by L. A. Boruff
“Dammit.” I couldn’t even get up the nerve to hate her. She made me vulnerable, forced my inhibitions away, and made me lose control, but I did it with my men. And my body was practically humming, and satiated with what just happened. My mind told me to be pissed. My body wanted to roll around on the soft, silky sheets, and maybe go another round.
I huffed out a breath and tried to realign all my scattered thoughts.
I’d been had by a frickin’ ghost.
“Can you disappear for a moment?” I asked, needing to focus on something, and looked around before I found my jeans. They were by the nightstand. I quickly dug out the small pouch, reminding myself that we were here for a reason and that didn’t involve sex. My goggles were at least around my neck still. She looked at me curiously before shrugging and doing as I asked. I lifted up my goggles and saw her standing there, giving me a curious look.
I opened the pouch, grabbed a handful of powder.
“Whoa, is that going to hurt?”
“It shouldn’t.”
“It shouldn’t?” The pitch in her voice rose.
“No, it shouldn’t. It’s just basic organic ingredients. Last I checked, ghosts weren’t allergic to anything other than iron. And if it does, consider it payment for the show,” I seethed. “You’re lucky I’m on birth control.”
She opened her mouth to say something else, but I threw the powder at her. It fell over her and the air crackled.
“Holy shit,” Elliot said.
I took off my goggles to look at her and there she was. Her feet weren’t showing since the powder didn’t reach there, but we got a good view of her face and shoulders. Some of the details were muted, like the color of her eyes or how plush red her lips really were. Her hair was too long so once it went past her breasts, it faded into nothingness. Basically, we got a floating top half of the ghost in front of us. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but it was enough. We had a way to spot ghosts who didn’t want to be seen.
Smiling, I closed the small pouch and tucked it back away in my jeans. I’d take this as a win. Maybe a few tweaks. There had to be a way to have it completely show the ghost, but that would have to be a different project. This could still be used.
“This is a little creepy,” Elliot said.
“Agreed,” Venni said.
“But it works and that’s all I care about. I think we can get out of here now,” I said.
I went hunting for the rest of my clothes, wondering how they all got so scattered. My shirt was by the door, one shoe was under the bed, the other a couple of feet away from it.
“You don’t want to go another round?” she asked. I glanced at her. She was completely whole again, meaning she was revealing herself to us.
“No,” Venni growled out, still glaring at the ghost.
“Aw, but it’s so lonely here. No one ever comes along and definitely not like you guys. I can’t exactly spell two teenage boys sneaking in because of a dare, now can I?”
“Maybe you should have thought about that before you spelled us,” Elliot said.
I shook my head. “I don’t trust you.”
She huffed and tried to give me a pleading look.
“Not working.”
“Ugh! Don’t come running to me when your well runs dry!” She disappeared with those words and I sighed. I also noted that if they revealed themselves, they’ll be able to make themselves disappear again.
“Are you okay?” Elliot asked. He rubbed my back in small circles.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just wish I caught on. Are you okay?” I turned to the two of them and took a moment to watch as they got dressed, fixing their clothes to look like they didn’t just fuck me.
“Never better,” Elliot replied with a smirk before shoving his head into his sweater and then covering the hard abs lining his stomach as he lowered the black fabric.
I bit my lip, guilt slowly building up, forming a small rock in my stomach. I should have known.
“Stop that,” Venni said and came over.
“Stop what?”
“The doubt. Get rid of it. She’s right,” he said. “What she casted on us didn’t make us feel anything we didn’t already feel.”
Elliot came to his side, their shoulder brushing. “In fact, I want to give her my thanks. We wouldn’t have had any fun without her.” His lip curled into a smile, eyes soft.
“You didn’t mind?” I asked.
“Mind having sex with you?” Elliott asked.
“Never,” Venni answered and Elliott nodded his agreement.
“We enjoyed ourselves. Did you enjoy yourself? Do you regret it now that it’s over?” Elliot asked.
I looked between the two of them and thought about what we did. I shook my head. “No.”
“Then stop,” Venni said. “What she did doesn’t matter.”
My shoulders slumped as their words pushed away the guilt. I shook my head. “Can we just get out of here?” I asked.
“Yeah,” Elliot said as he handed me my shirt that I had placed on the bed.
I raised an eyebrow. “Can I have my underwear too?” I asked.
“No,” Venni responded, his lip twitching, eyes lit with mischief.
I held back a laugh and eye roll. Once we were all dressed, we couldn’t get out of the house fast enough. At least I knew my TGB worked.
Dr. Laila Porter is a magical lab technician at Biomystic Security. The series is about her shenanigans at the security company, and the men who refuse to leave her alone. Want to follow Laila and her men? You can read the first book in the Biomystic Security series: Magical Intentions: https://books2read.com/BiomysticOne
Stalker Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/317257402012798/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jaliza-a-burwell
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/m9u1k9
Website: https://www.jalizaburwell.com/
Tabitha Barret: Desire in Their Eyes
Blurb
Sophie plans to forget about her cruel ex-boyfriend for the night and have some fun at a friend's Halloween party, until she meets Jasper in the costume store. What happens there will make her blush!
She immediately changes her plans and heads over to Jasper's house to party with his friends under the full moon. When two more pairs of lust-filled eyes gaze at her, will she become the sexy, uninhibited woman she wants to be, or will she lose her confidence and run from them?
Staring at the Halloween photos on the wall, Sophie needed a costume that transformed her into something other than ugly, fat, worthless and stupid. George’s words still cut through her soul. She was finally rid of him, but his criticism was like an imprint on her heart.
“You would be beautiful in the warrior costume. It would show off your legs and make you stand up straighter to show off your other assets,” a deep voice said from behind her.
“Excuse me?” she asked, bewildered by the stranger’s suggestion. She turned to find a broad-shouldered demigod with the kindest smile and sexiest eyes. Her thighs rubbed together as she compared him to bland George, who preferred working in his chair to working out.
“You want to hide beneath the ghost or witch costume, but that would be a mistake,” he winked.
His bright blue eyes scanned every inch of her, sending heat racing across her skin. Was this man really talking to her?
She shook her head and focused on her task, ignoring the way the man’s blue shirt hugged his chest. She reached for the ghost costume, but heard his disappointed sigh. Instead, she grabbed the short skirt and deep V-neck warrior costume.
She gave him a quick smile and ran to the dressing room to get away from his overwhelming presence.
Sophie closed the black curtain and tried to stop thinking about the man’s lips and the way he smiled at her.
Pulling off her shirt, she stopped when she heard the curtain move and the man appear behind her in the mirror.
“May I be so bo
ld as to help you into your costume? You are so beautiful but your eyes are so sad. I need to see you wear this costume and shine with confidence,” he said in a low voice that sent shockwaves through her muscles.
Her eyes were locked on his in the mirror. His eyes were sincere but sad. She had no idea why she agreed, other than to wash away George’s condemning eyes and cruel words. The man looked at her as if she was a lover who had been away for too long. He was hopeful, yet cautious that she would reject him.
She silently nodded and allowed him to pull her shirt over her head. His hands softly slid down her back until they reached the clasp of her bra. With a pop, her breasts were freed and exposed to him as the bra fell. The look of approval she received made her feel bold.
Next, he reached around and popped the button on her pants. He crouched lower and lower, his lips skimming her back and ass until her pants were gone. He stood so quickly, she almost didn’t see the movement. She was so focused on his bare arms and muscled chest that she didn’t see the costume unwrapped in his hands.
She turned to face him as his eyes traced the curves of her breasts. He raised his eyebrow and held up the costume, waiting for her to raise her arms.
Sophie snapped out of her fantasy of kissing him and complied. Once the costume was in place, he turned her to face the mirror. He placed his hand on her back and pushed her until her breasts were jutting out and her shoulders were straight.
“Gorgeous,” he purred.
Looking at herself, she felt stronger with the fake armor that implied she was ready to fight for what she wanted.
“I like it,” she smiled.
“Me too,” he winked as he spun her around to face him.
His finger traced the outline of the armor and trailed down to her skirt. “I knew this was a better choice.”
He slowly lowered himself to kneel in front of her. His bright blue eyes grew darker until they were navy. He looked hungry and desperate as he slowly slid his finger up her inner thigh until he reached her shockingly wet panties.
“Please?” he gasped.
Her breath was short and her vision blurred. Would she actually allow a stranger to take her in the dressing room?
She moved her leg to grant him access to what he wanted, what she wanted. Carefully, her panties were removed, and in their place she felt his firm tongue on her skin. She gasped and threw her body against the wall. He licked through her folds and began focusing on each part of her before she felt his tongue thrust inside of her body. She threw her leg over his shoulder and held on to the curtain so she wouldn’t fall. He took his time, but her body was so quick to react that she did everything she could to hold off her orgasm.
His tongue swirled around her clit, urging her to move her hips to release the tension. Just as her orgasm was ready to break through the surface, he gently pushed his finger into her body, causing her to clench down so hard that she had to grab his shoulder. It took all her effort not to scream as she remembered where she was.
Panting, it took a few minutes to regain control and breathe.
“I’m Jasper. Please say you will come to my Halloween party tonight in this amazing outfit. My roommates are throwing a party. Invite as many friends as you want. I want you to feel safe,” he said as he helped put her panties on.
“I’m Sophie,” she said out of breath.
He stood and handed her a card. “I run my business from home. The address is on the card. Promise that you will be there, Sophie. 6:00 PM,” he said sincerely.
She stared at the card but didn’t answer. Her head was swimming and she had already proven that she was terrible with decisions today.
Jasper ducked out of the dressing room and was gone.
Sophie continued to stare blankly at the card. What the fuck just happened?
Sophie spent the rest of the day in a daze. Her body was humming and her mind was scattered. What kind of person was this Jasper that he performed oral sex on women in a costume store? She didn’t get the pervy vibe from him, but he was definitely strange.
“You did what?” Lucy screamed into the phone after Sophie detailed her morning to her best friend.
“Yeah, uncharacteristic I know, but Lucy, it was fucking amazing. I have at least one great story to remember on my death bed,” she laughed.
“You are not going to that party,” Lucy sneered.
“We are going to the party. Invite everyone, I don’t care who, but we are going. You need to see this guy and I need to know if this is what he does for fun on Halloween,” Sophie said. After thinking through her scandalous adventure, deep down she wanted to know that she hadn’t been played by this guy. For some reason, she wanted it to be real; a real connection, not more lies.
All her life she was told how pretty her hair was, or how good she looked in a dress, only to find out that the guy was lying to get into her pants. Sadly, she fell for the lie too often. Yes, she was tall and blonde with a cute face, but somehow that translated into “fuck me and never call again”. No man ever wanted to stick around, except for George, who she couldn’t get rid of.
“We’ll go, only if I can kick his ass for being a perv,” Lucy snarled.
Lucy was the one who always came to her defense. She had dumped her lunch tray into Mike’s lap in high school after the asshole asked her out and expected her to put out. She rejected all but one guy in high school and Lucy, who was on the volleyball and softball team, had to punch Tim in the balls for telling everyone that he had screwed her.
“If he’s a douche, you can kick his ass. If he’s sincere, be nice to him,” Sophie laughed as she thought about Tim’s reaction to being punched in the balls by a girl.
“If he sweeps you off your feet and sticks around for the rest of your life, I won’t break his kneecaps,” Lucy snorted.
Six hours, four different hairstyles and three lipstick shades later she was ringing Jasper’s doorbell. Lucy, Jane, Kim, Amanda and Laura were ready for a party, though they had no clue why they were at a stranger’s door instead of at Jane’s ex-boyfriend’s house.
Jasper opened the door holding a bowl of candy. He was wearing a gladiator skirt with no shirt, his chest muscles exposed for all to see. The sexy smile he gave Sophie brought back her raging desire from the dressing room.
“Welcome, ladies,” he said. He took Sophie’s hand and guided her inside, his thumb brushing against her hand. He leaned down and whispered, “You smell enticing.”
She shivered when his warm breath touched her neck. She blushed and smiled at him.
She entered the living room to find more people than expected. The party was already loud and full of writhing people dancing in the middle of the room. The furniture had been pushed to the edges of the room to create a dance floor. It was dark with the shades drawn but a party light illuminated the room so everyone could see.
A sealed beer can was in her hand as Jasper’s arm brushed against her. “Enjoy yourself tonight, my Sophie.”
She was happy to see that Jasper was still into her. Maybe this wasn’t a trick.
Popping open the beer, she downed half the can. She passed the colorful partygoers wearing everything from zombie costumes, to smiley emojis to a Deadpool costume and walked into the kitchen for some air. What she found was a lot of liquor and giggling women bobbing for apples, including Laura and Amanda.
“This place is great,” Laura laughed. She had found her man for the night in record time. The handsome Prince of Egypt was wiping her face off and whispering in her ear.
Sophie sighed. Laura got all the hot guys and they always called her the next day, even if she didn’t call them back.
“Do you want to try?” asked a deep voice from behind that sent shivers through her.
The man stepped around so that she could see him. Taller than Jasper with thicker muscles, she looked up into his green eyes and gulped. He was wearing a skintight policeman’s uniform. One muscle flex and every seam would have broken apart. “I’m Alek.” He held out his
hand and she shook it. “I can hold your hair back while you bob.”
His words were innocent, but his tone implied that he would enjoy holding her hair. She was glad that she had decided on loose waves instead of an up do.
Leaning over the honest-to-god real wooden barrel, she felt Alek press his legs against her ass while gently gathering up her hair in his hand. She had to grip the edge of the barrel to keep from falling in or pushing herself against him. Trembling, she focused on the floating apples and not his erection that was surprisingly large.
Forgetting about the apples, she put her face into the water to cool herself down before she imploded. When an apple hit her cheek, she remembered what she needed to do. She fished around a few times before grabbing the apple with her teeth. Everyone cheered when she came up with the apple. She felt Alek’s arm wrap around her waist, pulling her upright, his hand gently tugging on her hair.
“Excellent,” he chuckled. He tugged her hair and moved her head so that he could bite into the apple, taking it from her mouth.
He let go of her and crunched into the apple. Wiping his mouth, his sultry eyes landed on her lips. “Dance with me, please.”
“I’m Sophie,” she blurted out, realizing that she hadn’t said it before.
He kissed the back of her hand. “Sophie, you must dance with me. Jasper told us about you and I’m delighted to see you with my own eyes.” His eyes lingered on every part of her longer than was considered polite.
Her body was already imagining that it was grinding against his firm body, but her mind was on Jasper. She instinctively looked around until she found him leaning on the living room wall with his arms crossed, gazing at her. He didn’t appear angry or jealous; instead, he looked turned on. Her mouth went dry and her body was ablaze.