause their bodies to roughly collide. Or, more to the point, her body crashed into his. "If you change your mind..."

His lips were on hers before she could say a word, his tongue demanding entrance, giving her a taste of what she was passing up based on what ifs. He was unpredictable, prone to mood swings, games and she should've known all this by now. Oh, he was an evil man to do this to her when she was trying like hell to fight temptation as it was! The devil incarnate! Tahlia didn't pull away and returned the kiss with equal fire and need, burying her fingers in his soft hair, her entire body lit ablaze. When his tongue slid across her lips begging for entrance, she gave it to him without hesitation, melting further. Only when they both needed air to breathe did the kiss break, both pulling away simultaneously and caressed his face with her hand, gliding her thumb across his lips.

"If you change yours." She whispered, breathing heavily and felt his arm tighten around her waist instead of letting her go.

"My mind was made up a while ago, precious."

Taker bent to hook an arm beneath her knees and literally swept her off her feet, feeling her grabbing hold of him tightly. That just made him laugh, a dark rumble like a thunderstorm surrounding them in her tiny studio apartment. He'd test that bed out now and moved so he was kneeling on it, her still in his arms, never breaking eye contact.

"Last chance to throw me out." He whispered huskily, already laying her down on the mattress.

"No, I can't."

Tahlia didn't want to either, pulling him down on top of her and captured his mouth with hers again, his taste addicting. Taker was a drug, a dangerous addictive drug and she couldn't push him away now, even if the very gun resting on the couch above them was pressed to her temple. Tahlia would regret this and knew it would come back to bite her on the backside, but her body screamed at her to give into this devil. She was trapped and could only hope he didn't destroy her when all was said and done. Clothes flew in all directions as they devoured each other, giving into their desires consequences be damned.

Friday morning rolled around with Tahlia and Taker leaving New York City together, catching a flight to the next town to rejoin the WWF for house shows. She had a match against Ivory, not looking forward to it, but Tahlia would have to climb her way back up the ladder in order to get another shot at Chyna. And then Sable would be hers. They didn't hold hands and she listened to music while Taker slept since they hadn't gotten much rest over the past 2 days being holed up in her studio apartment, naked and eating takeout for sustenance.

Unfortunately, even though she had beaten Chyna, it wasn't enough because it had been via disqualification. He imagined those McMahon fucks found that amusing. It kept Tahlia away from Sable, their little meal ticket, that much longer. No matter. Taker had faith in her abilities to get back up to the top in an efficient and timely manner. It was a matter of ensuring she was given the proper time in the ring she needed, which also meant sending Paul out to ensure she was slotted matches and not ignored. Or put in something degrading that would require him burning down an arena. He would not allow anyone to disrespect his Ministry.

Once at the arena, Tahlia acted as if nothing happened and she hadn't spent the past 2 days sexing up Taker. She was purely business, nodding at the fellow members of the Ministry. Just to make sure there was no confusion, she had come to the arena alone in her own rental vehicle. Mideon did NOT need any more ammunition against her or to find out what they'd done. Nobody did, not even Paul. Changing into her gear, Tahlia began her pre-match warm-up, staying focused and knew she had to destroy Ivory tonight to send a message to Chyna and Sable. Ivory would NOT walk out of the arena of her own volition, she mentally vowed, doing her stretches and then did a kick-up, amber eyes full of fire and determination. There would be no Kane tonight interfering, just a one-on-one match and if Ivory wasn't ready, god help her.

While she was doing her own thing, Taker discussed other business with the rest of the Ministry, going over what he had planned for them as a whole and individually for the night. Tahlia's career wasn't the only play he had going. His entire Ministry would be climbing ladders and he knew where his ladder would lead, green eyes glittering wickedly.

"Paul, I have another name for you." Taker passed over a dossier he had been working on, not watching the matches all the time for nothing. "Let me know what you think."

"Another recruit?"

"Mideon, don't you have work to do?" Paul reprimanded and blinked up at his Phenom, wondering if he was serious. He could tell just by the look on his face this is what he wanted. Mabel…they were going after Mabel. "When?" He nodded at the mention of the next pay-per-view event entitled the Royal Rumble. "Acolytes, you will be chasing the Tag Team titles coming up on Monday. Tonight, you face Too Cool and do not disappoint the Lord of Darkness."

Too Cool was toast. Tahlia shook her head with a grin and ignored Mideon for the most part until he approached her, crouching down beside her. "What's up?" She could be friendly towards him, but the man needed his head examined.
"How were your days off?" Mideon's work would start during his own match that night, but for now he decided to bug Tahlia.

"Eventful. New York City sucks, but they do have great shopping centers." She lied smoothly, wishing he would leave her alone because he was clearly fishing for information. "How was yours?"

"Boring, slept mostly."

"Why Mabel, dare I ask?" Paul asked curiously, wondering what on earth Taker wanted with that creature. He had been in the company forever, but... never really made it anywhere.

"He's intimidating, or would be, if he stopped wearing ridiculous clothing. Also, he's going nowhere and this will revitalize him."

And he'd owe Taker for that, same situation with Mideon, although Mideon was... of a different breed. "I see. All right."

"You want to spar after the show?" Mideon asked, sort of joining Tahlia in her warmup.

"No, I'll be tired after my match, but how about tomorrow? We can do it at the gym and I'll kick your ass again."

Tahlia smirked, hoping they could rekindle the friendship they once had, but if not, it wasn't a big deal. She wasn't in the company to make friends, they were her allies and nothing more. If they didn't want to respect and look at her as an actual member of the Ministry, that was on them. Tahlia had nothing to prove to any of them except their master and she would do it, come hell or high water.

"Sister Tahlia, we're up." Paul walked over, gesturing her away. "Keep your distance from him." He cautioned quietly once they were out of the dressing room, shaking his head. "Taker spoke with him and…he's jealous of you, to put it mildly."

"I figured as much." Tahlia shook her head, hoping she was wrong in her assumptions, but glad Paul had come clean about them to her. "Thank you, Brother Paul. Come on, time to go kick some ass." They headed down to gorilla position and made their entrance.

Ivory... that was an interesting opponent and she was just as good as Tahlia was, even if Tahlia had beaten her already. Ivory was quick, athletic, and this would give her an actual chance to show off her skills. She had underestimated Tahlia before, thinking she was just another pretty face and it had cost her dearly. Taker would enjoy watching this.

None of them seen Mideon slip from the room.

Nodding at Ivory, both women actually had a lot of respect for each other and that wouldn't change, even though Tahlia was part of the Ministry now. The bell rang and they locked up with Ivory slapping a headlock on her. Tahlia threw her against the ropes and knocked Ivory down, making her head bounce off the mat. It showed she had power in her upper body as well as lower, amber eyes glaring down at the woman. Ivory was in her way to the Women's championship, so she had to show no mercy and followed the knockdown with a quick triangle choke. Tahlia wrenched back on Ivory's arm, using her powerful legs to make the woman start to fade and flicked her black purple streaked hair out of her face.

All Mideon had done was go and review roster standings, to see who Tahlia would face if she beat Ivory, mulling that one over in his head. Jacquelyn, she was a tough Texas broad. Luna Vachon, she was crazy and he was surprised Taker hadn't recruited her. Nicole Bass... he shuddered at that one, letting the wheels turn. Taker wanted everyone up the ladder, Tahlia included.

He lazily applauded when Ivory tapped, Tahlia getting the win via submission. Those legs of hers were strong and he knew that from delicious experience.

Having her arm raised in victory did Tahlia's confidence good as she flipped over the top rope to land down on the mats surrounding the ring with ease. Ivory was a pushover, not in her league and had a lot of ring work to do. Tahlia had done this for years before being signed to the WWF only 2 years ago back in 1997. Her anniversary was coming up actually, now that she thought about it. Paul guided her back to the locker room, but instead Tahlia opted for some fresh air outside. She needed it, her adrenaline had skyrocketed through the roof during that match and Ivory tapping too soon didn't help matters because she couldn't exert it.

"Watch yourself." Paul cautioned once more, heading to the Ministry locker room alone and sighed the moment he entered, being bombarded with a demand on where Tahlia was. "She's outside getting air, I guess…"

The cold air assaulting her felt good as Tahlia leaned back against the building and knew she wouldn't be able to stay out here long. Just a few minutes, that's all she needed.

Mideon frowned, wondering why Tahlia needed to be outside. Why hadn't she come back to the locker room to join the rest of them? He shook his head, reminding himself that if Taker didn't care then he didn't need to either. Taker seemed to be ready to begin recruiting more people and he had to wonder just how many the Ministry needed.

Taker only had eyes for four more people and that would be spaced while he and Paul worked out the details of the other plan.