The Dirty Dozen: Damsel Edition

by Kay Maree

  “There’s no need to fear us,” Jaxon explained, reaching out to touch Gina’s hand.

  She backed up a step. “I’m not scared, I’m confused. I’ve known you all my life, Jaxon Sanders. How is it that I never knew about this? And Tori? How could she lie to me all these years?”

  “In Tori’s defense,” Ben interjected, “she’s recently turned. So, she didn’t lie to you, hon.”

  Gina returned her attention back to Claire. “Are you like them?”

  Claire shook her head. “No. Look, Gina, please sit down and let us explain everything. It’s really not as bad as it seems right now. I went through the same emotions when I first found out.”

  “Okay,” Gina responded in a quiet tone. “We’ll sit.”

  Jaxon, Claire, and Ben moved to sit on the couch while Gina pulled Colton toward the chair that faced them. She gestured for him to sit, and then she lowered herself onto his lap.

  Colton nearly swallowed his tongue.

  “So, you all can see Colton?”

  It was Ben who answered. “Everyone but Claire. Though she will live a long life like Jaxon, she’s just as normal as you.”

  “Define normal,” Jaxon murmured sarcastically, earning an elbow to the ribs from Claire.

  Colton asked the next question. “How is it that the cat can see me. Is he a shifter too?”

  Jaxon shook his head. “He’s a familiar. A psychotic one at that.”

  The cat bared his teeth at Jaxon.

  “His name is Psycho,” Claire intervened, pulling the cat onto her lap. It quickly became obvious to Colton that Jaxon didn’t approve of Claire holding the feline.

  Claire glanced around the room as if searching for Colton’s presence.

  “I’m sitting on his lap,” Gina informed her, drawing Claire’s attention to the chair.

  Colton watched Claire search for the right words to say. “I’ve never met a ghost. I don’t think any of us have. Please pardon our rudeness.”

  Gina abruptly took hold of Colton’s hand and then leaned forward, offering her other to Claire.

  At Claire’s questioning look, Gina elaborated. “I’m not sure if this works for everyone, but it has before. Take hold of my hand.”

  Claire slid her palm against Gina’s, and her eyes immediately widened. “Oh my…”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Gina held on to Claire’s hand, her heart pounding with everything she’d just been told. Jaxon was a shifter, and the cat, a familiar.

  Claire continued to stare at a place beyond Gina’s shoulder. “You’re really here…”

  Colton moved beneath Gina’s bottom to peer over her shoulder. “My name’s Colton. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Claire.”

  “Likewise,” Claire mumbled, her eyes huge and unblinking.

  Gina released her hold on Claire’s hand and switched her gaze to Ben. “Are you a shifter too?”

  “I’m a familiar, only a bit different than the feline there.”

  “Different, how?” Gina asked.

  “Psycho keeps his feline appearance when his presence isn’t needed. I, on the other hand, can take many forms.”

  Gina swallowed hard, glancing back at the cat.

  “Show her, Psycho,” Ben rumbled.

  The cat jumped from Claire’s arms.

  “In the bathroom,” Jaxon growled, narrowing his eyes at the cat.

  Gina sat rooted to Colton’s lap as the cat trotted off down the hall and disappeared from view.

  Seconds later, a tall, gorgeous man with midnight-black hair and yellow-green eyes appeared at the edge of the living room, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist.

  Colton stiffened beneath Gina.

  “Psycho?” Gina whispered, feeling as if she might faint.

  Claire was instantly on her feet. She knelt before Gina and took hold of her hands. “It’s okay. I know what you’re feeling. I felt the same way when I first learned that there were other beings on the earth with us. But they’re here to help. They won’t harm you. You have my word.”

  Gina nodded numbly, never taking her gaze from the gorgeous man wearing the skimpy towel. “He’s real, isn’t he?”

  But she knew. She’d seen the evidence with her own eyes.

  Claire squeezed Gina’s fingers, drawing her attention down to Claire’s upturned face. “He’s real, as is Jaxon and Ben.”

  “And your baby?” Gina’s mind wanted to rebel against the thought, but something inside her knew the answer before Claire spoke.

  “Grayson is a shifter as well.”

  “I thought you would say that.” Gina turned her gaze back to Psycho, her mind scrambling to believe what stood before her.

  Claire let go of Gina’s hands and returned to the sofa. “Psycho’s real name is Kyle, and he’ll be staying with you until this Strangler is caught.”

  “Like hell,” Colton practically snarled, moving Gina off his lap and gaining his feet.

  Kyle smirked before meandering back to the bathroom. He returned a moment later in the form of the black feline.

  Colton moved to Gina’s side. “I’m sorry, but you can’t seriously be considering allowing that thing to stay here.”

  Gina pinched the bridge of her nose and faced the group on the couch. “This is a lot to take in. I need some time to process it all. Besides, I thought Tori sent you here to check on me because of Colton. You’ve seen that he’s not here to hurt me, so what’s the point in Psycho staying here?”

  “Damien is the one who called us about Colton. But then we heard about the sheriff’s daughter and decided it would be a good idea to bring the feline with us. Besides, what’s Colton going to do if the Strangler decides you’re his next victim? He’s not even alive!” Jaxon exclaimed, flicking his gaze to Colton. “No offense.”

  Colton crossed his powerful arms over his chest. “Neither are Tori and Damien, but I doubt you swung by their coffins to offer up the cat before coming here.”

  Psycho hissed from his perch next to Claire.

  Jaxon got to his feet. “Damien and Victoria can take care of themselves. Neither of them are in any danger from the Strangler. Gina, on the other hand, is.”

  Gina stepped between the two men, watching as the cat scurried down the hall to the bathroom once more. “Colton’s right, Jaxon. I can take care of myself. I have him here to keep an eye on things, and I also have a pistol that I keep with me at all times.”

  “I don’t like it,” Jaxon persisted, glancing at Claire for obvious help.

  Ben spoke from his seat on the couch. “Did you see the news about the sheriff’s daughter? That was only about five miles from here. Too close to home, Cherokee.”

  “I know about April. Colton is the one who saved her life,” Gina pointed out.

  Claire gasped, Jaxon’s mouth fell open, and Ben pushed to his feet.

  Kyle sauntered up the hallway. “How is it that a spirit saved that girl’s life?”

  Gina explained as best she could what Colton had told her about his abilities, ending with, “He got to her in time.”

  “And how is it that you are able to see him and Claire isn’t?” Kyle pressed, coming farther into the room.

  Colton answered for her. “She carries the White Buffalo totem.”

  “I’ve heard of that.” Kyle adjusted his towel and studied Gina closely. “So, that’s why they refer to you as Cherokee. You have Native American blood running through your veins.”

  Gina nodded. “My mother is Cherokee.”

  “And your father?” Kyle persisted. “Is he Cherokee as well?”

  “I never met my father. But from what mother has told me of him, he had light hair and blue eyes.”

  Kyle swiftly apologized. “I’m sorry. It was not my intention to pry.” He turned to Claire, Jaxon, and Ben. “The White Buffalo is sacred to the Native Americans. It is believed that those who are born with this totem are the bringers of the light, the builde
rs of the bridge. Their medicine is to cross between planes.”

  Gina’s heart began to pound. “My mother told me some of this. I never really understood what it meant. To be honest, I still don’t.”

  “May I?” Kyle asked before reaching for Gina’s hand.

  With a hesitant nod, Gina accepted his outstretched palm. “How is it that you know so much about this?”

  Kyle held her gaze. “My grandmother was Cherokee, and she too carried the White Buffalo totem.”

  Gina stood completely still as Kyle continued. “White Buffalo is the totem for one whose life path is to awaken the souls of others. Yet in order to fulfill this role, she needs first to find the light within herself. The light within will illuminate the process of discovery and lead you to the doorway between planes, the gate where the blue road and the red road intersect.”

  He took a deep breath before continuing. “Your soul has been gifted the blessing of White Buffalo totem through your actions of selflessness in previous incarnations… In your ability to integrate the many aspects of yourself into one, in the current life, as you seek truth and understanding. But with this gift comes great responsibility, for the commitment is to build the bridge between planes so that the lost might cross.”

  Gina pulled her hand free, her mind whirling with all she’d been told. Though Lani had attempted many times to educate her daughter about her gifts, Gina had never truly listened. She listened now. “So, Colton is here because he needs my help.”

  Kyle glanced at Colton before returning his attention to Gina. “More than likely.”

  “If you all will excuse me,” Gina numbly whispered. “I think I need to be alone.”

  The trio on the couch stood, concern evident on their faces.

  Claire wrapped her arms around Gina as Jaxon and Ben headed for the door. “We didn’t come to upset you, honey. We truly want to help.”

  “I know, Claire. And I appreciate it, but I’ve got it covered.” At least, she prayed she did.

  Kyle was the last one to the door. He stopped and pinned Gina with a serious stare. “We’re a phone call away.”

  Gina opened her mouth to thank him, gasping as a black feline suddenly stood in the place where Kyle had just been.

  The cat slinked out the door, leaving the towel to pool in the entrance.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Colton stood rooted to the spot long after Gina had picked up the discarded towel and locked the door behind her friends.

  He waited until she turned to face him before speaking. “That really just happened.”

  Her face appeared pale and drawn. “It did. I have a headache. I think I’ll go lie down for a while.”

  His stomach clenched at the forlorn sound of her voice.

  She trailed past him and disappeared into her bedroom.

  Colton didn’t know whether to give her some space or follow. He decided on the latter.

  He appeared in her room to find her lying on her side in the center of the bed. “I’m sorry for everything.”

  She didn’t look at him. “I’m supposed to help you to leave me.”

  “You don’t know that for sure.” Colton slipped around to the side of the bed and dropped to his knees before her.

  “I do know that. And so do you.”

  His heart squeezed. “I don’t have to leave, Gina. I can stay here until it’s time for you to leave. We can go together.”

  “I can’t do that to you. It’s wrong. Everything inside me screams that it’s wrong.”

  He stood and climbed onto the bed. “Don’t think about it today. Time changes everything, Gina. Nothing ever stays the same. Who knows what the future holds?”

  They lay quietly, facing each other for long moments.

  Gina broke the silence. “There were shifters in my house. Shifters and familiars. Do you realize how crazy this all seems to me? I had supernatural beings in my living room. And I’m lying here talking to a ghost. Albeit a gorgeous ghost, but a ghost nonetheless.”

  To hide his pain at her words, Colton smiled. “It could be worse. You could be lying here talking to a hideous ghost.”

  Gina’s lips twitched. “That’s true. Thank God for that.”

  She reached up and laid her palm against the side of his face. “Make me forget, Colton. Even if for a short time.”

  Though he ached inside from her admission, his body reacted to her words. He wanted her, plain and simple.

  Without thinking, he sat up and jerked his shirt over his head. And then it hit him. He’d removed his shirt for the first time since his death.

  Gina’s smile held a wealth of pain and sorrow. “See, I told you.”

  “Making new memories,” he whispered, reaching for his belt.

  Colton had his clothes off in no time, including his boots, yet his gaze remained on Gina as she undressed in front of him.

  God, but she was beautiful. How would he ever leave her when the time came? He didn’t know, but for now, he would love her breathless.

  Love? his mind whispered in surprise. Was he falling in love with Gina?

  Her voice brought him out of his turmoil. “Don’t hold back with me, Colton. I need you. All of you.”

  Colton stared back at her for a brief moment, fighting the raging lust rising inside him. It felt hot, urgent, and animalistic.

  She seemed to read his thoughts. “Yes. Do what it is you’re thinking. Do it.”

  Gripping her thighs, he suddenly flipped her over, jerked her onto her knees, and buried his face in her from behind.

  Gina gasped, grabbing onto the headboard for support, and spread her knees wider for him.

  Colton growled against her, bringing his hand up to penetrate her with a finger.

  She moaned, her hips tilting higher for deeper penetration.

  He licked and sucked her, slowly pumping his finger into her depths.

  Rolling to his back, he slid his face beneath her and opened his mouth over her once more.

  She cried out at the sensation, telling him without words she enjoyed his oral play.

  He inserted another finger inside her, never slowing the onslaught of his tongue.

  A third finger joined the others to sink into her again and again.

  Her hips began to move in time with his thrusting fingers and tongue.

  “Colton!” she gasped, her vaginal walls beginning to tighten around his ever-moving fingers.

  He quickly backed off, gripped her hips, and practically yanked her to the side of the bed. “Don’t move.”

  Gina groaned in protest. “You stopped. I can’t believe you stopped.”

  Snagging the small wooden chair from the corner of her room, Colton situated it at the foot of the bed with the back of the chair facing the footboard.

  He rounded the bed, took her by the arm, and led her to the chair.

  Gina’s eyes were luminous and hooded. She held completely still, waiting to see what he would do next.

  Colton slowly sat, opened his knees, and tugged her around to the front of him. “Put your legs over mine and hold on to the footboard of the bed.”

  Gina did as she was told, straddling his lap and gripping the footboard.

  He spread his knees wider, inserted the same three fingers into her depths, and circled her swollen nub of nerves with his thumb. “I want to see those beautiful eyes when you come.”

  Her breathing grew uneven once more, and her head fell back on shoulders.

  Colton slowed his movements. “No. I want you looking at me.”

  She brought her head up, her lips parted in pleasure. “Jesus, Colton. You’re driving me mad.”

  He pulled his fingers from her, gripped his erection, and drove in deep.

  Gina cried out, but she didn’t look away. Her thighs tightened over his, and her hips began to buck.

  Colton had to hold on to her to keep her seated on his thrusting shaft.

  She was wild and p
assionate, taking him to the verge of hell only to bring him heaven.

  “Come for me,” he demanded between clenched teeth. Fire raced up his spine, sending him into a frenzy he had no control over.

  Gina’s mouth opened without sound. Her breath came in short, quick bursts to fan out over Colton’s face. But she didn’t look away. No, she held his gaze as if he were the only thing anchoring her to reality.

  An overwhelming feeling of ecstasy consumed Colton. He had no control of his body, mind, or heart in that moment.

  A shout burst from him with the feel of Gina’s inner walls contracting around him. He exploded inside her hard enough he nearly bucked them both off the chair.

  His body continued to seize the longer he remained beneath her, staring into her passion-glazed eyes.

  “Are you okay?” he managed between rounds of greatly needed oxygen.

  Gina rested her forehead against his, shuddering one last time. “Better than okay. My God, Colton. That was hot as hell.”

  A satisfied smile touched his lips. He kissed her nose, tightening his arms around her. “I can’t begin to tell you how incredible you are. If you would have told me a few days ago that I’d be sitting in this chair, buried inside you like this, I’d have thought you were crazy.”

  “I am crazy,” she teased, kissing him back. “Haven’t you figured that out by now? My closest friends are vampires and shifters. And I’m falling for a ghost that no one can see but me and the damn vampires and shifters.”

  Colton stilled, wondering if she realized the meaning of the words spilling from her lips. “You’re falling for me?”

  She raised her head, backing up enough to gaze into his eyes. The corner of her mouth lifted. “Well, I certainly hope you don’t think I have sex with every ghost I meet.”

  He reached up and cupped the sides of her face, his heart swelling with emotion. “Oh? Just how many ghosts have you slept with?”

  “Only the good-looking ones.” She chuckled, the sound wrapping around him in a warm haze.

  Covering her mouth with his, Colton pulled her against him. He could feel himself rapidly growing erect inside her once again.

  She moaned into his mouth, her body growing pliant in his arms.