Free Spirit [New Crescent 2] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Mary Lou George Page B

here.” He put his arm around her, pulled her to his chest, and gently held her there.
    With her heart in her throat, Reggie closed her eyes. The night was clear, the strong breeze they’d had all day faded away, and all was still. The garden was earthy and fragrant but instead she inhaled his scent. Savoring it, she cautiously opened her eyes.
    Constance was there! Reggie grabbed a handful of the shirt covering Chase’s chest. He took hold of her chin, tipped her head up, and took her lips in a thrilling kiss.
    Everything was forgotten as she responded with enthusiasm. This couldn’t possibly be a make-believe kiss. Could it? He made a provocative noise in his throat when she ran her tongue along the ridge of his top teeth. His tongue followed hers, and they got lost in each other. Reggie dug her nails into the muscles on his chest when he applied lips and tongue to her throat. With both hands she grabbed his hair, and pulled his lips back to hers. She sucked his bottom lip into her mouth, and he moaned. He pulled her on his lap, and she gasped when she felt his hardness. She’d never wanted anything so badly in her whole life.
    “Shouldn’t you retire to more private accommodations?” Constance teased. She laughed when they jumped apart guiltily. Reggie looked right at her with glazed eyes. Chase couldn’t see her, but he tried to follow Reggie’s gaze.
    Chase straightened and Reggie slipped off his lap. “Constance.”
    The spirit teased them. “Funny, usually your voice is so steady Regina. I like it this way better. Good for you, Chase. It looks like you know what you’re doing after all. For a minute there today, Regina, when you were in the garden talking about vampires, I thought the other man might make a claim.”
    Reggie looked at her in confusion. Vampires? She shook her head. This time, she wasn’t going to let the little minx distract her.
    “Why are you here Constance?” She asked.
    “Just because…” She almost sang the words.
    “Tell me. You were once a Guardian. You know more than you’re saying.”
    “No,” Constance said. The music in her voice faded.
    Reggie persisted. “Oh yes, Constance. You know there’s work for you to do or you wouldn’t be here. You have to help us.”
    “I have helped you. Without me, the two of you would still be circling each other under the impression you can keep your hands off each other.”
    Chase and Reggie exchanged a look. “Yeah, thanks for that,” Reggie said ruefully, “But that’s not all we need. The library, Constance, what do we do about the library, and what’s in there?”
    Constance’s voice was filled with very human panic when she said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    Reggie could see the fear on her face as she started to fade. “Don’t go, damn you! We need your help…” Her words had no effect as Constance disappeared and the breeze started up again.

Chapter 9
     
    Under her breath, she said, “Bloody fool, talking to her is like nailing Jell-O to the wall.”
    Chase disagreed. “Don’t expect too much Reggie. At least she showed. It worked. She appears more readily when we’re together. Now we know that’s how to get to her.”
    Regina raised her eyebrows and shrugged. “Yeah. But how does that help us? Do we mock date every night in hopes of stirring her? That’s ridiculous.” She also knew she’d never keep her distance or her sanity.
    Chase sat back, resting his large hands on his knees. “We should stop fighting it.”
    She eyed him with suspicion. “Careful where you go with this.”
    Exasperated, he said, “How much longer are you going to pretend this thing between us doesn’t exist?” When she didn’t respond, he said, “Okay, since you lack the courage, I’ll say it. I want you and you want me. If Constance hadn’t interrupted us tonight, we wouldn’t have stopped. Yes, she’s manipulating us, but I don’t care!” He heaved a sigh, for once losing all patience. “We’ve