by Anne Hope
Instinctively, he raised his hands to her shoulders to steady her. He felt her warmth pour into him, felt the silken texture of her hair beneath his palms, felt her hot, damp breath dance along the hollow of his throat. Need rammed into him until he could think of nothing else but tasting that sweet-looking mouth of hers.
For one mystifying instant, he forgot he was a ghost. He was solid. He was real. And he couldn’t have wanted her more if he were made of flesh and blood and bone. He understood then what Eberhart had meant. There was no desire greater than that of the soul.
Giving in to temptation, he let his thumb graze her bottom lip. Pretense fell away. Design ceased to exist. All that mattered was this moment and Evelyn. Sweet, mule-headed, sexy-as-sin Evelyn.
With a tenderness that surprised him, he tilted her chin up and simultaneously dipped his head, eagerly capturing her lips with his. Energy and matter spontaneously fused into one. Substance was nothing but the subtle vibrations of the soul, a microscopic hum at the heart of every human being taking shape and form. He touched her, smelled her, tasted her.
Her gentle sigh against his mouth wrenched a strangled groan from him, and he deepened the kiss, plunged his tongue into her mouth. Trembling in his arms, she dropped the garments she held and slid her hands up his chest, melting into him.
Strawberries. The thought sparked somewhere within the thick haze smothering his brain. She tastes like strawberries and smells like spring.
Liquid fire coursed through what had once been his veins, invigorating him. For the first time in his thirty-three years of existence, Matt understood what it truly felt like to be alive.
Too bad it had to happen after he died.
That’s when reason seeped in to douse the raging flames consuming him. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t make Evelyn fall in love with him. To do so would be to condemn her to the very heartache she’d spent a lifetime safeguarding herself against.
Regret dug deep, yanking hooks into his gut. He had to let her go, the consequences be damned.
Chapter Six
Evelyn had never experienced anything as sweet or as seductive as Matt’s kiss. A bright, electrical charge pulsed from her head all the way to her toes, paralyzing her. She couldn’t have broken the contact if her life depended on it, and she didn’t want to. All her senses blazed with awareness, drowned in all that was Matt.
He felt solid beneath her palms. Solid and warm. The arms embracing her were as real as existence itself—hard and comforting, demanding and gentle all at once. The lips molding to hers were hot and moist as his tongue explored the depths of her mouth. Heat pooled deep inside her, in a place she rarely explored or dared venture. It was new and exciting, frightening and exhilarating.
She went liquid in his arms, her body aching to surrender and meld with his. Now that she’d had a taste of him, she wanted more. She wanted everything he could give. So when he suddenly broke the kiss, a blast of cold air assailed her, left her dumbstruck.
“You’re going to be late for your date.”
The words didn’t register at once. They bounced around her fuzzy mind for a few seconds, looking for a place to sink in. “You kissed me,” she muttered stupidly.
“Thought you could use the practice,” came his clipped reply. “We wouldn’t want to let Todd down.”
Disappointment dropped like a stone to settle in the pit of her stomach. For a moment she feared she would make an even bigger fool of herself and burst into tears. Then blistering anger flared and crowded out the pain elicited by his indifference. “You presumptuous, self-important…ass!”
“And here I was thinking you’d appreciate some pointers.”
She shoved him away—hard—and was startled to feel the weight of him. “The only thing I’d appreciate is for you to get the hell out of my life.” She saw a flicker of something in his eyes. Could it have been hurt? No, of course not. Matt Alexander cared for no one but himself.
“You’ll be getting your wish before you know it.” His voice was flat and cold, contradicting the fleeting spark of emotion she’d noticed seconds ago.
“And not a moment too soon.” With that she picked up the clothing she’d dropped and prepared to storm out of the room.
Right before she turned her back to him, she flung a glance his way, intending to warn him not to follow her on her date, but the words died upon her lips. The sad acceptance she caught on his face choked the flames of her anger as effectively as a bucket of ice water and left her more confused than ever.
Who was the real Matt Alexander, and what did he hope to accomplish, besides humiliating her and shredding her heart to pieces?
It’s for the best, Matt thought the moment Evelyn left for her date. Let her forget all about me, even if it is with a shallow, materialistic prick like Todd.
As she’d rightfully pointed out a few nights ago, Todd had a definite advantage over him—he was alive. Matt had nothing to offer her—no life, no future—only heartache. In the past, he’d never had any qualms taking what he wanted with little regard for the consequences, but even he wasn’t that big of an asshole. He cared about Evelyn, maybe even loved her, and he refused to hurt her if he could help it.
He winced at the irony. He’d always joked that the only way he’d fall in love was over his dead body. Guess somebody had been listening after all. Hopefully, that same somebody was listening now.
“Eberhart, I want out,” he yelled at the ceiling. “Do you hear me?”
The air shivered, and Eberhart’s form emerged in a sparkle of white light. “What’s the problem now, Mr. Alexander?”
“I can’t do this,” he informed him. “I refuse to make her fall in love with me.”
Shock flittered across the old saint’s face. He watched Matt as if waiting for the punch line of some joke. “You do realize what’s at stake?”
Matt nodded, his jaw set in a firm, non-negotiable slant.
“You’re willing to risk eternal damnation?”
“If that’s what I have to do. I won’t break that woman’s heart. I don’t care what you do to me.”
Wonder spread to soak Eberhart’s features, making him even more luminescent. “Well, well, well, Mr. Alexander, it appears there’s hope for you yet.”
Twin blades of excitement and regret knifed through him. “So you’ll take me out of here?”
Eberhart wagged his head. “I can’t do that.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because your work here isn’t done yet.” And with that, the cryptic old saint vanished in a dazzling explosion of blinking lights, leaving Matt to grunt and curse in his sorry wake.
Evelyn met Todd at a quaint little restaurant in Portland’s Old Port District, a mere block from the waterfront. Cobblestone streets stretched before the Victorian brick building, giving the area a picturesque charm. The salty sea breeze, the mournful sound of a foghorn and the distant twittering of seagulls only added to the romantic atmosphere.
Walking into the restaurant was like taking a step back in time. Oak-paneled walls soared around her, surrounding a wood burning stove, which sat upon golden hardwood floors. The place was old-fashioned and undeniably homey.
Still, Evelyn couldn’t bring herself to relax. The kiss she’d shared with Matt kept crawling into her thoughts, kindling her blood as effectively as the burning flames in the hearth. All the feelings she’d experienced when his lips had swallowed hers continued to simmer inside her, distracting her from dutifully listening to Todd’s riveting account of his job as a stockbroker.
“Just last month, I made a killing for one of my clients,” he boasted, his dark brown eyes twinkling with pride. “Nearly doubled his investment in six months.” Todd brought his roll to his mouth and tore off a large chunk. “I have a gut feel about these things,” he muttered emphatically. “Stock brokering is all about instinct.”
She nodded politely and tried her best to look impressed. She wondered what Matt was doing right now. It felt strange not having
him around. Not that she should care one way or another, she told herself, after the way he’d treated her tonight.
“My boss saw right away that I have what it takes to make it in this business.” He ran his fingers over his gelled, jet-black hair, angling his wrist unnaturally. “Made me partner in less than three years.” He lowered his hand to rest it on his chin in a most uncomfortable-looking position, his silver watch glinting in the firelight.
Evelyn scrunched her brows. “Is something wrong with your hand?”
He chuckled nervously and took hold of his wine glass. “No, my hand’s fine.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, like I was saying, I’m partner now. Not too many people my age make it to partner.”
“Congratulations.” She forced a smile, then sampled a small bite of her roll as well.
The memory of Matt’s hands on her crept, unbidden, into her consciousness. She could still feel his warmth sinking into her flesh, his fingers meshing in the thick bramble of her hair, his mouth drinking from hers. She could still taste him on her lips, that spicy sweetness that was as inebriating as it was seductive.
Heat again. Energy and pure heat.
A hot flush whooshed up to set her cheeks aflame. She swallowed hard, nearly choked.
“Are you all right?”
Unable to find her voice, she sputtered and nodded, taking a long sip of her wine. The liquid could barely trickle past the thick knot of emotion clogging her windpipe. She thought of the way Matt had discarded her after nearly breathing her in—his callousness, his arrogance—and pain lanced through her.
His attitude shift made absolutely no sense. Granted she’d only known him a week, but she felt connected to him on a spiritual level, as if she could see straight into his soul. Yes, he was cocky and sarcastic and definitely full of himself at times, but he wasn’t heartless or mean. Unless she’d completely misread him.
Focus your attention on Todd, she chastised herself. He’s handsome and polite and actually has a pulse. Forget about Matt Alexander. Tomorrow, he’s as good as gone.
Evelyn released a heavy-hearted sigh. In a way, Matt was doing her a favor by being a complete jerk.
That’s when a thread of understanding began to unfurl within her. Maybe, just maybe, he was trying to protect her. The kiss they’d shared had been real. The way he’d held her—touched her—had been real. She was willing to stake her life on it. It was the cold indifference afterwards that had been the act, and he was good enough at what he did to make it convincing.
It took all of her willpower to remain seated in her chair and see this torturous date through. Todd continued blathering on, listing every single one of his virtues until her head began to throb. Her lips trembled from all the smiles she forced upon them. But in a way, she was glad she couldn’t get a word in edgewise because it gave her time to think.
She analyzed the events of the past week, trying to understand why Matt had been sent to her only to be taken away. Surely, heaven wouldn’t drop him into her world with the sole intent of breaking her heart. In this mysterious occurrence, she sensed purpose and design and the inexorable pull of destiny. She and Matt were fated to meet, if not in life, then in death. That had to count for something in the grand scheme of things.
The date from hell finally reached its end, and Evelyn couldn’t help but exhale in relief as Todd escorted her to her car.
“How ‘bout we go back to my place for a nightcap?” he suggested.
Panic doused her. “I’m sorry, but I really have to get back home.”
He leaned closer, invading her personal space in a way that gave her goose bumps. And not the pleasant kind. “Okay, your place then.”
She took a step back, sidled closer to her car. “Thank you for the offer, but I’ll have to decline tonight.” She wasn’t sure how to let him down easy. This clearly wasn’t going to work out, but she didn’t want to embarrass him or hurt his feelings.
He must have read the rejection on her face because an ugly scowl suddenly contorted his features. “Well, aren’t you the little cock-tease?”
Shock rippled through her. “Excuse me?”
Todd’s eyes darkened, like storm clouds gathering in the midnight sky. “There’s no excuse for someone like you. I was nice enough to buy you dinner, the least you could do is invite me home for a drink.”
“I never asked you to buy me dinner!” she cried indignantly. She’d offered to go dutch, but he’s insisted on paying.
“Then why did you call me?”
Evelyn stared at the stranger before her. She took in the sight of his perfectly coifed hair, the flashy watch, the spit-polished shoes and shook her head. “I honestly have no idea.” Nothing about him appealed to her. All she could think about was Matt. All she could see was Matt’s warm, glowing smile, Matt’s sparkling greenish-blue eyes, Matt’s sexy, unkempt golden hair.
Todd sneered. “What a waste of my time.” And with that he stomped away, leaving her to slump against her car.
She slid the key in the lock, opened the door, and folded her body into the welcoming seat. With trembling fingers, she started the ignition, anxious to get back home where she belonged. Back to the safe shelter she’d created and Matt’s surprisingly soothing presence.
Matt sat in Evelyn’s butt-ugly recliner, with that damn cat curled in his lap purring up a storm. Begrudgingly, he stroked the scruffy creature under the chin. Her purr escalated to the sound of a revved up motor. Rolling over, she exposed the furry white expanse between her paws.
“You’re a female all right,” he grunted and scratched her on the belly. “Putty in my hands.” The animal stretched contentedly, gazing at him through heavy-lidded eyes.
Just then, he heard the front door open and close. His body instantly tensed, his senses sharpening with awareness. Evelyn was home. She hadn’t been gone all that long for a date. Pleasure and relief swamped him. At least the jackass hadn’t scored.
She walked in to find him strumming an offbeat tune on the cat and smiled. “Guess you won her over after all.”
“I usually do. It’s just a matter of time.” He avoided her eyes. “How was the big date?”
She took a few tentative steps toward him. “You were wrong,” she said. “He’s nothing like you.”
He struggled not to flinch; her words stung like hell. “I’m glad. I hope you two will be very happy. I’m sure he’ll treat you better than I ever could have.”
“You don’t understand.” Tenderness washed over her face. “Everything you said about him turned out to be true. The man’s a first class jerk.”
A tempest began to brew inside him. “What did the bastard do?” He shot to his feet, sent Slippers flying. The cat landed with a thud and pranced away with an offended meow.
“Nothing I won’t forget tomorrow.” She waved her hand dismissively. “He was rude and insulting. He got very nasty when he realized I had no intention of putting out.”
“Too bad I wasn’t there. I would’ve clocked the son of a bitch.”
Her lips quirked with amusement. “He never would’ve known what hit him.”
Matt smiled. “Wouldn’t have seen it coming, huh?”
Evelyn laughed. God, he loved her laugh. It was warm and throaty and heartfelt. It stirred something deep inside him—something as achingly sweet as it was hot and hungry.
She took a few steps forward, bridging the distance between them, and the way she looked at him nearly bowled him over. “I’ve had an epiphany,” she voiced softly. “There are two types of men in the world. Men like Todd who look like harmless lambs but are wolves in disguise. They turn on the charm, compliment you every chance they get, and toot their own horn until they’re blue in the face. But the moment they don’t get what they want, they bare their fangs.”
She tilted her head sideways, and her expression brimmed with affection. “Then there’s the other kind.” Almost reverently, she placed her hand on his chest, making his spirit sing. “Men like you.”
He
r touch, her gaze completely unhinged him. “If you compare me to a lamb, I’ll have to bite you.” His voice was hoarse, almost winded.
A radiant smile lit her face. “You, Matt, are blunt and sarcastic and never miss an opportunity to remind the world how unworthy you are,”—she stroked his chest lovingly—“but deep down where it counts, you’re a pretty decent guy.”
Sweet Jesus, he wanted to kiss her again. He wanted to taste every inch of her creamy skin, to make love to her until the line between life and death blurred and time itself ceased to exist. She was absolutely mesmerizing.
Tomorrow, I’m gone, he thought listlessly. It can’t happen. I won’t let it.
He blinked and the curtain went up. Show time. “You’ve got me all wrong. You women always want to believe an asshole can be reformed, but that fantasy only holds true in the books you’ve got lined up on those shelves. If you want my advice, stay away from men like me. You’ll save yourself some serious heartache.”
“There you go again,” she whispered. “Trying to convince me what a louse you are. Tell me, who’s hiding now?”
Go ahead. Make her believe she’s wrong, Matt told himself. Put on the performance of your life. It’s the only way to keep her from getting hurt.
But the biting remarks and smart replies just wouldn’t come, because for once in his miserable existence a woman’s opinion of him actually mattered. God help him, he didn’t want to crush the sparkle of trust and admiration blazing in her eyes.
She still had her hand on him, and the heat of her palm set his soul on fire. Then she did something that made the walls of his resolve crumble in a pile of rubble.
She kissed him.
Chapter Seven
Evelyn had never been this brazen before, but never had she craved anything or anyone this much. The overwhelming need to touch and be touched swelled inside her until she thought she’d suffocate from it. Kissing Matt was the most spontaneous thing she’d ever done, and the most exhilarating. Again, she was amazed at how solid he was. She could feel sinewy muscles beneath her palms, feel the strength and hardness of him as he crushed her body to his.
