Haunted Hearts Page 4

  Chapter Five

  What am I doing?

  She couldn’t think. Her body seemed to have a mind of its own. As Nick moved down her neck, kissing and biting, stroking her breasts through her blouse, she almost exploded with excitement. Urgency, the desire to be consumed by him, sizzled through her entire body.

  She wasn’t scared. Maybe she should be, but she wasn’t.

  Her few experiences with women had been fine. Friendly. A couple of orgasms had happened but were nothing to write home about. The idea of passion had never made sense to her.

  Until now.

  She tugged Nick’s T-shirt over his head, wicked arousal stunning her at the sight of his burnished, muscled torso. The perfect amount of hair covered his chest and trailed in a teasing line down his abs and into the waistband of his pants. She’d never seen a naked man in real life. The shock of her response was almost too much to fathom. Her whole body blazed from the inside.

  She pulled her own shirt over her head, exposing her lace-trimmed black bra and the swell of her breasts. Nick’s eyes on her body in the near-dark sent heat racing like flame through her veins.

  “You’re beautiful,” he breathed, leaning in to kiss her. His tongue met hers and sensations overcame all thought. The apex of her thighs ached with the need to be touched. The feeling of readiness, of wetness gathering there made her wild.

  She broke the kiss. “Let’s go to the bedroom,” she murmured, trying to sit up.

  “Uh-uh.” He moved over her, lying on top of her full length on the couch. His hands were all over her while he continued to plunge his tongue into her mouth. He slid a hand into her bra to squeeze one breast and she almost died of wanting more.

  “The bedroom,” she gasped, her hands on his butt, pulling him into her. His scent, his breath, was causing her to levitate. Her arousal was almost painful. Between her legs, desire became a starving thing.

  He continued kissing her, shook his head and groaned. “If we go to the bedroom, I won’t be able to stop what happens.”

  She arched under the assault of his fingers pinching her nipple. “I don’t want to stop. Please.” She kissed his neck, biting it in frustration. “I want you.”

  How do I know I want him? It didn’t matter. She felt it in her skin, her bones, her breath. She was following something more primal than thought right now.

  He pulled back to gaze at her, breathless, shaking his head. “You are so fucking sexy. I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”

  Ari pounded on his chest. “I don’t care.” She sucked his lower lip into her mouth and bit it hard. “Show me how a man does it.”

  A hard exhalation and grimace came from him. “Jesus, you’re killing me.” Nick lowered his head to kiss her neck and moved down to her breasts then reached behind her to unsnap her bra and flung it away, freeing her breasts. Her nipples stood up, begging for attention. He licked and sucked one, then the other, first gently, then harder. Exquisite pain shot from her nipples throughout her body and her toes curled.

  Ari moaned and writhed, trying to undo his pants. She wanted to see his cock, wanted to touch it, feel it. He moved to prevent her getting at his snaps and covered her with his body, his weight on top of her feeling like freedom. He licked her neck and down, then bit her shoulder. His pelvis moved against hers maddeningly. Finally, she couldn’t stand it any longer. She propped up on her elbows to get his attention. “The bedroom. Now.” She tried to get up.

  He shook his head and pushed her back down. “Bossy.” Before she knew what he was doing, he kicked off his boots, then hers, and lay back on top of her. He framed her face with his hands, his green eyes spearing her. “I’m not taking the chance. Not today.” He lowered himself to kiss her between her breasts and continued down. “However,” he whispered, licking and nipping along her waistband, “I never leave a lady unsatisfied.” He caught her jeans in his teeth and tugged, unhooking the top snap. He unzipped her and pulled the fabric down, taking her panties with them.

  Ari lay back, her mind and body swirling, unable to do anything but be immersed in what was happening. Nick dropped her pants to the floor and went back to kissing her belly. She arched her hips toward the hot mouth, lips and tongue that moved ever downward.

  Nick leaned on his side, giving her more room. “I can smell you,” he whispered. “I can smell your desire.” His hands were on her pelvic bones, then moved to her thighs. He parted them gently.

  He came up for a moment to kiss her mouth, roving with his tongue into her throat on a low growl. She went blind with wanting that tongue between her legs, knowing it was coming. She clawed at his back and shoved his shoulders down, directing him to where her need lived.

  He moved down, alternately kissing and biting all the way. She spread her legs when he neared the molten core of her arousal. His hair tickled the inside of her thigh, then he was there. A moan escaped her, a keening from deep within, as he slipped his tongue inside her, first gently, then deeper and more insistently. He pulled out and circled her clit, then around, up and down the sensitive flesh, sucking, licking, even nipping. It was going to drive her insane.

  She had never wanted to be penetrated in the way she did now. “Nick,” she gasped, reaching for him. “I need you inside me.”

  He didn’t answer, just increased his fervent licking and thrusting into her with his tongue. “Mmm. You taste like honey. And chamomile.” He pushed one thigh so that her knee was bent, giving him greater access. “I could do this all day.”

  Ari flung an arm over her face. “I need to come.”

  “That’s part of my master plan,” he murmured.

  “Now.”

  She heard the smile in his voice. “Bossy. And greedy.”

  He licked faster, spearing into her and leaving her on the precipice. Her breath became staccato, gasps that left no question as to how close she was. With a final bite on her thigh, this one hard enough to make her cry out, he rose over her.

  “Ari,” he whispered, planting feathery kisses on her forehead, cheeks, eyelids. “Have you ever had anything larger than a finger…?” The question hung, awkward but caring.

  She wriggled under him, wanting to feel his weight more fully, aroused by the very question. “Not really. A speculum at the doctor, which is definitely not comfortable.”

  Nick smoothed her hair back from her forehead and kissed her temples. “So when it happens, it will hurt. We need to go slow. This isn’t something to rush. As much as I might like to. I could literally eat you alive right now.”

  He was going to deny her! “I’ll be fine. I want everything you’ve got. You’re making me crazy.” Her voice was choked.

  He smiled in the dark. “Dr. Fairchild, I don’t know you well enough to make love to you properly.” When he moved his mouth over hers, he tasted of her wetness, musky and sweet—another thing to drive her wild. “But, as I said, I never leave a lady unsatisfied.” He reached between her legs, stroking softly then harder over her swollen clit.

  Ari’s eyes closed, and her body lifted itself against him. The hair on his torso rubbed against her breasts and he explored her mouth with his tongue. It started with a slow, distant drumbeat, then became more insistent.

  “More,” she whispered, her head tossing from side to side. “I want you inside.”

  Nick pushed a thick finger into her, penetrating far deeper than his tongue was able. The drumbeat became thunder. He pressed his palm and thumb rhythmically up and down her clit and stroked his finger deeper, finding a place of electric sensitivity.

  A cry started in her throat as her whole body lit up, white lightning in her veins. Every muscle seized with exquisite pleasure as he added a second finger and stretched her while his thumb whirled against her clit.

  Her inner muscles clamped down on his hand. The cry became a scream and Ari pumped her body against Nick as he thrust into her deepest, most secret places. Her hands opened and clenched repeatedly then clawed his back and butt, trying to pull his whole body into her.
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  He lowered his face against her breasts, his breath rapid. The hard evidence of his arousal was like an iron rod against her thigh. He pressed into her but made no move toward his own release. He held her with one arm, the other still between her legs as her gasps subsided. With agonizing slowness, he withdrew his fingers and she whimpered.

  The room was silent save for their synchronized breathing. Her pulse returned to normal. She stroked Nick’s hair until he looked up at her at last.

  “I’m not satisfied,” she teased, a dazed smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

  His laugh sounded like music and his grin was mischievous. “Then I’ll have to try again.” He touched his lips to hers and met her gaze. “Soon.”

  * * * *

  Had it really been only twelve hours since he’d left Ari’s place, her scent still on him?

  Nick couldn’t fathom his life at this moment. What had been a bland and frustrating existence a few days ago had somehow become infused with anticipation. Promise. All because of her.

  What the hell is happening to me?

  He sat across from Ari on the floor in the Garcias’ hotel room. Rosie and Violet sat with them, showing off the toys they’d brought from home.

  He studied Ari as she interacted with each girl, helping them feel relaxed with these new grown-ups. If she were uncomfortable working with children, he’d never know it by watching her. She wore jeans and sneakers and a long-sleeved T-shirt with the various Disney princesses stamped on it in a frothy pastel circle. The girls had fixated on that from the moment he and Ari had walked in the door. Which princess was her favorite? Did she have princess dresses, too, like they did? Violet had asked. Rosie had four princess dresses and Violet had only two, but she wanted another one for Christmas. Maybe Belle, but also maybe Ariel. If she could be a mermaid, would she?

  “Being a mermaid sounds fun, but I also like being a regular girl.” Ari laughed, sneaking a glimpse at Nick. The tiny bolt of excitement her attention elicited in his chest was ridiculously pleasurable.

  She continued to engage the girls. “What are you going to be for Halloween?”

  “Harry Potter!” Rosie proclaimed. “I have the glasses and the cape and everything.”

  “Elsa!” said Violet, lisping the name.

  Nick smiled as he watched. How long had Ari had that shirt in her closet, he wondered, along with a thousand other things. Not least was how he’d managed to leave her place the night before without shagging her senseless.

  But that wouldn’t have felt right, even if he had suffered for it. He couldn’t remember ever being so turned on, or so quickly. He still wasn’t sure who she was, or why he was so drawn to her, but, apparently, she was willing to let him have another day to figure it out. Contradicting her original plan, she’d invited him to sit in on the interviews with the Garcia girls, though Rocky wasn’t invited and there was to be no recording. Samir was also not invited, which he found odd. He wondered if it anything to do with him.

  Ari spoke to Rosie, whose brown curls were contained in a messy ponytail that hung down the back of her Catholic school uniform. “Rosie, would it be okay if you and I talk for a few minutes while Violet takes a walk with your dad? Your mom and Mr. Nick will stay right here.” Rosie eagerly agreed while Violet pouted. Tom rose from his seat across the room and took Violet’s hand.

  “Your turn next, Princess Elsa,” he said. “Let’s go get some lemonade downstairs and bring some back for everyone.”

  The little girl clapped but corrected her father as they left. “I’m Moana today,” she announced. “I live on an island.” The door closed on them with a click.

  Ari smiled and addressed the older sister. “Rosie, you’re eleven, and I know you understand why I’m here.”

  Rosie’s smile withered and she nodded gravely.

  Ari’s voice was gentle but matter-of-fact. “Some things have scared you lately and we’re going to figure out what’s going on.”

  Rosie nodded again, tears filling her eyes.

  “You’re very brave to talk to me. Can you tell me about what’s been happening?”

  Lindy came to sit on the floor next to Rosie. She put her arm around her daughter. “It’s okay, honey. Dr. Ari is going to help us.”

  Rosie wiped her tears away and a shadow passed over Ari’s face. It was so subtle, Nick guessed neither Rosie nor her mother noticed.

  “There’s somebody after me,” the girl whispered. “I think it’s a ghost.”

  Ari’s expression was neutral. “Tell me about it.”

  Rosie continued. “At first, I thought it was Violet. She’s always doing things to annoy me, like going in my room and messing with my things.” She heaved a breath and glanced at her mother. “Then I saw someone in my bed. It was when I came back from the bathroom one night. My parents thought it was a bad dream, but it wasn’t. There was a girl in my bed.”

  Ari absorbed this information evenly, her pupils dilating slightly behind her glasses.

  “What did the girl look like?” Ari asked.

  “Short hair. I couldn’t see her face, just her eyes, because she had the covers pulled up. But she stared at me like she hated me.” The girl shivered. “I ran to get my parents, but when we got back, she was gone. And the covers were pulled up.”

  “I see.” Ari gestured for her to go on.

  “A few days later, my books got thrown all over the floor. From the top shelves, where Violet can’t reach. When I first went in my room and saw it, I heard laughing, like someone was making fun of me.”

  Lindy was surprised. “You didn’t tell me that.”

  “Because I thought you wouldn’t believe me. And because I thought maybe it was Violet. But then I realized it couldn’t be, because Violet wasn’t even upstairs then.”

  “That sounds confusing,” Ari offered. “What did you do?”

  “I told my mom and dad I wanted to sleep in their room. At first, they didn’t let me, but then they did.”

  “That’s good. You need to sleep.”

  Rosie played with her fingers nervously. “Then I got locked out of the house. The ghost did it. I know she did.”

  “How do you know?”

  Rosie’s voice was fierce with conviction. “I saw her. She was looking out of the kitchen window at me. She was laughing and sticking out her tongue.”

  Ari nodded. “And what did she look like then?”

  “Short hair, sort of brown. That’s all I could see. She was kind of like a shadow.”

  “Right, okay. Could you see what she was wearing?”

  “Um, a collar, like of a dress or something. It was what a doll would wear. Kind of round with little holes in it.”

  “Eyelets, maybe?”

  Rosie’s face went blank. Ari took a moment to bring up a picture on her phone and held it out. “Like this?”

  The girl thought. “Yes.”

  “Okay. That’s super helpful, Rosie. Thank you. Anything else happen, or that you’ve noticed?”

  Rosie shook her head. “That’s all.” She stole a glance at her mother. “My mom and dad think we’re making things up, but we’re not. Violet’s seen her, too, except she likes her.”

  Ari nodded. “I believe you. And we’re going to figure this out and make sure the girl doesn’t bother you anymore.”

  Rosie smiled tentatively. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Ari addressed Lindy. “I think Rosie has earned some pizza today, don’t you?” The girl whooped. Nick suppressed a laugh. Evidently, most problems, even ghosts, could be solved with pizza.

  A few minutes later, Lindy had left with Rosie to order pizza and Tom sat on the floor across from Ari and Nick with Violet on his lap. The little girl was a riot of color, dressed in green pants and sparkly silver shirt and sneakers that lit up when she moved. She clutched a pink teddy bear against her chest.

  Ari pointed to the stuffed animal. “I like your teddy bear, Violet. What’s his name?”

  Light brown curls boun
ced as the little girl answered. “Beary.”

  Ari smiled. “Beary! I like that name.”

  Violet smiled and hugged the bear tighter.

  “Violet, would it be okay if I ask you some questions? That’s okay? All right. I hear you’ve noticed someone else besides Rosie in the house with you and your mommy and daddy lately,” Ari said. The little girl nodded cautiously. “Tell me what you’ve noticed.”

  Violet stuck a finger in her cheek thoughtfully. “It’s my new sister,” she said. “She likes me a lot. But not Rosie.”

  “Ah.” Ari nodded with understanding. “Can you see this new sister?”

  Violet nodded. “Sometimes she’s hard to see, but I heared her, too. She tells me funny stories.”

  “Can you tell me one of the stories?

  “Not sure.” Violet looked up at her father, who nodded his encouragement. “She says when Rosie goes away, she can be my big sister.”

  Nick saw Tom’s face go pale. Ari was serious but calm. “She says Rosie will go away?”

  “Yes. She said Rosie would go away to join the circus. But I telled her Rosie is still my sister, even though she’s mean to me sometimes. She let me have her old dress-up clothes. And her Cookie Monster backpack.”

  Ari’s eyes widened. “Wow, that was nice of Rosie.”

  Violet nodded. “So I said Rosie would still be my sister. And she got mad.”

  “How did you know she was mad?”

  “She teared up Rosie’s Dora doll. I seed her.”

  “Oh, you saw her tear up the doll?” Ari watched the little girl carefully.

  “She went in Rosie’s room.”

  “What did she look like then, do you remember?”

  The little girl scanned the ceiling, recalling. “A girl. She had a white dress and white socks up to her knees and black shoes. And a necklace with a heart. And hair with a big clip. It was a moon shape.”

  Ari was encouraging. “You remember a lot! That’s really good.”