When the head of his erection bumped against her wet pussy, she threw those thoughts away. It didn’t matter.
She kissed him madly and whimpered with her eagerness. It wasn’t happening fast enough. She needed him in her and reached for his penis to guide him into her sheath. So thick, so hard. He throbbed in her grip.
Ben snatched her wrist and pinned it above her head. He quickly had her other hand trapped with it. So impatient. I want to savor this. Every delicious second.
Nina pushed against his hand but he was stronger. He directed his cock’s head along her drenched slit. Back and forth until he allowed his length to saw between her labia. His testicles bounced against her with each pass and tightened as his groans grew more frequent.
She writhed and mashed her body to his. Tall as she was, he was much bigger. And he used that to keep her firmly beneath him.
He kissed along her neck and bit at her shoulder as he drove into her. They cried out together. His hips slapped against her as he started a vigorous pace. She moved as fast as she could, but it was the most she could do to hold on to him with her legs.
An immense orgasm slammed into her. She bucked up and screamed his name.
Ben’s hips jerked wildly, and with a great grunt, he climaxed even as she still rode the tails of her orgasm. She clung to him, keeping them locked together, lest he fade away now that he was spent.
He released her hands and stroked her cheek, kissing her tenderly. Nina, my lovely.
“That…that was incredible.”
He chuckled and rolled to one side, gathering her to him to hold. He nuzzled her and buried his nose in her hair. Could he smell her shampoo? The intoxicating perfume of sex?
So many questions filled her head. Did he really come or was it a memory of release? The thought made her anxious and she burrowed deeper into his arms. If only she could stay in this bed with him forever.
Nina closed her eyes and wished for it to come to be. But her heart knew the truth of the situation and it hurt with each heavy beat.
Chapter Six
Ben’s fingers wandered over her body, slowly exploring. Every spot he touched tingled with the contact. Nina gnawed on her lower lip as she gazed at him and shivered every now and then with the after-effects of her huge orgasm.
Did he have dark blond hair? With no lights on, it was difficult to tell. But she could see each little freckle and the two scars on his right forearm. He was vivid. More so than even some living people she knew.
Will you be staying the whole night?
His voice startled her from her thoughts. She nodded and traced his jaw with a finger, playing with his scruff. God, he was exquisite.
I haven’t felt this…alive in such a long time. I almost forgot who I was. Who are you to have such an effect on me? He smiled and turned his head slightly to kiss her finger.
“I’m Nina.” She teased, but clearly he wanted more than that. “I’m a Ghost Dancer. Some might call me a psychic, but I don’t work the way they do. I stay true to the traditions of my tribe, for the most part.”
A woman of honor. He pulled her closer and kissed her lips. Have you come to raise me for your army?
A renewed spark of lust ignited at his kiss. She could not get enough of him. Deepening the kiss, her tongue swept over his succulent lower lip. “No army. I’m a paranormal investigator. We study hauntings, ghosts. Help them carry on if we can.”
Ben paused and stared into her eyes. The blue swirled as if miniature galaxies resided within. Help them carry on?
Nina swallowed, suddenly having trouble breathing. Her arms tightened around him with a flash of possessiveness. She reminded herself that he was a spirit. Repeated it a dozen times. It didn’t get easier.
“Carry on, move to the next stage of being, the afterlife.” Her voice hitched with the last word.
He sighed and squeezed his eyes shut. I am undeserving of Heaven and no demons have come to claim me. I cannot carry on. I’m forever lost to this dismal partial life. No, I can’t even call it life. He opened his eyes. Until you called to me.
The impact of his gaze caused tears to blur her vision. “You are one of the best men I have ever met, more than worthy of all the honors the afterlife can bestow. I’m not here to judge you, but to help you work to set yourself free. Only you can make that decision.”
Don’t cry for me, my sweet Nina. Ben swiped at a tear that escaped down her cheek. I failed in my duty. I am not worthy of any honor, especially your tears.
“You are a good man, Benjamin Moore. I know it. I can feel it in my soul.” Nina grabbed his hand and held it in both hers to her chest. Her heart thumped against it. “Part of my job is research. I looked up everything about you. Nothing says otherwise. I even talked to your nephew, Edgar. He says your whole family knows that whatever happened the night you died was not your fault.”
Edgar… The corner of his lips quirked up. He was a skinny baby with big ears.
“Yeah, he still has big ears.” Nina pressed her forehead to his and lowered her voice. “Tell me what happened that night.”
Ben didn’t say anything until she brought his hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles. Each of her breaths seemed to bring forth more physical details. His hands were those of a hardworking man. Wide and strong, marked by years of manual labor.
I’d been on to them for a while. The runners. It was a matter of catching them in the act. Yet I could never seem to do so. They’d always slip through my fingers. He shook his head. That night, after leaving early from dinner at my family’s home, I decided to check here at this house. It was owned by the Bradeys. A young couple. Inherited it from Matilda’s father, and they were struggling to make ends meet.
I supposed the runners gave them money for using the house, but the Bradeys never seemed to have much. It could also be that the runners threatened them and they believed they had no choice. Ben’s jaw tightened. Bastards. Never been anything but trouble for Grace Cove all their lives. My town. I was going to catch them at it, send them away for a long time. Finally justice would be served.
And there they were. Dragging liquor from the beach into the house and stacking it in here. This very room. I had them. He bared his teeth at the memory. Except there was one unexpected turn. Vernon was working with them. My deputy. He was even wearing his uniform. That’s how they knew to avoid me, how they hid from me for so long. How could I not know?
He was betrayed. Nina’s chest ached and her chin quivered. Her grandfather once said nothing wounds an honest man as much as treachery. The pain was clear on Ben’s face.
I confronted Vernon, gave him a chance to make it right. But he was greedy. I shot up some of his bottles and he became like a feral dog, pulled out his gun. I had to put him down. His handsome face scrunched up. I shot him. Killing a man is no answer for anything, but it was either me or him. That’s when the feds showed up.
Ben sighed. What they saw was an armed man standing over a dead deputy and a whole lot of booze. They shot me before I could say a word.
Nina’s mind reeled at the story. His death was a matter of unfortunate circumstances and in no way his fault. Surely he could see that. But everything about him stated that he didn’t. He seemed the type to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. His big, hunky shoulders.
She rested a hand on his chest. “You are not responsible for your deputy’s actions nor those of the shoot-first-ask-questions-later agents. You did not fail anyone.” When he didn’t look at her, she cupped his chin and raised it so their eyes met. “This was not your fault.”
I should’ve known about Vernon, especially after he… He was cousin to those bastard Cobb brothers. I made it a point to know everyone in town, even those troublemakers. How could my instincts have been so wrong? I failed when I made him deputy.
Nina wanted to shake him. “You made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. I’m sure Vernon fooled everyone else too.” Something clicked in her head. The runners’ name sounded familiar. She
rose to prop herself up on her elbow. “These Cobb brothers, were they the same ones who killed your wife?”
It hurt for her to say that word. Hurt him to hear it as well. Yet she knew the answer before he replied.
Yes.
It all fell into place, or maybe she just watched too many crime dramas. “They set you up. You sent them away for murder, probably foiled many of their illegal plots over the years, and they wanted to get rid of you. But not just get rid of you, ruin your name too. The feds likely caught them outside the house before going in. They could’ve said you were the big boss rum-runner, that they were too afraid to say no to you when you told them to do the dirty work. And then to see you standing over a dead deputy. I bet they even planned for that to happen too.”
His brows furrowed for half a minute and then he shook his head. I think you give them too much credit.
“And maybe you don’t give them enough. Never underestimate the power of hatred.” Nina sat up and swept her hair back from her face. She scooted to the edge of the bed. “Give me their full names, and the ones of anyone else involved. I’ll go back to my hotel and do some research. I’ll go to the library first thing in the morning. I’ll find out what happened to them. Then—”
Stay. Ben wrapped an arm around her waist.
“I can maybe find out what we need to know now—”
There is nothing we need to know now, in the middle of the night. He pulled her to him. I have all the time in the world to find the answers, but not nearly enough time with you.
With those words, Nina couldn’t resist. She turned around and crawled on top of him. This time their lovemaking was slow and tender, marked by something far more powerful than lust. She fell asleep curled in his arms.
Chapter Seven
Nina slipped into her dimly lit hotel room and set her bag on the floor. She jumped and yelped when the light flicked on. No matter all her experiences in haunted houses, it was embarrassingly easy to startle her.
Vivian stared at her from her the chair in the far corner. “Had a headache, hm? Just needed to sleep?”
Nina’s shoulders drooped and she clasped her hands in front of her like a child caught sneaking a cookie. “I had to talk to him without all the cameras and equipment.”
“Talk?” Vivian stood and walked over, gesturing to Nina. “Messy hair, dreamy eyes, skin glowing…and is that a hickey on your neck?”
“Yes.” Here came the goofy smile. “He was solid the other night, but last night, he was fully there. Physically manifested in every way. More than that. He seemed more than alive, if that makes sense.”
“I can see he was quite active.” Vivian raised her brows and sighed. “This is exactly the type of thing we need to document. Imagine if we had that on film. No one has ever managed to capture evidence like that. I can’t believe you went by yourself and didn’t record a single minute!”
Oh dear. This wasn’t the usual excited investigator that she was used to seeing when she told about such things. Nina climbed off her happy cloud and took her friend’s hand. “Rough night?”
“It was okay.” Vivian waved her other hand dismissively. “Claire brought a guy back to our room, and I came in here to sleep in peace. Except you weren’t here and I worried.”
Nina hugged her and smiled. “I’m fine. More than fine.” She released Vivian and bounced on her toes. “Ben told me what happened that night. His own deputy betrayed him. I was just about to grab my laptop and go to the library. Want to come with me?”
“Yes, of course. But go shower and change first. You look like you’ve been having sex for days.”
Nina giggled and hurried off to shower. She was done and dressed in ten minutes. Tying her hair back in a braid, she slipped on sneakers and followed Vivian out of the hotel. She relayed all of Ben’s story in the car. When they stopped for coffee, she found herself blushing as Vivian questioned her about other details. The hot barista must believe her to be a flake since she was either flushed or daydreaming every time he saw her. Yet he had their drinks ready before they even ordered.
Her excitement was squashed after spending five hours at the library and discovering nothing helpful. Nina mentally banged her head on the table.
“Let’s put our notes together. See what we have.” Vivian moved to Nina’s side of the table, carrying papers with neat handwriting. The woman had good instincts. She likely could see Nina grasping at the end of her rope.
Nina nodded and gathered her scribblings. “Okay. So, I didn’t find anything else about the night of Ben’s death particularly, but I found obituaries. Ben’s.” Which was an immensely heartfelt message from his family. “Len Bradey. Unfortunately the young man didn’t make it, but his wife did. Joseph and Marvin Cobb. The bastards. Plus mentions of two federal agents killed. I didn’t find Vernon Duke’s, but I bet the town hated him and didn’t care to write a memorial. That’s seven.”
“Did you say Vernon Duke?” Vivian leaned in and frowned. “I’ve seen that name somewhere.”
Vivian retreated to the other side of the table and shuffled through the papers. Nina rubbed her eyes with her palms and sighed. “You likely saw his name mentioned a few times. He was the deputy, the backstabbing ass.”
“No. That’s not it.” Vivian whipped through more piles and snatched one paper out with her head held up in victory. “Vernon Duke. Federal agent and in charge of cases in this county from 1926 through 1931.”
“Must be someone else with the same name.” Nina waved it away.
Vivian slapped the paper down in front of Nina. “It’s not. Vernon Duke, formerly an officer with the Grace Cove police department. They assigned him here because he knew the area. Ben didn’t kill him.”
“Ben didn’t kill Vernon.” Nina blinked, gaping at the article as she read it. She jumped up and squealed. “He didn’t kill him!”
The librarian shushed Nina from her position behind her desk near the front door.
Nina covered her mouth and sat back down, doing a little dance in her chair. Sure, Vernon still betrayed Ben, but the former sheriff didn’t murder his deputy.
“This is the key. This will help him carry on.” Vivian held up her hand for a high five. She grinned and waited. The smile faded when Nina didn’t slap their hands together.
Nina’s heart sank. The article would help Ben move on to the afterlife. He’d be gone from this world. From her world.
“Sweetie.” Vivian shifted her chair closer and pulled Nina into a hug. Nina sucked back a soft sob. “It has to be this way. It’s not like you can have a relationship with a ghost. It’s the right thing to do. We’re here to help lost spirits. I know you know that.” She squeezed Nina before letting her go. “I think maybe Claire and I will take care of the case from here. You’re too involved.”
“No!” Nina grabbed Vivian’s arm. “Please, let me do it.” She took in a deep breath and nodded. “I know it’s the right thing to do. I do. Besides, I think Ben will only come to me.”
Vivian regarded her silently for a moment and then bobbed her head once. “Okay, but—”
“I don’t want any cameras or recording devices there. Just Ben and me. Let me say goodbye and release him without knowing thousands of people will be watching us later.” Nina kept her fingers crossed that Vivian wouldn’t argue with her. She needed to see Ben on her own one more time.
“I’ll give you this,” Vivian conceded and sighed. “You have it bad, woman. Claire was right. You should have picked up that cute barista and hooked your heart onto a living man. Or, at least, shagged him silly.”
“Thank you.” Nina sagged in her seat and managed a little smile.
One more night with Ben. If only she could make that night last an eternity.
Chapter Eight
Nina wanted to rush to the B&B and avoid it at the same time. If there were only some way to prolong their time together, to…what? To get to know each other, go on dates, marry? Ben was a spirit. Her heart didn’t want to accept it.
She sat on the B&B’s porch, swaying gently on the swing for almost an hour before going inside the house. No tears. She was not going to cry. She pressed her forehead to the cool wood of the bedroom door and willed the beat of her heart to calm.
Nina.
A tear escaped and trickled down her cheek.
Wiping the tear away, she twisted the knob and let the weight of the door lead her in. Ben swiftly had her in his arms, spinning her into the room and kissing her with a passion that was fast making her wet between the legs.
The door closed behind them. She put her hands on his shoulders and balanced herself on her toes. “I need to tell you something.”
He kissed her again and directed her toward the bed. No words. Not right now.
Ben tugged off her short-sleeved beaded tee and tossed it to the floor. He traced his tongue down her neck to rain kisses and nips over her breasts. Her head fell back as she closed her eyes and ran her hands through his thick hair.
A little voice piped up in the back of her mind and demanded she stop this to tell him what she’d learned. His hot lips and hard body chased the nag away. There would be no words. Just, oh God, that felt so good.
He plucked her left breast out of the cup of her bra and flicked his tongue over the nipple before enveloping it with his mouth. He sucked. Hard. Her body bowed against his.
Pants. Off. He gruffly commanded as he freed her other breast. Kneading them in his big hands, he lay siege to the second nipple.
With shaky hands, Nina popped open her jeans and pushed them along with her panties down. She wiggled so they’d fall while kicking off her shoes, and she stepped out of her clothes. Ready to tear his pants off, she found no material to snag hold of. He was gloriously naked. Hadn’t he been clothed just a minute before?
Not that it mattered. She had what she wanted. Sleek and muscled, Ben was the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes upon.
Ghost Dancer (The Paramours Book 1) Page 3
