The doppelganger set down Charlotte's cup and tipped her attention in Sara's direction. "Because, my dear, I made the mistake of stalking someone that was of vital interest to Bartholomew and, after hearing your pleas, I can safely say, it's the very same girl all of you are now trying to protect."
Martin whipped around in a shrill of giggles. He slapped his transparent hand through the table and chirped, "Oh honey, what an epiphany!"
"You mean Bartholomew actually saved Toni's life?" Sara asked. "Shit! Well, that sure does change things."
"Don't get your t-back in a wad," Martin said. "He only did it so he could have her."
"Damn'isblacksoult'ell, that's true, dear, and 'e's still after 'er, 'e is."
Charlotte's face moved from Sara, to Martin, and finally landed on Ruth. "And since I have a bone to pick with Bartholomew, albeit a small one, I have a proposition for you."
"Oh, do tell," Martin said, arms all a flutter.
Charlotte smiled. "I'll help you with the old lady when the girl becomes a necromancer and agrees to send Bartholomew to Hell where he belongs."
"Blessyerwretchedlittlemind, we'll certainly try t'meet yer demands, we will," Ruth said.
"Wait just a minute! Toni has to have sex tonight, just like Gran wants—doubt that's gonna happen," Sara said, her brows touching. "And if she does, how do we know you won't hurt Toni afterwards just to get her powers?"
Charlotte's lips favored her with another smile. "I've killed witches, sorcerers, seers, necromancers, humans, and even a werewolf. I have never been able to use their gifts, nor their memories, so she is of no interest to me. Remember, the vampire bit Terrence after I was in possession of him. And I've been searching for another immortal for years. I've not seen hide nor hair of one since that night, but I will continue to search."
"Is that true, Ruth?" Sara asked.
"It is, dear. I've nary a memory o' a doppelganger takin' more than the identity o' a 'ost."
Sara studied Charlotte. "Alrighty-then, I guess we have a deal, but you better not be lying to us, because I will haunt your ass forever!"
Chapter Twenty-eight
"Are they in there?" Belle asked, nodding at the circle of salt on the floor of the guest room as she set down a cup of tea on the table beside Antoinette's rocking chair.
"Yes they are, and they're going to stay there until Toni returns from her date."
Belle didn't hear Sara ask, "Why is he in here?" She glared at her grandmother, while pointing at Bartholomew. "You could have at least put him inside Rufus so I'm not tempted to slap the shit out of him again."
"That's enough, Sara," Antoinette warned. "This is more convenient for all concerned."
"What is she saying?" Belle asked enthusiastically. Antoinette ignored her, eyes on the circle.
"You mean for you, because it's not convenient for me!" Sara spat.
Sitting on the floor on the opposite edge of the circle, Ruth and Martin scooted closer to each other after exchanging a look of alarm.
"Sara, I can't see you, but I just want you to know that I miss you, honey," Belle said, eyes moist.
"Yeah, right! That and a buck will get me jack-shit!" Sara growled as her mother's eyes wandered everywhere in the circle but where she stood.
"Bless'er'eart, dear, y'mustn't be angry with yer mum. She's clearly a pawn in all o'this, she is."
"Did she hear me?" Belle wanted to know. Antoinette nodded.
"A pawn my butt cheeks. She could've done something to help Toni."
"Like what? Slap Antoinette with her apron?" Martin chided.
Sara leered at him.
"Did she say anything?" Belle asked.
Antoinette smiled and said, "She misses you too, Belle.."
Belle plucked a tissue and dabbed the corners of her eyes.
"You've got major control issues, Gran!" Sara spat, angry eyes on Antoinette.
"Uh-huh," Martin sarcastically said, "and thank God you're nothing like her, honey."
"It's going to be a long night if we don't all try to get along," Bartholomew interjected.
After glaring at Martin, Sara curled her lips back at her grandmother. "You better be letting us out tomorrow because I want to spend some time with my sister on our birthday, and Wednesday I have plans."
Antoinette smiled. "I want to make one thing clear, Sara. If I do let you out, you will not interfere with my plans for Bartholomew by telling your sister anything in his disfavor. Do I make myself clear? Because if you do, you will find yourself-"
"You win! I get it! But Toni still has to buy into all of this; and, since I know my sister, good luck with that!" Sara glared at Bartholomew.
"We'll see about that tomorrow," Antoinette said with a smug smile, "when your ultimate test comes into play, because I plan on being in the room when she sees you for the first time, and you damn sure had better behave yourself while I explain her new gift."
***
Rails and Trails was a local park, about one mile from the town proper in Reed City, and at this time of night it was almost always very quiet. Paul's eyes jerked to his wristwatch as he set down a picnic basket and pulled the blanket off his shoulder, laying it out on the grass. He smiled at Toni, hand arcing horizontally. "Rumbling stream, wine and cheese, a sky full of stars, a whole lot of intimacy," he glanced at his watch again, "and hopefully a beautiful way to spend the eve of your eighteenth birthday. I wanted to be the first one to celebrate it with you." His lip quivered nervously into a smile.
Ohmigod! Intimate? Did he say intimate? Sex—he's blatantly offering me sex. It's really gonna happen! "What if we get caught?" Toni blurted, eyes blinking rapidly. Do I really want to do this? Sucking in a whopping big breath, she immediately chided, Come on! You know you're curious. You've been planning sex too—you're the one who wanted to find out!
"We won't. The park's closed. Don't look so scared. We don't have to do anything you don't want to do, so relax." Paul opened the basket pulling out a bottle of wine. "Would you like a drink?"
Well, hell, that might help. I should be glad he's onboard. At least it's better than seducing him in the front seat of his truck. "Sure, what a romantic idea." Did I just say that? God, how pathetic. Why don't I just write, 'I want to get laid tonight too' across my forehead? Shouldn't I act more coy?
Paul looked at his feet and let out a short nasal laugh. "Can't blame me for trying."
Toni instantly turned red and mentally thanked God for the darkness of the new moon.
"This is lovely, Paul. I wanted to be alone with you too." Oh God, what if I hate this?
Paul smiled. "I knew you would like it."
The stream shimmered and gurgled softly as it flowed over rocks at the edge of the riverbed. Cicadas ground out a conversation only they could decipher. A dog barked in the distance while leaves whispered a caress in a soft breeze.
The sky was pitch black behind sprinkled, twinkling lights that only nature could provide. The smell of water, leaves, fresh-mowed grass, and fragrant flowers filled the warm summer night and Toni vibrated with trepidation. This is a beautiful place for doing this the first time. Too beautiful. What if I hate it with a boy and hurt Paul in the process? Hell, I don't know if I'd like it with a girl, either. That's what this is all about, right? Finding out. Better not to think about that right now, just put one foot in front of the other and hope for the best.
"I have a surprise for you," Paul said, cutting the sounds and smells of the evening, along with Toni's thoughts.
"What?" Toni asked, then remembered Paddy telling her about Paul's trip to the mall.
"First, we have a drink and then I'll show you," Paul said with a grin, extending a glass of wine.
"You told me that just to make me curious, didn't you?" she asked with a giggle. Should I be flirting? I have to do something besides giggle. Crap, that's so lame! She made an attempt to run her tongue across her upper lip but it felt like she was trying to clean it.
Paul shook the glass and Toni took it.
Then he set a small wrapped present on the blanket with a smile. "Yep, and you're gonna have to wait." He laughed and fingered the gift over to her side of the blanket as she sat down.
Toni looked at the small wrapped box and prayed it wasn't a promise ring or something stupid like that, because she wasn't making any promises tonight—she was experimenting, plain and simple.
Paul poured some wine into a small fluted glass and took a few big sips.
Toni took a big gulp of hers, swallowed, and wrinkled her nose. "It's got bubbles!"
"Yep," He handed her the bottle as he took another sip from his glass. "Champagne."
"Ohmigod, this is Dom Perignon, and it costs, like, what? A hundred bucks? Are you kidding me?" Toni stared at the bottle and then shoved it back. Did he really spend that much? Just for sex with me? No. He's really working hard to impress me.
"I . . . I mean . . . well . . . I thought," Paul stammered, clutching both his empty glass and the bottle.
Idiot! You just so totally ruined it for him. Will I ever learn to think before I open my mouth and spout stupidity? "I'm so totally impressed." Toni tried a laugh, took another gulp, and attempted a coy smile that felt awkward on her lips.
Paul poured, grinned, and then gulped while he poured more into her glass.
Toni lifted her glass to her lips.
"Hold on," Paul said, refilling. "I want to make a toast."
She jerked the glass away from her mouth, clear bubbly liquid threatening to leap over the edge. Please don't make it to our future. I don't know if we'll have one after tonight. Smiling pensively, she held the glass in front of her and waited patiently. Dammit, he's so cute.
Paul made a big deal of looking at his watch and after a few seconds, raised his glass. "To you no longer being jail-bait."
Toni blushed. What the hell? She cleared her throat, clicked her drink against his, and then sucked down half the glass.
"Whoa girl, you better slow down. I didn't mean to scare you." Paul laughed. "Hey, it was just a joke. Remember, we don't have to do anything you don't want to do."
He sounds like Paddy. Toni peered over the glass in front of her lips. "But I do want to." There it is. No turning back. I just offered him my virginity.
Paul smiled. "How 'bout you open your present first."
I want to do this. I want to do this. Toni finished the rest of her drink, picked up the present, and edited the mantra, I do want to do this, I do want to do this...
He slowly poured himself more champagne, his eyes locked on hers. "Hope you like it."
A little lightheaded, feeling like she was dreaming, Toni stared at the gift. "You didn't have to buy me a present, you know. I mean all this would have been enough," she said, fanning one arm around the blanket. I just want him to kiss me. I want to feel his hands on my skin . . . just like in the dream.
Paul moved closer. "Open it."
She could smell his musky scent, feel his body heat; her pulse quickened. Something's definitely happening with my body. Maybe it's the wine?
Paul put an arm around her. "Go ahead."
His hand felt warm on her shoulder and her skin tingled beneath it. So not the wine.
A mass of disconnected thoughts, Toni slowly unwrapped the present. A small black box was under the gold wrapping, and she took in a shaky breath as she slowly lifted the lid. Sitting in the center of the box was a gold, heart-shaped locket, engraved with, 'Together always' on the front.
Toni stared at the locket. I hope I'm not going to regret this night. What the hell was I thinking? What if there's a picture of him inside? What if he's hoping I will wear it next to my own heart, professing my love—or whatever—for him? Well, crap, I can't turn back now.
"Open the locket," Paul encouraged, bringing her to her senses.
She slowly opened the locket and gasped. Inside was a picture of Sara on one side and her on the other. "Where did you get these pictures? It's so . . . so beautiful. Oh Paul, what a wonderful gift," Toni whimpered.
"Your grandmother gave them to me. I used Photoshop to make them small enough to fit in the locket. I hope you like it."
"I love it," she said, throwing her arms around his neck.
Paul took the locket from her and clipped it around her neck, his eyes on hers for a brief moment before his lips found hers.
His hands slid up her back, heat following them; and, before she could blink, he'd pulled off her shirt and was kissing her again.
I'm tingling; she thought as he slid his tongue from her mouth and pulled his t-shirt over his head. Before she could say anything, think anything, or catch her breath, his mouth covered hers again.
Hands fumbling, Paul reached around for the clasp on her bra. I'm getting naked, she disconnectedly thought as her hands robotically went to the zipper on his pants. I'm doing this. I'm unzipping the pants of a guy I barely know. I'm really gonna have sex.
The buzz from the champagne, the sound of his accelerated breathing, the feeling of his hands on her bare skin... they all evoked the dream she kept having over the previous nights. It was swiftly becoming a reality and she seemed unable to stop it.
He fumbled with something in his hands as his tongue frantically caressed hers and then hands slid her skirt up her thighs and tugged at her panties. Fear prickled the hair on the back of her neck; she felt smothered. I'm going too far! No! I can't do this!
Paul's hand pressed a burning desire between her legs; and, when he inserted his fingers; Toni shuddered and moaned with an unfamiliar burst of heat that ran through her whole body, accompanied with a moment of total disorientation.
She quickly became aware that she was on her back, he was on top of her, and she couldn't move. Wet sloppy kisses covered her lips. The pain of penetration took her breath away, and, before she could move, it was over.
Toni lay under the weight of his body, panting the night air in and out of her lungs, her mind a piece of paper etched with jumbled questions, waiting for her to fill in the white spaces.
Paul raised himself on his elbows, looked into her eyes and smiled. "Happy birthday, Toni."
Chapter Twenty-nine
"Will y'be wakin' 'er anytime soon, dear?" Ruth asked in a barely audible voice while the three ghosts hovered over Toni's bed. ""I'm thinkin' yer gran'll be up afore y'know it, she will."
"I could howl in manic glee like the ghosts in the crypt," Martin whispered.
"Yeah, sure," Sara hissed. "Let's scare the hell out of her, why don't we?"
Toni groaned, rolled over, and pulled the covers over her face.
"Or you could use your ghostly kick-ass abilities and jerk that pillow out from under her head," Martin quipped.
"Will you just flippin' shut the hell up; I'm trying to think here," Sara heatedly whispered. "I don't want her screaming like an idiot when she sees us."
"Look, we've been hovering for fifteen minutes," Martin said, slinging trails of sallow colored flesh-clouds with his swinging arms. "Do something before the old lady with control issues gets up here and sends us all back to Hell."
Toni pulled a pillow over her head and groaned.
"Great, now she can't even hear us," Martin grunted, glaring at the pillow.
"I'm thinkin' a bit o'subtlety is 'n order, Martin," Ruth said. "Bless'ersoul, she's gonna be quite afeard when she catches sight o' 'er dead sister, she is."
Martin tossed an irritated look at Ruth. "Like anything we do is gonna change that!" He waggled a finger at Sara. "If Miss Wannabe-But-Afraid-To-Be doesn't get off her high horse and start-"
Sara let out war-whoop, bolted for Martin, fists flying, and yelled, "Well, what the hell do you suggest? Huh, Mr. Smart-Ass-I-Know-It-All? Am I supposed to just scream, 'wake up and take a gander at your dead sister? "
Toni sat straight up in bed and yelped. She scooted away, shook her head from side to side, eyes spreading across half her face, mouth taking up the other half.
"Don't scream!" Sara snapped, raising her ashen arms, luminous palms facing Toni
. "Just gimme a minute to explain!"
Toni scrambled to the head of her bed, hugging her pillow. "Sara! Ohmigod! I can see and hear you?" I'm dreaming—that's it—I'm still sleeping. She shook her head, closed her eyes, and then opened them again. "You're all still here! And . . . and . . . that one's not dressed!" Toni finger pointed, hand full of pillow tucked under her chin,
"Well, I think that went well," Martin scoffed and smiled at Sara. "You?"
"But . . . but . . . he's in his underwear!" Toni's big round eyes jumped off Martin.
Sara took a deep breath and then locked eyes with her sister. "Can ya just back off the wardrobe issues for a second? Come on! I know this is hard to believe, but hell, I'm an F'n ghost! Try dealing with that, why don't cha!"
"Must it always be about you?" Martin shook his head and snapped the waistband of his thong.
"Blessbothyerinsensitivesouls, y'are frightenin' the poor girl. I'm thinkin' now would be a good time t'give 'er some answers, it would." Ruth held concerned eyes on Toni.
"Look," Sara said, glaring at Ruth and Martin, "I was trying to get to it!" Her arm jerked in Toni's direction, finger pointing. "But she can't get off his fricken nakedness."
"Stop!" Toni closed her eyes, grabbed her ears, and howled, "This is just a dream—just a dream—I'm sleepwalking or something—I just know it."
Sara snapped her head in Toni's direction. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, bring it down a notch, sis, then open your eyes. I'm floating right here, an echo of my previous self." Sara grinned devilishly. "You can see me because you bonked Paul last night and that bought you a necromancer ticket on the family legacy bus of ghost whisperers."
Toni's eyes popped open wider, her mouth, too. How does she know I slept with Paul? Ohmigod, did she just say necromancer? "A necromancer? How can that be possible? And how do you know about Paul?" Toni blinked rapidly. Crap! I'm talking to a puff of smoke that looks and talks like my sister!
"Screw Paul!" Sara hissed, and then glowered at Martin, "Christ, first it's the F'n undies, now she's all over the guy thing." She hooded her eyes at her sister. "Will ya stay on what's important here?"
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