Dylan spun, lunging to his feet as he plunged the silver-tipped knife into its flowing body and twisted. “I already told you. You first!”
Sparks erupted from the blade of the knife, showering the ground with burning bits of ash. The ghost screamed, curling in on itself as it lost cohesion, fading back into the thin black cloud.
Annie darted forward, grabbing the knife and placing it on top of the picture as she unwound the whip and laid one end on top. “In the mortal plane. You may cause me no pain. Soon your face will meet the flame.”
She repeated the phrase, wrapping the whip firmly around the knife and photo, smearing some of Dylan’s blood across the image until she reached the other end. The ghost screeched as the final bit of leather touched the picture, spinning upward as the tail of the mist funneled toward the photo. Bits of dirt and dust spun in circles around them as the spirit turned faster, creating a large eddy above them. A desolate howl echoed through the air as the entity fought against the pull of the spell, clawing at the air as if it could hold some in its hand.
Dylan grabbed Annie’s hand, racing with her back across the ground, the swirling apparition in tow. The ground exploded beside their feet as the ghost fought the binding, trying to destroy them before the full effects took hold. Dylan tightened his grip, leading her inside the tunnels, keeping her close as they rounded the corner, skidding into the other chamber. A small fire licked up from behind the open hole, the flames barely visible above the wall.
Annie made for the opening, repeating the spell one last time before tossing the whip-wrapped picture inside, shielding her face when the fire flared, turning a bloody shade of red. Thick black smoke billowed out above it, tumbling across the low ceiling. A set of hands formed out of the cloud, scratching at the stone, filling the room with sharp grinding noises. Dylan pulled Annie against him, covering her head as bits of ash exploded from the fire, hissing against the floor before winking out. He moved away, not sure what to expect next, when a tendril of black mist curled around Annie’s leg.
She screamed, batting at the last remnants of the ghost as it tried to drag her toward the opening. Dylan held firm, refusing to let go as he wedged his foot against the wall, anchoring them a few feet away. The spirit howled in fury, increasing its efforts, gaining a bit of ground until Avery threw salt across the flames.
The ghost shrieked in anguish, releasing Annie as it catapulted onto the ceiling again, twisting and turning as it flowed from one form into another. A man’s face took shape, his eyes glaring down at him as the whip finally caught fire, crackling in the intense heat. The spirit solidified for one, agonizing moment before the mist dissipated, leaving only smudges of black across the ceiling. Dylan’s heart pounded in his chest as he waited, scanning the room, every muscle twitching in anticipation.
Annie glanced around, looking them all in the eye. “Is that it? Is it over?”
Temperance beamed, grabbing her little sister as she twirled her around, laughter ringing through the tight space. “God, I hope so. But yeah. That should do it. Once all of the binding materials burned, he was forced from this side of the veil.”
She gazed behind her at the smoking fire. “Where did he go?”
Temperance shrugged. “Heaven, Hell. Someplace in-between. To be honest, I’m not really sure. But one thing’s for certain. He’s not coming back…at least not to this side.”
Dylan breathed a sigh of relief, accepting Avery’s hand before gathering Annie in his arms again when she launched herself at him. Her hair smelled like soot and sulfur, and smudges of ashes coated her face. She’d never looked so beautiful.
Her soft lips found his, finally loosening the tight press of his chest. Temperance and Avery muttered something about getting a room as Annie eased back, resting her head against his.
A gentle breath breezed over his skin as her gaze rose to his. “Not bad for a guy who doesn’t believe in ghosts.”
“Hey. I wasn’t the only skeptic.”
“I dare say I’m changed.”
He gave her a smile. “Me, too, honey. Me, too.”
* * * *
Annie straightened her shirt, smoothing her hands down the front as she surveyed her clothes in the mirror. Though Dylan insisted it was nothing more than a casual barbecue, she couldn’t help but feel as if it was more. Captain Walsh had dropped by the previous day to gently remind Dylan he’d promised to bring her, and there was no hiding the fact she’d be on display.
She took a deep breath, jumping when Dylan’s hands snaked around her waist, pulling her flush to his chest. Her head fell to one side as he kissed the line of her neck, ending with a light nip. She’d practically moved in, though neither had actually spoken the words. But every time she’d suggested heading back to her place for a night, he’d distracted her. And it hadn’t always been with mind-blowing sex. Sometimes he found an old movie to watch. A couple of times he’d run her a bath, complete with bubbles and scented candles. Either way, she hadn’t done more than grab some necessities since they’d returned from Alcatraz.
He nodded at her reflection. “You look stunning. So stop worrying.”
She pursed her lips. “I wouldn’t have started if your captain hadn’t casually let it slip that you’ve never brought anyone to an event before.”
He shrugged. “I never had anyone I wanted to bring before. But if it’s going to freak you out…”
She turned in his arms, resisting the urge to swat him. “I just want to make a good first impression. You work with these people. Hell, you trust them with your life. I don’t want to disappoint you.”
He looked at her as if she’d grown another head. “You banished a ghost into a picture. Not sure how you could ever disappoint me.” He leaned in, nuzzling her nose. “And you’re the one who holds my heart. That’s far more important.”
A thick feeling grew in her throat, making it hard to swallow. Tears gathered, but she blinked them back. She needed to lighten the mood before she broke down and admitted her undying love. “So you’re finally acknowledging you have one?”
He chuckled, one half of his mouth lifting into the sexy smile she’d come to recognize. “Admitting I have a heart is the easy part.” He paused, studying her for a moment before expelling a long breath. “Admitting I’m stone cold in love with you? Yeah, that’s tougher.”
A loud ringing sounded in her head as his words summersaulted through her brain. It took more than a couple of heartbeats to focus on taking a breath as she stared into his eyes, the truth of his statement more than evident. She finally managed to exhale, bracing some of her weight on his chest as a dizzy feeling tilted the room.
“Annie? Honey, are you okay? You look pale.”
She laughed, letting go of any residual doubts she’d hidden away. Heat blossomed through her chest, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, tiptoeing up to kiss his chin. “I’m perfect.”
“Oh yeah. You sure are.”
“I didn’t mean that.” She shuffled closer, pressing her body firmly against his as she held his gaze. “A more accurate translation is simply…I love you.”
An edge to his expression she hadn’t realized was there, eased, making his eyes more vibrant and his smile more genuine. He placed a soft kiss on her head then picked her up, striding into the bedroom. She squealed as he tossed her on the bed, jumping on top as she bounced. His body covered hers, the hard planes and angles making her feel feminine. Safe.
He rested on his elbows, one hand stroking through her hair as he stared down at her, smiling. She cupped his face, tracing the stubble shadowing his jaw. He leaned into her touch, planting a wet kiss on her palm before lowering his hand to the hem of her shirt. He raised an eyebrow, silently warning her she could help or he’d be more than happy to rip it off. She gave him an irritated scowl, before arching so he could lift the garment over her head.
He tossed it behind his shoulder, grinning at the rustle of fabric hitting the floor. The grin widened as he stared at her bra, tracing the lacy edge with his forefinger. “It always comes back to this. You, me…this bra.”
“And you say you’re not romantic.”
“Guess believing in ghosts isn’t my only new trick.” He tugged at the straps. “As much as I love this bra, it’s got to go.”
He reached around, twisting the clasp open with a quick flick of his wrist. His actions seemed reverent as he eased the straps done, lifting the cups away from her skin before tugging it off and dropping it off the edge of the bed. His pupils dilated, and a red flush colored his cheeks as his gaze swept over her breasts, his blatant approval beading her nipples tight against her chest. He trailed his fingers up her ribs, barely touching her skin as he followed the smooth curve of her breast, ending with a light pinch to her nipple.
She arched, needing more. “Harder. Dylan. Please.”
He repeated the caress, giving her a firmer pinch as her rolled the bud this time, flicking it roughly with his thumb. Her raspy cry had him bending over her, his tongue licking at her skin. Fire raced along her flesh, and she swore tendrils of smoke curled up from every inch he touched.
“I could do this all day. Maybe we should order in?”
She opened her mouth to argue but he captured her lips in his, his tongue demanding she acquiesce. She made him work just enough to make him growl before surrendering, gasping when his hand found her breast again.
“Yes.” The word came out as a plea, and she felt his body harder in response. “Too many clothes.”
He stopped kissing her neck, nodding in agreement. “Just what I was thinking.”
“No, I meant you.”
“Race ya. Winner gets to be on top.”
She huffed. Hell, she was already half naked, but he ignored her, opening her jeans and practically tearing them off her. She reached for his shirt, ripping the seam slightly when it caught on his head. He chuckled, helping her pull it the rest of the way before he sat up, reaching for her panties.
“This wasn’t fair.”
He winked. “I know.”
He thumbed the sides, slipping them over hips and tugging them out from beneath her butt. She tried to work the zipper of his jeans, but the damn thing caught, mocking her with only a fleeting feel of his shaft. He glanced down, and she used the distraction to bounce up, pouncing on top of him before he could react. She landed with her body flush on his, her bare pussy rubbing against his denim. She snagged his gaze, not hiding the excitement she received from undulating against him, sending jolts of desire up from her clit.
“Damn. You’re so fucking hot when you’re desperate. Okay, honey. You win. Take off my pants and I’m yours.”
She smiled, victoriously. “No pulling any of that Special Forces stuff to gain the upper hand when I’m busy.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it…
doc
.”
Annie shifted her weight, shaking a finger at him just in case, then eased off to the side, grabbing his pants and yanking them free. His briefs went next, his magnificent shaft bobbing free as the material lowered. He was fully erect, the thick veins pulsing on the underside, dots of shiny fluid on the tip. She licked her lips, positioning herself between his legs as she curled her fingers around the base. A throaty exhale spurred her on and she glanced up at him, ensuring he was watching before lowering her mouth and licking a heated path across the crown.
“Fuck. Annie.”
His fingers speared through her hair, holding it off her face as she made a second pass, flicking her tongue in the thin slit this time. He groaned again, louder than before and she couldn’t resist sealing her lips around his cock and slowly taking him to the back of her throat.
Spicy musk burst on her tongue as she worked her way back up, nipping the hood before bobbing down again, squeezing the head while it was lodged in her mouth. Dylan mumbled her name, fisting her hair firmer, adding a slight sting. Moisture pooled low in her groin, coating her slit as she set up a rhythm she hoped would drive him mad.
His breathing increased, the muscles in his thighs and abs contracting in sequence. She could track the progression of his orgasm. From the way his eyes squeezed shut as he pressed his head into the pillow, to the slight arch in his back as he tried not to thrust. Ripples of strain flexed his shoulders and arms, until he grunted in seeming defeat and started driving into her mouth. She opened wider, allowing him to set the pace as she palmed his sac, providing just enough pressure to make him hiss out his breath.
Dylan trembled beneath her, his body completely strung tight. He made a couple more passes before shouting her name as he emptied into her, his release coating her tongue. She kept sucking, draining every pulse until he visibly collapsed, sweat beading his skin, his breathing a harsh whisper of air. She smiled against his skin, finally releasing him before climbing up his body, snuggling her head into his shoulder.
He played with her hair, stroking his fingers through it as he held her tight, their hearts beating with the same reckless abandon. She savored the moment, content at the thought there’d been a thousand more just like it.
Dylan sighed, placing a finger under her jaw and raising her gaze to his. “That was incredible. Damn, I’m spent.”
“Then it’s a good thing we’re going to the barbecue. You’ll have plenty of time to…regain your strength.”