An Extreme Haunting

by Cheryl Dragon

  Sean fought it. Ignoring the call of the hot poker within reach. But as her orgasm took hold and he felt the intensity of her passion, he knew he had no choice. Then his own orgasm began and Sean felt Dermott’s extra push.

  With her first scream of pleasure, he grabbed the hot poker and pressed it to her hip. Her scream of pain and pleasure made him drop the poker—her body still convulsed as he came deep inside of her.

  Sean’s eyes fixed on her hip. He couldn’t believe what he’d done. The red mark of a Celtic infinity sign was burned into her hip. “I’m so sorry.” He cupped her face as tears slid down her cheeks.

  “Why? What did I do?” She squeezed her eyes shut but her lower body seemed frozen.

  “Nothing. I’m sorry. Dermott. Damn, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let my guard down. I had no right to mark you.” He wanted to hold her but she needed help. “I’ll get something.”

  Dana didn’t move as he left her and soaked a cloth in cold water. “Ready?” he asked.

  She nodded but flinched as the cold cloth touched the fresh burn. “Mark me?”

  “It was Dermott. That’s no excuse. I know. But it’s what he did to his wives. He pushed when I wasn’t strong. I wanted to keep you. I just didn’t know how.”

  “Ask me. A ring.” Dana sat up and took the cloth away from him. “It’s not your fault. I need to get rid of the ghosts.”

  “I think there’s a first-aid kit in the rental car. I’ll get it.” He hated to leave her but he had to do something. She was in pain that he’d caused. It killed him. None of his fantasies had ever gone there. He’d never forgive himself. This was Dermott’s plan. Sean was certain.

  Ghosts wouldn’t rule him or his family. If Dana needed help expelling them, he’d hire all that she needed. Dermott had to go.

  He got the kit and returned to the dungeon, not even noticing until he was back that he was still naked. Digging through the kit, Sean found antibiotic ointment. “Here, this will help.”

  She sat on the bed and examined the burn. “It’s Celtic.”

  “The symbol for infinity.” He nodded.

  “I’m branded yours forever.” Dana seemed to consider it.

  Sean knelt in front of her and held out the little tube. “Maybe it won’t scar if we get this on fast.”

  Dana took the tube and applied a thin layer, flinching with each touch. “It’s a good first-degree burn. Maybe second. Like grabbing a hot pot off the stove. Is this what you want?”

  “No! Never. I don’t want to see you in pain ever. I hate myself. I hate this.”

  “If I were a good submissive I’d take it all without complaint. I’m just not that way.” A tear rolled down her face.

  “No,” he insisted. “I don’t want you to. This is Dermott. I was weak. I never wanted to hurt you. Any woman. We have to get rid of Dermott. If you need more help, we can come back another time with all you need. This castle isn’t our lives.” He held her face, staring into her eyes. She had to believe him.

  “I’m not a quitter. I’m strong enough to do this. I’ll get rid of them before I leave.”

  “What can I do to help?” He needed to protect her. Wanted to be near her.

  “Nothing.” She pulled back. “I need to do this alone. You’re a distraction for me. And Dermott is too connected to you. I need to be alone—here. It happened here.”

  “What happened?” he asked.

  “Dermott died. And the female ghost with him died. Just leave me alone, please.” She put the cap on the ointment and headed for her clothes.

  Sean knew being banished from her presence was his punishment. Tugging on jeans and a sweater, he left the dungeon. He couldn’t give up on her, but he could give her space. For now.

  Chapter Six

  All day, Dana tried to get rid of the two stubborn ghosts. She’d failed and now soaked in the tub alone. The burn stung and Dana wondered if Sean was strong enough to resist Dermott again.

  Sean had been scarce all day since the incident, exploring the castle. Dana was worried she’d ruined everything.

  She heard footsteps in the stairs. Sean appeared, sexy and strong as always. He made her wet even after the burn. Because she knew it wasn’t him. Because she wanted him even with his mistakes.

  “How are you?” he asked.

  She lifted a shoulder. “Can’t get rid of the two remaining ghosts.”

  “I meant your hip.” He knelt next to the tub.

  Dana lifted her hip out of the water to reveal the start of a blister. “Doesn’t hurt much anymore. I think it might scar though.”

  “I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

  “It was Dermott.” She eased back into the water. “We have to get rid of them both. They’re too powerful.”

  “Why would he do that to you?”

  “You told me. To mark his territory. He was possessive and I’m in his castle. The wives didn’t have a choice. It’s in you too. On some level you want me to belong to you.” That made her hope for a future.

  “It’s always your choice. Every day. We’ll put some more ointment on it. With any luck it won’t scar. You could tattoo over it if it does.” He held out a robe for her.

  Dana stepped out and let him spoil her. Drying her off, he put a thin layer of ointment on her burn.

  “I choose you,” she said.

  “Even after this?” He looked surprised.

  “Always.” She kissed him and pulled off the robe.

  Sean undressed and lay down on the bed flat on his back.

  Dana stared at him, confused. “What do you want?”

  “I’m not in charge this time. It’s too dangerous right now. Ride me.”

  Climbing on the bed, she leaned over and kissed him from balls to mouth. She didn’t want to be in control. But if right now it pleasured him, she’d do it. Her body already wanted his. Her pussy was wet with anticipation.

  His hands pulled her onto him, easing her down while careful not to touch her burn. As she sank onto his cock, his thumb teased her clit. It was intimate and real.

  Dana arched back and moaned at the feel of him deep inside of her. His thumb rotated around her clit, working her into a fast frenzy—triggered her release in record time. She hammered her hips against him, as she screamed his name.

  “More?” she asked. “You’re not done.”

  “Watching you is amazing.”

  Dana felt her face go red. “What do you want?”

  “You.” He folded his arms beneath his head.

  “Tell me. I want to play. To feel like we did before.” She kissed his mouth. The ghosts were close again. Dana wanted to get lost in Sean. Let him rule her for the night, show that she trusted him and took pleasure in being his submissive. He had the strength to overcome Dermott. She believed in them.

  The female ghost was strong too. She was in the room. Dana felt the fury and the rage of the ghost. Dana’s branding had been by Dermott’s encouragement—to antagonize his former wife-slave. Dana pushed it away.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Yes. I want to do what you want now. I trust you.” She kept kissing him.

  Sean lifted his head. “Get that piece of cloth by the mantle. It’s time for a blindfold.”

  The female ghost pulled her attention to a dagger also on the mantle. Dana tried to ignore it but the ghost had already shared her conquest of Dermott with her. Dana was being pulled.

  She obeyed, getting the blindfold and the dagger as well. Dana returned to the bed, slipped the dagger in the covers where she could reach it.

  “Ride me. But first the blindfold.” Sean looked her up and down.

  Dana felt his eyes on her burn. He’d branded her. The words echoed in her mind as she put on the blindfold and straddled him. She had fucked him and her body wanted more despite her still-tender hip.

  “You’re mine,” he said.

  “Yes.” His cock filled her and she rocked back.

  She was his. He’d marked her. But he didn
’t love her. It was like the ghost wife who wanted to be Dermott’s favorite. The ghost in the room with her was too close. The thoughts were influencing her, Dana knew. It was dangerous. They can possess you but you can never possess them. Dana now understood the impulse of the knife.

  The only way to possess was the ultimate control—over life. She lifted her blindfold and pressed it to Sean’s eyes. He laughed and put it on, no doubt indulging her because of the burn. The ghost wanted Dana to take revenge but she resisted. Trying to focus on Sean’s body. The feel. The need.

  His hand on her hip moved and his thumb grazed her brand. The sting of pain pushed her completely out of reality. Dana’s hand grabbed the knife and raised it. The haze was thick as she tried to stop. She felt the heavy dagger in her hand aimed straight at his heart. As the downward motion began, Dana pulled away and dropped the knife to the floor.

  More than anything she wanted Sean in her life—alive.

  Shaking, she climbed off and sat next to him. Her act of defiance sent both ghosts from the castle. Dana felt them leave. But it was Sean who removed the blindfold and stared at her. She had to make it up to him.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  “What the hell?” He looked at the knife.

  “The other ghost. She was so strong. I fought. She tried to convince me you’d always want other women too. Never be content with me. Just like Dermott.” It sounded so foolish in her head. “She was one of Dermott’s wives.”

  “The one who killed him? I felt his need for revenge somehow.” Sean sat up next to her.

  “Yes. She wanted to be his only, his favorite. She wanted to be special but he never treated her any differently. And she’s the one who truly loved him.” Dana fought her emotions. She wanted Sean. It was crazy.

  “So she killed him?” Sean asked.

  Dana nodded. “No one else could have him ever again. I love you, I want you for myself but I won’t hurt you.”

  “Can you get rid of the ghosts?” He held her hand.

  “They left when I didn’t kill you. Now they know I won’t play their game. I’m sure they’ve gone for good. I’m sorry it took so long.” She started to move away.

  Sean held her. “You’re stronger than I am.” He traced a finger around the brand.

  “It’s just a little burn. This was almost murder. She cut out his heart and threw it in the fire.” A tear ran down her cheek.

  “I love you.” He kissed the tear away.

  “Don’t. Don’t feel bad about the burn. It’ll heal. She wanted me to cut your heart out.” Dana pulled away.

  Sean had the superior strength and pulled her to the bed. “I don’t feel bad. I didn’t want to hurt you but I wanted you to be mine—forever.”

  “I can’t share. The ghost was right. I let her in because I felt exactly like she did. I want to be the only one.”

  “You are. I’m not him. I don’t need anyone else.”

  “Yesterday you said you wished you’d started this years ago. Remember?”

  “I remember. But without you it never worked. I should’ve come to the castle years ago. Found you years ago in Boston. Something. You’re what I need.” He kissed her softly.

  Dana kissed him back. The tears slid down in relief and happiness.

  “Really?” she asked.

  “What do I have to do to prove it?”

  The offer intrigued her. “Anything?” she asked.

  “Anything.” He looked her in the eye.

  She smiled. “You don’t have to do anything. But I’d feel better if you had a matching tattoo to my burn.”

  “You want me marked?”

  “It’s only fair.” She kissed his chin.

  “Done the day we’re back in Boston.”

  “I get to watch,” she added.

  “You have to watch—even if I turn out to be a bleeder.” He kissed her until his erection returned.

  Dana moved to rub him. She needed him inside her—to know it was all okay. That he forgave her. His hands moved on her body and Dana wrapped her arms around his neck. “Fuck me, please.”

  “Always.” He slid deep inside of her.

  Dana knew she’d never be alone and never let another ghost influence her again—at least not that dramatically.

  He thrust deep, in and out, and Dana didn’t fight the intense orgasm that overtook her, faster than ever before. She arched in pleasure, scoring his back with her nails and biting his shoulder.

  “Dana.” He grunted as her climax worked him fast as well.

  Dana felt the rush of his cum inside her and trembled at the fullness. She closed her eyes and soaked in the feel of him.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Perfect.”

  “We have one more night. What do you want to do?” he asked.

  Biting her lip, she thought and then smiled. “I almost tried to kill you. I really think that I deserve a spanking.”

  Sean grinned and rolled her over.

  About the Author

  A lover of unusual things, Cheryl Dragon enjoys writing unique stories of sinfully hot erotic romance, pure erotica or paranormals with a psychic twist. Never at a loss for ideas, there are plenty of stories yet to be written. Her two favorite settings are Las Vegas and New Orleans—where anything can happen.

  Cheryl lives in the Chicagoland area with her deaf albino cat. By day she analyzes numbers as an Assistant Controller for a division of a large international company, which leaves her creative side free for writing.

  Cheryl welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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  Also by Cheryl Dragon

  An Extreme Haunting

  Also see Cheryl’s books at The Lotus Circle (www.thelotuscircle.com):

  I’m Okay, You’re Dead

  I’m Okay, You’re a Fake

  Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

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