A Ghost for Christmas Read online

  “I don’t imagine she’d ever believe me.”

  “I’m sorry for startling you.” Sebastian’s fingers tightened around hers.

  Heart pounding, she read the sincerity in his gaze. “I never expected this. Though, I’m glad to be here for you tonight.”

  He inched closer. The urge to lean forward and kiss him was strong, but she was still uncertain. This was like nothing she’d ever experienced.

  She needed to calm her nerves before the two of them ventured any further. Her body tingled with the adrenaline and excitement.

  “Would you like to enjoy the view outside?” she asked.

  Sebastian looked surprised but nodded. “That would be wonderful, though I’m enjoying the view inside as well.”

  She’d never believed herself so beautiful, but his genuine tone made her believe him. Sebastian was poise and charm. She was a very lucky woman to spend this time with him.

  However, something about him cautioned her that one night might not be enough.

  Take a few seconds. Don’t rush it. Savor a few extra moments before you jump his bones.

  She sat close to him. “How long will you be able to stay here?” Jodie wasn’t ready to think of him leaving.

  “Until midnight.” Sebastian’s fingertips touched her shoulder as his arm draped the back of the sofa. She shivered; saddened he had such a small amount of time.

  What are you thinking? You know it is one night only. And he’s a ghost…no such thing as forever.

  Jodie didn’t like the direction her thoughts had taken and rose. She couldn’t think that in a few hours he’d be gone again. She’d only just met him and already he mattered to her. It was ridiculous. Men never got to her this fast.

  She got up, moved across the room to the mini-bar, and pulled out a glass along with a bottle of vodka and orange juice. She needed to settle her nerves. Her heart thumped so hard she was certain it could be heard across the room. After adding both ingredients to the glass, she took a long gulp and turned, surprised to see Sebastian had walked up behind her.

  Chest to chest, his scent overwhelmed her. All thought fled her mind. She placed a hand on his torso.

  “I’m looking forward to spending the time with you tonight. I don’t want to be anywhere else.” His deep, husky voice resonated, and thumped beneath her palm.

  A shudder passed through her.

  She gazed deep into his eyes.

  Jodie clenched her hand into tight a fist on his chest, uncertain if she could fight the storm of desire whirling through her, igniting every nerve ending in her body. This man had one hell of an effect on her. No one had ever pulled feelings this strong from her.

  Maybe it was the knowledge that the night belonged to them and they could do whatever they wanted, be whoever they wished to be. Their attraction was scorching hot. Its strength pulled her under and it was as if she were drowning. Being this close to him…she wanted to let him have his way with her. Everything inside her was tight and needed release.

  Trepidation stirred within her chest. He was a ghost. She hadn’t prepared to face anything except passion and fantasy tonight. It was as if her feet weren’t planted firmly on the ground at all. Perhaps it was just what she needed.

  “Coins for your thoughts?”

  Sebastian’s question brought Jodie out of her musings. Though he spoke similar to today’s men, the slip on the modern phrase made her smile. “They aren’t worth too much, I’m afraid.”

  She attempted to turn back to the mini-bar, but he held her in place, hands on her waist.

  Her heart skipped a beat when he pulled her closer. Her willpower had never been strong against things she wanted and this was no different. He made her feel too much, too soon. She wasn’t sure how to just let go.

  “I don’t think that is where your mind was. Jodie…I feel it too. I can see it in your eyes. You’re feeling everything I do. Anxiousness, excitement, desires.”

  “Sebastian, don’t.” She pushed his chest. When he didn’t let go, she glared at him. “I’m not sure this is a good idea. I don’t feel like myself. I’m drawn to you. I want nothing more than to spend the night learning about you, but…”

  “You’re frightened.”

  “Yes.”

  “Not of me, I hope,” he whispered. His fingers tightened at her waist.

  “No. No, not of you. Of what you make me feel.” She was terrified of taking a leap of faith and doing something she’d normally wouldn’t. She always thought things through.

  Yes, she entertained the possibility of meeting someone during her trip, and had reconciled with that decision. But knowing this man was as forlorn as she was added a deeper bond. They needed one another.

  She never meant for anyone she met here to mean more than just an evening of pleasure. But Sebastian…she’d hold the memory of him close, every day, forever.

  He lowered his head; his breathing was warm against her skin when he buried his nose into the crook of her shoulder. She trembled. His lips brushed her neck. She pulled back, instantly swept-up in his desire-filled eyes and knew there was no way to rethink anything.

  She was his.

  Jodie pulled him down to her. Her skin tingled and nerves seemed to come to life as their lips touched. His were soft and firm, moist yet warm. Her body wanted nothing more than to climb into his just from the kiss alone. She’d never reacted to anything so strongly in years.

  Taking his tongue deeper, her own tangled with his as their mouths reacquainted and ignited the fire between them. Their hands hurried everywhere, unbuttoning, pulling and tearing the clothes away.

  Long, velvety fingers glided over her skin. Her body quivered and tightened as they caressed her. Warm tingles slid along her skin.

  His mouth left hers, glided along her jaw, down her neck and found the sweet spot that always heightened her desire. Pulling her along with him, he led her to the sofa and tugged her down to straddle him.

  The position was exquisite. She loved the feel of his hard cock nestled between her bare thighs. The cool air in the room swirled over her. Her nipples tightened, aching, begging for attention.

  Electricity zinged along her arms, flooding her with goose bumps and making her anxious for more. She’d never been so aroused in her life.

  “My Joey.”

  Her heart stuttered. Hearing the deep and husky endearment made her sit back and opened her eyes.

  “No one has ever called me that—shortened my name to something so sweet.”

  Sebastian smiled, hands skimming her body, then rolled her nipples between his fingers. “Good. You’re all mine, Joey. You’re beautiful, and you make me hungry to taste you.”

  He was a vision. Naked, rippled chest, muscular and broad shoulders made her mouth water.

  She feared taking things too far. It was difficult to open up. She hadn’t found anyone she was willing to commit to.

  But right now, everything she sensed was greater and more mature than anything she’d ever known before.

  “How did we end up here?” She slid her hands over his chest, then up to the hair on his nape. “How lucky could I be to find you?” She leaned back a bit, her hands on his knees held her up. It exposed her entirely to his gaze.

  “Nothing matters except being here now. Together.” His gaze roamed her body, blue eyes darkening.

  Jodie had never seen more desire or need in a man’s eyes as she did in Sebastian’s. She wasn’t one to put herself on display.

  His wide smile told her that he liked what he saw.

  He was gorgeous with his face alight with pleasure. The stirring between her legs pulsed in perfect rhythm to her rapid heartbeat. His touch, light and smooth against her chest kindled heat within her.

  His hands moved down the valley between her breasts, over her navel and back up. Fingers lightly grazed the beaded flesh, and she swallowed hard as he drew away.

  Jodie quickly reached out, clasped his wrist and brought it back.

  “Ah, you love my t
ouch already.”

  She quivered. Feelings she couldn’t name, needs she never knew existed, quaked through her body. She wanted his touch on her, all night.

  “You make me yearn. I want this night with you, to show you what an enchanting woman you are. I feel your need, the desires you harbor inside. Let me show you. Let me give you passion like you’ve never had before,” Sebastian murmured.

  Only a few hours.

  Jodie pushed the thought aside. There was only this moment. She’d worry about the rest later. She would savor it all and never look back. Tonight was for them both.

  His voice was so seductive, raspy and intoxicating as it washed over her. She could do nothing but tremble from his words. “Show me. Please, show me.”

  His lips met hers before she blinked again. His tongue swept in and filled her mouth. Plundering. Invading. Conquering. Never had she been kissed with such hunger.

  It was endless while his hands roamed over her. He sat beneath her, their bodies aligned intimately. She moved closer, needing to be tighter against him as she continued to explore his mouth.

  As their tongues dueled, the muscles in her thighs clenched and her center rubbed against his hard cock. Leaning away, Jodie gazed into his eyes, shocked by his smoldering look. He pulled her closer and bent his head, teeth grazing her neck and shoulder.

  She rubbed against him, eliciting a moan from him.

  His teeth played with the aching nipple, then finally clasped down on it.

  “Oh God.” Her hips jerked against his cock as he bit down again, then soothed the bead with his tongue. Need built and throbbed inside her. She had to have more of the sweet torture he bestowed on her. Wanted it so bad, it no longer mattered if she was in control of herself.

  His head between her palms, Jodie held him to her as he suckled, licked, and bit at the flesh. Arrows of desire fired straight to her womb. She was helpless to do anything but continue rubbing against his cock. She could ride him all night and never get enough of him.

  Burning sensations flowed from her breast to the throbbing between her legs. Overwhelmed with the passion erupting inside her, her head fell back, and pushed the morsel even farther into his mouth. She never wanted the exhilaration sweeping her body to end.

  Sebastian’s lips slid away and he looked down at her. He worked her pussy, pulling her closer and faster to the edge. She lifted and spread her legs farther for his questing hands. She wanted to stay right in this moment forever.

  Rough fingers moved over her nub, and exquisite prickles spread toward her center. Moisture gathered between her legs and as he circled it, soft and then firm, over and over, her hips moved in time to his rhythm.

  She was shocked her body could react with such abandon. Never had she experienced such bliss at the hands of an attentive or experienced lover. She was hungry for him too.

  Jodie couldn’t contain the scream that erupted from her throat as he plunged two fingers inside her channel, filling her. She shuddered. Her muscles clenched tight around him and the moisture slid from her body.

  “Joey, you are marvelous. You feel splendid. So tight. Wet.” Leaning down, his tongue flickered rapidly over a swollen nipple. “I need you now.” He pulled out and she whimpered her disappointment, which was short-lived as he plunged inside her. Deeper than she’d ever experience before.

  Jodie exhaled a rapturous scream.

  In and out, over and over. Her hips danced in time to his thrusts. Her body glistened with the sheen of sweat.

  “P-please.” Her world spun out of control. Though she’d already had one orgasm already, another was just out of her reach. It was there, but she needed help finding it.

  Wanton, excited, Jodie demanded he give her everything. “Please take me. I need you.”

  His hips moved faster, pushing off the sofa as his thumb found the nub, meeting it in time with each thrust.

  “Oh God, yes! Sebastian! Just like that,” Panting, gasping, she held him tight. The intensity in his eyes hypnotized her.

  “Let yourself go for me, Joey. Come apart. Sweetness, I’ll catch you.”

  Sebastian’s words, like an aphrodisiac, set her free. Wave after plunging wave of pleasure crested over her. Her body bowed and clenched. She screamed, falling into oblivion and landed in his hands.

  Shaking, certain she’d just flown into the stars, his warmth released inside her.

  Her name was a whisper from his lips.

  When her strength returned, her gaze lifted to his. She could scarcely believe they’d just found such pleasure in one another’s arms. Time ceased to exist.

  With a moan, her head dropped onto his shoulder. Sebastian’s arms came around her and held her snug against his chest. His heart beat rapidly beneath her ear. She was glad he seemed as tired and awed as she did.

  “You are everything I could ever want.” Sebastian’s voice rumbled beneath her ear.

  Jodie closed her eyes, tears forming beneath her eyelids. This one night would live in her memories forever.

  She lifted her head and kissed his lips gently.

  Barely able to move, she still wanted him. What power had taken over her body? Though she’d found release already, she was eager to begin again. She thought such things only happened in movies.

  As he softened inside her, she lifted her mouth and met his satisfied gaze.

  “You are a goddess, a gift more precious than anything in the world.”

  Trying to lighten the mood, Jodie chuckled. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”

  “No. Just you,” Sebastian grinned and rubbed her back.

  Jodie understood she might only have this night with him, but already, she missed his warmth and feeling him against her.

  Her mind wept with the loss that was to come, knowing it was inevitable.

  Chapter Four

  Stretching to grab his pocket watch from the bedside table, Sebastian noted the time—quarter past eleven in the evening. Laying it back down, he turned and snuggled closer to Jodie.

  She gazed up at him, her blue eyes full of smoldering embers. Her smile was content and happy. He was beyond pleased their evening together had been all he’d imagined and more. The three times they’d made love were forever engrained in his memory. He would always be grateful for tonight.

  And would miss her terribly.

  He shoved that thought to the side. It was too soon to think about them parting. He leaned down for a kiss.

  Her lips caressed his. Surprised that heat flooded his body again so soon after their last adventurous bout of lovemaking, he eased back and smiled.

  “What are you smiling about?”

  “Just pleased to be here with the most beautiful woman in the world.”

  Jodie blushed. He loved that she still did. He caressed her flushed cheek.

  “The most beautiful woman in the world, huh? I’m sure there are many more beauties out there.”

  “That might be, but none hold a candle to you.”

  “Not even Julia Roberts?” She laughed heartily, then sobered. “Never mind, you wouldn’t know who she is.”

  She giggled when he tickled her, wanting to lighten the mood.

  He chuckled and pulled her closer. “You have your own beauty, anyway. An exceptional beauty, inside and out.”

  “Well,” her voice cracked. “I thank you and will gladly hold my place in such a league.” She giggled again. It was a sound he could grow used to.

  “Good. I’m glad you’ve accepted your position.”

  “Just don’t be getting any ideas about adding any others, bud. I don’t share well.”

  Would she return every ten years?

  Sebastian sighed, pushing the thought aside. He was tired of floating, having no place to settle. It was all becoming tiresome and he needed to find some peace.

  Not wanting to put a damper on the easy camaraderie they had with one another, he shook himself of such dire thoughts. To sour their mood right now with the impending doom wasn’t an option. “Damn
, there go all my fantasies for a harem.”

  “As if that’s the only one you have. I think tonight we’ve touched on a couple or more.” Jodie looked up at him, a mischievous smile lighting her face as her palm skimmed his chest. “I’m sure before the night is over we might make a few more come true.”

  His heart picked up pace. She made him feel alive, and excitement coursed through his body. He savored the feelings since he only experienced them while in corporeal form.

  “I look forward to more adventures this evening.” He waggled his eyebrows.

  “I think we best put off any more of those for a bit, though. I need to attend to some personal business.” Jodie kissed his chin, eased from his arms and sat on the edge of the bed. Hair cascaded down her shoulders and back as she turned her head to look at him. “I’ll just be a moment.” She stood, naked and glorious, and headed toward the bathroom.

  “Don’t be too long.”

  Turning at the doorway, she smiled. “Miss me already?”

  More than you can imagine.

  Sebastian winked. “My arms feel empty.” As she closed the door behind her, he sat up, the bed sheet bunching at his waist.

  He wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of the night with her, fulfilling all his fantasies and whatever ones she held under lock and key. But they only had a bit of time left.

  Leaning over the bed, he grabbed his trousers off the floor. He stood, then moved through the bedroom into the sitting area. His gaze instantly drawn to the view outside, he made his way to the window.

  It was a view he sorely missed up close whenever he floated.

  Death had never bothered him as much as it did now. He’d never fallen in love when he was younger. Yes, he’d had trysts but no woman ever captured his heart and he had never married. Much to his father’s dismay to not have the grandchildren he wanted.

  As he looked at the Falls he’d come to love so much, he wished Jodie could remain with him forever.

  He had never been more alive than during this time with her.

  ***

  Jodie put her hairbrush on the vanity and stared at herself in the mirror.