Spirit [New Crescent 2] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Read online

  With her heart in her throat, Reggie closed her eyes. The night was clear, the strong breeze they’d had all day faded away, and all was still. The garden was earthy and fragrant but instead she inhaled his scent. Savoring it, she cautiously opened her eyes.

  Constance was there! Reggie grabbed a handful of the shirt covering Chase’s chest. He took hold of her chin, tipped her head up, and took her lips in a thrilling kiss.

  Everything was forgotten as she responded with enthusiasm. This couldn’t possibly be a make-believe kiss. Could it? He made a provocative noise in his throat when she ran her tongue along the ridge of his top teeth. His tongue followed hers, and they got lost in each other. Reggie dug her nails into the muscles on his chest when he applied lips and tongue to her throat. With both hands she grabbed his hair, and pulled his lips back to hers. She sucked his bottom lip into her mouth, and he moaned. He pulled her on his lap, and she gasped when she felt his hardness. She’d never wanted anything so badly in her whole life.

  “Shouldn’t you retire to more private accommodations?” Constance teased. She laughed when they jumped apart guiltily. Reggie looked right at her with glazed eyes. Chase couldn’t see her, but he tried to follow Reggie’s gaze.

  Chase straightened and Reggie slipped off his lap. “Constance.”

  The spirit teased them. “Funny, usually your voice is so steady Regina. I like it this way better. Good for you, Chase. It looks like you know what you’re doing after all. For a minute there today, Regina, when you were in the garden talking about vampires, I thought the other man might make a claim.”

  Reggie looked at her in confusion. Vampires? She shook her head. This time, she wasn’t going to let the little minx distract her.

  “Why are you here Constance?” She asked.

  “Just because…” She almost sang the words.

  “Tell me. You were once a Guardian. You know more than you’re saying.”

  “No,” Constance said. The music in her voice faded.

  Reggie persisted. “Oh yes, Constance. You know there’s work for you to do or you wouldn’t be here. You have to help us.”

  “I have helped you. Without me, the two of you would still be circling each other under the impression you can keep your hands off each other.”

  Chase and Reggie exchanged a look. “Yeah, thanks for that,” Reggie said ruefully, “But that’s not all we need. The library, Constance, what do we do about the library, and what’s in there?”

  Constance’s voice was filled with very human panic when she said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Reggie could see the fear on her face as she started to fade. “Don’t go, damn you! We need your help…” Her words had no effect as Constance disappeared and the breeze started up again.

  Chapter 9

  Under her breath, she said, “Bloody fool, talking to her is like nailing Jell-O to the wall.”

  Chase disagreed. “Don’t expect too much Reggie. At least she showed. It worked. She appears more readily when we’re together. Now we know that’s how to get to her.”

  Regina raised her eyebrows and shrugged. “Yeah. But how does that help us? Do we mock date every night in hopes of stirring her? That’s ridiculous.” She also knew she’d never keep her distance or her sanity.

  Chase sat back, resting his large hands on his knees. “We should stop fighting it.”

  She eyed him with suspicion. “Careful where you go with this.”

  Exasperated, he said, “How much longer are you going to pretend this thing between us doesn’t exist?” When she didn’t respond, he said, “Okay, since you lack the courage, I’ll say it. I want you and you want me. If Constance hadn’t interrupted us tonight, we wouldn’t have stopped. Yes, she’s manipulating us, but I don’t care!” He heaved a sigh, for once losing all patience. “We’ve been dancing around this for too long, to hell with it! I want you bad. I’m not prepared to ignore it any longer. And I’m not going to hold back, so tonight, Reggie, I put you on notice. I’m coming for you, and I know exactly what I want.”

  With a hand on either side of her head, he brought her lips to his. There was no question in her mind; he knew what he was doing. She was devastated. A passion like this was completely new to her. The pleasure was so intense it bordered on pain. She wanted to grab handfuls of his hair and drag him back when he pulled away and calmly looked down at her. What he saw in her face must have pleased him because he smiled with triumph.

  Standing, he took her hands and walked with her into the house. He surprised her by stopping at the bottom of the grand staircase. His eyes flared, but he blinked and with visible effort, got hold of himself. There was no question about what he’d rather be doing. Instead, he took a step back and said, “Go to bed, Reggie. I think I’ve given you enough to think about for one evening.” He ran a hand through his hair, then stuffed his hands in his pockets, which drew her attention to the notch between his legs.

  He gave her a warning look and said, “Go. Now.”

  Like an automaton, she walked up the stairs and into the master bedroom. Chase watched from the foot of the staircase. Before she shut the bedroom door, he called out, “Sweet dreams.”

  Safely inside, Reggie dropped like a bowling ball on the enormous bed and looked up at the familiar ceiling. A trembling hand rested on the pulse in her neck. He heart was beating so fast that she couldn’t tell one beat from the next. From some part of her brain came the thought, “I can’t blame the stairs for this.” Chase was the only person who could affect her this way. The man was worse than a ninety-minute cardio routine. What was she going to do now? He’d brought it out into the open. There was no way she could pretend this thing between them didn’t exist. He’d made it patently clear that he intended to deal with it.

  He wanted to have sex. Hell, she did too, but that didn’t stop her from considering the consequences. They were an integral part of each other’s life. How could sex fit into that equation? What happens after they burn out the passion they feel right now? The awkwardness would impact upon the whole town. They’d make everyone uncomfortable. When their affair ended, could she still live in New Crescent and see Chase platonically without dying a little inside, every day? The answer frightened her. In her heart, she knew he loved her but he wasn’t in love with her. Like every woman in the world, she knew the difference between the two.

  Yet, what choice did she have? Before long, Reggie knew she’d give in to her own needs and take him to her bed. But she didn’t have to do it mindlessly. He’d given her the chance to set terms, and she’d do just that. The problem was, exactly what were her terms? Trying to work that out in her mind, Reggie got very little sleep that night. Downstairs shifting on the couch, Chase shared her pain.

  The next day, the weather mimicked Reggie’s foul mood. Rain dominated the entire day. Sitting across the table from Gillian, she played with her food without enthusiasm. Her appetite, usually a constant and dependable presence in her life, deserted her completely.

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” Gillian’s brow furrowed with concern. Picking up on the emotion with unfailing accuracy, Hank laid his fluffy white head in Reggie’s lap. His dense black eyes communicated a world of tenderness. He was truly miraculous.

  Reggie looked at her friend and then down at the dog. “You two are good.”

  “Ah, all is not lost. You might be down, but you’re not out. You still have your sense of humor.” Gillian pushed her plate away. They’d agreed to meet at the little diner on the main street of New Crescent. The diner served deliciously unhealthy food. As a rule, Reggie loved it. But today, for the first time ever, she couldn’t finish her fish and chips.

  Even Susie the waitress looked at her with concern as she said under her breath, “Flu season is starting early this year.”

  Taking a deep breath, Gillian held Reggie’s hand in hers. At once Reggie felt her friend’s compassion. With a simple touch, Gillian Watson could read a person’s thoughts and feelings.
That was her gift. It had helped make her a Guardian. Trusting her completely, Reggie didn’t pull away. She knew that Gillian would never invade her privacy or take any information that Reggie wouldn’t offer freely. Her gift was impressive, but what was really incredible was what she’d done with it. She’d taken her ability, worked with it, suffered for it, and could now use it to bring solace to a troubled mind.

  Comforted, Reggie said, “Hey, Gillian, you’re better than drugs. Wow. Don’t go too far away, I might need you the next time they don’t have my size in the perfect shoe.”

  Letting go of her hand, Gillian said, “I save the really good stuff for special occasions. Shoe shopping definitely qualifies.”

  “You’re getting stronger,” Reggie commented on Gillian’s impressive power.

  “Yeah, I’ve stopped trying to control it and accepted it as part of who I am. I guess in a way I’m not stunting its growth anymore.”

  “I’m glad, Gillian. You seem so happy.”

  “Travis has a lot to do with that.” She smiled serenely.

  Slipping into familiar habits, Reggie said, “He’s been a busy little boy. You don’t have to marry him, you know. He’d have sex with you anyway.”

  Gillian paused for a second and played along. “True. The poor boy has pitifully little self-control.”

  “You own him, girl.” She grabbed a chip. Her appetite was starting to reassert itself, thanks to Gillian. “Let’s make him do something really outrageous like River Dance.”

  Their healthy imaginations took over from there and they started to laugh. The waitress glanced over her shoulder and smiled.

  “At the risk of sending you spiraling into a relapse, can I ask you how it’s going with Constance?”

  “She’s being difficult. At least when she appeared last night, I had the presence of mind to tell her we needed her help. Not that she was very forthcoming. The naked fear on her face when I mentioned the library was entirely genuine. She’s terrified of what’s in there. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am about that.”

  “I wish Ernestine would let me help.”

  “No way, Gill, that thing could wipe you out. You’re just too tasty a tidbit. It couldn’t resist a gift like yours. I’m uniquely ungifted, and it drains me.”

  Gillian shook her head. “Don’t be silly. You’re more gifted than you know.”

  “Nice of you to say, but I’ve accepted the fact that I’m outstandingly normal. I can’t waste my life wishing for what I can’t have.” The words had more meaning than Reggie wanted to examine at the moment, so she rushed on. “Even without precognition, I know that I will live here in New Crescent and work in my family’s real estate business. I’m not meant to do anything else. I know my destiny, and I’m fine with it.”

  “How fortunate for you.” Gillian humored her.

  Reggie shook her blonde hair. “Really.”

  “So you don’t need help dealing with Constance and Vincent because you know your destiny.” She leaned over the table eager to hear Reggie’s response.

  She laughed. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “Well, all I can say is that I’m glad Chase is in this with you. Maybe he can shake your complacency. For a man who’s always so cool and collected, he can be remarkably unpredictable, I think.”

  “You think too much.” Reggie grabbed a menu. “What shall we have for dessert?” She refused to discuss Chase with Gillian or anyone. Her nerves were still too exposed from the previous night.

  Too sensitive to press her, Gillian changed the subject. “Travis says that there have been some petty thefts around Bennett House recently.”

  Reggie nodded. “Yeah, and that’s not all. We’ve had a number of little accidents or narrowly averted big accidents. Guys who usually never exchange a cross word are at each other’s throats. I know it’s the Big Bad in the Library. It’s getting stronger.” She closed the menu with a snap. “I’m so frustrated. Chase and I have made so little progress figuring out how to get rid of it.”

  “I know I’m not supposed to get involved, Reggie, but as I understand it, I can still give you guidance. So here it is. Trust Chase, even when your insecurity makes you want to turn away from him.”

  Stunned, Reggie looked at her friend. Gillian refused to elaborate and smoothly changed the subject.

  * * * *

  The pouring rain forced Chase indoors. He didn’t mind too much. It gave him an opportunity to go over the proofs he’d been ignoring. Duty called. The task was almost distracting enough to keep him from obsessing over the challenge he’d laid at Reggie’s feet the night before. A small part of him regretted his words, fearing that he’d pushed her too far, too soon. But a bigger part of him acknowledged that one of them had to do something. Spending so much time close to her was grinding him into sawdust. He had to press his advantage.

  She wanted him. Sweet Mother of God, for that, he was grateful. He was finally worthy and in a position to offer her what she deserved. He was no longer skating on the thin ice of shame and potential bankruptcy. Yes, his stepfather had tarnished his family’s reputation, his mother’s memory, and his own sense of self-worth, but that was the past. He couldn’t step back in time and kick the abusive bastard out of his mother’s life. She’d made a choice when she’d hidden the abuse from her son. Chase had berated himself endlessly for not seeing what was happening, for being so self-absorbed. In typical adolescent male fashion, he’d been oblivious to the classic signs of abuse.

  On her death bed, Annie McCann Adams had told her son that she’d made her own choices and hadn’t regretted them. Jade was worth it all. The emotional abuse she’d suffered at the hands of her second husband hadn’t mattered. His stepsister was worth it. Of course, she’d been right. Jade belonged in his life. She belonged in New Crescent. He’d never given up hope that she’d find her way back home.

  When Jade had called him that morning in the hospital, she’d been almost incoherent. He’d been waiting for Reggie to come so they could talk about what they’d been through the day before, how they’d saved each other’s lives. But Jade’s call for help put all of that on the back burner. Gone was his intention to stay put until Reggie came back so they could talk over what they’d been through together. Fate had stepped in and made that impossible. Robert Adams, Chase’s foul stepfather had died, and the fallout wasn’t pretty. Jade needed him. For once in her life, she’d reached out to him. He couldn’t let her down. So many years ago, he’d ignored his mother when she’d needed him. That was the worst way to learn a life lesson, but he’d learned it. Disappointing Jade was something he’d vowed never to do.

  Unaware of Jade’s situation and her cry for help, Reggie had found an empty bed when she’d returned to the hospital to see him. Misunderstanding his absence, she’d reacted impulsively, called her girlfriend who lived in Italy and boarded a flight to Europe without a word. Until Jade was able to clear up the circumstances surrounding her father’s death, Chase had to respect her privacy and stay quiet. He couldn’t tell Reggie his reasons for leaving so precipitously.

  Now he had another chance with her, and he wasn’t about to screw it up. The two of them would just have to triumph over this latest madness at Bennett House. His instinct told him they’d have to or be crushed. She was understandably skittish around him, but if he stayed the course, he prayed she’d trust him enough to let her guard down. After a long absence, his self-confidence had slowly returned. He was determined to succeed in shaping his own and Reggie’s destiny, but he knew, given her nature, she’d fight him every step of the way.

  * * * *

  The rain didn’t stall work on the interior of Bennett House. The pickings weren’t nearly as rich though, without the men working outside. He’d have to be satisfied with less. That fact didn’t please him, but he’d learned to be patient. A great power was within his grasp. He could smell it, taste it. He’d wait. The anticipation would make his triumph that much sweeter. The other was still foolish and stubborn. He wo
uld take it all in the end. For now, knowledge was power.

  Chapter 10

  Before heading back to Bennett House, Reggie stopped by her parents’ home and picked up Prudence. She’d spent too much time away from the little dog. Her father had been right. The work taking place at Bennett House made it a less than ideal place for a dog, but Reggie didn’t want to spend another night without Pru. In New Crescent, all animals were considered Mother Nature’s gift. In the Wicca tradition, that belief had been passed down generation to generation by the Old Families. Many pets could trace their lineage back to the three Goode sisters and their animals. Pru, bless her heart, couldn’t claim such auspicious origins, but that didn’t make Reggie love her any less.

  Driving back to Bennett House, Reggie hadn’t fully realized how much she’d missed the dog. Just having her furry little body around made Reggie feel better. The sight of her furry little face helped to brighten up a day that was still rainy and melancholy.

  The house stood moody and majestic against the infinite shades of gray in the sky. It truly was the perfect setting for a gothic novel. The slight feeling of expectation Reggie felt as she walked in the front door supported the impression.

  She could hear the kind of noise and chatter she’d grown accustomed to while working on the house and headed in the direction of Duncan’s voice. Pru followed close behind. The contractor was talking to two of his most reliable men. It sounded like they’d had a disagreement and Duncan was helping them to smooth it out. Standing in the doorway, Reggie leaned against the unstained trim and waited for him to finish. He caught sight of her in his peripheral vision, nodded, and held up a finger, indicating he’d be right with her.

  With the disagreement ironed out, Duncan turned to Reggie. He recognized Pru and bent to pat her. Reggie had questions for him regarding the tile work in the kitchen. Their discussion became detailed. Growing impatient with inactivity, Pru began to explore. Reggie called her to heel. When her conversation with Duncan wound down, Reggie made her way upstairs using the back staircase. Her ever present sidekick, Pru stayed just a step behind.