A Beast For The Eyes: A Steamy Shifter Romance (A Ravenswood Romance Book 2) (30 page)

Minutes passed and at last, she was rewarded. Ren peered through the glass. He was bold for he believed himself to be invisible. When he saw her, his eyes grew wide. She held up a hand to him, hoping that he would not vanish as he had before. If he did, she would be forced to enter and shock him further. Luckily, he did not disappear. He opened the door.

“Hello,” she said.

He nodded.

“May I come in?”

He opened the door wide so that she could enter. She stepped in.

“What are you doing here?” he asked. His face was so impassive; it could have been carved from marble.

“I wanted to finish our conversation. You left rather abruptly the last time we spoke. And, since you won't answer my e-mails, I thought I would come to you.”

He frowned. “I am not interested in a relationship based upon deception, Miss Jacobs.”

“Really? And when were you going to reveal your secrets, Mr. Knight? Would I be safely in your bed before you told me you were a ghost?”

Ren shifted uncomfortably before her. “It was never my intention to get you into bed. I have already told you what I wish from you and I was going to reveal my condition in due time, to avoid frightening you.”

“I am not frightened,” she replied.

“So it would seem.”

“And I have decided to accept your offer.”

“I am afraid I must retract it.”

“Because I touched you?”

He rubbed the hand she had squeezed. “How did you do that?”

“That's for me to know and for you to find out. Why don't you try?”

“Shayne!”

“Don't you want to touch me?”

For a moment, a feverish glint filled his eyes. He did not answer.

“How long has it been since you slept with a woman, Ren? Two or Three hundred years?”

“Seven hundred,” he said softly.

Shayne blinked. “Really?”

He shrugged. “I died in the year of our lord, 1315.”

“Then, you are most certainly due.” She reached out to him.

He took a step backward. “I think not, Madam. This is...unseemly. I would be taking advantage.”

“You are incredibly sweet,” Shayne marveled. “He never said you were chivalrous. In fact, he hinted that you were quite the opposite.”

“Who never said this?”

“Never mind. It's not important. What is important is that you have piqued my interest. I am going to stay.”

“You cannot.”

“Are you going to throw me out?”

“No.”

“Good.” She began to remove her shoes.

“What are you doing?”

“Shayne didn't answer. She began to remove her stockings.

“Why are you undressing?”

She removed her jacket and then her blouse. Her skirt followed. Soon, she stood before him in her underwear. He turned when she began to slip the catch on her bra.

“Have you ever seen a naked woman?” she asked.

He nodded.

“Then, there's nothing here you haven't seen before. You can look if you like.”

She saw him begin to tremble, and for a second, she believed he would turn around. Instead, his body began to shift into transparency. He disappeared.

Shayne dropped her bra to the floor and then stepped out of her panties. She stretched.

“I can wait,” she said to the empty air. Then, she set off to explore the house.

Shayne walked down the long hall way which led to the study. When she entered, she saw the dim light of the laptop extinguish itself. The room was dark, but her eyes quickly adjusted to the gloom. She saw no one.

She crossed to the laptop and pressed a key. The screen responded immediately, lighting up the dark room. Ren had returned to the home screen before answering the door. She was unable to see what he was up to.

Shayne typed a name into her browser and seconds later, had recovered her own e-mail. There was no message from Ren. She was a little disappointed by that.

She scrolled through several messages and ads from other more reputable computer matching services, before lighting upon the e-mail she had expected. It was from
him
. She opened it.

The tone of the letter was cool and professional. Money had been transferred into one of her Swiss bank accounts. The rest would be transferred upon completion of her task. The more she read, the more her distaste for her employer grew. If he had known who she really was, he wouldn't have been so insulting. She didn't bother to finish the missive.

Shayne exited the e-mail and accessed a site that would allow her to check her bank account. The amount there brought a satisfied smile to her face. She had enough for a very comfortable retirement.

The room returned to darkness when she switched the laptop off. The house was silent. A delicious shiver thrilled her. She decided to go look for Ren.

The master bedroom door was open when she reached the landing. It slammed itself when she stepped off. Shayne smiled to herself. Within seconds, her hand was turning the glass knob.

The soft ambiance of a lit candle filled the room. Its glow was comforting and somewhat romantic. Shayne entered and closed the door behind her. Ren was sitting on the bed. He did not look up as she entered.

The bed was inviting. A blue, eider down comforter was draped across it, and pillows encased in silk lay at the head. She sat on the bed, and then lay back against the pillows.

“Do you like what you see?” she asked “I can see you sitting on the edge of the bed.”

Ren remained, back toward her, on the other side of the bed.

“How did you know?”

“I told you. That is for you to find out.”

“You are a bold woman.”

“I know. But, you have not answered my question. I will ask you again. Do you like what you see?”

His head moved in an almost imperceptible nod. “You are beautiful.”

“More beautiful than a woman with the skin of a cherry blossom?” She was dismayed by the hopeful tone in her voice.

“I have seen none lovelier.”

She felt her skin burn. It was strange to feel a blush on her cheek.

“Why don't you turn around then?”

“I will...if you could...”

“Cover myself?”

He nodded.

“Oh, alright. I'm covered. You can turn around.”

Ren did not turn completely around. He faced her in profile, eyes averted.

“You are so sweet,” she mused.

“So you've said.”

“Were you a knight?”

“I was.”

“You don't dress like one.”

“I have adapted through the centuries.”

“I've noticed that. You are quite adept at technical matters. Not many 14
^th
century ghosts use e-mail.”

He shrugged. She admired his modesty.

“You have never told me of your profession. You are a 21
^st
century woman, so I assume you do not stay at home practicing needlepoint.”

A pang of guilt stabbed her heart. “I'm a consultant.”

“Financial.”

“Yes,” she said, regretting the lie.

“Everything you said...in the e-mails we wrote...was it true?”

“It was. Were you telling me the truth?”

“Every word.”

She fell into silence, her heart swelling painfully.

“Why are you here at this house? Why not in stay in England?”

“My home is here,” he replied. His tone hardened. “I'll never leave this place.”

“What about the people who live here?”

“What about them?”

“Are they irritated by your presence? Are they afraid?”

“The man who considers himself master of my home is a surgeon. He spends his time augmenting the breasts of women and spends little time here. His wife never comes. However, he has several women who do.”

Shayne snickered.

“What do you find so amusing?”

“You said his wife never comes, but the other women do. Maybe, that's his problem.”

“I do not understand the jest.”

“His wife never experiences an orgasm, so--” she noticed his blank expression. “Do you know what an orgasm is?”

“Yes, most can be found in churches.”

“Huh?”

“You pump them and play music upon them.”

Shayne giggled. “That's an organ!”

“Then, what is the other?”

“It's-um-difficult to explain.”

“Could you try?”

“It would be easier to show you.”

“Then, by all means, please do.”

“I have to touch you, to show you.”

Ren grew silent.

Shayne waited. The candle flickered, and shadows danced.

“I cannot.” Ren said at last.

“You won't be taking advantage of me.”

“You have shown that.”

“Then, why? I know you like me. And I like you...”

Ren rose to his feet. He bowed to her.

“I must take my leave, my lady Shayne,” he said. Before she could say another word, he was gone.

Shayne flopped back on the bed and crossed her arms.

“Shoot!” she said.

3

Shayne lay in the bed all night, but did not sleep. When the first rays of sunshine burst through the frosted window of her room, she rose to look through the glass. The promise of yesterday's clouds had been fulfilled. A soft blanket of snow covered the back lawn and sparkled in the dawn light.

A knock sounded on the door. “Are you decent, my lady?” Ren asked.

Shayne hurried back to the bed. She covered herself with the comforter. “You can come in,” she answered.

Ren opened the door slowly. He was carrying a tray upon which several dishes rested.

“You made me breakfast?” Shayne said, as he set it before her.

“I was unsure of when you had last eaten.”

“This is beyond sweet,” she said. “But, I'm not very hungry. I want to talk some more.”

Ren sighed and Shayne ignored him.

“You said you joined Elovers.com because you wanted companionship. What were you going to do with this woman when the surgeon came back?”

“I would frighten him into selling it to her.”

“That was your plan?”

“This house means little to him and everything to me. Were I to find a suitable woman, I would always have a home.”

“Until she discovered you were a ghost. Is that what happened with the last woman?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“How did she find out?”

“I told her. She bolted immediately. That is why I waited so long to tell you. I wanted to find out whether you would be accepting of the situation.”

“I am accepting.”

“I am afraid I will still have to withdraw the offer.”

“We could live at my house. You wouldn't even have to scare the guy.”

“I will not leave my home.”

“Then, let me buy it. I have money. I'd make him an offer he couldn't refuse.”

“That is not the problem.”

“Then, what is the problem, Ren.”

“When my wife departed, I made a vow. It is an unbreakable one—for me.”

“Oh, my!” Shayne breathed. “You made a vow of chastity!”

Ren nodded. “It would have been fine to have you as a companion, though you are quite forward in your ways. You are kind, funny and beautiful. However, you can touch me. The temptation would be too great. I can barely stop myself from taking you here and now.”

Shayne smiled as she watched him regret the words he had just spoken. She put the tray aside and grasped hold of his hand. To her surprise, he did not withdraw nor did he disappear.

“You have adjusted to the world over the centuries. In all that time, why haven't you changed your vow?”

He looked into her eyes. “I have never had anyone to change it for.”

She squeezed his hand. “Could you...change it for me?”

She hadn’t meant to say it. At least, not in that small and vulnerable voice. In all her life, she had never spoken that way. Shayne averted her eyes as shame crept over her. It wasn’t right to do this to him.

“I'm sorry,” she said, releasing him. “I can't ask you to do that. I can't be the cause. I love--” She tried to cut the word off before it could escape but, it was too late.

He fell to his knees beside the bed.

Alarmed, she allowed the blanket to fall away, exposing her breasts. He took her hand and pressed his lips to it, his eyes dropping from hers to the soft flesh before him. His eyes burned her and she found herself unable to speak. All that she could feel were his lips upon her hand, lips that were slowly warming to her skin. A rosy haze rose before her.

“I need you,” she said.

He climbed into bed beside her, pulling her naked body against his own. She never saw him undress, for his clothes were suddenly stripped away. He was not cold now, but warm as though alive.

“Your vow!” she cried.

His lips covered hers.

Shayne was lost in his kiss and she clutched at him as his fingers roved over her. He moved from her lips to her throat, kissing the hollow of it and sending gooseflesh over her skin. She sighed as his lips seared her.

He moved lower to her breasts, his lips caressing the tips. She uttered her first cry of pleasure as he switched back and forth between them, pulling gently. She arched her back and she spread her legs for him, her desire overcoming her. He dropped lower still, winding his way across her abdomen.

“Wait!” she gasped. “Stop.”

Ren paused. She rose to sitting position while he reclined at her feet.

“I can't allow this,” she said. “I'm not worthy of it.”

“You are worthy,” he replied.

She shook her head. “Do you know what I actually do for a living? I help people get rid of pests, pests of the spiritual kind. People pay me to rid their homes of ghosts.”

He stared at her.

“Charles Lyle, the surgeon who owns this place, knows you're here. He’s paying me $500,000 to get rid of you. I got half yesterday and I get the other half when the job is done.”

“I don't understand.”

“Charles found out that you had created a profile on Elovers.com. Apparently, you left the laptop on one night. He was creeped out and consulted me. I researched you, Ren, and I paid Elovers.com to match us up. I pretended to be everything you'd ever wanted in order to get you out of this house. You don't even know me.”

“You are everything I have ever wanted.”

“Ren, I--”

“My lady Shayne, I know all of this. I too have done some research. Before you came to this house, I discovered your true profession. I was about to write you an e-mail which would end our association for good when you arrived. Everything you have done has convinced me that this choice is the correct one. I would not break my vow lightly.”