Ghost of a Promise (17 page)

They
’
d welcomed him into their home, sharing laughter and stories of Ava
’
s youth. He smiled, recalling her father
’
s tale of a ten-year-old Ava correcting her history teacher and earning a detention in the process. He could picture it too. He wondered if his father even knew the name of his former elementary school.

His parents loved him. Jackson never doubted that for a moment growing up. He didn’t want for anything. But they never set traditions, never invested in memories the way the Trumbles did. Ava could trace her family back two-hundred-and-fifty years, could name every one of her ancestors. She just had to look anywhere in her sweet little town and recall a fond memory.

Yeah, Ava. The woman got to him. Deeply. If she wasn
’
t spitting fire she was driving him to his knees with her kindness. Such an endearing contradiction she was. And today she looked at him in a way she had yet to before.

With acceptance.

With affection.

Women typically viewed him as candy, something temporary and sweet. None of his former lovers ever gazed upon him with fondness, nor had they known him well enough to offer acceptance. He
’
d never minded before. Deep inside, they may have desired more than sex from him, but they
’
d never get it. He
’
d never promised it either. He was out the door and on to the next case before the thought could even form in their minds.

But Ava
…

He placed his hands on either side of the window frame and leaned into them, fighting the urge to stomp upstairs. Go against his ingrained instincts. Tell her she was more. Tell her he wanted to be more. Explain that
…

He could never offer her anything in return. He dropped his chin to his chest, recognizing the brutal reality in their differences and the need keep his honor. She deserved better.

“
Jackson!
”

His head whipped up, around. That sounded like Ava. Of course it was her. They were alone. His team was on leave.

Yet his door remained closed and he didn
’
t hear her feet padding the floorboards above him. Hadn
’
t heard her in more than two hours now. His fists clenched at his side, unsure why his heart pounded out of his chest. The voice, hers, was distant. Echoed.

Sure he was hallucinating the sound of her voice
—
she
’
d been on his mind way too much, after all
—
he turned back to the window.

“
Jackson!
”

This time her voice was shrill, panicked. And very real.

In less than two strides he had the door jerked open and was rounding the corner to the third-floor stairs. Her footsteps were now coming toward him as he pounded up the stairs, the panic making him stumble before righting. They slammed into each other at the top of the steps and he gripped her upper arms to stop her from falling. She was shaking. Or was that him?

He ground out a harsh,
“
Are you okay?
”
at the same moment she asked,
“
What
’
s wrong?
”

His gaze jerked over her shoulder at the small living room. Nothing seemed out of place. He strode around her and paced the room before ducking his head in her bedroom. Everything appeared in order. Turning to face her, they collided once more.

“
What happened? Why did you scream my name?
”

Her huge eyes widened.
“
I didn
’
t. You yelled
my
name. I was asleep and—”

“
Christ.
”
He took a step back. Then another.
“
Christ.
”

And there it was. The fading scent of lavender. As if knowing her ploy worked, Sarah Kerrick
’
s spirit left the room. Or he assumed, because he couldn
’
t actually see her and the scent disappeared. The temperature inched two degrees higher as they stood there.

How the hell was he supposed to keep his promise of steering clear if the bloody sprits kept forcing them into these situations?

“
You didn
’
t call for me, did you?
”

Her voice was so quiet he banked the frustrated anger simmering. He
’
d been terrified out of his ever-loving mind. For what? Amusement? Temptation?

Bloody manipulative ghosts.

He took a calming breath, trying to dispel the fear. He thought she
’
d been hurt. Scared. Alone. His gaze raked over her and fear shifted to desire. Her disheveled red hair was in tangles and she wore those flannel pajamas that shouldn
’
t be sexy but were. Her beautiful pale face was scrubbed free of makeup, giving her a fresh look that hid nothing. He wasn
’
t wearing a shirt and knew without checking his own pajama bottoms failed to hide his erection.

She noticed.

“
No,
”
he sighed.
“
I didn
’
t call for you. Seems your friendly spiritual inhabitant thought she
’
d play another prank.
”

Ava
’
s gaze didn
’
t waver in her exploration of his form. Her nipples peaked beneath her nightshirt, the only indicator she was just as turned on. He wanted to cup those breasts in his hands so badly he caught himself reaching for her before snapping alert and dropping his arms. It shouldn
’
t bring him so much relief, her obviously liking what she saw.

Pink tinged her cheeks when she lifted her gaze to his. Held. From two feet away her clean linen scent drifted over and it flung his attraction from want to need.

He shoved his hands through his hair. Pressed the heels of his palms over his eyes. And yeah, he was completely unable to overlook how he was so bloody hard he could pound nails.

“
Ava.
”
Just that. Just her name, because if he said anything else his will would crumble. He was already shaking from restraint.

“
Jackson,
”
she answered in the same reverent tone.

“
About that promise I made to you, the one where I said I
’
d back off?
”

“
Yes?
”

He told himself the tremor in that one word, the need riddling through her voice as she spoke it, justified what he was about to say. About to do.

“
I
’
m breaking it.
”

And hell if he was giving her time to think that through.

Chapter Sixteen

Ava barely had time to register Jackson’
s words before he closed the meager distance between them and his mouth was on hers. He cupped her cheeks, his hands so large she was cocooned in warmth. His tongue slid along the seam of her lips, urging her to open. The moment she did, she knew she was a goner. One of his hands slid to her nape, holding her against his kiss as if he thought she
’d leave, while the other dropped to her collarbone. He ran his thumb along the sensitive skin of her throat and she moaned.

He kissed like he had all night to do so, thoroughly and completely. She could orgasm just on his kiss alone. No crevice of her mouth went undiscovered, and he poured emotion into the act, like telling a story just for her. Heat, passion, and desire drifted through in unspoken words. He showed her what feelings he kept bottled and it scared her. But she wanted him, needed him, so she would take what he offered with no regret.

And when he left after the investigation, she’
d just have to get the hell over it.

She ran her fingers across his shoulders, down his pecs, and realized he was still shaking. From need or restraint, she wasn
’
t sure. The fact that he wanted her as badly as she wanted him, that she could affect him this way, fueled her courage. If she could arouse a man with as much experience as Jackson, if he could make her feel this way with only a kiss, then this wasn
’
t wrong.

The muscles in his abdomen contracted beneath her hands in her path to his waistband, and when her fingers dipped inside, his body stiffened. She froze.

“
Lord,
”
he mumbled against her mouth.
“
I can
’
t stop.
”
He reared back to look in her eyes.
“
Please tell me you
’
re on board. Yes? We
’
re doing this?
”

Oh wow. He
’
d actually asked. Stopped, no matter how much it cost him, to seek permission. To see if she was okay. He wasn
’
t just a face on camera. He was a decent guy, considerate of others.

“
I don
’
t want you to stop.
”
His gaze seared hers for two heartbeats before he unleashed a smile that nearly knocked her knees out.
“
Less smiling, more kissing.
”

He obliged, back to kissing the thoughts right out of her head. She dug her fingers into the muscles of his back, pressed her breasts to the solid wall of his chest, earning a feral groan from Jackson.

“
I
’
ll buy you another,
”
he muttered, running his fingers toward the buttons on her top.

She threw her head back.
“
Another what?
”

“
Another set of pajamas.
”

He ripped her top open. Buttons flew, landing somewhere across the room,
pinging
on the floor. He yanked the shirt wide, down her shoulders and used the material to bind her arms.

“
Look at you,
”
he ground out, voice rough. His gaze seared over her flesh and she wanted to whimper, to beg him to touch.

Finally, after having his fill, he did touch. His large, warm hands slid over her ribs as he ducked his head and drew one nipple into his mouth. She untucked her arms from his hold and pulled him flush with her body. She fisted her fingers in his dark, wavy hair and arched into the flame. He used his teeth, nipping, and she gasped at the sensation before he swirled his tongue over the sweet ache. He moved to her other breast and her knees did give out.

One strong, sure arm came around her back and held her upright, never ceasing the torment on her breast.
“
I
’
ve got you, luv. Where
’
s the bedroom?
”

“
Behind you.” She had to have his skin against hers, had to hurry this along because she was dying.
Dying
.

She shoved her fingers into his waistband and yanked his pants down past his hips. His erection sprang free, so hard and ready the tip brushed his naval.

He dove in for another kiss, this time with urgency, and grabbed the backs of her thighs. Without missing a beat, she wrapped her legs around his hips and ground her heat against his shaft.
So, so good,
even through her layers.

He gripped the doorframe to her bedroom with one hand to keep balance, the other arm wrapped around her back for support. She rocked again. The moan that escaped him reverberated through her chest and she clung tighter. He backed into her bedroom, his mouth never leaving hers.

His pants fell the rest of the way and wrapped around his ankles. He stumbled and fell backward, taking her with him. They landed on the carpet with an
oomph
, he on his back, her sprawled over him on the floor.

As he stared up at the ceiling, dazed, she dropped her head to his chest and laughed. “
I
’
m sorry. Are you okay?
”

He lifted his head.
“
Negates asking if I
’
m okay if you laugh while doing it.
”
Because his voice held no heat or pain, she laughed harder, unable to contain herself.
“
Since we have this brief reprieve, do you have condoms? Mine are in a suitcase downstairs.
”

Giggles subsiding, she reached over his head to the nightstand and opened the drawer. The movement shoved her breasts in his face, which he took full advantage of by cupping them in both hands.

Her fingers closed around the foil packs. Triumphantly, she held up the strip of condoms, at least six, and set them on his chest. He took them with a grin and awkwardly tossed them on the bed. She stood, still straddling him, and held out her hand to help him up.

Instead of taking her offered hand, he sat and kicked his pants aside before tugging hers down, along with her panties. With his assistance, she stepped out of their last barrier, expecting him to stand, to take her to bed. A glance down proved he was still primed, ready to go.

To her surprise, he wrapped his hands around each of her ankles, and with great care, slid them up her legs to grip her hips, his gaze following the caress.

A shiver tore through her body at his gentleness, his determination. She locked her knees to keep her upright because the heat in his eyes was scorching. Single-minded. His only goal was her. He leaned forward and kissed one inner thigh, then the other.

Then, with his blue, blue gaze locked on hers, he kissed her
…there.

She jerked in response, thrusting her hips toward his kiss. Her fingernails raked over his scalp, dragging a moan from him, which she felt the vibrations in the most intimate of ways. He swirled his tongue between her folds, over her bundle of nerves, each stroke sure, tormenting, keeping her just short of her goal and shattering. She trembled, would have fallen had he not stood and caught her.

Quivering, needing release, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he backed them to the bed. When she lay down, his mouth sought hers, his tongue thrusting deep while he hovered over her prone, aching body.

Then his hands were everywhere, investigating, discovering, as if seeking the lay of the land. He shifted his way down her body with open, wet kisses, eventually finding the weak spot on her hip. She bowed off the bed, begging.

He kept his pace measured, taking his time when she couldn’
t stand it one more second. Wrapping one leg over his hip, she rolled them so she could be on top, take control back. He grinned up at her, cupping her cheeks.

Unable to help herself, she returned the smile.
“
What
’
s so funny?
”

“
You, luv. You want me as bad as I want you. I
’
m humbled.
”

She grabbed a condom off the mattress, ripped it open, and rolled it down the long, thick length of him. He hissed in response and shut his eyes.

“
There
’
s nothing humble about you, Jackson Granger.
”

His eyes opened, locked on hers. The grin was gone, replaced with a grim, straight line.
“
You
’
d be surprised, Ava Trumble, just how much you humble me.
”

He jackknifed to a seated position, wrapped his arms around her, and flipped her underneath him. He stared down at her, at her hair spread over the pillow, at her mouth probably red from his kiss, before looking into her eyes. Bracing himself on his forearms, his hands cradled her face, his thumbs stroking her jaw. Without a word, he positioned himself between her legs, aligned himself to enter, then paused.

He held back while her heart thumped erratically, waiting. Several expressions crossed his face, none of which she could read, but she found herself utterly unable to swallow. One thrust of his hips and he would be buried deep inside her, squelching this throbbing, blissful ache and filling her. Yet he didn
’
t move. Just stared.

“
What are you thinking about?
”
she asked quietly, feeling foolish. But his concentrated gaze was so intense she had to know.

Maybe he was regretting this. Thought it was a mistake.

“
I was thinking this is the best holiday I
’
ve ever had.
”

Oh. Oh wow.
Melting. Totally freakin’ melting
.

Before she could do something stupid and girly, like cry, she dug her heels into his back and brought her lips to his. “
Not yet, it
’
s not.
”

She kissed him with everything she had and thrust her hips forward, sinking him deep. The stretch from his size and her two-year hiatus from sex lasted but a second. He paused as if sensing her body needed that moment. He held himself utterly still. When ready, her inner walls clutched him in a vise.

He cursed and pressed his face into the curve of her neck.
“
I knew you
’
d feel good. So, so good, Ava.
”

He was shaking again, coiled so tight she wondered if he
’
d snap. But then he gripped the headboard with one hand, slid his other arm under her hips, angling her upward and him deeper yet. Slowly, inch by inch, he pulled out, drawing out a whimper from deep in her throat, until just the tip of him remained. When he drove back inside, she came undone without so much as a warning.

Knot by glorious knot, she unraveled, all the while he kept his pace unhurried, drawing out every quake and tremor to completion. In the past, she
’
d always had to concentrate, mentally reaching for the orgasm to find her release. Not with Jackson. With him, there was only feeling, no room or desire to think.

She turned her head and kissed his bicep. He was still gripping the headboard, the muscles in his arms bunching and flexing. Still pumping inside her in his maddening rhythm. The heat of arousal clawed again.
Again!
He skimmed his mouth from her neck to her collarbone and dropped his forehead between her breasts while her breaths soughed in and out of her lungs.

“
Come, luv. Come again. For me, please,
”
he begged in a voice roughened like sandpaper.

It was the
please
that had her inner walls tightening around him again, her body bowing. She brought her knees up, drawing them closer, and worked her hands down his back, loving the hard cord of muscle under his soft flesh.

He lifted his head and met her gaze. Removing his arm from beneath her hips, he slid his hand between their bodies and circled her nub with his finger. He hastened his thrusts, plunging, withdrawing, edging her closer to another meltdown. His fingers worked between them, his hips pounded.

“
Now, Ava,
”
he ground out.
“
Can
’
t
…
wait.
”

And as if her body just sought his permission, she came with a tidal rush of ecstasy, stealing her breath, knocking her solidly into oblivion and back. He grunted, drove home once more and cried out in complete male satisfaction.

After several moments, the hand which still gripped the headboard finally fell like lead to the pillow beside her head. He pulled out, removed the condom, and tossed it in the trash by the nightstand.

To her surprise, he wrapped his arms around her weak, limp body and rolled them to the side, facing each other, before drawing up the blankets. She expected him to get up, re-dress, at most, offer a kiss before heading back downstairs. Guys like Jackson didn
’
t snuggle, didn
’t stay the night.

But he just held her instead of leaving, brushing his hand down the length of her hair as his breathing evened out. Spent, satisfied and blissfully unable to think, she slipped into an exhausted sleep.

…

Unable to formulate the words he wanted to say, Jackson had pulled Ava close to his chest and ran his hand over her hair. That was hours ago, before the sun came up. Her face was still pressed to his throat, her hands trapped between their bodies and her chest rising and falling in deep sleep. She probably needed it. Between the night investigations, stress, and the paranormal activity, they hadn’t slept much the past week.

Meanwhile, his heart was still pounding and his dick hard. He’
d known it would be good between them, he just wasn
’
t prepared for how good. Like the-bloody-earth-moved good. Before the condom had come off he
’
d already wanted her again.