Restless Spirits

“You okay?” The gentle whisper of his voice touched her.

“So much more than okay.”

He chuckled. “Me too. I’ll be right back.” He rolled her onto her back and pulled out, leaving the bed and walking to the bathroom. She studied the sleek form of his back and knew they’d never go back to being just friends.

Chapter Four

“Where are we headed now?” The excitement in Demi’s voice made him smile. There were no morning-after regrets, and they started the day with a shared shower and a mouthwatering plate of Belgian blueberry waffles and cream.

“The library to do research, of course.” She grinned.

He shook his head. “So easy to please, D.”

“You did a good job planning, but don’t get cocky.”

“Oh, I learned my lesson about that last night.” He reached across the console and ran his hand up her thigh, massaging the smooth flesh left bare by her blue-jean shorts.

“You keep that up, and we’ll be getting busted by the cops again. I don’t know if I can swing a warning two days in a row.”

Pierce smirked and moved his hand to rest just above her knee. Now that he’d placed his cards on the table, he wanted to spend every moment he could taking full advantage of the ability to touch her whenever the urge hit him. The optimist in him believed things would work out, but he knew Demi well. She shied away from commitment at every turn. One weekend might not be enough.

“I guess I’ll be good then. Roman always puts the case first.” He winked.

“Yes, but remember once it’s solved he knows how to…relax.” Her suggestive tone spoke volumes.

“Now who’s the tease?”

She leaned over the console and rubbed his knee. “We both know I’ll deliver.”

He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat and started the car. This new side of Demi was addictive. She pressed along his side, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her to him as they pulled onto the main road.

“How cute is this place?” Demi said as they pulled into the parking lot. The small brick building was a throwback to days gone by.

“Umm…”

“Shut up. I know I’m being girlie. This trip is just so cool. I have to geek out to the fullest.”

“You geek away. I think it’s sexy.”

She glanced over at him, and her hair tumbled over one eye. He smoothed the errant pieces behind her ear, marveling at the thick softness. “I think your intelligence and confidence are the sexiest things about you.”

“Pierce.” She looked down, and he grasped her chin, bringing her head back up to meet his gaze.

“I mean that, Demi.”

“I know. It’s just hard to wrap my head around the fact you see me that way.” She smiled and shrugged.

“Then I’ll have to keep telling you until you know it to be a fact.” Her brown eyes turned liquid. “You must know how amazing you are, D.”

She pulled him toward her like a magnet. Their lips met. She opened, allowing him to explore the sweet cavern of her mouth. The lingering flavor of blueberries and cream danced along his taste buds. Moaning, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He tilted his head, plumbing her depths. Emotions swelled inside him. This was what he’d dreamed about and longed for. He knew they’d be electric and right. Like two puzzle pieces, they clicked. When the need for oxygen rose up, he pulled back, breathing hard as he drank in her dazed expression.

“Wow.” She placed a hand on her neck.

“Agreed.” He ran a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. “I think we could both use some fresh air.” He unbuckled his seat belt, removed the keys from the ignition, and stepped outside. The time it took to round the car allowed him to calm his hormones and refocus on the mission. Now that they’d experienced paranormal activity, he wanted to get to the bottom of it. Opening the door, he held out his hands, lacing their fingers as he helped her step down and shut the door. She fit under his shoulder as if tailor made. He willed her to see the truth. Demi had turtle-like tendencies. When things got too real, she tucked back in her shell.

Inside the library, they headed up to the desk where a kindly matron with laugh lines around her kind brown eyes, curly white hair stood. Dressed in a throwback flower print sundress, she conveyed the sense of stepping back in time.

“Good morning, ma’am. I was wondering if you’d be able to direct us to some information about The Eagle Inn.”