“So, for five days a month, I’m a ghost. Or whatever the hell I am.”
“Five days? Every month? God, that’s so much.”
He nodded. “Tell me about it. It all revolves around the full moon.”
“Oddly enough, that makes a weird sort of sense.”
“Only a witch would say that.”
“Okay, so I guess it’s two days before and two days after.”
“Right in one. I need to be here by sunset on those days.”
“Or you won’t come back or get your physical body back,” she whispered, her eyes filling again, but not crying.
“I don’t know.”
“What do you feel when it happens? I mean what does it feel like to be a ghost?”
He shrugged. “There’s a bit of…pain. And cold. Yeah, cold.” And lonely.
“I’m so sorry, Matt.”
He shook his head but didn’t respond. Did she know that she was the culprit? That her leaving must have triggered something? Well, maybe, he didn’t know for sure, but he had his guesses. No, why would she?
“When did this first happen?”
His head shot up, and he blinked. “Eleven years ago.” There, let her think what she wanted.
“You mean…” Her hands shook, and he had the overwhelming urge to hold them and comfort the woman who’d made him this way. Anger and disappointment flooded him that he couldn’t do that.
“Yep. That night I was out here waiting for you. Remember?”
She nodded and bit her lip, the tears freely flowing this time.
“Well, Stacey showed up, and we drank some beer. She left, and I waited. I didn’t think much of it at the time. In fact, I didn’t really want her there. I knew you two hated each other, with good reason on your part. But you were so late that I thought you weren’t coming. And we’d had that fight earlier in the day, I thought I’d be alone all night, I guess. So, I let her stay and we drank. She left, and I waited. When the sun set, I changed for the first time.”
“I’m so sorry, Matt.”
“I’m a ghost, Jordan. There’s nothing you can really do about it.”
“But, Matt, I don’t think you’re a real ghost.”
He looked down at his body—through his body—and gave a dry chuckle. “I think the fact that I can see the couch through my legs begs to differ.”
“No, I mean, you didn’t die. That means you aren’t a real ghost.”
A small kernel of hope sprouted in him, but he had to ignore it. “How do you know I didn’t die?”
“Wouldn’t you have mentioned it? You’re alive for over three-quarters of a month at a time. You have a real life, a real physical body and the ability to interact with the real world. You’re alive, Matt. You didn’t die.”
“Maybe I don’t remember.”
She shook her head. “But you remember everything else about that night. And ghosts don’t go walking around in corporeal form in the daylight.”
“Maybe I’m special.”
“Oh, baby, you’re special all right. But you’re not a true ghost.”
“What does that mean?”
“That means, if we figure out the initial trigger, we might be able to fix it.”
His body shook as his emotions went haywire. Could Jordan fix this? Should he tell her that he blamed her, as irrational as it was?
“How do you know so much about ghosts?”
She shrugged. “I’ve met a couple ghosts and helped them move on.”
His eyes widened. “That wasn’t what I was expecting. Is it because you’re a witch?”
“I think so. I can sense ghosts more than the average person. I don’t like seeing people, even ghosts, walk around sad and without a purpose because they don’t know what to do and where to go.”
“So you think you can help me?”
“I hope I can. I want you to be okay, Matt. I…I care about you.” She wrung her hands together, and Matt took a deep, cool breath.
He loved the woman on this couch, and she only cared about him? Maybe she was just too afraid to say anything else. After all, they hadn’t been together in eleven years. A lot could have happened, and did happen, in that time…like him becoming a ghost.
“Hey, why did you come here anyway?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I just wanted to, I guess. I felt this pull to come here. Maybe it was you?”
He smiled. “That attracted to me, are you?”
She laughed away the last of her tears, and Matt felt a small victory. “That must be it. Ghost and all.”
“Ah, so you do only want me for my body.”
“You know it.”
He shook his head. “What are your plans now? I don’t think hanging out with your ghost boyfriend, or whatever the hell I am, really constitutes fun.”
“Boyfriend?”
“Really? That’s what you took from that conversation?”
Her smile fell, and she reached for his hands before pulling them back at the last minute. “I’m still leaving, Matt.”
Even though he blamed her for his condition, he still wanted her, loved her. She couldn’t leave. He had to make her stay.
“One day at a time, Jor.”
She nodded but didn’t smile. “Okay, then I guess that means I’m not leaving yet.”
“What?” His heart raced.
“I’ll stay the night,” she said quickly as Matt’s pulse died down.
Odd that he still could feel his pulse even though he could see through himself. Really weird.
“Yeah? You want to do some other worldly hanky-panky?”
She laughed and almost fell off the couch. “Hanky-panky?”
“Don’t knock it until you try it.”
She shook her head. “Oh, I know I’d love it. But what century are you from? Hanky-panky?”
“It’s Holiday, Montana, Jor. We live to be outdated.”
“Okay, I believe you. Now, what is it a ghost like you does when they’re all alone in the house?”
He shrugged. “I read, play chess with myself, fix up some of the interior. The tools were already here so I can touch them.”
“Wanna have a partner for chess? I’m not that good, but it has to be better than you playing against your right hand.”
“Hey, it was my left, and be warned, he’s very good.”
She laughed and followed him to the parlor where he’d laid the chess board and pieces.
“I’m glad you’re here, Jor.”
She gave a sad smile and traced a hand over his jaw without touching so she wouldn’t go through. Her warmth seeped into him, and he shivered. “I’m glad too.”
The urge to grab her and never let go shot through him. Thankfully, his non-corporeal form hindered that. He didn’t want to scare her, and his being a ghost was the least of his worries when it came to that. Professing his undying love might do the trick. And that was scary as hell.
****
Jordan cracked open her eyes as the sunlight shone through the slits in the boarded-up window. She’d gone to sleep late the night before after losing to Matt for the eighth time. Apparently, being alone in a spooky house—and being the one who haunted it—made him a really good chess player.
She shifted and froze, forgetting she wasn’t alone. An arm wrapped around her waist and cupped her breast. She moaned and smiled.
Ah, now she remembered. She’d fallen asleep on the couch with Matt lying behind her, but not touching. Now that the sun was up, he could touch all he wanted.
She smiled and wiggled her butt as he rocked forward, the bulge in his pants pressing against her.
“Good morning, wicked one.”
She curved back into him as he slid his hand under her shirt. He spread his fingers across her belly, and she shivered.
“Good morning, spooky.”
He groaned and pulled back from where he was nibbling on her ear lobe. “Really? Spooky? That’s the best you can come up with?”
“Sorry, I was distracted.”<
br />
“Hmm, I think I can distract you some more. What do you think?”
Tendrils of pleasure wove around her, and she tried to turn over. He pulled up and shifted so he was kneeling between her spread legs. She wrapped them around his waist.
“I think you can try.”
His eyes darkened, and she traced his unshaven jaw with her finger. She’d done the same the night before but hadn’t been able to touch him or feel his skin.
Matt was a ghost.
But her ghost, at least for the time being.
He lowered his head and took her lips. She slid her tongue against his and rocked her hips so she cradled his. He deepened the kiss, their tongues warring with each other. The room filled with the sounds of moans, pleas, and promises.
Her magic pooled in her stomach, her limbs growing heavy as she kissed him. Her body felt like honey was sliding through her; rich, warm honey. Desire and need flooded her. God, she wanted this, wanted him.
He pulled back, both of them breathing heavily. “I want you, Jordan Cross. I want you naked, writhing beneath me. I want to slide into you and feel you clench around me. I want to lick you all over and see what you taste like when you come on my tongue.”
She almost came at his words. She moaned and lifted her hips so his erection rubbed against her clit. He smiled and held her hips down. She let out a whimper.
“No you don’t, baby. Not until we’re clear on one thing.”
God, this man drove her crazy, but the good kind of crazy that made her want to strip them down and ride him like a pony.
“What one thing?”
“We’re in this together, Jordan. I want you. No stopping. No holding back.”
Her body cooled slightly, but she nodded. She could do this. She could. Maybe.
He kissed her softly then stood up.
“Where are you going?” He couldn’t leave her now, not like this. Damn man.
Matt smiled and lifted her into his arms and started walking toward another room in the house. “The better question is where are we going. Because that couch isn’t comfortable. No, I need a better place so I can take you properly.”
“Oh, I like it when you think ahead.”
He stopped and cursed. “Fuck, I don’t have a condom. Damn. Damn. Damn.”
He stared to put her down, and she tightened her grip. “It’s okay, I’m on the pill.”
“Is that enough?” He looked into her eyes, and she tried to kiss the worries away.
“I’m clean.”
“Me too.” He let out a breath. “Oh, thank God. I don’t think I’d have been able to wait to go to the drug store and get a box. And then there is the whole thing with the gossip of this town. They’d know we were having sex before we actually got to enjoy ourselves.”
“Matt?”
“Yes?” he said as he sat her on the dining room table, big and sturdy enough to feed ten people.
“Don’t talk about the town when we’re about to have sex. It kind of ruins the moment.”
He cracked a smile then threw his head back and laughed. “Noted.” He stood between her legs, put his palms on the table, and tried to rock it. The table didn’t move an inch, and he smiled again. “Good, the table should hold.”
Pleasure shot through her. “You want to do it on a table?”
“Yeah, why not?” He kissed her nose. “Come on, you know you’ve always wanted to.”
“What makes you think I haven’t?” she teased.
He growled and bit her lip. “Hey, no talking about past lovers when I’m about to strip you naked and make you my breakfast on the table.”
Her panties grew damp, and she nodded. “Deal.”
He kissed her again, his heady taste dancing on her tongue. She loved this man. Always had, but she couldn’t tell him. Not yet.
“Stop thinking so hard,” Matt said as he pulled off her top, the cool morning air sending goose bumps up her arms.
He lowered his head and kissed her collarbone. She trailed her hands down his back to the hem of his shirt and tugged. He pulled back and smiled, letting her pull it over his head. She swallowed hard as she took his body in, staring at the lean muscle and those ridges on his abs that begged for her tongue. She leaned forward and kissed the place right above his heart. It beat strong, alive, reminding her that he was here and not a true ghost.
He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and tilted her head up. She looked into his blue eyes and sighed. He kissed her again, this time unclasping her bra when he did so. Her breasts fell, heavy, needy. He groaned and rolled both nipples with his fingers. Her pussy clenched at his attention, and she scooted to the edge of the table so she could get closer.
“Greedy.”
“Shut up and fuck me.”
He chuckled deeply. “Anything you want, baby.”
He sucked a nipple into his mouth and bit down. She closed her eyes and held back a scream. God, she’d almost come on the spot, and he hadn’t even touched her more than a few kisses here and there.
He traced a hand down her stomach and cupped her core. “You’re wet, aren’t you?” he said once he pulled back, his thumb riding the ridge of her jeans, rasping against her clit.
“Yes, damn it, yes. Please, Matt.”
“Oh, I like it when you beg.”
“I hate you.”
“I know; that’s why this is fun.”
“Please, Matt.”
“There you go with the begging again.” He unsnapped her jeans and lowered the zipper but didn’t touch her. “I think I should go slower.”
“I think if you do, I’ll have to take care of things myself.”
He groaned. “You know, you’ll have to make yourself come for me one day. But right now, I want a taste.”
She smiled and lifted her hips as he took off her jeans and panties in one fluid motion. “Have at it.”
He didn’t say anything, his gaze on her shaved pussy.
“Matt?” She tried to close her legs, feeling self-conscious.
He gripped her knees and spread her. “Don’t move. I’m memorizing to make sure I won’t forget.”
“Matt…” They were going too slow for her; she needed him. Now. She slid a hand down her stomach and flicked her clit.
“Fuck, Jordan.”
He knelt between her legs and licked where she touched, her hips bucking toward his face. He moved her hand so he could get better access, and she shook. He traced her folds with his tongue, his fingers following the path, dipping into her core, and then teasing her clit. Her body felt heavy, needy, and she leaned back on one elbow and used her other hand to play with her nipple.
“Yeah, play with yourself, baby; that’s fucking hot.”
She smiled and closed her eyes, the sensations too much for her.
“No, keep your eyes open. Watch while I eat you.”
She opened them and stared at his dark hair between her pale legs. He sucked, licked, probed, and she rocked. His fingernail scraped against her clit, and she stiffened then came against his face, his name on her lips as she fell onto the table.
She tried to catch her breath, her body warm and tingly, and her magic radiating from her with pleasure. The little balls of light flickered in tiny fireworks and warmth spread through her. Matt gripped her hips again, and she stared at him. He’d stripped down, his cock hard, thick, and pressed against her pussy.
“Ready, baby?”
She nodded, unable to speak. He shifted forward, the tip of his cock sliding between her folds. Fuck, he was big. Bigger than any of the other men she’d dated, yet perfect for her. She watched as he slowly slid into her one inch at a time, her pussy clenching around him as he did so.
When he’d buried himself to the hilt, she moaned. She felt too full, too…everything. She felt like she was on fire, yet shivered. His fingers dug into her hips as he seemed to fight for control.
“Are you okay, baby? Am I hurting you?”
She shook her head, unable to speak.
She shook her head again. “No, make it fast. You won’t hurt me. I trust you.”
He groaned and pulled back, her core contracting as he moved. He smiled then rammed into her, his balls slapping against her. She moaned and gripped the edge of the table so she wouldn’t move. He pulled out then slammed back in. Her breasts bounced as he did it over and over again, her body rising as she rolled with him, meeting his thrusts. He slid deeper, hitting that spot that made her nerves stand on end. She met his gaze, and she came, her body shaking, cresting, and falling. The magic burst from her with more intensity this time, her body shaking with the delightful pinpricks. He stiffened then shouted her name, her core warming as he came deep inside her.
He fell on top of her yet didn’t crush her, their bodies still intimately connected. She held him close, her sweaty limbs too limp to do much more.
“That was…” she whispered.
“Yeah.”
“We need to do that again.”
He groaned and kissed her. “You’re going to kill me, woman.”
“But what a way to go.”
Chapter 9
Sitting in the armchair, Matt slid his hand up Jordan’s thigh and smiled, pleased. They’d made love two more times that morning, and even though he wanted to feel her around him again, he didn’t think he was up for it. Literally. After all, he wasn’t a kid anymore.
She pushed his hand away and sat up on his lap. “I don’t think I can do it again, Matt.”
He cupped her breasts and kissed her neck. “I know; I don’t think I can either. You’ve drained me. But I still like touching you.”
She wiggled off his lap and smiled at him. “Oh, I like you touching me too, but if you don’t stop, I might just pass out.”
“But you’d enjoy it.”
She raised a brow and put her hand on her hip. The fierce look was dampened because she was buck naked and sexy as hell. But damn, he could get used to this.
“Hey, buddy. My eyes are up here.”
“Yeah, but your breasts are calling to me.” He cupped his ear. “You hear that? They’re saying ‘Matt, we want your lips.’ See? I have to answer them.”
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