The Ghost Hunter (25 page)

Panic flared through her body. She couldn’t seem to catch her breath. “I have no choice? What if I like the ghosts, what if I don’t want to send them back?”

His lips parted in surprise, as if he couldn’t possibly comprehend how anyone could like a ghost. “But…but you have to.”

“Do I?”

“Ashley,” Cristian called out, coming toward them, his strides long and sure. She couldn’t help but notice how his shorts stretched across his muscled thighs, the way that gray t-shirt hugged his broad chest. Definitely a warrior.

Kipps disappeared. One moment he was there, the next gone.

“Coward,” Ashley muttered.

“Ashley. We—”

Her attention snapped back to Cristian and he felt her gaze like a knife to the heart. She knew. Something had changed and suddenly she knew more than she should. “I need to know, Cristian. Everything.”

He stopped short, his brows coming together. Shite, what had she learned on her little trip to town? “What?”

She was pale, trembling. Something had obviously upset her. “Is this my life?”

He shook his head, confused, but that wasn’t new where she was concerned. Hell, human females were certainly a mystery. He was over 300 years old and he still hadn’t figured them out.

“Did you know I’d come here? Was I supposed to arrive because I have to…to find ghosts for you to kill?”

His confusion cleared. He drew his hand over his face, so tired, so done with this entire situation. Swallowing hard, he focused on the trees just beyond the property. She was going to be difficult, but it was time to tell her the truth. “Yes.”

She leaned against a birch tree. “And what if I don’t want this?”

He looked at her, her face framed by the white, curling bark. “What do ye mean?”

“Why is it so shocking to realize I don’t want to kill ghosts for the rest of my life? I mean, what if I don’t want to point out ghosts for slaughter?”

“I don’t kill them,” he snapped, his anger growing. Why was it so hard for her to understand that these spirits didn’t belong here? Humans would never understand, all the more reason for him to atone and move on to his rightful place. So why did the thought of leaving her sicken him?

At an obvious impasse, they glared at each other for one long moment.

He was the first to break. Through gritted teeth, he sucked in a breath. “It’s how it’s always been.”

“And always will be?”

“Precisely.”
 

Her lower lip quivered. “What if I don’t want to? What if I like my ghosts?”

He raked his hands through his hair, cupping the back of his head. She was insane. And bloody hell he still wanted her, which meant he must be mad as well. “They aren’t pets. Ashley, no one is exempt from Judgment Day.”

She laughed, a sarcastic sound that grated his nerves. “What does that mean?”

He stepped closer to her, his anger mounting. Angry at her for being so ridiculous and angry at himself for caring. “It means they have to go stand at the pearly gates eventually. I just nudge them along.”

She stabbed him in the chest with her index finger. “But I let you in my house and you took my ghosts! You betrayed me.”

He rolled his eyes. She couldn’t be serious. “They would have been taken by the demon. Don’t ye see? Every ghost here is just a host waiting for a parasite like my father. He could gain power from them, suck them dry.

The words didn’t seem to influence her in the least. “And what about Maggie? She’s scared. Why can’t you send her mother’s spirit to her or something, try to talk her into going? Do you really have to swipe your sword through her like some crazy madman?”

Now she was calling him crazy? “We tried, she won’t go. The ghosts I send forward are the one’s who refuse to go.”

She was persistent. “Maybe if I talk to her, I could help.”

She hadn’t heard a word he’d said. They were getting nowhere fast. “We have more important things to worry about right now.”

Ashley frowned. “Like what?”

“Ye have visitors.” He stepped aside and nodded toward a dark blue sports car parked in the drive.

She started toward the vehicle, her steps determined. “Who?” She sounded almost angry that someone would dare invade her home. She’d grown closer to the place than he’d realized.

“Ashley?” The feminine voice stopped her in her tracks.

She turned toward the pub. Her mother stood on the front stoop, more frightening than any ghost or demon. Expensive name brand suit, perfect, shiny bob of dark hair. Ashley closed her eyes and groaned. He couldn’t make her flinch, but an old woman a third of his size sent her into a panic.

“Ashley Hunter, I see you standing there. You can’t ignore me,” the woman called out.
 

“I can’t deal with this right now,” she whispered.

“Ye?” Cristian snapped. “Dear God, woman, I’ve had to deal with her the entire hour ye’ve been gone.”

The older woman started picking her way toward them. Her lips lifted into a grimace as weeds clung to her pantyhose. Apparently she found their accommodations lacking.

“Mom,” Ashley shuffled forward, her hands in the pockets of her shorts. “What are you doing here?”

“Can’t a mother visit her only child?” They met at the fountain.

Her mother’s gaze went reluctantly to Cristian. She was nervous and certainly leery of him. She had been watching him that same way since she’d arrived, pounding on the door and pulling him from sleep. Sure, perhaps he shouldn’t have yelled at her to shut the hell up, but what did she expect?

The older woman opened her arms and tilted her chin defiantly. “Well, give me a hug.”

Reluctantly, Ashley moved into her stiff embrace. She patted her shoulders once, then stepped back. A pathetic excuse for a hug. “What are you wearing? Do they not even have a mall anywhere nearby?”

“It’s hot, I was walking.”

“And you can’t wear a nice little sundress?”

Ashley’s face went red. “Mom, I’m glad you’re visiting, but you should have given me some notice. The house is a mess, I need to clean rooms.”

“Yes.” She turned to face the pub. “It’s repulsive. But we’re staying at a hotel in Leeds.”

Ashley went pale. “We?”

Ah yes, here’s where it was getting good. Cristian smirked, waiting to see how Ashley would react to this little bit of wonderful news. At the same time, his body went cold at the reminder. A fucking fiancé. She could have mentioned that before Cristian had practically screwed her in the parlor.

“You thought Matt wouldn’t come along? Of course he came, he cares about you. He’s worried.”

“Ashley.” And there was good ole’ Matt, stepping out onto the front stoop and joining their happy party.
 

Cristian brushed past her. Like hell he’d stay and watch this little reunion. “I’ll leave ye to get reacquainted.”

She grasped his arm, a fierce hold. “Don’t leave.” There was panic in her eyes that gave him pause and damn it all, hope.

Matt came strolling toward them, his light hair combed neatly in place. Not a wrinkle was seen on his khaki trousers.

“Are you going to look at me?” Matt asked her, not bothering to glance at Cristian.

“I’ll wait by the car.” Her mother slid her sunglasses into place and started toward the vehicle but not before he saw the smirk of satisfaction on her lips. She thought she’d won.

A low rumble of thunder shook the ground, the heat crackling with electricity and expectancy. “Storms coming,” Ashley said softly, glancing up at the sky. “Not surprising with weather hot and cold, the way it’s been.”

“Ashley,” Matt snapped.

Finally, her gaze went to him. His blond hair glistened in the setting sun, his tan face contrasting against his white polo shirt. Handsome, from a family with old money, a good job, the kind of man who wanted to settle down, he was exactly what any mum would want for their daughter. He made Cristian sick.
 

“What are you doing here Matt?”

“Can we speak alone?” He glared at Cristian.

Cristian winked at the two of them and slowly moved away.

“What am I doing here? I want to talk,” Matt said in a hushed whisper.

“About what?”

Cristian had made it to the front door, but could still hear every word.

“About us,” Matt sighed.

A breeze swept through the trees, rattling the branches. Dusk was coming and with it, the monsters would make their move. Dare he warn Ashley, or should he let her mother and fiancé face their own fate?

“There is no us,” Ashley said. “You need to leave. Go to Leeds with my mom before it gets too dark.”

“Ashley. Come on. This is ridiculous.” Matt reached for her.

She stepped back. “No. Please, just go.”

Cristian’s annoyance flared. The man was getting physical and Cristian felt an odd sense of possessiveness over Ashley. She was his Seer, damn them.
 

“You want me,” Matt insisted. “I know you do. You’re just scared. Your mom explained that you’ve had…”

Red shot to her cheeks. “Had what?”

He shifted, shoving his hands in the pockets of his khakis. “Problems with anxiety and depression in the past.”

“She told you? About the hospital?” her voice cracked.

He grasped onto her upper arms and jerked her forward. “It’s okay. We’ll get you help. We’ll make you normal again.”

Angered, Cristian started forward. This was getting out of hand. How dare that arse touch her.

Ashley pushed back. “That’s the thing, Matt, normal seems damn boring. This is me.” She held her arms wide. “Crazy ass and all.”

Matt frowned. “You don’t need to be this way. There’s medication for people like you.”

“Yes. I do need to be this way because there are people counting on me. I’ve been fighting myself my entire life, fighting who I am. I’ve been trying to be who my mom wanted me to be and I can’t do it anymore.”

Cristian paused, his breathing harsh. As much as he wanted to slam his fist into that pretty boy’s face, he knew this was Ashley’s battle. He felt oddly proud of her. The dark sky rumbled and a patter of rain fell around them.

Matt glanced up at the sky, as if annoyed the weather would dare ruin their conversation. “So, you won’t listen to reason?”

She smiled. “No.”

He shook his head and stepped back. “You’re further gone than I realized. You’ll never be normal. Never know love. You’ll give that all up?”

“Go, Matt. Take my mom home and don’t come back.”

He didn’t respond, merely turned and settled into the car. Cristian waited for her to run after them. She didn’t. With a squeal of tires, the vehicle and her family disappeared through the trees. Silence fell, the only sound the soft patter of rain on leaves. She could have gone with them, she could have left behind this monster. She could have tried again to be normal, tried again to be good enough. But she’d stayed. Even though he was soaked through, warmth invaded Cristian’s very being. She’d stayed.

“Are ye all right?” Cristian finally asked.

She spun around and searched his gaze, he didn’t look away. And as the rain thickened, he didn’t flinch. Even in the dim light of dusk, even with her hair plastered to her head and water trailing down her face she was beautiful and he couldn’t look away.

“Are ye all right?” he asked again, stepping closer, drawn to her.

“Yeah,” she whispered.

“Ye could have left.”

“Yeah.”

“Ye didn’t.”

“No.”

He waited for one heartbeat. “Why?”

She stepped closer. So close her breasts brushed his chest. She settled her hands on his broad shoulders, a bold move.

His heart hammered wildly. Would she dare? Did she possibly want him as much as he wanted her? Without hesitation, she stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his, answering his question and invading his heart.

Cristian pulled back as lightning burst across the sky, highlighting the harsh planes of his features. “Come with me.” It wasn’t a suggestion, but a demand. For once, she was eager to comply.

He took her hand, his grip strong and reassuring, and led her onto the path that trailed around the house. The wet grass swept across her legs, seductive whispers of what was to come. She couldn’t look away from his broad back…studied the way his gray t-shirt hugged his shoulders, the way his damp hair curled ever so slightly.

Willingly she followed him.

Maybe she was trying to get back at Matt for his hateful words, or maybe she no longer wanted to think about the craziness that had become her life. Or maybe…just maybe she was ready to finally succumb to the intense attraction she felt toward Cristian. This is the man who had tried to singlehandedly save her pub and her life without wanting any accolades. He was what she needed right now. Perhaps what she’d always needed.

He led her into the trees, the branches splattering water like wet kisses across her skin. She knew where they were going and her body rejoiced at the prospect. The cottage where they could be alone…completely and utterly alone. No annoying relatives. No ghosts. No demons.

Her heart pattered against her ribcage like the rain against the leaves. Water trailed down her face, tickling her skin, but she was barely aware. The trees gave way and the cabin came into view, dark and mysterious… beautiful, just like Cristian.

The door opened easily under his hand. He pulled her inside, right into his arms. Ashley’s palms flattened against his chest as his lips crushed to hers. Through his cold, damp shirt, his skin burned, warming her chilled body. It was a quick kiss, but he made the most of the touch. His very essence seemed to seep into her skin.

With a growl, he stumbled back, leaving her alone in the middle of the room, her body shaking with need. His gaze was piercing, intense. Her throat closed, her heart thundering madly. They stared at each other for one long moment, the only sound the tap of raindrops against the window panes. There was something more to this man…this being. Something that tore at her heart, that made her want to see his very soul. He’d gone through hell on this earth and the exhaustion in his gaze pulled at her. She wanted to comfort him, to touch him, to ease his worries.

“I don’t trust myself around ye,” he said.

Her fallen angel had suddenly grown a conscience. Did he want her to leave? To regret coming here with him? Conscience be damned.
 

She closed the distance between them, only to pause close, so close their breaths mingled. She latched onto the front of his shirt and pulled herself onto her tiptoes. Without a word, she pressed her lips to his. He didn’t move, just stood there with his arms pinned to his sides. Urging him to kiss her in kind, she nipped at his lips. He didn’t relent. She wasn’t about to give up. She knew he wanted her as much as she wanted him, she could feel his stone-hard erection pressing to her lower belly. She moved her hands around his broad shoulders and curled her fingers into his hair. Boldly, she slid her tongue across his lower lip.

He groaned and those muscled arms wrapped around her waist, his hands slipping under her shirt so his palms flattened to the bare skin of her back. Electricity shot through her breasts and lower, to the area between her legs. She couldn’t stop herself, had no control over her own desire. He cupped her bottom and pulled her up close. Ashley sank into his body, the proof of his attraction, hard and pulsing against her thighs.

She didn’t resist when they tumbled back onto the bed that dominated the room, his heavy form pressing hers into the soft mattress.

“Bloody hell, I can’t resist ye.” His fingers found the hem of her shirt. Without hesitation he pulled it over her head, tossing the garment to the floor.

How badly she wished she’d worn the one lacy bra she owned, instead of the plain beige she was currently wearing. But Cristian didn’t seem to mind. He leaned forward, pressing his lips to her collarbone, and lower to the tops of her breasts and she no longer worried over the state of her undergarments.

“Ye taste lovely,” he mumbled against her skin. “Sweet, like strawberries.”

“I don’t,” she whispered, closing her eyes as heated embarrassment fought with pleasure. No one had ever whispered wonderful nothings to her. No one had ever touched her so. No one had ever made her feel so beautiful. If she hadn’t believed in magic before, she knew she would after this night.

“Ye do.” His mouth moved to her stomach, his warm lips a torment that burned her skin.

Her muscles quivered. She moaned, slipping her fingers into his satiny hair. How could she have never felt this before? How could she have not known what she was missing? He moved closer, his face hovering over hers. His eyes had darkened from liquid silver to a hard pewter. Slowly, she reached out and traced her finger across his jaw, reveling in the feel of the bristly scruff against her sensitive skin.
 

Water dripped from his wet locks and trailed down the hard planes of his face. She wanted to be those droplets, to kiss every inch of his skin. She slid her hands down his chest, to the hem of his shirt. Eagerly, she pulled his t-shirt over his head. With his torso bared before her, she paused.

Magnificent. He was utterly and completely magnificent. She should have known the moment she saw him that he wasn’t human. No mortal could be so perfect. Slowly, she dragged her fingers through the crisp hair on his chest, down, over the valleys and planes of muscle, lower to the button on his shorts.

His stomach muscles quivered and his hand clamped over hers, stilling her actions. She met his gaze, confused. The desire there frightened her as much as it excited her.

“Not yet,” he whispered.

Before she could argue, he pressed his lips to her jaw. His tongue flicked out, trailing down her neck and any hesitation was forgotten. A storm of sexual need erupted around them. Desire shot through her body, branching out to every nerve ending and making her skin overly sensitive. She desperately needed Cristian to end the turmoil. He reached up and cupped the sides of her face.

“Open your eyes, Ashley.”

She hadn’t realized they were closed until he said the words. Slowly, she lifted her lashes.

He looked at her, merely looked at her. In the depths of his gaze something flickered, something that looked deceptively like raw emotion. A warm sensation of comfort and longing swept through her. It was as if he’d always known her, every little secret. As if this was the ending to a long separation. It left her off balance. Suddenly, she was confused…leery. These feelings she had for Cristian were unrestrained, but were they hers, or something otherworldly?

His gaze shifted from her face, and slowly he sat up, his back to her. Instantly, she felt cold, alone. What had happened?

“Is it Devon?” he asked.

She drew her knees to her chest. “What do you mean?”

He was silent for one long moment. “I want ye, Ashley, all of ye. I have to know…” He turned to face her, his eyes soft with emotion. “Tell me yer not in love with Devon.”

She sucked in a harsh breath, stunned by his question.

His gaze flickered over her face, searching for an answer…an answer she couldn’t seem to give. They sat so close, their sides touched, but she could feel that wall again. Whether she’d replaced it or he, she wasn’t sure. Did she love Devon? It was too much, too soon. Confused, she stood and paced to the windows, needing distance from the man. Of course she cared about him and she found him attractive, but…

“No. Not like that.” But her voice came out unsure, quivering. She could see Cristian’s reflection in the window pane, his head was down, his shoulders slumped. Silence settled heavy in the room, emotion crackling through the air. He stood and paced to the opposite side, his back to her.

Slowly, she turned. His body was rigid, his hands clenched. Frantically, she searched her mind. Her heart attempted to form some sort of conclusion. How did she feel about Devon? How did she feel about Cristian? But every time she asked herself, her mind came up blank. For so long she’d been alone.

Suddenly, he was in front of her, his arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her forward. She sank into the solid comfort he offered. “I’m sorry.”

He caressed her hair, drawing his fingers through the damp locks.

She sniffed back the tears. She was a mess. A total mess. She’d hurt Matt and now she was hurting Devon and Cristian. “I should be home. I should be married to Matt.”

“Why aren’t ye?”

She lifted her head, his face blurred by the sting of her tears. “Because they wouldn’t let me. They wouldn’t let me live a normal life. The ghosts. They were always there. I tried Cristian, I tried to ignore them. I only lived in modern apartments, never went into historical buildings or cemeteries. I’d see them, but I didn’t interact. I pretended they weren’t real even when I knew they were.”

“Why?”

“I hated them.” She said the words so fiercely that even she flinched. His arm moved around her waist and pulled her close again. “I hated them. As much as I begged them to go away, they never did. I so wanted her approval, so wanted her to tell me she was proud. But she wasn’t because I could see them. To her, I was insane.”

Tears slipped down her cheeks, dripping to his chest. It was the first time she’d cried in years. She took in a deep, shaky breath and pressed her face to his skin. He was warm, so warm and comforting.

“Ye’ve been fighting it for so long. It’s time to accept yer abilities, Ashley. Yer’re not insane. I think ye know that. Is it so bad? Wouldn’t ye rather believe ye were able to see ghosts than be just bloody insane?”

“No,” she muttered, spreading her fingers through the crisp hair on his chest. “Because if I’m insane, at least I can take a pill for that.”

He chucked, a deep chuckle that rumbled through his chest. “This is ye, and I like ye, crazy arse and all.”

She smiled, despite herself. His words sent a warm shiver through her body, tingling her skin like a caress. Did he mean them? She could pretend. For tonight, she could pretend he meant the words.

He pressed his lips to the top of her head. “Shhh, you’re safe with me. Now, let’s get some rest. I have a feeling tomorrow is only going to be worse.”

Rest? She didn’t want to rest. She wanted
him
, but deep down, she knew their moment had gone and if cuddling with Cristian was all she could get at the moment, she’d take it.
 

                                                             
********

He felt her move next to him, was completely aware of the way her breathing changed as she came fully awake. He hadn’t been sleeping. No, his body was too tormented to sleep. His cock still strained against his boxers, taunting him. For hours he’d been laying next to her soft body, fighting the urge to finally make her his completely. So far he’d resisted. Bloody hell, if there still wasn’t an angel inside him after all.

For hours, she’d slept like a babe, finally safe, finally able to rest. For hours he’d wondered how the hell he’d get out of this mess. She felt so damn right next to him. Her body fit perfectly to his. He was falling for her, perhaps he’d already been half in love with her knowing what she’d gone through in her short life. And now…now he was near to losing it all. Just as he had with Charlotte. But this was different. So different. Ashley was courageous, honorable. She would never purposefully betray him.

For some reason, she’d awoken. Ashley bolted upright. A sweet breeze swept in through the open windows, ruffling his hair. He didn’t dare move. He’d learned long ago that at times stillness and silence spoke more than action. The air shifted, shimmering. He narrowed his eyes. Something was there, in the wind.

“Maggie?” Ashley whispered. “Maggie, what is it?” She stood, wearing only her bra and panties. The way her waist nipped in, her hips flaring, that round arse… She looked gorgeous, sleepy and gorgeous. “What’s wrong with Devon?”

Cristian mentally cursed the inopportune timing. Not now, of all moments. Did the bastard have a sixth sense, knowing when he and Ashley were together? Ashley grabbed his t-shirt and pulled it over her head. Without a backward glance, she raced across the room and slipped outside. Cristian’s ire grew. The woman would rush headlong into a situation she knew nothing about just to save her precious Devon. If he hadn’t hated the former ghost before, he bloody well did now.

“Shite.” Cristian tossed aside the blanket and pulled on his shorts. He’d have to save her yet again because her fucking emotions were getting in the way.

The demon had most likely taken hold of
poor
Devon. Ashley was walking straight into a trap. Under his bare feet the stone steps were cold and damp, but he was barely aware of the discomfort. How he wished he was back in bed with Ashley’s warm body cuddled to his side. Why hadn’t he taken her last night? Why hadn’t he lost himself in her?

“Listen Maggie, I know you like Devon,” he heard Ashley ahead, but could barely see her through the thick foliage. “But you have to understand he’s not the same ghost you knew. And if he’s asking for me alone, he’s probably not our Devon.”

Shock quickly turned to relief. So she had some sense in her after all. He moved off the steps, his bare feet sinking into damp earth. In the air hung the essence of pine, wet dirt and rain. The moon was practically gone, giving way to gray dawn. With the rising sun, the power of otherworldly beings would diminish.