Paranormal After Dark: 20 Paranormal Tales of Demons, Shifters, Werewolves, Vampires, Fae, Witches, Magics, Ghosts and More

by Rebecca Hamilton

  She heard a noise.

  Her eyes shot open; there was movement at the door. Someone had paused on the threshold, had hesitated before entering. The figure was looking over their shoulder towards the road, their arm extended upward as if in greeting to someone still in the Armory grounds.

  “Damn it.” She pulled away from Thomas, motioning for him to drop to the floor. “Someone’s coming.” There was no time to get him to the backdoor; no time to get him out of the store before they were caught and her reputation as ‘Mr. Randolph’s sweet eldest daughter’ was tossed right out the window.

  David Hamilton strolled into the store, squinting in the darkness to see her against the back wall. “Oh, Miss Randolph, a good day to you!”

  She yanked a fabric remnant off the shelf and slid it over her shoulder, trying to hide her unbuttoned dress. “I’m sorry, I was working back here, just…doing inventory. The gas lights aren’t turned up in here yet. My eyes are used to the dark.”

  “Don’t trouble yourself, I won’t be here but a minute.” He glanced around the room. “Have you, per chance, seen my esteemed friend Mr. Cooper? I thought I saw him enter your establishment but a moment ago.”

  “Mr. Cooper?” She glanced down at Thomas, seated on the floor by her feet, his knees drawn up to his chest. “Um…no, I haven’t seen Mr. Cooper today. Does he fair well?”

  “Haven’t seen him?” David walked over to the counter across the room and picked up a hat. “Isn’t this his hat?”

  She froze. “That? Uh…no, no, I don’t believe so. A gentleman was here earlier, interested in purchasing that particular hat. I was distracted…and…forgot to put it away.”

  She inwardly groaned. What a horrible, unconvincing lie.

  David didn’t look like he believed her, but set the hat down. “Are you quite certain you haven’t seen Mr. Cooper today? You can tell me, Addy, really, I won’t speak a word to your father.”

  She felt the bottom of her hoop being lifted. Thomas’s all too inquisitive hands trailed against her leg, working their way up to her knee. His fingers were long, but she could feel him stretching to reach the tops of her stockings. He started pulling them down.

  It got hard to think; she coughed. She could smell the whisky on her breath from Thomas’s kiss. “No, no I’m quite certain. If you see him, do give him my best. As always.”

  “Oh, I will.” David bowed slightly and swept his hat off his head. “My dear friend always wishes the best from you. At times, I wish I hadn’t introduced you two; perhaps then I would have had a chance to win your affections.”

  Adelaide blushed.

  “Well, I’ll bid you a fair day.” He hesitated as he turned to leave the store. “Should you see Mr. Cooper, tell him I’m looking for him.”

  “I will.” Adelaide nodded. “A good day to you as well, Mr. Hamilton.”

  As soon as the door slammed shut, she glanced down at Thomas. “He’s looking for you.”

  “I’m certain he knew I was here.” Thomas stood up and pulled her back into his arms. “Though, I will say the view seemed better down there. I should wonder what is underneath a lady’s skirts?”

  “Just more skirts, I can assure you.”

  “Ah.” He slid his hands down her waist and hips, then reached up and tugged the fabric remnant from her shoulder. “Maybe you could show me.”

  She smiled coyly. “Are you sure you have enough time? I would hate for you to be late returning to the Armory.”

  “There’s always enough time for you, lovely.” He dipped his head down, pressing his lips to her throat. His mouth trailed down her shoulder to her collarbone and he paused, gently nibbling on her tender flesh. “Let me have you.”

  She squirmed out from his arms, gently pressing her fingertip to his lips. “Give me one moment to close the store.”

  “Just one.”

  She squeezed through the gap between the counters and walked to the front doors, flicking the lock into place. After shoving the ‘closed’ sign in the door, she retreated to Thomas’s arms. “Follow me.”

  “I don’t plan on letting you go.”

  She led him up the back staircase and into her corner bedroom, shutting the door behind him. He swept her up against the door and then kissed her, his hands cupping her waist. His kiss was so passionate, so intense; it felt like all the desire that had been building between them was being poured into one kiss.

  He pulled away, cradling her face with his hands. “Take your clothes off for me.”

  She unfastened her dress and crinoline, shimmying out of the heavy clothing in one movement. The skirt billowed out around her ankles, the weight of the cage and petticoats pulling everything down together. Stepping free of the fabric, she edged to him and pushed his unbuttoned shirt from his shoulders. Her fingers trailed along the curves of his muscles. “Unfasten my corset.”

  He reacted immediately, reaching around her and unlacing the cording. The dull ache in her ribs from the release of tension was distracting, but in that moment, he dipped her down on to the bed, tugging her chemise up and over her head. She kept her eyes locked on his, knowing his eyes were locked on the curve of her breasts. She wanted him to look—she desperately wanted him to touch her.

  He pulled her into deep kiss, easing her down on her back and then straddling her so that the obvious bulge in his drawers hit her between her legs. Even that felt good. Gripping her hips, he guided her up and down so that they feigned his rhythm, grinding against each other and their kiss deepening. Every movement of their bodies, every lap of his tongue or caress of his hand was turning her on; it felt like bolts of lightning were radiating across her lower abdomen. Just making the motions of sex wasn’t what she wanted; it was getting to the point where the pleasure each time he pressed against her was going to just drive her over the edge. He was grinding against her; he was moaning softly in his throat every time his cock touched her between her legs.

  She was so engrossed in the soft sighs in his throat and the feeling of his body against hers, she barely moved when he dipped his head down and licked her left nipple, gently nibbling it. She slid her hands from his shoulders and into his hair, prompting him to keep his head where it was. He trailed his tongue to her other breast, promptly sucking on her nipple and cupping the opposite with his hand. His mouth was hot, his fingers easing from soft and teasing to pinching and rolling.

  She was going to lose her mind.

  He suddenly raised his head up, pressing his lips to hers with a gentle smack. His eyes were locked on her, his gaze wide-eyed and intense. “I can’t wait anymore.”

  She nodded, pressing her mouth back to his. She’d never needed someone so desperately in her life; every inch of her craved him. She felt like her soul needed him.

  He pushed up off of her, hesitating only long enough to slide off his drawers. Adelaide scampered backwards up the mattress, unfastening her underdrawers and pulling them off, followed by her stockings. She tossed them off the bed. Thomas was watching; he ran his fingers through his hair, brushing his bangs to the side, and then crawled across the bed to her.

  Easing himself down on top of her, he slid his hand between them and adjusted himself, then with one firm thrust of his hips, he entered her. Adelaide arched her back, digging her heels into the mattress. “Thomas…you feel amazing.”

  He moaned softly in his throat, pressing his lips to her collarbone. “Adelaide…God, you are so perfect. This is absolutely how I wanted it to be…”

  She wrapped her legs around him, raising her hips up to meet his in that already familiar, steady rhythm. He felt incredible, the way her cradled her in his arms and braced his feet against the footboard to fuck her harder. His lips searched out hers; they were kissing and having the best sex she’d ever had in her life—every movement he made inside her was better than the last. Her skin felt hot, salty with his sweat, and she felt like every place he touched sizzled like water against hot coals. Jesus.

  “Adelaide…shit.” He kissed
her again, his lips curling up into a smile. “You are incredible. You feel like you were made for me.”

  “Thomas…Thomas, don’t stop.” She mumbled the words against his lips and ran her hands through his brown hair. “I’m so close. Already.”

  “I want you to cum for me.” He touched his forehead to hers, pressing his hands to her cheeks. “Only me, Adelaide. I don’t want you to give it to anyone but me.”

  She arched her back again, trying to flex her legs higher up his back. “I won’t, Thomas…fuck, right there. Right there.”

  He chuckled, trailing his lips down her throat. “Such language for a lady.”

  “You have me in a panic.”

  He laughed again, sliding his hand behind her head and loosening her hair from her chignon. Keeping his rhythm steady, he shook her hair free and stared at her, his lips curling into a smile. “You are so beautiful.”

  Before she could respond, he dipped back down and kissed her, sliding his hands back into her wavy hair. Adelaide let her eyes flutter closed, letting him take control of her. Every movement he made, every gentle lap of his tongue against hers, made the passion boil up in her body. She felt alive, like she was sailing the stars; like every ounce of her soul was wrapped in his.

  He suddenly pressed his palms into the mattress and pushed himself up, pulling out of her in one smooth motion. She didn’t have time to say anything; he scrambled down the bed and pressed his face between her legs. His tongue lapped soft circles over her clit while he dipped his fingers inside her. Intensity and pleasure radiated through her body and down to the tips of her toes. She nearly squealed out loud, promptly clapping her hand over her mouth. “Thomas! Oh my god…don’t…don’t stop.”

  He barely moved his face from her skin. “Do you like that, sweet love?”

  “God, Thomas, yes.”

  “Say it louder for me.”

  “YES!”

  He slid up her body and lowered his weight down on her, entering her again. This time, he dropped his hand to her leg and nudged it upward. “Adelaide, I am so close for you.”

  “Then cum for me.” She held his head steady, staring into his wide eyes. “Show me how much you like the way it feels.”

  “Shit, I love the way it feels, the way you make me feel.” He pushed her other leg up and eased them both over his shoulders. Rising up more on his knees, he changed his rhythm to a somewhat more frantic, faster pace.

  Adelaide bit her lip. It felt like…it was like nothing she’d ever experienced. She couldn’t tell if he really was hitting her deeper than anyone ever had—possible because she’d only been with two other men—or if it was just because it was him. It didn’t matter; each thrust brought her closer to the edge, watching his brow knit in obvious pleasure turned her on even more.

  “Beautiful girl…” his eyebrows arched upward and he pitched forward, pulling her back into his arms and crushing his mouth to hers. He cupped one of her breasts in his hand, trailing his kisses down her throat. “Oh, Adelaide, I can’t…uh…I can’t last much longer.”

  She slid her hands from his shoulders to his face, cradling him by his cheeks. Guiding his lips back to hers, she stared up into his eyes. “It’s okay. Just cum for me. Please…please Thomas, just for me. Cum for me.”

  He buried his face against her neck, tightening his hold around her body. Both his breathing and his rhythm quickened, faster and with a pitch of frantic pleasure. She heard him suck a sharp breath through his teeth and he stiffened, his climax inside her—the soft twitching and firm pressure of his hips—was enough to push her over the edge again. They were both gasping for breath; the passion still hanging in the air and heavy between them.

  Pushing up onto his elbows, he pressed his lips to her forehead. “You are amazing.”

  “You should have found a way to get me alone sooner.” She nuzzled her face against his, his muttonchops tickling her cheek. “I hope your affections are only for me.”

  “You’ve stolen my heart.” He kissed her lips gently and then studied her, his gaze intense. “I’m falling in love with you.”

  “And I with you.”

  They laid pressed together, kissing and softly talking, their sweaty legs tangled together for several minutes. He then exhaled deeply, leaning over the bed and pulling his pocket watch from his trousers. “I have return to the Armory and, no doubt, the inquisition of David Hamilton. I’d rather stay with you…but I can’t be late.”

  “I know.”

  He helped her dress, lacing her corset for her and covering her neck with kisses when she should have been fastening the hooks and eyes of her dress. Everything about him overwhelmed her: the taste of his mouth, the feeling of his soft lips against her skin; the way he cupped her waist. He kissed her deeply—one final time—before they walked downstairs and into the store together.

  As she unlocked the front door, he plucked his hat up from the counter. “You will be quite a distraction to me for the rest of the day.”

  “And you to me.” She straightened his cravat. “I’m not sure how I’m going to get through the day, craving you, and knowing that you’re just right across the Armory yard from me.”

  He smiled broadly, running a fingertip down her cheek. Taking a few steps backward, he walked to the door, planted his cap on his head, and turned back a final time. “I’m completely captivated by you, my love. The next time I get my hands on you, I’m never letting you go.”

  And with that said, he walked out of the store and into the street, crossing through the muck to get back to the Armory gate. Before he went through the open gate, he turned and looked back at her, cocking his head up in acknowledgment of her presence.

  Everything had changed between them—just like she knew it would—but it felt like they were closer than before. Like the bond was stronger. But the look in his eyes, the way he touched her, was different. It was like he didn’t want to let go.

  And she knew, without a doubt, she didn’t either

  Chapter 12

  November 1860

  “...SIX MILK CROCKS, eight gallon jugs, two water buckets, four... no, wait, five iron shovels, twelve glass lanterns.” Robert paused and glanced over his shoulder. “Am I going too fast?”

  “No.” Adelaide looked over her list of store inventory. “You said five iron shovels?”

  “Five.” He nodded towards a small barrel next to her. “What’s in that one?”

  “It says nails.” She nudged the barrel experimentally with the toe of her shoe. “So, I’d assume nails.”

  He stared at it for several moments. “That’s only a half barrel; make sure you mark it down as a half barrel.”

  “I think we already marked it down.”

  “Check it.” Robert insisted. “Poppa wants this done right.”

  Adelaide flipped a few pages back and studied her careful notation. “Three half barrels of nails.”

  “Okay.” He crawled down from the step ladder. “Do you want to measure the coffees and teas or should I?”

  “I’ll keep writing it down, but I am indebted for your generous offer.”

  As they headed to the front of the store, David Hamilton burst through the door. “Lincoln won the election.”

  Adelaide opened her mouth to speak, but was immediately cut off by Robert. “What?”

  David leaned heavily against the door. “Marcus Day sent word from Washington, apparently he heard that South Carolina is in an uproar.”

  “But how could Lincoln have won?” Robert frowned. “He wasn’t even on the ballot.”

  “The Democrats were split—hell, Douglas only carried one state.” David glanced at Adelaide. “Sorry Addy, I shouldn’t speak like that in front of you.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “South Carolina threatened secession if a Republication—or Douglas—won.” David exchanged a knowing glance with Robert. “Now we just wait to see if they follow through.”

  * * *

  IT TOOK ALL of two days for the whole to
wn to be split over the newly elected president. Adelaide wasn’t entirely sure what all the fuss was about—after all, there were not that many slaves or freemen in Harpers Ferry.

  “I should have been allowed to go with Poppa.” Robert angrily pounded his fist against the counter. “I’m the oldest; and twenty at that. I’m an adult.”

  Adelaide stifled a yawn and carefully folded the latest edition of The Virginia Free Press in half. “I think that’s why he made you stay and mind the store.”

  Robert frowned. “It’s just like this whole mess with South Carolina. Lincoln should make ‘em stay.”

  “The Press quoted a New York paper today,” she unfolded the paper and located the article, “‘We hope never to live in a republic whereof one section is pinned to the residue by bayonets.’ I agree with that... in a manner. Let them go, why fight about it?”

  Robert glared at her in silence. Finally, he muttered, “If you were a man, you’d understand.”

  “Maybe I understand better than you think.” Adelaide snapped back. “Since you are so superior to me, dear brother, I’m certain you can mind the store on your own.”

  She yanked her bonnet off the hook and stormed out the front door, allowing it to slam shut behind her. The force rattled the glass in the pane. The door nearly closed on her hoop, but she didn’t let it slow her down. Although it would be pointless to discuss her stupid brother with Annie, she was by far better company than being alone.

  Her friend was surprised to see her. “I thought you were at the store with Robbie—ert. Robert.”

  Adelaide waved her hand dismissively. “You value his company much more than I do.”

  “Okay... we won’t talk about Robert.” Annie turned back to the fabric squares spread out on the parlor floor. “Want to help me piece this quilt?”