„Yeah. That’s exactly what I’d call her.“ Too agitated to think about sleep, Josh set the coffeepot over the coals before pulling on his shirt.
„Her?“
He turned and gave a solemn nod. „Your spirit. She was out there.“
„You saw her?“ Grace was on her feet and across the room in an instant, clutching his hands. „What did she look like? What did she do?“
At her touch, he experienced again the quick flare of heat and blamed it on the fact that he was still wired from what he’d just experienced. „I never really saw her face, but she looked the way I’d expect a ghost to look.“
„How?“
He shrugged. „Shimmering light, a kind of ethereal form that suggested a woman.“
He was already questioning what he’d seen. Had it really been a spirit? Or had that icy swim after so many hours of hot, sweaty work affected his mind?
Grace squeezed his hands. „Did she say anything?“
„Not a word. But I had the feeling that she’d been expecting someone else.“ Or had he imagined that, as well? „Anyway, she lifted her arms and there was this sudden rush of cold air, almost as if she’d summoned it.“ He shivered, remembering. „The trees along the shore were bent low from it, and the waves turned to angry foam. And then, as quickly as she’d come, she was gone.“
„And I missed it.“ She released his hands and turned away on a moan of disgust.
„If it’s any consolation, I did my best to wake you.“
She glanced over her shoulder. „You did?“
He nodded. „I shouted your name at the top of my voice. Actually, I called you a couple of times, but got no response.“
„That doesn’t make any sense. I’m the lightest sleeper in the world. The so«nd of aipin dropping can have me awake and pacing for hours. I can’t believe I missed the reason I’m here.“ Grace gave a long, deep sigh of annoyance.
„Hey, you’re only human. You’ve been through a lot since yesterday. We both have.“ He moved up behind her and closed his hands around her upper arms, rubbing gently. „Who knows? Maybe she’ll visit again tomorrow night.“
„You don’t really believe that, do you?“
„Maybe I’m just trying to convince myself as well as you.“ His voice, so close to her ear, sent shivers along her spine.
She turned and found his face inches from hers. „You still look pale.“ She touched a hand to his cheek. „You sure you’re all right?“
„I’m fine.“ His voice sounded husky to his own ears. „But I wouldn’t object if you wanted to hold me.“ He gave her a heart-stopping grin. „Just for a minute, of course.“
She couldn’t stop the smile that curved her lips. „Oh, sure. Of course. Hold you.“
„Hey, it’s not every day I encounter a ghost.“
„Well, at least you saw her. That’s more than I can claim.“ Still smiling she wrapped her arms around his neck.
„Mmmm. That’s helping a lot. I feel better already.“ With a sigh he drew her close and pressed his mouth to the tangle of hair at her temple. „But if you feel like kissing me, just until my heart settles down, you understand, I won’t object to that, either.“
Now she was laughing. A soft, rumbling laugh that welled up and spilled over. „That’s a good line, Josh. I bet you’ve had a lot of luck with it.“
His smile went straight to her heart. „Actually, this is the first time I’ve tried it. Is it working?“
„I’d say so. I am holding you. And I’m halfway tempted to kiss you.“
„You are?“
Her laughter grew. „Just to see if I can soothe your poor, overworked heart.“
„I knew, the first time I saw you, that you were an angel of mercy.“ His mouth covered hers in the softest of kisses before he drew back.
The laughter died on her lips.
Seeing it, he dragged her close, keeping his gaze steady on hers. „But the thoughts I’m having about you right now are far from heavenly.“ This time his kiss was neither soft nor gentle. The arms that held her were almost bruising as he savaged her mouth.
For the space of a heartbeat she pulled back, caught by surprise. Then, as his lips claimed hers again, she sighed and leaned into him, giving herself up to the moment.
His lips moved over hers until she opened to him, urging him to take more. And he did, holding her so close, she could feel every beat of his heart inside her own chest. The taste of him, wild and just a bit dangerous, excited her. The press of that hard, muscled body to hers had her brain scrambling until she couldn’t seem to hold a single, coherent thought.
What would it be like to lie with him? To have those strong arms around her all night? To give in to the pleasure he offered, until they were both sated?
„Josh. Wait.“ Struggling for breath, she pushed free of his arms. „I’m… no good at this.“
He caught her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. „I’d say you’re very good.“
„I don’t mean kissing. It’s this… man-woman thing. Relationships. I’m just no good at it.“
He started to draw her close. „Then we’ll forget about relationships and just go back to kissing.“
She started to laugh, but it came out on a sigh. „Sorry. I really enjoy kissing you. But sooner or later it would lead to more. And that just never works for me.“
His eyes narrowed slightly. „Maybe you’ve just never tried it with the right one.“
„Maybe.“ She shrugged and backed away.
Picking up her jacket she slung her backpack over her arm and headed for the door.
„Where are you going?“
„Outside.“
„It’s cold and dark out there.“
„Yeah. That ought to help me cool off. And who knows? Maybe the spirit will make another appearance. If she does, this time I’ll be there to record her visit.“
On a sigh of frustration Josh stood in the middle of the room, staring at the closed door. Finally he poured himself a cup of coffee and dropped onto a chair, staring into the flames of the fire. Unfolding the army blanket, he wrapped it around himself and felt the warmth envelop him.
He’d experienced so many things in his adventures, but this was a first. There was the ghost, of course. But that didn’t even come close to what he’d just experienced in Grace’s arms.
In his entire life, he’d never been so affected by a woman. What he was experiencing had to be full-blown lust. It wasn’t possible to fall head-over-heels in love with someone he didn’t even know.
Love or lust, he’d give just about everything he had right now to satisfy this gut-wrenching need.
Six
Josh woke with a start and stared around.
A fire blazed on the grate. The wonderful fragrance of coffee permeated the little cabin. Grace was kneeling on the hearth, filling a mug.
Without a word he stood and made his way to her. Dropping to his knees he touched a hand to her cheek. „You all right?“
Her head came up with a snap. „I’m fine.“
„Yes, you are.“ His eyes were grave. „About last night…“
„No.“ She scrambled to her feet a little too quickly. „Nothing happened last night. I’m sorry I made such a fuss over a simple kiss.“
„Grace, we both know there was nothing simple about that kiss.“ Because she was determined to keep her distance, he tucked his hands into his pockets, to keep from reaching out to her.
„It doesn’t matter. It won’t happen again.“
He was watching her closely. „Want to bet? It will if I have anything to say about it.“
„Josh, I…“ At the barking of a dog, she turned to stare out the window.
A big yellow dog was heading toward the cabin, dancing along beside an old man.
„Who in the world…?“ Grace crossed the room and tore open the door. „Hello.“
The old man smiled and touched a hand to the dog’s head. At once the dog sat, tail mumping the ground in a steady rhythm. „I saw the smoke and realized that someone was staying in the old lodge.“