Her thoughts scattered as she trailed her lips up his neck and nipped at his earlobe. “It’s very hard for me to concentrate on talking when you’re touching me like this.” She slid her hands into his back pockets, and his arousal hardened against her hip.
He shivered, releasing his hold on her. “Sorry. Let’s talk first.”
“Do we have to?”
He took her hand and led her to the living room. “Is all the old energy really gone?”
She slipped her hands beneath his shirt, brushing her fingers across his muscular stomach. He was so warm. So sexy. His masculine scent drew her in, making her mouth water with the need to taste him. She couldn’t keep her hands off him. “It’s what Allison does. If she says it’s gone, it is.”
“And it works on everything?”
She sighed and dropped her hands to her sides. The look in his eyes told her there’d be no fun time until the conversation ended. “Furniture. Walls. Floors. Sure. Why?”
“Does it only work on wood? Or does it work on metal too?”
“It works on everything. Is something wrong?”
A seductive smile curved his lips as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small metal object. He held it in his palm and offered it to her.
She picked up the familiar ring, admiring the intricate metal work and the sparkling diamond nestled in the center. “This is Bertha’s wedding ring. How did you get this?”
“I found it in Uncle Jack’s safe deposit box, and I recognized it from your past life regression. I assume, since Bertha didn’t have any children to pass it on to, it went to Cox’s brother’s side when they died, and it’s been passed down for generations. Allison cleared the old energy from it while you were outside.”
The diamond sparkled under the recessed lights in Trent’s living room, the gold flower buds glistening as she turned the ring over in her hand. “It’s beautiful.”
“Will you wear it?”
“Oh, I can’t do that.” She handed it back to him. “It was Bertha’s wedding ring. It wouldn’t be right for me to wear it.”
His brow furrowed as he examined the ring. “But you are Bertha. Or you were at one time.”
“I know. But it’s her wedding ring. I can’t.”
He closed his hand around the jewelry and nodded. “I understand. I’ll buy you a new one then.”
Her heartbeat seemed to pause before slamming into her chest. “Wait. What?”
He shrugged. “If you don’t want to wear this one, I’ll buy you a new ring. We can go shopping together if you like.”
She blinked, opening and closing her mouth, trying to make her mind form a complete thought. “Are you…are you proposing?”
He chuckled. “Apparently, I’m not doing a very good job of it.”
Pressure built in the back of her eyes, and a high-pitched giggle bubbled up from her throat. “Why didn’t you say so? I didn’t want to wear it because it was a wedding ring. If I’d known you were asking me to marry you, I’d be wearing it now.”
“Well?” He held the ring toward her.
Of course she would marry him. But if she was going to say yes, he would have to do a better job of asking. She crossed her arms and shifted her weight to one foot. “You’re going to have to ask me properly, mister.”
He grinned and knelt on one knee. “Tina, I love you more than any man has ever loved a woman in the history of the world. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And if I get another life after this one, I won’t rest until I find you, so I can spend that one with you too. Will you marry me?”
She smiled as he slid the ring onto her finger. “Now that’s a proper proposal.”
He stood and wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing his forehead to hers. “Now give me a proper answer.”
“Yes, Trent. I will marry you. In this life, and in the next.” Gripping his shoulders, she jumped, linking her legs around his waist. He caught her by the butt and carried her to the bedroom as she kissed him.
They fell to the bed, his hands roaming her body, caressing her, sending electricity coursing through her veins. He slipped her shirt over her head and undid the front clasp of her bra, spreading it aside and cupping her breasts in his hands. The heat of his tongue bathed her sensitive nipples until they hardened like pebbles beneath his touch. His lips scorched her skin as he worked his way down her stomach and removed her pants.
She scooted to the center of the bed, her gaze never straying from his magnificent body as he slowly undressed for her. A beam of moonlight cut through the darkness of the room to illuminate his sculpted features as he stood before her, gloriously naked and erect. Like a statue perfectly carved from stone. But with the softness of a bear as he climbed onto the bed and wrapped her in the protective cage of his arms.
“You are the most beautiful woman in the world. Inside and out.” His breath against her ear made her shiver, and, as she wrapped her fingers around his length, his entire body shuddered.
“I’ll take you inside now, if you don’t mind.”
He inhaled deeply and rolled on top of her. “Mmm…I don’t mind at all.” He held her gaze as he entered her, staring deep into her eyes, penetrating the depths of her soul. “I love you, Tina.”
“I love you too.” How easily the words came, passing from her heart across her lips as if she’d loved this man all her life. They fit together like they were made for each other. Certainly, they were.
Skin to skin, soul entwined with soul, their bodies joined as one.
“Oh, Tina.” His raspy voice vibrated through her chest as he moved inside her. Delicious friction sent thrilling tingles shooting from her center down her legs and straight up to her heart. She tangled her fingers in his soft, dark hair and lifted her hips to meet his thrusts. Her orgasm crested like an ocean wave, crashing through her body with searing pleasure.
He shuddered inside her, a masculine growl vibrating from his chest as his own orgasm overtook him. His breath came in short pants, hot against her neck. As his muscles relaxed, his breathing slowed to a soft, rhythmic motion. Resting inside her, he lay utterly still, and she basked in his delicious, musky scent. She would never understand why she fought her feelings for this man for so long. He was everything she would ever need.
Several minutes passed, and he didn’t move. A cold tendril of fear wound its way up her spine as her heart sank in her chest. The intense emotions. The passionate love-making. Had he been taken under by another sleep attack?
“Trent?” She rubbed her hands over his sweat-slickened back. “Are you awake?”
“Mm-hmm.” His lips vibrated against her ear. “I just feel so good, I don’t want to move.”
A wave of relief washed through her chest. “You don’t have to. We can stay like this all night.”
“How about forever?”
“Works for me.” She tightened her arms around him and kissed his shoulder. A promise of forever used to be her greatest fear. Now, she wouldn’t take anything less.
He rose onto his elbows, a drunken smile lifting the corners of his mouth. “With the new kitchen, how much do you think my house is worth now?”
“I’d have to do a little research to be sure. Why? Do you want to sell it?”
“It’s a great house for a single guy, but we’ll probably need more space eventually.”
“That’s true. My apartment won’t work for a couple either.”
He kissed her mouth, her cheek, her neck. His lips brushed against her ear as he whispered, “Or a family.”
She couldn’t fight the smile tugging at her lips. “We definitely need more space.”
He brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. “I think we need to find somewhere to call our own. Together.”
“I think I know just the place.”
EPILOGUE
Tina wasn’t kidding when she’d said she was low-maintenance. Based on Logan and Allison’s extravagant wedding, Trent had expected her to want a similar ceremony. Something f
ancy in an expensive hotel downtown. Hundreds of guests. Live music at the reception. But when she’d suggested a simple affair with their closest friends and family, and the backyard of their Victorian manor as a backdrop, he was reminded exactly why he loved this woman. She was made for him. No doubt about it.
She wore a simple, white satin gown with a slit up the side that provided him a glimpse of her long, sexy leg with every step she took toward him down the aisle. She swept her dark hair up in a pile on top of her head, accentuating her slender neck and shoulders. A few raven strands hung loose around her face, framing her emerald eyes. Her entire body seemed to glow with the love emanating from her gaze. He was marrying a goddess.
He met her at the end of the aisle and took her hand in his, reminding himself to keep his knees slightly bent so he didn’t pass out. He hadn’t had an episode since they’d vanquished the shadow demon six months ago, but he’d seen enough America’s Funniest Home Videos episodes to know he wasn’t taking any chances.
Tina handed her bouquet to Allison and smiled as she slipped her other hand into his. Her palms were dry while his were slick with sweat. His heart threatened to beat a hole through his chest, and she appeared calm, confident, relaxed. What had he done to deserve such an enchanting angel as his wife?
She didn’t make him write any fancy vows or memorize any lines. The ceremony was short; he repeated the few words the minister told him to, slipped the ring on her finger, and kissed his bride.
Sweet and simple. Like life should be.
As they turned around to face the small audience, the minister introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Austin. His mom dabbed at the tears in the corners of her eyes, and his dad gave him an approving nod.
Tina’s mom wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand and pulled Trent into a tight hug. “You take care of my baby.”
He patted her back as Tina grinned. “Yes, ma’am. I will.”
“I’m so glad she found you.”
“All right. Let the man breathe.” Tina pried her mom’s arms from around his neck and hugged her tight.
“I’m so happy for you, sweet pea,” her mom said.
“Me too, Mom. Let’s go eat. I’m starving.”
They feasted on grilled steaks and baked potatoes and spent time chatting with all of their guests. As evening approached, their acquaintances slowly trickled away, leaving behind only their family and closest friends.
Allison admired Tina’s ring for the umpteenth time and pulled her away from him to hug her best friend. “It makes me so happy to see you wearing this…and living here. Embracing your past lives while creating a new future together.”
Tina cast him a loving glance before arching an eyebrow at her friend. “I still can’t believe you knew he was going to propose and you didn’t tell me. You should’ve called me the minute you finished clearing this ring.”
Allison laughed. “And ruin the surprise? What kind of friend would I be then?”
Tina smiled. “I guess I can forgive you this time.”
Gage shook Trent’s hand. “Congratulations, you two. Still no signs of any ghosts or demons hanging around?”
“Nah. We replaced the wood floor upstairs, put in wall-to-wall carpeting and surround sound. That old attic makes a fantastic media room. We watch movies up there several times a week. No sign of spirits.”
Tina wrapped her arms around Trent’s waist. “Trent and I are the only things going bump in the night around here.”
Gage laughed. “Lucky you.”
“Indeed.”
“Awe.” Allison picked up Tina’s flowers and handed them to her. “You forgot to toss the bouquet. All the single girls have already gone home.”
Tina eyed the tulips and grinned. “That’s okay. Hey, Gage, catch.”
He looked up, and she hurled the bouquet at his chest. His reflexes forced him to catch it, but the look on his face said he regretted it. “Not funny, Tina. Here, take it back.” He shoved the flowers toward her.
Tina held up her hands. “Oh, no. The bride tossed the bouquet, and you caught it. Deal with it.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Yeah. Okay.”
As the rest of their family said their goodbyes, Logan and Allison were the last to leave. With Tina’s arm wrapped around Trent’s waist, her thumb fitting snugly into his belt loop, they walked their friends down the driveway to their car.
Allison gave them both a hug and paused as Logan opened her door. “Have fun in Mexico. Drink a margarita for me.”
“That’s the second thing on my to-do list,” Tina said.
“I don’t even need to ask what number one is. Be safe, you two. I love you.”
“I love you too, Allie.”
Logan shook Trent’s hand and pulled him into a tight hug. “Welcome to married life, my friend. You’re going to love it. I know I do.”
“Thanks.”
Trent waved goodbye as his friends drove away, and he pulled his wife into his arms and admired their home. Though his uncle’s motives for giving it to him weren’t in the right place, he’d be forever grateful things turned out the way they did. “This burden turned out to be a blessing, didn’t it?”
“A blessing that almost killed you. But, yes, it did. Things have a way of working out, don’t they?”
“Our lives have come full circle now—back to the house we were forced to leave all those years ago.”
“Mm-hmm.” She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed.
“Just promise me you aren’t going to summon any more spirits with your newfound ability.”
“The next ghost I care to see is my own when I look in the mirror at my funeral. And once I’m sure my hair looks nice, I’m moving on. I know better than to stick around haunting people.”
“That’s good to know.” They strolled to the porch and walked up the steps, stopping in the doorway. He gazed into her emerald eyes and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
She batted her lashes and looked at him with a sly smile. “We don’t leave for our honeymoon until tomorrow afternoon. What should we do until then?”
“I’ve never made love to a married woman before. You wouldn’t happen to know of one who might want to give me a go, would you? I promise to give her a good ride.”
“You promise, do you?” She snaked her arms around his waist. “You are pretty cute. I think I might know of someone who’s available.”
He cringed at her use of the word cute. But if Tina liked to say it, he would have to get used to hearing it. “What exactly is your definition of cute?”
“An incredibly handsome man with smoldering eyes and a charming smile.”
He laughed. “Why don’t you say that then? It sounds so much better.”
She shrugged. “I like cute.”
“Well, if cute is what I need to be to get into this sexy, married woman’s pants, I’ll take it.”
“In that case…” She gripped his butt in her hands and pressed her body to his. “I’m your girl.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carrie Pulkinen has always been fascinated with the paranormal. Of course, when you grow up next door to a cemetery, the dead (and the undead) are hard to ignore. Pair that with her passion for writing, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an exciting storyteller.
Carrie spent the first part of her professional life as a high school journalism and yearbook teacher. She loves red wine and chocolate, and in her free time, she likes to read, take pictures, and spend time with her family.
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