Walking Through Fire

by C. J. Bahr

  His mouth descended, swallowing her cry, devouring her. He released her wrists, as he needed both hands to cup her bottom, lifting and dragging her away from the wall. He pulled out only to thrust again, past clenching muscles to fill her once more. He repeated, getting faster and rougher. Her hands flew to his shoulders, clinging, her fingernails digging in, trying to hold on when her world continued to spin wildly out of control. She was flying and thought she knew what heaven was until Simon’s head flung back with a cry and final thrust. He exploded inside her, sending her spiraling again as she climaxed higher still, joining him in echoing pleasure.

  His head bowed as he rested his forehead against her shoulder gasping for air. The shower’s water continued to roll down his back. Bright lights flickered behind her closed eyelids as she rested her head against the granite, trying to slow her racing heart and catch her own breath as her muscles continued to tremble and clench.

  She had never experienced anything like what had just happened. She could never remember coming just from being entered. Let alone a never-ending climax which continued to grow when she thought there had been nowhere else to climb. She doubted she would ever be able to move again. Her mind was a much-needed blank. Holy heaven. If this was an example of what ghostly loving was about, she doubted a mere mortal would ever fit the bill again. A smile curled up her lips, but disappeared when a moan escaped her throat as she felt Simon slip from her and gently lower her leg back to the shower floor. With her body still so sensitive, the friction of his movement set off more tremors. His hands moved to her hips where his thumbs gently stroke her heated skin. He finally raised his head to look at her. The anguish and guilt that filled his silvery eyes shocked her.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  What had he done? He had rutted like an animal, careless and rough. It wasn’t how a gentleman acted—especially to a woman he might love. He should have been tender, careful with her. Shame flooded him. He had hurt her if that last groan was any indication. At a loss for words, he stared into her eyes. How could he have harmed her?

  His hand reached up and stroked her cheek. Her eyelids fluttered shut.

  “Laurel. Aingeal…” His hand dropped back down to rest on her hip, his gaze following. “I’m…forgive me.” He felt her shudder under his hands. Lord, what had he done? “Mo leannan, tell me, are you all right?”

  She started shaking and he jerked his head up and found her biting her lip. “Christ, Laurel.”

  And then it happened. She broke out laughing. He stood there dumbfounded, watching her mirth, her eyes sparkling.

  “I’m grrrreat,” she replied, rolling her r’s in an exaggerated Scottish accent. “Though in truth, I don’t think I’ll be able to move. Ever. My muscles are Jell-O.”

  Jell-O? He was stunned, not quite believing. Laurel managed to lift her hand to his neck and gently tugged him toward her. She kissed him then rested her forehead against his.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. “That was completely and utterly amazing.” She sighed.

  The foundation to his centuries old fortress surrounding his heart shuddered and crumbled. Her acceptance of him shattered the solid walls he had created, revealing feelings he’d long since hidden. Emotions thought lost forever. How was it possible? How, after all these years, in this time and place? His feelings for her earlier were possessive, he realized. He knew he had wanted her, but hadn’t expected this gift. He thought to never feel like a man again. This woman had touched him, blended into his soul like no other, and somehow gifted back his life. He felt human once more.

  He felt fragile and exposed, unsure of how to explain in words the riot of emotions crashing through him. It was too new, too raw, but he knew how he could show her.

  Simon shut off the water. Steam swirled around them as he bent and scooped Laurel up into his arms. Her eyes flew open.

  “Simon?”

  He didn’t answer, except to steal a kiss and give her a smile, before turning and kicking the shower door open. He strode out, both dripping water from their bodies as he left the bathroom and entered the bedroom.

  He laid her gently down on his bed. This time it would be slow. His lovemaking, an extension of his feelings, making words unnecessary. A way a man showed his woman how much he loved her.

  “Simon,” Laurel opened her arms to him.

  An embrace he was more than willing to fall into. Mo aingeal, his angel, his savior. She had reclaimed his soul. Her arms closed around him as he gathered her close and kissed her. Slow and heated, he took his time, relishing the contact he’d been missing, even before his death. This is what it truly felt to be loved and return that love.

  Her hands began to move, trailing down his back in soft strokes. He deepened the kiss and rolled onto his back, taking her with him so her weight straddled him. Her hands buried deep into his hair as she sucked his tongue, taking control. He allowed it for the moment, enjoying her initiative and boldness. Without breaking the kiss that was turning more passionate by the moment, she began to slide her body downwards, trapping his hard arousal between her legs. His muscles clenched, and his blood surged to the point of contact causing him to groan.

  She hummed her contentment into his mouth as she moved, rubbing him. Her own arousal more obvious by the moment as her warm essence smoothed and glided her intimate caress. When she broke their kiss, raised her head with eyes closed, breath turning short, her hips pressing harder and faster, he knew he had to take control or he would embarrass himself. Simon grabbed her hips, holding tight and flipped her onto her back. He knelt between her thighs, keeping her still as he caught his own breath.

  “No, aingeal. Slowly this time.”

  “Simon, please.”

  “No.”

  He leaned forward and placed a kiss to her stomach, which quivered at his attention. Smiling, he trailed a line of kisses upward, until he reached her breasts. His hands were filled with the soft, large, globes. The hardened peaks of her nipples drew his gaze. God, she had beautiful breasts. He bent and worshipped them. Her breathy gasps turned vocal and heat flooded him at the sounds of her pleasure. He had never wanted a woman more, needing to please her, satisfy her, and make her his own.

  Her hands spiked deep into his hair once more, but instead of pressing him closer, she tugged. He looked up and with a cry of his name on her lips, she claimed his mouth in a searing kiss, piercing him with her tongue, scalding him. He groaned against her invasion.

  But she didn’t stop there. One of her hands wormed its way between them. She held him tight causing another moan to escape him. He reached for her, but she was faster. Her tormenting hand released him and found a softer part of him. With a gentle rake of her nails, she sent him over the edge.

  He cursed in Gaelic, gripped her hips lifting her. With a well-placed thrust he was deeply rooted in her welcoming hot tightness.

  “Yes!” She shouted her triumph, egging him onward.

  All thoughts fled as she clung to him and cried out her pleasure. He pushed past her greedy muscles, setting a fierce rhythm that had them both gasping and reaching for release from the pressure building deliriously higher.

  With a twist of his hips, she found hers first. Laurel shouted his name as she soared. He gritted his teeth, determined to send her higher, stroking deep. He lasted only a little longer when his own sudden release took him by surprise. His back arched, and his hips jerked, once, twice, and on the third he fell back to earth.

  Gasping, Simon rested his weight on his elbows, trying not to crush her. She lay beneath him, her eyes closed, breaths short and muscles trembling deep where he was still buried. He treasured her—her passion, her utter abandonment of self, her honesty. A gift across time, unsought, unexpected, but greatly appreciated nonetheless.

  He pressed a kiss to her mouth and felt her smile.

  “Gotcha,” she murmured.

  He laughed and shifted his hips, causing a moan to escape from his aingeal beneath him.

  “Not fair.”
r />   He laughed again, before slipping from her and cradling her to his chest. She lay limp in his arms. He couldn’t remember the last time he had laughed, or the last time he felt contentment. Aye, a gift, indeed.

  Her finger traced small, light circles on his arm. “Once could have been a fluke, but twice? I’d have to say you’re an amazing lover, especially when you’ve been so out of practice.”

  Suddenly she lifted her head and pierced him with her tiger gaze. “You have been out of practice, right? You haven’t been taking advantage of some unsuspecting tourists, have you?”

  “Nay, mo aingeal. I haven’t been tooping the tourists. You’ve been my only one. My first lover, for a very long time, as my handling of you as no doubt proved.”

  She frowned. “Handling? Have you heard me complain?”

  “Nay, but I shouldna be so… rough. I’ve acted like a mindless beast with ye.”

  Laurel chuckled and then rested her head back on his chest.

  His hand on its own volition rose up and trailed down her back, across her hip to her thigh, then back in a mindless, satisfying rhythm. She snuggled closer, sighing her own contentment.

  “I want to tell Beth. I want her to meet you.”

  His languid caress stalled as he took in her words. “Laurel, it wouldn’t…I can’t. I—”

  “Please.” She caught his hand and squeezed. “She’s my best friend. Beth might be able to help. Besides,” she looked up at him once more, leveling him with her gaze. “Beth will stop trying to push MacKenzie on me.”

  He sighed and closed his eyes. She had a point. He didn’t want his woman involved with MacKenzie. History wasn’t going to repeat itself. Besides, the man was dangerous all by himself in this time. The past didn’t need to come into play. He wanted MacKenzie out of her life. He wanted her safe.

  And happy. He knew he would deny Laurel nothing. Joy had re-entered his life when he revealed himself to her. What could happen if one more person knew? What else might come to pass?

  “Aye, lass. For you.”

  He was rewarded with a kiss. “But you need to tell me what was bothering you earlier.” He opened his eyes and pinned her with his glare. “You were upset. What happened?”

  She froze then shook her head. “Nothing.”

  He didn’t say a word, waiting her out.

  “Really, it wasn’t anything. I promise.”

  He didn’t believe her, but he wasn’t going to force it and ruin the ties that were beginning to bind them. He would find out. He learned patience across the centuries and would bide his time. He closed his eyes and released her.

  He heard her sigh as she settled back into his embrace. Simon turned on his side, draping a leg over hers, curling her into his body, shielding her, protecting her from her unspoken fears. He held her as she fell asleep. He didn’t need to sleep, though he would have to dematerialize eventually as his stored energy ran out. But in the meantime, Simon held fast to his illusion of humanity, holding tight to the woman he loved and for the first time, prayed in earnest.

  “Thank you, Lord, for returning hope to me. We haven’t been on good terms, but for this, I’m eternally grateful. I’ll retrieve the relic. And it will be protected once more.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  “What’s going on in that head of yours?” Beth asked. “You’ve been picking at your salad for the past ten minutes.”

  Startled, Laurel met her friend’s concerned gaze across the table. “Sorry, just lost in thought.”

  “It’s too early for you to be going through the change, so what’s up with the mood swings? You come bouncing down the stairs all aglow and running late, which I might add, you never are, late that is, and chatted at me the entire drive to Brora,” Beth fixed her with a knowing stare. “Now, when you’re in a four star hotel having an amazing lunch while awaiting an afternoon at the spa, you clam up.” She shook her head. “Lori, I know you like a sister. Fess up.”

  Laurel went for a delaying action. She stabbed a piece of lettuce, took a bite, and chewed slowly. How to tell her? What would Beth believe? She really hadn’t understood either until Simon appeared out of thin air. That kind of removed all doubt, for her, but how to make Beth understand what was bouncing around in her head when Laurel didn’t get it, either.

  “Stop stalling.”

  Caught, she took a deep breath. “I’m not sure where to begin…you’ll….damn…I’ve met someone,” she finally spat out.

  “I’m going to assume you’re not talking about Alex?”

  “No,” she shook her head and took a quick swig of her wine. Liquid courage. “God, this is going to sound so crazy. I’ve just met the guy, but…”

  She couldn’t say it. Admitting it out-loud would be like making it real. It couldn’t be real. She had actually slept with a ghost, not to mention how fast she had fallen into bed with him. She just didn’t do things like that.

  Beth tilted her head, “but…”

  Laurel sighed. Her friend would never let up. “He’s swept me off my feet. I can’t believe I just said that.”

  “Oh. My. God!” Beth exclaimed in a hushed whisper. “That was after-glow sex! You slept with him. You, oh Puritan, had sex with a guy you just met. I think I just saw a pig fly past the window. I want details!”

  She felt her cheeks heat and laughed. Of course that would be the first thing Beth would say. Some things never change. “That’s not the point I was trying to make, but, in fact, he’s rather amazing.”

  “Wow, I can’t believe it. It must be true love for you to have given it up so soon. Ah, love at first sight. How romantic,” Beth quipped. “Thank God he’s fantastic, or you’d be second guessing then sabotaging yourself right out of what might be a great thing.”

  She couldn’t meet Beth’s eyes, so she toyed with her salad. Great thing? How could this be a great thing when she was in love with a ghost? It’s not like they could move in together, make a family, a life.

  “Don’t you dare think too much. I won’t let you,” Beth scolded. “Especially not when this is the first wonderful thing you’ve done for yourself in years.”

  Laurel felt her eyes sting and blinked rapidly before looking up. “That’s just it. I… I think I’m falling in love. It’s insane…too soon. It can’t be love.” She sighed. “I mean, there’s Derek. I just broke up with him. I need time to get myself back together. I wasn’t looking for this. I…how can I possibly trust these feelings? I’m so not the love at first sight kind of gal.” She shook her head.

  Beth reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Oh honey, is it two week vacation love or moving in love?”

  She already knew it was the moving in kind of love, that’s what made her so crazy. There was no way Simon and she could have a life together. Her heart squeezed painfully. “It’s all too fast, too impossible.”

  “Nothing’s impossible, let’s look at this logically. Your brain is wired for it. So, aside from the big ‘O’, how does he make you feel?”

  “Of course, feelings.” She whined. “Like I can trust those. I thought I loved Derek, and look where that got me.”

  “You are so not going there. Yes, you loved Derek. Your judgment may have been off where you placed your heart, but the feeling wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t a fault on your end. It was him. Derek didn’t love you. I’ve got a question for you. Does this modern day Don Juan feel the need to prove how smart he is by belittling you in front of his friends?”

  “No.” But would Simon behave like that if he had friends? Damn it, no. She wouldn’t start distrusting him when all he had been was amazing.

  “Then he’s no Derek,” Beth replied echoing her own thoughts. “I still can’t believe you managed to sneak a guy past me without me knowing. I need to meet this mystery man. How about tonight?”

  “Um...”

  Beth stared her down. “It’s Grant’s poker night, so he won’t be home ’til way late. I’m all yours. I’m dying of curiosity.”

  “I, uh, guess
so. I just don’t know if he’ll show on such short notice. No promises.”

  Hopefully, Beth wouldn’t drop dead from shock when Simon manifested. She wished he hadn’t disappeared again. It marred the excitement that had been building since she first met him. She vowed to buy every battery source in a hundred mile radius so he could remain at her side, forever, if that’s what it took to keep him. She felt connected to him, a feeling that only Beth had held until now.

  Love? Her heart raced. How had this happened? It was so unexpected and yet so powerful. Dear God, she was in love with a ghost! How could this go anywhere?

  “Hey, Lori, what’s with the frown? Stop doubting yourself.”

  “Beth, it’s just, I can’t see this lasting. It’ll never work. I just don’t see how.”

  “Look,” Beth replied. “At the worst, it’s a vacation romance. Those can be great. There’s no chasing, no complications ’cause it’s short term. Have a fling for once and turn your over-active brain off.”

  Laurel grimaced. How could she possibly stop thinking? Her simple vacation was turning into some kind of Hollywood movie. At first she almost started a relationship with a killer, and now she was sleeping with a ghost. How had she gotten into this position?

  “Stop it! If this is real, love will find a way. Cliché but true nonetheless. Don’t worry about it being a long distance relationship. It’ll work out somehow. Look at me and Grant. Quit second guessing, come on,” Beth stood. “It’s time for our massages. Self-indulgence, here we come.”

  She smiled and followed Beth out of the restaurant. Beth was right. For once in her life, she wasn’t going to plan out every second of her future. She’d take the here and now, whatever time remained. She’d help Simon find his treasure so he could move on. She’d let him go. He deserved peace. Knowing he reclaimed his soul would be enough. But why did that leave her heart pounding and a sudden sense of doom creeping up her spine?