by Lexi Post
She stared into his blue-gray eyes in awe. “That’s ingenious. Wait, so if I wait until midnight to bathe, I could do it in here every night?”
“If you don’t mind everyone else in here having delicious sex.”
She glanced over his shoulder to see the room had indeed filled and many tables were occupied in a very decadent way. She swallowed. It wouldn’t be long before Valerie had electricity to a hot water tank. She’d make do until then.
Her attention was caught by the two couples who had participated in the experience with her. They approached the bath.
Chantal sat on the granite edge. “My dearest Synn, we wanted to thank you for inviting us to your feast tonight. Mademoiselle, you were a delicacy. Thank you.”
Rena opened her mouth to reply when the woman took her hand and licked between her index and middle fingers.
“Until we see each other again, chérie.” She rose gracefully, her toga revealing her long legs, and from Rena’s position below, a small thatch of black pubic hair. As the four of them turned away, Synn’s hand massaged her thigh underneath the water. It was not a sexual caress, but more of a comforting one.
She glanced up at him to find him studying her.
“Did you find another woman an enticing idea, Rena?”
She flushed. “I wouldn’t say that. I just have never had a woman touch me like that.”
“Or kiss you.”
She squirmed, still uncomfortable with the act, though curious. “I don’t know.”
He nodded. “That is fair. You have had many new experiences since we met, and I’m pleased at how open you have been. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner. I’m proud to have you on my arm at the Masque, or in my lap as the case may be.”
She warmed at his praise. How strange to be proud of their sexual activities when Bryce had had her feeling the exact opposite, and back then she had never even thought of half the things she’d done here.
Synn shifted beneath her and set her onto the underwater bench next to him. “Let me divest myself of this wet toga.”
She grinned. “Need help?”
He shook his head as he stood. “You are insatiable, and I love that.”
Her heart pounded with his approval, but it raced when he pulled the toga over his head and threw it on the floor next to the bath, standing there in all his muscular, naked glory except for his sandals and mask. Her nipples hardened and a pulse beat in her clit. He sat next to her and brought her back onto his lap. “We will stay here until you are well warmed. Then I will put you to bed.”
She played with the hair curling along his shoulder. The steam liked his long locks as well as she did. She didn’t want to be put to bed. She wanted him to join her.
He massaged her back, his hands seeking her sore muscles and exerting soft pressure. She let her head fall upon his chest to give him better access to her neck. “Synn?”
“Hmm?”
“Would you sleep in my bed with me tonight?”
His hand stopped and she lifted her head to catch his anguished gaze before he hid it behind a smirk. “No, not tonight. You need your rest. How do you feel now? Are you warm?”
She nodded, unable to find her voice. She wasn’t only disappointed he refused, she was hurt. He kept something from her. Something caused him pain, and he wouldn’t confide in her. She swallowed as her usual positive energy returned. He may not now, but he would soon.
He tipped her chin up and looked her in the eye before he lowered his lips for a gentle, loving kiss. She melted. No sooner had her heart sighed than he lifted his head and stood, setting her on her feet outside the bath. The lack of warmth from both the bath and his kiss had her crossing her arms over her naked body, but he grabbed one of the towels and wrapped her in it before he swept her into his arms and strode from the room.
As was usual, he proceeded through the Masque, nude, carrying her. When they reached the Blue Room, they heard voices in the entryway.
Synn lifted his brow as he hesitated.
She shrugged, so he continued unconcerned as he walked through the doorway. After all, it could only be ghosts.
Except it wasn’t.
Rena tensed the moment she recognized the speaker. “Bryce!”
Her former fiancé turned his attention from the footmen to her and his mouth fell open.
Synn stopped in the middle of the entry.
She swallowed hard. “What are you doing here?”
He took his time to answer, staring at her and taking in Synn’s state of undress. “It appears the question is what are you doing here? What have you done?”
“Excuse me?” How dare he? She squeezed Synn’s arm and he put her on her feet, but remained behind her, hands on her shoulders. She grasped the towel closer and whipped off her beautiful mask. “I live here now. What are you doing here?”
He had the decency to look uncomfortable, but when his gaze returned to Synn, his face hardened. “I’ve driven all day and night to bring you back.”
She shook her head. “Bring me back?”
Synn’s hands on her shoulders tensed. Instinctively, she placed her free hand on his. “Why would I want to go back? You broke off our engagement. I wasn’t…” The thought of what she and Synn had just done made her flush. “I wasn’t good enough for you.”
Bryce shook his head, his short wavy blond hair gleaming with hair gel. “No, I don’t want you back. The company needs you. Ashley completely destroyed the annual fundraiser and the CEO’s golf tournament was a disgrace. We need you back. I have the authority to offer any salary you wish.”
Rena stepped back against Synn’s warm body. His solid presence reassured her as emotions tumbled around in her chest and her brain tried to grasp all the implications of Bryce arriving on her doorstep at what must be two in the morning. He didn’t want her, but his father’s company did? They sent him, of all people? What would he think of what she’d been doing here? Why should she care? A shiver flowed over her body at her tumultuous thoughts.
Synn’s whisper in her ear stole her attention. “Tomorrow morning.”
Her mind calmed. He was right. Now was not the time to figure this out. “Well, you’re here and it’s very late.” She looked at the footman. “Darby, would you show Mr. Lloyd to a bedroom? I’m sure he is tired after ‘driving all day and all night’.” She had to repeat his words because she found them incomprehensible.
Bryce glanced back at the footman who bowed at the waist. Darby was anything but small in stature, and he towered over Bryce. As Bryce’s confidence retreated before the large man, Rena took notice. She’d never seen Bryce be less than intimidating around other men. Interesting.
Bryce turned back to her before his gaze swept to Synn’s face. “And who is this man with you?”
Though Bryce looked down his nose while glaring up at Synn, she didn’t find his gaze as intimidating as when he turned it on her. In fact, she bristled that he would treat Synn with such disdain. “This is Synn MacAllistair.”
Synn stepped back from her and let go of her shoulders. “It is a surprise to meet you.” His deep voice vibrated as he stepped around her, removed his mask, and offered his hand in greeting.
Bryce’s utter shock at Synn’s muscular, naked body being exposed had her biting the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.
At their visitor’s lack of movement, Synn withdrew his hand and donned his own aristocratic façade. And oh, he had so many more years to perfect it.
“Actually, I’m Sir Synn MacAllistair, but here in Nova Scotia I left the title off. It attracts too many eligible ladies who seek a well-endowed husband.”
Rena coughed, unable to completely keep her laughter inside. Synn referred to money when he mentioned “well endowed”, but in Bryce’s world, that only meant one thing and his gaze dropped to Synn’s crotch.
Rena glanced at Synn’s cock as well and was pleased to see it was still hard and ready for her.
She’d never seen Bryce uncomforta
ble. Not once. When his face flushed a warm red, she took advantage of the situation. “Synn, this man, with an obvious lack of breeding, is Bryce Lloyd, my former fiancé, but I think we can all get acquainted tomorrow.”
She ignored Bryce’s scowl as he refocused his attention on her, and she turned to the footman. “Darby, you can place Mr. Lloyd in one of the bedrooms in Valerie’s wing.”
Darby stepped up to Bryce like a bouncer rather than a servile footman. “I’ll be happy to, Miss Mills.”
She turned to Synn. “I’m getting cold again.”
He grinned rakishly and swept her into his arms before he looked at Bryce. “Goodnight.”
As he carried her, she couldn’t help a brief peek over his shoulder to see how Bryce reacted, but he did nothing more than stare at them as Synn climbed the stairs. She giggled at the thought that Synn’s muscular, toned backside was the last image Bryce would have before going to bed.
When they reached her room, Synn didn’t sit on the bed with her like he usually did. Instead, he dropped her feet and stepped away from her.
His withdrawal hit hard. Her insecurities crowded in and she tried valiantly to shake them away. Grabbing the coral robe he’d brought her their first night together, she donned it and curled up on the upholstered chair by the fireplace. For the first time, she wished she could have a fire. The chill invading her body wouldn’t go away, but a fire wouldn’t be of any help. Synn was the only answer to her cold, and that scared her.
He stood at the window, his body language screaming for her to keep her distance. The reflection from her lantern on the pane showed no movement in his face. What did he think? Could he be jealous of Bryce? A small warmth cuddled around her heart at the idea. Or was he disappointed in her judgment to have been engaged to such a man. The shock of seeing Bryce standing in her home wore away. Would he be impressed with the Abbey and what she planned?
She stomped down her habitual need for his approval and examined him objectively for a change. He’d belittle her idea and tell her to return to Lloyd Enterprises because that was what he wanted her to do, but she didn’t have to do what he wanted anymore. He dumped her.
She’d been lucky. If Bryce hadn’t left her, she wouldn’t be here building her own success story and learning about Synn. She studied him again. He remained motionless. She wanted to wrap her arms around him. She wanted to laugh with him over how well he had handled Bryce, but instinct warned her now was not the time. She hated feeling helpless. What was he thinking? What was wrong?
She shivered. Synn had retreated away from her, and his sudden defection left her adrift. When had she become so connected to him?
Chapter Thirteen
“Synn?”
The whisper pulled him from the dark place his mind had gone.
Rena. She was the one. And the scrawny fair-haired man downstairs had come to take her away.
That would not happen. He would kill again, this time purposefully, before he’d allow her to be taken from him. Would she want to go? He fisted his hands as he fought the fury mixed with guilt that brewed deep within his soul. She might if she knew he sabotaged her dream. The dream that would free her from her self-doubt. His instinct was to seek the roof, contemplate, but he could not allow her former betrothed to sway her to leave.
He needed her. He… No, they needed her. She was the key for those who wished to cross over. That was why the searing need to destroy permeated his being. He was protecting his friends and Rena was essential to completing the Masque. He needed her to… Blast, he just needed her. Like he’d never needed a woman. The idea of her leaving the Abbey, ever, sent terror racing through his heart. He shook.
Her heavy sigh behind him radiated defeat. Defeat was not allowed. No more. The stakes were too high. He forced himself to turn and face her.
Her feet were tucked up on the chair, her arms around her legs, her head rested on her knees. She had shrunk in upon herself, lost. Something about this Bryce undermined everything she was. And would he not have the same effect on her in just a few more nights when he stole her ghosts from her? No. He needed to make her see her own value before he ruined her plans.
A new urge converged upon him, one to keep this man and himself from damaging her spirit. Synn’s gut told him she needed him, even if she didn’t realize it. He would protect her. A new purpose took hold.
Forcing his inner conflict deep inside, he crossed the room. Her tart scent filled his nostrils as he stood next to her. The urge to touch her was unbearable, but he dared not. Not now. In her room. In his state of mind. “Rena.”
Her head whipped up and her startled gaze clashed with his. In that moment, she revealed a vulnerability he hadn’t seen before. She hid behind a tentative smile. “I’m sorry Bryce is here. I never expected that. I’m sure once I convince him I’m staying, he’ll go away.”
Synn relaxed at her assurance. He would make sure that would be the case. “Perhaps you should go to sleep now. It has been an eventful night for you.”
She reached for him, but he pulled back, hiding his reaction by turning toward the door. He didn’t want to hurt her, but the need to brand her as his surged through his veins and to give in to it could ruin the Masque. An interruption of the rooms would mean he failed his friends once again. Only by going through them in order with no outside activities would the Masque be fulfilled. His own needs must wait. “I will check on our new guest and retire myself.”
He looked back at her and found her studying him. She cocked her head. “Will you go like that?”
He looked down to find his cock erect, obvious in his naked state. He smirked. “I promise to dress first.”
She uncurled herself from the chair. “Good. I don’t like all these ladies staring at you, ghosts or not.”
Her possessiveness eased another part of his body, his heart, but he dared not delve into that too closely. With a nod, he opened the door and sought his own room.
As he dressed, he allowed his deep-seated fears to surface. Rena could not leave until the Masque was complete, but the thought of her leaving at all seared his soul. She might when she discovered the Abbey was no longer haunted, and he had no right to make her stay. Yet the red haze of frustration that colored his thoughts didn’t keep his body from reacting to her presence, demanding he take her, make her his so she wouldn’t leave. Forcefully, he jammed his rampant cock into his black pantaloons and buttoned it in tight. It wasn’t just her body. He needed her heart, her soul.
The devil take him, he was doomed! She might stay to run her boarding house, but many men would come to the Abbey. Was he supposed to stay away while she experienced love with someone else? That would truly be hell. Yet, he could offer her nothing except…except he could haunt the Abbey for her. Yes. He would haunt every single guest, do whatever she needed, anything to make her a success. Make her happy. And then if she did give him her heart, what could he do with it? Watch her age and die? His own heart constricted at the thought and he growled in frustration.
Not bothering to button the loose white shirt he threw on, he jammed his feet into his boots and strode from his room. There was one person he wanted to see. Perhaps he’d find a release for his pent-up anger as well.
Synn crossed the upper balcony to the wing where Valerie resided. As he moved down the hall, he heard voices coming from her room. Jamie must be staying the night. Synn shook his head as he continued through the hall. At least the two of them were alive and had a chance.
He swallowed his bitterness and rubbed the spot on his chest where the bullet had entered. That day had been so long ago, it was difficult to remember. He continued his search for Bryce, shifting through walls to find him. Near the end of the hall, he heard more voices. He grinned. Of course Darby would put the man as far away from everyone as possible, but obviously not everyone. Staying invisible, Synn shifted through the wall of the last room. He almost materialized by accident when he found Eric seated comfortably by the cold fireplace, his usual glass of wine
in his hand. The man was dressed, which in itself was a surprise. A lantern lit the room dimly, but it was clear Eric was pleased. Looking from Eric to Bryce, Synn noticed both had delicate features, blond hair and wide-set eyes. The difference was in their stature. Bryce actually looked hefty next to Eric’s emaciated figure.
Bryce opened his suitcase. “I’m so pleased to meet one civilized individual here. You wouldn’t believe how that Synn introduced himself. Stark naked as the day he was born. I never expected to find a man of your refinement here in the middle of nowhere.”
Eric sighed. “Yes, I am beset by the lowest of creatures. I must say your presence will make everything much more interesting. I doubt you’ll be staying long though. I’m sure the lady you desire will be ready to leave soon.”
“Rena? Yes, I imagine it won’t take more than a day. She’s always done as I told her.” Bryce paused from hanging a collared shirt. “I knew she was middle class, but I can’t believe how far she has gone…to be with him.” He shivered. “And I almost married her!”
Playing with the chain of his pocket watch, Eric appeared disinterested, but it was obvious he would do anything to have Rena leave.
A dark fear seeped into the pit of Synn’s stomach.
Bryce finished hanging his clothes. Taking a bottled water from his briefcase, he sat in the chair opposite Eric. “I’m quite glad I broke off the engagement when I did. I discovered her sexual appetites were of the basest sort. Have you ever had a woman surprise you like that?”
Eric smirked. “Oh yes. And we certainly don’t need her type here. I think we should decide on a plan to help her make her decision to leave. What do you say?”
That was enough. Moving back into the hall, Synn became solid again. Without warning, he opened the door to Bryce’s room and grabbed Eric by his collar, his feet barely touching the ground. “Eric, what a surprise to find you here. You were told to leave the guests alone.”
