Kimberly eyed the thick clouds threatening rain. Gusts of wind shook the van as Michael pulled into the driveway of the Stone Lion Inn. The huge white building with its wrap-around porch sat dark in the overcast gloom.
Michael parked and pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes. “Good work, everyone. Let’s get some sleep. You okay, Kimmy?”
The swinging noose arced another elliptical across her memories. “Yeah. A little worried about this investigation. But I’m okay.”
The sky flickered and rumbled. Fat drops of rain pelted the windshield. She watched TJ, Stan, and Elise make a mad dash with equipment cases.
Her passenger door opened. Sterling stood in the gap, an umbrella over his head. He held out a hand. “Hey, there, little lady. Won’t you let this cowpoke escort you inside?”
She laughed. “Was that John Wayne?”
He tipped an imaginary hat. “When in Rome, little lady.”
She accepted his hand and allowed him to assist her out of the van. She noticed he was careful to center the umbrella over her as he looped an arm around her waist and tucked her close.
Another jolt of lightning ripped across the sky, illuminating the Stone Lion in bursts of flashes. A peal of thunder followed immediately, rattling her bones. The swollen clouds released a deluge, the downpour beating against the ground, the trees, the umbrella Sterling shielded her with.
“I would be drenched right now if not for your chivalry,” she noted, raising her voice to be heard above the storm’s blustering rage. “This was very thoughtful. Thank you.”
He guided her up the steps and to the door, safe under the shelter of the porch, and shook the rain from his umbrella. “My pleasure.” The boyish grin that twisted his lips and crinkled the corners of his eyes sent an electric thrill buzzing through her. A warm flush crept up her face. No denying it. This man attracted her. A lot. When he looked at her the way he was now, she entertained thoughts that further pinked her cheeks. But what should she do with that?
Impulse control ensured she ate well and made smart choices that kept her out of the messes Rosie so often found herself in. What would happen if she tossed that aside, grabbed Sterling, and crushed him in a kiss so fierce it took his breath away? What if that opened the door to more? What if they became involved but then it didn’t work out? They would be stuck together awkwardly working on the show. That’s what would happen. And she couldn’t believe the show wouldn’t suffer from that shift. No matter how professional they tried to remain, the dynamic would be different and the audience would know.
Sterling cocked his head and lifted an eyebrow. “You’re quiet. What are you thinking about?”
Crushing you in a fierce kiss before yanking your shirt off. She’d seen those rippled abs of his but never run her hands over them. She flushed again. “Nothing. Just tired,” she lied.
“Well, let’s get you to bed.” One side of his mouth curled into a grin.
He opened the front door. Stan and TJ held cameras, debating placement.
Michael and Rosie clattered up the steps and under the porch roof, soaked to the bone.
“Nice, Sterling,” Rosie said. “Way to share the love.”
“Hi, Ms. Wantland!” TJ greeted her. “We’re setting up to see if we can catch any activity while we’re here.”
“Good. Gotta keep Randmeier happy.”
Michael wrung his shirt. “Hello? How about keeping me happy too? I feel like the four of us could have fit under that umbrella.”
“A little water won’t melt you. That’s only witches.”
“Sweetie, don’t push it or the witch might emerge. This silk Brooks Brothers is dry clean only and might melt.”
“Do we need to be worried about tornadoes?” TJ asked as another blast of thunder shook the house. A gust of wind rattled the windows, pelting rain against the glass panes.
“Not this time of year,” Elise answered. “Tornado season is in the spring. I checked.”
“I hope you’re right,” Michael said, heading for the stairs. He stopped to take in the vivid green wallpaper. “And I thought my shirt was loud. Good night, all. See you in the morning for footage review.”
Kimberly giggled. “Maybe he doesn’t melt, but the rain seems to have sent him into diva mode.”
Rosie squinted at her as she rubbed smudged mascara from under her eyes. “Easy to say when you’re completely dry. I am off to clean up and sleep. Have a nice night.”
She didn’t miss the subtle glance at Sterling and lift of the eyebrow from Rosie as her stylist headed upstairs. And she knew exactly what was on Rosie’s mind.
She turned down the hall and headed for her room, fully aware Sterling would be on the other side of the wall as she slept. He fell into step beside her. She felt his presence before she saw him out of the corner of her eye. Pausing at her door, she turned to face him. She swore heat radiated from him. She shivered and ran her hands up and down her arms.
He stepped closer, concerned gaze searching her face. “You okay?”
“Just chilled.”
He took her hand between his. “Good grief. You’re like ice. It’s not that cold in here. Sure you’re okay?”
“A hot shower will help. And some sleep.” Images of him curled around her in bed, that body heat against her skin, chasing the chill away, filled her mind. Her pulse quickened. “Well, goodnight.”
“I’ll be next door if you need anything. I mean it. Anything. Just let me know.”
Unable to look away, she nodded, barely able to breathe. “I will.”
“Goodnight.”
She watched him walk to his room, noting how well his black jeans fit and how his broad shoulders swayed with each step. He unlocked his door and waved to her with a smile.
Her hand shook as she unlocked her door. Inside her own room, she took a deep breath. The bright colors, wild floral patterns, and jumbled collection of mismatched furnishings did nothing to calm her chakras or soothe her frazzled psyche.
What could she do with this chaotic mix of emotions Sterling stirred up in her? It wasn’t getting better. If anything, it was getting worse. Spending time with him, she should become familiar and comfortable with his presence. So why did she find herself increasingly distracted? The pleasing slope of his shoulders hadn’t caught her attention during the first investigation he’d worked with her.
Ugh. She needed Rosie. Although she knew exactly how Rosie would react and what advice she’d give.
She turned on the shower, spinning the hot water tap fully open. Steam began to fill the space as she dropped her clothes on the floor. Standing under the shower, she finally began to relax, the hot water soothing her aching muscles.
The noose she’d seen swaying from the tree in the Johnsons’ backyard boded poorly for the investigation. If the property had a murder in its history, the family seemed unaware. Hopefully, Elise would find something. Though she didn’t want to be the one to break the news to the family.
She toweled off, tucked the towel snuggly under her arms, and went to dig through her suitcase for pajamas.
Another flash of lightning lit up the dim room as thunder rumbled. She jumped at the intrusion and glanced at the mirror over the dresser.
The silhouette of a person standing in the window reflected back at her.
She gasped and spun around, heart racing. The dark shape remained. This was not her imagination. Someone appeared to be standing right outside her window.
In the pouring rain? It made no sense. She closed her eyes. But when she opened them, the figure remained framed in the window.
She shook her head and tried again. No one could know where she was staying. Surely this was in her mind. Yet, the longer she stared, willing the figure to resolve into nothing, the less sure she became. Something was at her window.
Clutching the towel close with one hand, she lifted her cell phone from the nightstand with the other, selected Sterling from her contacts, and opened a message box.
You still awake?
She pressed the arrow to send the message and glanced again at the window.
The silhouette had shifted slightly to one side.
Not a tree. What was out there? Okay, just go to the window and open it if you have to. Figure out what that is.
But she couldn’t do it.
Her phone lit up. Sterling.
I’m awake. What’s up?
She quickly typed a response.
Can you come to my room? Please?
Three rapid texts popped up on her screen.
An emoji, one eyebrow cocked.
Be right there.
I’ll grab pants.
Immediately she pictured him without pants. Did he wear boxers or briefs? Or boxer briefs? He would look incredible in boxer briefs, snug around his thighs and— She shook her head.
Pants. Right. Clothes. Meeting Sterling at the door in nothing but a towel would send the wrong message.
Three quiet knocks rapped on her door before she’d managed to wiggle into her nightgown. A glance at the window confirmed the dark shape remained.
Sterling’s face displayed a mixture of confusion and anticipation when she opened the door. “I didn’t dare hope this was anything other than business, but that nightie says otherwise. Is that new? Don’t think I’ve seen that one before.”
He’d put on pants as promised, but above the elastic waistband, his bare body distracted her. The sun-toasted skin, sleek lines, and belly button divot in his narrowed waist drew her attention, leaving her unable to speak and longing to touch.
His face morphed from amused to concerned. “You okay? You seem a little shaken up.”
Unsure if her shaking hands were due to the shadow or her proximity to half-naked Sterling, she shook her head to clear it and forced herself to focus. “I saw . . . Someone is standing outside my window I think.”
Sterling scowled and marched across the room.
But the silhouette was gone.
She joined him at the window. “No. It was . . . it’s gone now but I promise I saw something. A dark silhouette. A person, I think.”
He raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms, one corner of his mouth curling into a smirk. “Did you text me about a ghost?”
“No. No! It wasn’t a ghost.”
He moved closer. “You didn’t need to invent a reason to invite me to your room.”
“I didn’t—”
“I would have come. All you had to do was ask.” He leaned close, his woodsy scent further exciting her already fired up lower chakras.
Breathing so hard it nearly qualified as panting, she stepped back. “I didn’t make it up, and it wasn’t a ghost. Ghosts don’t scare me. People do. Especially creepers who lurk outside bedroom windows staring in. What if you leave and he comes back?”
“Hey, hey.” He pulled her into a hug. “You’re really scared. It’s okay. I’m here.”
Pressed against his bare chest, she realized how terribly thin the material of her nightgown was. He realized too, she knew, feeling his orange chakra grow and resonate. But she didn’t move. His strong arms wrapped around her felt too good, too reassuring. “Maybe he’s gone.”
“Want me to call the police?”
“They would probably be less likely to believe me than you are. He seems to be gone.”
He leaned back and looked at her. “He? You sound sure.”
She shrugged. “I’ve never been stalked by a woman.”
Sterling glared at the window, released her, and jerked the flimsy translucent curtains together. “That doesn’t help much but at least no one should be able to see you clearly. If you see the shadow again, call me. I’ll leave my ringer on.”
She grabbed his arm, a stab of panic at the thought of him leaving her alone consuming her. “Stalkers are the worst.”
“I’ll go walk the porch and see if I can spot anyone. Okay?”
“It’s pouring rain. Are you sure?”
“The porch is covered. Can I bring you anything? Need me to wake Rosie for some sleepy-time tea?”
“No. Thank you. You guys need to sleep. I feel bad for keeping you up as it is.”
He squeezed her hand. “I’m glad you reached out to me. Be right back.”
After he left, she dropped her face into her hands. What was wrong with her? She forced her feet to carry her to the window. Her hand shook violently as she pushed one curtain to the side, just enough to peek out.
Another jagged charge of lightning shot fingers across the sky, illuminating the grounds around the inn.
Nothing.
No figures. No nooses.
Had she imagined it? Was she losing touch after all these years of reaching into the other realm?
A quiet tap preceded Sterling. “I didn’t see anyone,” he reassured her. He pulled her blankets back and patted the bed. “Come on. You need to rest. We all need you in top shape.”
She crawled into the bed, and he tucked her in. If someone had told her six months ago that Sterling Wakefield would someday tuck her into bed, she never would have believed it. And the suggestion probably would have made her mad.
He patted her shoulder. “Better?”
“A little. Thank you.”
He made no move to leave and she didn’t want him to. She felt safer with him next to her. He wouldn’t let anyone close enough to harm her. She could feel it in her bones. Protection and concern emanated from him.
“Should I stay?” The intensity in his eyes told her he was asking more than the surface question. “I could sleep on the floor.”
“That sounds dreadful. You’ll sleep better in your bed.”
He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “A bed is better than the floor. But anything for you.”
A bed could include her bed. Her heart thumped as she envisioned scooting over and inviting him to join her. Imagined him sliding under the blankets beside her, shirtless, warm, his woodsy musk enveloping her.
She wasn’t ready for that. As much as she responded to him physically, she had to remain in control. Allowing herself to dive into a relationship without carefully considering all the potential ramifications wasn’t smart.
“I’ll call if I see anything,” she promised.
Disappointment flashed across his eyes, but he nodded. “If you call, I’ll come running.”
The door clicked behind him. A big part of her regretted the decision. But how would things change tomorrow if they changed so dramatically tonight?
Things had definitely already changed. Before Sterling, she would have called Michael or Rosie in a situation like this. She hadn’t even thought of either of them tonight. She didn’t think the proximity of Sterling’s room had anything to do with that.
He’d gotten under her skin. And she had no idea what to do about it.