by Various
Crap. I don’t want to deal with that ice queen bitch again. However, her curiosity had been completely roused, so shutting the laptop down, she grabbed a jacket and her keys. However, she ran into a problem at the door. She opened the door, and a cold wind yanked it out of her hands and slammed it shut.
“What the heck!” She glared around for the ghostly culprits she didn’t believe in. Not believing, though, didn’t stop her from getting mad. “You asked me to find a solution to your problem, so why the hell aren’t you letting me follow through?” No one answered of course. She grabbed the door handle and pulled. At first she met some resistance, but flesh and blood were no match for an overactive imagination, and she managed to wrench it open and stalk outside where the late afternoon warmth dispelled the chill of inside.
“Men.” She snorted. “Even dead, they just can’t make up their minds.”
The drive into town was short, and in no time at all, Jenna was parked in front of the store. She drummed her steering column as she peered at it. Like the other establishments on the main street strip, it possessed a certain nostalgic charm with its large plate glass window decorated with Halloween witches on brooms and black cats. Sitting and staring wouldn’t get her answers, though—although driving my superstitious ass back home will probably save me from a world of ridicule.
But this Clarissa person didn’t need to know Jenna was actually looking for a real answer. I’m a writer. I could lie and say it’s research. Satisfied with her excuse, Jenna exited her car and approached the store. She took a deep breath, though, before she could open the ornate wooden door complete with a bell, which tinkled as she entered.
Inside, a medley of smells hit her from heavy incense to pungent herbs. Sparkling stones in bins and hanging on chains glittered as the light refracted off them, while labeled vials of different colors sat on shelves. It totally fit the stereotype of how Jenna imagined it in her head, although it could have used a little less bright sunshine and a few more cobwebs.
A curtain at the back parted, and the proprietress appeared.
Clarissa appeared shocked to see Jenna, a look she quickly hid behind a smile of greeting that never made it to her eyes. “Well, if isn’t our newest town resident. How can I help you today?”
“Hi. Sorry again about our collision the other day. My name is Jenna by the way.”
“You may call me Clarissa.”
The words seemed friendly, but Jenna couldn’t help feeling that Clarissa didn’t like her. However, she wasn’t here to make a friend. She needed information—and possibly an exorcism. Bolstered by the evidence of the arcane around her, Jenna blurted it out. “I think I’m being haunted.” So much for using my cover story of research for a book.
Perfect brows arched high. “Really? And what makes you think that?”
Red heat crept into her cheeks. Spoken aloud, it sounded stupid, especially since Jenna still wasn’t entirely sure she believed in ghosts, but she’d run out of excuses for what kept happening to her. How did that saying go? Something to the effect when the impossible was the only thing left …
“I know it sounds crazy, but ever since I’ve moved into that house, weird things have been happening.”
“Tell me more.” Clarissa’s eyes glittered, and Jenna hesitated. “It’s all right. You can speak openly with me. I’ve had a feeling about that house for years. I mean, the boys were never found, so it only stands to reason their spirits would haunt the place.”
“I never said it was them.” And she definitely wouldn’t mention the naughty things they did to her in her dreams.
“It would make the most sense,” said Clarissa with a shrug. “No one else in their family ever died a violent death or went missing. Now why don’t you tell me what those ghosts have been up to?”
Maybe it was because she was glad to tell the story to someone who wouldn’t call the loony bin, or the fact that Clarissa didn’t fall to the floor laughing, but Jenna unburdened herself. She told Clarissa of all the crazy things that had occurred, from the cold drafts to the opening doors and moving objects. However, she couldn’t bring herself to talk about the dream and erotic touches. That was a little too insane, even for her. Also, as interested and friendly as Clarissa seemed now, Jenna didn’t quite trust her. Something about her seemed off, especially the way she soaked in every single word Jenna uttered.
“So what do you think, could it be ghosts?” asked Jenna.
“I’d say there’s definitely some spiritual presence.”
“What can I do about it? Should I call a priest? Or …” Jenna hesitated then said it in a rush. “Is there like a spell that can help them maybe?”
“A spell?” The shop owner laughed, but the sound held no mirth.
Jenna suddenly felt foolish, but defended her query. “I don’t see why asking about a spell is so funny. I mean, if ghosts exist, why not magic or a ritual to dispel them?”
Clarissa’s gaze narrowed on her. “I didn’t say there wasn’t. I’m just amused that you’d think mastering something such as a spell would be so easy. Witchcraft takes years of practice and hard work. Lucky for you, I’ve done the training. So don’t you worry about your little haunting problem anymore. I’ll come by tomorrow. It’s All Hallows’ Eve as you well know, and it’s supposed to be a full moon as well, which means the magic will be especially potent. We’ll get rid of those pesky ghosts for you.”
Rid of them? Jenna didn’t like the sound of that. “This won’t hurt them, will it? I just want to help them.”
Clarissa chuckled, a sound that wasn’t altogether pleasant. “Oh, don’t worry, it won’t hurt one bit.”
Jenna shivered. Why do I get the impression I just did a bad thing?
Chapter Thirteen
Derrick and Mark watched from the window with matching appalled faces as she drove into town to meet the witch who’d banished them.
“Fuck, this is bad,” said Derrick. In a fit of rage and impotence, he punched the wall, not very effectively since his hand ghosted through the plaster.
“We forgot to warn her.” Mark couldn’t mask the disgust in his tone. “I let myself get distracted, and now she’s walking straight into danger.”
“We’re both guilty of that. If she makes it back, we need to visit her dreams again tonight and warn her of the danger she’s in.”
Warn her then make love to her. Mark couldn’t deny how great it felt to have a connection, even if spiritually, with Jenna. While he loved Derrick like a brother, years of only him for company did grow stale.
And if Jenna couldn’t free them, there was always Clarissa and her yearly demand at Halloween. Perhaps they should agree this time. Agree, and then once they returned to the real world, they could find a way to unbind themselves from her. A way that would keep Jenna safe from the machinations of the witch.
The wait for Jenna’s return would have probably killed them had they possessed real bodies. Like puppies left behind, they moped in the window, watching for her return. Wishing they could guard their mate who was about to unknowingly face a sorceress in her place of power.
Dual sighs of relief echoed when Jenna came through the door, unharmed. They flew at her, badgering her with questions she couldn’t hear, clasping her with ghostly fingers. As if they were annoying flies, she swatted at their spiritual bodies.
“Would you stop that?” she finally snapped. “You’re freaking me out. I did what you asked. I’ve got help coming for you tomorrow. Just give it one more day, and you’ll go wherever it is spirits are supposed to go.”
Uh-oh. That didn’t sound good. Mark grimaced and tugged Derrick away from Jenna. “Damn. Sounds like she spoke to Clarissa.”
“No shit, Sherlock. What are we going to do? It’s Halloween, which means Clarissa is going to want an answer.”
“I think you’re missing the more important problem. Clarissa is going to come here. To this house. With Jenna inside.”
“Fuck. Do you think that crazy witch knows she’s
our mate?”
“Does it matter? Do you trust her not to hurt Jenna or use her against us?”
“Double fuck.”
“Gee, that is so helpful,” Mark drawled with a roll of his eyes.
“What do you want me to say? You’re usually the brains of the operation. I’m the brawn and guy who gives the fucking orders. Well, here’s an order for you. Figure it the hell out. We don’t have much time, and there’s got to be something we can do.”
Spoken like a true alpha. “I’m thinking. I just haven’t thought of anything yet.”
“Well, I don’t know about you, but I know what I’m doing tonight.”
“What? Do you have an idea?” Mark tossed him a hopeful look.
“Since we don’t know what tomorrow’s going to bring, I plan to make love to our mate, dream or not. I refuse to die without having had a taste.”
Mark wanted to chastise him for thinking of sex at a time like this, but hadn’t he just harbored the same thought? And like a seed, that thought sprouted and grew, and blossomed.
Suddenly all Mark could think of and see was the two of them making passionate love to the woman they would probably never have. This could be his last chance to taste ecstasy before the end because he had no doubt that, this time, Clarissa would end it. I think she might have finally run out of patience.
And Mark had run out of ideas.
Chapter Fourteen
Once again, Jenna found herself standing in the grassy field—naked. However, this time she didn’t run, not even when the green eyes approached her in the darkness. Although frissons dimpled her skin. Of apprehension or anticipation she couldn’t have said.
The wolves of the previous night did not make a furry appearance, just two extremely hot ghosts whose dream flesh tempted her and moistened her sex with desire.
How crazy to suffer such arousal over two totally incorporeal guys. Insane or not, though, she couldn’t help how the sight of them made her feel. She licked her lips as they approached, their lithe bodies moving with a grace and fluidity that made their muscles ripple. They wore matching intent looks, looks that screamed, “We want you!” Gazes that promised decadence. And emitted sexual vibes that made her body shiver and nipples tighten.
As they drew to a halt before her, Derrick grinned. “Mmm, I smell something tasty.”
He did? Oh god. Heat flooded her cheeks, especially when Mark gave her a smoldering look, one she couldn’t hold.
Jenna dropped her eyes, but she couldn’t look away from the pair of cocks that grew and bobbed temptingly in front of her.
“Like what you see?” asked Derrick in a husky tone.
Jenna blushed and swallowed. “Aren’t you going to ask what I did today?”
“We already know. You went out.”
“Of course I did. You asked me to.”
“No, we asked you to do research,” Mark corrected.
“And I did. Of a sort. I couldn’t find what you wanted on the net, but I did find someone in town. I kind of—um, talked to a witch today. Lucky me, she didn’t call me crazy.” Jenna couldn’t help a hysterical giggle. “I don’t know if she’s for real or not, but she says she can help you guys out of here.”
Derrick’s eyes flashed as he growled. “Don’t trust her. Clarissa is the one who put us here. You must not approach her again. She’s dangerous.”
Startled at his words, Jenna blanched. “But … she said …” Oh fuck. Jenna felt like an idiot. No wonder Clarissa seemed so interested in what Jenna had to say.
Strong arms enfolded her. “It’s okay. We can handle Clarissa. We’re more worried about you. You need to promise to leave before she shows up.”
Jenna wanted to protest, but Mark’s lips caught hers in a fiery kiss, and all coherent thought left her mind. Even more so when Derrick’s scorching-hot skin pressed up against her back. Sandwiched between the guys, she abandoned herself to pleasure. Thoughts of right and wrong, shame over her wanton desire for two men, everything vanished, and the only thing left? Pure passion.
Mark devoured her lips as if they were the tastiest meal, his lips sliding and caressing while his tongue insinuated itself between her lips to duel with hers. Derrick, his body curved against her back, nipped and suckled at the sensitive skin of her neck. When her knees buckled, his big hands spanned her waist and held her up. He ground his cock against the crack of her ass, a motion mimicked by Mark at her front, their throbbing lengths seeming so impossibly big.
As if possessed of one mind, because they surely didn’t plan it aloud, they lay her down, the silky tickle of the grass against her skin making her squirm. The guys positioned themselves on either side of her. Always touching. But taking turns.
She swapped one pair of lips for another as Derrick now kissed her, his fierce mouth claiming hers while Mark branded her with a trail of caresses down the column of her neck then down some more to her erect nipple.
When Mark’s hot mouth took her taut nub in his mouth, Jenna accidentally nipped Derrick’s lip, but her small bite seemed to enflame Derrick, who left her lips to torture her other breast. A pair of slick mouths pulled and tugged at her areolas. It felt so damned good. Jenna grabbed at their hair, her fingers clutching at the thick strands as her lower body bucked.
She could have suffered their torment forever. It felt so decadently hot. Alas, with a final hot suck, Mark left her breast, which was quivering and wet. He slid down her body, his lips tracing over the roundness of her belly to her short curls that marked the apex of her thighs.
With heavy eyelids, Jenna watched Mark, as did Derrick, who toyed with her nipples, twisting and tweaking them. As if sensing her regard, Mark peered at her with green eyes that smoldered. With a small smile, he bent between her thighs and licked.
Jenna screamed. The blissful feel of his tongue flicking against her clit forced her sex to clench, quiver. Oh and shudder deliciously.
When he stabbed his tongue into her, splitting her lower lips, she had a mini orgasm, her hot juices gushing.
Oh my god. This is insane. Insanely good.
Chapter Fifteen
The taste of her in his mouth, dream or not, almost made Mark come. Damn, her flavor was the sweetest thing he’d ever enjoyed.
He signaled for Derrick to take over so that he could calm down. He wouldn’t want to lose control before the main event. Derrick proved only too eager to comply, taking over between her thighs and continuing the oral pleasure.
Moaning incoherently, Jenna thrashed, her eyes shut, her face flushed. Mark’s cock jerked. He tried dialing back his passion, but found himself unable to calm down. He was too close to the edge, a state Derrick shared apparently because he left off his feast long enough to grunt, “I can’t wait any longer. Mouth or pussy?”
Mark closed his eyes. What do I want? Jenna opened her eyes, her lids languorous with passion, and when she licked her lips, she made the decision for him. Mark lay on his back, his cock jutting proudly.
Derrick scooped Jenna up and flipped her. With a startled cry, she braced her hands on either side of Mark’s hips and stared at his cock. A bead formed on the tip.
“Suck me,” Mark ordered. But she hesitated. Not so Derrick. Mark knew when his best friend penetrated her because her eyes widened and she gasped.
Mark cupped her face and drew her over his cock. He rubbed the tip of it over her lips. Taking the hint, she opened her mouth wide and took him in.
Oh fuck. The molten, wet feel of her mouth was paradise. Mark tried to hold on. He dug his fingers into the ground, but it had been so long. He opened his eyes to watch, watch her golden head as it bobbed. Listened as she slurped him with fervor. Felt … oh god, he felt the wet and silken slide of her mouth along his length. It was too much. Mark shot his cream with a loud yell.
Chapter Sixteen
Derrick heard Mark cry out and fought to hold on for a few more seconds. Jenna’s sex gripped him and milked him as he pumped in and out of her. With firm fingers, he held on tightl
y to her hips, driving himself into her welcoming softness.
The moon in the dream realm shone down on his sweating back, and still he pounded into her. Racing toward that shuddering moment of bliss. Bringing her with him, her body tightening, her breathing rasping, her heart pounding.
Was there anything more perfect than this moment and this woman? Close to the brink, dream or not, he needed to claim Jenna as his mate. Derrick leaned forward and pulled her torso back. The sweet scent of her skin filled his senses, and as his cock spurted inside her welcoming channel, he bit into the soft flesh where her neck met her shoulder.
The moment the strangely real metallic taste of her blood filled his mouth, he felt himself slipping away, the dream slipping from his grasp.
Fading.
Taking Jenna with it.
No!
Jolted from his trance, he woke, the floor cold and unyielding under his trembling body. Body! What the hell?
Derrick jumped to his feet and slapped at himself. And he felt every single swipe. “I’m free.”
He whispered the word. “I’m free,” he said, his throat tight with very unmanly tears.
All that time caught in limbo, and of all things, sex, and dream sex at that, with a culminating bite, was all it took to liberate him.
Or, more accurately, it took claiming his mate.
Speaking of whom, Derrick whirled and peeked at Jenna still asleep on the bed. His gaze zeroed in on her shoulder where he saw a perfect silver crescent in the shape of his teeth.
Fuck yeah! Dream or not, he could still taste her blood on his tongue. And if he closed his eyes and concentrated, he could sense the mate bond between them. One-half of the whole, a partial circle simmering with energy lacking only the matching mark from his beta, Mark.
Surely that wouldn’t take too long. Derrick decided to sit on the bed and wait for Mark to emerge from the dream. The mattress sagged under his weight, and used to sinking through objects for so long, Derrick almost jumped off. It seemed rejoining the real world would take some getting used to. Smiling from ear to ear, he bounced a bit on the springy surface.
