Wanted: One Ghost (17 page)

“You have it all wrong, April Branford. I want you so very much, and I’m not to be confused with your past lover. I’m not Jason. He was a weak imbecile who couldn’t accept how wonderful and gifted you are. If it wasn’t for everything you are, I wouldn’t be alive right now.”

In one fluid movement, April stripped off her chemise and settled herself closer to him. “Then prove it. If you are
the
James Addison, the rakish scoundrel I’ve read about, prove it to me. If you want me so much, take what I’m offering, for however long we have.”

Bloody hell!
For the first time in his randy, demented life, James Addison didn’t know what to do with a naked woman sitting atop of him. April sat there like a knight going into battle. Her armor was soft pale skin shining in the lamp light. Her hair tumbled gloriously over her shoulders in a wild mane. She was naked and beautiful and a goddess meant to be worshiped. His hands itched to touch her and yet all he could do was stare, taking her beauty in, and praying to God he still remembered how to pleasure a woman.

***

April sat astride James’s lap. Was this familiar to him? Did women take the lead in his time? Then she didn’t care, he was here with her now. She didn’t worry about right or wrong, and time, no one knew how much time they had on Earth. James’s frail existence showed her as much. She was grabbing time while she had time to grab. Her craving for this man, since the day she’d met him, won out over propriety and worrying about tomorrow. They were both consenting adults and she’d be damned if he waited to ask for her parent’s permission.

Not sure what to expect, she hadn’t been ready for James Addison’s assault on her. His hardness rasped against her naked, feminine core. The material of his jeans touched off jolts of electricity as she rubbed wantonly across his erection. She moaned at the feel. Silver-gray eyes glowed in the dim light. She could tell he was hesitant and knew he was trying to be noble. Damn him! She didn’t want noble, she wanted him! Now!

“You can touch me. I promise I won’t break,” she teased as she brought his hand up to her breast.

It was a perfect fit. As big as his hands were, she was adequate in size. The darker coloring and crisp black hairs were a stark contrast against her pale skin. He was callused and rough, the texture sending triggers of delight coursing through her. The rasp of his thumb over her sensitive nipple made her ache with raw hunger.

Leaning back a bit she moved against his manhood, rubbing herself over the rough material of his jeans, imitating what she hoped to do when she had him naked. She could feel the hardened length but wanted all of him.

She looked up from under her lashes to gauge his reaction. His deep inhales filled with unleashed tension rained hot over her face. He was holding back but only by a thread. The evidence of his need shimmered in his stormy grey eyes. She moved sinfully, rubbing her breasts against him as she rode his lap.

“April,” James’s voice came out like a ragged warning.

She’d played it safe for too long. She’d never wanted to go crazy on a man before. But James brought out the wild in her. The denim material was a damn nuisance. Reaching down between them she pushed the copper button through the hole on his fly and grazed his erection through the rough material. He gasped but she continued to free him. Pulling the zipper down slowly, she felt his natural heat radiate from him.

Cupping him gently she removed him from his constraints to the sound of his stuttered groan. He was hot silk wrapped around hard steel. April reveled in being the first woman to touch him in centuries. She wanted to bring every part of him to life with her hands, her body, and her mouth.

She slid off his lap and pushed him back on the bed, stripping him of the infuriating jeans and briefs. She wanted to see all of James Addison. The man in all his glory.

“April…dear God!” James gasped.

She touched him, marveling at the mystery behind the man. She treated him as gently as she would a freshly found artifact with light delicate touches and a sense of wonder.

“You don’t know what you do, angel,” James’s voice sounded hoarse to her ears.

She let him go. Her feminine power took over. She liked this new side to her—daring and bold. “Oh, I think I do.”

She returned to straddle him in his prone position. Finding his hand, she again placed it on her breast. His fingers brushed over the sensitive skin as lightly as she’d touched him and then he tweaked her nipple, just a light pinch setting off a chain reaction throughout her nerves to make her throb. She pressed wantonly against him, feeling his heat and hardness. Her head lowered to meet his. Their sexual tension was palpable in their ragged breathing. Perspiration dotted his brow. He was fighting it.

“Please James…”

Her soft plea was all he’d needed to lose his control. She was lifted off of his lap, and he left her side only to remove his shirt before placing his body atop hers, resting his weight on his muscular arms as his lips crashed down on hers with such intensity she thought he was going to swallow her whole.

The kiss gentled as her hands stroked the corded muscles of his back and shoulders, and then he began exploring more than her mouth. His lips trailed over her cheeks, her jaw, nipping their way down the column of her throat.

April arched her back as his mouth found her breasts and tormented them with alternating kisses, nibbles, and gentle suckling. She gasped at the intensity and the thoroughness of his exploration. He maneuvered them both so he could touch her with his hands as well as his lips.

She jumped and giggled lightly as his mouth found the sensitive spot on her belly. He growled low in his throat and continued his exploration. His teeth nipped her hip and she gasped but then his hand found its own center of attention and she nearly came off the bed.

All of her moisture had pooled from just wanting him, long before he’d begun to touch her. She closed her eyes. Now she was just a ball of aching need. But he took his time, igniting her passions even further with his touch, finding all the sensitive areas and some she didn’t even know existed, until she was a wiggling mass of pent up frustration waiting to be unleashed.

She opened her eyes and saw James in all his masculine glory. This was the man the history books wrote about. He sat poised between her thighs, readying himself. Her body throbbed, her heart ached to bursting. This man was all hers—for now.

James leaned over her, touching her womanhood lightly, making sure she was ready too. “April, my heart…are you sure?”

She reached up and brushed her hand over his. “I’ve never been more so in my life, James.”

“It’s been so long. Let me know if I hurt you.”

She wanted to weep. He was thinking of her, not wanting to hurt her. Were her eyes glowing as brightly as his? He parted her legs gently and entered her in one swift move of his hips.

April couldn’t help but arch up into him. She closed her eyes and bit her lip to keep from crying out at the welcomed intrusion. James didn’t move. Stretching her, he let her adjust to his size.

They moved together, their bodies in tune, giving and receiving. April wrapped her legs around his hips, bringing him closer. His body strained to hold back. She was on the precipice waiting for him to take the leap with her. Tender nerves ignited within her and she dug her fingers into his shoulders as she arched and leaped. She pulled him along as she felt his body stiffen inside of her before he pumped deeper, burying his face into the hollow of her throat to stifle the deep moan of release.

April couldn’t help but grin into the darkened room as the legendary rake, James Addison lay heavily upon her, sated but exhausted.
So ghosts really do moan
.

James woke early. His body was well-rested, sated and naked, lying next to an equally naked April. He ached, but it was a good ache, physically. He threw an arm over his eyes and groaned inwardly. Last night had happened so fast. One minute he’d been consoling a frightened woman, and then she’d tempted him to take actions he hadn’t intended. But she’d felt so damn good, and it had been so long since he’d enjoyed the pleasures a woman could give. He’d tried to remember if it had ever been that good. All he knew was he never wanted it to end.

Now in the light of day, realizing he’d gone over the edge and done something he’d had no intention of doing, he was at a loss. He’d lost control last night, if he ever really had it. April could be carrying his child, and there would be nothing he could do if his time on Earth were to end as suddenly as it began.

The thought of conceiving a wee one didn’t chill him the way it once had. Was it because he knew how precious life was? Was he possibly being given the chance to create a life from his death? He looked over at his angel-woman who’d brought life to his body and heart.

The morning light sprinkling in through the lacy sheers colored her hair with kisses of flame. Her cheek nested in the riot of fire, so peaceful, her lips slightly parted and moist. She was beautiful. The image of her rounded with his child toyed at the fore front of his thoughts. His cock twitched at the possibility of seeing her in such a maternal state, knowing it was his babe. A ghost of a man only days ago and now dreaming of a future with a woman he barely knew. Could fate be any kinder or crueler? Was he here permanently or only for a brief time until they could solve the real reason for his death?

Quietly, without waking his sleeping beauty, he slipped from their bed and dressed in the pants she’d tossed to the floor. He only had the shirt from last night as he had yet to retrieve his clothing from the other room. It would have to do. He’d done with less in his life. How many nights had he run from a ladies room, so not to get caught and forced to wed? Now, he was seriously thinking of settling down with one woman, and no one was even forcing his hand. He was losing his touch.

She stirred in her sleep, snuggling into the pillows he’d just left. Her deep inhale made her smile and she continued to dream peacefully. Yes, April Branford was unique. She was the first woman to tug at his heart strings just by being in her presence. His smile faded as he realized he had no right to feel this way. There could be nothing between them until he knew for sure whether or not he would still be around for them to have a future. In the meantime, he needed to take responsibility for his actions, make a future available to them for whatever time they had. He needed a job, a home for them, and a minister to bless their union before there
was
a babe to consider.

***

April stood up and began to pace. “I can’t sit here any longer while you’re all sipping your coffee and eating glazed donuts as if this is an everyday occurrence. There is too much at stake and my time is dwindling. I need to find some way to contact Catherine Samuel. If I can’t find the documents, I need to do something. If she needs my help then I need to find a way to help her. Grams, Aunt Vickie, are you with me on this?”

James had finished his last glazed donut, a delicacy for certain, and wiped his lips. She was on edge and he wondered what had brought the condition on, besides what she’d just said. Yes, the ghostly encounter last night was surely on her mind, but he’d hoped their intimacy might have eased a bit of it. Was she upset over what had happened? Was she having second thoughts about him? It had been awhile. Maybe he didn’t live up to expectations or was too old fashioned for the rituals of pleasures now. He remained quiet. They needed to talk, but he wished to get her alone first.

Aunt Vickie began cleaning up the breakfast dishes. “I know you’re frustrated, but honey, let me know what you need me to do. We’ll work it out.”

“Thanks. I just feel so helpless.” April tried to smile, but it came out a bit weak.

“I know, dear. It’s never easy to accept our gifts. Take it one day at a time. Something has got to give and when it does, open yourself to it. Don’t be afraid.” Vickie looked to her sister, still sitting, as she continued to drink from an empty cup. “Stop dawdling, Dottie, I could use some help with dishes in the kitchen.”

“But we only used the cups, everything else was paper. Surely you don’t need my help with just a couple of cups…” her voice trailed off as Vickie jerked her head in April and James’s direction. “Oh, well yes—I suppose I could dry the cups for you.”

James watched as April’s grandmother and aunt left the room. It was just the two of them, the atmosphere thick with uncertainty. James sat forward in his chair, his hands clasped together tightly between his wide spread legs. The fingers gripped each other so firmly their knuckles were white. Now would be as good a time as ever to broach the subject they needed to discuss.

James cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “I stopped by and talked to the reverend from the Episcopal Church this morning.”

April gave him a queer look. Where was the woman he’d watch sleep so peacefully this morning? Now she looked troubled and uncertain. Did she regret last night?

“Really,” she said with cool indifference, her mind clearly elsewhere.

“He said he would be more than willing to officiate our wedding.”

She looked around her, and then back at him. Her brows knotted in confusion.

“Excuse me? What wedding?”

James stood up quickly. Now it was his turn to pace. He stopped. “I intend to do right by you.”

He wasn’t sure what he expected but the rolling of her eyes as she wiped a hand over her face wasn’t it. A woman in his day would be honored for a man who’d taken advantage of her to ask for her hand in marriage.

“James, this is 2012. You don’t need to propose marriage just because we made love. It was wonderful, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t expect you to marry me because of it.” She sighed. “I’m just not ready for this…there are too many unknown factors at stake. Let’s just take it one day at a time.”

James’s jaw tightened as he considered her words. Her indifference to his proposal had him feeling like a fool. He didn’t give a damn about what was or wasn’t expected in 2012! A knife to his heart couldn’t have hurt worse than what she’d said, or maybe it was how she’d said it.

“I see.” Walking over to the mantle he pretended to study a simple picture on the small shelf. He wanted to regain his composure. She was probably right. There were too many issues they needed to work out. Still, it didn’t make his pride smart any less.

“What if there is a babe?” He turned to her. She was fidgeting. Could she be as nervous as he? “I have to admit, I didn’t take the precautions I am used to taking with a woman. I was caught up in the moment.” A small smile played on his lips to soothe the distress and unease he saw in her face.

A glimmer of hope touched his heart as her hands unconsciously fluttered over her stomach as if the idea of carrying his child excited her somehow.

“We’ll deal with the situation if it comes up. Right now, I’m more concerned with other issues we have at hand, not ‘what ifs.’” She dismissed the idea but couldn’t meet his eyes.

She was hiding from him. Perhaps last night didn’t mean as much to her as it did to him. Was it only her curiosity that drove her to make love to him? His reputation as a great lover of women was well known in the history books. He should be delighted to have such an interesting title. But it didn’t mean anything to him now. In fact the title bothered him a bit. He didn’t want her to think of him as randy, hopping from one woman’s bed to another. He wanted her and her alone. If she’d been his back in the 1770’s he would never have needed to search further.

“What situation are you two talking about?”

April looked up guiltily as her mother walked into the room, slowly sipping a cup of herbal tea. James noticed Virginia Branford looked deathly pale and weak. “What situation?” she repeated looking from him to April for some sort of answer.

“Our future, Mrs. Branford.” James sat down in the chair.

She slumped onto the settee, took another sip of her tea and held her head. “So what were you discussing about your future? Are you even sure you’re really alive?” She addressed him with the dressing down of a protective parent. “I don’t see how you can be. Whatever my daughter did to bring you to life I’m sure can be undone.”

She turned her attention towards April. “And just because you jump into the sack doesn’t mean he’ll stick around for the long run. Use your head, April May Branford.”

Virginia
’s words came out in an angry snarl. April’s jaw tightened and her fists clenched at her sides. When she turned to him, he saw the regret and uncertainty she felt about them and what they had done.

“Mom, that is your migraine talking. I can’t believe you could be so obtuse. I’m a consenting adult, and you have no right to question my private life.”

“No,” James replied quietly. Bowing his head he let his hands drop between his knees in defeat. “I suppose you are right, Virginia. I don’t know for sure.” James looked up warily at April, her eyes fuming with pent up anger at her mother. “You’re mother is only looking out for your best interests…as am I. But yes, I should have thought more clearly on our delicate situation. I should have never let things go so far last night.”

He stood and walked out of the room. He didn’t want mother and daughter to fight about him. April’s mother was right in her way. His future was uncertain.

His ego lay in tatters. Worse, it felt as if his heart had been ripped out again. First her rejection of his proposal, and now her mother’s refusal to accept him as a human being in this realm. He didn’t stand a chance in hell of winning their favor.

“I love you, but you can be such a bitch at times, Mother,” he heard April seethe in his defense. He smiled briefly but it was short lived and not worthy of a victory. Not if he couldn’t convince her of his intentions.

***

James stood on the back porch, the brisk November air biting into his skin. He couldn’t promise April anything permanent. No matter how alive she made him feel, he was still a ghost, some sort of phenomenal being brought to life for a brief moment in time. He wasn’t supposed to be alive and how long he would remain in this form, no one was sure. But he would fight like hell to try and stay alive if it meant having April in his future.

The cold wind mocked him with its icy chill. How ironic! God must be laughing at him. He’d spent his life forming relationships with women based on appeasing his sexual wants, never settling for any one woman. Now he’d finally found the one woman who could tempt him beyond all others, and he couldn’t have her.

“You’re going to catch a cold out here,” April murmured from behind him.

She placed his jacket over his shoulders and wrapped her arms around him. This felt right; her holding him like this, molding her body to his. April shifted into his arms and burrowed into his chest.

“This is my fault. I should’ve never come to Kings Mill. You would still be where you were.”

“You’re right, I would be.” He tilted her face up and saw the concern cross her brow. “I would still be alone in my haze of time, slipping between witnessing my execution, walking aimlessly in the present, and viewing the ghosts of my past life—replaying them over and over until they became so much of me, I knew nothing else.”

“You were in a residual time loop.”

“Until you came along and noticed me under the tree. You set me free.”

“The tree,” she said with a harsh snort.

James laughed. “I thought you were talking to the tree when I saw you. I didn’t realize at the time you could see me. When you responded to my mocking you, I didn’t know what to think. I remember I did a little dance to see if you could follow my movements.”

Touching her cheek the connection between them flourished, and the uncomfortable awkwardness of their earlier discussion melted away. “You have no idea what you did to me. I’ll never be able to explain what I felt.” Placing her hand against his chest, he held it there, gazing into her eyes, trying to tell her how he felt about her, about them and how right they were together.