Spirit [New Crescent 2] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (6 page)

With Herculean effort, he breathed the thick, rancid air into his lungs and forced it out again. On the exhale, he grabbed Reggie’s arm and yanked her away from the doors. Whatever it was that held her eased up slightly enabling Reggie to push off and stagger to the opposite wall. She leaned heavily against the paneling struggling to catch her breath. Then she started back to help Chase break away.

“No!” he yelled at her, and with one final effort, he tore himself away from the doors, severing its hold on him. With surprising speed, Chase ran from the hallway and swept Reggie with him.

Standing in the living room breathing heavily, he said, “On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t have that coffee after all.”

They burst out laughing. Laughter was the perfect tonic. When their amusement petered out, they huddled beside each other on the couch. Chase put an arm around her, and she rested her head on his shoulder for a moment.

“What the hell was that? Did you see anything?” he asked.

“No, not this time, and judging by the way that thing made me feel, I’d rather not put a face on it.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. It defies imagination, and call me a creative wasteland if you will, but I kind of like it that way.”

“The guys working in the library today didn’t seem to feel anything like what we did just now.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “No, but I talked to Duncan. He said that every guy who’d been in that room today complained about one thing or another.”

“I think we need to figure out what it is and fast. It was stronger tonight than it was before.”

“Reggie, you’ve always been connected to this place. Before now, have you ever felt uneasy here?”

She shook her head. “No, I’ve felt nothing but good vibes from this place.”

“It’s possible that it’s been here all along but was too weak to surface. Since the house was sold, there’s been a steady stream of people around the place. What if that thing feeds off human energy or something?”

Impressed by his theory, she said, “Creative wasteland my eye. Thank you Stephen King. What you’re suggesting fits, but it doesn’t help us to figure out what to do about it. If you’re right, then it will continue to get stronger. If tonight is any indication of its power, I don’t want to think about what it could do at full blast.”

“We have to talk to Ernestine and Gillian. As Guardians, they may be able to tell us more.”

Reggie sat forward on the couch and glanced over her shoulder at him. She missed his warmth, and the temptation to curl up with him forever was strong, but she resisted.

“Ernestine wasn’t much help to me this morning.”

As if he knew she was cold without his touch, he rubbed a hand up and down her back. She shivered, but not from the cold.

“She may have felt we needed to confront this thing by ourselves. You know she’s like that.” She nodded with a sigh, and he continued. “Maybe we should talk to Ernestine and Gillian at the same time. Gillian’s new to all of this. She may not be as cautious as Ernestine and let something slip. And while that something might be information we shouldn’t have, it could still prove useful.”

“You’re right. Aunt Ernestine is stubborn and frustrating, but I trust her to help us with this.”

“Me, too.”

“Do you want to set up this summit or shall I?”

He looked around the room and said, “I’ll call Gillian right now, but why don’t we step outside and get some fresh air?”

She agreed and he helped her put her sweater on. The autumn air had that chill Reggie loved so much. While Chase talked on his cell, Reggie stared at the iron gate she’d noticed earlier that day. She’d seen the apparition standing there. The mysterious woman by the garden gate had startled Reggie, but she’d felt no fear. If anything, she’d felt excitement. The mystical charm of it had filled her with wonder. It was so different from what she felt whenever she ventured near the library.

When Chase had finished talking to Gillian, he told Reggie that the arrangements were made. They were invited to lunch the next day. Travis offered to barbeque. Gillian would pick up Ernestine.

Nodding, Reggie finally relaxed in the cool night air. “Good.” He sat on the bench beside her as she continued. “Chase, did
you
feel any malice in the phenomenon today at lunch?”

He thought about it for so long that Reggie wondered if he’d heard her question. Finally, moving closer to her, he said softly, “No. That thing earlier today, I found it…
exciting
.”

When he said the word she felt that very same emotion swell in her chest, and her heart started to pound. He muttered something unintelligible and pulled her into his arms. His kiss defined the word
exciting
.

Reggie was stunned. He stopped kissing her but she moved not a muscle. Riveted to the bench, she struggled to open her eyes. When she finally succeeded, there was an odd mist around the edges of her vision. She blinked a few times to clear it away, but to no avail. Again, she caught his scent and completely forgot her clouded vision. She didn’t care, so carried away was she by the sensuous fragrance and the exquisite feeling of being held safe in Chase’s arms.

It was the most natural thing in the world to turn her face to his and welcome the crush of his lips on hers once more. It was a soul-surrendering experience. Magic. He gently teased her mouth with his, playfully drawing her into him inch by slow inch. His lips married hers over and over again and drugged her senses. He touched the tip of his tongue to the center of her top lip and tasted her with obvious pleasure. A soft sound of satisfaction that originated low in his throat escaped and she felt like food for the Gods. With the simplest touch, he made her acutely aware of every inch of her body and her eager response to him. When he pressed his hard body against her, she reveled in her own femininity. As he became more aggressive, she matched him move for move, clutching at his back and shoulders desperate to get closer to him. She wanted to tear at his clothing and her own. Skin against skin was her only goal. She ignored the sensible side of her nature that urged caution. Desire, hunger was all she knew.

The sound of distant, musical laughter brought her to her senses. She snapped her head back just as Chase’s eyes flew open. He’d experienced it too—all of it, the spell, the passion, and laughter. He looked at her with confusion, as if surprised to find her there in his arms. Awkwardly, he straightened, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and took a step back. He seemed lost for words. Embarrassed, Reggie pushed off the bench and tried to flee.

Lightning quick, Chase grabbed her wrist. They looked at each other. At long last, he spoke in a very measured tone. “Reggie. Let me explain.” He shook his head. “Or rather, I wish I could explain. I don’t really know what just happened here, but I stepped way out of line. I’m sorry. It was so strange. I wasn’t myself.”

She stood staring at him, completely flattened by his words. Yes, it was strange, otherworldly even, but for Reggie it had been magical and here he was apologizing for it. He claimed he wasn’t himself, and she understood him perfectly…he wasn’t normally tempted to do such a thing with her. He was making lame excuses, tripping all over himself to apologize, to dismiss it. Damn him!

As Chase continued to fumble for the right words, Reggie ceased listening to him. Feeling battered and raw, she pulled away and lashed out.

“Enough McCann! Stop babbling. You act as if I’ve never been kissed before. Forget it. No big deal. So you haven’t had any in a while. I get it. Maybe you should find yourself a regular squeeze and lay off me. Forget it. It was nothing. I’m going home.” She pushed past him.

“The hell you are! Is this nothing?” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her fiercely. This time, there was nothing other-worldly about it. In fact, this kiss was as earthy as it gets. He mated with his mouth, and Reggie felt her knees give out for the second time that day. With one hand entangled in her hair and the other around her waist, he pressed her closer and closer to him. Chase tilted his head back and inspected his handiwork. Her eyes were glazed, and her lips were swollen and moist.

“There, that’s better,” he said with a satisfied smile.

He was gloating! Actually gloating. Reggie wanted to punch him hard, but she knew she didn’t have the strength to make a dent, so she drew her dignity around her like a cloak and said, “So you can kiss. I never said you couldn’t.” Pleased with how unaffected she had managed to sound, she pushed away and walked around him, giving him plenty of room.

He tried to reach for her again, but she put up a hand to forestall him. “I’m going home. I’ve had enough.”

“I’ll walk you to your car.” When she started to object, he said, “Don’t argue with me.”

She didn’t get a chance to. The crash startled them both. It came from the other side of the house. It sounded like someone was boldly poking around. Chase put a finger to his lips and silently moved around the corner of the house in what Reggie assumed was an attempt to catch the intruder red-handed.

For a split second, Reggie considered staying put, but that thought didn’t please her at all, so she crept around the other side. If she played this right, maybe they could trap the guy between them. She was as tall as many men. Surely she could use the element of surprise to gain advantage. For once in her life, she was grateful she’d worn flats. Navigating the grounds would have been impossible in heels. She heard a scuffle, a grunt, and then the sound of running feet. Without thinking, she took off after the fleeing figures. He had a good head start and lost her easily. Defeated, she made her way back to the house. Chase came back shortly after her, empty-handed as well.

He shook his head and gave her a dark look. In her own defense, she said, “I was running, and it occurred to me that I had no idea what I was gonna do if I caught him.” She made a theatrical gesture. “Take it away Chase.”

Instead of berating her for chasing after the prowler, he laughed. “We’ve had some petty thefts around here lately. Nothing major. I just thought maybe I’d catch whoever was doing it, but he was too fast for me.”

“You’re always were a better long distance man than sprinter. I guess some things never change.” When their eyes met, she knew without a doubt that he’d picked up the double meaning in her comment. Before he could say anything that would make her uncomfortable, she said. “I was on my way out. Still intent on walking me to my car?”

Without saying a word, he bowed and let her lead the way.

* * * *

“That went well.” Chase muttered to himself as he got behind the wheel of his truck. He followed Reggie until she parked her car outside her parents’ front door. Instead of turning and waving to him in appreciation for his concern, she pretended he wasn’t there. He smiled. She wasn’t so unpredictable after all. He was glad she was home.

To Chase, she looked as beautiful as ever. He couldn’t remember Regina Stanton looking anything but breathtaking, even at her worst. He’d had to force himself not to stare at her with raw hunger in his eyes. He’d missed her these past months. He couldn’t get enough of the sight of her. She defined the word animation. No still photography could ever capture that woman’s glory. Just when he thought he’d seen her every expression, he’d glimpse something new and be enchanted all over again. He sighed heavily.

Driving home to his place, he remembered how she’d looked in the garden. Her golden eyes had mesmerized him. He’d longed to drink them in like he would a fine whiskey. She certainly intoxicated like fine spirits, he thought as he pulled up in front of his house.

Chase didn’t live on an estate like most of the other Old Families. He owned a garden center and lived in a small bungalow on the property. The money meant nothing to him. The principle, however, had gnawed at him for years. He supposed he should be grateful in a twisted way. By frittering away all of the McCann family money, his stepfather had done him a favor in the long run. Chase knew what a good hard day’s work meant, and he was proud of his ability to stand on his own. He’d refused help from Travis and Sam, who’d both offered whatever he needed. He was proud that he did it on his own.

The only thing he’d managed to keep out of creditors’ hands was his mother’s garden center. When she was still alive, it had been merely a hobby business, an indulgent gift from Chase’s father. After her death, Chase had struggled long and hard to make it turn a tidy profit, but he loved the work.

Standing on the step, he opened the mailbox and took out a stack of flyers and trade catalogues. Before entering the house, he ran a hand over the childishly painted mailbox. His stepsister Jade had painted it and everyday when he got the mail, he thought of her. She’d been such a roly-poly little thing when her father married his mother. Chase had fallen in love with her on the spot. She was six years his junior, but they’d adored each other from day one. Her father, Robert Adams, was an abusive son of a bitch who’d gambled away all they had. Adams had charmed his way into Mary McCann’s life, but soon after the wedding, his charm wore off, and the emotional abuse started. A fact she’d kept hidden from her son. Jade was helplessly aware of it because he’d been the same to her for her entire life.

After his mother’s death, Chase did everything possible to get custody of Jade, but he’d had no legal rights over her biological father. In the end, it was Jade herself who’d made him stop the fight. With a world-weary look in her eyes, she’d told him that she needed to stay with her father. When he started to argue with her, she silenced him, displaying a maturity far beyond her fifteen years.