Curse of Brandon Lupinus

by Shelley Munro

  “God, Brandon.”

  His eyes glinted with emotion and his hand shook. “I refused. Elsa struggled and fought them. By that time the escaped women had alerted the blacksmith. He was armed and shot Gerald in the chest. Elsa was already dead. Strangled. My other friends died that day. Everyone except me. I was shot but only wounded with a bullet through the arm. Elsa’s friends told everyone I’d tried to help but the rumors of previous pranks had spread. God’s teeth, I wish I’d acted like a man and tried to stop them earlier. They wanted to hang me, but Elsa’s mother arrived and said she had a more fitting punishment in mind. She cursed me to wander alone. My father, the last remaining Lupinus died, and the manor was sold.” Brandon forced a carefree smile even though it was obvious he bled inside, that the past haunted him grievously. “I’ve been a ghost werewolf ever since.”

  Jess scooted her chair closer to Brandon and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “What sort of curse? Surely a curse can be broken?”

  “The exact words are branded in my mind. Walk the ghostly world. Howl at the moon. Alone, Brandon Lupinus, until need forces you to act as a decent man should.”

  “Have you tried doing good deeds?”

  Brandon snorted. “I didn’t eat you.”

  “Be serious,” Jess said, punching him on the arm. “Good deeds always work in the movies.”

  “Throughout the years I’ve tried everything to break the damn curse. Nothing works. You and the woman are the only ones who have seen me since the day of the curse. I can’t leave the estate grounds to do good deeds. Whenever I try to leave I get sucked back to the manor house.”

  “But I’ve heard a wolf howling out in the woods.”

  “The woods are part of the estate. If I try to go farther, I end up back here. It’s hopeless.” Brandon shot to his feet and strode across the tiled floor between the table and the kitchen counters. When he ran out of clear space, he turned and repeated the move in reverse. Jess watched him prowl and tried to concentrate. Difficult given the way those jeans hugged his butt.

  “And the werewolf thing?” She might as well know everything while she was asking questions.

  “My family name is Lupinus. What else would I be? A pussycat?”

  “Put that way, I guess it makes sense,” Jess said dryly, eyeing his fierce scowl as he prowled her kitchen. The man was definitely not a pussycat.

  “Many werewolf families used to live in the village. Over the years they’ve all died or left, apart from me.”

  Jess nodded thoughtfully. This explained the number of local werewolf legends. Her gaze drifted to Brandon. Tavistock Manor might harbor a ghost but the ghost bore his own scars. Jess replayed the agony she’d heard in his voice as he’d recounted his tale. There had to be something they could do to break the curse. Then a traitorous thought crept stealthily into her mind. Her dream lover was real. If the curse remained intact, he would stay with her. Jess stood abruptly. “Enough feeling sorry for yourself. I need to finish the gardens, and since it appears you’re no longer ghostly you can help me prepare for the first guests.”

  * * * * *

  Later that night, they sat down to dinner in the kitchen. Or rather, Jess did. Brandon merely sipped a glass of port since he didn’t require food.

  Her hair was windblown and sticking up at the back. A faint dusty mark marred the tanned smoothness of one cheek. Brandon thought she was beautiful. His cock jerked at the idea of loving her tonight. He hoped she was agreeable. During the years as a ghost he’d lived alone. Spending time with her was a gift.

  “What?” she asked, pausing with a forkful of potato halfway to her mouth. Her brown eyes sparkled with silent laughter as if she could read his thoughts.

  “Have you come across the plans my father commissioned for the garden and grounds?”

  She set her fork down. “There are original plans?”

  He nodded. “Probably in—”

  A ghostly howl cut through the darkness.

  “What the hell?” Brandon leapt to his feet and headed for the front door.

  “A relation?” Jess asked, hurrying after him.

  “I am the last of my line. The English gray wolf is extinct. That, madam, is someone playing a joke.” Brandon faded through the door and strode outside toward the woods. Jess opened the door and ran to keep up with him.

  The howl filled the valley again, echoing in a menacing manner that made his skin crawl. His gut cried danger and Brandon slowed to glance over his shoulder. “Jess, you should stay at the house. It’s not safe out here.”

  “You’re out here. Besides, when I catch whoever is out there playing tricks, I’m going to wring their neck.”

  Brandon stopped and Jess ploughed into the back of him. “Jess, please. This doesn’t feel right. You heard the postie. A woman was attacked. They could be attempting to lure you out of the house.” Caring throbbed in his voice, a giveaway of his growing feelings for her. “Please, if you won’t return to the manor, stay here. Behind this oak so you can hide if anyone comes this way.”

  “What about you?”

  “Ah, Jess.” His throat tightened at her concern for him, a man who was already dead. This woman was special. Eventually another man would figure that out—a man who was alive and could give her children. He’d have to stand aside then. The witch’s curse would take on a whole new level in the torture stakes. “A ghost can’t die again.” But they could suffer…

  Jess stared at him, sensing the same malevolence in the woods. On most nights the trees rustled, insects chattered and the call of night birds pierced the silence. There were occasional deer, along with sightings of nocturnal badgers. This silence was preternatural. Not a twig or leaf moved. “I’ll wait here until I know it’s safe.”

  “Thank you.” Brandon pressed a hard kiss to her lips before he shifted smoothly to wolf, faded to a mere shadow and prowled down the winding deer track that cut through the woods.

  He’d disappeared before her eyes. Neat trick. Another howl cut through the silence of the wood. Unease shot through her, goose bumps springing to life on her arms and legs. The howl cut off midpoint leaving pulsing silence. Jess crept from her hiding place, the need to know what was happening a compulsion. With her body poised for flight, Jess checked the path ahead, moving cautiously. The path widened into a clearing. The bubble of water told her this was the clearing with the pool. With clouds obscuring most of the moon, dark, forbidding shadows filled the opening in the trees. Another step gave her a full visual. A vehicle was parked at the far end. The headlights were off but the driver’s door was open, giving enough light for Jess to see three men, two seated on the hood of the vehicle while another fiddled with some sort of equipment.

  “What’s wrong with the sound system? Try it again,” one said.

  Jess glared at the trio, irritated to see them on her land. But what she couldn’t understand was why.

  “Must have jammed or somethin’. Why don’t the two of you start digging over at the far end of the clearing while I fix this? We need to bury the gear before the cops decide to do a search.” His friends picked up a shovel each and one plucked a lantern from inside the vehicle. Once it was lit they wandered away, the bob of the lantern light detailing their progress. Jess scowled, turning back to watch the one remaining. Stolen goods. They were burying stolen goods on her property! The man fiddled with several buttons before the call of a wolf filled the clearing.

  Without warning it shut off. The man let out a startled cry of terror.

  His friends came running.

  “What the fuck?”

  “What’s goin’ on?”

  The one who had cried out pointed at something Jess couldn’t see. Before she had time to react further, a wolf howl filled the clearing. It was loud. Eerie. Different from the one on the machine. A shiver worked through Jess even though she guessed it was Brandon. The call brought home reality. She was not only living and having sex with a ghost—he was a werewolf as well—a powerful creature cap
able of inflicting harm. The thought gave her pause until finally a grin crawled across her face. He’d never hurt her, not when he held her with such tenderness. If he’d wanted to hurt her, he’d have done it by now. Jess settled back to watch the show.

  Chapter Four

  “Fuck, it’s a wolf!”

  Almost as one, the three men dived for the vehicle, piling inside, intent on saving themselves. The vehicle started before they were all inside, peeling from the clearing with a grinding of gears and the screech of tires attempting to grip the grassy surface.

  “It bit me!” A pained curse echoed even as the man struggled to jump into the moving vehicle. He clawed his way in while the vehicle fishtailed toward a track Jess hadn’t known existed. Since they were preoccupied, Jess stood and openly watched.

  The driver calmed and the tires gained enough purchase for him to straighten the vehicle. It sped down the track with Brandon pursuing in his wolf form. Suddenly, he stopped dead. It was as if he’d hit a wall and his howl of surprise told her it was unexpected. The headlights of the vehicle faded and Brandon changed to human form. A flick of his wrist covered his naked limbs with clothes before she had a chance to savor the sight.

  “Bother,” she muttered.

  “Jess, you can come out now.”

  “Oops.”

  “I know you’re there.” Amusement shaded his stern tone, and Jess took heart. It wasn’t as if he could put her over his knee and spank her. “Don’t tempt me to spank you,” he added dryly.

  Jess stopped short in shock. She hadn’t said that. She hadn’t!

  Brandon sauntered up to her with a ground-eating stride. He looked strong, vital and pissed. “I told you to wait.”

  “It’s my land, my responsibility,” Jess said. “I needed to know what was happening. Besides, I was careful. They never knew I was there. Can you read my mind? And what happened?”

  Brandon’s brow knit in a deeper frown. “They crossed the manor boundary. I can’t. At least I didn’t end up at the manor. Odd, but since you arrived the rules keep evolving. No mind reading. Spanking was a safe guess.”

  “Oh.”

  “Is that all you have to say? No recriminations for letting them get away?”

  A surge of sympathy hit Jess and she reached up to stroke his cheek. “It wasn’t your fault. Besides, you put the fear of God into them. They’ll think twice before they return. It’s a pity they didn’t have a chance to bury their loot. Did you hear them?”

  “Yeah.”

  Jess giggled. “It was like watching a cartoon in real life.”

  Brandon’s mouth twitched. “Not so funny for them. You’ll report them tomorrow.”

  “I will,” Jess agreed, taking his hand in hers. “Let’s go home. I’d like a shower and then bed.” She slanted him a come-hither glance. “I’m thinking you should join me. In both places.”

  “Yes,” he said simply, his easy agreement making her heart swell and a familiar low pressure gather between her legs.

  They arrived back at the manor in breathless laughter, the return journey even quicker than the outward one.

  “Last one in the shower has to scrub the other’s back.” Brandon disappeared straight through the door, the trick making her blink even though she’d seen it before.

  Jess yanked open the door and hurried through. She might arrive in the shower last but she bet she could make him suffer first. To even the odds, she started to undress on the way up the stairs, flinging her clothes over her shoulder and letting them lay where they fell. She heard the shower door in the en suite open and the water start with a sullen hiss. She really needed to get that fixed. Sex in the shower wouldn’t be much fun with that pitiful water flow. Jess stooped to remove her boots, jeans and underwear before stepping into the shower with Brandon. The water dripped down his face, splashed over broad, muscular shoulders and ran down his flanks. Jess reached out to touch, following a rivulet of water down his body. Hard to believe he was a ghost.

  A hungry look filled his eyes before he took her mouth. With urgency thrumming through her veins, Jess welcomed his invasion. She curled close, his touch sending an intense burst of heat straight to her pussy. Moisture trickled between her legs and instantly she had to get closer, let the fire engulf her.

  “Inside me. Now,” she pleaded between kisses.

  “Yes.” Brandon spread her legs and lifted at the same time, opening her body for his possession. His cock probed her entrance while Jess gripped his shoulders tightly. Looking down, she watched him push inside her body.

  Slowly—one increment at a time, his cock disappeared. As his penis widened and swelled, he stretched her pussy in a delicious assault.

  It was arousing. It was sexy. And it felt damned amazing.

  Jess bit her bottom lip to stop her moan of pleasure.

  Once he was fully seated, Jess wrapped her thighs around his waist and held tight. He remained still inside her for the longest time while fire bloomed and swarmed over her body. Her clit pulsed against his flesh, climax within her grasp already, but she desperately needed to move. She rocked against him, but his greater strength prevented her from moving at the right angle.

  “Oh, Brandon. Please move. I need you to move. Please. Please.”

  “I love making you crazy like this. Your eyes glow. You look beautiful,” he whispered before kissing her tenderly.

  “I’m not beautiful,” she protested.

  “You are to me. I have never wanted anyone the way I want you now.” Brandon pistoned his hips in a lazy thrust, but it wasn’t enough.

  Frustrated, Jess dug her nails into his back and bit him lightly on the shoulder in a warning for him to stop teasing. Brandon laughed, a joyous sound that upped the savage ache in her womb. God, she loved this man-werewolf-ghost. It had happened so quickly, but she held not a shred of doubt as to her feelings. Brandon was the one she wanted.

  Brandon thrust lazily, loving the weight of her in his arms, the feel of her and the feminine musk that was uniquely hers. Then a truth ripped into his mind. He froze fully seated with her womb clutching at his cock and pulsing seductively.

  She loved him.

  Joy spread through him. He withdrew and thrust inside her hard. Rapidly. Striking deep, the angle perfect for both of them. Jess’ womb tightened an instant before a keening cry escaped her throat. He felt the shivers and spasms that racked her body before he too convulsed with the force of his release.

  Slowly he came back. The meager trickle of water from the showerhead had turned cold. Brandon kissed her shoulder before their bodies separated and Jess stood. She grabbed the soap and ran it over her breasts, over her belly and between her legs. When she shivered, Brandon helped her remove the soap and turned off the shower, glad years of observing had helped him keep up with new advances in technology.

  They left the shower stall and Jess grabbed a sunshine yellow towel off the wooden towel rack to her right. She ran the towel over her limbs while Brandon thought himself dry and it happened. Fascinated, he watched her pick up a bottle from the vanity unit and smooth lotion smelling of sweet flowers across her skin. Next, she dragged a comb through her short hair, pulling a face at the mirror. She picked up a pink brush and spread toothpowder onto it before cleaning her teeth. Then she turned to him.

  “I’m ready for bed. How about you?”

  Brandon glanced wryly at his cock. “Yep, ready.”

  Hand in hand, they left the small room and turned into the master chamber. The covers on the four-poster were rumpled from their morning loving and Jess padded across to the bed to straighten them.

  Although her arms, legs and face were tanned, the rest of her skin was the color of rich cream. Brandon smacked his lips, his eyes lingering on the curve of her buttocks. Hungry couldn’t begin to describe the way he felt when he gazed at Jess. Being with her filled the emptiness that had assailed him during the long years alone.

  His woman.

  God, he wanted her so much, wanted to brand and sta
mp her with his possession and never let her go. But that wasn’t fair. She was alive—living and breathing beauty. She deserved a man who could give her a family. Children. Grandchildren. She deserved a man she could grow old with and enjoy both the good and bad things thrown at them by life. A few more days. Just a few more days to store memories to sustain him into the future then he’d do the right thing and walk away, leaving the way open for another man.

  Decision made he prowled toward her. “Ready for more?”

  Jess chuckled, a throaty sound that jerked his cock to attention. “Round two. Bring it on.”

  Laughing, he scooped her off her feet, tossing her onto the middle of the mattress. The bed protested with a grumpy creak, one of the pulled-back curtains swishing free of its tie. Brandon leapt, and pinning her in the middle of the bed, he proceeded to torment her with sensual precision. He licked her breasts, shaping and molding them in his hands while wedging her thighs apart with his knee.

  “I’m going to love you so well you won’t walk for a week,” he whispered, catching her gaze with his to impart his determination.

  Jess’ breath came out with a whoosh. “You’ve remembered I need to finish the redecorating and gardening before the start of summer?”

  “Yeah, but I’ll help. Two sets of hands will make things go faster.” Brandon finally took a nipple deep into his mouth. He loved the hitch in her breathing when he did that so he drew hard before repeating the move with her other breast.

  “Does an Eighteenth Century male know how to paint and wallpaper?”

  “You will show me,” he said, grinning with arrogance. His smile slipped a fraction when he thought of never spending time with her again, of watching another man from afar. He swallowed and lowered his head to kiss her, nuzzling and sucking her lips. His tongue swept deep into her mouth, his lovemaking taking on an edge of desperation. Brandon pushed his cock deep into her body, her warmth sending waves of sensation through his cooler body. He continued to kiss and explore her breasts, her mouth, her shoulders and belly until he knew he’d be able to bring her to life in his mind for all time. Then he started to rock deep into her womb, heated by the dripping honey that eased his way. Brandon tasted soap and flowers from her lotion, shaped her curves with his hands, listened to the encouraging moans she made deep in her throat, and whispered of all he was going to do to her during the long night.