She climaxed quickly as they rocked together and Brandon stoked the flames higher, determined to hold back until she came again, clutching his cock so sweetly that he wanted to shift and howl triumphantly at the moon.
The night passed all too quickly. Brandon lost count of the number of times they came but his senses wallowed in the pleasure and he built a catalogue of memories to hold next to his heart for when he was alone again.
* * * * *
The days passed in busy preparations for the opening of Tavistock Manor as a bed and breakfast. Gardens were restored to their former splendor and bulbs sprouted, bringing the promise of warmer weather. Brandon and Jess spent time gardening, decorating rooms and exploring the large manor grounds together, trying to decide what she should do with the remaining land.
Jess returned from a quick trip to the village to pick up supplies and mail. She found Brandon stripping wallpaper from the final room on the second floor. “There was another robbery last weekend. Mrs. Robinson, the craft store owner was attacked while she was walking her dog after dinner. This time they had a gun.”
“Was she hurt?” Brandon wished he could help, but he could do nothing confined to the manor grounds.
“They shot her terrier dog. Evidently she’s heartbroken.”
Brandon removed the last section of wallpaper and turned to Jess. “I don’t like the sound of this. What have the authorities done?”
“The police? I heard they’ve increased the night patrols. And the villagers have started a system where they look out for their neighbors.”
“I have no faith in the law. They didn’t do anything when you reported the men on your property,” Brandon snarled, his expression fierce and scary.
Jess shrugged uneasily. Brandon’s moods were up and down and she didn’t understand why. “The vehicle was stolen. I wasn’t able to give them a good enough description of the men, but I’m confident they’ll catch them.” She forced a grin. “At least the only wolf who howls around here now is you.”
“I’m going to the woods. I need to run.”
“I’ll give you an hour then come to meet you,” Jess said.
Brandon hesitated before nodding. “Be careful.” He kissed her in the familiar way that made her toes curl within her boots before striding through the open door, shifting to black wolf as she watched.
Jess smiled. If ever a man made her heart pound, it was Brandon Lupinus. A part of her was selfishly glad he’d been cursed since otherwise she’d never have met him. Her breasts tingled as her mind drifted to sex and how good it was between them. Jess tidied away the strips of discarded paper and started to prepare the room for painting. Another four-poster bed stood in the middle of the room, covered with sheets to keep the worst of the dust off while the room was decorated. The floor was bare wood since the carpet was rolled up. Once she hung new bed and matching window curtains, the room with its own balcony and view over the woods would be popular with guests.
Jess filled the last small hole in the wall nearest the door and set the bowl of filler aside. Time to meet up with Brandon. She took the path that wound through the gardens. It led behind the house and into the woods—a path that circled through the oaks and beech trees and back to the front of the manor. A small brook bubbled busily as it wound its way to join the Mercep River. Jess brushed past a willow tree growing on the banks of the brook and headed deeper into the woods. The afternoon sun shed dappled patterns over the ground. A bee buzzed around the early wildflowers and a thrush twittered cheerfully from the low branches of an oak.
Jess walked slowly, enjoying the fresh air and savoring the peacefulness. Sometimes she had to pinch herself to remember the manor belonged to her. The tomboy was fast becoming a success story.
A short howl pierced the air. Jess smiled, her heart jumping into a crazy beat of excitement. Brandon. Maybe she could entice him into making love outdoors…
Chapter Five
Brandon’s head jerked up at the call of the wolf, cut off before it wound into full howl. His hackles rose and a snarl vibrated deep in his chest. He scented for intruders, cocking his ears at the sweaty stink of man. When a woman’s scream rippled through the air, Brandon broke into a run. Jess? Fear kicked him in the gut and he upped his pace, cutting through the woods instead of taking the path, heading toward the sound. Blackberry and bracken ripped at his thick coat but Brandon kept going, terrified for Jess’ safety. God, he loved her so much. He didn’t intend to fail again, especially when it came to Jess. When the clearing came into sight he slowed to take stock, his sides heaving from exertion.
Three men. Two holding a young woman while the third pointed a gun. Not Jess. His nose twitched at the sweet stench of alcohol and something else. Drugs? Worry escalated as he debated how to proceed.
The two men held the woman firmly, squeezing her breasts, fondling her ass and worse. Her sobbing pleas tugged at him. Elsa had cried and pleaded.
“Take your time, boys,” the gunman said. “We won’t be disturbed here.”
One of the men ripped off her shirt. The woman screamed, the sound cut off abruptly when he slapped her face. She sobbed, her thin shoulders shaking. Brandon felt her fear. It shimmered in the air, tearing at his guts, ripping the scabs off memories.
The gunman first. Brandon slithered closer on his belly until he was in position to attack. He leapt, striking the man directly in the chest, teeth snapping as a feral growl rippled from his throat.
The woman cowered, screaming again in panic.
“What the fuck?” one of the men cursed.
Yep, they could see him well enough. As he’d hoped, the gun flew from the man’s grasp at the force of his weight. Brandon grabbed the man’s leg and hauled him along the rough ground with not the slightest remorse.
“Get him away from me, you morons!”
Brandon sank his teeth in a little farther and the man ceased his fight. Not dead. Fainted.
The other two men released the woman and backed away. Probably heading for their vehicle. Brandon stalked them, cutting off easy escape. He growled.
“Fuck, told you this was a bad idea,” one of the men snapped.
Brandon growled low and menacing. He should have spoken up instead of going along. Acted like a man. A leader instead of a blind follower. As Brandon should have with Elsa. Fury built in him. He’d make them sorry.
“Brandon! Watch out! He has a gun.” Jess’ terrified warning pierced his anger.
God’s teeth, Jess was here. In danger, but he had to save the girl first. He growled fiercely.
The man he’d jumped had regained consciousness and possession of the gun. He aimed it at the girl and squeezed the trigger. Brandon leapt in front of the girl without a second thought. He felt the bullet rip into his shoulder. Impossible. He was a ghost. Yes, he had substance, but he could still fade out enough to pass through solid objects. The scent of blood filled the air. His blood. Brandon faltered. Another shot echoed in the clearing, slamming into his side. Pain hit him but he urged the woman behind a large tree to safety, nudging her with his body. His head swam, a peculiar blackness crawling through his mind. The shifting process started, the bullets popping from his shoulder and side as he changed from wolf to man.
“Brandon?” Jess’ panic was clear. She couldn’t see him. Brandon stood abruptly, wavering for an instant, desperate to get to Jess. He felt weird. Different. His clothes! His eyes widened as he stared at his black breeches. They were from his time—the clothes he’d worn on the day Elsa died. They were covered with blood—both Elsa’s and his.
Walk the ghostly world. Howl at the moon. Alone, Brandon Lupinus, until need forces you to act as a decent man should.
A laugh burst from his tight throat. The curse. It was broken! He had fulfilled the terms of the curse by helping the woman.
He whirled around, elation filling him. Jess. He needed to hold her with human instead of ghostly arms, to kiss her and love her as a man. He ran into the clearing, searching for his lov
e.
Where was she?
A third shot rang out.
“No!” His cry of horror ripped through the clearing. He covered the ground to Jess’ side in seconds flat, squatting at her side.
Too late.
Pain filled her eyes and blood bubbled from a hole in her chest. Brandon cradled her in his arms. “Jess, sweetheart. Hold on. I’ll get help. Hold on. You can’t die. I love you.”
“Love you.” Her eyes fluttered closed and she went limp in his arms. A ghostly form separated from her body as he watched.
“No!” Brandon checked for a pulse. Nothing. He shook her but she remained still. Tears welled in his eyes, spilling down his cheeks. In the distance, a siren sounded. It moved progressively closer. The girl must have found help from a night patrol. Relief was tinged with pain.
Too late for Jess.
He’d lost her.
Brandon stood and turned to face her murderer, fury rippling through him in a giant red wave.
A fourth shot echoed in the clearing. With astonishment Brandon stepped back, pain clawing at his chest. Fresh blood bloomed on his white shirt and waistcoat. He staggered then fell, his world turning black.
* * * * *
“Brandon, wake up.” The scent of flowers and woman dragged him from the dark. Cool, smooth hands wiped his brow and straightened his clothes.
“Jess?” Brandon bolted upright, his head going straight through her arm.
Jess laughed. “Whoa, that was weird! I hope we can still make love.”
“You’re a ghost.” Sorrow throbbed in his heart. He hadn’t managed to save Jess. She’d never have children or grow old. “You’ll never see your family again unless they visit the manor.”
“A ghost?” Jess frowned. “I can’t leave?”
“I don’t think so.”
Her forehead smoothed out. “I guess that will be okay. I love the manor.” She stroked his cheek. “Don’t be sad. You saved the young woman. Besides, we will always be together now.”
Brandon drew her close and kissed her tenderly. It was true. They could never be parted now. He smiled with real happiness. “I love you.”
* * * * *
“Gather around,” the perky guide said. “Legend says Tavistock Manor is haunted by very special ghosts. A werewolf ghost.”
“Don’t believe in ghosts,” a teenage boy muttered from the back of the group.
“Don’t be so sure. At full moon, the howl of a wolf echoes through the night. And sometimes when you walk along a passage there are sudden cold spots.”
“Humph,” the boy repeated his doubt.
Brandon and Jess watched, their heads poking through the wall to survey the latest batch of tourists.
Brandon sighed. “More unbelievers. I believe it’s your turn.”
“Okay.” Jess popped right through the wall, sauntered up to the teenager and tapped him on the shoulder. “Boo!”
About the Author
Shelley lives in Auckland, New Zealand, with her husband and a small, bossy dog named Scotty.
Typical New Zealanders, Shelley and her husband left home for their big OE soon after they married (translation of New Zealand-speak: big overseas experience). A year-long adventure lengthened to six years of roaming the world. Enduring memories include being almost sat on by a mountain gorilla in Rwanda, lazing on white sandy beaches in India, whale watching in Alaska, searching for leprechauns in Ireland, and dealing with ghosts in an English pub.
While travel is still a big attraction, these days Shelley is most likely found in front of her computer following another love—that of writing stories of romance and adventure. Other interests include watching rugby and rugby league (strictly for research purposes *grin*), being walked by the dog, and curling up with a good book.
Shelley Munro welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at 1056 Home Avenue, Akron, OH 44310-3502.
Also by Shelley Munro
Men To Die For anthology
Never Send a Dog To Do a Woman’s Job
Scarlet Woman
Sex Idol
Summer in the City of Sails
Talking Dogs, Aliens, and Purple People Eaters
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
www.ellorascave.com
Curse of Brandon Lupinus Page 5
