Haunted Years

by Rebecca Royce

  The power moved through him like a light breeze pushing forward but when it hit Pendleton, it must have been stronger than that. The ghost blew out of the room as if at train had hit him, forcing him to leave.

  He stared at the spot where the ghost had been for a second, looking at the empty area where he had been seconds earlier. Had any empty space ever been so beautiful?

  Heather kneeled down next to him. “Jim, are you okay?”

  He stared at her. Heather’s face was so…lovely. He reached out to touch the side of her cheek. She was soft, smooth, and so warm. “Are you real?”

  She choked as she answered. “I am. This is all real. I don’t know how long you were there but you’re here now. It’s all happening.”

  “That’s good. It’s so nice to see you all.”

  The world went black and it was such an utter relief.

  Braxton woke up to the feeling of warmth on his back. He smiled, digging his face deeper into his pillow. What was that feeling? He didn’t want to budge in case it stopped.

  “Are you awake?”

  Heather’s voice was even more of a draw than the heat traveling through his spine. He started to roll over and a hand stopped him from moving.

  “Don’t move. I don’t want you to get sticky all over. Foy said this is some kind of ancient herbal method for healing skin but it smells a tremendous amount like Bengay to me.”

  He smiled. Seeing her face would be better but hearing her voice would do. For now. “How long has it been since we saw each other? At some point time became meaningless.”

  “For me it was just minutes. But I have no idea how long you languished there. Foy had no idea that was happening to you.”

  Braxton groaned. “What good is having a fallen angel around if he can’t even do that?”

  “You don’t sound as angry when you say the words fallen angel anymore.” He felt pressure on his back and then a cool wetness. She must be wiping off the medication.

  “I’ve just spent an inordinate amount of time protecting him from Pendleton. I guess at some point I stopped being angry. He does a lot of good for the world. I’d rather have him here doing it than not.”

  She gave one final wipe. “You can roll over if you want to.”

  He did but it took more effort than he would have liked. This was going to be a long road back. How did he even attempt it?

  Heather took his hand in hers. As much as he liked the feel of his hand in hers, he didn’t want her coddling him. It made him…uncomfortable.

  “I’m going to be okay. You don’t have to worry about me.” He smiled and then reached over to take the glass of water next to him. The liquid felt cool as it went down his scorched throat.

  “I know you’re going to be okay. But the thing is, I’m in love with you, and I’m going to worry about you whether you want me to or not.”

  His heart fell into his stomach. “Heather, I may still be really out of it but did you just say that you love me?”

  “I did.” She smoothed her hair off her forehead. “Is that okay?”

  “It feels as if I haven’t seen you for years.” His heart swelled. “And I’ve thought about you every day, every moment of it. So yes, Heather, it’s okay that you love me. My love for you would have sustained me for eternity. Hearing you say you feel the same way is more than I ever expected.”

  She bent over and kissed him on the lips. He would have deepened the embrace but she pulled back. “And they say you don’t talk. Ivan’s been regaling me with stories of you from childhood. Aren’t you supposed to be silent?”

  “Would you prefer it if I stopped talking?” He smiled, knowing she wouldn’t.

  Her eyes widened. “No. I love the things you say. Keep talking.”

  “Heather.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve been thinking about you for a long time. I’m weak but I’m not incapable. If you want to come over here, I’d be really happy to have a little more TLC of the sexual variety.”

  Heather grinned. “Do you think we can have sex without a maniacal ghost, a haunted house or an airplane?”

  “Oh…” He pulled her down on him and kissed her hard on the mouth. “I think we can manage it. Big time.”

  Her body molded against his and he savored the feeling. A thought dawned on him. “I must look like hell. Maybe you don’t want me that way right now.”

  “Are you kidding?” She ran her hand down his neck. “I can’t think of anything I want more. And besides, we cleaned you up earlier. You’re looking pretty good now, if beat up.”

  “Who is we?” Heather’s hands on him were one thing but he didn’t like the thought of random other people helping to get him straightened out. The fact that he cared must mean he was starting to feel better.

  “Well, Foy and Ivan may have helped me.”

  “That’s what I was afraid of. I’ll never live it down.” For the rest of his life, he’d hear about how they’d had to take care of him when he’d been hurt. The Shadow Promised were all hard on each other. He’d always known it was part of keeping one another strong but this was going to burn for a while.

  “I don’t think so.” She shook her head. “They’re worried about you. What you went through, not really knowing how long that was…it’s not something they’re taking lightly. Especially Foy. He’s guilt-ridden.”

  “Good. Let him stew.” He kissed her and had the pleasure of hearing her moan beneath his lips. If there were ramifications for needing help, he’d face them later.

  Heather ran her hands over his chest. “If you’re sure this is the best way for you to get better. I wouldn’t want you to overtax yourself.”

  “Baby, it feels like it’s been years since I’ve seen you. My body feels like it needs to make up for lost time.”

  “I think I know just how to start that kind of healing.” She moved over him, grasping his cock in her hand. He watched like a man transfixed when she took it out of his pants. She caressed it for a second before she bent over.

  “Heather.” His voice hitched as if he were sixteen years old. “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I know I don’t have to, silly.” She winked at him. Shit, could she be any more adorable? “I want to.”

  Heather took the tip of his cock in her mouth. Damn it. Was it possible to die of pleasure? He closed his eyes. If it was, he’d die a happy man.

  Other books by Rebecca Royce…

  Safe Haven

  Everywhere and Nowhere

  More coming soon….

  Soul Bound

  Prisoner of the Dragons

  More coming soon….

  Shadow Promised

  Strange Days

  Weird Nights

  Haunted Years

  More coming soon…

  Dragon Wars

  Forever

  Eternal

  Always

  Evermore

  Endless (coming soon)

  The Warrior

  Initiation

  Driven

  Subversive

  Redemption

  Justice

  The Westervelt Wolves

  Her Wolf

  Summer’s Wolf

  Wolf Reborn

  Wolf’s Valentine

  Wolf’s Magic

  Alpha Wolf

  Angel’s Wolf

  Darkest Wolf

  Lone Wolf

  Fallen Alpha

  Alpha Rising

  Alpha’s Strength

  Alpha’s Sacrifice

  Alpha’s Truth

  Alpha Enticing

  Hidden Alpha (coming soon)

  The Capes

  Seductive Powers

  Adrenaline Rush

  Last Ascension

  The Conditioned

  Eye Contact

  Embraced

  More coming soon

  About Rebecca Royce

  As a teenager, I would hide in my room to read my favorite romance novels when I was supposed to be doing my homework. I hope, these d
ays, that my parents think it was worth it.

  I am the mother of three adorable boys and I am fortunate to be married to my best friend. We’ve just moved from New Jersey to Texas where I am learning to love Barbecue!

  I am in love with science fiction, fantasy and the paranormal and try to use all these elements in my writing. I've been told I'm a little bloodthirsty so I hope that when you read my work you'll enjoy the action-packed ride that always ends in romance. I love to write series because I love to see characters develop over time and it always makes me happy to see my favorite characters make guest appearances in other books. In my world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will. I love to hear from my readers so please email me at BeccaGrim79@gmail.com and visit my website www.rebeccaroyce.com to see more of my work and sign up for my newsletter.

  Copyright © 2015 Rebecca Royce

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