She wrapped one leg around his thigh and rubbed herself against him. He abandoned her breasts to crush his mouth to hers and grab her ass. His erection radiated heat where it was pressed against her abdomen.
Lust. Desire. No word was powerful enough to describe what raged through her.
You’re so wet. Ben bit at her lower lip and tugged it. He released it as he wound a hand up into her hair. Nina.
“I need you now.” Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she attempted to take him into her. It couldn’t happen fast enough. The urgency made her whimper.
He kissed her once more and then turned her body away from his. She wanted to scream.
Hold the bedpost. Ben squeezed her rear end. I’m going to take you from behind. Just like I’ve wanted since that first night.
Nina wasn’t certain she could stand after hearing those words. She held the bulbous top of the wooden post and pushed her ass toward him. The scent of cedar and freshly washed blankets briefly teased her nose before being drowned out by the musky perfume of her sex.
Ben spanked her once and moaned appreciatively as he dipped his fingers into her pussy. She nipped her lower lip. Her heart pounded as she tightened her grip in anticipation.
He spread the cheeks of her rump and rubbed the length of his cock along her slit. His shaft twitched with its impatience. Just when she was about to beg him to fuck her, he drove into her. She gasped as her loins clenched and quivered. He filled her fully. Stretching her and hitting all the right spots.
With a grunt, he began a slow pace. His strokes firm and long, almost pulling all the way out of her but then thrusting deep within. The sounds of her wetness and flesh meeting flesh aroused her further.
His rumbling groans seemed to reverberate down through his erection. Or was it her own trembling? No matter. She rested her head against her forearms as she rocketed toward orgasm.
Ben wound his hand in her long locks and yanked her head up. He rocked his hips faster. I want to see your face as you come.
He was a man who knew what he wanted. And she was more than happy to give it to him. Her lips parted as she panted and leaned more on the bedpost for support than her own legs. Her breasts swung back and forth, slapping against her chest. His rhythm became wild as he slammed into her hot tightness again and again.
Fiery pleasure lanced through her. Nina cried out his name as her eyes rolled back with her mighty climax. If there was a Heaven, this was surely it.
His penis swelled within her as his hand tightened its hold on her hip. His cry matched hers as he came and tapered off with a satisfied sigh. He kept himself within her as he released her hair and bent to kiss her back.
Afraid she might fall, Nina led him to the bed and brought him with her. She shuddered as she turned and he fell from her slick sheath. She sat and leaned to kiss him. Ardent and deep, her tongue rolled with his.
She wanted him again already. All night. Always.
You had something to tell me earlier? Ben brushed her hair back from her face and drew the pad of his thumb along her cheek.
This man was perfect. Why would the fates bring her to him if she could not have him?
Nina? He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose.
Staring into those dreamy blue eyes, she realized there was only one reason why she’d been brought here. The same reason that took her to every case the Paramours investigated. She was a Ghost Dancer. And he was a spirit.
“Do you ever wonder why you’re the only ghost here?” Her voice was barely a whisper.
His brows drew together. No. I suspect the others must have carried on.
“You’re the only one here because no one else died in the house.” She wet her lips and added, “You didn’t kill Vernon.”
Ben shook his head. I shot him in the chest. There’s no way he could have survived.
“He did. He lived and carried on to work for the feds. They put him in charge of the cases in this region. He—”
How could they do that? He was dirty. The bastard. Ben slammed a fist against the bedpost.
“No. Look.” Nina slid off the bed and retrieved her jeans. She withdrew a folded piece of copy paper from her pocket and opened it as she stood, handing it to him. “Read this.”
Frowning, he took the paper and walked to the window where the moonlight streamed in. His eyes widened and his jaw loosened as he read the article. Vernon Duke cleaned up the coast. Rid it of all the runners.
“Keep reading.” Nina put a hand on his shoulder and leaned against him.
Ben swallowed. He named his first son Benjamin.
“After the man who inspired him.”
Chapter Nine
“His near-death experience turned his life around. Vernon left his criminal relatives behind, married a preacher’s daughter, and did a lot for his community. He strove to be more like you.” Nina smiled, not for him. He couldn’t see it, but at how a life could be turned around so drastically in one instant.
Like her life. Thanks to Ben too.
He was a good man, Ben said, raising his head to look out the window.
“And you knew it all along. It’s just too bad it took such a horrible situation for him to realize it.” Nina stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. “You didn’t kill anyone. You helped him to find the right path. You didn’t fail your community. And never once did your family believe you shamed them.”
She wrapped her arms around him, but found little warmth. Glancing down, she drew in a sharp breath to see his legs swirled with mist. No. Not so soon.
If she could hold on tighter, keep him for one night more. Nina squeezed him both physically and metaphysically. She was being greedy, but she couldn’t help it. No man had ever affected her like Ben.
The paper dropped from his disappearing fingers and fluttered to the floor. Ben turned his head to her and gave her a sad smile. It’s time for me to go.
“Can’t you stay? Just for a little while longer?” She hated how desperate she sounded. And how her vision blurred with tears.
You’ve given me a great gift. He kissed her forehead. His sharp features faded. Only his blue eyes remained bright. Thank you for everything. I lived again with you and found a peace I thought I had lost. You’re a woman of honor…and one with a fine behind.
Nina couldn’t help but chuckle even if it came out gurgly. There was nothing left for her to hold. Her fingers swept through a shape that was barely there.
Dance for me, Nina. Let me leave this world with your song in my heart.
She wanted to fall to the floor and bawl her eyes out. To scream and kick at the unfairness of the situation. Yes, she had done what was right, and she knew all along he was a spirit she needed to help carry on, but what she knew and what she felt warred with one another.
Instead, she would grant his last request. Her heart thumped, a heavy and mournful beat. She moved one foot and then the other, finding the music in life. And the in-between.
Letting the natural rhythm take over, Nina danced in a circle around the room. This dance was for Ben. A celebration of a great man. Not even her jiggling breasts distracted her.
She wasn’t certain when Ben left. He didn’t say another word before he did. He was gone. Completely gone.
When her dance slowed to a stop, she crawled onto the bed and let sleep take her from her sorrow.
* * * * *
“Get a caramel white mocha. Let the sweetness take you away, baby.” Claire let loose a dreamy sigh and squeezed Nina to her side. The morning sun made Claire’s hair shine like red silk lined with gold.
“Maybe.” No amount of sugar would help the way Nina felt today. It was a good sadness, though. Ben was free. Hopefully receiving many honors in the afterlife as he deserved.
“Drat,” Claire huffed. “The coffee hunk isn’t here. I guess that plan for getting you laid isn’t going to happen.”
Nina peered around the man in front of them. No hot barista. Just a round little woman with her hair tied back too tig
ht in a bun. Ah well. That was probably for the best. The Paramours would be leaving Maine and heading to Virginia next. Not that she was looking to pick up the guy, but he had been very nice to them while they had been in town.
Grace Cove. The village Ben loved so much. It was a pretty place with good people. Everyone had been happy to help. The Paramours would give a thank-you gift to the owner of the Sunset B&B. Nina would have to bring one to Edgar and Benji too. Plus the barista for supplying them with caffeine for the past week.
They stepped up to order and Nina let Claire buy her a way-too-sweet drink. Something different today might help as they wrapped up the case. Especially since Vivian wanted Nina to recount every single detail of her interactions with Ben.
Nina sighed and accepted her mocha with a small smile. “Thank you. Would you happen to know when the young man with the glasses who works here will be in?”
“Gavin? Yesterday was his last day,” the bun lady replied.
Disappointment weighed down Nina’s mouth as she nodded once. Claire shrugged and headed to the door, waving at a police officer whose admiring gaze followed the redhead out of the shop.
“But he’s sitting over there if you wanted to talk to him.” The lady pointed in the direction of the cop. Nina blinked, focusing on the officer’s companion. It was the hot barista. He wore a form-fitting black tee and his once-tussled hair was shorn short.
Gavin smiled when he saw her staring at him. Nina thanked the woman and walked toward him, feeling suddenly a little shy. How had she not noticed how muscled he was before? The apron couldn’t have really hidden those arms.
He stood as she approached. So tall. Was the floor lower behind the counter?
“Hi. Glad to see you.” Gavin’s New England accent was smooth and light. “I see you ordered something different today.”
Oh, his legs were sexy. She did so love a man with long legs. Wetting her lips, she found her voice. “Well, we’re closing up the case and doing a little celebrating. I wanted to catch you before we left…” She lifted her head and looked into his magnificent blue eyes. Oh God. What was she saying? “Uh…you cut your hair.”
The officer, who was pretending not to be listening, covered his mouth with a hand to hide his smirk.
Gavin ran a hand over his head. “Yeah, cut it off yesterday. I’m getting ready to leave town too. Heading to the Police Academy in Vassalboro. I was just here this summer visiting family and making a little cash.”
“Oh?” Nina’s skin prickled. There was no way this could be a coincidence. She passed her cup to her left hand and held out the other. “That’s very admirable. I’m Nina Azure, by the way.”
“Yes, I know. I mean, I’ve seen your show.” His cheeks flushed as he took her hand. His firm grip lingered. “I’m Gavin Moore.”
Her heart skipped a beat. Ben’s chuckle echoed in her mind. Yes, no coincidence at all. “I think you might be interested in our latest case. It involves one of your ancestors.” She grinned as his eyes widened. “If you have some free time before you leave, we could get together and talk about it. Maybe have a bite to eat.”
Food was the last thing on her mind right now. And the way his mouth curved to a bigger smile, she bet he wasn’t thinking about it either.
“I’m free for lunch today. I know a great little out-of-the-way place.”
“Excellent.” Her heart’s beat reverberated in her ears. She wanted to dance and celebrate the loud thumps rather than the silences in between. Gavin would help her with that.
Chapter Ten
Nina laughed as she ran, splashing handfuls of water behind her. The sun shone bright in the clear sky and the reflection of it on the water made her squint as she turned to look at her pursuer. She crossed her arms over her chest to keep her bikini top in place since some mischievous yet gorgeous devil had untied it.
Gavin rose out of the water like some god chiseled from bronze. Water trickled down over his hard muscles. Each drop made her jealous. It should be her tongue traipsing over his flesh instead.
He wiped the water from his face with one hand and grinned. Sly and sexy.
Nina’s stomach flipped a few times. Over the past three weeks, they’d managed to get together a half dozen times. At first she worried she would only see Ben when she gazed into Gavin’s beautiful blue eyes, but after the first two dates, Ben was a distant yet fond memory.
Gavin rushed forward, and she squealed, trying to dodge and avoid being tackled into the water. He snatched her around the waist and picked her up over his shoulder. They laughed as she wiggled and he patted her rear.
He walked ashore and set her down on the small strip of sand. It was a secret spot, known only by the residents of Grace Cove. No one else shared their seaside paradise today.
“You’ve got goosebumps. Let me warm you up.” Gavin led her to their blanket and urged her to sit.
The goosebumps weren’t because Nina was cold. It was his smile, the way his eyes gleamed when he looked at her, and the fact that only a few thin pieces of material kept them from being completely nude.
Nina sat on the blanket and pressed her upper thighs together. God, she wanted him. She’d waited for that perfect moment with him to take things all the way, and he’d been so wonderfully patient.
Gavin grabbed a beach towel and lowered himself behind her, sitting with his long legs on either side. He wrapped the towel around both of them and drew her back against his hot body.
Oh yes, so patient. And now it was time to reward him.
She trailed her fingers along his legs, tracing the grooves of his muscles. Leaning her head back, she turned it to kiss him. “I’m starting to feel a little warmer, but I need you to warm me up even more.”
“Yeah?” Gavin murmured against her mouth and deepened their kiss. He sent his hands around her body to cup her breasts. The cups of her top were already loose as she hadn’t retied it. He kneaded her breasts and moaned softly.
Her nipples crinkled with his attention. She tasted salt on his lips but also the iced tea they had shared earlier. The goosebumps weren’t going away and made her skin all the more sensitive. The thumping of her heart echoed in her ears and the gentle waves accompanied it in a romantic serenade.
“Still not warm enough.” She nipped at his lower lip.
His kisses grew more fierce. “No? How about this?”
He dipped one hand between her legs and rubbed her aching mound. Nina gasped and pushed herself against his fingers. She spread her legs wider, inviting more from his questing digits. He obliged by tugging her bikini bottom aside and stroking her pussy.
Nina’s eyes fluttered. She attempted to reach behind her and squeeze a hand between them to tease that massive bulge she felt pressed to her lower back. But Gavin kept her pressed to him and breathed a little “uh-uh.”
Oh yeah. There wasn’t a part of her that wasn’t feeling the heat now. “Even warmer.”
He slid a finger into her tight confines and pumped it slowly in and out. Nina squirmed, wanting so much more. He might have amazing patience, but she’d lost all of hers.
With his slick digit still inside of her, she lifted her hips and pushed off her bottoms. Though she’d never been naked on a beach before, the thrill was nothing compared to that of having the man she was falling for kiss her as if she were the only thing that kept him alive.
Nina turned on her knees and knocked the towel off them. She gripped the top of his bathing suit. “Swim shorts off. I’m still not warm enough.”
“Not yet.” Gavin pulled her to him with one strong arm. With her on her knees, her breasts were at the perfect height for his hungry mouth. He reached behind her with his free hand and plunged two fingers into her pussy.
She cried out and arched her back. Her long wet hair stuck to her skin and his. Gavin feasted upon her breasts, sucking hard on one and then the other. There was no slow buildup as he finger-fucked her. His hand moved with swift confidence, and no matter how much she wriggled, he kept her e
xactly where he wanted her.
Tiny electric tremors signaled she was close to a powerful orgasm. She ran her hands through his short hair and squished her breasts to his face.
Gavin withdrew his fingers. Her eyes opened wide. No! She was so close.
She needed him to finish. Oh God, so hot.
In a smooth motion, he flipped her onto her back with him between her legs. He reached over to where his pants sat folded by the picnic basket and dug out his wallet. All the while, he caressed her inner thighs with his free hand. Nina moaned with impatience and stretched out her fingers to snag the front of his trunks. The tip of his erection poked out the top and strained toward her hand.
Gavin plucked a condom from his wallet and tore open one side with seemingly less patience than she had. He pushed down his swimsuit and rolled the condom onto his stiff cock. His fiery gaze met hers as he positioned himself and drove into her. With a lustful grunt, he fell forward onto her, kissing her hard as his hips slapped against her.
Yes! Nina locked her arms around him and rocked with him. She found his rhythm easily as if they’d been dance partners all their lives. Her chest swelled. But this was more. So much more.
Her climactic scream echoed off the sea as she shuddered with bliss. And like the waves, she kept coming, a constant crashing of ecstasy.
Inside her, he swelled and muffled his cry against her neck. His hips slowed and came to a stop, but he didn’t move off her. He kissed up her neck to her lips, long and tender. “Nina.”
His gruff and breathy voice sounded a lot like Ben’s, but there was one big difference here. She smiled and caressed Gavin’s cheek. With Ben, she had to direct him to the light, but with Gavin, they could walk in the light together.
END
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Ghost Dancer (The Paramours Book 1) Page 4