The morning sun beamed through the bedroom window and warmed Jordan’s bare legs. She stretched, arching her back and reaching her hands over her head. She felt amazingly relaxed. And sore. A frown crossed her features and she looked down at herself.
She still laid crossways on the bed, naked, the sheets a jumbled mess around her. How the hell did I end up in here? Glancing around the room, she noticed the towel lying on the floor by the window, exactly where her dream lover had dropped it. Her heart began to race as she sat up straighter.
Surely not.
Maybe she’d begun to sleepwalk and had dropped the towel herself. She used to do it as a child, and perhaps the death of her grandfather and the change in location had triggered it to recur. She refused to accept the fact there was someone else in this house who only appeared at night to give her the best sex she’d ever had.
The knock at the door made her jump.
“Miss Jordan. Are you awake?”
Jordan quickly grabbed her robe. “Come on in. It’s open.”
The door opened and Kimberly smiled at her. “I have cinnamon buns and coffee downstairs.”
Jordan tightened the belt on her blue satin robe and gave Kimberly a small smile. “That sounds wonderful.”
“Are you okay, Miss Jordan? You look white as a sheet.”
“Yeah. I just had a long night.” She glanced at the bed and frowned. “I don’t think I slept much.”
“The house keeping you awake again?”
Jordan caught the impish grin on Kimberly face and instantly became suspicious. “Are you sure there’s not something strange about this house you’re not telling me?”
Her smile immediately faded and was replaced with a look of innocence. “Like what, Miss Jordan?”
“I don’t know. Like the house is possessed with someone by the name of Drake.” She opened the closet door and pulled out her jeans and sweater. Although spring, the weather was still a little chilly, especially in the mornings. Moving to the bathroom, she changed in privacy, but left the door open so she could continue to talk with Kimberly.
“The original owner’s name was Drake. Perhaps your subconscious remembered the name from the other day and is making you dream about him.”
Jordan stepped out of the bathroom and stared at Kimberly in shock. “How did you know I was having dreams?”
For a second, Kimberly looked as though she was about to bolt from the room. “I believe you … um … told me, Miss Jordan,” she stammered.
Shaking her head, Jordan adjusted the sweater and moved back into the bedroom. Another knock at the door interrupted what she was about to say.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, madam, but there’s a Nina Bradshaw on the phone for you.”
“Nina?” Jordan smiled, excited to hear from her friend. She grabbed the phone from Rene, mumbling a quick thank-you.
“Nina? Oh, please tell me you’re on your way.”
Nina laughed. “Surely it’s not that bad.”
“It’s worse. The house is gorgeous, but it’s just so creepy.” Jordan shuddered and scowled at the now-empty room. Rene and Kimberly had left, and she felt a little aggravated she hadn’t gotten an answer from Kimberly. Despite Kimberly’s attempt to explain away her remark, Jordan was certain she hadn’t told her about the dreams.
“Oh, I love creepy. I’m leaving first thing in the morning, which will probably put me there about the same time I left.”
Jordan chuckled. “I’ll be there to pick you up. The weather here is gorgeous, so I’ll bring the convertible.”
“Perfect. Nothing like seeing the English countryside from the passenger seat of an English convertible. Now if we only had Fabio.”
“Fabio is Italian,” Jordan said with a grin.
“Italian, English, they both have sexy accents.”
“You have a point. E-mail me your arrival time and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Ciao, bella,” Nina replied in her best Italian accent, making Jordan smile. Nina would definitely make the house a little less creepy.
* * * *
Jordan stepped into the fragrant kitchen, and sat at the small table settled within the bay window overlooking the garden. It was turning out to be a beautiful day. Inhaling the scent of cinnamon, she smiled at Kimberly. “They smell wonderful.”
Kimberly smiled in return and set a plate before her with a cinnamon roll dripping with icing and a cup of steaming coffee. “Sit with me, Kimberly.”
“I really should finish cleaning, Miss Jordan.”
Jordan shook her head. “Not until we finish talking about this dream thing.”
Kimberly slowly sank into the opposite chair, her fingers gripping a napkin tightly. “Are you having dreams, Miss Jordan?”
“You mentioned my having dreams earlier. And yes, I am, but I never told you about them.”
“Your grandfather had dreams when he first came here too. I assumed you were as well. You seemed so nervous about the house … I just guessed.”
Jordan swallowed her bite of the roll and took a sip of coffee. “What kind of dreams did my grandfather have?”
“He dreamed of Drake as well, but I’m not sure of the details. He never really discussed them.”
Kimberly appeared to be fidgety, and Jordan wondered if she was telling her the truth. As far as she knew, Kimberly had no reason to lie, but there was something very strange about this house. Maybe when Nina got here, the two of them could get to the bottom of it.
“Do you know where the keys to the cars are? I want to pick up Nina at the airport tomorrow.”
Kimberly smiled. “Will she be staying with us for a while?”
“Yes. You like having guests, don’t you?”
“Oh, yes.” Kimberly nodded with an excited gleam in her eye. “It gives me something to do.”
“I’m sure Nina will give you plenty to do,” Jordan implied.
“Is there anything you would like to have for dinner tomorrow night, to celebrate your friend’s arrival?”
“Actually, I was thinking of stopping off somewhere in London. It’s Nina’s first time here and we’ll have all day, so I thought I would swing by some of the big sights before we headed back. It might be late when we get home.”
Kimberly nodded and stood. “Then we’ll do it the next night. In the meantime, I’ll retrieve the car keys from Rene. Did you have a particular car in mind?”
“The roadster?” Jordan replied with a grin.
Kimberly returned her smile. “Yes, it is a sporty little thing. It was your grandfather’s favorite too.”
Jordan watched Kimberly leave the room with a thoughtful expression. Had there been something going on between Kimberly and her grandfather? And if there had been—why didn’t he tell her about it?
With a sigh, she realized there had been much more to her grandfather than she ever knew.
“Well, Jordan,” she said aloud to herself as she stood and took her plate to the sink. “It’s time to explore a little.”
And just maybe she could find a picture somewhere of this Drake Montgomery.
* * * *
Drake leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. He’d enjoyed watching Jordan make her way through the house. Now she was in the gallery on the second level. He was relieved he’d had Rene remove the portrait of him from the wall. The timing was all wrong to reveal he wasn’t a dream just yet.
Thinking back to last night and something she’d said made him wonder what had happened to her to make her think she couldn’t feel passion or desire. He’d never met a more passionate woman. She was incredible. Just thinking about sex with her made his cock twitch with renewed vigor. He was dying to touch her, but if he did so now, while she was awake, it would probably scare the hell out of her.
‘My lord?’ Kimberly’s soft voice startled him from his thoughts.
He smirked in her direction. ‘It’s not necessary to whisper, Kimberly. In our invisible state, she can’t hear us.’
‘I know. But even after all this time, it still feels strange to speak aloud with her just a few feet away.’
‘Was there something you wanted?’ His gaze still lingered on Jordan, on the soft sway of her hips in the tight-fitting jeans as she strolled around the room, the gentle swell of her breasts beneath the snug sweater. He could still taste her, could feel her nipples harden under his palms.
‘Her friend Nina is arriving tomorrow.’
He nodded. ‘I know.’
‘Will you reveal yourself to her tonight?’
‘No. I’ll keep letting her think it’s a dream for now.’
‘This is starting to concern her. She thinks somehow it’s the house. What if you scare her off?’
“I won’t.” Or at least he hoped he wouldn’t.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kimberly nod and leave the room. Jordan lingered before a portrait of Lord Haverly, the third owner of Blackthorn. Drake wondered if Jordan found Lord Haverly handsome, as most women did. The thought of her desiring another man bothered him, and his brow drew together in a frown.
Why the hell am I jealous of a dead man?
Walking up behind her, he gently ran his hand through her soft hair. She gasped and reached up to touch her head before turning. Her chest rose and fell with her labored breathing as her startled eyes scanned the room. She’d felt him.
He wanted so badly to kiss her, touch her, and bury himself inside her. Would she run screaming if he tried to make love to her here? Of course she would. What woman wouldn’t?
With one last glance around the room, she fled, mumbling something about ghosts. Drake grinned.
“Until tonight, my lady Jordan,” he whispered.
* * * *
Jordan tossed and turned in her bed, unable to relax. Feeling the hand in her hair earlier in the gallery had affected her more than she wanted to admit. It had startled her, but what upset her more was the presence she felt so close to her. The heat of a male body was just beyond her grasp, but there was no one there.
It’s nothing, she tried to tell herself.
This old house was making her imagination run away with her. Taking a deep breath, she relaxed, feeling the beginnings of a deep sleep tugging at her body.
The wind howled and threw the French doors open, causing them to bang against the wall. She squealed, sitting up in bed. Staring at the open doors, she watched the wind whipping the curtains about madly. Placing a hand over her chest, she settled the thumping of her heart.
It’s just the wind.
Climbing out of bed, she grabbed her robe and ran to the doors, shutting them, this time making sure the latch at the top was fastened. Before she even turned around, she felt him. It was the same heat she’d felt earlier in the gallery. The same feeling of lust and desire.
She spun around and faced Drake. His blue eyes reflected the flickering candlelight. When had the candles been lit?
I’m dreaming again.
“Who are you?” she demanded.
“I’m Drake, my lady.” He bowed at the waist, the grin on his face making him look years younger and very mischievous.
She stood studying him, as she clasped the door handle behind her back. It was the only way she could keep from touching him, from pulling him to her bed and fucking him till she couldn’t walk.
“I know that’s your name. But who are you? Are you a ghost sent here to invade my dreams and drive me away?”
“Is that what you think? I’m trying to drive you away?”
He sauntered toward her, and she was unable to pull her gaze away from his. The passion she could see mirrored in the sapphire depths of his eyes made her breath quicken and the place between her legs throb in anticipation.
“If you’re not trying to get rid of me, what are you doing? Trying to make me crazy?”
“Crazy with desire, maybe. You’re a very passionate woman, Jordan. A woman any man would give his soul to make love to.”
He combed his fingers through her hair and her grip tightened around the doorknob. “I’ve never been called passionate. It was always said I was cold.”
His touch stilled against the side of her neck. His gaze bored into hers, demanding an answer. “Who said that?”
“My boyfriend.”
He continued to move his fingers lower until he cupped her breast through the satin of the robe. A soft gasp left her lips, and she arched her back slightly
“Do you feel cold now, Jordan?”
She shook her head, closing her eyes against the titillating sensations screaming through her. “I never feel cold with you. I feel hot. And sexy.”
“You are sexy.” He untied the robe and spread it apart, exposing her breasts to his hungry gaze. The cold air hit her flesh, causing her nipples to pucker, begging for the warm flick of his tongue. “So very sexy,” he whispered as he brushed his mouth across her aching mounds.
Finally releasing her grip on the door, she buried her hands in his hair. She slid her fingers through the soft strands, tugging him closer. Why couldn’t this man be real? If she held on tight enough, could she bring him back to reality with her?
He trailed his lips upward, lightly biting the side of her neck, and liquid heat pooled between her thighs. It was amazing how quickly he made her want him. And, God, did she want him.
She moaned into his kiss as he expertly took control. He twirled his tongue around hers, gently stroking. Jordan could hardly breathe as he feathered his hand lower to slide over the smooth skin between her legs. She spread her thighs wider, silently encouraging him to continue. With a patience that was beyond her, he drew his finger along her slit.
She gasped. “Oh, yes.”
“You’re so wet, Jordan.” He brought his wet finger to her lips and traced them, spreading her juices around the outside of her mouth. “Would a woman who doesn’t feel passion become this aroused?” He licked her lips with the tip of his tongue. “Or taste this good?”
He continued to sip her juices from her lips, switching from soft licks to gentle bites. He moved his thick finger moved back to her aching pussy and slid deep. She groaned, moving her hands down his stomach to the thick bulge pushing against his pants. He was huge, but she also knew he’d feel incredible and she wanted him thrusting inside her.
She pressed her hand against his cock and rubbed up and down slowly. “I need you, Drake. Now.”
“Turn around,” he commanded against her lips.
She put her back to him, facing the glass French doors. She watched over her shoulder as he removed her robe and feathered his hand along her hips.
“Put your hands against the door and bend over slightly.” His voice was soft, but commanding. She did as he told her, watching over her shoulder as he removed his clothes.
Bracing her hips with his hands, he entered her from behind. The filling, stretching sensation was incredible, and she closed her eyes, sighing as he filled her to her womb.
He began to move, pulling almost all the way out before thrusting back in, each motion going deeper; taking her closer to the pinnacle she knew only he could take her to. He circled his palms around to squeeze her breasts before moving lower to her clit. With one hand, he fondled her lower nub while the other pinched her nipples. She screamed as her climax rocked through her, making a blinding light explode behind her eyes.
He continued moving in and out of her and teasing her clit. Each thrust of his cock in her tight pussy made her want another. And another. She didn’t want him to stop.
Glancing at the glass of the door, she noticed there was no reflection. It was as though she stood alone, but she could feel him. Feel every thrust of his hard shaft, every circle of his insistent fingers.
Without warning, he pulled out and turned her to face him. The loss of him inside her made her whimper, and she grabbed at him, wanting more.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get what you want,” he whispered against her lips, as he tugged her with him to the chair before the fire. With a flick of his hand, the fireplace came to life, bathing the room in the soft glow of the flames.
Sitting in the chair, he pulled her to his lap. “Fuck me, Jordan,” he commanded. “Take my cock inside your tight pussy.”
She straddled his lap and sank down onto his magnificent shaft. Throwing her head back, she groaned as he leaned forward and captured an aching breast in his mouth.
*
Drake was having a hard time keeping control. He could feel her muscles clenching around him, dragging him deeper inside her. She was incredible, but he wanted her to come again before he did. He wanted her to scream his name as her climax raced through her a second time.
“That’s it, my love. You feel so good,” he sighed against the flesh of her neck. He could smell her jasmine scent mixed with the smell of their sex, and he breathed deep, trying to control his own raging lust.
“Drake,” she whimpered, and he knew she was close. Very close. Grabbing her hips, he held himself deep and rocked her forward and back. Her mouth dropped open, and her head fell back. The ends of her hair brushed across his thighs as she continued to rock against him. He was sure the scream which left her mouth rattled the walls. Moving her faster, he let loose his own release, exploding deep within her.
Without a word, she sagged forward onto his chest, her breathing as ragged as his own. He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed, laying her within the soft sheets.
“Don’t leave me again. Stay. Please.”
His eyes met hers, and he knew he could deny her nothing. He’d never met a woman, within the curse or out, who made him feel the things he felt with Jordan. The desire to please and protect her overwhelmed him.
Climbing under the covers, he pulled her into his embrace and held her tight until her even breathing let him know she’d fallen asleep. Even then, he didn’t leave. He would stay with her as long as he could. He liked the feel of her in his arms. Was this love? Would he be lucky enough this time to actually fall in love with a woman? Or would Celeste get to her as well?