Ghostly Liaison (30 page)

“You’re being awfully selfish. I’m glad you have the gift. I’m glad someone is fighting for me, because I sure as hell can’t. Do you realize how many ghosts you can probably help move on? I think maybe that’s why you survived and Suzie didn’t. You were more useful.”

Useful? When had she ever been useful? Charlie was talking out her ass. “Leave me alone. I’m tired and want to sleep.”

“And I think you were saved for Rob.”

Not Rob again. Was Charlie trying to get him hitched or something? “You don’t give up, do you? Have any other fairy tales you want to tell me?”

“He won’t wait forever you know. Eventually he’ll get tired of your games. Is that what you want? For him to go?”

No. Never. “It would be better.”

“I didn’t ask what was better. I asked what you want. Do you want a lonely life? Really?”

“With ghosts like you, it’s not so lonely.”

“Ha-ha. Very funny. How would you feel if Suzie survived and acted the way you do?”

Bridget pulled the covers up and turned her back on Charlie. Her heart ached for her lost friend. But would Suzie have felt guilty if Bridget had been the one who died? If not for Suzie’s complaints, Bridget never would have driven.

“Did you know your mother feels guilty because she never taught you to drive a stick?”

Bridget sat up. “What? That’s ridiculous. How would you know?”

“You’d be amazed at what people say out loud when they think the only person listening is God. She loves you, Bridget. And she’s prayed for forgiveness. She believes if she had taught you to drive a stick, then you wouldn’t have stalled the car and gotten hit. Basically, she thinks it’s all her fault.”

“But it’s not her fault.” Why couldn’t her mother just be happy?

“Oh, then it is Suzie’s fault.”

Bridget pulled the sheet up over her head. “This conversation is over. Go away.”

“It was her car, right? How come she wasn’t driving?”

She would not take the bait. “Go away.”

“Okay, then if not Suzie’s fault, her husband’s. I’m sure he feels especially guilty not being the one who drove her home.”

Dammit. Is that why Devin kept calling? If he hadn’t taken the van that day… No. He was mad. Mad at Bridget for surviving and killing his wife and child. Charlie was only messing with her mind.

“Frankly, I think you’re hiding. I think you’re using the accident as an excuse to keep people away. If no one is close, no one will see your scars.”

“No one wants to see my scars.”

“How would you know? You don’t let anyone in. You think I was proud of my life when Nick came into it? But once I admitted I loved him, I was willing to do anything for him. Are you telling me you wouldn’t do anything for Rob?”

Bridget’s eyes stung with tears. Sure, she’d do anything for Rob. Even give him up if that was best. She sat up and faced her tormentor. “Why are you doing this? Isn’t it enough I want to help you?”

“If what I’m saying isn’t true, why does it bother you so much? You were granted a second chance and you’re not honoring your friend by refusing the gift. I wasn’t even given that much.”

She made it sound so simple. Nothing was that simple.

“Get out.”

“No.”

Bridget grabbed the sheet and nearly ripped the material. “Get out.”

“Make me.”

“Getoutgetoutgetoutgetout!”

Her door flung open. Charlie vanished in the midst of laughter. Bridget’s headache disappeared.

Rob—coming to her rescue once again. Was that Charlie’s plan? Oh God, what was she going to do?

He stood in the doorway. Part of her yearned to run into his arms. The other part itched to hide under the covers. She hugged her legs, unsure which part would win.

* * * *

Rob ran a hand through his hair. Damn Charlie. Why couldn’t she just leave Bridget alone? Because whenever Charlie had an agenda, she became obsessed. Death hadn’t changed her one bit.

Bridget sat on the bed, hugging her legs and keeping her head down.

He sat beside her and laid a hand on her foot. “What’d she do?”

She shook her head and took in a ragged breath.

The urge to hold and comfort her was strong, but he didn’t want to agitate her further. “I’m sorry she’s upset you. Why don’t I stay so she doesn’t bother you again? I can sit on the floor until you fall asleep. I promise I won’t sleep until you do.”

She remained silent, hugging her legs, creating a barrier between them.

The hell with it. If she pushed him away, she pushed him away. Rob pulled her into his arms. “Don’t listen to Charlie, okay? She doesn’t know everything.”

He held his breath for a moment, waiting for her rejection. None came.

She relaxed in his arms. “Why do you put up with me?”

He leaned back and held her face. “You have it all wrong. I don’t think I’m putting up with anything.”

“Your life would be so much easier without me in it.”

“And not near as fun.” He kissed her forehead, stood and held up the sheet. “Go back to sleep. I won’t let her bother you anymore tonight.” He wagged his finger back and forth for his sister’s benefit, just in case she remained in the room.

Bridget took his arm and pulled him back to the bed. “Not the floor.”

Not the bed, either. How many times had he screwed that up? “Bridget, honey, I don’t have that kind of—”

She put her fingers against his mouth—cutting him off—and stared into his eyes. “What would make you happy?”

That was easy. He took her hand and smiled. “For you to be happy.”

“What if that’s not possible?”

“Bridget, I won’t venture a guess how much your friend’s death has affected you. You’re still grieving, but I promise, it won’t last forever. I’m here for you. Do you understand? I’m not going anywhere.”

“Do you believe in fate? Do you believe things happen for a reason?”

“Are you asking me if I think there’s a reason you lived and your friend didn’t? I can’t answer that. But I’m glad you survived, because I can’t imagine never knowing you. You’ve filled in a part of my life I didn’t even realize I lacked.” He placed her hand over his heart. “With you I’m whole.”

Would she notice the rapid beating of his heart? He couldn’t make out her expression, since he blocked the light from the hall and the streetlamp outside barely filtered through the window.

She hugged him around the neck and whispered into his ear. “I want to be happy. I just can’t remember how.”

His heart filled with hope. She wasn’t pushing him away.

Bridget closed her eyes and reveled in Rob’s embrace. Her life had been an empty shell even before the accident. Then he popped into her life and filled her up.

Charlie was right. Suzie would have hated anyone dwelling on her death. So full of life, she had lived it to the max and would have been angry at Bridget for acting selfish. And if Suzie had lived, she would have been ecstatic that Bridget found Rob.

They were destined to meet, of that Bridget was certain. Now she couldn’t imagine her life without him in it.

And he still wanted her, even after all the crap she’d put him through. Patience had never been a virtue of hers, but if she could learn to be half as patient as he, she’d be a better person.

His stubble scratched her face, but she liked the feeling and rubbed against him. A trace of his cologne or aftershave lingered—some woodsy, musky scent. It suited him perfectly. She kissed his neck, his skin like fire on her lips.

“Bridget, I don’t think—”

His voice had cracked and she placed a hand across his lips, pulled away and stared at his face. What little light filtered into the room lit up his eyes. Eyes she could gaze at forever.

She kissed him and he tensed. Not that she could blame him. How many times had he initiated a kiss only for her to slam on the brakes? Well, she wouldn’t stop him again. Never again.

He held her shoulders and slowly scooted away. His rejection cleared her head. Oh God, Charlie was right. She’d waited too long.

He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry for pushing you. It’s just that… Ah, hell. You don’t have to do this for me. I’m not going anywhere. I can wait. I will wait. For however long you need.”

Her heart filled with hope. “You still want me?”

He smiled and ran his thumb across her cheek, sending an electrifying warmth through her body. “Bridget, honey, I always want you.” He laughed deep. “Don’t ever doubt that. But I don’t want you doing something you’re not into.”

Her body ached for him. In a bold move, she shifted so she straddled his lap, his erection pressed against her. Wanting him more than ever, she wrapped her arms around his neck and brushed her lips against his. “I want you, too.”

He hesitated. Shit. Had he changed his mind? Then he grasped her head and claimed her mouth. His sheer possessiveness set her heart alight. She welcomed his tongue as he explored her mouth. She’d never needed anyone like she needed Rob. He was air to her.

He lowered her and cupped her breast. Her nipples hardened. Even through the fabric of her shirt, his touch ignited her. She arched into him as he kissed his way along her jaw and down her neck. But when he lifted her shirt, her instincts kicked in and she froze. She’d do anything to take it back.

He pulled away. “It doesn’t matter to me, Bridget. If you’re not ready….”

Damn, the man was a prince and she loved him even more. “That’s not it.”

She sat up. Her heart was hammering. She could do this. After a quick breath, she slipped the shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor. Darkness was her friend. She repeated this mantra in her head and relaxed. She reached for his shirt. He obliged and removed it. Now darkness was her enemy, but she had no one but herself to blame there.

She kissed him and smoothed her hands over his chest, feeling a light dusting of hair. His skin was hot, his muscles hard. There was only one muscle she craved at the moment, though.

He nuzzled his way down her body, stopping at her breast. “You’re perfect. Just the right size.” Using his tongue, he played with the hard nub and she moaned in pleasure. Damn, they were wearing too many clothes.

She found the button to his jeans and slipped it through the hole. As she reached for the zipper, he placed a hand over hers.

“Let me. If you touch me right now I might explode and there’s no way I want this to end that quickly.”

She didn’t want anything to end right now either, so she bit back her disappointment at not touching him and settled for enjoying the ride.

He removed the rest of his clothes and then worked at removing hers. Slowly, he slid her pajama pants off, inch by agonizing inch, taking her panties along with them. He came so close to touching the scars on her thigh and she did her best not to tense, but he must have sensed something and avoided the area completely. Once her garments were discarded, he spread her legs and kissed the inside of one thigh, then the other. He continued in this fashion on his way up to her apex.

“You’re so wet and you smell so good.” He licked her. “Taste good, too.”

She held her breath. With each lick, the anticipation was exhilarating, but torturing, and she grabbed on to the sheets. Using his tongue, he flicked her clit and the breath she held burst from her mouth.

Pressure built inside, like one humongous wave. She rode it as long as she could, avoiding each crest, enjoying the wild and wicked things he did to her with his tongue. He inserted one finger, then two inside her. He sucked on her bundle of nerves. The wave broke, sending her into oblivion.

She screamed.

He covered her mouth with his, and she tasted herself. She jerked as the orgasm waned. He continued kissing her until she stopped shuddering.

The chuckle tickled her cheek. “I didn’t know you were a screamer.”

She hadn’t either. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I love it.”

“You do?”

He smoothed her hair from her face and ran his thumbs across her temples. “Hell, yeah. I love making you lose control. I love everything about you.” He kissed her lightly on the lips. “I love you.”

He tensed, probably afraid of her response. And why wouldn’t he be? Had she ever given him any encouragement to think otherwise? He was the kind of person who would jump in with both feet, whereas she would start with one toe, then another. And where had that gotten her? Maybe it was time to take a leap. “Oh, Rob.”

“Don’t say any—”

“I love you, too.” She held his face, proving her sincerity, because she meant every word. “I think I’ve been in love with you since that stupid softball game.”

His smile under her palms brought tears to her eyes. She’d actually made him happy.

“And I’ve loved you since you sat that muddy body of yours inside my truck.” He kissed her with such passion, she nearly stopped breathing.

He’d lit a fire in her she wasn’t sure could ever be extinguished. When he nudged his erection against her, she nearly burst with need. “I need you inside of me.”

“Hold on a sec.” He pulled away and bent toward the floor, in the process his penis rubbed against her leg.

She took this opportunity and wrapped her hand around his erection. Good Lord, would he even fit in her? It’d been a while since her last time.

He hissed in a breath. “Oh geez, Bridget. Not yet.”

Now who had the control? But she reluctantly released him. He retrieved his jeans, yanked his wallet out, and pulled out a condom.

“You always carry one of those with you?”

He dropped the jeans and placed his wallet on the nightstand. “Only since meeting you. Remember, Boy Scout here.” He poked at his chest. “Always prepared.”

The packet gave him some fits and she took it from him, opening it with ease. She pulled the slippery thing out and rolled it over his penis, enjoying the sounds of his moans as she touched him. After she’d finished, he lowered himself over her. He ravished her with another kiss while he pressed into her slowly as if she were fragile.

Wrapping her legs around him, she urged him on. He pushed his way, bit by bit, until he filled her completely. She nearly came from his size alone, every nerve ending on fire. As her body adjusted and accepted him, she relaxed and enjoyed the ride. She ran her hands over his nipples, exciting them into little buds and placed her mouth over one.