“So be honest with me Stefan, do you actually believe what you’re doing here? Like, this isn’t some big con, is it?” He smiled and gazed at her, but it was a strange gaze, almost as though he was looking straight through her.
“Do you deny what you felt today?”
“I…I’m not sure. It felt real but my senses can be deceived. You’ve been doing this a long time. Are you really telling me that you’ve never faked anything?”
Stefan sighed. “Are we off the record now?” Rita reluctantly agreed for her need to know overpowered her need to tell the world, and no matter what she may have done in the past she wasn’t going to breach her professional ethics. “Very well. For the purposes of entertainment, yes, I have had to fake some things, but that is the nature of making a television show. I am not proud of it but the producers want entertainment, and when the show ends with nothing happening it’s not good for the audience or the sponsors, so I have to do a dance with the devil and make a compromise. But it’s all worth it because when something real does happen, like today, then I get to capture it on camera and I get to make people see the world in a different way. Like you, I knew when you came here that you did not believe. You might have thought you were hiding it but I saw the way you looked when you were writing things down. I have had to deal with those looks all my life so I know them well, but I do not blame you because it is not an easy thing to believe. Yet now I see you have changed. There is belief in your heart now. Your eyes sparkle with the truth, and I know it is difficult but for your own sake you must accept what happened. The easiest thing is to deny, deny, deny, the harder path, the one that takes more courage, is to believe.”
His words echoed in her mind and they stirred something powerful within her. She leaned back and continued to chew on her food as she pondered the events of the day, and remained sitting in silence while the party continued around her. Eventually the fire dwindled into soft embers and everyone went to sleep, but Rita still had something she needed to prove. She had to know for sure whether the ghosts were real or if it was just a trick. She wasn’t like Stefan, she couldn’t just accept it on blind faith.
In the stillness of the night she crept out of the tent. Soft snores emanated as the gluttonous crew slept in their drunken slumber. The silvery moon hung high in the sky, framed by a few isolated stars. The vague outline of the house loomed in front of her, and her stomach began to twist. Electric lights that the crew had set up provided some ambience but mostly the only source of light came from the moon. Shadows danced and hairs stood up on the back of her neck as her eyes darted back and forth. The floor creaked, and the walls sang with pain and misery. She thought of what it must have been like for this place to house those murderers. It filled her with revulsion and it was her pure determination that made her continue through up to the point where the encounter had taken place. There was a large hole in the wall, which she assumed came from a lightning strike a long time ago, and through the crack a chilly breeze blew through, along with a wide shaft of moonlight. Her breath turned to a fine mist as she stepped further into the passageway. She made sure to tread lightly, and she could feel the floor buckle beneath her, but it held steady as she moved forward. Her eyes had adjusted to the light by now so she could make out more details. She found a doorway and entered. The knob was cold against her skin and it made an unholy screeching sound when she twisted it, and dust fell around her when she opened it. Inside, she saw a large four poster bed that must have been empty for a long, long time. She stepped closer to it and coughed through the dust, then felt the mattress and pillows. They were soft and cold, but the bed seemed perfectly fine.
Then she felt the air crackled around her and she inhaled sharply. Her eyes widened as she froze in utter fear. She felt the same tingling sensation as before and her mind screamed at her to turn and sprint back to safety, but something held her in place. A pale glow appeared in the corner of her eye, and when she turned her head, she saw a phantom.
Chapter 4
He was young, with tousled hair and soft features. He wore clothes that had gone out of fashion a century ago and yet there was something about him that drew Rita to him. She staggered back at seeing him, and blinked multiple times just to make sure that she was really seeing what she was seeing.
“I’m glad you’re alone this time,” he said. His voice had a hollow tone to it yet it was unmistakably human. He glided towards her and stood inches away from her face. Her hair began to float towards him and she felt electric sparks surge along her skin. She looked down as her clothes and jewelry were being attracted to him too, and her chest heaved with frantic breaths.
“It’s okay, there’s no need to be scared,” he said, and held out a hand towards her. As he touched her own hand she gasped for a sharp jolt shot through her body. Instinctively she withdrew her hand, but as she got used to the sensation she let it linger before him.
“I’m Edward,” he said, “we saw you earlier and we could tell you were different than most people we just…we just wanted to say hello. We don’t tend to get much company around here…”
“Who’s we?” she asked. Edward smiled and looked to his side. From the wall another pale glow emerged, and another young man entered the room. He had sharp features and in life he must have been an impressive physical specimen.
“This is my friend, Michael,” Edward said. The two of them hung in the air before Rita, and as she looked at them closely she could see the marks around their necks, indicating that they had been hung. She relayed the story Stefan had told her, and watched as they glanced at each other uncomfortably.
“It’s all true. It’s sad that this place was ruined because of family. I never wanted that to happen. We had so many happy times here. I remember a girl, she looked just like you.” He reached out and caressed her cheek. A powerful surge of pleasure crackled through her and she jumped back.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“We’re not used to this. Most people only want to chase us away or torment us. You seem different,” Michael said.
“I just want to understand. I never thought this was possible. I’ve never experienced anything like this before.”
“Are you scared?”
“A little.” The two ghosts settled next to her and she could feel the air crackle around her again. Her heart began to race and the fear mixed with excitement. Adrenalin pumped through her body, sending her into a state of arousal. She gasped and her lips parted as she felt them grow closer and closer to her body. She wasn’t sure what was happening but she knew she didn’t want it to stop for anything. She opened her palms and felt them press against her. It was cold and warm all at the same time and it sent a shuddering sensation coursing through her body. Ordinarily she would never have surrendered herself so quickly and willingly to something like this but it was so new and so different she found it irresistible. Michael and Edward went to either side of her. They leaned in and she felt their touch on her neck and shoulders. The fine hairs on her neck stood on end, and goosebumps broke out on her exposed flesh, running down her dress into her plunging cleavage. She arched her neck back and felt the ghosts move around her neck like a necklace, then trailing down over her soft curves. She moaned and flung her arms back, as she did so they passed through the ghosts and she felt the cool ripple, it was like passing her hands through a crystal waterfall.
“It’s been so long,” Edward whispered. Rita could only offer a strained moan in reply for she was caught in the throes of passion. Lust overwhelmed her mind and made her feel hazy and delirious. She was intoxicated by the sizzling heat that was coursing through her veins and wanted more and more. A ravenous hunger growled within and she wanted to gorge herself on all the lust that was being offered. As the ghosts drifted around her and their hands swept over her body and soul she began to undress, peeling off her clothes piece by piece.
As each inch of her became exposed the ghosts rushed down to explore. Instantly her skin tingled and she writhed until sh
e was standing in the room, completely naked. The chill night wind blew through but she didn’t feel its effects. She was shielded from everything by the crackling, shimmering aura that emanated from the ghosts. It caught her in a bubble that drove her closer and closer to intense delights. She unclasped her bra and her nipples stood out, erect. She trembled as the ghosts brushed their phantom fingers over them, and then moved down to her stomach. Her lithe, slender body couldn’t take the pleasure any longer and it collapsed on the sheets. She rolled and twisted around, guided by the sharp shocks that sparked against her skin.
It was a whole new world and she had flung herself into it. There was no doubting the sensations that were throbbing inside her, and she had to throw away all her preconceptions. Ghosts existed, and as she moaned again she knew that she was glad for it.
Her hands gripped the sheets as Michael and Edward melted down her body. She felt them all over her, covering every part in their bright sexual energy. They ran down her stomach and hips, all the way down her slender legs and then back up through her inner thigh, teasing her by getting closer and closer to her warm, wet, inviting lips.
Rita’s legs parted instinctively for them and she had no idea which one was which but their ghostly essence swam over her pussy and entered her. Her eyes shot wide open as she felt the phantom tendrils enter and stimulate her. It made her body writhe and as it did so the other ghost came up and ran his spectral fingers over her lips. It was like a thousand fireflies were dancing along her lips, and then she felt him enter her mouth as well. She sucked and muffled moans escaped her lips. It was like a constant stream of popping candy exploding in her mouth and the pleasure was swarming through her body from both ends. It felt like a hundred hands were over her, and then her sweet spot was found and she was forced into silence by the overwhelming pleasure. All she could see through bleary eyes was a fine mist covering her like a spider’s web, and yet she did not feel threatened or in danger at all, she just felt happy and satisfied as they ghosts stimulated her, pressing themselves against her skin so much so that they seeped through her pores and entwined themselves with her. The three of them melted into one entity and Rita felt completely whole, as if she really knew them and knew herself.
She broke out in a wide smile as waves of pleasure rippled through her, building to a strong tsunami. The ghosts were deep inside her, deeper than anyone had ever been and most likely deeper than anyone else would ever get. Her entire body felt more alive than it had ever been and her soul was on fire. She moaned and gasped at the delirium cracking her mind, and the pleasure gushed through her, building up to a thunderous release of orgasmic energy. She screamed so loudly it echoed through the broken walls of the house and her hands twisted into tight balls that gripped the sheets firmly. The ghosts remained over her, provided soothing presence as the afterglow of climax dissipated. She laughed and breathed deeply as she sought to calm herself after the rush of energy, and looked at the two ghosts floating over her.
“That was amazing,” she said. The ghosts looked down at her with pleasure dancing in their eyes.
“We will always be here,” they said, and then they drifted off, leaving Rita alone in the bed.
Chapter 5
The next morning, Rita appeared fresh-faced and well-rested. She was eager to get on with the day, and even more eager to venture back into the house during the night for already she was missing the touch of the ghosts. Many of the crew were feeling the effects of the alcohol the night before, but none of them suspected that she had gone back into the house. When Stefan saw how enthusiastic she seemed he came up to her.
“So, Miss Doubter, are you opening yourself up to believe?”
Rita allowed herself a secret smile as she thought of the previous night’s wickedness, “Oh yes, I’ve been thinking about it a lot and there’s no doubt left in my mind. What I experienced was real.”
THE END
Menage at Sea
Chapter One
“Come on dear,” Michael said. The middle-aged man was looking flustered, and the few hairs that remained on his bald head were standing up in a wispy manner, ruffled by the manic morning. He was waiting at the threshold of the door while his wife, Cindy, was dragging a case down the stairs. She was fifteen years younger than him and whenever anyone saw them on the street they passed silent judgment, for Michael was a successful banker and as such many people assumed that the curvaceous blonde had married him purely for his money, but that wasn’t the entire truth. Of course being successful had attracted her to him at first, but she was genuinely drawn to his warmth and kindness. She’d had a troubled past with a lot of deadbeat boyfriends, and it seemed that the only way to escape that particular cycle was to change things up completely.
Of course, it didn’t happen that easily and she was forced to basically sacrifice a number of friends and her family when they didn’t approve because of the age difference, so when they eventually tied the knot it was a much small ceremony than Cindy had originally envisaged. And for the most part their life had been fine and fun, but over the past year or so Michael had been getting more and more withdrawn. Work was taking up much of his time, as it always had, and Cindy had prepared for that, but even when he was with her it was like he was somewhere else, and their sex life had suffered as a result. It had been months since he had even made a move on her. When they had made love it was on Cindy’s insistence, and Michael was putting in minimal effort. She didn’t know whether his libido was fading due to age or whether there was something else going on, and the worst part was that whenever she tried to bring it up he merely dismissed that there was even a problem.
So Cindy decided that they were going to go on a trip in the hope that it would kick-start their relationship, and since she had never been on a cruise before she decided that that was what she was going to do, because she figured that on a boat eventually he would get bored and would have to confront their problems.
“Yes yes, I’m coming,” she said, and the suitcase bumped down the final few steps.
“Do you really need to take that many clothes?” he asked, “we’re going to be cutting it close,” he said glancing at his watch anxiously.
“Don’t worry about that they’re hardly going to leave without us. And yes I need this many clothes. We are going to be seeing the same people over and over again, and I’m not going to let them think that I only have one outfit.” Michael rolled his eyes at this and then carried the bags out to the waiting cab. Cindy followed soon after, and ignored the widened eyes of the driver as he saw the two of them.
“I’m looking forward to this,” she said brightly. Michael huffed and stared out of the window. Cindy pouted.
“You could at least look a little excited,” she said, and folded her arms.
“You know I’ve got a lot of work on at the moment. I shouldn’t be taking a week off work. They need me there.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine without you. It’s a massive company with thousands of employees, no offense but you’re only one man, I’m sure that it will chug along in your absence. Besides, aren’t you looking forward to spending some time with me? We haven’t been on a trip since that weekend upstate, and you were on your phone for most of that anyway.”
“We were closing a big deal,” he said, raising his tone defensively.
“I’m not accusing you of anything, I’m just saying that it would be nice if you actually seemed excited about going away together. It’s supposed to be romantic, I mean, can you imagine what it’ll be like standing out on deck at night, watching the stars drift by over our heads.”
“It’ll be damned cold, that’s for sure,” he said. Cindy shook her head.
“Fine, maybe we should just turn around and you can go back to work and I can just read for the whole weekend and we can do our usual routine of not speaking properly, is that what you really want? Do you even want to be married to me anymore?” she said venomously, spitting out her words. She slumped back in her seat as the fr
ustration became too much for her. The city whizzed by outside, and the driver glanced in the rear view mirror, although he shifted his eyes away quickly when he caught Michael’s glance.
“Cindy,” Michael said in a hushed whisper, “not now, you’re causing a scene.”
“Oh yes, and we’d hate for that to happen wouldn’t we. God forbid anyone would actually see that there’s a spark of passion between us. I’m tired of this Michael, she said, turning her head to face him. When he looked at her he saw that she seemed to have aged many years. Instead of the bright smile she usually wore her face was lined with worry and there were soft bags hanging under her blue eyes, and the sparkle in those eyes had diminished slightly. And Michael felt within himself the wilting of a flower, for her knew that he was the cause of this change in her countenance, and he hated to be the death of her spirit.
“If all you’re going to do is complain instead of enjoy a week with me then maybe this was a mistake and we want different things. I guess people were right, maybe we should have thought harder about things when we first got together.” She sounded resigned, and both their hearts fell through their chests as she gave voice to the concerns that neither of them wanted to hear.
“Are you saying you don’t love me anymore?” Michael asked.
“I don’t know, that’s the problem. I feel like I don’t know anything anymore, not even myself. Do you know how hard that is for me? I thought we were perfect but I look at us and I think is this what I really want? Are people jealous of what we have? I want to be the couple everyone looks at because they’re jealous of how happy we are, not because their curious about whether I’m digging for gold and you’re just having a mid-life crisis. It’s not fair.”
Game of Throbs Complete Series (Books 1-3) Page 73