Witching Hour (19 page)

“I moved fast enough to pin you, didn’t I?”

“Right.”

Cal punched Dylan again, not missing the sarcasm in his voice. Cal never could outmaneuver his brother. Though the fact the man was an ex-special forces soldier took most of that sting away. “You come alone?”

“Annie’s still asleep in the car. I wanted to make sure it was safe before I brought her in.”

“Safe? It’s the outskirts of Salem. Hardly crime central. What the hell did you think you’d find?”

Dylan held up his hands. “Hey, Avery told me all about your little witch problem. And after all the shit we went through with that crazy spirit back home, I’ve more than had my share of ghosts.”

Cal chuckled. “What I wouldn’t have given to see you have to eat crow. I bet Av’s still smiling.”

“Jackass won’t let me forget. And when he’s not reading my mind, all but planning a wedding I haven’t even proposed to Annie about, he’s reminding me how I’ve been wrong all these years.”

“That sounds like him.” Cal leaned against the wall. “So, you and Annie. Can’t say as I saw that coming. She’s quite the catch, but…you do know she’s a psychologist, right?”

“Of course I know. And I assure you. I haven’t missed the irony in it.”

“I sincerely hope it means that you’re finally talking about what happened over there. It’s long overdue.”

Dylan groaned. “Endlessly. The woman has a way of sneaking it into a conversation before I realize what she’s done. Which reminds me. Want to explain why I suddenly owe Brandon half a dozen favors? As I recall, it was only one big one when I resigned.”

Cal smiled. “What can I say? I needed some strings pulled and your name got the job done.” He nodded at his brother. “Though I did thank the man for saving your sorry hide, even if it took you a couple of years to appreciate it.”

Dylan rolled his eyes. “You’re as bad as she is. You doctor types. You talk too much.”

“I’ve got a PhD in parapsychology. I’m hardly a doctor.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s bred into you.”

Cal shook his head, placing some mugs on the counter when footsteps sounded on the stairs an instant before Jordan rounded the corner, his shirt hanging down to her knees, a baseball bat in her hand. She skidded to a stop, mouth gaping open as she stared at the two men, looking as if she wasn’t quite sure if she was awake or dreaming.

She looked from Cal over to Dylan then back again, cursing as she placed the bat against the wall. “Bloody hell. You two scared me half to death.”

Cal smiled, loving how sexy she looked wearing his clothes. He moved over to her, wrapping her in his arms as he turned back to face Dylan. “Sorry, sweetheart. Dylan likes to make an entrance.”

“I remember.” She gave Cal a quick kiss then moved over to the counter, taking Dylan’s coffee mug out of his hand before heading for the table and chairs in the other corner.

Dylan smiled and poured two more, handing one to Cal before clasping his and taking a long drink. “So, do I really want to know why you two decided to settle down in Salem, Massachusetts, in the same house you damn near died in?”

Jordan shrugged. “It just felt right. Besides, what are the chances we’ll have another evil spirit pop up?”

Dylan shook his head. “With you two living here? I’d say pretty damn good.” He gave Jordan a wink. “Though I do owe you my gratitude. I never thought Cal would finally give up Scotland. Guess it took more charm than I had to bring him back.”

Cal walked over to the table, sitting next to Jordan. “I couldn’t rightly ask her to move when her business is just taking off. Besides, she has a knack for getting into trouble.”

Jordan whacked him gently in the shoulder, giving him a playful smile. “I prefer to think of it as being adventurous, and I thought you said it was a quality you liked.”

“It’s one I love. But that doesn’t negate the fact you tend to get in over your head.”

“Says the man still healing from broken ribs.”

Cal laughed, drawing her close when Dylan groaned again.

Dylan shook his head. “God, if Annie and me are this sickening, I think I get what Avery’s been bitching about. Speaking of which…I’ll go grab her.” He headed for the door. “Oh, and Avery and Temperance should be here within the hour and Blake and Payton sometime tonight. We thought we’d help you guys out with what’s left of the renovations. And Avery wants to see the attic again…kept mumbling about ghosts and shit. Whatever.” He glanced around as if checking to see if anyone else was listening. “We’ve got bets on whether or not Payton’s pregnant and if it’s a boy or a girl.”

Cal smiled. “We’ll take yes, and make it twins.”

Dylan’s flashed them a wicked grin. “You’ll have to take girls or one of each because Annie, and I already picked boys.”

Cal furrowed his brow. “You picked twins?”

Dylan shrugged. “What can I say? Guess we just tend to think alike.” He nodded at them. “I’m thinking we’ll jump in the shower. Wash off the long drive. So that should give you both some time.”

Jordan pursed her lips, obviously confused. “Time for what?”

“I’ll leave that up to the two of you.” The man darted out before Jordan could answer him.

Jordan sighed, glancing at Cal. “I’d almost forgotten what it’s like to have a big family.”

He leaned in, brushing his lips over hers. “You mean the way they’re annoying as hell?”

“True, but in a good way.” She scraped her chair back, taking a step toward the doorway. “Sounds like we won’t have a lot of alone time for a bit. Don’t suppose you want to take Dylan up on his offer? Maybe go upstairs and play before Avery gets here?”

Cal slowly rose to his feet, loving the way Jordan’s eyes dilated, a light flush lacing down her neck and chest. “I’ll make you a deal. If I don’t catch you before we reach the bedroom, you can use those lovely handcuffs on me.”

Desire darkened her eyes as she raised an eyebrow at him. “And if you do?”

“Consider yourself my prisoner until Avery and Temperance walk through the front door.”

She tilted her head, looking as if she was thinking it over before giving him a wide smile. “Deal.”

She took off, racing for the stairs. Cal smiled and darted after her, skidding to a halt when one of the chairs toppled in front of him. A cold breeze tickled his skin as a disembodied laugh echoed in the room again.

He sighed, dodging around the chair and up the stairs. At least life wouldn’t be dull. He reached the bedroom several steps behind Jordan, pointing his finger at her. “You cheated.”

“I wasn’t the one who toppled that chair.”

“No, but I have no doubts you’ve made some alliances with our ghostly population over the past few weeks. That’s still cheating.”

She tsked at him, spinning the handcuffs around one finger. “No crying foul, baby. Now be a good boy, and take your
punishment
.”

Cal closed the door, wedging a chair under it just in case one of the spirits thought it’d be funny to open it at an inappropriate time. He made his way over to the bed, grabbing Jordan and pulling her flush to his body. “I’ll take mine as long as you’ll take yours later.”

“Your brothers will hear us.”

“I doubt they’ll be paying attention when they’ll be just as
occupied
as we will. Besides, I should be allowed to make love to my wife.”

Jordan stilled, her mouth slowly gaping open before she visibly swallowed. “Wife?”

“Okay, maybe not officially yet, but…” He moved over to the small side table, removing a velvet box. He walked back over to her, lowering onto one knee as he opened it. “I was hoping you’d agree to do me the honor.”

She seemed frozen for several agonizing heartbeats before tears slipped from her eyes as a stunning smile captured her lips. She held out her hand, inhaling when he twirled the sparkling gem onto her finger.

He grazed his finger over it, admitting how right it looked sitting there against her skin. “I remembered how much you loved sapphires and thought you might like something a bit unorthodox.”

She choked back a sob, her gaze finding his. “It’s stunning.”

“Is that a yes?”

She let the sob break free this time. “Of course it’s a yes, you fool. Now get up and kiss me.”

“Now that’s an order I can obey.”

He stood, gathering her in his arms, molding his lips to hers in a kiss that bound them more than any vows. She rested her head on his chest when he finally pulled back, her gentle breath breezing across his skin.

She smiled against him, easing away until he could look at her. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mrs. Smith.”

She laughed, pointing to the bed. “Good. Now get your ass in the bed. I still won the bet.”

He placed his hand on his chest, feigning indignation. “I propose and you still insist you won. Sweetheart, that hurts.”

“Not nearly as much as the torture you’re about to endure. Unless you’d rather I tell Dylan you copped out on me.”

“Wench. Fine. Have it your way.” He climbed onto the bed, allowing her to cuff his hands above his head. “But mark my words. I will get my comeuppance.”

She leaned in, slowly drawing her shirt over her head as she straddled him. “I’m counting on it. Now how about I make you scream.”

About the Author

Author, single mother, slave to chaos—she’s a jack-of-all-trades who's constantly looking for her ever elusive clone.

Kris started writing some years back, and it took her a while to realize she wasn't destined for the padded room, and that the voices chattering away in her head were really other characters trying to take shape—and since they weren't telling her to conquer the human race, she went with it. Though she supposes if they had…insert evil laugh.

Kris loves writing erotic novels. She loves heroines who kick butt, heroes who are larger than life and sizzling sex scenes that leave you feeling just a bit breathless.

Kris loves to talk to her readers and can be found at
http://www.krisnorris.ca
.

Also Available from
Resplendence Publishing

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