knew that he ’ d sensed her thoughts. “ Stop it. ”
“ Stop what? ” he asked innocently.
“ Reading my mind. ”
He had the nerve to laugh. “ I can ’ t read your mind, Monique. I can simply discern your thoughts, your emotions. And I won ’ t stop. I like feeling you.
Besides, I don ’ t think I could stop if I tried. It ’ s not as though I ’ m trying to connect with you. It simply happens. ”
“ Just tell me about the tarp. Will it hold through the storm? ”
“ I believe so. I did the best I could, ” he answered, stepping toward the bed. “ I always do my best. At everything. Is that why you called me here, Monique? Are you wanting to see me at my best? ”
He looked so sure of himself, and ready, willing and able to show her he had good reason for that belief. Goodness knows Monique wanted him to give her a taste of the best. The best orgasm of her life, she imagined. But there was that pesky matter of those rules. What happened if they were broken? Would she burst into flames? Would the Vicknair plantation fall to the ground? Would every family member who ’ d passed on and those in the present and the future curse her soul for letting them down and discarding the family heritage because she needed a good lay?
His cocky look turned into a questioning one, then he frowned and shook his head. “ You didn ’ t call me here to talk about crossing over, did you? Because—and I mean this—I have no intention of even visiting the other side, and I have no desire to be called to a sexy woman ’ s room merely to talk. You wanted me when you called. I felt it then, but now you aren ’ t so sure. ” He stepped away from the bed. “ Call me when you want me, Monique. ”
“ I do. ”
Ryan ’ s retreat stopped in mid-stride. White teeth gleamed as he turned and smiled. Straight, white teeth. Gorgeous, sexy smile. Monique examined the mesmerizing male. It was easy to look him over, since that faint ghostly illumination showcased the entire, intriguing package…and unfortunately reminded Monique that he was a spirit.
“ I mean, I did call you because I want you, ” she said.
“ That ’ s all I needed to hear. ” His footsteps squished on the hardwood as he stepped toward the bed, removed his wet tie and dropped it to the floor.
“ But— ” Monique started, then wanted to kick herself for halting his progression.
“ But? ”
“ But I want to ask you a few questions first. ”
He frowned. “ About crossing over? ”
“ No, ” she said, “ Well, not directly. Don ’ t you want to get out of those wet clothes? ”
“ I thought that was why you called me here, to get me out of these wet clothes, and to get you out of that sexy nightie . ” He gave her an easy smile, then sighed loudly when she made no immediate comment. “ But if you want to ask me some questions first, I ’ ll oblige. However, I would like dry clothes. ”
Monique suddenly realized that she still clutched the vibrator for all she was worth. She dropped it like a hot iron, and it rolled across the mattress to nudge her hip. She barely noticed; she was too busy watching Ryan ’ s wet tuxedo do a swift conversion to the white T-shirt and jeans he ’ d had on earlier. His hair instantly dried, too. He looked amazing, but there was no way this guy wouldn ’ t look good. Wet. Dry. In a tuxedo. Or a T-shirt and jeans.
Or nothing at all.
He casually sat in the large wingback chair Monique kept by the bed for when Jenee had dreams about spirits and wanted to talk. The shiny cream fabric with the white swirling print emphasized his luminescent glow. This was no ordinary man. This was a ghost, a ghost that specialized in fulfilling fantasies. If he fulfilled hers, what were the consequences? And was she willing to risk it? Moreover, was she willing to send him away, when she wanted him so badly it hurt?
“ You said you have some questions, ” he said, stretching his long legs out and crossing them at the