Haunted Hearts Page 10

  Nick’s lips parted in surprise. He didn’t know what Ari was intending, or what she planned to tell the priest. This felt risky, but she was already heading up the front walk and into the house. He followed, a warning buzz in his arms and legs. This was protectiveness, which he recognized now as something he felt whenever he was with Ari.

  They made their way into the living room. The glow from table lamps, family photos and nondescript surroundings felt out of sync with the moment. Ari looked at him, gaze beckoning. She sat on the couch and he followed, leaving a strategic distance between them. The priest was watching them, clearly wary, as he sat in a side chair.

  “Dr. Fairchild, I think you’d better tell me what all this is about,” Father Joe said, strictly business. “I am an advocate and spiritual advisor to the Garcias, and they are relying on me to let them know what’s happening.”

  Ari nodded and held up her hand. “What I’m about to tell you has to be kept in strictest confidence. This is not a confessional, but I’m calling on your sacred oath to protect me. With respect to your relationship with the Garcias, I have to ask that you not share any of what I’m about to say with them. It’s for their own good.”

  The priest furrowed his brow. “I don’t understand.”

  “You’ll understand in a minute, but I must have your oath of confidentiality. Otherwise, we will need to part ways.” She gave him a sad smile. “I’ll understand if you can’t agree to my request. But if you can’t, then I will leave here tonight and things will remain unresolved.”

  Father Joe aimed a frown at Nick. “Do you know what this is about?”

  He drew breath. “I know I trust Ari.” He looked over at her and nearly lost himself in her deep brown gaze. “Whatever’s happening, if there’s anyone who can remedy it, it is this extraordinary woman.” That luscious red mouth tipped up in a modest smile and he nearly burst with desire. If only he could lean in and kiss her.

  Probably not the best timing for that right now.

  Father Joe shrugged. “It seems I have no choice.” He nodded at Ari. “You have my sacred oath of confidentiality. Now tell me.”

  Ari inhaled, glanced briefly at Nick, then at the older man. “Father, there is a ghost in this house, the spirit of a little girl named Martha Jenkins.”

  Father Joe’s eyes widened. “And how do you know this?”

  Nick felt Ari’s hesitation and, without thinking, reached over to take her hand. He squeezed it reassuringly, not caring what the priest would think.

  She continued. “I’ve seen her. And I’ve heard her. She’s restless, looking for her brother, Earnest, or E.J.”

  The cleric raised a brow. “Earnest Jenkins? The older gentleman who lived in this house before the Garcias?”

  Ari nodded. “He must have died somewhere outside the house, and Martha doesn’t realize this. My guess is they—Earnest and the spirit of his twin sister—were in close touch before he died. She’s been looking for him ever since.”

  Father Joe became thoughtful. “I never met Earnest, but I heard about him, from a parishioner who was a patron of his.”

  This got Ari’s attention. She pulled her hand from Nick’s and leaned forward. “A patron in what way?”

  “The man was an artist. I understand he was something of a recluse but painted and gained some recognition for his work. He used the name ‘E.M. Jenkins’ professionally.”

  Ari’s voice energized. “That’s what the neighbor told me, and that’s why we couldn’t find anything about Earnest online. His neighbors knew him as E.J., but he used the initials E.M. on his paintings. ‘M.’ for Martha, obviously.” She spoke to the priest. “Earnest gave the neighbor a painting many years ago. I saw it. It’s a more sophisticated version of…” She reached into her bag and withdrew two large flashlights, along with a professional camera. She handed a flashlight to the priest. “Follow me. Nick and I have something to show you.”

  Ten minutes later, they emerged from the basement. Ari led the group back to the living room. The priest shook his head, voice heavy with doubt. “So you honestly think you can conjure Earnest’s spirit and reunite him with Martha? And that will resolve this…this haunting?”

  “I’m going to try. Tomorrow is Halloween, otherwise known as Samhain. It’s a powerful night, perfect for a conjuring. The veil between the living and the dead is thinnest on that night.”

  Nick spoke up. “Sow-win?”

  Ari nodded. “That’s right. S-a-m-h-a-i-n. Pronounced sow-win. It’s an ancient spiritual holiday, celebrating the transition from life to death.”

  “Samhain is a Pagan tradition, adopted by the Wiccans.” Father Joe cocked his head. “Dr. Fairchild, you haven’t told me how it is you managed to see and hear Martha. Or what that means…about you.”

  Ari was matter-of-fact. “I have no idea what it means,” she admitted. “She made herself known to me. That’s the important thing.”

  She threw her bag over her shoulder and began switching off lamps. “I have some research to do, and materials to gather, but I believe my plan will work. You’re welcome to meet the Garcias on Día de Muertos and do a house blessing. That should reassure them. And since tomorrow is a school night, the children aren’t trick-or-treating until the weekend, which means they’ll be back home by then.”

  She stood in the middle of the darkened living room as the men waited by the front door. As Nick watched, she revolved slowly in a circle. “Martha,” she intoned, barely above a whisper, “I’m coming back tomorrow night. Wait for me. I promise you, we’re going to find Earnest.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “How did you convince me to come over here? I have so much research and practice to do!” It was late evening, but Ari’s excitement was hard to contain. Having slept until early afternoon helped—energy thrummed through her limbs. Eagerness to plan the Samhain conjuring ceremony consumed her thoughts. Her laptop and large bag of supplies sat on the coffee table next to the pizza that had just been delivered. She was itching to get going.

  Nick plopped a slice of pizza on her plate and handed her a beer. “You can do your research here, at my swingin’ bachelor pad.” He leaned over and nipped her neck. “I can help you. Research me. Practice on me.”

  Ari laughed and wiggled away from him, though, she admitted to herself, he smelled delicious. “You’re going to distract me.”

  He scooted closer and wrapped his arms around her. “That’s my plan.” He lifted her glasses off and skimmed his lips over hers. “I intend to keep you up all night.”

  “Can I at least have dinner first? I’m ravenous.” She reached for her pizza.

  “Me, too. I need to devour you.”

  She pushed him away. “Seriously, Devlin! I have to eat and do some more research. This can’t wait until the last minute. I have to confirm what I’m doing tomorrow night.”

  He blew out a breath and sat back. “Okay. I’ll allow that. Eating, anyway.” He drank some beer. “But I’m not a patient man. The research can wait until I’ve had my fill of you, and,” he murmured, angling to kiss her neck, “until you’ve had your fill of me.” He picked up his pizza.

  Ari groaned. “You’re crazy.” She munched some pizza. “You know, Devlin, you’re going to make me think you’re only interested in sex.” Though that wouldn’t be so bad. Feeling desired in a genuine way—not as an object—was something to which she was totally unaccustomed. And it felt phenomenal. As motivated as she was to plan for the next night, her body responded to Nick’s proximity with an all-over buzz of arousal.

  Nick was silent beside her and she glanced over. The Indiana Jones visage was serious. “What’s wrong?” she asked around a mouthful of pizza.

  “You know that’s not it at all, don’t you?” He put his plate down on the coffee table with a thunk. “Ari Fairchild, if all I wanted was sex, I wouldn’t be sitting here with you.”

  She swallowed and regarded him. “Okay. I guess I know that.”

  “No.” His expression was so
serious it was almost scary. “You have to understand this.” He leaned in and took her face in his hands. Warmth seeped into her from his fingertips and the crystal-blue aura misted around her, calming and magnetic. His husky voice lowered to a murmur. “This is critical. I’ve only known you a few days, but—”

  He stopped and Ari was astounded as the handsome face flushed with feeling and his eyes glistened.

  “Woman, I want you. Not just anybody. And not only for sex. You. All of you.” The whiskey voice shook as he moved to smooth a stray lock of hair from her face. “I was taught early that being a man meant never showing vulnerability. Never showing emotion…or anything, unless maybe it was blustering confidence, aggressiveness or sarcasm in some form.” He leaned in to kiss her very gently. His clear green eyes searched hers. “But I can’t hide my feelings about you. It would be impossible.” His mouth tipped into a smile. “Manly image be damned. I adore you, Ari Fairchild.”

  Her lips parted as she absorbed his words, his feelings, the power of his aura and intention. The beat of her heart was like music, moving to the rhythm of his words.

  This is the one, the little voice said. You were waiting for him and didn’t even know it.

  She placed a hand on his whiskered cheek and nodded. The sensation of falling into those stunning emerald eyes came again as she touched her lips to his. She could happily drown here, or rather, she could live, in the sea green ocean of him. He tasted like him—Nick. He smelled like Nick, musky and salty sweet, intensely masculine. Irresistible. Before she knew what she was doing, she pulled him in, ran her fingers through his hair, and his breath became hers. The arms that held her were strong and protective. The vibration of his adoration and acceptance poured over her.

  She had never experienced anything like this. The moment coalesced into something transcending thought.

  He touched his tongue to hers and she nearly burst into flames in his arms. Pizza was forgotten. Research was forgotten. Her body thrummed with desire. The pounding of her heart, the gladness of her being seemed to declare…what? That she was in love? That would be absurd. She barely knew this man.

  It didn’t matter. Words and rational thinking were irrelevant.

  Nick broke the kiss, voice husky with lust. “I’m taking you to bed.” He pulled her to her feet.

  “No, we’ll stay here.” She reached for her bag. “It’s too sacred. We need to honor it. This will be our practice.” As a result of her research, she’d gathered candles, dried herbs, leaves, feathers and stones. Now, somehow, she knew what to do. “Turn off the lights, please,” she murmured.

  He moved quietly, doing her bidding. She took the soft throw blanket from the couch and spread it on top of the carpet. Nick’s eyes were on her as she lit several small candles and placed them around the room. She positioned a white pillar candle on the coffee table.

  She stood in the middle of the living room and closed her eyes. Quiet descended in her solar plexus, a sense of being both solid and airy all at once. Her breath grew steady and even. She envisioned a white light, a cleansing brilliance, which filled the room and cleared the energy.

  Nick exhaled in response, and she smiled. This was right.

  She arranged symbols of the elements into a large circle on the living room floor.

  “Carnelian,” she said, placing the bright orange-red stone at the edge of the living room carpet. “In the southern-most position.” She stood and waved a long blue feather over the stone. “I call on the element of fire. Bring the light and heat of your transformative energy to our magic this night.” Nick watched her intently and she could discern no judgment, only fascination.

  And desire. It was a palpable, heated energy that rippled out from him.

  “Leaves for earth.” Several dried oak leaves were laid opposite the carnelian, at the northern-most end of the carpeted area. She raised the feather and waved it over the leaves. “I call on the element of earth. Bring your stability and resilience to our magic this night.”

  Next was a large, chunky rose quartz which she placed at the western side of the carpet. She waved the feather through the air. “I call on the element of water. Bring your fluidity and compassion to our magic this night.”

  Lastly was the element of air, symbolized by two small white feathers placed across from the quartz, on the eastern side. Ari raised the blue feather. “I call on the element of air. Bring us mental clarity as we perform our magic this night.”

  She walked slowly clockwise around the circle, beginning at the southern end, pointing the long blue feather at the ground. Back at the north end, she placed the feather on the floor, and retrieved the pillar candle from the coffee table. She uncorked a tiny bottle of oil and tipped it, drizzling her finger with the sacred substance. “We open the circle,” she intoned, rubbing the oil onto the candle. “We call on the spirits to offer us wisdom and joy.”

  She placed the candle on the mantel, where it flickered above the rest, like a sun. “This is a circle within a circle, with no beginning and no ending. Spirits of all elements, animals, plants, our beloved ancestors and angels, you are invited here, to be with us in a ceremony of celebration.” She gazed over at Nick. “A ritual of joining.”

  Ari extended her hand to Nick. Heart in his throat, he stepped into the circle with her. Immediately, he felt a softness, a cocoon of warm energy.

  Ari was radiant. Her hair fell in waves and her eyes were wide with exhilaration. He enveloped her in his arms and he and she stood in the middle of the circle, rocking to a silent rhythm.

  At last he began unbuttoning her blouse, eyes locked on hers. He undressed her, sliding the blouse off, removing her bra and laying the items outside the circle. He unzipped her skirt and pushed it down, along with her panties. At last she stood naked before him. Her breasts glowed in the flickering candlelight and her hips flared, beckoning him like a moth to a flame.

  He pulled his T-shirt over his head, shimmied out of his pants and socks and sucked in a breath. Whatever this ritual was going to be, it was going to be difficult to control himself. Ari’s essence, her intelligence, sassy humor, vulnerability and courage were writ on her features. He’d never met anyone so captivating, nor anyone who made his blood pound like thunder.

  She reached for him and ran her hands over his chest, his shoulders, down to his haunches, where she kneaded his ass. His hands went into her hair and he breathed in her scent, the clean, seductive smell of woman. The soft pressure of her breasts against him caused his erection to become painfully obvious to both of them.

  But he was unsure.

  His lips skimmed her ears, her cheeks, her eyelids, and hovered above her luscious mouth. “I’m not sure what to do here,” he murmured. What did she have in mind? He knew nothing of Wiccan ceremonies or joining rituals. What if he did something wrong, or something she didn’t like?

  Her mouth tipped into a smile. “The magic is already here,” she whispered. “The spirits are our witnesses. They will bless this joining, whether for this moment alone or…for eternity. We are to love each other in hallowed honesty in this moment. That is all that is required.” Her brown eyes shone up at him.

  Her words fell like welcome rain on the flame of his uncertainty. His eyes closed as he kissed her, wanting to be lost in her. He pulled her to him as if to fuse their bodies in this place and time. The power of craven wanting that flooded his body started out raw and animalistic, then shifted to a sensation of rightness, of spiritual need. He bit her lower lip and sucked, and she moaned into his mouth, nearly making him come on the spot.

  She lifted her arms around his neck and went up on her toes, returning the kiss by entwining her tongue with his. How could a kiss be so erotic? She probed the inner contours of his mouth with her tongue then withdrew. He reciprocated, penetrating her mouth as a portent of what was to come. His erection pushed against her abdomen, rubbing against her, becoming more engorged each second. He could smell her. Her arousal became impossible to ignore. She would be ready f
or him, eager for him. It was too much.

  He reached down, scooped her off her feet and laid her gently on the floor.

  She lay underneath him, luminous, candlelight playing over the black hair that fanned out on the blanket. The light danced on her face, over her body. He stretched out next to her, propping himself up on one arm and leaning in to kiss her again.

  “You’re irresistible,” he breathed, stroking down her body, squeezing her breasts until she cried out. His tongue danced with hers as he alternated between caressing her breasts and stroking her hips. She ran a hand over his face, his shoulder, his chest.

  “I’m ready,” she murmured as she explored his abdomen, massaging the muscles there. “Don’t make me wait.” She closed her fingers around his cock, which surged in her hand. She squeezed and he had to grit his teeth to maintain control.

  “I’m going to make you come.” He trailed his fingers down to the thatch between her legs and found her swollen with excitement. “Then I’m going to make you come again.” She gasped as he rubbed, up and down, then side to side. “Then and only then…” He pressed the tip of a finger against her opening. “I’m going to join my body with yours and…” He pushed his finger inside, thrusting against her inner walls. “Make you come again.”

  Ari arched against his hand. He added a second finger, plunging into her and circled her clit with his thumb. “That’s it. Let it come. Be greedy.” He lowered his head to suck her breasts, her nipples like points against his tongue. He bit gently but firmly, first one, then the other. He nibbled and sucked, moving from her breasts to her neck, teeth scraping, marking her. Ari began to buck and groan under him.

  “More,” she gasped. She tightened her grip on his cock and pumped. “More.”

  Nick swore under his breath and tried to pull away. She persisted and he knew the only way for him to hold on was for her to let go. He twisted his fingers deep into her, pressing against the sensitive spot high up. Her clit swelled further as he rubbed, and he watched her face flush, loving the sensation of her slickness sluicing down his hand.