Spirit [New Crescent 2] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Mary Lou George Read Free Book Online Page A

curl up with him forever was strong, but she resisted.
    “Ernestine wasn’t much help to me this morning.”
    As if he knew she was cold without his touch, he rubbed a hand up and down her back. She shivered, but not from the cold.
    “She may have felt we needed to confront this thing by ourselves. You know she’s like that.” She nodded with a sigh, and he continued. “Maybe we should talk to Ernestine and Gillian at the same time. Gillian’s new to all of this. She may not be as cautious as Ernestine and let something slip. And while that something might be information we shouldn’t have, it could still prove useful.”
    “You’re right. Aunt Ernestine is stubborn and frustrating, but I trust her to help us with this.”
    “Me, too.”
    “Do you want to set up this summit or shall I?”
    He looked around the room and said, “I’ll call Gillian right now, but why don’t we step outside and get some fresh air?”
    She agreed and he helped her put her sweater on. The autumn air had that chill Reggie loved so much. While Chase talked on his cell, Reggie stared at the iron gate she’d noticed earlier that day. She’d seen the apparition standing there. The mysterious woman by the garden gate had startled Reggie, but she’d felt no fear. If anything, she’d felt excitement. The mystical charm of it had filled her with wonder. It was so different from what she felt whenever she ventured near the library.
    When Chase had finished talking to Gillian, he told Reggie that the arrangements were made. They were invited to lunch the next day. Travis offered to barbeque. Gillian would pick up Ernestine.
    Nodding, Reggie finally relaxed in the cool night air. “Good.” He sat on the bench beside her as she continued. “Chase, did you feel any malice in the phenomenon today at lunch?”
    He thought about it for so long that Reggie wondered if he’d heard her question. Finally, moving closer to her, he said softly, “No. That thing earlier today, I found it… exciting .”
    When he said the word she felt that very same emotion swell in her chest, and her heart started to pound. He muttered something unintelligible and pulled her into his arms. His kiss defined the word exciting .

Chapter 6
     
    Reggie was stunned. He stopped kissing her but she moved not a muscle. Riveted to the bench, she struggled to open her eyes. When she finally succeeded, there was an odd mist around the edges of her vision. She blinked a few times to clear it away, but to no avail. Again, she caught his scent and completely forgot her clouded vision. She didn’t care, so carried away was she by the sensuous fragrance and the exquisite feeling of being held safe in Chase’s arms.
    It was the most natural thing in the world to turn her face to his and welcome the crush of his lips on hers once more. It was a soul-surrendering experience. Magic. He gently teased her mouth with his, playfully drawing her into him inch by slow inch. His lips married hers over and over again and drugged her senses. He touched the tip of his tongue to the center of her top lip and tasted her with obvious pleasure. A soft sound of satisfaction that originated low in his throat escaped and she felt like food for the Gods. With the simplest touch, he made her acutely aware of every inch of her body and her eager response to him. When he pressed his hard body against her, she reveled in her own femininity. As he became more aggressive, she matched him move for move, clutching at his back and shoulders desperate to get closer to him. She wanted to tear at his clothing and her own. Skin against skin was her only goal. She ignored the sensible side of her nature that urged caution. Desire, hunger was all she knew.
    The sound of distant, musical laughter brought her to her senses. She snapped her head back just as Chase’s eyes flew open. He’d experienced it too—all of it, the spell, the passion, and laughter. He looked at her with confusion, as if surprised to find