by CJ England
Lara had a sinking feeling. “But Bridget thought otherwise?"
Justin gave her a startled look. “Yes. She thought I was sleeping with Diana. She rushed into the lounge and accused us both. I denied it, but it didn't matter. My rejection of her sent her over the edge."
"What did she do?"
"Your beloved ancestor dabbled in a little black magic,” Justin informed Lara roughly. “Before I could say another word, she cursed me. Told me I was damned to walk the decks of The Lucky Lady forever since I loved the ship more than I loved her. Suddenly, I was screaming in pain as an icy coldness enveloped my body. I died, Lara. Right then and there ... she killed me.
She stared at him in horror. “But how?"
"Her words. The curse was a powerful one. And because she used black magic and spoke them on the one night where evil is strongest..."
Lara gasped. “This happened on Halloween?"
He nodded grimly. “Yes. Since Halloween night, 1906, I have been an Ethereal, a spirit doomed to walk in the human world."
Tears stood in her eyes as she listened. “But the others? Why them? I can understand Diana, but Charlie and Sir Malcolm and Lottie?"
Justin's face grew harder. “Bridget didn't care who she hurt as long as I was destroyed. The same spell intended for me caught Diana.” His lips tightened. “Charlie was my shadow, always close by. I told him to wait outside, but he didn't, so he was killed too."
"And Lottie?"
He gave a bark of bitter laughter. “Her only crime was falling asleep near the bar. She died before she was even awake. Sir Malcolm was caught when he tried to stop Bridget.” Justin shook his head. “The old man always had more courage than sense."
"That's monstrous. How could she do such a thing?” Lara wrapped her arms around herself as she thought of the old people and the innocent boy.
"There's more,” he said almost wearily. “As she threw the spell, she told me I hadn't given her The Lucky Lady. She'd drugged me and forged my signature. Since I couldn't remember, I bought it ... hook, line and sinker. The last thing I remember before I died was her laughter."
"Oh, Justin,” she whispered. “I'm so sorry."
His eyes glinted. “She was sorry, too.
"What did you do?"
"As soon as I figured out how to manipulate the corporeal world I had my revenge. I scared away the guests, destroyed the machines, made her life a living hell. The others helped gladly. Bridget couldn't do anything about it. Her black magic couldn't reach me where I was, so that left her with only one choice."
Understanding dawned. “That's why she left."
Triumph gleamed in his sea blue eyes. “I chased her away from everything she had sold her soul to get.” He stared down at Lara. “And I continued doing it to her son, and his son, and every other son there after."
Lara wanted to weep for him. What he and the others had been through was worse than she ever could have imagined. “And you've been this way for one hundred years?"
He grinned fiercely. “Yes. And I will continue to do it until the last Kincade is rotting in hell."
She froze. “I am the last Kincade, Justin. There are no more Kincade sons left for you to haunt."
There was a flicker of something in his eyes, but it was quickly gone. “You are still a Kincade. Your family stole my life, my ship, and the lives of innocents. I can't ever forgive that."
Her chin went up. “Did it ever occur to you I'm an innocent too? The same as Lottie or Charlie? How is what you're doing anything different than what Bridget did?"
Justin cursed aloud. “I am nothing like that witch. My revenge is just. I only take from them, what they took from me."
"I didn't take anything from you."
"You play at words, Lara Kincade. But your name tells me what I need to know. You are my enemy."
Lara's lip trembled and he could see it in the soft moonlight. Some unknown emotion stirred, but a century of hate squashed it.
"I won't make it easy for you like my uncle did,” she finally said softly. “I'm not going anywhere. And I will make this ship beautiful again. With your help or without it."
He had to admire her grit. “It will be without it. And I will do everything in my power to sabotage your efforts."
Anger and sadness warred in her chocolate eyes. “Then I guess its war.” She held out her hand to him. “I won't wish you luck."
Automatically, he took her hand, noting while it was small and feminine, it was callused and strong. Without thinking, he bent and pressed a kiss to it as he said, “I don't need luck."
Her gasp made him go very still as he realized what he had done. He still held her hand and when he glanced at her, he saw her eyes had dilated in shocked arousal. It hit him like a sledge hammer. He wasn't the only one having these feelings of desire. She wanted him too.
When her lips trembled again, Justin gave up worrying about the curse, about the ship, and about the fact she was his enemy. She was a beautiful, sexy woman and he wanted her desperately, if only to see if her lips were as soft as they looked to be. And for some unknown reason he could touch her. Why wait any longer?
Without any more hesitation, he pulled her against him and bent his head. He slanted his mouth over hers with a voraciousness that made her gasp. Justin took immediate advantage of it, thrusting his tongue between her lips to taste the sweetness he knew was within.
He groaned. He'd been right. She tasted of woman and sex and desire. Flavors he'd almost forgotten. He held her tighter as he explored her recesses, instinctively wanting to know her in every way possible.
When she protested, he nipped at her lower lip before starting all over again, slower this time, intent on savoring the delicious flavor of her mouth.
Lara had never before felt such an intense need from a man. She was surrounded by him, by his heat, by his desire. She trembled once and then surrendered, letting the waves of passion roll over her. When his tongue speared into her mouth, it was so forceful she struggled, but then he immediately gentled, soothing her with his mouth as he explored her further.
Her own body began to respond as well, softening in his arms as he pulled her closer to him. She kissed him back, instinctively using her own tongue to tease and torment. When he gave a growl of hunger, a thrill of delight ran through her.
As he continued kissing her, she could feel the hard line of his erection against her stomach. She felt a sudden wetness between her thighs and knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Without thinking, she rubbed herself against him, enjoying the feeling of the powerful body against hers.
Justin broke out in a sweat at the innocent movement. His body clenched with the need to take Lara right where they stood. His hand threaded through her hair and pulled her head back so he could feast on the naked flesh of her throat. The other hand moved to cup one breast.
He groaned at the feeling. He decided right then and there these new fashions weren't so bad. At least he didn't have to dig through a corset to find the soft mound. He squeezed gently, glorying in the feel of her.
"Beautiful,” he whispered.
The single word jerked Lara out of the sensual fog she was in. What was she doing? Making out on the deck of a ship in plain view of God and everyone? Not only that, she was in a lip lock with a ghost! One who despised her no less.
"Let me go!” She struggled against him.
Justin groaned and held her tighter. “No,” he muttered hoarsely. “Not yet."
His need pulled at her, but she forced herself to be strong. She turned her head away and pushed at his chest. “NO!"
He blinked and frowned. Then understanding filled his eyes and he pushed her away with an oath. Apparently, he too finally realized what they were doing.
"Your woman's wiles will not work on me this time, Kincade!” he shouted at her.
Lara's mouth dropped open. “I didn't start this, you jerk! You kissed me."
Justin knew she was right and that made him even angrier. Striking o
ut at her he gritted, “You have no shame. You would do anything to get your way, just like she did."
She cursed out loud and walking forward, poked him in the chest. “You bastard! You don't know anything about me. I was willing to help you. To try and break this horrible curse you are under. But now? I hope you rot on this boat. I'll save my pity for the others."
"None of us need your pity! Just leave my ship. It will be best for all of us.” He glared down at her, as angry at himself for wanting her as he was at her for being what she was. “I don't want anything to do with a Kincade!"
Putting her hands on her hips, she smirked up at him. “You didn't say that a minute ago."
Anger and embarrassment warred inside of him. “That meant nothing. I haven't touched a woman in a century. I would have felt the same for a two dollar whore!” Reaching out, he ran a long finger down her soft cheek. “In fact, I think the last whore I had kissed better!"
All the color leached out of Lara's cheeks. She stared at him, pain filling her eyes. He thought she might cry and he searched for the satisfaction that would give him, but for some reason it eluded him. He opened his mouth to apologize, but her words stopped him.
"You really are a bastard,” she whispered. “Maybe you are getting just what you deserve.” Then her eyes flashed as she stepped up and punched him hard in the stomach.
When he went to his knees in surprise, she stood over the top of him. “There. Now a woman has really touched you!” With a final sniff, she turned and ran back inside the salon.
Up above, in the wheelhouse, Lottie and Malcolm watched the little drama with avid eyes.
"Well, now,” murmured Lottie. “What do you know about that?"
"He could touch her,” Sir Malcolm said in awe.
"Then it's happening. Just as foretold."
The elderly man snorted. “If the young whelp won't give her a chance, nothing will happen."
Lottie blew her breath out in frustration. “That woman may be our salvation. We are running out of time and I won't allow a man's pigheadedness to stand in our way of breaking the curse."
Sir Malcolm lifted a snowy eyebrow. “Madam, not all men are pigheaded and stubborn."
His companion stared up at him with bright blue eyes. “Weren't you the one who refused to leave Diana and Justin and so was cursed as well?"
The knight drew his stocky frame up straight. “That was not being stubborn. That was doing the right thing!"
"Of course it was, dear.” Lottie patted his arm. “What would any of us do without you?"
"Quite so,” he responded.
"But now we have to figure out how to get the two of them together,” Lottie fretted. “And make Justin see his stubbornness is hurting us all!"
* * * *
"What the hell do you mean ... no?” Justin growled. “I want you to go sabotage the new ice machine she just put in the kitchen."
Sir Malcolm brought himself to his full height. “I said no, my dear boy. And I do mean it. I refuse to help you hurt that poor girl."
"Nor will I,” put in Lottie. She put her hand on Justin's sleeve. “She is sweet, Justin. You do her wrong by comparing her to that awful woman."
"And she is pretty, sir.” Charlie blushed as he spoke. “I do like her smile."
Justin swore aloud. “Have you all taken leave of your senses? This is a Kincade we are talking about. Her family killed us!"
"Quite right,” the older man agreed. “Her family ... not her."
"Since when does that make a difference? She is still a Kincade."
"But my dear,” said Lottie anxiously. She being a she is the difference. Have you forgotten the curse?"
"How can I forget,” Justin shouted. “I live it every day of my non-life!"
The old woman sighed. “Then think! Instead of concentrating only on what happened, think about what was said to fix it."
"What are you talking about?"
"For God's sake, Justin,” sighed Diana. “Don't you remember the gypsy?"
Justin's mouth dropped open. “You can't be serious.” He stared around at his friends. “Are you talking about that crackpot Bridget brought in to exorcise us?"
Lottie patted his sleeve again. “Oh good. You do remember."
"Remember? Of course I remember. But so what? You can't have taken her words seriously."
"But Captain,” Charlie looked up at him with beseeching eyes. “She said we could break the curse."
"It's what some of us have been holding on to, Justin,” Diana put in quietly. “For all these long, horrible years.” Her usual hard demeanor was softened by expectation.
Justin bit back harsh words. He couldn't bear to put out the light in Charlie's eyes, or ignore the hope in Diana's. “The words didn't make sense."
"That's because we thought they were an impossibility,” Sir Malcolm stated. “But now we know they are not."
Shaking his head, Justin sighed. “You lost me."
"Don't you see, Justin, dear?” Lottie wriggled in the chair in her excitement. “Lara is the answer."
He scowled at her. “How is she the answer to anything?"
"You can touch her. And if you can touch her, you can have a relationship with her,” Lottie explained.
Justin's body tightened as he thought of Lara, lying in his arms. How he had wanted to do more. Then he reddened as he realized what she said. “You were spying on us."
"Just taking in some air,” put in Sir Malcolm jovially. “But we did see the evidence with our own eyes."
"It's the first time in a century a woman has taken an interest in you, dearie.” Lottie giggled. “Of course she's the first one who could and that means she might be the one."
"Be the one to what?"
"To break the curse, you idiot!” Diana snapped. She took a quick puff on her cigarette. “Remember what the gypsy said? To break the curse and set all to right, a human woman would have to fall in love with you, just as you are."
"Since no one but the male owners of The Lucky Lady have been able to see you in almost a century, you had no chance of breaking the curse,” Lottie said excitedly. “But now the owner is a woman, so you do."
"You know Bridget believed the gypsy. She put that clause in the will about the ship only going to male heirs to thwart any chance of breaking the curse.” Sir Malcolm laughed and shook his head. “She didn't bargain on there being no more male heirs."
Justin looked around at them all. They had to be crazy. “Let me get this straight. You're saying you believe if Lara Kincade falls in love with me we will go on to our rewards and the curse will be broken?"
"It has to be done soon though,” Lottie put in anxiously. “Remember, the gypsy gave you until midnight on Halloween of the one hundredth year."
Charlie's Adam's apple bobbed. “That's the end of the month, Captain."
"I know when it is, Charlie,” he growled. “I just don't accept you all believe this claptrap."
"Damn it, Justin,” Diana snapped back at him. “You better believe it! If you don't we're done for. And unlike you I don't want to spend an eternity on this broken down tub!"
Chapter Four
Diana's words whirled in Justin's head as he stared through the wall at the bent head of the woman who might have the power to break her ancestor's curse. Lara was sitting behind her desk, going over paperwork. There was a furrow between her eyes as she stared at a long list of numbers and he had the impulse to smooth the lines away with a kiss. He knew how overwhelming running a casino ship could be. Lara had been thrown in head first. To his shame, he realized he'd been happy to let her sink.
He sighed. Diana and the others had talked him into at least trying to break the curse. He wasn't sure he believed it, but after seeing the hope in the other's eyes, he knew as their captain he could do no less for the crew that had followed him all these lonely years.
It wasn't easy. Letting go of a century of hate and distrust wasn't something done in an hour, or even a day. But he kept telling h
imself Lara wasn't Bridget. She hadn't taken his livelihood or stolen his life. And he was very attracted to her. Seducing her would be no hardship.
He wondered how to approach her. He didn't know her at all and they had less than two weeks left until Halloween. He had to hope the overwhelming attraction he'd felt between them would make up for the short time they had. And as Diana had so blisteringly reminded him, comparing her to a two dollar whore wasn't the way to go about winning a lady's heart. That much he did know.
She stretched and yawned, rubbing her eyes. When she stared off into space, he wondered what she was thinking about.
The renovations were coming along quite well. Lara chewed on her pencil as she thought. Crews were busily working from sun up to sun down and she could really see a difference now. The Lucky Lady was going to be beautiful.
The main salon where the casino was located was almost finished. Re-painted, re-carpeted and cleaned from top to bottom, Lara could finally see what the ship had looked like in her heyday. The machines were in the process of being refurbished and the bar was going through a complete change to give it more of a saloon / tavern look.
All in all, Lara was pleased. Once she got the main area fixed up, she could concentrate on the rest of the ship. But she still felt ... uncomfortable.
The problem was, it was quiet. Too quiet. There had been no sabotage, no hauntings, no sign of ethereal pranks for almost three days. She'd seen and talked with the other four ghosts, but of Justin, she'd seen no sign.
Had they given up? She shook her head tiredly. Doubtful. She remembered the look on the captain's face and shivered. She'd never seen that type of hate before. Especially aimed at her. He was probably waiting until the ship was closer to being finished. Then, he could do more damage.
If he had his way, she'd be off the boat and starving in some alley. For him that would be the ultimate revenge.
But why then had he kissed her? Had it really been just because he hadn't been with a woman in so long? She couldn't stop thinking about how his lips had felt against hers. He made her feel things she didn't know were possible. She'd never forgotten herself like that before. Had he felt it too? Then tears filled her eyes as she remembered his crushing remark.
