A Beast For The Eyes: A Steamy Shifter Romance (A Ravenswood Romance Book 2) (37 page)

Jenna nearly gave herself whiplash as her head whipped to and fro, trying to discern the owner of that voice. “Where are you?”

“Everywhere.”

Jenna crossed her arms over her chest, feeling as if eyes were undressing her. “But who are you?” she whispered.

“Best light some candles. It’ll be dark soon.”

Jenna knew she’d start cracking up sooner or later. It did run in the family. But she thought she had at least forty years before she ended up like dear Aunt Edna.

“No, my dear,” the voice drawled. “You’re not mad.”

“Stop that!” she screamed. “And stay out of my head!”

His laughter rang out; a rich, delightful sound that sent warm shivers dancing along her body.

“As you wish. But change out of those clothes. I have no wish to see you join me in death.” A velvety voice whispered causing Jenna’s breath to quicken.

“What is wrong with me?” she thought to herself. “Why does my body respond like this, when I should be scared?” she mumbled as she rifled through her backpack for dry clothes. She struggled out of her wet jeans. Her dripping cotton shirt clung to her body. She felt eyes on her, taking her in. She moved slowly feeling a warmth in her groin as she imagined the man in the painting watching her, admiring her. Her breath slowed and she moved her hands her her body. She thought she could hear deep breathing coming from the corner of the room. “You like that?” she whispered. She slowly moved her hand up her body and over her breasts. She closed her eyes. She moved her hands down her body and slowly into her underwear. The air in the room stilled. She swore she could here deep breathing from the corner of the room.

“Max?” she whispered.

Suddenly, a crash of lightning pulled her out of trance.

“What am I doing?” she shook her head and just like that the spell was broken. After tugging on torn jeans and hoodie, she made her way to the kitchen. Jenna sat down and poured herself a cup of tea. She felt the presence again.

“Okay!” she yelled, sitting up suddenly and overturning her chair. “This isn’t funny! Come out so I can see you!”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“Are you a ghost?”

“Am I?”

“Are you going to hurt me?”

“Now why would I want to do that? You are my guest. I think you will find yourself unable to leave until I let you.”

She cried in frustration. She ran to the door and found it barred from the outside.

“Perhaps, you should rest. Don’t worry I will make your stay memorable. I haven’t seen a woman as beautiful as you in a long time.”

She could feel those eyes on her, all over her body. “How long have you...been here?”

“What year is it?”

“2015.”

“Ahhh. It’s been a long time.”

Jenna fumbled in her pocket for matches and lit a few candles to stave off the darkness of the castle. “I don’t suppose you can tell me where I can sleep tonight?”

“My room.”

“Your...room?”

“Are you afraid of me?”

Jenna gave a little laugh. Truth be told, he made her excited. “Um... I don’t think so. Why? Should I be?”

“You’re not a very good liar. But you’re very beautiful.”

Her hand strayed unbidden to the messy knot of hair she’d arranged that morning. “I’m a mess.”

“A beautiful one.”

Jenna blushed. Somehow she could sense him grinning and it made her warm all over. “Is there anyone else here?”

“Just me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I used to be. Not anymore.”

“Why is that?”

“You’re here.”

Her eyes widened and Jenna couldn’t speak. “I—I think I’ll go upstairs now.”

“Come.”

“Okay.”

He led her upstairs through darkened passageways. When she thought she might fall, she felt the brush of his hand against hers and knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. “I can’t see anything.”

“Don’t look down.”

Jenna let him lead and was relieved when a door opened and flames lit up the fireplace. He urged her to sit and she curled up into a tattered chair.

“Warm enough?”

“I should have brought a blanket,” she said, yawning.

“Sleep then. You are safe with me, sweet Jenna.”

“How did--”

“Shh! Sleep first. Questions later.”

Jenna drifted off, feeling a brush of his hand against her hair.

5

Jenna was cold and shivered in her sleep. Then she was warm. She felt him pressing himself against her back and sighed. “Max...?” she mumbled. “Is that you?”

“It’s all right, love. You’re safe.”

She nestled closer, sighing as he pressed soft kisses against her hair and ear, the tickling as if made by the delicate brush of butterfly wings. “Max,” she sighed again. “Is that...your name? You’re the man in portrait?”

“I am.”

Now sleep, my angel.”

“Sleep,” she murmured dreamily, falling into an easy slumber in which she danced in his arms.

Morning made its rude awakening as bright shards of light burst through tattered drapes. Jenna flung up an arm to ward them off. “Ugh!”

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and winced, cruelly reminding herself of the unfinished investigation. “Damn it!’ she said aloud. Jenna made herself rise and stumble downstairs where the bank of video monitors sat humming quietly in the background. She sat down and began rolling through hours of video footage.

“Find anything?”

She was so startled she yelped.

“Sorry.”

“In answer to your question, the monitors just picked up dust. Now what?”

“Well, there’s always the dungeon.”

“The-the dungeon?” she stammered. She didn’t know if she could face that right now. Jenna gulped and checked her watch. “Mr. McKendrick will be here soon.”

“No, he won’t.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Look outside.”

“What now?” Jenna wandered to the window and took a peek. The road where Marcus had made his hasty retreat was completely flooded. “Great! Is the rest flooded too?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“That can’t be,” she muttered.

“I suppose that was your doing?” Jenna rubbed her eyes, wishing she could get drunk and make it all go away.

“No.” He sounded insulted. “I think...I need to...sit down,” she said weakly. A chair slid forth and caught her as she fell. “Thank…you.”

“I must go, but I will return. Wait for me, Jenna”

The mention of her name sent a thrill through her body. She waited. Time seemed to crawl at a snails’ pace. Jenna busied herself with slogging through hours of video. Marcus really left her holding the bag. Even the EVP’s were muddled. “Shit!” she yelled, turning every monitor off just for spite.

“I thought ladies weren’t supposed to swear.”

“And who said I’m a lady?” she flung back carelessly. “I have no evidence to show. No evidence means I’m fired. No job means I’m out on my ass. How long is this rain going to last?”

“It should clear by tomorrow.”

Jenna let out a wistful sigh. “So what do we do now?”

“Come.”

Ghost hunting was the last thing on her mind as Max led her on a tour of his castle. But Jenna was growing tired of speaking to thin air.

“What do you look like?” Jenna dared ask.

“Do you really wish to know?”

“Of course.”

“No machines?”

She hid a smile. “No. Not if you don’t want me to.”

“Very well.”

Max led her to upstairs to a part of the castle that lay cold and barren. A door was opened and Jenna gasped. “The blue room!”

Jenna hesitated. “Mr. McKendrick said to stay out.”

“He would,” he snorted. “His family caused us nothing but grief.”

“So, it’s alright?”

“I say it is.”

“Okay.”

Stepping into the room was like stepping into another era. It was decorated in varying shades of blue and its simplistic beauty struck Jenna. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed.

“This used to be my room.”

“Oh,” Jenna breathed, anticipation flooding her. “What are we going to do now?” Her excitement at Max’s presence was palatable.

“Your thoughts…you naughty girl”

She turned around, flushing with embarrassment. “Max!” she chided. “You promised to stay out of my head!”

He chuckled and flung open the drapes. “I couldn’t help it. You’re a curious little thing.”

Jenna thought she saw a dark shape flitting towards her and gasped. “Max!” she cried as her feet left the floor. “What...are you doing?”

His breath touched her ear. “Hush. Isn’t this what you came for?”

“I don’t know where to put my arms,” she said, flailing about helplessly. “I can’t see you.”

“Oh!” he laughed and materialized. Jenna shrieked and nearly tumbled onto the floor. “Sorry about that. I’m not used to company.”

The man from the portrait now possessed a corporeal body, and a magnificent one if the muscles beneath her hands were any indication. Jenna peered up at him in awe. “You’re here,” she breathed, reaching up to touch his cheek. It was ice-cold but a cheek nonetheless. “You’re cold.”

Max stopped and lowered his mouth to hers drinking deeply and she gasped at the feel of it, hot and needy. “You’re not,” he rasped, his tongue darting out to tease and incite. “I want you,” he said simply.

Jenna was too shocked to do much of anything and simply nodded.

He chuckled and carried her back to his room where he laid her on the bed. Jenna stared wide-eyed as he lay beside her and took her into his arms. Her eyes drifted shut as he pressed light kisses upon her face and mouth. A sigh broke from her lips and he took full possession, sinking his tongue into her mouth and stroking hers.

“Is this really happening?” she sighed as his lips slid to her throat. Jenna moaned and arched her back as he suckled her breast through her sweatshirt. “Take it off,” Jenna murmured, raising her arms so he could lift it over her head.

A soft giggle escaped at the look on his face. “What is this contraption?” he demanded, pointing at her bra. “How can you breathe?”

“It’s better than a corset,” she told him. “See?” Jenna unhooked it and tossed it on the floor. He gasped as her breasts spilled forth. “Am I too big?” she asked fearfully.

Max reached out in wonder and smiled gently. “No,” he said hoarsely. “You’re perfect.” He reached up and pulled off his shirt, revealing a rippling torso and rock-hard abs. “And how am I?” he asked timidly.

She slid her arms about his neck and pulled him down to her gasping at the feel of his flesh against hers. “You’re beautiful,” Jenna whispered, sighing as he kissed her again. “Make love to me, Maxim.”

“I will,” he promised. “I’ve got to get you naked first.”

“Let me.” Jenna peeled off her jeans and panties and kicked her socks and shoes off. She lay back unashamed at her nakedness, feeling as if it were the most natural thing in the world to be in his bed. Her eyes widened as he kicked off his breeches and his sex sprang free, hard and erect. “You’re so large,” she gushed.

His eyes glowed with promises of carnal delights as he slid down beside her. They drank greedily from the other, tongues twisting and tasting, licking and biting. A startled cry broke from her lips as he took a nipple into the hot cavern of his mouth. “Oh Max,” she moaned, threading her fingers through his hair and clutching his head to her. “That feels so good.”

“My sweet Jenna,” he breathed, darting his tongue out to tease the throbbing peak. “You’re so hot for me,” he murmured. To demonstrate, he reached down and slid his hand between her thighs, groaning when he found her swollen and ready. “You’re so wet.”

“Max!” she whimpered, spreading her thighs for him. His fingers slid over her clit, stroking slowly at first, inflaming and making her insane with desire. Jenna cried out as a finger penetrated, his mouth absorbing her soft cries of pleasure. She arched her hips and clung to him as he drove her to the brink. “Harder!” Jenna moaned, panting as his fingers scrubbed furiously. Her head fell back and just as she was nearing the precipice, he stopped. “No!” she cried. “Don’t stop!”

He laughed and took her mouth again, and Jenna gasped as he slid between her thighs. “What are you doing?” she breathed, digging her nails into his back as he began to stroke the swollen folds with the tip of his cock. Her head fell back, sobs of pleasure mingling with his moans. “Put it in, Maxim,” she begged, arching her hips shamelessly. “Fuck me!”

Max groaned and bit down on his lip. “You’re so tight, love. Am I hurting you?”

Jenna gasped and winced. He was too big, the thick shaft stretching her beyond pain. Regret darkened his features as he pressed soothing kisses over her face. “Forgive me.” He peered down at her, easing his movements.

Moans escaped from her lips. Her body was slowly acclimating to his size.

“Darling,” he breathed. Max eased out and eased back in again. “Better?”

“Hmm?” she sighed dreamily. “Yes, you feel very nice.”

His lips touched her ear and brow. “So do you.” Max held her gently and Jenna allowed herself to relax, letting her fingers trace lovingly down his back. “I want to move,” he whispered.

Jenna stared up into those jewel-like eyes and nodded. Her soft gasps mingled with his as he began to thrust slowly. She held on to him and wrapped her thighs around his hips, whimpering as his hot flesh moved within her. “Max,” she moaned. “Don’t stop!”

“Never!” he gasped. “You feel so... good.”

“So...do you!” Soft mewls of pleasure drifted from her lips as Max rode her hard and fast. The pain became a distant memory and Jenna reveled in his possession, clutching at him and urging him on. “Harder! Deeper!”

Her moans became shrieks and Jenna was his. Her grip tightened on his shoulders and his thrusts became a desperate race to the finish. “Maxim!” she screamed, her body consumed in a swash of fiery ecstasy.

Max cried out and clasped her tightly to him. “Jenna,” he whispered into her ear. “My love.”

6

The flame flickered slightly in a draft seeping from the window. Jenna sighed and nestled closer to Maxim. He’d made love to her. She couldn’t quite get her head around the fact that she’d just made love to a ghost. But she supposed it was meant to be that way. He stirred in her arms.