Shrink Wrap 02 - Seeing is Believing

by Kris Starr

  Jessie laughed softly. “It was definitely my pleasure.” She reached down to flick a fingernail lightly against one of his nipples. “What do you say to a little more fun?”

  Gently pushing her back to lie on the sofa, Nicholas reached for one of her boots and began unlacing it. “Who said we were finished yet?” He dropped one Doc Marten onto the carpet and turned to quickly add its mate, as well as her socks. Turning his attention to her belly, he leaned in closer to unbutton her cargo pants and pulled the zipper down, placing a slow, gentle kiss on the newly exposed skin.

  Gasping softly, Jessie reached up to push the blazer from Nicholas’ shoulders, adding it to the rapidly growing pile of garments on the floor. While he nuzzled the edge of her panties, she made quick work of the remaining buttons of his oxford shirt, opened the cuffs and pushed the material off him as well. Her hands lingered on his muscular shoulders, marveling at the hardness concealed just beneath the skin.

  Nicholas’ hands slipped underneath her ass and he nudged her upward, grasping the waistband of her pants and sliding them slowly over her hips when she complied. Inching the khaki material down her thighs, Nicholas followed its path with his mouth, trailing kisses alternating with catlike licks of his tongue along her inner thigh, avoiding her newly aching pussy.

  His thumbs stroking her flesh, he slipped the pants off then moved back up her body, reverently caressing and kissing, pausing to worship first one breast and then the other before reaching her bunched-up tank top and bra.

  One step ahead of him, Jessie lifted her torso from the sofa and raised her arms, allowing him to slip the garments off over her head before settling back down on the cushions.

  Flickering a gaze over Nicholas’ supremely impressive form, Jessie nevertheless arched an eyebrow. “I think one of us is a little overdressed.”

  Feigning surprise, Nicholas smiled, the corners of his mouth curving into the sexiest smirk Jessie had ever seen.

  Bending low over her hips, Nicholas hooked his thumbs under the elastic of her panties. “I think one of us definitely is.” He gave a short tug.

  Choking back a laugh, Jessie put her palms on his shoulders and gave a gentle shove. “As much as I like where this is going, I meant you, you big dummy.”

  Nicholas chuckled. “Oh sure,” he said, abandoning her underwear with a look of mock regret, “make me do everything. Is that how this works?” He rose smoothly, toed off his shoes and reached down to remove his socks. His gaze never leaving Jessie, he straightened and without a hint of self-consciousness pushed his slacks and boxers fully off his hips, sending them into a puddle at his feet.

  Suddenly quite breathless, Jessie gazed in wonder at the most delicious naked male body she’d quite likely ever seen. His skin was golden, a faint sprinkling of hair visible on his forearms and chest, and each part seemed lean and toned. He was almost like some kind of animal, graceful and sleek, and Jessie’s heart instantly lodged in her throat.

  Resuming his position on the sofa, Nicholas nuzzled her pussy through her panties, his breath hot through the fabric.

  “That better?” he murmured between kisses, then gave her a hard swipe with his tongue through the flimsy cotton, already soaked with her own juices.

  Jessie made a keening noise, arching her back slightly off the cushion. Jesus God, he wasn’t even fully touching her, and she was almost ready to fly apart again.

  Nicholas chuckled roughly, continuing to probe at her with his tongue. “Sounds like it is.” He hooked his thumbs once again under the elastic at her hips and gave a sharp yank. Working the garment down her legs and off, he refocused his attention between her legs.

  Jessie found she was holding her breath, waiting for the intimate contact, and when it came in the form of tiny, catlike licks, she gulped in a lungful of air and tangled her fingers in his silky hair.

  Nicholas’ hands had once again slid beneath her ass, raising her hips slightly, and Jessie could do nothing to stop her knees from falling open, inviting him in deeper. Apparently, Nicholas was happy to accept that invitation because his mouth immediately clamped firmly onto her pussy, his tongue dancing between flicking at her clit and probing deep inside her.

  Closing her eyes, Jessie succumbed to the current of intense pleasure and finally released her hands from Nicholas’ head, bringing her fingers to her painfully erect nipples. Tweaking and tugging at the buds, she groaned as the bliss threatened to envelop her.

  His hands abandoning their post, Nicholas brought one up to join hers, grabbing and pulling at her sensitive flesh. Grasping his wrist in her hands, Jessie raised her head and leaned in to lick his palm. An answering shudder rippled through him, and Jessie followed the action up by taking his middle finger deep into her mouth. She began to mimic her earlier sucking of his cock, scraping her teeth lightly over his knuckles, and was gratified by the hoarse moan that escaped him.

  He appeared to enjoy her ministrations because his tongue started to flick faster, and the index and middle fingers of his other hand began to slide wetly in and out of her.

  Her eyelids fluttering shut again, a vortex of swirling color appearing before her eyes, Jessie released his finger suddenly and groaned hoarsely, “Now, Nicholas! Oh, God, I’m going to come, fuck me now!”

  Nicholas needed no further encouragement. With one final, hard swipe of his tongue, he sprang upward on the sofa and with a furious thrust impaled her on his shaft.

  Starbursts appearing in her vision, Jessie stilled, the sensation of his cock deep within her fulfilling her, feeding her, satisfying her soul. And then he began to move, and Jessie’s breath was again stolen away.

  Nicholas’ thrusts were aggressive, predatory. With each meeting of flesh to flesh, Jessie felt the stamp of him pressed deeper into her skin, his mark claiming her, naming her as his, and a thrill skittered through her.

  A moment later the sensation was replaced, however. The orgasm that had hung precariously just out of reach mere moments ago was back in plain sight. Perspiration had beaded on her upper lip, another sheen of sweat covering her torso. Nicholas’ body slid against hers, his pelvis grinding down against her as he sheathed and uncovered his cock, his lips and teeth rasping against her breasts.

  A faint wild, high-pitched cry filled the room, and Jessie realized faintly it was issuing from her. With a small keening noise in the back of her throat, she could feel the steady approach of orgasm—but it could no longer be considered slow. Even as the sensation was hurtling toward her, promising hard, sharp release, time contradicted it. Seconds ticked away lethargically, and she hung agonizingly on the knife’s edge. Nicholas’ muscles tensed above her, and she knew he was almost there as well.

  He raised his head, meeting her gaze, and wonder warred with a glimpse of confusion deep in those blue depths of his.

  Wordlessly, Nicholas brought one hand to caress Jessie’s cheek then captured her mouth in a fiery, salty kiss. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Jessie arched into him and whimpered as the tidal wave clutched at her with tingling fingers, pulling her helplessly over the edge. With a low, guttural shout, Nicholas thrust once more, quivering with release as he came forcefully inside her and the two shuddered together, the shared orgasm ebbing away slowly.

  Nicholas collapsed on top of Jessie, his head against her shoulder, and she sighed contentedly. Twirling her fingers into his damp hair, she reveled in the perfection of the moment. Time had no meaning just now, and briefly, Jessie fervently wished the world could stay that way.

  A groan of satisfaction escaped Nicholas, and Jessie grinned.

  “So. Was it good for you?”

  He chuckled lazily. “You’d better believe it. You?”

  “Mmm,” she moaned, “I’ll definitely have seconds on that.”

  He kissed the top of her breast. “I like you, Jessie.”

  Jessie giggled. “I can tell. I like you too.”

  Raising his head slightly, Nicholas met her gaze, his expression one of satisfaction. “Are you hungry
? What do you say we get out of here and go get a bite? I can cancel the rest of my appointments for today.”

  Jessie frowned slightly. “Well, not to belittle what just happened, but you’re still going to help me with Gram, aren’t you?”

  Nicholas shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure you need my help with that.”

  “You don’t believe me.” At once, the warmth, the intimacy of the moment evaporated. Jessie felt her cheeks burn, identical knots appearing both in her stomach and throat.

  Nicholas’ hesitation lasted a microsecond too long. “Of course I believe—”

  Shaking her head, Jessie pushed him away as hard as she could, scrambled off the couch, crawling across the office floor. “No, you don’t. I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, Dr. Federov, but it’s not funny.”

  Nicholas blinked. “What?”

  Jessie groped for her clothing, panic rising into her mouth. She yanked her panties on with trembling hands, gave up on her bra when she couldn’t get her fingers to straighten the straps properly, and instead simply pulled on her cargo pants and tank top.

  “Jessie, listen to me.” Nicholas had begun gathering his own clothing as well. After one look at his muscular stomach flexing and straining as he bent and straightened, she averted her gaze, refusing to torture herself with any more glimpses of paradise.

  “You said you were going to help me!” Her voice cracked slightly, and she cleared her throat.

  “And you said I was fired!” he shot back, his voice tight.

  “How can you help me if you don’t even believe anything I’m telling you?” She shoved her arms somewhat viciously into the sleeves of her jacket and stuffed the crumpled-up bra into her cargo pocket. Stomping her feet into her Doc Martens, she continued muttering, more to herself than to Nicholas. “She warned me about this, but I didn’t bother listening to her. Great. So this is what I get, isn’t it?” Jessie crossed to the door and turned to look at Nicholas one more time. A tangled wave of emotions she refused to acknowledge, let alone name, swept through her. She clenched her jaw as tightly as she could to keep her lips from quivering. “What kind of parapsychologist are you, anyway?” Eyes burning, she turned away, flipped the lock and wrenched the door open. Hesitating for the briefest of moments, she exited, slamming the door shut behind her.

  “I’m a fucking crappy one.”

  His words swallowed by the empty room, Nicholas exhaled forcefully through his nose and collapsed back against the sofa. He pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes and groaned. What the hell was he supposed to do now? Every molecule in him screamed at him to go after her, but he fought the urge. Jessie had labeled him a fraud, and he’d put money on the fact that by now she’d probably think he somehow used his profession to con her into having sex with him.

  Nicholas dropped his hands into his lap and stared blearily at the door through which Jessie had just exited. Sex. With Jessie. Even with her anger and accusations still ringing in his ears, he wanted her again. The intensity of his hunger surprised and shocked him. He’d never wanted anyone like this before, and at that moment, he knew with an unshakable certainty that he would never want anyone else.

  But how in God’s name was he supposed to prove that fact to her?

  Even in the same instant that he posed the question to himself, the answer appeared.

  By helping her get rid of the ghost.

  Nicholas dressed quickly. Okay, he admitted to himself, he didn’t have idea one about where to go from here. But he needed to make right. And nobody had said he couldn’t ask for help…

  Crossing over to his desk, Nicholas sat and punched the appropriate buttons to turn his telephone back on. He pushed the intercom button. “Edie?”

  “Yes, Dr. Federov? Is everything okay?”

  Nicholas took a deep breath. This was taking a significant chance. There was no guarantee this would even work, and his career could be put in serious jeopardy—but frankly, what choice did he have?

  “Everything’s fine. Edie,” he forced the words out in a rush, “do you have Murray’s telephone number?”

  Chapter Four

  For probably the tenth time in as many minutes, Nicholas glanced at his wristwatch. Agitated, he drummed his fingers on the tabletop and peered out the window of the diner at the bustling after-work crowd outside. Murray was late.

  Taking a gulp of his lukewarm coffee, Nicholas again pondered the insanity of his plan. What if Murray didn’t show up after all? While Nicholas certainly didn’t hate the man—how could he, really, if they didn’t actually know each other very well?—there was certainly no love lost between them, particularly on Murray’s part. Nicholas snorted softly and glanced toward the door. Murray wasn’t fond of him, he knew that, but Nicholas had nothing to do with the fact that the guy lost his job. He could only hope that Murray wasn’t going to be petty about the situation. Especially considering that he didn’t have any significant sort of compensation to offer the man for his help.

  And the fact that what he was about to do could seriously fuck up his own career.

  He’d just started contemplating the merits of coming up with a Plan B when he spotted a lanky older man in faded jeans, a blue baseball jacket and old-fashioned newsboy cap heading toward the diner. The guy pushed the door open and paused, surveying the room. He met Nicholas’ gaze and headed over.

  “Nice table,” he said by way of greeting. “So you’re the new kid, huh?”

  Nicholas inclined his head. “Thanks for coming, Dr. Murray. Have a seat.”

  Murray lowered himself easily onto the chair, doffing his cap and placing it on the table. A tired-looking waitress appeared and looked at him expectantly.

  Murray glanced at Nicholas. “You buying?”

  Biting back a retort, Nicholas rolled his eyes and nodded.

  Turning his attention to the waitress, Murray continued. “Okay then, bring me a ham and Swiss on rye with mayo and mustard, a piece of pie—prefer apple or blueberry, if you’ve got it—and a large mochaccino, heavy on the foam, with a sprinkle of cinnamon.”

  The woman gone, Murray turned his attention back to Nicholas, the expression on his face one of bemused curiosity.

  Yeah, Nicholas thought darkly, it’s because he thinks he’s got me by the balls on this. Dammit. The men studied each other for several moments. Apparently, the good doctor had no qualms about making Nicholas sweat.

  Forcing his features into what he hoped was a more pleasant, open expression, he took a deep breath. “Look, Dr. Murray—”

  “You can call me Peter, kid.”

  “Peter,” Nicholas amended, “like I told you on the phone, I seem to be having a little bit of trouble with one of the clinic’s patients.”

  “It’s not one of mine?” Peter repeated the question he’d posed on the telephone.

  “No. It’s—she’s—new to the clinic.”

  Murray accepted his food and drink from the waitress, giving her, Nicholas thought, a rather smarmy wink. A brief flicker of amusement ran through him. This guy had all the markings of a complete smooth-talking con.

  Watching as the other man dug into his generous sandwich with obvious relish, Nicholas continued, hoping to hold Peter’s attention.

  “This woman claims to see—”

  Murray’s dill pickle landed on his plate with a small, wet thump. “Look, sonny. I know what’s going on.”

  Nicholas blinked. “You do?”

  Peter shrugged. “Of course. What you’ve gone and done is gotten yourself in over your head with somebody’s situation. It’s time to take a step back and reassess. What Jessie needs—”

  “Wait a minute,” Nicholas interrupted sharply, “who said anything about Jessie?”

  Murray pinned him with a what-do-you-take-me-for stare. “Of course it’s about Jessie. You know it, and I know it, so let’s stop with the Mr. Innocent act, all right?”

  Briefly taken aback, Nicholas finally nodded. “Fine,” he said grudgingly. “It’s abou
t Jessie. She got the impression that I don’t believe the whole Gram thing—”

  “—which you don’t,” Murray interrupted, his mouth full of meat and cheese.

  Nicholas simply stared at the man.

  Murray shook his head. “I told you, kid, things will go a lot more smoothly when you start telling the truth. Trust me on that one.”

  Nicholas closed his eyes and exhaled forcefully through his nose. “All right. I don’t believe her. What kind of bullshit is that, a hot-to-trot spook who likes seeing other people have sex?” He swallowed uncomfortably and not a little self-consciously, the words leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

  Eyes narrowed suspiciously, Murray snorted. “She doesn’t like to watch people having sex, kid. She transfers her arousal onto other people, specifically Jessie. And poor Jessie ends up suffering because of it.” He took a large sip of coffee. “What do they teach you guys in school nowadays anyway?”

  Nicholas ignored the question. “So it is true? The whole transfer thing?” A sharp pang appeared low in his gut. Gram had been there in his office, hadn’t she? What if it was actually Gram who was interested in him and not Jessie? Wouldn’t that mean that Jessie didn’t really want to have sex with him? That Gram had encouraged her to be intimate for her own kicks? The coffee in his stomach roiled dangerously. “Oh crap.”

  “What, ‘Oh crap’?”

  Nicholas glanced at the older man. Murray was eyeing him shrewdly over the rim of his oversized mug. Suddenly, two things occurred to him. One, that Peter Murray was probably a lot smarter than anyone had given him credit for, and two, that he’d actually said those words aloud. He took a deep breath. “I think Gram might have done something earlier today.”

  One of Murray’s eyebrows quirked upward. “To you? Or through Jessie?”

  Nicholas frowned. “What do you mean, to me? She’s a ghost, for fuck’s sake. How could she—” He glanced at Murray, noting that the tips of the man’s sizeable ears had turned pink. “What? She didn’t really do anything to you, did she?”