Dane snorted, as if annoyed with my lack of knowledge. “I’d imagine it’s what you think of as the ghost world. The place they go between here and there. It’s known as the Netherworld.”
“And you can help me learn about all this?”
“It’s why I’m here,” he replied in a flat tone. “I’ve been aware of my abilities since a young age and have had mentors over the years to assist me, like you should have had.”
I peeked at Kipp. He looked curiously at Dane. Maybe he realized now the importance of having him here since he didn’t give him a death stare. “What do you think of all this?” I asked him.
He hesitated, then finally turned his head. “There’s something about him I don’t trust. And it’s not that I’m jealous of him, which I can tell you’re thinking. I feel bad intentions around him.”
I scanned over Dane and couldn’t deny there was something surrounding him. Maybe his harsh tones or that darkness in his features that did set off warning bells. I nodded at Kipp, but didn’t want to say as much aloud.
“But Max is right, though,” Kipp continued. “You need to learn these things. If it means helping you with the cold cases, then I will allow it.”
I restrained my laughter since in all actuality Kipp was dead, and really didn’t have a say in too much in this world. “When do I start this…err…training?”
Max shook his head, as if clearing himself from the shock of hearing about another world. “Not today.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s nearly five o’clock now, and our shift is over.” His expression firmed. “I will set boundaries so you’re not overworked. Go home and rest.”
I smiled, unable to stop myself. Max could be tough, but he did care. Then my good mood fled as he continued, “You can start tomorrow after y’all go the prison.”
“To the what?”
Max’s brow furrowed. “I do believe I already mentioned that you were going to see Hector at the prison so I have no idea why you’re surprised.”
“Um, no, you said Zach was going to the prison,” I corrected. “I’m not going to talk with a criminal.”
“He’s incarcerated, Tess.” Kipp chuckled. “What can he do?”
I narrowed my eyes on my sexy ghost. “I don’t give a flying flip if he’s incarcerated. I’m not going.”
“You’re going,” Max said.
I huffed, folded my arms, staring him down. And the jerk laughed. “That look has worn off. It’s not going to work. You might see something there that could help us.”
“He’s right.” Dane stood, his chair scrapping against the floor. “I’ll come along too. It’ll help me see into Tess a little more and maybe I can offer some insight on this case.”
Max nodded. “That’ll work.”
I scowled at each and every man—ghost—in the room, including the laughing Eddie. “I hope you all realize that I hate you right now.”
Max tucked the file under his arm and strode toward the door. “Too bad you’re stuck with us, so the point is moot.”
I sighed. “What did I do to deserve to be brought into this hell?”
Dane followed behind Max and glanced over his shoulder. “This isn’t Hell, I assure you.”
Chapter Four
A tickle started at my toe and sped toward my ankle. Kipp’s lips traveled the path as he made his way up my leg, lightly brushing his lips against my skin. His body, though, resting over me as my stomach pressed into the bed, never touched mine.
He stilled over my bottom and nibbled at the fleshy part of my rump. I sighed into the pillow. The heat racing in my blood was nearly unmanageable to contain. He continued on his travels, his tongue now paving a way up my spine. Slowly moving upward, as if he had all the time in the world, and wanted to do nothing else but touch me like this.
“You’re killing me,” I whispered.
Kipp’s chuckle sent a wave of warm breath to wash across my skin. “Good. Maybe you’ll sympathize with how I feel.”
He kissed along my shoulder, biting, and I shivered. The dampness between my thighs stole over my coherent thoughts. He slid his arms beneath mine over my head, his biceps so thick and flexing, while he dropped a kiss on my cheek. His warm body pressed down onto my back. I sighed, relishing in the weight of him.
I lifted my bottom, offering myself, yet he didn’t oblige me. He rubbed his thick erection against the seam of my bottom and groaned.