Aaron’s face flashed in her mind as she remembered when they were in the hall of mirrors. He had stood behind her with his arms around her waist. She’d felt so comfortable... So admired. She felt as if he really cared about her.
The talk they’d had as they watched the sunset had been the best conversation she’d ever had with a man. She’d told him about growing up, and about her career goals. She’d told him about the stories she’d written, and he had encouraged her to continue with her dreams. He told her to never give up. She must do what made her happy.
Sighing, she leaned her head against the window, watching the road move past her. If she dared to admit the truth, she didn’t want a man exactly like Aaron – she wanted him. Aaron Powers was the man she had somehow fallen in love with over the course of a few days.
This was so unfair. Now that she had found the perfect man, why did he have to be dead?
“You know,” Nolan said, breaking into her thoughts, “Jethro is a very generous man. If you want anything, he’ll take care of you.”
She looked at Nolan and studied his profile. Suddenly, she realized she didn’t know Nolan Ricks very well. Realizing that, she shouldn’t fully trust him yet. Maybe this evening she needed to spend more time getting to know him, and especially to discover if Nolan had a motivation for wanting Aaron dead.
A shiver passed through her. Elizabeth prayed she wouldn’t find one. It wouldn’t be smart to spend her time with a murderer.
FIFTEEN
THE SOUND OF THE FRONT door closing captured Aaron’s attention. He hurried from his room to the railing of the stairs, peeking down to the first level entryway. Voices drifted up to his vantage point. One was Beth’s and the other... Nolan? Why were they together?
His stomach twisted with uncertainty. Something was wrong.
He noticed Beth’s wavy brown hair swaying to the rhythm of her body as she walked up the stairs alone. Aaron hurried back into his room and to the place where he could communicate with her. He suspected she had something she wanted to talk about.
As he neared the special spot, he heard her sweet voice calling to him. Happiness filled him and he sighed. He put himself in position and appeared in the mirror in the next room over. A smile brightened her face and she rushed to the mirror, gingerly touching it.
“Aaron, you’re here. You won’t believe the day I’ve had.”
Immediately, he noticed the small bandage on her forehead. Fear gripped his throat and squeezed. “Beth? What happened to your head?”
“Oh, Aaron. I’m so sorry about your car.” Her voice choked. “Someone ran me off the road. They were tailgating me, and when I turned off an exit, I drove the car into a field.” She touched the bandage. “I hit my head on the steering wheel, but I’m fine, I promise. I’m just upset that your car—”
“I don’t care about the car,” he told her in a gentle voice. “I care about you.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Aaron...” Her voice broke again.
Urgency filled him, like he’d never felt before. He wanted to hold her so badly right now. It was the only way to comfort her from her traumatic experience, and that was the only way he could be comforted as well.
“Beth, I’m going to open the hidden door on your wall. Meet me in the mirror room.”
She nodded and wiped at her eyes.
He focused his energy to open the door before hurrying to the room of mirrors and waiting for her. Anticipation grew inside him every second that he waited, so he concentrated on bolstering his energy to prepare for their encounter. When she finally stepped into the room, he expelled a relieved sigh and rushed to her, holding out his arms. Immediately, she fell against him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as she pressed her head to his chest.
Aaron held her close, breathing in her intoxicating flowery fragrance. He pushed his lips against her head, wanting to kiss her, but not daring.
“Oh, Aaron,” she sighed heavily. “Would I be completely insane if I told you I missed you?”
He grinned. “Insane? Not to me, because I missed you too.” He cupped her face and tilted it up until her gaze met his. “Now tell me what happened.” Without thinking about the consequences, he leaned over and placed a small kiss on her bandage.
Her quick intake of breath was quickly followed by a sigh. His heart melted.
“I was driving to your grandfather’s estate when a black truck with these monster tires started tailgating me. The windows were tinted, so I couldn’t see who it was. The faster I drove, the faster the truck followed. I was so scared of scratching your beautiful car, but I was more frightened of getting in an accident, so I pulled off the exit. I can’t remember much after that. I remember hitting a ditch, which launched the car into the field. I also remember hitting my head, but that’s all.”
Closing his eyes, he pressed his forehead against her. He fought the anger rising inside him toward the person who drove the black truck. How could anyone do that? They were nothing but bullies, and Aaron had no tolerance for cruel people like that.
Up this close, he could see every detail of her pretty face with skin as smooth as silk. Her hazel eyes were beautiful with long lashes fanning around them. Her eyebrows were perfectly arched, and her nose was adorable and cute, accenting her high cheekbones. But it was her heart-shaped lips that tempted him.
He softly stroked her cheek. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.”
Her chest shook as a small laugh bubbled up from her throat. “And what exactly could you have done?”
He grinned. “I’m a ghost. I could have scared them.”
She laughed a little louder this time. “And I’m sure you would have done a spectacular job at it. But they struck twice in one day. Not long after running me off the road, they tracked Thomas down. He wasn’t as lucky as I – he ended rolling his car.”
Aaron’s body tightened with anger. “Are you telling me they’re doing this on purpose?”
Slowly, she nodded. “Aaron? Do you recall what type of vehicle ran you off the road a couple of weeks before you died?”
Aaron thought back to that day. He’d taken Gina to a fancy restaurant for lunch. She complained that ZoAnn was getting special treatment, and Gina felt it was her time to be in the limelight. Having worked with the two beauties, Aaron knew which one was more talented. Sadly enough, ZoAnn had that skill. Gina was just a pretty face – a matching face and body for ZoAnn. During their noon meal, he tried to bribe her and make her realize – in a nice way – that he needed her to be the body-double. Gina excelled at that position.
After he’d dropped her off at her apartment, he was driving home. The sudden roar of an engine was what brought his attention to the black truck barreling up behind him. The windows had been tinted enough to obscure the driver too.
He buried his face in her neck, tightening his arms around her. His lips touched her skin, and it was just as soft as he’d imagined. “Oh, Beth. I think the person who ran me off the road is the same one that’s after you and my cousin.”
“Was it the same truck?” she whispered.
“As far as I can remember, yes.”
Her arms slid around his waist and her palms drew circles on his back. “I will contact your friend, Chad, first thing tomorrow.”
Aaron lifted his head just enough to look into her brilliant hazel eyes. “Yes. He needs to know about me, too.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am, but make sure you tell him what I did to get Sam out of the house. It’s the only way he’ll believe that it’s me.”
“Okay, I guess.”
“We need to stop this person. They can’t get away with killing another innocent person.”
“I agree.” She lifted her hand to his face and caressed his jaw, then slid her palm up until her fingers threaded through his hair as she stared deeply into his eyes. “But Aaron, you need to tell us everything. Even if you don’t think they would want you dead, I want you to give me a list of every person th
at you saw every day. Your killer is someone who you had close contact with. They know your daily routine. They knew you.”
It hurt to think that someone Aaron had trusted and loved like a good friend could want him dead. “I’ll do anything you want, my sweet Beth.” He’d also do anything to keep her in his life for as long as he was able.
“Thank you, Aaron. I want to do this for you. I want your killer to be caught and sent to prison. You didn’t deserve this, so the least I can do is help you.”
Her words were a mere tantalizing whisper, but it was her focus dropping to his mouth that made him weak in every way possible. Every reasonable voice in his head told him he shouldn’t kiss her... but his heart told him he had to – if only for his own well-being. However, kissing her would steal his slowly escaping energy, and he needed it right now in order to help her.
“Oh, dearest Beth.” He cupped the side of her face with one hand. “If you could only feel how my body is trembling with emotion right now, you’d know what your words are doing to me.” He drew the tip of his thumb along her bottom lip. Her breaths became ragged and her body melted against his. “Nobody has ever wanted to help me without some kind of payment for their services. But you... you haven’t asked for anything in return.”
“I don’t need payment to be kind to someone who needs my help, but it’s more than that. Being here in your house and getting to know you has made me want to do more. I want to help. I want your story to have a happy ending.”
Aaron couldn’t breathe – which was usually not normal for being a ghost – but his chest was so tight with emotion and the feelings weighted on him. He wanted to tell her how he felt, but he wasn’t sure of himself. Why had he fallen for her so quickly?
“You, my darling Beth, are my happy ending.”
He placed his mouth over hers and she sighed. Immediately, she wound her arms around his waist, pulling him closer. The kiss was very tender, but extremely powerful. It surprised him that he had the energy to do this, but he wasn’t going to question fate. Not right now.
He cradled her head in his hands. Her silky locks flowed over his hands as he moved his mouth with hers, back and forth slowly. At first, he wanted to get to know her method of kissing, but when her wonderful lips met with his perfectly – as if she was made for him – he’d not be able to take it slow for long.
He opened his mouth a little wider and deepened the kiss. A heady sigh rattled from her throat... Or had that sound come from him? It didn’t matter. Kissing her made him feel like a different person. It made him feel alive. He never wanted this to end.
Her hands sliding over his back brought warmth into his body, and the tingles shooting through him were undeniably real. His mind swirled in a dazed euphoria, and suddenly he felt human – and invincible. That was a crazy combination. Above all, Beth made him happier than he’d ever been before.
“Elizabeth? Where are you?”
The echo from one of the rooms jarred Aaron out of his dreamy thoughts, and unfortunately, ended their steamy kiss. Both he and Beth pulled away at the same time but remained in each other’s arms. Their gazes met and held.
“Elizabeth?”
She licked her lips. “Nolan is calling me.”
“I know.”
“I... should see what he wants.”
“You should.” Her chest rose and fell quickly, and Aaron knew his was keeping the same rhythm.
“But... I don’t want to.”
He smiled and caressed her neck. “I don’t want you to, either.”
She chuckled. “But I should. I don’t want him to worry.”
“Worrying isn’t healthy. I should know.”
“But before I go,” she said, relaxing back against his chest, “your grandfather wanted me to tell you how much he loves and misses you.”
Aaron’s heart lightened. “He believed you?”
“Yes. Jethro wants me to stay here in the house with you until your murderer is found. Jethro and Nolan will take care of me here.”
Slowly, Aaron shook his head. “I want to be the one to take care of you.”
“That does sound wonderful.” She placed her hand on his chest. “But I wanted you to know that you might see more of Nolan than you were expecting.”
Aaron frowned. “It will be nice to see him but, with him here, that means I won’t get to see you as often.”
She shrugged. “I suppose we can sneak around at night.”
“Mmm...” He kissed her briefly on the mouth again. “Now that, my darling Beth, is a great idea.”
“Should we meet back here after I go to bed tonight?”
He arched an eyebrow. “Only if you go to bed early.”
“Is nine o’clock too early?”
Aaron shook his head. “I was actually thinking you could tell Nolan your bedtime is seven-thirty.”
She laughed. “He’d never believe it, but I’ll work something out.” She leaned up and kissed him on the lips before pulling away. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“See-ya.”
As he watched her leave, he was smiling wide. Even though the fatigue of the last of his energy was dissolving, he couldn’t help but feel elated. Finally, things were coming together. Not only would the person responsible for his death be found, but he’d also started the path to building a real relationship with Beth. No matter what, he vowed to make the best out of what God had given him... and pray that he’d get to spend some quality time with the woman he was falling in love with.
SIXTEEN
DISAPPOINTED, ELIZABETH wandered through the house the next morning, hoping that Aaron would have enough energy to talk to her today. Before she’d gone to bed last night, she’d found a note on her pillow from Aaron, letting her know that their heated contact in the mirror room had taken everything out of him. In the note, he’d thanked her for the earth-shaking kiss, and he hoped to share more of those in the days ahead.
Sighing, she stood at the kitchen counter and stirred the powdered chocolate into the mug of hot water that she’d just heated in the microwave. Most of her co-workers thought her crazy for enjoying hot chocolate on hot mornings, but this was what picked her up in the early hours of the day. Some people woke up with coffee – she woke up with hot chocolate.
Nolan had stayed until nine o’clock the previous night. They talked a lot, but they didn’t talk much about Aaron. Every time she’d asked Nolan a question about the magician, he had given a short answer and somehow changed the subject. It irritated her, but she realized Nolan was trying to get to know her better, and he’d wanted her to get to know him better, too.
Before he left, he hugged her and acted like he wanted to kiss her, but she wouldn’t let him. Aaron’s kiss was too fresh in her mind. Besides, she didn’t want to cheat on Aaron... even though it really wasn’t cheating since he was a ghost, yet her heart told her she couldn’t think of another man like that. Not now.
“Good morning, Beth.”
She jumped from the sudden voice that came out of nowhere, breaking the silent morning. She swung around and searched the large kitchen, but she didn’t see Aaron.
“Aaron?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m here, but you can’t see me.”
“Obviously.” She nodded. “But what if I want to see you?”
He chuckled. “I want to see you, too. But I can wait until you finish your breakfast.”
She lifted the cup to her mouth and quickly gulped down as much as she could. Thank goodness it wasn’t that hot now, or the only thing she’d have accomplished would be scalding her mouth and throat.
“I’m done.” She set the cup in the sink and filled it with water. “Where should we meet today?”
“Is Nolan coming back today?”
“Yes.”
“What time?”
She shrugged. “He never told me a time.”
“Let’s meet in my bedroom. It’s the one right next to yours.”
Elizabeth grinned. “Yes, I know. I realized that was your room when I was snooping through the house that first day.”
“Then meet me there in a few minutes.”
“Okay.”
She hurried out of the kitchen and down the hall before sprinting up the stairs. She went to her room first to brush her teeth and check her face to see if she looked presentable. When she was satisfied with her appearance, she hurried into Aaron’s bedroom.
Her first reaction was to gasp. The masculine room had done that to her the first time she’d seen it. Beams of dark wood outlined the room, matching with the two tables, bed stands, and the frame of the king-size bed placed against one wall. Directly across from the bed was a large fireplace set in white stone. No curtains blocked the huge window facing the back yard this time. The sight was breathtaking.
She glanced around the room once more, looking for Aaron, but she couldn’t see him. “Aaron?”
A movement from by the bed caught her attention. Slowly materializing from thin air, Aaron’s form finally came together. He stood next to the edge of his bed, wearing the same clothes she’d seen him in those other times. He lifted his head and smiled at her.
“Good morning,” she said, closing the door behind her as she slowly walked toward him.
“Yes, I have to admit the morning has brightened up considerably.” He winked and sat on the edge of his bed, patting the space next to him. “I don’t have a lot of energy right now, so I won’t be able to touch you. I hope you don’t mind if we just sit and talk.”
She sighed. “I enjoy talking to you.” She moved to the bed and sat beside him. “I especially don’t mind sitting on your bed.”
“Have you contacted Chad yet?”
She shook her head. “I was going to do that after breakfast, but then you called me here. Do you want me to do that now?”
“No, let’s talk first.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “After you left to visit Gramps yesterday, I had an unwelcome visitor.”
Her heart dropped. She didn’t like the look in his face. “Was it Sam?”
The Magic of a Billionaire Page 12
