* * * *
Caroline was distracted all day long, and she felt relieved when she finally went upstairs to her room. She changed into a nightgown, for once, even though she suspected she might not spend much time wearing it. It was pink and a bit frilly, but it still looked sexy in a sweet kind of way. She lit her candle, then went to wash her face.
When she came out of the bathroom, Michael was sitting on her bed with his back to her. She stopped as soon as she saw him. She'd thought he would wait until she was in bed again, but as he was there, she wouldn't complain about his arrival time.
He turned to look at her, and then smiled as his eyes roamed up and down her body. He stood up and pulled his jacket off, then took his shirt off. His chest was pale and hairless, but it looked rock-hard and perfectly toned. She immediately wanted to run her hands over the smooth, hard muscles.
But he was quicker to act than she was. He circled around behind her, then leaned forward to kiss her cheek as his hands moved from her waist up to her breasts. He cupped them gently and took a deep breath as he buried his face in her blonde hair.
"Ye're exquisite, me darlin',” he whispered. “I can't wait to give ye all the pleasure ye deserve."
His fingers played across her nipples, and she pressed her body close to his. The leather of his pants was warm against her ass, and she could feel his hard cock straining at the material.
She turned her head so she could look up into his eyes. “Why me?"
"Because I've been waitin’ for ye. I've been waitin’ for someone special.” He put his hand under her chin and kissed her. He began gently, but he soon let his desire take control. She turned and went into his arms, running her hands through his hair as his fingers explored her back and caressed her ass.
She'd never been kissed like this before. She felt she was special, that he would never want any other woman besides her. She had never been so aroused before either. She shivered as he pressed her closer, making sure she felt how much he wanted her.
He finally ended the kiss and led her over to the bed. He slipped her gown over her head quickly, then sat on the bed to look at her.
Caroline looked up at the ceiling. She didn't think she was unattractive, but she didn't feel she was exactly in Michael's league either. She looked down at him when she felt his hands on her stomach. They were shaking, and he ran his fingers across her skin very gently.
He looked up at her, and she could see the desire flaming in his eyes. “I told ye that ye were beautiful, Caroline. Don't ye dare be thinkin’ otherwise.” He pulled her closer and closed his mouth over her left nipple, sucking gently then rolling his tongue around it. She ran her fingers through his hair again, loving the silky feel of it. And she soon felt his fingers moving up and down her thigh, going higher and higher each time.
She spread her legs wider so he could touch her, and again he was very gentle. He ran one finger over her clit, and she gasped. She'd never been so alive to any man's touch. He explored her wet heat and soon looked up into her eyes. He pulled her down onto the bed next to him and continued running his hands over her body. He began kissing her stomach, moving down to get on his knees beside the bed, and she felt what was coming next. Her heart began to race. No man had ever pleasured her that way, but she felt glad because she wanted Michael to be the first. She drew in a breath when she felt his tongue on her clit, moving slowly around the swollen nub. She propped herself up on her elbows so she could watch him.
He seemed completely consumed by her. She almost couldn't believe this man wasn't real. But who am I to say he isn't? Ghost or not, he was giving her the kind of pleasure she'd always dreamed of. The kind of pleasure she'd been waiting for. She hadn't come to the land of her mother to get away from life in a big American city. She'd come here to find this man.
He began moving his fingers in and out of her as he sucked her clit. She loved the sound of his heavy breathing, the liquid rhythm of his fingers stroking in and out, bringing her so close to release. She moaned as she felt the coil in her belly tightening, as her clit became more sensitive with each second. She throbbed and ached, ready to explode.
She came suddenly, the pleasure so great it almost hurt, and the waves of pleasure coursed through her body slowly but intensely. She thrust her hips to meet his hand and his mouth. His tongue still worked her clit, and the power of the sensation drove her mad.
"Michael,” she gasped. “Kiss me. Please kiss me."
He was on top of her in a moment, kissing her deeply. She could taste her own cream in every part of his mouth, and she moaned with delight as he rubbed his body against hers. Her breasts and pussy were tingling, and her entire body felt as if it were floating above the bed.
"Ye taste like heaven, Caroline.” He trailed kisses over her face. “Ye're an angel sent to save me."
She held his face so she could look into his eyes. “What do you mean? I don't want to spoil this moment, but can't you tell me?"
"There's not much to tell. But I know without a doubt ye're the one.” He kissed her again.
She didn't want to pressure him, and she did trust him, so she allowed him to distract her with his sweet tongue.
When he released her, he said, “I promise to tell ye all, but not now.” He smiled as he rubbed his cock against her thigh. “Ye can't just leave a man in this kind of agony."
She giggled and wrapped her legs around his waist. “I think I know just how to relieve you."
He slid inside her still slick opening, never taking his eyes away from hers. He moved in and out slowly as he gazed into her eyes. He filled her completely, and she moaned as another orgasm began to build. The look in his eyes was so tender yet so intense she couldn't break away from his gaze. He pumped faster, hitting just the right spot inside her, his lips skimming hers as their breath mingled. They came at almost the same time, and his lips captured hers completely as they both rode out their pleasure.
As they rolled onto their sides, tangled in each other's arms, Caroline thought she noticed a few glistening wet spots below his eyes. She kissed him on both cheeks and pulled him close. Soon he slept in her arms. She held him against her all night, praying he would soon open up to her completely.
* * * *
Caroline was folding hand towels in the kitchen when Betsy came in. She looked around to make sure they were alone, then sat down next to Caroline and grabbed a few towels to fold.
"I think I found out who he is,” she whispered.
"What do you mean?” Caroline asked.
"Colin said a lad named Michael did die here about forty years ago. Crashed his bike into the stone wall that used to line the drive."
"What happened?"
"He always came in with this one girl, see, but then one night he was in here alone and the girl showed up with another fella. The two men got into a shouting match, and the owner told them to take it outside. Well, Michael left, but he came back about two hours later, completely sloshed. He crashed right into the stones and hit his head. Colin was just a young thing, barely older than Nick, but he remembered it clearly because he'd been outside trying to get one fella to let his wife drive him home."
Caroline thought about this for a long moment, and Betsy didn't press her to say what she thought.
She finally asked, “So what could it mean? How can I help him?"
Betsy shrugged. “He died hurtin', that's fer sure. Maybe he luved her, maybe he didn't, but I think luv is the key."
"I have to love him? Or he has to love me, to trust again?"
"Seems as likely as anythin’ to me. Ye have time to figure it out."
Caroline was puzzled. “How do you know?"
Betsy rolled her eyes, but in a loving way. “Today is October First. I think whatever has to happen will have to take place by Samhain. Ye both have to find what ye're lookin’ fer."
Caroline sighed. “I feel like I already have. It seems too perfect."
"Nonsense. If it feels right, don't ye go questionin’ it. Yer
heart and yer blood will pull ye both through it all."
Caroline smiled. “How do you know just what to say?"
Betsy gathered up all the towels they'd folded and headed for the cupboard. “I've worked in pubs for most of me life, and raised four children. Ye don't get wisdom by gettin’ old. Ye get it by livin'."
Caroline had to agree with her. Betsy was the wisest person she'd ever known. She only hoped she could put that wisdom to good use with Michael.
* * * *
Even though Caroline was armed with very useful information, she had a hard time forcing herself to use it. The minute Michael appeared, she went straight into his arms and everything else flew right out of her head. She knew she needed to talk to him, but she didn't know how to begin. Wouldn't he know what Betsy had told me? He seemed to know everything that went on around The Drum. But he never brought it up.
As the end of the month grew closer, Caroline finally told herself she had to do something. With one week to go before Samhain, she forced herself to broach the subject.
Lying in Michael's arms, Caroline asked, “Can you tell me what I have to do, or will that ruin everything?"
Michael looked at her, confused, “What do ye mean? Ye don't have to do anythin'."
"What do I have to do for you to help you? Samhain is almost here."
Michael stared out the window. “I know. I feel the power more every day.” But then he smiled. “Ye've adapted to our ways pretty quickly, haven't ye?"
"Michael, I have to tell you something."
He shook his head. “No, ye don't. I already know ye know all about me. But that doesn't change a thing."
"Why not? I don't understand what I need to do."
He pulled her close for a sweet, lingering kiss. “Ye've already done it. So don't ye be worryin’ about it.” His hand found its way between her legs, and she moaned as he caressed her, stroking her clit in the way he knew would get her even wetter than she already was.
"I don't want to lose you,” she said as she put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
"I'll never leave ye, luv. Never.” He lay back on the bed, moving her on top of him.
Caroline repositioned herself and licked the head of his cock. Then she took most of the shaft into her mouth, making him groan. She traced circles on his thigh with her fingernail as she ran her tongue up and down his cock before swirling it around the tip.
"I need ye now, Caroline,” Michael managed to say.
"A girl has to whet her appetite,” she said before taking his cock completely in her mouth, relaxing to let it move down her throat a bit.
Michael thrust up into her mouth, but then he said, “There'll be time for that later. Now I need you."
Caroline had to admit she was surprised, but she certainly wasn't going to deny him. “You're full of surprises, aren't you?” She straddled him and began slowly moving down onto his cock.
When she'd taken all of his cock, he put his hands on her hips and began to thrust. “And I'm savin’ the very best for last."
She didn't have time to think about what he meant. He felt so right inside her, so good. He knew her body so well by now that he thrusted just the way she liked, and hit those spots which would make her come first, and find them again when he finally found his release. Her first orgasm pulsed upward through her entire body. She ran her hands over her breasts, looking down at him and licking her lips. He quit thrusting and let her ride him, devouring her with his eyes.
As the last waves of pleasure rippled away, she pulled him up to her, wrapping her legs around his back. His cock went deeper inside her.
"Mmmm,” she purred. “That's quite a talent you have."
He pulled her close against his chest and kissed her cheek. “I luv watchin’ ye come apart in me arms. It's so beautiful."
She smiled and nibbled on his lower lip. “Then do it again."
"With pleasure,” he whispered. He rolled them over, with his cock still buried inside her, and began to move in and out of her slowly, coming almost all the way out and then going back in as deep as he could.
Caroline closed her eyes and sighed, feeling him penetrate her heart and her soul as he thrust into her body and brought them both to trembling release.
* * * *
Caroline had a hard time focusing on her work, even though the crowd was milder. Samhain night had finally come, but she still had no idea what would happen. She trusted Michael, but she didn't like being kept in the dark about his fate.
She was chatting with a girl from the village, hearing all about her new baby, when Betsy tapped her on the shoulder. Betsy normally stayed in the kitchen all night, so her appearance made Caroline apprehensive.
"What is it?” Caroline asked.
Betsy looked both surprised and excited. “Colin said a young man was here lookin’ fer ye. He's over at the corner table ‘round the other side of the bar. I think ye should take a peek before ye go over."
Caroline excused herself and moved toward the bar with Betsy right behind her. They peered around the corner and saw a young man dressed all in leather drinking a pint of Guinness.
She gasped. “It's Michael! You can see him? Colin saw him?"
Betsy nodded. “And seems to me everyone can see him, seein’ as how they aren't screaming about a floatin’ pint of beer."
Michael looked up at her and their eyes locked. He smiled and stood up.
"He's coming over here! What's happening, Betsy?"
She shook her head slowly as Michael came toward them. “I don't know. But I think all yer worries are about to be over."
Caroline took a deep breath and turned to face Michael.
"How's me best girl, then?” he asked. He acted as if there was nothing odd about him approaching her when they weren't alone or everyone else being able to see him.
"A bit surprised,” she admitted.
"I told ye I was savin’ the best for last.” Michael said something to Colin, then clapped his hands three times. “Can I have everyone's attention, please?"
Everyone stopped and stared at the newcomer standing next to Caroline, who felt her face going bright red.
"Most of ye don't know me, but I've been courtin’ this lovely lady here. And now I have somethin’ I'd like to ask her."
Caroline's eyes went wide. She searched the crowd, but no one else seemed to think this was that odd of an occurrence. Except for Nick. His mouth was hanging open, and he looked as amazed as Caroline felt.
Michael knelt down on one knee and took Caroline's hand. “Caroline, I luv ye with all my heart and soul. Ye've been me salvation, because ye taught me how to luv and ye healed me broken heart. Ye've brought me back to life, ye truly have, so please make me the happiest man alive and say ye'll be me bride."
To everyone else in the pub, this speech was sweet and touching, but nothing more. To Caroline, it explained everything. A smile spread across her face as she tried not to burst into tears.
"Yes! Of course I'll marry you!” Then she laughed. “You should have asked sooner."
Michael swept her up into his arms as the entire pub started to cheer. “I'm sorry I couldn't tell ye sooner, but I had to do it tonight."
"Is this real? Are you really...” She couldn't finish the sentence.
"Yes, I'm really alive. I foolishly lost my life because I only knew anger. I'd never really known luv, and that is what I had to learn.” He kissed her and set her back down on the floor before sliding an emerald ring onto her finger. “Ye were a wonderful teacher."
Caroline turned to look at everyone, then hugged Betsy, who was standing a few feet away looking ready to burst.
"I'm so happy fer ye, Caroline. I knew there was a reason fer ye comin’ here. Ye'll be so happy, luv,” she said, kissing her on both cheeks.
"I'm so glad you were here for me, Betsy. You have to be in the wedding."
Betsy made a dismissive gesture and pushed her back toward Michael. “We'll worry ‘bout that stuff later. Go back
to yer man and enjoy yer night."
Caroline noticed Nick's mouth was still hanging open. “You okay, Nick?” she asked as Michael nestled himself behind her and pulled her close.
Nick nodded several times. “Wonderful. I'm just dandy."
Caroline laughed and turned to face Michael as her heart thanked the powers that had brought them together and given them both a chance to discover the meaning of true love.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Tambra Kendall teaches online creative writing classes and speaks to local writing groups on the craft of writing. She's a member of Romance Writers of America and the Houston Bay Area RWA chapter.
Susan M. Sailors lives in Knoxville and works as a freelance editor. Her works of horror, fantasy, and romance have been published in over three dozen magazines and webzines. More of her work can be found in the coming months from Whiskey Creek Press.
For your reading pleasure, we invite you to visit our web bookstore
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Celtic Love Knots Volume 3 Page 4