She typed local hotels in the search field and in that instant the library lights flickered and the computer shut down. “What the…” She depressed the power button but nothing happened. Then she tried to reboot the system. When that also failed she scooted from one chair to the next, trying to power on the additional computers, but it was as if electricity had been cut to each one. “I don’t need this now.”
Power outage at Tullamore? Funny, the lights in the corridor still burned brightly. Hadn’t a similar thing happened in the old lift the day she and Derek arrived? If these people wanted to serve the public they should focus on fixing the electrical problem before the place burned down.
Cool air settled at her back and across her shoulders. Wow, it didn’t take long for the heat to dissipate. She shivered and wrapped her arms around her tummy.
“Attic,” a deep, raspy voice shouted into her ear.
She screeched and jumped off the chair. Just as she spun around to see who’d yelled, a dark mist swirled across the floor and disappeared beyond the entrance into the hall where it completely vanished.
Oh shit! Time to go.
She clutched her purse and hightailed her butt out of there, nearly falling on her face when her booties stubbed the carpet. After regaining her balance she ran toward the Victorian section with the word help teetering on the tip of her tongue. Don’t scream. Don’t scream. People already look at me as if I’m nuts.
Finally she reached the end of the hall that adjoined the east to the west wing, but as soon as she rounded the corner she crashed into something solid. She stumbled backward but was grabbed by the upper arms and yanked forward.
“Whoa, love. What’s your hurry, eh?”
She glanced at Niall’s bare chest then higher into his eyes. Despite feeling a smidgen of relief at his presence, she’d rather have fallen on the floor than being squished against his body. “Let me go.”
“You’re trembling.”
Yeah, well that’s normally what happens every time I see a ghost. Which happened way too often around there. Every muscle along her spine tightened and she clenched her teeth. “I said, let me go.”
He released her arms. “Calm down, Shanna.”
Calm down? Calm down! She’d been stranded alone in the woods all night—nearly became a wolf snack—almost dehydrated—tried poisoning herself to death with a sip of water—hadn’t eaten in twenty-four hours—then ate so much she felt sick—she couldn’t fly home for another six days—the power died, marring the ability to find a safe haven for the aforementioned six days—now she’d encountered another ghost. How the hell could she calm down! “Please step aside so I can go to my room.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No!” She maneuvered around him and headed toward the lifts.
“The room frightens you.”
“So does sleeping in a cottage alone in the woods, but I survived.” She walked off without looking back. And he’d better not follow her or he’d be spending a long, lonely night out in the hall.
“Shanna, you were not alone,” he called out.
Oh yeah, how silly of me to have forgotten. “You’re right. A hungry wolf kept me company,” she shouted and continued walking.
Chapter Six
Eleven-twenty p.m. and still six more days to endure. Shanna seriously needed to find some adventure and explore Ireland to kill time. She’d gone from the library to her room—back to the restaurant then to her room—to the lobby to pay rent—now she sat in a bar, The Cave, listening to people karaoke during the band’s break. Thankfully her room remained ghost-free during said multiple trips, so the jitters eased somewhat each time she entered. She wouldn’t even mind staying if she could find something to occupy the days.
She watched as an unfamiliar waitress walked toward her table. Shanna had been chilling out in the bar so long she’d actually witnessed the shift change. A pile of shredded napkins sat in front of her, along with a plate covered in chicken bones and barbeque sauce.
“Would you like a refill on your drink?” the waitress asked.
Shanna glanced into the attractive woman’s dark eyes. Reddish-brown curls dangled to her brows and longer locks flowed past her shoulders. “Not yet, thank you.”
“It’s not that bad.”
Shanna frowned. “What isn’t that bad?”
“Your troubles.” She smiled sweetly and walked away.
Have I been so wrapped in self-pity it shows? How pathetic.
The band performers returned to the stage, took their places and began playing some quick-beat song she’d never heard. Person by person, the dance floor filled until there wasn’t a space left for another body to squeeze in. It’d been a long time since she’d sat in a bar listening to music. It wasn’t her scene. But here she was, tucked in a corner, sitting alone at a four-seat table. What an interesting place though. It resembled a dungeon with stone walls, sporting chains and manacles and a concrete floor. Despite the décor’s cool appearance, the atmosphere was warm and inviting.
Just as she glanced back at the crowd of dancing patrons she sensed someone watching her.
Startled, she gazed toward the entrance where the sensation appeared most prevalent. To her chagrin, Niall stood leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his bare chest. What does he want? If he planned on apologizing…apology not accepted.
With his head cocked and eyes boring into hers he sauntered to her table. “We need to talk, Shanna.”
“I have nothing to say to you, Niall.”
“You’ll never understand me until I explain a few things.”
“You’ve already said a lot without saying anything at all. I get it, now go away.”
“I’m not leaving.” He approached the table and lifted her fingers to his lips. “I’m sorry.”
Ugh, why did he have to do that? She yanked her hand free. “I’m not falling for your charm. I don’t have time for men like you. Go find yourself another heartbroken, vulnerable woman. I’m no longer interested.”
He sat down. She jumped off her chair. “You’re not invited to stay.”
“Sit down, love, or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of here. That I will.”
Her jaw dropped. How dare he threaten her! Well, let him just try to tote her out of there because she wasn’t going without a fight. She snapped her mouth shut and reclaimed her seat. “You’ve got exactly one minute to say what’s on your mind.”
“I do admire your ire, love.”
She smacked the table. “Quit calling me that.”
He smirked and shot her a sideways glance.
“And quit looking at me like that too.”
“How am I looking at you?” He lowered his hand beneath the table and laid it on her thigh.
She pushed it off. “Don’t.”
He replaced it, but when she tried shoving it aside he clutched her leg until she screeched in pain. Inch by inch his fingers moved upward under her dress.
“Niall, I’m… I’m,” she sputtered as his fingers inched even higher. When they grazed her pussy through her lace thong she gasped and closed her eyes “Stop.” She tried squeezing her legs together but it aided in pulling his hand closer.
“I’ll stop when you agree to talk.”
The pressure to her crotch increased. “There’s nothing to… Please,” she whimpered, jutting her bottom forward for more.
“Do you agree?”
“No.” She took hold of his hand, pressed it into her cunt and languidly rotated her rear end on the seat. Oh heck, her panties were already drenched.
“Then I guess this discussion is over,” he said, yanking his hand free.
Her lids popped open. “You’re a bastard.”
He leaned back in the chair and folded his arms.
“Excuse me, miss.”
Shanna scowled at Niall then looked into the eyes of a middle-aged male who quickly approached the table. “Yes?”
“I’m going to have to ask you
to leave.”
Her eyes widened. “Why?”
“You’ve had too many cocktails.”
“Cocktails? I’m drinking iced tea.” There wasn’t a smidgen of alcohol in her blood.
“With your behavior, I fear you may pose a risk to our establishment.”
Behavior? Really! She’d been having a friendly argument with her nemesis, and they thought she was sloshed? Oh God. Did he see her rubbing herself against Niall’s hand? Is that what this was about? She glared at Niall. “Thanks.” That man hadn’t seen anything yet. If he stuck around he just might get to see her bloody Niall’s nose.
“Miss, this way please.” The gentleman held up his hand. “I’ll escort you to the door.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” She pointed at Niall. “Make him leave.”
“If you’d kindly rise, miss, I’ll see no need to call the authorities.”
Oh for crying out loud. Authorities? Shanna rolled her eyes.
“Let’s go, love,” Niall said. “Don’t cause a scene.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” she snapped. “At least, not with me.”
“Miss, please.”
She yanked her purse off the back of the chair and stood, straightening the hem of her dress. “Don’t bother. I’ll find my own way out,” she seethed and charged to the exit then ran up the stairs to the first floor.
“Shanna!”
Don’t look back. He may go away.
“If you don’t stop, I’m going to toss you over my lap and spank your bare arse.”
She halted. First it was his shoulder, now his lap? And bare ass? Where’d that come from? “Really, Niall?”
“You’re acting childish.”
“No, I’m acting pissed off. Every time you’re around I make a spectacle out of myself.”
“That’s why we need to talk.”
She spun around. “So you can teach me how not to act like a jackass? I already have a solution. Stay away from me—problem solved. Good night.” She turned and marched toward the lift with her gaze focused on the floor.
“Oh no, love. You’re not dismissing me with a cold shoulder again.”
“How about I—” She looked up and there he stood. She stopped and glanced over her shoulder to where he’d been standing. Reluctantly she looked him in the eyes. “How’d you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Get ahead of me when you were standing back there.”
“I ran past you.”
He shoved his hands inside his pants pockets, which pushed them a little farther down his luscious hips. Inducing lust wasn’t a fair tactic to use against her in this squabble. “I would’ve seen or heard you rush by.”
“This is why we need to talk.”
“Then talk. And make it quick. I’m tired.”
“Not here.” He moved closer, placed his hand on her cheek and rolled her bottom lip downward with his thumb.
As desperately as she wanted to back away, she couldn’t move. And when he leaned forward and padded her lips with his skilled mouth, her knees buckled. If she hadn’t grasped his shoulders she would’ve fallen down. She sighed heavily. “My room?”
He nodded then kissed her, pulling her lower body against his. His erection pressed into her tummy and every ill thought of the day melted away with the passion flowing through her blood.
How weak. How utterly vulnerable and weak. One little kiss brought her to his mercy. How could he affect her to this extreme when normally she was a strong-willed woman?
While he darted his tongue into her mouth and toyed with hers, he backed her inside a modern lift. And he continued kissing and tasting her until the door dinged and opened on the third floor.
Her hands were all over him and she unfastened his pants on the way to her room. Once inside, she shoved him toward the bed. He stood, smiling, appearing to await her next move. She poked her index finger into his chest, pushing him on to the mattress.
His eyes narrowed as she straddled him. And when she lifted her dress off over her head, he laid his hands on her bare thighs. The heat instantly wormed its way to her pussy.
What would he do if she tied him to the bed? Or held her vibrator against his ball sac? Would he refuse? She did bring a few of her favorite toys along. Only, the intent was to have Derek use them on her. But something inside her wanted to torture Niall in the most pleasurable way possible. Payback for leaving her stranded, perhaps? Or for getting her kicked out of the bar. Or for turning her on so damn bad she couldn’t stand it.
What was it about this man that provoked her inner animal? She didn’t even know she harbored such strong urges. Derek had to utilize foreplay to bring her to this point. Not once had she ached to make love to him by his presence alone. Niall could bat his eyes and she’d be ready to lie down and spread ’um.
And knowing what lay zipped beneath his pants, and his skill when using it, mercy. Right now, just thinking of it slamming into her pussy had her labia throbbing with need.
She unhooked her bra, slinked the straps over her shoulders and tossed it aside. Her areolas instantly puckered. Not thinking twice about her actions, she lifted Niall’s hands and pressed them against her breasts. He kneaded them in his palms, over and over, rolling them together and adding a periodic tender squeeze, drawing moans from deep inside her soul. And as the pressure eased and he gently pinched and twisted her nipples, tingles raced from her chest to her spine and throughout her entire body. She sucked in a breath and threw her head back. Her hair brushed her shoulder blades and that simple tickle added a new thrill to her overly sensitized flesh.
Where had he been all her life? It wasn’t just physical attraction inducing all the electrical tingly sensations, but craving his touch had become a need that consumed her. He held a spark in his touch that kept her internal flame ignited. Continual heat simmered in her veins. “What is it about you, Niall?” She wiggled her bottom against the huge bulge hidden inside his underwear. And feeling how desperately he wanted her was the most exquisite sensation.
With as angry as she’d been, this shouldn’t be happening. But she couldn’t control the desire he’d induced. And she couldn’t possibly deprive herself of the wonderment. Later she could finish being mad, but right now it was about forgetting, even if it meant betraying her own emotions.
“No, love,” he sat up and flipped her on to her back, “It’s all about you.”
Whoa, talk about turning the tables.
Settling in between her legs, he kissed her with so much passion and desperation while pressing his cock against her panties, her tummy vaulted.
Ah, he utilized control. And she loved every second.
But she wasn’t willing to completely submit to him just yet. Too many seductive ideas danced around in her head, enticing her to take action. “Well, I,” she rolled him off her body and re-straddled his waist, holding his arms stretched above his head, “beg to differ.”
“And I,” he broke loose and eased her on to the bed, supporting her back with his hand, “always get what I want.”
Okay. She’d tried. He’d won.
Mercy, she couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
He knelt between her thighs and grabbed the waistband of her lace thong, obviously trusting she wouldn’t move. “These have to go,” he said, pulling them over her hips. When they stretched to the max at the top of her thighs, he yanked on the fabric, smiling mischievously. “May I?”
Oh wow. She’d never had her clothes actually ripped off. The prospect of a little rough play forced juices spiraling from her pussy on to the bedspread. She nodded, watching intensity rise in his eyes. Without so much as a blink he tore the sides. She gasped then lifted her ass to aid him in peeling the fabric from her body. Although the skimpy material had barely protected her when it was in place, distinct cool air settled between her thighs.
Every muscle on his arms bulged when he brought her hands together and laid the panties on the underside of her wrists below her bracel
et as the charms tinkled.
He’s not tying me up with my panties. Seriously, he’s not going to tie me up with my own panties. He wrapped the fabric around her wrists and secured the ends with a slipknot. Good Lord, he did tie me up with my panties.
“Are you going to protest, love?”
Why in the name of God would she do that? Being bound totally captivated her sexual psyche and opened her to new options. What a thrill. A little persuasion might go a long way. Which little zodiac charm signified the interest in bondage?
“Scoot over a tad,” Niall said, shifting her upward and to the side so she lay diagonally across the bed. “If you feel uncomfortable in any way, I’ll let you go.”
She dragged her lower lip between her teeth and nodded, her gaze fluttering across his muscular chest as she scooted into place. When he reached forward and attached her arms to the bedpost, it set her predicament in stone. The ties weren’t tight and she could’ve easily pulled her arms through the binding, but a smidgen of reluctance dangled loosely on the edge of her thrilling situation. “Promise?”
“With my life.”
And she knew he was sincere by the gentle caress he placed across her cheek with the back side of his hand. The mild gesture said a multitude and any doubts began to wither away. “I’ve never done this before.”
“I can tell.”
How could he tell? And what was she supposed to do? How could she please him while being tied up? There appeared to be more to this than physical aspects.
“You won’t disappoint me if that’s what you’re worrying about, Shanna.”
Ah, back to mind reading. Or, as she preferred to believe, responding appropriately to the moment. “I hope not, but I find it difficult to please you while bound.”
“My pleasure is in pleasing you.”
And he vowed to prove it. He needed to make a believer out of her before their forthcoming discussion. Sadly he’d chosen to use sex as a tool to put her in the right frame of mind. But he had to monopolize her to relinquish any doubts and in a way she’d never forget.
Phantom Mischief Page 9
