Incorporeal (5 page)

The corners of Sara’s mouth curled up further into a broad grin.
Too bad when I rolled over he wasn’t there because I would have… What? Done him? Had ghost sex again?

You are desperate, Sara. Maybe pathetic is a better word. Stop by that adult toy store on the way home and buy yourself a vibrator if you’re so hard up.
Sara giggled.
He was very hard, wasn’t he?

***

Blast the woman. Where is she?
Impatient, Nathan paced back and forth before the fireplace. He’d actually managed to get a fire started, not that he was cold, but he wanted to do something, prove something to himself and to her. He swore he could feel the warmth of the blaze on his face.
So where is she? She should have been home from this job of hers two hours ago
.

He reached for another log, gripping the wood carefully with both hands. His muscles flexed as he lifted it, just as they’d flexed when he’d actually been alive. There was no doubt; he felt the heft and the weight of the log. The rough bark abraded his palm. Nathan smiled with satisfaction.

Cautious, lest he become incorporeal again and the heavy piece of wood slip through his fingers, He knelt onto the floor and slid the log into the fire. As it began to smoke and smolder, Nathan sat back on his heels and contemplated his new abilities.

I don’t know what I am, but I like it
. Nathan wondered if he deluded himself, but he swore his heart beat loud and strong, bringing life to every single cell of his body.
If this is purgatory, I’ll gladly stay, even if I can’t leave the bloody house
.

“
What the hell?” The front door flew open. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? You can’t do this. Ghosts can’t do this. I don’t want you in my house.”

Nathan turned to see Sara, a mixture of fury and fear on her face, brandishing a paper bag of groceries like a warrior’s shield.

He rose to his feet. “I’ve told you, I cannot leave.” As he watched, her eyes flicked from him to the fireplace and back to him.

“
How did you do that?” She tilted her head toward the blaze.

“
The same way any man builds a fire.”

With jerky movements, Sara kicked the door shut behind her and set the bag down on the couch. “No. Listen to me.” Her voice sounded strained, her words forced. “How did you do that? You’re dead. You’re a ghost. A ghost can’t build a fire in my fireplace.”

Without hesitation, she strode toward him, a hand outstretched. Her index finger poked him in the chest. She drew her hand back as if she’d been burned. Nathan watched the blood drain from her face.

“
How? Who are you?”

Nathan caught her as her knees buckled and gave way. He swung her up into his arms.

“
This can’t be happening,” she murmured, her mouth pressed against his shirt. “You can’t do these things. It’s not possible.”

“
I don’t know what’s possible and what isn’t,” he replied, his voice rough. He didn’t bother to hide his raw, desperate need for her. “Sara, I’m taking you to bed.”

“
But the ice cream and the…” Her protest was surprisingly mild.

“
It will keep. I don’t know that I can. I may not have much time.”

Sara lifted her head and looked into his eyes. She seemed to be studying him, wondering if he was real or nothing more than a dream. He thought she might ask a question, but instead she wrapped both arms around his neck and nodded. Nathan needed no more encouragement. Either God or the devil or both had given him this opportunity and he did not intend to waste a single moment.

***

“
I don’t understand.” Sara trailed light fingers over the damp skin of Nathan’s chest.

Nathan gave a snort of laughter.
As if I do
. “What don’t you understand?”

Her fingers dipped lower, skidding across his narrow waist. “Any of this, how this is possible and why I’m, why I’m a willing participant in whatever this is.”

Lifting himself up on an elbow, Nathan ran a hand along the side of her face. He twined a lock of her auburn hair around his fingers, playing. “Are you saying you regret what we’ve just done?” He searched her eyes, waiting for an answer.

“
Strange as it sounds, no, I don’t regret being with you. But Nathan, it’s not real. It can’t be real. You’re a dream, or something straight out of a dream. You’re a ghost, incorporeal.”

He reached for her hand and pressed her palm flat against his chest. “Can you feel that?”

Sara nodded. “Your heart’s beating.”

His eyes locked on hers, he drew the soft hand lower, until she caressed his erection. “Tell me, Sara, can you feel this?”

She responded with a grin so crooked it brought a smile to his own face. “Oh, yes,” she whispered. “I’ve already felt that part of your anatomy a number of times. But Nathan…”

He stopped her words with a kiss. When at last he lifted his head, he heard her whisper his name once more, the sound barely more than a sigh against his cheek. He parted her legs with his own and entered her, his body shivering with need, eager to make up for five hundred years of delayed gratification.

Eyes closed, Sara arched against him and if she had a question, Nathan sensed she’d forgotten all about it. His mouth descended once again, but this time, his lips closed around her small, hard nipple. She cried out with pleasure. Feeling warm for the first time in ages, Nathan pushed aside any thoughts of tomorrow and gave himself over to the heat of her willing body.

***

Sara woke alone. Brushing the hair from her face, she sat up and peered around the dark bedroom. The only light, a washed out imitation of moonlight, came from the street lamp down the block.

“
Nathan?”

Nothing.

“
Nathan, are you here?”

No response.

“
Damn.” Sara dropped back down onto the pillows and closed her eyes. “This is so wrong, so very, very wrong. What time is it?”

Turning onto her side, Sara reached for the clock.
Nine-thirty. Plenty of time to get some work done
.
I have to print up two manuscripts and what I have of my work in progress, and get them ready for Kinko’s.

“
Crap!” Sara flew out of bed. By now the ice cream had probably melted all over her couch. Grabbing her bathrobe, she headed for the staircase and descended in a hurry, only to discover the grocery bag she’d left on the couch had vanished.

“
Where is it? Where the hell is it?” Sara didn’t see a stain, so she ran a hand over the couch, checking for cold, wet spots. Nothing.

“
I put your food away.”

Sara jumped at the sound of his disembodied voice. “What happened? Where are you? I can’t see you.”

“
I’m here, near the fireplace.” He sounded weary, and more than a little annoyed.

Sara glanced out of the corner of her eye. He was there, all right, but once again, he’d become incorporeal. “I’m sorry.” What else could she say? She heard him sigh.

“
Thank you.”

Sara absently twisted the ties of her bathrobe.
We need to talk
. She cleared her throat. “We need to talk.”

He cleared his throat in response, but said nothing. Sara’s eyes followed his faint glimmering trail as he moved farther away from her.

“
Don’t you dare vanish,” she said. “Not before we’ve had a chance to talk about what’s happening.” Sara held up a finger. “I’m serious. Don’t even pretend to go wherever it is you go when you are trying to avoid me. Make yourself visible so we can talk face to face.”

“
I’m not avoiding you, Sara.” She heard him mutter something. “I can’t become visible at this moment. It’s beyond my control.”

“
Well who has control?” Sara tried and failed to keep the anger out of her voice. “Who or what controls when you become visible.”

From what Sara could discern, Nathan shrugged. She dropped down on the couch. “It’s very difficult to have a conversation with you when I can’t see you, but we need to talk.”

“
Sara.” His voice sounded right in her ear. This time, instead of jumping out of her skin, she managed to sit still. “I can’t have this discussion with you right now. I will be visible again, of that I’m certain. We will have your conversation, but not tonight. It takes a great deal of energy for me to…”

“
Become corporeal?”

“
Yes. I’m tired. I apologize, but I must have some time to recover.”

Sara felt a cool breeze blow through her tangled curls. She knew it was no breeze; it was his gentle fingers. Sensing a slight pressure against her cheek, Sara closed her eyes, remembering his soft, sensuous lips.

“
Sara, I must leave you now. In any case, you have work to do - this publisher, remember? You must prepare for your meeting with her. I don’t wish to interfere with that.”

I’m beginning to get a headache
. “It’s all right, Nathan,” Sara said, rubbing her temple with her fingertips. “When you’re ready you know where to find me, but we can’t put this off much longer. I need an explanation.”

“
I know.” After uttering those two words, Nathan vanished altogether. Somehow, his absence felt more tangible than his presence. A block of ice settled in Sara’s heart. She didn’t want him to leave.
If he was a living man, I’d never want him to leave
. A rumble from her stomach interrupted her musings.

Well, might as well find out where he put my groceries. How do you like those apples? I’ve heard of stacking ghosts, but I never imagined I’d be visited by a ghost who does household chores
. Sara pushed herself off the couch and headed into the kitchen.
Wow
. She shook her head.
This situation is kind of funny and it’s so not funny at all
.

Sara propped open the fridge door and stared inside. Nathan had arranged her groceries neatly on the glass shelves.
What a ghost
.

Chapter Four

“
You’ve had sex.”

“
Dalton? What in the world? Where did that come from?” Cheeks flaming, Sara snatched up her coffee and headed out the door of the coffee shop.

“
You know exactly what I’m talking about, girl.” Dalton caught up to her. “S-E-X. You’ve had it. I can see it in your eyes, in your walk. It’s evident in that pencil-thin black skirt you never, ever wear. You’ve had sex.” Dalton stepped in front of her, a big grin on her face, stopping Sara in her tracks. “Spill. Who is he and how have you managed to keep him a secret from me?”

Sara stepped around her friend and kept walking. “There is no
he
. I’m not having sex.”

“
Fine, be that way. Keep it to yourself. I’m only your best friend.” Dalton gave a deliberate sniff and backed away, making sure Sara knew she was peeved.

“
C’mon, Dalton, I have thirty minutes to get these manuscripts to Kinko’s. I need them looking professional by Friday morning.” The two continued down the street in an uncomfortable silence. “Okay, fine.” Sara relented. “Yes, there’s sort of a man I’m sort of seeing, but I’m not ready to talk about it.”

“
I knew it!” Dalton practically crowed. “Why can’t you talk about it? We tell each other everything, and don’t say it’s complicated. I hate that cop out.”

Sara laughed. “It is complicated, but I won’t use that as an excuse.” She gave Dalton a lopsided grin. “Let me put it this way, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“
Oh, I get it; you’re not convinced he has staying power.”

He has plenty of staying power, just not the kind you’re thinking of
. “Yes, I’m not sure there’s much future, well, I’m not sure there’s any future for us, so I’d rather keep quiet for the time being.”

“
Okay, I’ll give you that, but tell me one thing, how’s the sex?”

Sara nearly choked on her coffee.

“
That good, huh?” Whacking Sara’s back, Dalton laughed out loud. “When do I get to meet him?”

Sara coughed out an incoherent reply.

“
Oh, so that’s how it is, huh? See if I ever buy you a coffee again.”

“
C’mon, you’re gonna make me drop my bag.” Sara readjusted the shoulder strap of her tote bag. “Let’s concentrate on one thing at a time. This,” she shook the tote, “is thing number one. My man, if that’s what he is, is thing number two.”

“
A big thing, I hope, for your sake,” Dalton mumbled.

“
Oh, don’t go there,” Sara admonished her friend, but she couldn’t help the small, satisfied smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth.

“
Okay, I won’t, but only because I’ve already got my answer. So, let’s talk about thing number one. Are you nervous?”

Sara shrugged. “Not really. I haven’t had much time to think about it.”

Dalton paused for the space of a heart beat. “You mean because thing number two is keeping you occupied?”

“
Oh god, you are so single-minded! Yes, Dalton, he’s fucking my brains out. Does that make you happy? Are you satisfied now?” Sara gave her friend a nudge with her shoulder.

“
Very satisfied.” Her friend sounded smug. “I’ll ask again, when do I get to meet him?”