Together Again: Spirit Travel Novel - Book #4 (Romance & Humor - The Vicarage Bench Series) (21 page)

“I noticed the same thing.” Keen about her topic, his interest captivated, he forgot his discomfort and leaned forward. “The truth of the old saying ‘Wisdom comes with age’ stares me in the face every time I’m there for another interview. Their spiritual beliefs help the old folks accept their plight in such a brave way it dazzles me—humbles me, actually. They cope by joking and hugging, and with sincere grief. Stories of past glories are shared and honoured, never ignored. Snivelling has no place with these men and women, and I want to be just like them when I grow up.”

She laughed. Her beauty intensified.

“I know exactly what you mean. I visited Mary and Edmund Conway a few days ago, and they’re still full of your heroics. You saved Mary’s life.”

“I had help from an invisible source.” His face softened. He felt the goofy grin plaster itself over his face.

Whenever he thought of Dani there was the same reaction. Love for her swelled from his heart, leapt into the creases around his eyes, and even his lips seemed to connect with the feeling.

****

Faced with his obvious adoration for her other self, Ellie couldn’t act the tart any longer. Jealousy mushroomed and grew.

Her hand rubbed at the headache pounding in her forehead. Remorse burned all the way into her stomach, becoming a fiery, aching throb made worse by the sudden fatigue washing over her.

Weak and shaky, accepting failure, she grabbed her purse and moved, ready to stand. She craved solitude for her tears and a glass of wine for her pain. Never had she felt so weighted down.

So disheartened.

So lonely!

Harshness rang in her tone. “You were right. This was a bad idea. If you still want the interview, we can go to my office, and I’ll give you the facts.”

Startled, he quickly stood and went to pull out her chair. Efficiently, she made their excuses, extricated them from the grovelling owner and got them into her car parked in a stall for special guests.

The drive took only a few minutes. To her, the silence spoke volumes. Her aching heart, heavy with regret, seemed to fill up her whole chest. The pain, worse than anything else she’d ever known, would disgrace her any minute. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, while her damp hands grasped the wheel, clinging to its solidity.

She needed to get away from him before she collapsed like a puddle of remorse right in front of him or screamed like a fishwife because he didn’t recognize her.

Knowing he’d be coming for her on Saturday didn’t alleviate her misery at all—it only made things worse. Call her an idiot, whatever, but having him fall in love with the person she was today meant so very much to her, because the Dani he knew really didn’t exist anymore. She’d grown and developed into the smart, loving mother and career woman sitting next to him.

Dani would have added the term self-confident, but since he’d returned to her life that attribute had flown out the window. She’d even started biting her nails again, a habit broken years ago. What the hell was wrong with her?

Where did the vibrant, successful author disappear to, the heartbreaker who, over the years, had easily handled the many men attempting to flirt? Troy needed to meet that female. Her problem was that being in the same space with him made her stupid tongue disconnect from her brain and her nerves unite into one big malfunction.

What if, after he saw her at the party, his disappointment showed? Or anger? How could she possibly deal with it? A headache crawled up from her tense shoulders and lodged itself smack-dab above her eyes.

Meanwhile, the cheeky devil sat next to her in the dark and whistled. While she suffered through such turmoil, he sat relaxed and made a—a racket. Arrgghh!

“Stop that!”

“Stop what?”

“Making those silly noises.”

“You don’t like whistling? It’s usually an indication of happiness.”

“Well, I’m not happy. Please!” She pulled into the drive, shut off the engine, and laid her face over her hands where they still clutched the wheel. “Please.” This time the word was a whisper.

“Aw, sweetheart! I’m sorry. I’ll stop teasing.” His mesmerizing voice oozed regret. “It’s a bad habit I have when I’m nervous.” Darkness shrouded them, creating their own little world. The night breezes wafting through the open window carried scents of jasmine and honeysuckle, while the full moon shot rays of golden magic to enclose them.

Sweetheart! It was the last word he’d said to her ten years earlier, and it broke her. Tears gushed. She flung open the car door and ran for the shelter of her private space. The room where she’d shed a million tears, written a million words about their love, and spent the better part of the last ten years planning for when they’d meet again. Except nothing was happening according to her plans. He didn’t recognize her, and she’d always imagined he would.

He followed her. “Ellie, I don’t know what I’ve done, but if it’s any consolation, honey, I’m sorry.” He moved behind the chair she’d flung herself into, and she felt his big rough hand stroke her cheek.

Her breathing stopped as if a spell had been cast. She sat motionless. And waited. He stood behind her, continuing his gentle treatment as if sensing she needed to be touched.

Very slowly, she twisted her head and kissed his palm. He hesitated, and before he could withdraw she put up her hand, trapping his.

“Ellie, I need to tell you that I have a girl. I’m not free.”

“I’m not a girl, Troy.” She stood and faced him, only inches away. “I’m a woman.” She moved closer, slowly—very slowly—and then she stopped, her breasts against the front of his body.

He wavered.

Only seconds separated their lips. Heat ravaged her and pooled in her lower area, where heavy pulsations screamed for her to do something about them. As a candle’s flame can light another, her desire ignited his.

Her eyes begged.

His eyes smouldered.

He reached to cup her face. But instead of taking her lips, he laid his forehead against hers and groaned.

“My girl’s name is Dani. I’m in love with her, and I don’t want to want you.”

“Oh, Troy, I’m—”

“No, don’t say anything yet. Right now, I’m so close to making love to you that I’ll go crazy if we stop. Let me touch you for a few more seconds.” As he whispered, his hands continued to stroke and caress her lips, her cheeks—he smoothed her hair—an unconquerable task. Neck muscles gave way and her face fell forward into his big palms. He gently lifted her chin as if he couldn’t stand for her to be turned away. Her eyes grew heavy and closed; sensations rioted as the desire in his look grew too much for her. Under his touch, her body moved like a cat arching to its owner’s hand.

Another harsh groan—this time the sound of unmistakable pain. He thrust her away and strode to the window, hands clasping his lean hips while his head hung dejectedly.

“You are one beautiful woman, Ellie Ward. If my heart didn’t already belong to another, we’d be in a bed right now making love every way I know how.”

Unforeseen anger snuck up on her and blasted through her control. “Where is this paragon of virtue you’re so in love with? Why isn’t she here with you…” Huskiness plagued her voice, and forced her to stop spilling out her bizarre resentment. In one more second she would have told him his Dani wasn’t with him because she no longer existed. She’d grown up.

“She’s dealing with some family issues. There’s a situation she’s gotten into, and it needs to be resolved before we can be together.”

“What kind of situation?”
Keep him talking so he won’t leave.
The voice in her head refused to be ignored. Since she couldn’t bear to be alone just yet, she asked. “How old is this person you keep referring to as a girl?”

“That’s not important to how I feel.”

“How old?”

“Seventeen.” He answered, grumbling audibly.

“Seventeen? She’s a child.” The look on his face made her back off that issue. “What’s so important to her that she left you alone?”

“Nothing to be concerned about. She’s in a bit of trouble and—”

“Trouble? She’s pregnant?” Did he truly mind? It wasn’t a question she’d ever asked him. Her heartbeats quickened. To breathe became difficult over the barrier of fear that instantly attached itself to the swallowing apparatus in her throat. Her hands felt clammy as she gripped them together. She hoped the queasy feeling in her stomach wouldn’t erupt and shame her.

“For heaven’s sake! I’m not the father. Look! In the short time I knew her; she grew to be a part of me—more than I can ever explain. And trust me; her kid will be very lucky. Dani will make a wonderful mother. Even though I’ve never thought of being anyone’s dad, with her child, it would be a privilege.” He turned away as if his emotions were too private to share.

She couldn’t help herself. She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, clinging with everything in her.

He put his hands over hers, and let his body relax. “Knowing how much I love her, I can’t understand what kind of magic web this is that you’ve spread over me. I do know that if I turned around at this moment, I couldn’t stop myself from taking you in my arms.”

“Then turn. Please!”

“No!”

“Even though it’s what you want?”

“More than my next breath!” As if the words he’d uttered in a low growling voice had been replayed to him, he stiffened, broke away, and headed for the door.

“I’ve gotta go. I’ll return tomorrow for the interview.” The door slammed behind him.

If he’d looked back and seen the brilliant smile plastered over her face, he would have had questions. A lot of questions! He’d rejected her, hadn’t he? Except for one very important thing.

He hadn’t wanted to!

She attracted him, and that fact alone restored her joy, her equanimity, and the contentment she’d clung to for ten long years. She was getting to him.

Unused energy had her swaying around the room while her hands rubbed together. Her feet, seeming to have a mind of their own, soon began swinging her in dizzying circles.

She loved the fact that letting her go hadn’t been easy for him, but he’d done it. He was a man of strong principles. If he thought it hard tonight—the double entendre made her giggle—he didn’t know what she had in store for him tomorrow. Her arms lifted as she waltzed in and out of the moonbeams reflecting in the glass of the uncovered window.

Her silhouette stopped her. She stared at her image and slowly moved towards her chair, settling inside the safe haven where she’d spent so many lonely hours fanaticizing, building characters and making them fall in love. Pondering their two meetings, her previous giddiness faded.

She’d always visualized that Troy would instinctively recognize who she was at first glance. Some kind of a mysterious pull would occur the moment he set eyes on her, and he’d just know. Not once did she imagine a scenario where things didn’t happen in that way. And the fact that he hadn’t known she was Dani threw her off kilter, messed with all her plans.

Over the years many men had pursued her, tempted her, and tried to start a relationship. They hadn’t stood a chance. She’d obsessed over Troy to the point where no other man could ever live up to him. His pedestal loomed so high that even she was afraid. On the other hand, in ten years of growing up in the modern world one thing stood out clearly: attraction counted—physical attraction. If there was no sexual pull, they didn’t stand a chance.

She hugged herself and rubbed her hands up and down her arms. Thoughts played ping-pong in her head. Why was I so scared to gain some experience? I’m like a child when it comes to knowing what pleases a guy. How can I carry this seduction off when the only time I’ve ever carried on with a grown man was between the pages of my books?

A sigh sounded, deep and long. Maybe I should just tell him who I am? He wanted me tonight. Then words poured out from inside her before she could stop them. They sounded loud in the quiet, moonlit room. “Sure, he wanted you, but he loves Dani.” Her voice broke on the last word.

So, why couldn’t it be enough? That he loved the girl. What was driving this overpowering need for him to be attracted to the woman? The answer came to her in a flash.

After writing so many romance stories where the hero and heroine couldn’t keep their hands off each other, she wanted the same for herself. A man to want her beyond all that was sensible and all that was ordinary. Why couldn’t it be her turn to entice a man to where he’d be so crazy for her, he wouldn’t be able to turn away? One thing was certain. Her bosoms had worked tonight. Maybe showing off a little more of her body would work some additional magic?

Planning, and counting the hours until she’d see him next, she pictured her weapons. A lovely halter-top, one that revealed more than she normally felt comfortable showing, came to mind. Shorts—the really short ones that showed off her curves—yes! And her hair left free so he could run his hands through, as he’d tried to do earlier. The curls would be soft from the rainwater she’d use, and fragrant from the perfumed shampoo that would heighten his ardour, and…

She couldn’t wait for the night to pass. When he returned the next day, he wouldn’t know what hit him. Then, after they made beautiful love, she’d tell him her secret.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Would the night never end? Guilt had kept him awake and pacing for hours. He’d almost cheated on the love of his life, and he would never, ever, have imagined himself as a slimy, cheating bastard.

His conscience hounded him, driving him to knuckle-grinding desperation. Turning the remorse off wasn’t an option. Whenever he closed his eyes, the red-haired siren he’d craved and burned for earlier snuck into his thoughts. Naked, he lay on his bed and fretted, while the blanket, a victim of his restlessness, ended up pooled on the floor, a warm nest for a tired puppy.

There’d been no respite since he returned to his lonely room and a happy Buddy. The ramifications of recalled images of the earlier evening had him suffering like a horny teenager. He needed a woman, and the only one he wanted wasn’t available until Saturday.

Lying bastard!

He left the bed to pace again, his brain searching for some form of sanity. Nothing seemed normal to him anymore. Magic benches, time travel, spirit invasions… For heaven’s sake, he’d fallen in love with a seventeen-year-old pregnant girl he’d never laid eyes on but who had lived inside him long enough to sabotage his wits and steal his heart. Didn’t sound very normal to him.