Restless Spirits

by Shyla Colt

  “Fuck, D, you’re going to make me come in my pants.”

  “Do it for me, baby. I want to know I affect you the same way you do me,” she said. Her voice was smoky and full of need. He moved her over the bulge straining against his zipper. “Oh God, yes,” she whispered. Her head fell back, and he was taken off guard by how beautiful she was in the moonlight, caught in the heat of the moment. She brought her hands up to grip his shoulder, and her movements turned wild.

  “Jesus, Demi.”

  “Mhmm, geek girls go hard too, baby.”

  “So fucking sexy,” he growled, thrusting upward as they dry humped like horny teenagers.

  “I’m going to come, Pierce. Are you going to come with me?”

  “Yes.”

  She cried out, and he exploded, not minding the warm liquid soaking his boxer briefs.

  A rap on the window made them both jump. Light shone into the window, and he cringed.

  “You folks okay?” the man with the wide-brim hat asked. “Roll down the window, please.”

  “I can’t believe this,” Pierce whispered, complying.

  “Can I ask why you’re here right now?” the officer said, eyeballing them with disdain.

  “I’m sorry, Officer, it’s my entire fault. My boyfriend here just gave me some incredible news, and I just had to kiss him senseless. So I had him pull over.” Demi looked at the cop and gave her most innocent expression.

  The cop’s lips twitched up. “I’ll let you go with a warning this time. I don’t want to catch you guys around here again, understand?”

  “Yes, sir.” Pierce nodded, and the cop turned and headed back to his car. “You’re trouble.”

  “Hey, I saved our asses.” She climbed back over the seat and buckled up.

  “I’ve never witnessed this side of you, D. How is that possible?”

  “You’ve always brought out the best in me. With you, I can do anything.”

  “Always,” Pierce said.

  “We’ll see. Slow and steady. I think we might’ve gotten ahead of ourselves.”

  “Would you change it?” he asked.

  “No fucking way, man.”

  Proud, he started the car and pulled out, headed to the hotel. So far, so good.

  THE EFFORTLESS WAY they slipped into their new roles astounded her. She might be bold, but she’d always been a coward when it came to love. After watching her father deteriorate right in front of her when her mother died unexpectedly of a brain aneurysm, she’d shied away from deep romantic attachments. The high that made her walk on clouds began to dissipate, and she began to regret her impulsive choices. There’d be no going back to what they’d once been. The only direction to travel would be forward. Am I up to that? Things I should have asked myself before I plunged headfirst into this. She ground her teeth together. How could she say no to Pierce of all people?

  She’d do anything to see her partner in crime happy, even if it meant putting her own heart on the line. She gulped. That’s what scares me. They were going from zero to sixty. With no need to build a strong foundation, get past the awkward getting-to-know-you stage, or spill their guts, this train had only one destination. She toyed with the clunky silver rose ring on her index finger, spinning the circle around as she watched the buildings in the darkness.

  “You got quiet. Are you okay?” Pierce said.

  “Yeah, I’m just starving, and stunned.”

  “You really had no clue?” He sounded almost disappointed.

  “I never put us in that category, Pierce. It’s nothing personal. You were in the sexy-best-friend-I-love-to-death file.”

  “Sexy, huh?”

  She laughed, imagining his smirk. “You have a mirror, so I’m sure you’re well aware of how attractive you are.”

  “But I didn’t know you thought that.”

  “You got balls laying this on me.” She admired his bravery.

  “I’d grown tired of thinking to death, honestly. I needed to know one way or another.”

  “And you believe it’d work? You and me as a couple?” She nibbled her bottom lip.

  “Yeah, I do. I mean, you said yourself on numerous occasions, we’re like peas and carrots. The attraction is obviously there. We’ve pretty much drawn out the blueprints. All we need to do is start building.” The confidence he placed in the words made her smile. This is why he’s one of the best sports agents in the area.

  “It makes me nervous,” she said.

  “Our past?” he said.

  “The intensity.”

  “Some people search their entire lives for a connection like this, and we found it with one lip-lock.”

  She snorted. “Oh, it was much more than that.”

  “Yeah, it was.”

  She giggled at his audible pride.

  “Everything is new. We’ll go slow and figure it out. The cat’s out of the bag, you haven’t slapped me, and the apocalypse hasn’t begun, so already expectations have been exceeded.”

  “You were that worried?” she said.

  “Umm…yeah. I’m well aware of the fact we run in different circles, and some of my interests bore you to death. I was concerned you wouldn’t see past our differences. If we’re both willing, there’s plenty of common ground.”

  “Where? I’m a video-game-designing free spirit who likes anime, cosplay, and cult classics, and you’re a sports agent hooked on outdoor activities, action movies, and fast cars.”

  “Do you think that’s all we are, these labels you’re tossing out willy-nilly?” he asked, countering her excuses.

  “Willy-nilly?” She smirked.

  “Don’t change the subject, D.”

  She sighed. “No, it’s not what I think. I was giving you a generalization of why I’m skeptical.”

  “Where’s the brave girl who made me come in my pants back there, then conned a police officer?”

  Heat dusted her cheeks and moved up into her ears. “She’s still here, just thinking with the brain in her head and not the one below her belt.”

  “Sounds like a case of cold feet.”

  She snorted. “We’re not getting married.”

  “No, but you’re running scared when you weren’t before. Look. If we overthink things, we’ll ruin this weekend. It’s not a mandate we have all the answers now.”

  The soothing baritone calmed her frayed nerves. “Right. I’m jumping the gun.” She took a deep breath.

  “It’s all right. I figured once the freak-out set in you’d start to pull away,” he said. The resignation in his voice wounded her. He expected her to run.

  No matter what, this was still Pierce. He didn’t deserve to be subjected to the bitch who came out when her too-close-for-comfort radar went off. Grateful for the night sky that hid her actions, she wrung her hands. Soon she’d be forced to make some tough decisions. She needed to be sure they were the right ones.

  Chapter Three

  Pierce pulled in front of the hotel, and Demi gasped.

  “Oh my God! We’re actually at The Eagle Inn.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “How can I ever repay you?”

  “Just enjoy yourself…and walk in front of me, so they don’t notice my predicament.” He glanced down at the slightly damp blue jeans, and she laughed. The airy sound chased away the tension that lingered in the cab.

  “You ready?”

  “Hell yes!” She unbuckled the seat belt and leaped from the vehicle like a superhero off to save an innocent person from danger. He made his way out, following behind her as she strode into the three-story off-white building with dark green shutters and red trim on the bottom. The circular sign boasted THE EAGLE INN. Large windows lined the front beneath a dark green awning where the structure extended outward to hold the restaurant. An American flag waved in the crisp night air. Opened in the mid-1700s as a tavern, the place had a history of spirits not at rest. They walked into a room with high ceilings and ornamental wood beams. Shades of gray cobblestone lined the walls, and a fireplace agains
t the wall. Carpets done in royal reds and gold ran over the floor. Antique settees were arranged to face one another with comfortable-looking plush velvet chairs.

  The freestanding dark wood desk rested in front of the left wall. A woman dressed in a crisp white shirt, black suit jacket, and a black-and-white scarf greeted them with a smile.

  “Hello, welcome to The Eagle Inn. How can I help you?”

  “Hi, we have a reservation under Pierce Lane.” He dug into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet.

  Her fingers flew over the keys. “Oh yes, room sixteen. Tomorrow night you’ll have the run of the place for your investigation. We’re all terribly excited to see what will happen. They can be fickle, you know.” He glanced at her name tag, stunned by the lengths Andrea must’ve gone to make this happen. I’ll never bitch about her fee again.

  “Have you experienced anything, Maureen?”

  “I’ve seen the outline of a person a time or two in the parking lot, but I’m not very sensitive to these types of things.” She shrugged. Her almond-shaped brown eyes twinkled with mirth in her round face. With her coal-black hair pulled back into a bun and a light dusting of makeup, he couldn’t accurately gauge her age, but kindness flowed freely. He handed her his ID.

  “Has any activity ever been reported in room sixteen?” Demi asked, in investigative mode.

  “Not while I’ve been working here, the past five years, but I’d wager to say since the inn’s been opened there were incidents or sightings in all of them at one point or another.” The efficient way Maureen talked and processed paperwork told him she’d been asked many questions working behind the desk.

  “Have they come up with any theories on why this place is so active?” he asked.

  “A combination of its age, the fact that it was a pub where altercations occurred, and the very transient nature that comes with people constantly coming and going.”

  He glanced over and grinned. Demi had her head bent over a small notepad she scribbled in.

  “Are any of these incidents violent?”

  “Depends on your definition of violent. No one’s been hurt, but rattling beds and tugs on clothing can be quiet discombobulating. So I don’t think they’d call their interactions peaceful.” Maureen’s lips twitched up, and he chuckled. Demi grinned and peered at him.

  “I could see how that’d be true, Maureen,” Demi said.

  “Okay, you two are all checked in. I’ll escort you to the room now.” Maureen walked from behind the counter and led them over to a steep set of stairs with a polished wood hand railing. “This banister is actually an original that’s been restored and kept up over all these years.” Maureen ran her hands over the shiny surface, and Pierce followed her example. It humbled him to think of how long this had been around. They wound around a corner, passing the first level and onto the second, where Maureen took a left.

  “This is one of my favorite rooms. The decor is stunning and very romantic.” Maureen came to a stop in front of a heavy wooden door, removed a key from her coat pocket, and placed the clunky black key into the hole. She pushed the door open. Soft blue walls and a massive bed with lace covering over the four-poster’s canopy caught his attention first. A brilliant yellow coverlet with pink roses covered the wide expanse of the bed. The bed was so monstrous, a petite person would need a footstool to climb into it. Drapery of the same material decorated the top portion of the window directly in front of them.

  “Is there anything else I can get you other than this?” Maureen handed over the key.

  “No, thank you for being so helpful,” Pierce said.

  “Will you be working tomorrow?” Demi asked.

  “I will,” Maureen said.

  “Wonderful! Do you mind if I ask you a few more things?” Demi said.

  “Not at all. I’m looking forward to it.” Maureen smiled. “Now I’ll leave you to your evening. Please enjoy your stay.” She stepped away, closing the door behind her.

  “This is beautiful,” Demi whispered. She trailed her fingers over the white trim that ran the center of every wall. A small mahogany desk sat in the corner with a lamp. A tall antique dresser of the same color rested against the wall, across from the foot of the bed.

  “Yes, it is. A little feminine for my taste.”

  Demi said, “Just about everything from this era would be. Back then all of the frills were for the lady and to show status.” She walked the room, trailing her fingers over the furniture before she came to a stop in front of the window. “Do you want to take a shower while I poke around? I’m dying to use an EMF meter for the first time.”

  “No, that sounds great.” He placed her bag on the bed and headed toward the small bathroom he knew had to be an addition. The claw-foot bathtub with the attached shower made him smile. They did an excellent job of remaining historically accurate while adding enough modern creature comforts. As he stripped down, the scent of roses filled the air. He glanced around at the small sink and found nothing on the counter. Perhaps they’d sprayed the room with air freshener earlier. Hope rose inside him like a bubble, and anxiety melted away. This trip is going to be a success. I can feel it.

  * * * *

  Freshly bathed and dressed, they headed down to the hotel restaurant. Demi sat at a tiny table in the corner, across from Pierce.

  “Do you feel like we’ve stepped back in time too?”Demi asked. She reached out to pick up her white wine and took a sip. This would never happen in Seeker, but when in Rome.

  “I actually can’t help but think of Titanic with the linen napkins and fine china,” Pierce said.

  “Not to mention all this glassware.” Demi traced a finger around the rim of her wineglass. Light reflected off the multitude of glassware lining the tables.

  “How could I forget that?” He winked.

  They’d ordered twelve-ounce sirloins with mixed vegetables and baked potatoes. Her stomach rumbled, and she took another sip of the wine as she drank in the dining area. From the corner of her eye, something white caught her attention. She turned her head and frowned when she found nothing.

  “You okay? You have an odd look on your face.” Pierce leaned in.

  “Fine. I just thought I caught a glimpse of something out my peripheral.”

  His jaw dropped. “Like what?”

  “I couldn’t say truly say. It looked white. Maybe it was a tablecloth.” She shrugged.

  “No, they border on beige.”

  They exchanged a look. “You don’t think we’ve already experienced something, do you?” Her voice shook a bit with excitement.

  “Maybe. Did you bring your EMF meter?” Pierce asked.

  “You know I did.” She unzipped the oversize purse she carried and dug inside for the blocky black box with five colored lights and labels. Removing it, she turned it on and held her breath as it read. The tiny circle lit and jumped from dark green to light green, barely topping the 2.5 range. She frowned. The box measured electromagnetic energy, something they believed a ghost gave off, especially when they attempted to manifest in some way. This reading she had didn’t indicate anything out of the ordinary. “Nothing yet.”

  “When you saw it, though, it was probably across the room, right? Not right next to you,” Pierce said.

  “Yes.” Her heartbeat kicked up a notch.

  “Do you think it was the little girl rumored to be here?” Pierce’s eyes practically glowed with giddiness. He really did enjoy this. His claims in the car weren’t far-fetched. The empty dining room, wine, and low lighting had her downright optimistic.

  She shook her head. “I never got a really good look at it.”

  “You’ll have to record this in your case log back in the room.”

  “Definitely…about that room, there’s only one bed.” She rubbed the hem of her shirt.

  “Yes, but it’s massive. These older buildings don’t exactly do the two-double-bed thing.”

  “So, we’re going to share?” Her temperature spiked.

 
; “I promise you this. I won’t do anything you don’t ask me to.”

  “That’s what I’m worried about,” she mumbled under her breath.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear that.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, and the waiter returned with their plates.

  Dodged that bullet.

  “Here you are, ma’am, medium-well.” He rested the plate down in front of her, and she inhaled the mouthwatering fragrance. “And medium-rare for you, sir.” Their waiter, Jim, set Pierce’s plate down and straightened. “Is there anything else I can get either of you?”

  Pierce glanced at her, and she shook her head.

  “No, I think we’re good for now, Jim. Thank you.” Jim walked back into the kitchen, and the sound of silverware against plates filled the air.

  Demi swallowed and moaned. “This is phenomenal. The tender meat all but melts in your mouth.”

  “Agreed.” He placed a piece of steak in his mouth and hummed. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and she pressed her thighs together to stop the dull throb, steadily growing. Full, pink, slightly pouty, and begging for action, his lips were lethal. His tongue darted out to catch a wayward droplet of white wine, and she all but purred. Now that she knew what his lips could do, her mind was trapped in the gutter. He was thick and long. She wanted to expose him to the light and taste him with her tongue. If this weekend did end up being all they had, she didn’t want to miss out.

  “You have naughtiness in your eyes,” Pierce said.

  “Are you protesting?”

  “No.” His eyes darkened with lust.

  Her nipples peaked, and she closed her eyes as his words seduced her. I always was a sucker for a well-turned phrase. Unable to return with a witty retort, she took another bite of food and ignored the rich chuckle that came from across the table. He affected her on a primal level she’d never encountered. The other men she’d dated had been fun distractions who scratched an itch. She wasn’t a prude or a stranger to sex, fast, dirty, and satisfying. But she’d always known walking away wouldn’t be an issue. Pierce didn’t allow her that thought.