This e-Book is a work of fiction. While references may be made to actual places or events, the names,
characters, incidents, and locations within are from the authorłs imagination and are not a resemblance to
actual living or dead persons, businesses, or events. Any similarity is coincidental.
Aspen Mountain Press
18121-C E. Hampden Ave, Ste 221
Aurora CO 80013
www.AspenMountainPress.com
First published by Aspen Mountain Press, October 2010
www.AspenMountainPress.com
This e-Book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal
and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction fines
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can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher.
ISBN: 978-1-60168-322-9
Published in the United States of America
Editor: Pat Sager
Cover artist: CJ England
I dedicate this book to my Nana whose love of gaming made me want to write this story.
She really loved her slot machines and since she wanted a partner, she taught me how to play poker before I started kindergarten.
God love you, Nana!
.
I also want to acknowledge the Sterling Casino Lines of Port Canaveral, Florida for allowing me to come on board and pick the brains of all their staff.
A special hug and thank you goes to Warren Delano, Pit Supervisor. He not only gave me loads of information, he showed me just how gracious and wonderful a man could be. You will find a lot of yourself in my herobecause I think a man like you is one.
Thank you!!!
Prologue
The pumpkin landed on the counter with a squishy thump, making Lara groan low in her throat. It was only the first of October and she was already tired of Halloween.
She smiled sickly at the little boy who grinnedgap-toothedup at her. Lord, if she had a dollar for every pumpkin shełd hauled around in the last two weeks, shełd be a rich woman.
Sighing, she made small talk with the child and sent him on his way, his arms wrapped carefully around a ten pound pumpkin.
She turned back to her next customer and groaned. It was Mrs. Bombeck, the neighborhood busybody. Just what she needed. Lara was hot, tired and fed up with this job anyway. Now she had to make nice with a woman she usually wanted to strangle on a regular basis. “Are you going to check me out?" came the cranky question.
Lara pasted on a bright smile. “Of course, maÅ‚am. Right away." Immediately she started ringing up the few items in the matronÅ‚s cart.
“That soap is on sale for ninety-nine cents," the woman complained. She snatched it up and waved it under LaraÅ‚s nose. “You overcharged me!"
Lara swallowed a hot reply. It was the same thing every time. Like the woman wanted someone to argue with. Was that what getting old alone did to a person? She suppressed a shudder and tried to be polite.
“Just a minute, Mrs. Bombeck. IÅ‚ll get a price check."
The woman drew herself up to her full height and looked down her nose at Lara. “Are you calling me a liar?"
Biting her tongue, Lara fought not to roll her eyes. “ItÅ‚s policy, maÅ‚am. If I donÅ‚t, I could get the difference taken out of my paycheck."
“Well," the crabby lady huffed. “I donÅ‚t see why I should have to wait, just because you donÅ‚t know the correct price."
Lara opened her mouth to respond, but another voice interrupted.
“Is there a problem here?"
This time Lara did groan. Perfect. Now her manager was involved. “I just need a price check, Mr. Kravitz. On this soap."
“She doesnÅ‚t believe me about the price." Mrs. BombeckÅ‚s eyes glinted now that she had a new audience. “I should know what it is. IÅ‚ve been coming to this store for years."
“I tried to explain it was policy." Lara spoke through gritted teeth.
“Now, now," Gerald Kravitz soothed. He turned to Lara. “I think this time, Ms. Kincade, we can make an exception for such an old and valued customer." He smiled at the now preening widow. “Give it to her for whatever she said it was."
Lara snorted under her breath. “IÅ‚d like to give it to her, all right."
“What was that, Ms. Kincade?"
“Nothing, sir," she mumbled in response as she rang up the soap. She didnÅ‚t say anything else. She just let the manager sweet-talk the old harridan. The woman was all smiles when she finally left the store, but Lara had a feeling sheÅ‚d hear more about the episode later.
She was proved right when she got back from a quick bathroom break. Kravitz took her aside and explained about customer relations and how to keep them happy. When Lara had protested she was just following his policy, hełd squeezed her hand and smiled greasily. Then hełd invited her out to dinner so he could talk about his policy for manager / employee relations.
It was all she could do not to throw up on his shoes. He hadnłt taken her flat ęnoł gracefully. In fact, hełd stormed away after telling her she would be sorry.
Now, back at the register, Lara shuddered again. Shełd been working here for almost six months. It wasnłt a lot of money, but it was steady work and she didnłt want to lose it. This was her eleventh job in less than four years. She was twenty-six, had a degree in business administration, but no matter what she tried, it never worked out.
She either got fired for something she didnłt do, got laid off due to budget cuts or ran into some smarmy boss who thought because she was attractive, she put out. The whole thing was getting really old. If she didnłt know better shełd say she was cursed.
Lara tried to smile at her next customer as she began ringing up the items in her cart. Shełd graduated top in her business class, and here she was ringing up frozen okra. Life sucked.
“Excuse me?"
She turned to see a distinguished-looking gentleman in a charcoal suit standing at the end of her register. “May I help you?"
He smiled. “Are you Ms. Lara Kincade?"
Lara narrowed her eyes. Now what? “Yes."
The man handed her a card. “It is important I speak to you Ms. Kincade."
Lara frowned and stared down at the card. It was cream colored with fancy gold lettering.
Bertram Martel
~ Esquire~
Specializing in Inheritance and Probate Law
“WhatÅ‚s this about?"
The manMr. Martelsmiled again. “Your future, Ms. Kincade."
“Perhaps her future could begin with checking this lady out?" Gerald Kravitz said pointedly as he walked up behind her. His close-spaced eyes shifted between the two of them. “You do still work here, donÅ‚t you, Ms. Kincade? Now isnÅ‚t the time for flirting."
Lara bit her lip to keep back angry words. “This is an attorney. He needs to speak to me."
Gerald Kravitz pursed his mouth until his thin lips disappeared. “It will have to wait until your lunch hour. YouÅ‚ve already wasted enough time as it is."
“Now wait a"
“That will be fine," the lawyer interjected, stopping LaraÅ‚s heated response. “And when is your lunch?"
Tossing a narrow look at her boss, she answered him. “In about forty-five minutes."
Mr. Martel sketched a short bow. “I will return for you then."
They all watched him walk away. With an angry glare at Lara, her manager slouched back to his office, but the customer she was waiting on sighed.
“He is certainly a nice looking gentleman, but I hope it isnÅ‚t bad news, honey."
Lara stuffed the business card in her breast pocket. “So do I, maÅ‚am. So do I."
* * * * *
Bertram Martel was as good as his word. In exactly forty-four minutes he was waiting by the front door. Since Gerald had promised her she could go, he himself had to take over her register, pressing against her small body unnecessarily as he did so. His very touch almost made her lose her appetite.
Fifteen minutes later she was sitting at an outside café with a roast beef sandwich and an iced tea. She stared at the attorney as she took her first bite.
“So why are you here? What do you want with me?"
Mr. Martel stirred sugar into his own tea as he watched the young woman across from him. She was as pretty as the picture her uncle had kept on his desk. Hair as brown as a mink and dark, doe eyes. Her face had that peaches and cream complexion just barely kissed by the sun. Beautiful.
He wondered idly if all the men in Clark River, Idaho were blind. Why wasnłt this girl married with a couple of boys of her own? That would have solved all the problems. He sighed. If hełd have been a generation younger
“Do you remember your uncle? Simon Kincade?"
She nodded. “YesheÅ‚s my fatherÅ‚s older brother." Suddenly, she remembered his card. “Oh no!"
The lawyer nodded. “IÅ‚m sorry to inform you he passed away suddenly last week."
Tears stung her eyes. “What happened?"
“He had a heart attack, my dear. IÅ‚m told he suffered very little."
“I havenÅ‚t seen him since I graduated from college. He gave me a fancy pen." She gave a watery chuckle. “Thing didnÅ‚t last a week. But I loved it. He was the only one there to watch. It meant the world to me."
Mr. Martel smiled back at her. “It meant the world to him, too. Simon was a good man. And he loved you a lot. Kept an eye on you after your folks died."
Her lip trembled. She hated to think about the accident that had claimed her parents and older brother. A drunk driver on a snowy mountain road had ended their lives and changed hers forever. “I should have stayed in better touch with him."
Mr. Martel patted her hand. “He knew you had your own life. But he always watched out for you."
“He loved to play games with us when we were kids. Poker, Crazy Eight, Kings on the Corner, any card game. But his favorite was Simon saysof course."
The silver haired man chuckled. “Gaming was something your uncle was very passionate about."
Lara wiped her eyes. “He was one of the most competitive men I know. He told me he went to Vegas at least four times a year."
“Oh gambling was his one great love. He would bet on anything."
Giggling, she nodded. “YouÅ‚re right. Once, when we were kids, he bet my brother which raindrop would slide down the window first."
“And did he win?"
“He did. Even when my brother Eric spit on his drop to make it bigger and heavier, Uncle Simon still won. He said luck was always with him."
They both paused, lost in their memories.
Then Lara shook herself. “So youÅ‚re here to tell me he died? WouldnÅ‚t a phone call have sufficed?"
“Not in this case." The lawyer shook his head. “As you know, your uncle lost his only son a year after your parents died."
“My cousin, Sam. I remember."
“Because of his death, your uncle had to have a new will drawn up."
LaraÅ‚s heart suddenly skipped a beat. “What are you saying?"
“My dear," Mr. Martel smiled. “I am here to inform you your uncle left everything to you."
Her mouth opened then shut again. “Me?" she squeaked.
“You are the last of the Kincade line. There was literally no one else to leave it to. I checked."
She blinked. “You almost sound like you didnÅ‚t want me to inherit."
“ItÅ‚s not that. As a lawyer I shouldnÅ‚t care at all. But in this case, I had to be very careful. You see, the men in my family have always been the attorneys for your family. So I know the history behind your inheritance."
“History?"
He nodded. “Yes. I have read the original will of the first Kincade, and it stipulates the inheritance shall always go to the oldest son."
Lara suddenly got it. “Ahhh"
“Yes, and with the deaths of the men in your family, you are the only one left. There was no clause in the original will to allow for that, so by state law it is all yours. Even the Lady, which was never supposed to belong to a woman again.
Frowning, Lara set down her tea. “What are you talking about? What lady?"
Sighing, Mr. Martel leaned back. “Before I go on, I must explain. Your late uncleÅ‚s estate has shrunken dramatically. Simon was a great person and loved his games, but he was no businessman. Just before he died he sold all his properties."
“All of them?" Lara shook her head. Her uncle had owned places all over the country. HeÅ‚d been very wealthy. “What did he do with the money?"
“He put it in a special account. He was determined to take care of The Lucky Lady."
LaraÅ‚s heart sank again. “So youÅ‚ve taken me to lunch to tell me IÅ‚m not going to inherit much because my uncle spent it all on some woman?"
The attorney laughed, almost choking on his tea. “No, IÅ‚m sorry. I thought you knew. The Lucky Lady isnÅ‚t a woman itÅ‚s a ship.
Chapter One
This isnłt a ship, Lara thought as she stood outside of the gate that led to her new inheritance. This is a ship wreck!
Obviously Mr. Martel hadnłt been to The Lucky Lady in a while, or hełd have been hard pressed to call it anything more than a disaster.
She stared at the peeling paint and broken railings and wanted to cry. So much for all her hopes and dreams. She should have known it was too good to be true.
When the attorney had explained the lady he was referring to was a casino boat, Lara had immediately understood. It would be just like her uncle to put all his money into something like this. It would be the ultimate toy for a gambling man.
But why had he let it go to ruin for so long? The lawyer said it was up and running, but it was a far cry from some of the other boats she saw tied up at the docks. They all gleamed in the sunlight. They were freshly painted. The brass well polished and shining brightly. Next to them, The Lucky Lady looked as if she would be better served just turning turtle and sinking into the water in embarrassment.
Gingerly, Lara stepped onto the dock. It didnłt make sense. The money was there in the bank waiting to be spent on refurbishments. Not a lot, but with careful management, the ship could be fixed up quite nice.
So why hadnłt he? Why had her uncle waited so long?
That question pulled at her as she made her way to the rickety gangplank. The ship was so badly damaged it was a wonder any guests came on board, especially with all the free casino boats around. But there was something to be said about history, and this one did have a history the others hadnłt.
Mr. Martel had told her that her ancestor, Bridget Kincade, had originally owned the boat in the early 1900s. In a day and age where everything was owned and run by the male of the species, she had made quite a name for herself and The Lucky Lady as one of the premier riverboat casinos on the Mississippi River. Then one day she up and left the boat, no explanations given.
The boat had passed to her son, who while making a decent living, never enjoyed the success of his mother. Her grandson too continued the downward spiral, but no one could quite figure out why. After a while it was said The Lucky Lady wasnłt lucky anymorebut cursed.
Hoping to change the family fortunes, Thomas Kincade, Bridgetłs great-grandson, had moved the boat out of the Mississippi and taken it to the eastern coast of Florida where the tourist dollars were booming. After a complete refitting to make the boat seaworthy, he was ready to begin business as an open seas casino boat.
But instead of giving the family coffers a shot of life, the boat drained away the money. It looked as if The Lucky Lady didnłt like being moved from her river home. Engines failed and the machines in the casinos went haywire. Parts broke and the replacements went missing. Bit by bit, the once beautiful Lady fell into disrepair.
Lara shook her head as she climbed aboard. Shełd had no idea it would be so bad. Mr. Martel had warned her, but hełd made it sound like a few coats of paint and some organizing, and all would be well. This was much worse than shełd expected.
She walked up to the bow and stared out at the busy port. Shełd given up her job, her apartment and her whole life. It had been wildly satisfying to toss her badge back in that bastard, Geraldłs, face and walk out of the Readymart forever. She had sold almost everything, packed up what was left and driven her small car across country from Idaho to Florida. Lara had known she would have to begin over but she hadnłt expected to start nearly from scratch.
Tears burned her eyes. “What would you do, Uncle Simon? What would you do if you were me?"
There was no answer except for the screaming of the gulls. She stood there, watching them dive and swoop for a long time. Then Lara laughed. Hadnłt he already answered her? Hełd given her the boat. Hełd given her the money. Now it was up to her to make both their dreams a reality.
Squaring her shoulders, she thanked her stars she didnłt get seasick as she made her way across the swaying deck. She stepped through the main door and into
Chaos.
The place was a disaster area. Tables were filthy, chairs knocked over and there was something on the wall that looked suspiciously likevomit?
There were several people milling about, trying to get things cleaned, but to Larałs experienced eyes there wasnłt enough time in the world to put this place to rights. Fury leapt up in her. She wasnłt sure what had happened, but shełd make sure it was the last time. Just because her uncle had died didnłt give these people the right
No. She counted to ten to calm herself. Losing her temper would be jumping the gun. She would hear what happened first. Taking a deep breath, she stalked up to the nearest worker. “Excuse me. IÅ‚m looking for the manager."
The man smiled. “Sorry, miss. The boat doesnÅ‚t sail until 6:00pm."
Lara looked around at the messy dining room. “IÅ‚m not looking for a cruise. IÅ‚m the new owner."
There was the sound of crashing dishes as a waitress dropped a stack of plates. Everyone in the room gawked at her.
The worker swallowed. “YouÅ‚re El Kincade?"
“Yes. L. Kincade. Lara. WhatÅ‚s wrong with everyone?"
“But youÅ‚re a woman," one of the bartenders whispered loudly.
Lara rolled her eyes. “Last time I checked. So what?"
“ItÅ‚s justthe owners have always been men in the past. WeÅ‚re just a little surprised." Uncomfortable, the worker glanced around at the others.
“That was then and this is now," Lara said. She gestured around the room. “What the hell happened here?"
The bartender sniffed. “Last nightÅ‚s party got out of hand."
“I can see that," Lara commented dryly.
“IÅ‚ll go get Stan." The man sheÅ‚d first spoken to moved off quickly.
“Wait!" Lara called after him. “WhatÅ‚s your name?"
“IÅ‚m Tim, miss. Be right back." He was off like a shot out of a cannon, disappearing down the long corridor.
Lara looked around the room. “Could you all come over here so I can meet you?"
Everyone wandered over and stood in front of the bar. There were about fifteen all together, from a pimply-faced boy to an old woman who reminded Lara of her Grandma Ellen.
One by one they gave their name and why they were there. There were Missy, Tricia and Donna, the cocktail servers, then Sandy and Bernard who tended bar. She had just met Tommy and Caleb, who bussed tables and did general clean up, when a tall skinny man with a protruding Adamłs apple strode into the room, followed closely by Tim.
“WhatÅ‚s this?" he inquired fussily. “Who do you think you are?"
Lara narrowed her eyes. This guy sounded too much like Gerald Kravitz. She lifted an eyebrow. “I donÅ‚t think anything. I know IÅ‚m your boss. IÅ‚m Lara Kincade."
The manÅ‚s mouth opened and closed like a fish. “L. Kincade. You youÅ‚re a girl."
Lara fisted her hand on her hips. She had quite enough of that. Her temper sparked dangerously. “Being the owner of this ship doesnÅ‚t require a penis." The gurgle of laughter she heard helped calm her. When the manÅ‚s mouth dropped open even farther, she bit back a laugh herself. “What is your name?"
He reddened and cleared his throat. “IÅ‚mStan Falk. I am the manager here."
She looked around the room meaningfully. “And what exactly are you managing?"
“This wasnÅ‚t my fault," he said quickly. “It was a group of football players. We tried to get them to calm down."
“Did you call the police?"
His eyes widened. “The police? Of course not. That would be bad publicity."
Lara sighed, knowing he was partially right. Any type of publicity while the ship looked like it did would be bad. “Tell me you at least got a damage deposit."
Stan puffed out his chest. “Of course."
“ThatÅ‚s something," Lara muttered. She knew she wasnÅ‚t getting off to a very good start with her manager. Last thing she wanted to do was act like some of the bosses sheÅ‚d had in the past. But the mess She sighed again.
“Tell you what. IÅ‚ve got a lot to go over with you. Why donÅ‚t you make sure all the books and receipts are available and we will talk in a little while."
The manager swallowed and nodded. “Yes, maÅ‚am."
“Please," she said quickly. “ItÅ‚s Lara. Lara to everyone. I want us all to be on a first name basis."
He nodded again and turned to leave.
“Wait," called Lara. “Before you go Do we have any reservations for the next few days?"
Frowning, Stan shook his head. “No, maÅ‚Lara. Most of our guests are walk-ups. The football players were a special group." Without another word he scampered from the room as if all the hounds of hell were following him.
“Good!" Lara took another deep breath. It was time to begin. Start as you mean to go was her motto. She turned to Tim. “Do me a favor. Can you please go put up a sign on the gate that says Closed for Renovations?
“WeÅ‚re closing down?" one of the other workers asked, worry filling her face.
“No!" Lara spoke quickly. SheÅ‚d been in fear of losing her job before and knew how it felt. She didnÅ‚t want that same sense of hopelessness here. “Not for good. I plan on fixing up The Lucky Lady, and to do that we have to close down for a while."
She looked around at all the workers. “I know it might be difficult, but IÅ‚m willing to keep you all on during the renovation. If you help me get the work done quickly, there will be a bonus in it for each of you."
Their faces cleared immediately.
“What do you need us to do?" Tim asked.
Lara smiled in relief. “After I finish meeting you all, you can just continue what you are doing cleaning up. Then, after IÅ‚ve had a chance to look around and talk to Stan, IÅ‚ll give you my game plan. Okay?"
Everyone grinned back at her and nodded. Obviously she wasnłt the only one relieved. Then her attention was caught by the four people at the end of the line. Theirs were the only faces that werenłt smiling. In fact, they looked quite grim.
She walked over to the woman closest to her. It was the older lady. The one who looked like her Grandma Ellen, with a sweet face and sharp, intelligent blue eyes. She was wearing clothes right out of the early 1900s, a black organdy formal dress and wide-brimmed hat. Lara smiled. She must be one of the entertainers on the ship. “And you are?"
The womanÅ‚s mouth dropped open, and she looked around her. “Are you speaking to me?"
Lara frowned. “Yes. WhatÅ‚s your name?"
The woman shook her head slowly. “My goodness. You really are the owner, and a female to boot. How about that? Lara Kincade, is it?"
Trying hard not to be annoyed, Lara nodded. “WeÅ‚ve established who I am. IÅ‚m asking you your name and what you do here."
The old lady gave a trill of laughter. “ThatÅ‚s a good one." She hit the young woman standing next to her with a large cavernous purse. “You can call me Lottie, my dear, and what I do is play cards. IÅ‚m one of your guests."
“My guest?" Lara questioned. “You were out with the football players?" She just couldnÅ‚t see this sweetalbeit daffyold lady out with a group of testosterone-filled party animals.
But Lottie nodded. “Oh yes, dearie. I go out every night."
Lara shook her head. “Okaybut why are you still here? IÅ‚m sorry, but as you heard, there wonÅ‚t be any trips out for awhile."
The old lady still smiled sweetly. “As you youngsters say, no worries. Isort of live on the boat." She motioned at the other people standing near her. “We all do."
Blinking at the astonishing statement, Lara turned to the young girl standing next to Lottie. She was also dressed as an entertainer with a long, flowing peach gown and a heavily made up face. With hazel eyes and long blonde hair piled artistically on her head, she was quite pretty in a hard sort of way. But she was staring at Lara with an expression of hostility in her mascaraed eyes.
She didnÅ‚t wait for LaraÅ‚s question. “IÅ‚m Diana."
“Are you a singer?"
The anger in the young girlÅ‚s eyes lessened fractionally. “I was." Then her chin lifted. “I am."
Lara sighed at the short answers. “And you live on the ship as well?"
“DidnÅ‚t you hear Lottie? We all do." She waved a languid hand at the two men to her left. “ThatÅ‚s Charlie and Malcolm. TheyÅ‚re stuck in this hellhole, too!"
“Diana" hissed Lottie. “Watch your language."
The girl rolled her eyes. “Oh please. In this day and age they say a lot worse!" She looked back at Lara. “IÅ‚ll bet she has."
Lara couldnÅ‚t stop a grin. “Oh yeah, a few times."
There was an exaggerated clearing of the throat, and she turned to see a dapper older man with silver hair and a handlebar mustache who looked like he was in his sixties. His clothes were also right out of the early 1900s. “Sir?"
The man smiled in delight as his green eyes sparkled. “Did you hear everyone? She knows who I am?" He had a thick British accent.
Confusion was fast becoming a constant companion. “IÅ‚m sorrybut I donÅ‚t."
He looked utterly crestfallen for a moment, but then he lifted his chin imperiously. “Of course you donÅ‚t. How silly of me. I, am Sir Malcolm Finch, late of his majestyÅ‚s army."
“His majestyÅ‚s?"
He took off his shiny, black top hat, adopting a military pose. “His majesty, King Edward VII." He put his hat back on and gave Lara a wink. “Quite a ladies man, he was."
“Was he?" Lara stared at the old soldier. He was obviously crazy.
“Oh yes," the old man went on blithely. “He would have liked you."
“Oh for GodÅ‚s sake, Malcolm."
“ThatÅ‚s Sir Malcolm to you, young lady." He glared at the irritated Diana. “IÅ‚ll have you know I knew the king personally. Why back in 1896"
“Enough, Sir Malcolm," Lottie broke in quickly. “Lara doesnÅ‚t want to hear about that right now." She smiled again. “SheÅ‚s got too much to do to hear old war stories."
Seeing Sir MalcolmÅ‚s face was turning red, Lara jumped in quickly. “Maybe you can tell me later, when IÅ‚m not so rushed. That way I can appreciate the storyproperly."
“Of course, my dear," Sir Malcolm said with a small bow. “Most happy to."
That was a crisis averted. Lara shook her head. What odd people. And the old man was obviously a few sandwiches short of a picnic.
Her gaze found the young boy standing between Diana and the old knight. Tall and gangly in his crewmanłs clothing, he looked like a young colt who hadnłt grown into his legs yet. He had short brown hair and gray eyes and was looking up at Diana with such a worshipful look on his face, Lara realized immediately he had a crush on the singer. Diana looked like she was only a few years his senior, but at that ageit meant everything.
“WhatÅ‚s your name?" she asked him.
His gaze dropped shyly to his scuffed shoes. “IÅ‚m Charlie, miss. I help the captain."
LaraÅ‚s eyes widened. “I have a captain, too? I didnÅ‚t think about that." She looked around at the gathered employees who were all staring at her oddly. “Where is he?"
Diana snorted out a laugh. “The captain goes where he wants. HeÅ‚s not answerable to anyone."
“Now, Diana," Lottie remonstrated with the younger girl. “You donÅ‚t want the new owner to get the wrong impression." She looked at Lara. “The captain is a good man. DonÅ‚t let her tell you differently."
“Surewhatever," Lara agreed absently. “But where would he be right now?"
“Most likely wherever they arenÅ‚t." Diana pointed at the other people as she spoke.
Lara thought she understood. “Not a people person, huh?"
The four all laughed loudly.
“That, my dear," giggled Lottie, “is an understatement."
“StillIÅ‚ll need to meet him." She turned to Tim who was watching her with a look of concern on his face. “Can you get the captain for me?"
His eyes flicked in the direction sheÅ‚d been staring. “Captain?"
“Yes, the captain. IÅ‚ll need him to walk the ship with me. Show me around. Maybe tell me what he thinks needs to be fixed first."
“You must mean Mr. Tuttle, maÅ‚am."
“No," whispered Charlie from behind her. “ThatÅ‚s not the captain."
Lara turned back to the younger man. “ItÅ‚s not?"
He shook his head wildly. “No miss. HeÅ‚s a pretender."
“You are confusing the poor girl, Charlie. She doesnÅ‚t understand," gruffed Sir Malcolm.
“I will if someone tells me. Why is Mr. Tuttle a pretender?"
“Mr. Tuttle isnÅ‚t a pretender, maÅ‚am. He runs the ship." Tim stared at her with the same look of puzzlement she herself was feeling.
“My head is beginning to hurt," muttered Lara.
“I have some laudanum," offered Lottie as she dug around in her big purse. “Will that help?" With a victorious smile she pulled out a small brown bottle.
“Okaystop." Lara put up her hands. She turned to Tim. “Charlie says Mr. Tuttle isnÅ‚t the captain. So who is he?"
TimÅ‚s eyes opened wide. His mouth opened and closed again. “Charlie?"
Now Lara was getting mad. Were they all crazy or just stupid? “Charlie. Standing right there." She pointed. “Right next to Diana. I know you canÅ‚t miss her."
Tim swallowed and took a step backwards. His face had gone pale. “I donÅ‚t know who youÅ‚re talking about, miss."
“I said to call me Lara," she bellowed, finally out of patience. She marched over, grabbed him by the hand and dragged him to stand in front of the buxom entertainer. “This is Diana and this," she said pointing right at the wide-eyed boy, “is Charlie." She glared up at her frozen employee. “Now tell me you donÅ‚t know who IÅ‚m talking about."
Tim didnłt say a word. Just stared straight ahead of him.
“Lara," whispered Lottie gently. “He canÅ‚t see us. None of them can."
She stared down at the old woman. “What the hell do you mean?"
Lottie ignored DianaÅ‚s snigger at LaraÅ‚s swearing. “You are the only one who can see us, dearie. ItÅ‚s been that way since the beginning. Only the owner of The Lucky Lady can."
Now it was Lara whose mouth opened and closed like a guppy. “YouÅ‚re kidding me, right?"
Diana laughed. “Nope. SheÅ‚s dead serious. HavenÅ‚t you figured it out yet?"
“Figured out what?"
Lottie looked up at LaraÅ‚s confused face with that same sweet smile. “WeÅ‚re ghosts, dear."
Lara couldnÅ‚t believe what sheÅ‚d heard. “Ghosts?" She looked back at Tim and the others. They were still staring at her like sheÅ‚d lost her mind. “This is a jokeright? Play an early Halloween prank on the new owner?"
“No, my dear," Malcolm spoke jovially. “It tells us you are the true owner of this fine vessel. Dearest Lottie is correct. Only the owner can see us."
“But you are the first to speak with us," Charlie offered. His face went red. “Mostly they just screamed or told us to leave."
Diana laughed nastily. “And then they left themselves."
Still in shock, Lara turned back to Tim and the others. “Tell me you see them. Four people. Two men and two women."
“Sorry, Lara." Sandy the bartender looked as scared as Lara felt. “There isnÅ‚t anyone there. Maybe you should lie down for awhile."
“IÅ‚m not sick," she almost shouted. “There are four people in really weird outfits standing right there."
“Well" Diana tossed her head. “That was rude."
Lara ignored the comment. “Okayfun is fun. But we have a business to get going here. So, jokeÅ‚s over."
No one moved or spoke. They just stood staring at her.
“Come on, guys." Lara began to get angry. “LetÅ‚s get back to work. Tim, you and Charlie go find Mr. Tuttle and the mysterious captain and bring them to me."
Still, no one moved.
Sir Malcolm finally cleared his throat. “I think we are going to have to prove it to her before she frightens all the mortals away."
“IsnÅ‚t that the goal?" Diana asked dryly.
“No, no. What fun would it be if everyone were gone?" Lottie shook her head at the younger girl. “Sometimes I think you have no sense."
“Look whoÅ‚s talking. You donÅ‚t see me trying to put money into those infernal machines. YouÅ‚re dead, Lottie. You canÅ‚t gamble."
Two red spots appeared on the old womanÅ‚s cheeks. “But I miss it so."
“Enough, ladies." Sir Malcolm walked over and offered them his arm. “If we donÅ‚t show her, sheÅ‚ll never believe it." He nodded at the young boy. “Charlie, come along now."
With that, the four bowed to Lara. They turned and to her astonished eyes, walked straight through the wall.
The last thought Lara had as she fainted was she hoped the vomit was only on the wall and not on the floor.
Chapter Two
Lara woke up to the pungent odor of smelling salts. She coughed and pushed away the hand holding them under her nose. “Get those away from me!"
“Are you all right, dearie?"
Slowly, she opened her eyes and found herself staring into Lottiełs worried face. She gazed around her, seeing she was in a small, sparsely-furnished room. Diana leaned against the wall across the room, blowing smoke rings at the ceiling.
“How did I get here?"
“That nice Tim carried you in here," Lottie answered. “Such a handsome young man. They all thought you were just tired and needed a nap. They are still out there cleaning up."
Lara blinked a couple of times before it all raced back. That memory wasnÅ‚t one sheÅ‚d soon forget. “Oh God, you really are ghosts."
The sweet-faced lady smiled. “ThatÅ‚s right, dear. Though we prefer to be called Ethereals. Ghost has such an unpleasant connotation to it, donÅ‚t you think?"
“ItÅ‚s true then." Lara shook her head. “I did see you go through the wall. IÅ‚m not crazy."
“Of course not!" Diana took a drag on the long thin cigarette she was smoking. “YouÅ‚re not crazyjust cursed."
Lara sat straight up in the bed she was lying on. “What?"
“Now donÅ‚t get ahead of yourself, Lara, dear." Lottie glared at Diana through the smoke curling around the womanÅ‚s pale head. “Those coffin nails are going to kill you, Diana."
Diana gave a smirk. “Then itÅ‚s a good thing IÅ‚m already dead!"
Lara shook her head dizzily. “DonÅ‚t get off the subject. What curse?"
Lottie sighed. “ItÅ‚s a long story and one that isnÅ‚t fully ours to tell. Suffice it to say one of your ancestors did something, and now all the Kincades are paying for it."
“YouÅ‚re here because of a curse?"
“Got it in one." Diana touched the tip of her nose with a forefinger. “YouÅ‚re a smart girl. Smarter than the men who preceded you, thatÅ‚s for sure."
“And there is that, too," Lottie said quickly. “You own the ship. And you are a woman. ThatÅ‚s not supposed to happen. Plus, youÅ‚re communicating with us. ThatÅ‚s never occurred before."
Diana gave a snort. “All the other owners ran screaming into the night. Left the ship for someone else to take care of."
Lottie looked at Lara admiringly. “You are very brave."
Another snort from Diana. “Wait until she meets the captain."
“Stopplease," Lara begged. “Can you tell me what happened? Why you are all here?"
“We can tell you some. But not everything."
“ThatÅ‚s crazy," Lara said. “Am I allowed to know how IÅ‚m cursed?"
The women looked at each other then Diana sighed. “YouÅ‚ll find out soon enough." She gave a little shrug. “We are supposed to make sure this ship never is successful again."
“But itÅ‚s not like itÅ‚s a gypsy curse, dearwith all the woo-woo and scary stuff. This is a more personal curse. One we decided to do," Lottie added.
“What? Why?" Lara asked in bafflement.
“Because your ancestor, Bridget Kincade, cursed us into this existence. So we have paid her back by destroying her fortune. The Lucky Lady isnÅ‚t lucky anymore."
Lara stared at them. “You ghostsEthereals are the reason the ship is falling apart?"
“Not entirely," admitted Diana. “Some of it was just hard times and bad management."
“Men can be so ridiculously arrogant about things, you know," Lottie imparted in a whisper.
Lara suppressed a giggle. This was not a laughing matter. “So because my several times removed great-grandmother pissed you offthis is payback?"
“Yes, itÅ‚s payback," said Diana angrily. “She didnÅ‚t just piss us off. She did much, much more!"
“I donÅ‚t understand."
“My dear," said Lottie sadly. “She was the one who killed us."
* * * * *
It was much later in the day Lara had some time to herself. The bombshell dropped by two of the resident ghosts had shaken her more than she wanted to admit. It was hard to be angry with someone who you knew had been murdered. And though she knew it wasnłt her fault, she still felt guilty over it.
The frustrating thing was the two women would tell her nothing more. Only they were all cursed and time was running out. As if that made things clear.
She had left Lottie and Diana arguing and walked through the now somewhat tidy salon, but no one said a word to her. Like talking to her might make her go crazy again. If only they knew! Had Uncle Simon done the same thing? Talked to people no one else could see?
Needing some normalcy, she had gone straight to Stan, the manager, and immersed herself in the day-to-day business of the ship. This at least she understood. Receipts and bills and daily schedulesit all made sense to her.
At a cursory glance, it looked to her like Stan, for all his foibles, was a decent manager. He was organized and competent, but had been hamstrung by lack of money and the fact her uncle hadnłt cared about The Lucky Lady.
As she walked to the deck for some air, Lara realized she now understood why. Hełd known about the ghosts and wasnłt about to go near them. She remembered her uncle wouldnłt even watch ghost stories, hełd been so frightened of them. Then, when he inherited the boat, the poor man had walked right into one. She was sure it was only the codicil in the will about not being allowed to sell the ship that had kept it in Kincade hands.
But that was all over. Ghost or no ghost, she was going to make this ship a success. She didnłt know what Bridget had done to the mysterious captainwho she had yet to meetor his crew of four, but it didnłt have anything to do with her. And when she saw the captain, she would make him see sense. She wasnłt about to let some ghostor curse take away all her dreams.
As she opened the outside door to the bow of the ship, she saw a figure leaning on the railing. It was too big to be Charlie or Sir Malcolm, and the crewmembers had all gone home hours ago. Her heart beat wildly and she almost snuck back inside, but suddenly she was overcome by such a strong sense of ownership she stopped dead. This was her home now. It was he who was trespassing!
Looking around, she spied the hammer Tim had left out after putting up the sign. Lifting it, she made her way toward the man. When she was a few feet away from him, she cleared her throat.
“This is private property. What are you doing here?"
He turned around swiftly, and she was struck dumb. Her heart stopped for a full three seconds before it went back to the racing pulse of earlier.
He was tall. At least six two. His hair, a shade or two darker than her own, whipped wildly in the breeze. He had piercing blue eyes, the color of the ocean. They were surrounded by a myriad of fine lines, as if squinting against the sun was a common practice for this man.
His face was rough and masculine, with a stubborn chin covered in several days of beard. A neatly trimmed mustache graced firm, sensuous lips that were pressed together in obvious irritation.
He was dressed in some sort of clothing she didnłt recognize. Dark slacks and a tightly fitted shirt were almost hidden by the seamenłs coat he wore. But the coat couldnłt hide the size of his chest or the strong muscles in his thighs.
Larałs mouth went dry as she stared at him. He was gorgeous. She swallowed and gripped the hammer tighter. Damn. Why did he have to be a trespasser?
Justin Savage gazed at the pint-sized woman who stood bravely before him. It had been a long time since a woman had looked at him that way. She was so beautiful it took him several breaths before he realized she could see him. Reallysee him.
His eyes narrowed. It had to be her. Lara Kincade. Charlie had told him about the new owner, but the boy was known for his tall tales. It wasnłt until Malcolm backed him up that Justin realized it was true. The Lucky Lady had a new owner, and this timefinallyit was a woman.
And what a woman she was. The face of a Madonna and the body of a dance hall girl. Even in the unattractive menłs clothing this generation was intent on wearing, he could see her beautiful shape. The jeans showed off long legs and slim hips, while the off-the-shoulder sweater showed him her long neck and a hint of a creamy breast.
His cock twitched in arousal and he jumped. He hadnłt felt that since hełd been cursed almost one hundred years before. His jaw clenched. Feeling it and knowing he couldnłt do anything about it was worse than not experiencing it at all. His temper flared.
“I could ask you the same thing, Lara Kincade," he bit out. “What are you doing on my ship?"
Her eyes widened. They were the color of melted chocolate, dark and sinful.
“Your ship?" she squeaked in outrage. “Just who the hell do you think you are?"
Justin grinned. Soshe had a temper to match the fire he saw in her eyes. “I am the captain of this vessel," he said proudly. He bowed low at the waist. “Captain Justin Savage, at your service."
Her eyes narrowed. “Oh, so youÅ‚re the ghostly captain I keep hearing about. YouÅ‚re the one who allowed this beautiful boat to get into such horrible shape."
He stiffened. So, she didnÅ‚t fear him? That would soon change. Woman or notshe was a hated Kincade. “You donÅ‚t know of what you speak."
Glaring at him, she put her hands on her hips. “I may not be a man or a sailor, but I can see neglect and incompetence when I see it."
His anger roared to life. “How dare you, woman? I am not incompetent!"
She snorted. “CouldnÅ‚t prove it by what I see. I thought a captain was supposed to care about his boat."
He wanted to strike her for her words. But he would never hit a woman, and she was ignorant of the truth. Spinning around, he stared out over the water. “I do care," he said roughly. “If I didnÅ‚t, The Lady would have been destroyed long ago."
“You want me to thank you?" Lara shook her head. “You should be shot for doing what youÅ‚ve done. I donÅ‚t care what Bridget did to you, but why take it out on her boat?"
“The Lady was never her ship," Justin roared as he twisted back around. His sea-blue eyes flashed with fury. “She was mine, always mine."
She took a step back at his vehemence. “She was the owner. Not you."
He gritted his teeth to hold back his wayward temper. “She stole the ship from me. No Kincade can be trusted."
Lara tossed her head. “I donÅ‚t know about Bridget, but I can see you canÅ‚t be trusted. I want you off my boat."
Justin stared at the little spitfire in amazement. “You think you can order me off my own ship?"
“IÅ‚m not afraid of you, Captain." She drawled the word out mockingly. “Ghost or notthis is my ship now."
He didnÅ‚t know how to respond. No one had ever stood up to him before. All the other owners had either ignored him and dealt with his ethereal pranks, or runnever to be seen again. “You should be afraid."
“Why?" She wrinkled her nose at him. “You gonna jump out at me and say boo!"
Incredibly, his face grew hot. First, arousal and now embarrassment? Intolerable. He moved close to her, crowding her and making her look up at him. Not for the first time, he wished he could be physical with a mortal. Maybe that would finally scare her.
“I donÅ‚t need to say boo, little girl," he growled down at her. He took another step forward and instinctively she stepped back away from him. “I can make your life a living hell, just as your family made mine. I can scare away your customers and your crew. I can sabotage all your precious machines. I can destroy your drink and spoil your food."
He kept walking forward as she retreated, her dark eyes growing wider and wider as he recited all the things he could do to her. He knew a fierce satisfaction at the look on her face. “In the end, you will have nothing. Just like me."
Lara stared up at him. The pain and anger he gave off was palatable. She sensed a myriad of emotionsfear, anger and sorrow. Inexplicably, she found herself wanting to comfort him, while at the same time she wanted to run away from his presence. As he drew inexorably closer to her, she took a last step backwards.
She cried out when her foot stepped back onto nothing. Her hands flailed wildly as she tried to catch herself. Without realizing it, shełd stepped into an open hatch.
Justin cursed as he saw her fall. Hełd wanted to frighten, but a tumble like that could kill her. Instinctively he reached for her, though he knew in his ethereal state, he couldnłt touch her.
When his hand wrapped around her arm, he was so surprised, he almost dropped her again. Her startled cry had him reacting quickly, pulling her into his strong arms and away from the dangerous hole.
“Are you all right?" he questioned hoarsely. His hand unconsciously smoothed her dark hair. She was so softso warm. He couldnÅ‚t believe it, shocked he could touch a mortal after all these years.
Lara snuggled against him, all animosity forgotten for the moment. “IÅ‚m fine, thanks to you. If you hadnÅ‚t pulled me to safety"
Justin swallowed at her husky words. He could feel her beautiful body against his, smell the aroma of her perfume. He could even sense the frightened beating of her heart. How? Why after nearly a century could he finally touch a woman? And why her? Why aKincade?
He stiffened a little, but the knowledge he was holding his enemy in his arms didnłt lessen the enjoyment. Or the need. His body slowly tightened the longer he held her, his cock hardening almost painfully. It had been a long time. He wanted to savor the sensation, no matter who caused it.
“Are you all right?" she asked softly. Pulling back, she stared up at him. “Your heart is beating as hard as mine."
With a start, he realized she was right. His heart was beating. What the hell was going on? Nothing like this had ever happened before.
When he didnłt answer, but just kept staring down at her with an unfathomable look, Larałs cheeks flamed. What was he looking at? Uncomfortable now, she tried to move away, but his arms tightened around her. The fact she liked being in his arms spurred her to struggle.
“You can let me go now."
He finally dropped his arms, and they both stared at one another. Larałs heart pounded, like shełd run a long way. All of a sudden she recognized the feeling. But it was impossible, wasnłt it? She couldnłt be attracted to him? To aghost?
To cover up her confusion she cleared her throat. “Again, thank you."
“You are welcome." His voice was deep and sounded rougher than before.
Fighting the need to burrow back into his arms, she turned and walked back to the railing at the bow. “I appreciate what you did. But it doesnÅ‚t change anything. I still want you off my boat."
He followed her silently, standing too close behind her. “And I told you, I will not leave."
She whirled around and stared up at him. “Then weÅ‚re going to have to come to an agreement if weÅ‚re both going to live here together."
Justin groaned inwardly. His body was already on fire. Knowing she was going to be staying aboard just fanned it further. Angry at his mindÅ‚s unruly thoughts, he struck out at her. “You are in no position to bargain with me. I can and will make your life hell."
Tears filled LaraÅ‚s eyes. “But why? IÅ‚m not Bridget. Whatever happened between the two of you shouldnÅ‚t affect me."
The fact she was right didnÅ‚t make it easier for him. “It doesnÅ‚t matter. You are a Kincade, and I have vowed to wipe out your family."
Anger replaced the tears. “Then tell me why. I have the right to know why you want to destroy me."
His jaw clenched as he stared at her angry face. He had seen beautiful women come and go on The Lucky Lady, but never before had he been so affected by one. The fact she was the descendant of the woman he hated was almost more than he could stand. Was this another punishment Bridget had dreamed up for him? The one woman he could touch and who touched him, was her great-great-great-great granddaughter?
“Captain?"
Her soft voice brought him back with a rush. He shook his head to clear it. “You want to know why I hate the Kincades?
“I do. If I can understand the curse, maybe we can break it."
He laughed bitterly. “It is impossible to break it. Believe me. I have tried."
“Tell me, damn it! I want to know!"
His temper flared again. “You want to know? Fine. I will tell you the whole sordid story. And then you will understand why I believe the way I do." He took a deep angry breath.
“I owned The Lucky Lady. She was mine. Every board, bolt and rope on her." Justin stared over LaraÅ‚s shoulder, looking into the past. “I loved her. Put every penny I had into her. And it was paying off. The Lady was getting noticed. Wealthy people, important people up and down the Mississippi were beginning to know her name."
He ran a hand through his already tousled hair. “ThatÅ‚s when Bridget came into the picture." His eyes darkened. “She was small, like you, and smart as a tack. She took one look at The Lady and coveted her. So she stole her."
“I donÅ‚t understand," said Lara softly. “How? How did she steal her from you?"
Red crawled up his neck. “She was a beautiful woman and she used that. She made me trust her and then betrayed me."
“Are you telling me you had an affair with her?" Lara felt sick at the idea the man she was attracted to had slept with her ancestor.
JustinÅ‚s mouth tightened. “It wasan arrangement. Between two adults. She traded her favors to me, and I allowed her free passage on my ship. We were together for almost a year but I was tiring of her. She must have known I was going to pay her off. The next thing I remember was waking up with a horrible hangover, sick as a dog."
He stared down at Lara, and there was hate in his eyes.
“Bridget was standing above me holding a document that said she was now the owner of The Lucky Lady."
Chapter Three
LaraÅ‚s mouth dropped open. “You gave it to her when you were drunk? Your ship? Your pride and joy?"
JustinÅ‚s eyes went even colder. “It is what she wanted me to think. What she persuaded me to believe. Suddenly I was the pauper and she the rich widow. She said I could stay on as the captain of the vessel. Nothing had to change."
“And did it?"
“Not at first," he admitted. “I was reeling with what I had done. How I could have been so foolish as to give away my lifeÅ‚s work for a woman."
Lara felt a quick snippet of anger at his words. “Indeed."
He didnÅ‚t notice her irritation. “I watched as she turned my beautiful casino into a pleasure palace." He laughed bitterly at LaraÅ‚s wide eyes. “DidnÅ‚t you know your precious granny ran a brothel?"
“She turned The Lucky Lady into a whorehouse?"
He shook his head. “Not in so many words, but everyone knew you could do more than gamble on board. And that was the final straw."
“What do you mean?"
“I gave her an ultimatum. If she didnÅ‚t change my ship back to what she was before, I told her I would leave."
“But you didnÅ‚t."
Justin paced over to the railing and grabbed hold of it as if he wished it was BridgetÅ‚s neck. “She went crazy. Accused me of cheating on her. Ranted and raved, saying I would be sorry for everything. Next thing I knew, sheÅ‚d tossed me out of the cabin. I could still hear her shouting as I walked away."
He turned back around and stared down at Lara, his eyes bleak with memories. “I went to pack up my things. I was numb inside, knowing I was leaving everything I cared about behind me. I had just finished when I got a message from Bridget saying she wanted to return something to me."
Lara touched his sleeve. “You thought she meant The Lady?"
He stared down at her small hand. It was a pleasant feeling, having a womanÅ‚s hand on him again after so long. “Uhhhyes. I thought maybe she had come to her senses. She asked to meet me in the lounge, but when I arrived, she wasnÅ‚t there. Only Diana was."
“This Diana?"
He nodded. “She was one of the new acts I had brought on board just before I lost the ship to Bridget. I barely knew her."
“But Bridget thought otherwise?"
Justin gave her a startled look. “Yes. She thought I was sleeping with Diana. She rushed into the lounge and accused us both. I denied it, but it didnÅ‚t matter. My rejection of her sent her over the edge."
“What did she do?"
“Your beloved ancestor dabbled in a little black magic," Justin informed Lara roughly. “Before I could say another word, she cursed me. Told me I was damned to walk the decks of The Lucky Lady forever since I loved the ship more than I loved her. Suddenly, I was shouting in pain as an icy coldness enveloped my body. I died, Lara. Right then and thereshe killed me.
She stared at him in horror. “But how?"
“Her words. The curse was a powerful one. And because she used black magic and spoke them on the one night where evil is strongest"
Lara gasped. “This happened on Halloween?"
He nodded grimly. “Yes. Since Halloween night, 1910, I have been an Ethereal, a spirit doomed to walk in the human world."
Tears stood in her eyes as she listened. “But the others? Why them? I can understand Diana, but Charlie and Sir Malcolm and Lottie?"
JustinÅ‚s face grew harder. “Bridget didnÅ‚t care who she hurt as long as I was destroyed. The same spell intended for me caught Diana, too." His lips tightened. “Charlie was my shadow, always close by. I told him to wait outside, but he didnÅ‚t, so he was killed as well."
“And Lottie?"
He gave a bark of bitter laughter. “Her only crime was falling asleep near the bar. She died before she was even awake. Sir Malcolm was caught when he tried to stop Bridget." Justin shook his head. “The old man always had more courage than sense."
“ThatÅ‚s monstrous. How could she do such a thing?" Lara wrapped her arms around herself as she thought of the old people and the innocent boy.
“ThereÅ‚s more," he said almost wearily. “As she threw the spell, she told me I hadnÅ‚t given her The Lucky Lady. SheÅ‚d drugged me and forged my signature. Since I couldnÅ‚t remember, I bought ithook, line and sinker. The last thing I remember before I died was her laughter."
“Oh, Justin," she whispered. “IÅ‚m so sorry."
His eyes glinted. “She was sorry, too.
“What did you do?"
“As soon as I figured out how to manipulate the corporeal world I had my revenge. I scared away the guests, destroyed the machines, made her life a living hell. The others helped gladly. Bridget couldnÅ‚t do anything about it. Her black magic couldnÅ‚t reach me where I was, so that left her with only one choice."
Understanding dawned. “ThatÅ‚s why she left."
Triumph gleamed in his sea-blue eyes. “I chased her away from everything she had sold her soul to get." He stared down at Lara. “And IÅ‚ve continued doing it to her son and his son and every other son thereafter."
Lara wanted to weep for him. What he and the others had been through was worse than she ever could have imagined. “And youÅ‚ve been this way for one hundred years?"
He grinned fiercely. “Yes. And I will continue to do it until the last Kincade is rotting in hell."
She froze. “I am the last Kincade, Justin. There are no more Kincade sons left for you to haunt."
There was a flicker of something in his eyes, but it was quickly gone. “You are still a Kincade. Your family stole my life, my ship and the lives of innocents. I can never forgive that."
Her chin went up. “Did it ever occur to you IÅ‚m an innocent, too? The same as Lottie or Charlie. How is what youÅ‚re doing anything different from what Bridget did?"
Justin cursed loudly. “I am nothing like that witch. My revenge is just. I only take back what was taken from me."
“I didnÅ‚t take anything from you."
“You play at words, Lara Kincade. But your name tells me what I need to know. You are my enemy."
Her bottom lip trembledhe could see it in the moonlight. Some unknown emotion stirred, but a century of hate squashed it.
“I wonÅ‚t make it easy for you like my uncle did," she finally murmured softly. “And IÅ‚m not going anywhere. I will make this ship beautiful again. With your help or without it."
He had to admire her grit. “It will be without. And I will do everything in my power to sabotage your efforts."
Anger and sadness warred in her chocolate eyes. “Then I guess itÅ‚s war." She held out her hand to him. “I wonÅ‚t wish you luck."
Automatically, he took her hand, noting while it was small and feminine, it was also callused and strong. Without thinking, he bent and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “I donÅ‚t need luck."
Her gasp made him go very still. Abruptly, he realized what he had done. Holding onto her, he looked closely into her face. Larałs eyes had dilated in shocked arousal, and awareness hit him like a sledge hammer.
He wasnłt the only one experiencing desire. She wanted him, too.
When her lip trembled again, Justin gave up worrying about the curse. He forgot about the ship and the knowledge she was his enemy. Standing before him was a beautiful, sexy woman, and he needed her desperately if only to see if her lips were as soft as they looked to be. Why wait any longer?
Without any more hesitation, he pulled her against him and bent his head. He slanted his mouth over hers with a voraciousness that made her gasp. Justin took immediate advantage of it, thrusting his tongue between her lips to taste the sweetness he knew was within.
A groan rumbled up from his chest. Hełd been right. She tasted of woman and sex and desire. Flavors hełd almost forgotten. Holding her tighter, he explored her secrets, instinctively wanting to know her in every way possible.
When she protested, he nipped at her lower lip, before starting all over again, slower this time, intent on savoring the delicious flavor of her mouth.
Lara had never before felt such an intense need from a man. She was surrounded by him, by his heat, by his desire. She trembled once and then surrendered, letting the waves of passion roll over her. When his tongue speared into her mouth, it was so forceful she struggled, but then he immediately gentled, soothing her as he explored her farther.
Her body began to respond. Softening in his arms as he pulled her closer to him. She kissed him back, instinctively using her own tongue to tease and torment. When he gave a growl of hunger, a thrill of delight ran through her.
As he continued kissing her, the hard line of his erection pressed against her stomach. The sudden wetness between her thighs told her she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Without thinking, she rubbed herself against him, enjoying the feel of the powerful body against hers.
Justin broke out in a sweat at the innocent movement. His body clenched with the need to take Lara right where they stood. His hand threaded through her hair and pulled her head back so he could feast on the naked flesh of her throat. The other hand moved to cup one breast.
He groaned, deciding right then and there these new fashions werenłt so bad. At least he didnłt have to dig through a corset to find the supple mound. He squeezed gently, glorying in the softness of her.
“Beautiful," he whispered.
The single word jerked Lara out of the sensual fog she was in. What was she doing? Making out on the deck of a ship in plain view of God and everyone? Not only that, she was in a lip lock with a ghost! One who despised her no less.
She struggled against him. “Let me go!"
He only held her tighter. “No," he muttered hoarsely. “Not yet."
His need pulled at her, but she forced herself to be strong. She turned her head away and pushed at his chest. “NO!"
Blinking, he frowned. Then understanding filled his eyes, and he pushed her away with an oath. Apparently, he too finally realized what they were doing.
“Your womanÅ‚s wiles will not work on me this time, Kincade!" he shouted at her.
LaraÅ‚s mouth dropped open. “I didnÅ‚t start this, you jerk! You kissed me."
Justin knew she was right and that made him angrier. Striking out at her he gritted, “You have no shame. You would do anything to get your way, just like she did."
She said a very unladylike swearword and walking forward, poked him in the chest. “You donÅ‚t know anything about me. I was willing to help you. To try and break this horrible curse you are under. But now? I hope you rot on this boat. IÅ‚ll save my pity for the others."
“None of us need your pity! Just leave my ship. It will be best for all of us." He glared down at her, as angry at himself for wanting her as he was at her for being who she was. “I donÅ‚t want anything to do with a Kincade!"
Putting her hands on her hips, she smirked up at him. “You didnÅ‚t say that a minute ago."
Anger and embarrassment warred inside of him. “That meant nothing. I havenÅ‚t touched a woman in a century. I would have felt the same for a two-dollar whore!" Reaching out, he ran a long finger down her soft cheek. “In fact, I think the last whore I had kissed better!"
All the color leached out of Larałs cheeks. She stared at him, pain filling her eyes. He thought she might cry, and he searched for the satisfaction it would give him, but for some reason it eluded him. He opened his mouth to apologize, but her words stopped him.
“You really are a bastard," she whispered. “Maybe you are getting just what you deserved." Then her eyes flashed as she stepped up and punched him hard in the stomach.
He went to his knees in surprise, leaving her standing over the top of him. “There. Now a woman has really touched you!" With a final sniff, she turned and ran back inside the salon.
* * * * *
Up above, in the wheelhouse, Lottie and Malcolm watched the little drama with avid eyes.
“Well, now," murmured Lottie. “What do you know about that?"
“He could touch her," Sir Malcolm said in awe.
“Then itÅ‚s happening. Just as foretold."
The elderly man snorted. “If the young whelp wonÅ‚t give her a chance, nothing will happen."
Lottie blew her breath out in frustration. “That woman may be our salvation. We are running out of time, and I wonÅ‚t allow a manÅ‚s pigheadedness to stand in our way of breaking the curse."
Sir Malcolm lifted a snowy eyebrow. “Madam, not all men are pigheaded and stubborn."
His companion stared up at him with bright blue eyes. “WerenÅ‚t you the one who refused to leave Diana and Justin and so was cursed as well?"
The knight drew his stocky frame up straight. “That was not being stubborn. That was doing the right thing!"
“Of course it was, dear." Lottie patted his arm. “What would any of us do without you?"
“Quite so," he responded.
“But now we have to figure out how to get the two of them together," Lottie fretted. “And make Justin see his stubbornness is hurting us all!"
* * * * *
“What the hell do you meanno?" Justin snarled. “I want you to go sabotage the new ice machine she just put in the kitchen."
Sir Malcolm brought himself to his full height. “I said no, my dear boy. And I do mean it. I refuse to help you hurt that poor girl."
“Nor will I," put in Lottie. She put her hand on JustinÅ‚s sleeve. “She is sweet, Justin. You do her wrong by comparing her to that awful woman."
“And she is pretty, sir." Charlie blushed as he spoke. “I do like her smile."
Justin swore aloud. “Have you all taken leave of your senses? This is a Kincade we are talking about. Her family killed us!"
“Quite right," the older man agreed. “Her familynot her."
“Since when does that make a difference? She is still a Kincade."
“But my dear," said Lottie anxiously. She being a she is the difference. Have you forgotten the curse?"
“How can I forget?" Justin shouted. “I live it every day of my non-life!"
The old woman sighed. “Then think! Instead of concentrating only on what happened, think about what was said to fix it."
“What are you talking about?"
“For GodÅ‚s sake, Justin." Diana gave a theatrical sigh. “DonÅ‚t you remember the gypsy?"
JustinÅ‚s mouth dropped open. “You canÅ‚t be serious." He stared around at his friends. “Are you talking about that crackpot Bridget brought in to exorcise us?"
Lottie patted his sleeve again. “Oh good. You do remember."
“Remember? Of course I remember. But so what? You canÅ‚t have taken her words seriously."
“But Captain" Charlie looked up at him with beseeching eyes, “she said we could break the curse."
“ItÅ‚s what some of us have been holding onto, Justin," Diana put in quietly. “For all these long, horrible years." Her usual hard demeanor was softened by expectation.
Justin bit back harsh words. He couldnÅ‚t bear to put out the light in CharlieÅ‚s eyes or ignore the hope in DianaÅ‚s. “The words didnÅ‚t make sense."
“ThatÅ‚s because we thought they were an impossibility," Sir Malcolm stated. “But now we know they are not."
Shaking his head, Justin sighed. “You lost me."
“DonÅ‚t you see, Justin, dear?" Lottie wriggled in the chair in her excitement. “Lara is the answer."
He scowled at her. “How is she the answer to anything?"
“You can touch her. And if you can touch her, you can have a relationship with her," Lottie explained.
JustinÅ‚s body tightened as he thought of Lara lying in his arms. How he had wanted to do more. Then he reddened when he realized what the old lady had said. “You were spying on us."
“Just taking in some air," put in Sir Malcolm jovially. “But we did see the evidence with our own eyes."
“ItÅ‚s the first time in a century a woman has taken an interest in you, dearie." Lottie giggled. “Of course sheÅ‚s the first one who could, and that means she might be the one."
“Be the one to what?"
“To break the curse, you idiot!" Diana snapped. She took a quick puff on her cigarette. “Remember what the gypsy said? To break the curse and set all to right, a human woman would have to fall in love with you, just as you are."
“Since no one but the male owners of The Lucky Lady have been able to see you in almost a century, you had no chance of breaking the curse," Lottie said excitedly. “But now the owner is a woman, so you do."
“You know Bridget believed the gypsy. She put that clause in the will about the ship only going to male heirs to thwart any chance of breaking the curse." Sir Malcolm laughed and shook his head. “She didnÅ‚t bargain on there being no more male heirs."
Justin looked around at them all. They had to be crazy. “Let me get this straight. YouÅ‚re saying you believe if Lara Kincade falls in love with me we will go on to our rewards, and the curse will be broken?"
“It has to be done soon though," Lottie put in anxiously. “Remember, the gypsy gave you until midnight on Halloween of the one hundredth year."
CharlieÅ‚s AdamÅ‚s apple bobbed. “ThatÅ‚s the end of the month, Captain."
“I know when it is, Charlie," Justin growled. “I just donÅ‚t accept you all believe this claptrap."
“Damn it, Justin," Diana snapped back at him. “You better believe it! If you donÅ‚t weÅ‚re done for. And unlike you I donÅ‚t want to spend an eternity on this broken down tub!"
Chapter Four
Dianałs words whirled in Justinłs head as he stared through the wall at the bent head of the woman who might have the power to break her ancestorłs curse. Lara was sitting behind her desk, going over paperwork. There was a furrow between her eyes as she stared at a long list of numbers, and he had the impulse to smooth the lines away with a kiss. He knew how overwhelming running a casino ship could be. Lara had been thrown in head first. To his shame, he realized hełd been happy to let her sink.
He sighed. Diana and the others had talked him into at least trying to break the curse. He wasnłt sure he believed it, but after seeing the hope in their eyes, he knew as captain, he could do no less for the crew who had followed him all these lonely years.
It wasnłt easy. Letting go of a century of hate and distrust wasnłt something done in an hour or even a day. But he kept telling himself Lara wasnłt Bridget. She hadnłt taken his livelihood or stolen his life. And he was very attracted to her. Seducing her would be no hardship.
He wondered how to approach her. They didnłt know each other, and there was less than two weeks left until Halloween. He had to hope the overwhelming attraction hełd felt between them would make up for the short time they had. And as Diana had so blisteringly reminded him, comparing her to a two-dollar whore wasnłt the way to go about winning a ladyłs heart. That much he did know.
She stretched and yawned, rubbing her eyes. When she stared off into space, Justin wondered what she was thinking.
Lara chewed on her pencil as she thought. The renovations were coming along quite well. Crews were busily working from sun up to sun down, and she could really see a difference now. The Lucky Lady was going to be beautiful.
The main salon where the casino was located was almost finished. Re-painted, re-carpeted and cleaned from top to bottom, Lara could finally see what the ship had looked like in her heyday. The machines were in the process of being refurbished, and the bar was going through a complete change to give it more of a saloon / tavern look.
All in all, Lara was pleased. Once she got the main area fixed up, she could concentrate on the rest of the ship. But still she was uncomfortable.
The problem was it was quiet. Too quiet. There had been no sabotage, no hauntings, no sign of ethereal pranks for almost three days. Shełd seen and talked with the other four ghosts, but of Justin, shełd seen no sign.
Had they given up? She shook her head tiredly. Doubtful. She remembered the look on the captainłs face and shivered. Shełd never seen that type of hate before. Especially aimed at her. He was probably waiting until the ship was closer to being finished. Then, he could do more damage. If he had his way shełd be off the boat and starving in some alley. For him that would be the ultimate revenge.
But why then had he kissed her? Had it really been because he hadnłt been with a woman in so long? She couldnłt stop thinking about how his lips had tasted against hers. He made her feel things she didnłt know were possible. Shełd never forgotten herself like that before. Had he felt it, too? Then tears filled her eyes when she remembered his crushing remark.
“I do too kiss better than a whore," she sniffed.
Hearing her, Justin groaned. She was thinking about that? Still? He sighed. She was right. He really was a bastard. He walked through the wall, pulling out a handkerchief as he went.
“Here."
Lara gave a little scream. “Damn it, Captain! You scared the hell out of me."
He gave a repentant grin. “Sorry." He held out the hanky. “And I mean that about more than scaring you."
Her eyes narrowed speculatively, but she took the proffered handkerchief and dabbed at her tears. “What?"
Justin sat on the corner of the desk. “IÅ‚m sorry for what I said the other night. It was uncalled for."
“Yes, it was."
He grinned, hoping to soften her. “You pack a pretty good punch."
A small smile was his reward. “You deserved it."
“Just so you know, you kiss a hell of a lot better than a two-dollar whore,"
Lara reddened, but sniffed. “IÅ‚ll have to take your word on that since youÅ‚re the only one in the room whoÅ‚s kissed both of us."
He chuckled at her wit. “We got off on the wrong foot, you and me."
“Not my fault." She lifted her hands innocently. “I wanted to play nice."
“YouÅ‚re right," Justin agreed. He bent closer. “Can we start over?"
She stilled. “Why are you being so sweet to me?"
He sighed under his breath. She didnÅ‚t trust him and rightly so. “IÅ‚ve been told by the others it isnÅ‚t fair to blame you for what Bridget did." He shrugged. “I guess you could say we are all tired of fighting."
LaraÅ‚s eyes widened. “Are you telling me youÅ‚re giving up this vendetta you have against my family?"
Justin gritted his teeth. Saying it out loud was even more difficult than thinking it. “Itit wonÅ‚t be easy for me. After one hundred years IÅ‚ve gotten in the habit of hating. But I promise" he met LaraÅ‚s dark eyes sincerely, “I will try."
Lara stared at him for a long moment. She wanted to believe him, but her natural born caution made her hesitate. She was so used to things going wrong for her, the thought of something going right was almost scary.
She looked at his beautiful sea-blue eyes. There were shadows there she might never fully understand. Hełd been through hell. Her family really did deserve his hatred. Though now he sounded like he wanted to put the blame where it belonged. Back on Bridget herself. Could it be he wanted to make up for what he had done to Bridgetłs descendents?
The bottom line was she wanted to trust him. More than she probably should. But if he could help her fix up The Lucky Lady so it would be a home both of them could be proud of then why was she waiting? Trusting him might not be easy, but it was the only way.
She stuck out a hand. “Then okay... LetÅ‚s give it a shot."
Like before, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Agreed."
Her gaze met his and she smiled. “IÅ‚m glad, Captain. I really am."
Her smile made Justin hungry for her all over again. “As am I." He scooted closer on the desk. “I want to help you in any way I can."
“You do?" She lifted a dark eyebrow skeptically.
He bent over her, his eyes on her parted mouth. “I do."
Just as he was ready to touch his lips to her, she grinned. “Then what do you think about automating all the electronics?"
He blinked. “What?"
Lara bit back a laugh and tried to look innocent. She had a feeling she was playing with fire. The attraction between them was hot enough to set her office on fire. There was a part of her that wanted to throw caution to the wind and do what her body was craving. Her cheeks heated at the thought of making love to him here, on her own desk. She dragged her wayward thoughts back with an effort. She couldnłt believe she was thinking about having sex with a ghost.
But he felt so damnsolid.
“Lara?"
She blushed and brought her thoughts back to business. “IÅ‚m saying right now someone has to go around and manually turn on each of the machines as soon as we cross the three mile barrier into international waters."
Justin narrowed his eyes, wondering at the redness of her cheeks. Then his mind snagged on her question. “So?"
“Going around to each machine is time consuming and it costs us gambling dollars. Terry, the slot key supervisor says it can take up to twenty minutes to get all the machines on. ThatÅ‚s twenty minutes of time someone could be feeding money into each machine, but arenÅ‚t."
He immediately saw what she meant. “And so weÅ‚re losing money."
She nodded and tapped at the paper in front of her. “This much, every night."
Looking to where she was pointing, he whistled. “Damn."
“The automation will cost us, but in the long run, it will pay for itself. I think we should do it."
Justin thought for a moment. The fact she asked his opinion pleased him greatly. “IÅ‚m not up on the newer technical aspects of gambling, but the facts are right there on the paper." He grinned down at her. “Sounds like a great idea to me."
She smiled back at him and their eyes met. Suddenly, the room became very, very warm. This close to her, he could smell her arousal. Then, unthinkingly, Lara licked her dry lips.
The heat in his body went to flash point in just seconds. He tried to concentrate on the business at hand, but when she swayed toward him, he was lost.
Catching her up in his arms, he pulled her to him, reveling in the softness of her body against his. His mouth came down on hers as greedily as it had the first time; his tongue plunging inside to sup from the sweetness he now knew was there.
Her taste was more erotic to him this time around. He growled low in his throat, knowing he needed her, curse or not. He wrapped his hands in her hair, holding her still so he could make love to her mouth. His tongue stroked in and out, showing her what he really wanted to do to her body.
Lara trembled at the sudden assault, but she couldnłt find it in her to pull away. Ghost or not, she really didnłt care anymore. Her entire being was caught up in him. From the strength of his arms, to the taste of his mouth. The more he touched her, the closer she wanted to be. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and tasted feminine triumph when he shuddered in her embrace.
Her hands massaged his back, finding hard rippling muscles. She pulled his shirt out of his waistband and whimpered with irritation when she found instead of male skin, the softness of flannel. She pulled and tugged, but the undershirt wouldnłt come free. Finally giving up, she made do with imagining the sculpted feel of his warm flesh. Wishing she could touch him freely, she held him tighter.
God she felt good. Was it only because hełd been without so long? Or was she special? Justin didnłt know and he didnłt much care. His cock was throbbing so hard it hurt, and the leg of his union suit was already wet with pre-come.
His hands moved over her, enjoying the curves of her body, aching to do more. He ran a hand up her slender thigh and under the short skirt she was wearing. His groan mingled with her gasp as he cupped the moist hot mound between her legs.
With a low curse, he laid her back on her messy desk and ripped the wet panties right off of her.
Lara cried out in shock. Justinłs eyes were so dark with need they were almost black. Leaning over her, he looked like a fallen angel with his tousled hair and intense face. His mouth came down on hers again as he massaged his fingers through the small thatch of hair on her mound.
She moaned and allowed him to spread her legs apart, lost to what he was building in her. Never before had she wanted a man so intensely. When a callused finger speared into her, she cried out again.
Justin gave another feral growl at the feel of her slick, heated channel. She was so hotso wethe almost exploded right then and there. It had been too long for him to muster much control, and she was ready, he sensed it. He couldnłt wait much longer or his cock would have permanent impressions of buttons up its length.
He ripped open his pants, uncaring of what would happen to them. The pinging of a falling button was heard, but all he could think about was burying himself deep inside of her. He struggled for a moment with the fastenings of the underwear, but it wasnłt long until he freed himself.
When his long, hard cock rubbed against her naked thigh, Lara moaned again. His finger continued its sensuous dance deep in her wet quim, and passion curled in a hot, tight band low in her stomach. Sensation licked at her nerve endings.
When he moved between her thighs, she gasped out loud. It was her fantasy come true, but suddenly she was nervous. What if someone were to come in? She tore her mouth away from his. “No! Not here!"
He stiffened slightly, raising his head. Hot eyes burned down at her. “Whatever the lady wishes." Pulling his finger from her body, he swept her up in his arms. Dropping to his knees, he placed her carefully on the floor. Coming down on top of her, he muttered, “Easier this way, anyway."
Lara almost laughed. “Notwhat I meant," she breathed. His teeth nibbled gently at her throat as his hand began another foray up her skirt to the aching flesh heÅ‚d loved before. “Someone mightcome in."
“They wouldnÅ‚t dare," he muttered. He kissed her soundly. “DonÅ‚t worry. I can see through walls, remember?"
She decided to quit worrying. “How about clothes?"
He grinned as he pushed her skirt up out of his way. “Unfortunately that isnÅ‚t a gift we Ethereals have."
Lara giggled, but then gasped as his fingers found the small nubbin of flesh between her folds. “Oh God" She arched instinctively against him.
Justinłs eyes flared. With one movement, he pulled the T-shirt she was wearing over her head. His breath caught as he gazed down at the swells of flesh revealed by the dark blue lacy bra she wore. His cock throbbed when he saw the darkness of her nipples showing through.
“Oh God is right, sweetheart," he groaned. “You are going to kill me. I definitely like these modern clothes." With a quick flick of his finger, he undid the front fastening and her breasts spilled out. “Really like them. So much easier than unlacing a corset. Creations of the devil, they were."
He ran his hand up from where it was sweetly torturing her clit and used both hands to cup her breasts. “A man likes to see a woman. And this is a much better view than IÅ‚ve had in the past."
Her eyes narrowed. “You look at other women? The guests?"
He grinned. “They canÅ‚t see me. And itÅ‚s never much. ItÅ‚s not like they undress here. IÅ‚ve only seen a few adjustments. In the ladiesÅ‚ powder room."
“Justin!"
“ItÅ‚s all right, darlinÅ‚. No one holds a candle to you."
“ThatÅ‚s not what I meant," she huffed. “Promise me you wonÅ‚t do it again."
He sighed. “Ahhh, youÅ‚ll take away all my fun."
“Justin," she warned.
“All right." He pretended to look sad then dropped a kiss on both pointed nipples. “But I better be compensated for my sacrifice."
Her breath came quickly. “Y-YouÅ‚re seeing me now."
His mouth quirked into a smile. “IÅ‚ll do more than see." With that last comment, he bent and sucked one of her dark nipples into his mouth.
She cried out and arched against him. His tongue flicked against the extended berry intent on overwhelming her with sensuous sensation. She writhed under him, as if trying to get closer.
Sweat broke out on Justinłs forehead. Hełd been able to slow down a little, but her natural sensuality was his undoing. He needed her. Now! Transferring his mouth to the other breast, he treated it to the same sweet torment as he moved himself between her thighs. As gently as his lust would allow him, he spread her thighs and pushed into her.
She was even hotter now, and though she was wet and willing, he was a big man and it took several strokes before he could get partially inside. He lifted one of her legs, bending it so her knee rested against the outside of his hip. With that, he was able to ease in a little farther. She held him like a fist, so tightly he had to grit his teeth against her breast so he wouldnłt explode before he was able to get fully within her.
Larałs eyes flew open. He was larger than shełd expected, and it had been a while for her, too. Could she do this? His panting breaths filled the room and she could tell he was struggling not to hurt her in his overwhelming desire. That knowledge made her relax, and with a loud groan, he slipped totally inside of her.
They both lay still for a moment, taking pleasure in being together. But that didnłt last long. Their need for each other was too great. Justin began to move, and reaching down between their bodies, he pressed his thumb against the small throbbing flesh nestled in her curls.
Heat poured through her. She muffled her cry against his shoulder and her hips bucked against him.
That was all it took. Lights flashed behind Justinłs eyes. All the heat in his body shot straight to his cock. With a loud shout, he thrust in and out of her, every stroke feeding the passion hełd so long been denied. Out of control, he pounded against her, barely able to think as his orgasm built within him.
Lara held on, glorying in the knowledge she was responsible for his losing control. His wicked finger rubbed against her clit, and her quim wept in its own need. Desire danced in her groin until without warning, it exploded.
Lights and color filled her mind as she spun into a mind-blowing climax. Her body shook and shivered, and Justinłs cock moving in and out of her made the sensations stronger.
She opened her mouth to scream, but his mouth covered hers, swallowing the cry. Writhing beneath him, she was sure she would die from the pleasure.
Justin barely had the forethought to cover her scream with a kiss before he gave in to his own orgasm. His cock swelled and throbbed and then burst deep inside of her warmth as he shouted out her name. He shook with the strength of his climax, knowing one hundred year dry-spell or notthis was the best sex he had ever had.
Collapsing on top of her, he barely had the strength to prop himself up on his elbows so as not to crush her. They were both still, breathing hard as they tried to recover.
Lara came slowly back to herself, her cheeks heating when she realized what she had done. Fantastic sex or not, she had never done something so foolhardy before. Giving in to lust had never been high on her priority list. Unprotected sex? On the floor? Where anyone could have walked in on them?
And donłt forget the part about her lover being a ghost. A ghost she wasnłt sure she could trust and who might still hate her guts. Even if he did seem to lust after her body.
She shuddered inwardly. Oh Godwhat had she done?
Justin enjoyed the feel of her soft body beneath his. His own was satiated for the moment, but he knew hełd have to have her again. If this was how he could break the curse, it would be a most pleasurable task.
But Lara seemed to be uncomfortable. The tell tale stiffening of her body told its own story. While shełd enjoyed their lovemaking before, now it seemed she was embarrassed by her actions.
But he couldnÅ‚t afford to alienate her now. Too much rested on it. Lifting his head, he nibbled gently on her ear. “You make me believe IÅ‚m alive again. Thank you."
Lara shut her eyes. Her heart leapt. She had at least given him that. “II donÅ‚t know what to say."
Justin looked down at her. “Say I pleased you, too?"
Her lips quivered into a smile. “You did. You know that."
“IÅ‚m glad." He bent his head back to hers for a gentle kiss. “You are so soft, so beautiful."
He hardened in her again, and she gave a gasp. “I canÅ‚t. Not again."
He groaned. “Why?"
“Let me up, Captain. Please."
It was the panicked note in her voice that made him obey. Gently, he pulled out of her and rolled off. He tried to take her into his arms, but she moved away, climbing to her feet and smoothing down her skirt.
“Lara?" He frowned at her lack of response. He stood also, tucking himself back inside his union suit and pants. “What is wrong? You called me Justin before."
She turned away, trying to refasten her bra, but the hook kept leaping out of her shaky fingers. Finally, after watching her third attempt, he cursed lightly and turned her to face him. He brushed away her hands.
“Allow me."
Deftly he refastened the small hook and eye then straightened the lace covering her soft breasts. Then he lifted her chin with one finger. “You wonÅ‚t look at me now?"
She flushed, her whole body turning red. “IÅ‚m sorry. IÅ‚m not very good at this."
Justin thought briefly of Bridget. She would have still been lying on the floor in utter abandonment even if there were others in the room. No, he was learning Lara was nothing like that witch. He traced Larałs cheek gently.
“I beg to differ. I think you were very good."
Lara went redder. “I meanthis. This whole thing. IÅ‚m sorry. We canÅ‚t do this again. ItÅ‚s not right."
Now it was he who stiffened. “Why? Why isnÅ‚t it right?"
She bit her lip. “I know I was a willing participant, and I did enjoy it, but I canÅ‚t do this. You and I donÅ‚t have a future together."
“We live on the same damn boat," he said his temper sparking at her words.
She met his gaze with unflinching eyes. “But we donÅ‚t really, do we? IÅ‚m a human and youÅ‚re a ghost. You arenÅ‚t alive at all.
Chapter Five
Her comment haunted Justin over the next several days. Hełd lost his temper with her that day, telling her she was a child who needed to grow up. Then hełd turned and stomped out of the office.
Hełd left her alone the whole next day, his anger in direct proportion to his need to have her in his arms again. But then, when he happened to see her struggling to understand what the mechanic who was upgrading the boat engine was saying, he couldnłt bear to stay away any longer.
Hełd materialized next to her, but other than a small jump of surprise and a slight flushing of the cheeks, she did nothing. When the mechanic tried to tell her she needed a whole new engine that would cost a fortune, he spoke to her, telling her the man was trying to con her.
Lara had met his eyes and smiled, telling him without words she understood. Justin fed her the words to say to the dishonest mechanic, laughing at the manłs surprise Lara knew so much about engines.
And so an uneasy truce was formed. Neither of them said anything about the episode in her office, but it was there between them every day. He got in the habit of following her around and offering her advice and ideas on the ship. She got the reputation of being someone who talked to herself, but since she wasnłt insisting on seeing people who werenłt really there, the crew didnłt care.
For Lara it was bittersweet. If Justin had been a living man, she could easily see herself getting closer to him. He was intelligent, funny and of course, gorgeous. But he also had a temper and was quite arrogant. She couldnłt count the number of times hełd tried to tell her what to do. The fact she was the boss was a constant frustration to him.
But he seemed to enjoy their verbal tussles. His eyes lost that dead look theyłd had when shełd first met him. Lottie confided the captain seemed happier these days. Lara hoped it was true. God knew he deserved some happiness. Daily, she longed to take him in her arms and soothe away the shadows in his eyes.
But, him being a ghost prevented her from taking that step. She couldnłt see a future with him, no matter how much she wanted him. And keeping their relationship a more business one made sense and was better for them both.
At leastthatłs what she kept telling herself.
Now, as they stood staring at the sparkling new casino salon, she knew at least their business sense was right on the money.
The floor was positioned with a set of crap tables in the center closest to the bow, then a line of four black-jack tables, parallel to a set of four poker tables. At the other end of the line was a pair of roulette wheels. Areas called pits were placed between all of them so the supervisors could keep an eye on dealer and customer alike.
All around the main tables, circling the entire room, were rows of slot machines. Nickel slots all the way up to the five dollar machines. On the aft end of the room was the bar, with its polished mirror, and a huge picture of The Lucky Lady taken back in the early days when she still sailed the Mississippi river. Next to it was the buffet tables, spotlessly clean and waiting for food.
The cashier was set up on the other side of the room, right next to Larałs office. Justin had told her once it had been his office before he died. But since the mention of the room made them both uncomfortable, they usually ignored it all together. They hadnłt been alone in the room since the day they made love.
Everything gleamed. The wooden tables and bar were buffed to a high shine and the metal on the machines were polished so brightly, you could see your reflection in it.
“It came out beautiful," she said with a happy sigh.
Justin looked down at her. “Like the woman who created it."
She colored, and he was charmed by the fact she could still blush, even after their intimacies with each other. He longed to pull her into his arms, and it was only the fact there were others in the room that prevented it. She would look damn funny cuddling against a man no one else could see.
“ItÅ‚s almost ready," she went on. “TheyÅ‚re working on the lounge and the galley as we speak. They finished the outside painting yesterday and the mechanics are almost done as well." She turned to him.
“Thank you for letting it all happen. You donÅ‚t know what this means to me. I think I was cursed too, before I came."
Justin treated himself to a gentle touch on her cheek. “I know you had a hard time before you got here. CouldnÅ‚t hold down a job. Got fired from everywhere you went."
Lara stared up at him with her mouth open. “How did you know that?"
He gestured at the crew working around them. “They talked. None of them believed you would show up, let alone do what youÅ‚ve done. They admire you now." He grinned. “Even with your weird habit of talking to yourself."
She gave him a shove with her shoulder. “Sometimes I swear you do it on purpose just so they will look at me funny."
“CanÅ‚t help it," he answered with a laugh. “You wonÅ‚t let me play any pranks, so I have to amuse myself some way."
She smiled. “You know this is as much your success as it is mine." Her eyes met his seriously. “You helped me so much."
“I told you I would."
Lara bit her lip. “I know. I guess I didnÅ‚t really believe you."
He looked down at her. “And do you now?"
“Yes." She looked out over the beautiful casino. “I couldnÅ‚t have done it without you. We will be ready to open, just as I planned."
“When will that be?"
“I think, as soon as we are seaworthy, I will take us out on a test run. Have a little party just for the employees."
His heart warmed at her generosity. Every day she showed him she wasnłt anything like her ancestor.
“It is a wonderful idea." He opened his mouth to tell her just how wonderful she was but was interrupted.
“Lara! Phone call!"
They both turned. Stan was waving at her from the office door. She waved back. “On my way." She turned back to Justin. “IÅ‚ll talk to you later?"
He nodded. “Bet on it."
Smiling, she walked away, disappearing into her office. Justin watched her, wishing he could follow her in and lay her down on the floor one more time. His cock stiffened painfully, obviously wanting the same.
“HowÅ‚s it going, my boy?"
Startled out of his reverie, Justin turned to see the smiling faces of Lottie and Sir Malcolm.
“Where have you two been?" he asked, ignoring the question.
“Doing a little shopping," giggled Lottie. “Dear Lara is setting up a gift shop in that room next to the lounge. She has some very nice things to sell."
“Smart girl, our Lara," nodded Sir Malcolm. Then the elderly manÅ‚s eyes narrowed. “But how is it going with you, Captain? We only have ten days left until Halloween. Any progress?"
Justin thought of the exquisite feel of Lara wrapped around his plunging body and wanted to groan. “Some," he growled.
Lottie smacked him with her purse. “Hurry up! Even in my day the men moved faster than you do!"
“I must agree, my boy. YouÅ‚ll never get anywhere if you donÅ‚t leave the safety of the harbor. Take a chance. A risk. The rewards will be great!" Sir MalcolmÅ‚s eyes twinkled and he waggled a bushy eyebrow at Justin.
Justin swore. “IÅ‚m trying. IÅ‚m trying. SheÅ‚s just so damn hard to understand!"
The old lady patted his arm. “I think you know her better than you realize." LottieÅ‚s bright intelligent eyes met his. “What are you afraid of, dearie?"
He opened his mouth and then closed it again. The question made him think. Just what was he afraid of? Why did he hesitate?
* * * * *
Later that night, he stood in the doorway to Larałs room listening to her move around in the small bathroom. He still hadnłt answered Lottiełs question, but he was determined to show Lara they could be together.
He had been careful not to come here before. Of all the cabins she could have chosen, she had picked his as her own. The knowledge she was sleeping in his cabin, in his own bed, sorely tried his self control. Every time he thought of the way she felt in his arms, hełd break out in a sweat.
But he was tired of waiting. He knew there was something between them, and Lottie was right. There were only ten days left. He had to try and make her fall in love with him. And he planned on enjoying every minute of the journey.
She came out of the bathroom and froze when she saw him standing there. He let out a low groan. She was wearing nothing but a skimpy towel.
“Justin!" Lara clutched the towel to her breasts. “What are you doing here?"
He stepped toward her, shedding his coat as he came. It was only in her presence he could remove his clothes at will. He stopped when he saw her eyes widened. “I wanted to be with you."
Her mouth opened but nothing came out when he unbuttoned the shirt he was wearing. It wasnłt until he shrugged out of it and the top of his union suit that she made a noise. His cock stood straight up at the appreciation he saw in her eyes. Damnit was good to feel like a man again.
Lara swallowed hard. Without his shirt Justin seemed bigger, more masculine. Even when they had made love before, it had happened so quickly neither of them had undressed. Now she saw what shełd missed. Broad shoulders, strong muscular arms and chest tapered down to rock hard abs and slim hips. He had a light furring of dark hair on his chest with a narrow line of it disappearing into his pants. Her fingers itched with the sudden need to touch him.
She blinked as his hands went to his pants. They were old fashioned slacks, using a type of button shełd never seen before. Quickly, he unbuttoned them and peeled them and the one piece underwear away. Now she understood why she couldnłt touch him last time. Then she looked closer and the space between her legs dampened. No wonder hełd had trouble entering her before; he was huge!
“Justin," she breathed out again as he stood before her naked as the day he was born. Her whole body ached to touch him. “We said we wouldnÅ‚t do this again."
“You said," he corrected softly. He walked over to herso close she felt the heat of his body. “I never agreed to anything."
“But itÅ‚s wrong." Her voice was a soft whisper.
“How is it wrong?" he whispered back. Reaching down, he took her hand and slowly wrapped it around his throbbing cock. “See what you do to me?" he ground out. “How could this be wrong?"
Larałs mouth went dry. Hard, yet soft, hot and alive, he was everything she wanted. And he was hers. All she had to do was reach out and take him.
“But youÅ‚re a ghost," she said making one more effort to free herself from his sensual spell. “We have no future."
Justin held her hand against him, smiling at the desire that dilated her dark eyes. “Then give me the present, sweetheart. Give me now. For the first time in one hundred years I can touch a woman. Feel her body against mine. Taste her generous lips." He bent and kissed her. “The fact the fates have given me a beautiful woman who I can easily care for makes it all the sweeter."
“Care for?"
He moved even closer and cradled her face in his hands. “You are beautiful and loving and sweet. You make my heart stumble and my cock throb. I want to be with you all the time. I watch you with your crew and am awed a woman like you even exists."
Pulling her into his arms, he offered one last plea. “Give me your warmth, Lara. For as long as youÅ‚ll have me. Give me the memory of a real womanÅ‚s passion."
Staring up at him, she felt him throb against her, saw the deep need in his eyes. She closed her eyes as realization hit.
She was in love with him.
How long? Her heart beat wildly. How long had she been in love with him and not even known it? She started to shake, and with a small cry she buried her head against his chest. His arms came up around her and held her tightly.
She shook her head. Shełd only known him for a few weeks and had spent most of that at war with him. When had her feelings changed? When had they gone from being furious with him to loving him?
“Lara? Sweetheart? Are you okay?"
She didnłt move for a moment as she fought her emotions. Who knows how long they would have together? They were both bound to The Lucky Lady. Maybe they could have a relationship. At least until he tired of her as he had her ancestor.
“IÅ‚m fine, just surprised."
Justin smoothed her dark hair as worry filled him. He hadnÅ‚t expected this reaction. Pulling her away, he searched her shadowed eyes. “I wonÅ‚t hurt you, sweetheart. I promise you. I will show you exactly how precious you are."
Lara swallowed back tears. “I know you wonÅ‚t, Justin." She reached up with her free hand and ran a finger over his mustache and then down across his sensuous lips. “You know I want you, too."
His eyes flared and he bit down on her finger as it made its next pass across his bottom lip. In retaliation, she squeezed his cock harder and moved her hand up and down the shaft. When he shuddered, she smiled. “I think IÅ‚m the boss of you now."
He chuckled deep in his chest. Then he snagged the towel she was wearing and jerked it off of her. At her gasp, he gave a leering grin. “Two can play at that game." He cupped her breasts in his hands and squeezed. “You are so beautiful."
She closed her eyes again. “You make me feel beautiful when you touch me."
“Then by the time the sun rises in the morning, youÅ‚ll feel like the most gorgeous woman on the planet."
He tried to move her backwards, but she shook her head. “Not yet. I want to do something for you first."
Laughing, he gave her another push towards the bed. “Lie down and you will."
She grinned as she sat. “YouÅ‚ll get your turn." She used his penis to pull him closer, smiling wider at his indrawn breath. “Let me show you how a twenty-first century woman makes love to her man."
Justinłs eyes widened as she took him in both her warm hands. His cock thickened and throbbed even harder with the attention she was giving it. His legs almost buckled when she used her thumbs to carefully smear the drops of his own pre-come over the broad, dark head of his penis.
“Lara," he managed. He thrust against her, loving her hands on him.
She didnłt respond, so enthralled was she with touching him. She stroked him, up and down, squeezing the base of his cock and then moving up the shaft slowly. Then she cupped the head in her hand before stroking down and doing it all over again.
Fire licked his balls. He hadnÅ‚t even touched her yet, and he was close to coming. “Lara," he said desperately. “Enough."
She shook her head. “Oh no," she murmured. “IÅ‚m just getting started."
When she bent her head, he almost shouted her name. Would she do that for him? Hełd never asked that of a woman before. As her warm mouth closed around him he sucked in his breath. It was all he could do not to thrust his cock deep in her throat.
He was too big to take in her mouth fully, so Lara sucked on him, using her tongue to tickle up the bottom of the shaft to the thin ridge of skin under the head. When he cursed, she grinned around him. Sweeping her tongue over the broad head made him shudder and grab at her hair.
Slowly, she moved up and down his cock with her searching tongue. Her hand reached up to cup his balls, and he groaned loudly. She could taste him now. His salty essence leaking into her mouth. Suddenly, she was determined to take this all the way.
Grasping him firmly, she began to stroke, using both her hand and her mouth on him. After a moment he moved with her, thrusting his cock as deep into her mouth as he could go.
Justin gritted his teeth as the fire built in his loins. Her mouth was so hot around him he could barely stand. Her tongue licking him, her hands stroking him brought him to such a high state of need, his whole body literally ached. When her free hand reached up and squeezed his balls, he called her name and grabbed at her head.
“Lara! Stop I canÅ‚t"
She ignored him, sucking on his weeping shaft. The tension built up in him so rapidly he couldnłt stop it. His head went back as his eyes closed. Sparks of color painted his eyelids. With a roar of her name, he exploded, filling her mouth with his seed. He thrust against her again and again as he quaked with the strength of his release.
Lara swallowed frantically. Shełd never gone this far before, but she wanted all she could from him. He tasted salty and slightly bitter, but she took everything he had, allowing him to fuck her mouth until he was shaking above her.
Finally, he took a deep breath and drew back from her, his still semi-hard cock popping out of her swollen mouth. He stared down at her for a long moment, his sea-blue eyes filled with an emotion she couldnÅ‚t name. Touching her lips, he said hoarsely, “Sweetheart, did I hurt you?"
Lara shook her head. “No, I enjoyed every minute of it."
His eyes darkened, and he bent and lifted her to him. Gingerly, he kissed her, as if he had never tasted his own essence before. Then, as she pressed closer against him, he shuddered and pushing her back on the bed, he covered her body with his own.
Justin didnłt know what to say to her. His body had taken over and ignored all his signals to stop, but she didnłt seem to mind. In fact, she looked smug and downright pleased with herself.
“I have never before allowed a woman to do that," he said softly. “I was afraid I would hurt you."
She smiled and kissed his chin. “You are pretty big, but I managed."
His neck went red. “You are a very special woman." He caressed her face with his big hand. “IÅ‚m not sure IÅ‚ll ever get enough of you."
She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. “DonÅ‚t try."
He grinned. “I think I would rather try and please you, lady."
Wriggling against him, she giggled. “Oh yeah? IÅ‚m right here."
He groaned as his shaft went suddenly rigid. HeÅ‚d come so strongly before, he was surprised he could get hard again. “I think itÅ‚s your turn."
“Going to show me some of those 1910 methods of lovemaking?"
His eyes glinted. “Some things get better with age."
Wrapping his hands in her hair, he kissed her, using his tongue to thrust in and out of her mouth while at the same time, he thrust his cock between her legs. Lara moaned and spread her legs wider. His shaft slipped between the wet folds of her outer lips and rubbed against the swollen flesh of her clit.
She gasped as he pushed against her with the same strong moves he was using in her mouth. Desire built rapidly, and her juices trickled down her leg, she was so wet.
His mouth moved to her neck and he bit and nibbled at it. His other hand cupped her breast, flicking at the nipple with a callused thumb. Heat shot through her as he pulled and plucked at both breasts.
“Justin!" she cried out. She writhed beneath him. “Please!"
“Soon, sweetheart," he whispered. JustinÅ‚s own need was building again rapidly. His cock throbbed as it rubbed against her slick heat.
Without warning, she reached down and grabbed his naked butt, grinding herself against him. He swore out loud and moved quickly, spreading her legs wider. He stared deep into her desire blackened eyes.
“Do you want me?"
“Yes," she cried as she tried to get closer. “Now, Justin. I want you in me."
With a rumble of masculine possession, he buried himself deep within her. They both cried out as they became one, the heat building impossibly higher as he forcefully moved in and out of her.
“Take all of me." Using her own trick, he ground his hips against her. She cried out again and clutched at his shoulder, leaving marks behind to show her passion.
He moved against her. Lightning and fire shot though her as his cock rubbed at her clit. It was so intense; it was a pleasure-pain. “Justin!"
“YouÅ‚re mine," he growled as he pulled all the way out and then plunged back in again. “All mine."
Lara whimpered.
“Say it," he said fiercely.
“Yours!" she screamed, as he buried himself in her again. Her body imploded in hot white light as she surrendered to the fire he wrought in her.
Her quim clenching down on his own swollen cock sent Justin into his own climax. His head exploded with pleasure, and he shouted her name again as she milked him dry. He thrust against her mindlessly, his own spasms reflecting hers as he filled her with his hot seed.
Afterwards, they both lay half unconscious while their bodies shook from the aftermath of a passion so strong, neither of them could speak. Finally, Justin raised his head and kissed her lips. When she sighed and snuggled against him, he smiled.
Everything would be fine now. She had true feelings for him, he could tell. If he was lucky, they would grow into love. He refused to consider his own emotions. The warmth and possessiveness was just because he hadnłt been with a woman in a long time, and God knew, Lara was an exceptional woman.
She bit his chin, and his pulse leaped again. Hełd make sure this was a night they would both remember. He grinned inwardly. It was a good thing he was dead. If he wasnłt, shełd probably kill him with sex. He wasnłt sure about this whole curse thing, but he had until Halloween night, and he was going to take advantage of every minute with Lara.
And until then, he had her eating out of his hand. Once again, he would be in control of The Lucky Lady. This would be a piece of cake.
Chapter Six
“YouÅ‚re what?"
Lara blinked as he roared the words at her. She wondered if her hair had blown back from the force of his anger. “I said we are going to have a Halloween Party as a grand opening promotion."
She turned to face the employees and smiled, hoping Justin would calm down. “As you know we are going to have a special Ä™Crew NightÅ‚ on the twenty-ninth, to celebrate all our hard work. We will take The Lucky Lady out on a test run and have a party at the same time."
The room erupted in cheers. Laughing, Lara held up her hands. “You all deserve it. But then itÅ‚s back to work. On the thirty-firstHalloweenwe will set sail on our first real cruise, and we will promote it with a Halloween Bash."
“Oh, no you wonÅ‚t!"
Lara flicked a look at the furious man standing next to her. She spoke through gritted teeth in the semblance of a smile. “Not now, Justin. IÅ‚m talking to the crew."
“Then tell them you made a mistake. My ship will not host another Halloween Party."
Forgetting herself, she turned to him. “Your ship? WeÅ‚ve been through this before!"
He growled down at her. “It was my ship and always will be. I will not allow this this abomination."
Now LaraÅ‚s temper was sparked. “Not allow?"
Justin knew he was pushing too hard, but he couldnÅ‚t help it. So much for controlling her. “I am the captain of this vessel! And I say no Halloween Party!"
“You have no right to give me orders!"
“I have every right," he roared again. “I am not only the captain, IÅ‚m your lover!"
Lara went beet red as she remembered the crew. She was thankful for the first time they couldnłt see or hear Justin. Glancing at them, she saw they were all staring at her with that same stupefied look on their faces. They thought shełd lost it again.
Turning her back on the angry man, she spoke to her crew. “ItÅ‚s going to be very busy over the next few days. We have less than a week to put it all together. IÅ‚m happy to listen to any ideas or suggestions. Just leave a note on my desk."
She took a deep breath, knowing her next words would further infuriate Justin. “I think the Halloween idea is a fantastic one and will draw in a big crowd. We have to get our name out and this holiday is a good way to start. Stan and I are getting together all the particulars and we will be posting them as soon as we have everything finalized. I am looking for a sold out crowd for Halloween, so talk it up amongst your friends."
“Should we wear costumes?" Tim asked.
Lara nodded. “Yes. If you are scheduled to work that night, then a costume is mandatory. If you want to dress like they did back when The Lady was on the river, thatÅ‚s cool, too."
“You canÅ‚t be serious," Justin snarled. “Tell them you made a mistake. There will be no party."
“I wonÅ‚t," she whispered back at him. “Everything I said stands."
“You canÅ‚t do this!"
“Watch me!"
Angrier than heÅ‚d ever been, Justin jerked her around to face him. “DonÅ‚t do this Lara. If you do, you will be sorry."
She pulled herself away from his hard hands, wondering what the crew thought of her gyrations. “What are you going to do, Justin?" she said angrily. “Scare everyone? That would just add to the ambiance."
He ground his teeth together angrily. “I will not allow this to happen. I will sabotage every machine on this ship before I let you have this party."
Lara stepped away from him in shock. Again, she forgot the watching audience. “You would destroy all the hard work weÅ‚ve done? Just because you donÅ‚t like parties? Are you crazy?"
Grabbing her by the shoulders, he gave her a little shake. “IÅ‚m not crazy. I have my reasons, woman. Do not refuse me, or I will destroy everything. This I swear."
“Then tell me why, damn it. YouÅ‚re not making any sense."
Justin thought of the last Halloween party heÅ‚d been to and shuddered. “You will have to take my word for it. Abandon the idea. Now!
Tears sparkled in Larałs eyes as she looked up at him. So much for their truce. It had lasted just long enough for her to fall in love with him, but it was obvious The Lucky Lady and its past meant more to him than she did. For a brief moment she wondered if this was how Bridget had felt.
“Lara! Tell them."
Sudden fury filled her. She was sick and tired of having everyone else tell her what to do. She pushed him hard on the chest. “How dare you! How dare you tell me how to run my boat! If I wanted to, I could dry dock this ship and youÅ‚d never sail on her again. What do you think about that, Captain?"
“Lara I"
“Or," she said as her temper got the best of her. “I could burn her to the ground and collect the insurance money. Then where would you be? Stuck in limbo somewhere?" She poked a finger into his hard chest. “I swear to you, if you touch one bolt on her, I will do it just to spite you. WhoÅ‚s the boss now, Justin?"
Justin froze in the act of reaching for her. He stared at her for a moment before his eyes misted over in rage. When he spoke his voice was filled with restrained fury.
“You would do that, wouldnÅ‚t you?" He stepped back and wiped her touch away as if it were poison. “You are just like Bridget, destroying everything and everyone you touch. You disgust me."
Larałs face went paper white at his words. Her dark eyes searched his before filling with tears. Shełd lost her temper and said things she didnłt mean, but Justin looked like he meant every word. How could she have fallen in love with a man who thought so badly of her? Sickness crawled up her throat, and she bolted past him, grabbing her purse off the table. She had to get out of there.
Justin swore loudly as she ran through the main door. He chased after her, calling her name, but it did no good. By the time he got to the gangplank, she was off the ship and in the parking lot. And he couldnłt follow her there. He watched helplessly as she climbed into her car and peeled out of the marina.
“Damn it," he swore again.
“I guess so," came the mocking answer. “ItÅ‚s no wonder you havenÅ‚t gotten laid in a hundred years.
He turned swiftly to see Diana staring at him. “That mouth of yours is going get you into trouble."
She laughed. “And yours doesnÅ‚t?"
He gave a grunt of irritation. “She makes me angry."
Diana laughed again. “You returned the favor."
“She canÅ‚t have a Halloween Party. I donÅ‚t want to go through it again."
“You really are an idiot," Diana said fondly. “My God, Justin. We all despise Bridget for what she did, but youÅ‚ve taken it to an art form." She shook her head at his confused look.
“It wasnÅ‚t the party that cursed us. It was the woman. Having a party now wonÅ‚t hurt. It could actually be fun and draw the people in. Just like your Lara needs."
Justin stuck his hands in his pants pockets and hunched his shoulders sulkily. “I hate Halloween."
Diana rolled her eyes. “ItÅ‚s just a holiday. YouÅ‚re letting Bridget win by acting like such a fool. And you didnÅ‚t help the situation by refusing to tell her the reason. Or by telling her she was like that bitch."
Justin flinched as he remembered his harsh words. “I didnÅ‚t mean it."
“She thinks you did," Diana pointed out. “You hurt her."
Guilt curled greasily in his stomach. “I lost my temper."
“IÅ‚m sure she did, too. But you arenÅ‚t going to make any headway beating the curse if you keep acting like an idiot."
“Enough," he growled. “I will make it up to her."
“I sure hope so," the singer said as she faded from sight. “As much as you hate Halloween, I hate this boat."
* * * * *
Where was she? Justin paced the deck as he glanced up at the moon. Other than giving the other Ethereals the information about the upcoming Halloween party, hełd been here all night waiting for Lara. But it was almost three in the morning, and there was still no sign of her.
He stared down the darkened street, willing her to appear. Hełd have something to say to her, all right. She had no right to worry him like this just because theyłd had a difference of opinion. He had decided to forgive her for the crack about burning the boat down. He knew it was a heat of the moment remark. But she should damn well know what hełd said was, too! Even if it had been a little personal.
His head jerked up when a set of headlights could be seen, but let out a curse as they continued past the small parking lot. If she didnłt get back soon He stomped to the bow railing and stared out into the open channel. The silvery moonlight reflecting off the small swells made the water shimmer.
He pounded his fist on the railing. What if something had happened to her? Worry, anger and fear all churned in his stomach. Shełd been so upset. Maybe shełd wrecked that car of hers. He never really trusted those things. They were still so foreign to him. If only he could leave the ship. He was sure he could find her. But he was stuck on board The Lucky Lady. For the first time in one hundred years, he considered ignoring the curse and trying to leave the ship anyway.
More headlights flashed, and this time he gave a huff of satisfaction as he saw them stop in the parking lot. He paced to the top of the gangplank and watched as Lara climbed slowly out of her car. She stumbled as she walked, shaking her head dizzily. Fury filled him again as she came into the light.
Her makeup was smudged and her clothes were awry. It even looked like she was missing a shoe. Her blouse was covered in dirt, and her long hair was messy and pulled out of its braid. Justin ground his teeth. All this time hełd been worried, and shełd been out carousing with another man.
Lara weaved up the steps of the gangplank, happy to be home. What a night. The fight with Justin had just been the beginning. Now all she wanted was a hot shower and bed. Shełd deal with everything else later.
“Have fun?"
JustinÅ‚s deep rough voice came out of the dark and she jumped. Clutching her hand to her breast, she glared up at him. “Damn it. I wish youÅ‚d stop that."
He sneered down at her. “It is still my ship. I can go wherever I want."
Lara closed her eyes. “IÅ‚m tired, Justin. Can we fight about this in the morning?"
With a hiss, he slid his hand into her hair and pulled her head back. “You dare dismiss me? You spend the night with another man, coming back filthy and smelling of drink, and you think you can just walk away?"
Her eyes popped open. “What? What are you talking about?"
Justin gave her a hard shake that made her teeth rattle. “You belong to me remember?" Giving into his anger, he pressed his lips against hers in a bruising kiss. She squirmed beneath him unable to get away from his devastating mouth. He pulled her closer, wanting to hurt her as much as he was hurting inside at the thought sheÅ‚d been with someone else. HeÅ‚d show her who the master was here.
Finally she was able to tear her mouth away. She pressed a shaky hand to her now swollen lips. “What is wrong with you?"
“You ask me that when you are out whoring with another man?" he roared at her.
Her head pounding, she pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes. “I donÅ‚t believe this. I donÅ‚t fucking believe this." She moved her hands and stared up at him and he was taken aback by the naked fury in her face.
“I donÅ‚t have to explain myself to you, youstupid jerk! Not after what you said to me earlier."
“You will explain this!" he shouted as he grabbed at her tousled shirt. “You didnÅ‚t even bother to hide your actions from me."
LaraÅ‚s eyes narrowed. “You want to know where IÅ‚ve been and what IÅ‚ve been doing?" she spat at him.
“Tell me!"
Pushing past him, she made her way to the bow and leaned over the railing to calm herself. Again she asked herself; why had she fallen in love with this jerk? He was arrogant and controlling and downright hateful at times.
“IÅ‚m waiting."
Her eyes sparkled angrily. Add impatient to the list, too. “I went for a drink."
“That much I can smell on you!"
“I swear IÅ‚m gonna push you in the water if you donÅ‚t shut up," she shouted. Whirling around, she faced him. “I found this neat little club down in Cocoa Beach called Coconuts. It has an outside bar overlooking the ocean. I had a couple of drinks."
“More than a couple."
“Shut up!"
He snarled at her, but went silent.
“Got hit on a couple of times too, but I turned them both down." She sniffed. “After your attitude earlier, I wasnÅ‚t in the mood for masculine company. So I went for a walk on the beach. I wanted to clear my head."
“For nine long hours?"
Her eyes narrowed at him. “I can walk on a beach as long as I want. You arenÅ‚t the boss of me just because we slept together! And no, it was only for a few hours. For your information, I got in my car to come home about eleven."
JustinÅ‚s head was going to blow off, he was so angry. “It takes you four hours to drive back from this Cocoa place? I donÅ‚t think so."
She shook her head wearily. “I donÅ‚t know why youÅ‚re so worried about it."
“By your own words, you belong to me."
She shrugged her shoulders. “You ended that when you told me I was just like the woman you hate most in this world."
“I was angry. You know I didnÅ‚t mean it." He grabbed her shoulders again. “Now tell me where you were?"
Tired tears filled her eyes and spilled over. “On the way home, I was driving along this stretch of road on the coast. I got a flat. I had to fix it."
Justin went still. “It doesnÅ‚t take that long to fix a flat tire, does it?"
Lara wiped at the tears. “No, but it does take that long to find an all night vet."
He gaped at her. “What? Why?"
She almost laughed. If she hadnłt been so tired and hurt, his incredulous face would have been funny.
“When I was fixing the tire, I heard this sound coming from the side of the road. I found a kitten. Its leg was crushed. It had obviously been hit by a car and left for dead. I had to get it some help, so I tracked down a vet."
She sighed. “I spent the last few hours in the waiting room of the clinic. I wanted to see if she would be okay or not."
Justin stared down at her. “YouÅ‚ve been at a veterinarianÅ‚s officewith a cat?"
She nodded.
“Christ, Jesus," he muttered. Guilt burned his stomach. When was he going to stop thinking the worst of her? He was exactly what sheÅ‚d called him. A stupid jerk. Worse, he was an untrusting stupid jerk. Then he remembered the stink of alcohol on her. What about that?
As if sheÅ‚d heard him, she turned away. “I want to take a shower. IÅ‚m tired and I smell. Can we finish this in the morning?"
He looked down at her shadowed eyes. They still werenłt done, but now he had an overwhelming need to take care of her and make up for his ugly behavior of before. Without asking for permission, he swept her up in his arms.
“What?"
“Hush, sweetheart," he murmured. He headed for the doors and it was just at the last minute he realized he couldnÅ‚t go through them like an Ethereal would. Pushing them open, he walked through the shining casino and down the short passage to her small stateroom. He carried her into the bathroom and turned on the hot water.
“Justin, you donÅ‚t need to do this."
Bending down, he covered her mouth with his in a deep kiss. “I know, but I want to. Let me take care of you. ItÅ‚s the least I can do for being such a fool. I am so sorry, Lara."
She was so tired she didnłt have the strength or the heart to say no. When he was treating her so sweetly, she was putty in his hands. She was unmoving as he efficiently stripped off her clothing and then his own, lifting her into the small cubicle.
She giggled as they shuffled around, trying to get situated. “YouÅ‚re too big. Only one of us really fits in here."
His eyes glinted. “Then I guess we better fix that."
Confused, she looked up at him. “How?"
Gently, he ran his hands over her, covering her with the jasmine scented soap she loved. She leaned into his hands, enjoying the warmth and strength of him as he washed her. “Feels good," she murmured.
“It will feel better in a moment."
Lifting her, so her legs wrapped around his waist, he braced her against the wall as he continued to soap her. His fingers teased at her breasts and made long sweeping movements down her sides to the curly hair brushing against his hard stomach.
She moaned quietly, and his own temperature rose. “I am going to make love to you, Lara," he murmured as his hands cupped her soapy breasts. “Tell me now if you donÅ‚t want this."
Sighing, she lifted sultry eyes to his. “You can be so irritating, you know."
He grinned, knowing by the softening of her body he was forgivenfor now. “As can you, love. We are a perfect pair."
“This isnÅ‚t over," she gasped out when he moved the broad head of his penis into her wet folds.
“Then we can finish fighting later," he groaned as he slipped into her waiting heat. “Agreed?"
She whimpered as he moved within her. “A-Agreed."
The hot water streamed over them as he thrust hard into her. She could hear the slap of their bodies coming together, could smell the tangy scent of sex in the steamy air. Hungrily, she bit down on his shoulder and then kissed the small indentations in apology.
“Lara," he growled. “I wonÅ‚t last long if you continue that."
All her tiredness had fled the second his cock had filled her. All she wanted now was to feel. To hold on to the heat of his desire and experience it all through her body.
“I want you," she whispered as she bit the lobe of his ear. “DonÅ‚t be gentle! I want you now!"
Justin groaned again and plunged deeper, his need rising even higher. He was constantly surprised at how fast they could get to each other. “You want it rough, sweetheart? You got it."
He slanted his mouth over hers, his tongue plunging inside in the same rhythm as his body was moving against her. When she wrapped her legs tight around him, he gave a low curse. Grabbing her wet ass, he ground himself against her clit, her channel clenching down hard on him in response. He pounded against her, knowing he wouldnłt be able to last much longer.
Lara sucked hard on his invading tongue, feeling him swell even bigger in response. He was huge inside of her, but he felt so damn good, she never wanted it to end. Tangling her hands in his hair, she kissed him for all she was worth.
“Take more of me," he whispered as he adjusted his body so his cock rubbed right on her clit. “Give me everything."
Lara trapped his mouth again as heat started coiling in her stomach. A little more and shełd explode. When he reached down and pinched her clit, she did.
Screaming, she twisted in his arms, tightening her legs around him. As she unraveled, she heard him swear.
Her orgasm triggered his own and seconds later he poured himself into her with a shout. Shuddering against her, his last thought was he hoped they made up like this every time they had a fight.
Chapter Seven
“But if you only had a couple of drinks, why did you smell like a distillery?"
Lara jerked in surprise. Their lovemaking had been hard and fast, and she was glad she wasnłt the one standing. She could barely hang onto Justin, she was so limp. But apparently, hełd been serious when he said theyłd finish fighting later. She sighed and raised her head from his wet chest.
“I felt bad about saying IÅ‚d burn the boat down, so I stopped to get you a surprise. Remember when you said you liked tequila?"
He nodded.
“A friend told me about this special brand that was blue. We didnÅ‚t have any on the boat, so I picked some up as a peace offering. I thought if we were together, you could taste it. But when I had the flat, it bounced off the seat and broke. I got it all over me."
Justin sighed as he turned off the water. He let go of her hips, and their bodies separated as she slowly slid to the ground. He opened the door of the shower and gave Lara a little push outside.
She resisted for a few moments, as if not wanting to go out into the cold, but then she surrendered to his greater strength.
“You were right to call me a stupid jerk," he said quietly. “But it would be more accurate to call me a stupid jealous jerk."
Lara leaned back against his chest as he dried her off, purring at his hands in her hair. “Jealous?"
“I was furious with you, yes. For the party and for running from me. But when you didnÅ‚t come homeI allowed myself to think the worst of you. I am sorry for that."
“IÅ‚m not Bridget!"
He wrapped the towel around her as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I know. I know." He tipped her chin up. “I didnÅ‚t mean the things I said, any more than you did."
“I still donÅ‚t understand why"
He covered her lips with his fingers. “I know. And that is my fault, too." He led her over to the bed and pulled her down beside him. He stared at the ceiling for a long moment before he spoke.
“It was at a Halloween party we were all cursed."
LaraÅ‚s eyes widened as she snuggled against him. “At a party?"
“Bridget threw a huge gala that night. It was decadent, with women, drink and drugs like opium available. It was the most hedonistic thing IÅ‚d ever seen."
“And afterwards, she cursed you?"
Justin shook his head. “No. I had pulled her aside during the party to demand the changes. She called me into the lounge while the party was going on next door."
She stared at him in horror. “She killed all of you while people partied next door?"
“Yes. So you can see why I reacted the way I did."
“IÅ‚m sorry. If I had known"
He pulled her close against him. “You were right. The party is a good idea. I shouldnÅ‚t let the past color my thinking. If it will help you bring more customers to The Lucky Lady, then I should be helping you, not hindering you.
“Are you sure?"
“As sure as I am I owe you an apology for my behavior this day." He smoothed back her wet hair. “I am not used to caring about anyone."
“Or trusting them."
He sighed. “You are right. But I ask you to give me a chance. There is something special between us, Lara. I would like to find out just what it is."
She ran her hand through the furring of chest hair. “I would too, but we have to be careful. We both have tempers."
Justin looked down at her with mock surprise. “Temper? I am the most even tempered man."
She snorted and raised an eyebrow. “Really? I havenÅ‚t seen that part of you."
He narrowed his eyes and rolled over on top of her. “I believe you bring out the animal in me, sweetheart."
Lara grinned and wrapped her arms around him. “Good. IÅ‚ve always wanted to tame the beast!"
* * * * *
The next few days passed quickly. Lara was busy getting all the decorations and supplies for the Halloween party, as well as putting ads in papers and doing promos all over the marina. Justin watched her proudly, finding she was a true artist when it came to putting an event together.
The worst part was they rarely had any chance to be together and he was constantly reminded of how short his time really was. The only time he had her to himself was in the evening when everyone else was gone. And he took full advantage of it, stealing into the office and sweeping her into his arms to carry her to their bed to make long, beautiful love to her.
He wanted to imprint himself on her. But as he did it, he realized he was the one who needed. The thought of being without her was killing him. There was a part of him that didnłt want the curse to be broken. He wanted to stay with her.
He was the one falling in love.
After a hundred long lonely years, he had finally found the woman who could complete him. But Justin knew he would have no true happiness if his friends were left to suffer. Diana especially was hoping the curse could be broken. She hated The Lucky Lady.
So he prayed for a miracle. One that would give his friends what they needed but let him stay with Laraforever.
* * * * *
“You did a wonderful job, my dear," Lottie shouted over the music. Her inquisitive blue eyes swept over the crowd. “Everyone is having a marvelous time."
Lara grinned. “I couldnÅ‚t have done it without you. The decorations were all your idea. And the music was DianaÅ‚s."
“We all did our part." The old woman giggled. “Look at Charlie. HeÅ‚s doing his now."
Lara glanced over at the young man. He was moving through the crowd, touching peoplełs arms and breathing down their necks. Since Lara had advertised The Lucky Lady as a haunted casino, he was playing it up right. The people he touched all shivered and looked behind them, trying to find who or what had given them the willies.
She laughed. “HeÅ‚s enjoying himself. Good."
“They all are," Lottie chuckled. “You throw an excellent party."
Lara gazed over the completed casino proudly. She had a sold out crowd, just as shełd hoped. People in costumes of all sorts gambled, laughed, ate or stood at the bar listening to the music of the band shełd hired for the evening.
Shełd decorated the room lavishly, spending a small fortune to make a worthwhile impression. Streamers of orange and black looped from the ceiling and pumpkins with electric candles were set all around the room. Spooky statues of vampires, monsters and of course, ghosts were placed strategically near some of the tables.
All the crew was outfitted in costumes as well. She saw Frankenstein and the wolfman, an angel and a few devils. Several of the dealers were dressed as Dracula, complete with fangs and blood.
“I think The Lucky Lady is a hit," she thought aloud.
“Was there any doubt?" Lottie asked.
Lara shrugged. “I never count my chickens before theyÅ‚re hatched. And I never quite believed it would all come together. I think I was afraid Justin would change his mind."
“Where is the captain, anyway?"
Shaking her head, Lara worried her bottom lip. “I donÅ‚t know. I havenÅ‚t seen him since" She blushed. “Since earlier."
Lottie grinned and smacked Lara with her bag. “Since he climbed out of your bed?"
Lara went even redder. “Lottie! Have you been peeking?"
The old woman chuckled. “DonÅ‚t need to. Boy wears a smile a mile wide every morning. And he whistles, too." She leaned in close to Lara. “Only time a man whistles like that is when heÅ‚s gettinÅ‚ some."
“Lottie!" Lara gasped.
“Oh my," LottieÅ‚s lower lip trembled. “DidnÅ‚t I say it right? Diana says it all the time."
“You said it fine," Lara managed. “ItÅ‚s just not something IÅ‚d expect from someone like you."
“You mean an old broad?"
Lara gave up and laughed out loud. “Oh Lottie, what would I do without you?"
Something came and went in the old eyes, but Lara missed it. She was still worrying about Justin.
“I donÅ‚t know where he is," she fretted. “I didnÅ‚t expect him to come to the whole party since I know how he feels about Halloween, but I thought heÅ‚d at least poke his head in." She glanced at her watch. “ItÅ‚s almost eleven."
“HeÅ‚ll be here honey," Lottie comforted her. “He wonÅ‚t be able to stay away once he sees you in that outfit."
“Do you like it?" Lara smoothed down the fine silk. “I couldnÅ‚t believe I found it. It was perfect."
She was dressed up like an old time saloon girl in a dark emerald dress that was cut low over her breasts. A modern push up bra gave her plenty of cleavage to show off and the full ruffled skirt swept up high on one side to tempt with a peek of creamy thigh.
Shełd added a black boa and a feather in her hair as accents and had even put a fake mole over one lip to add to the costume.
“I love it," Lottie answered her. “I canÅ‚t wait to see JustinÅ‚s face."
Lara grinned. Shełd chosen the outfit just for him. She already was having daydreams of him peeling it off her.
“Hey, Lara!"
Turning her head, she saw Tim waving at her.
“ItÅ‚s time. Give us a song like you promised."
She sighed and gave a quick look around the room for Justin. Shełd chosen the song for him too, and it looked like he was going to miss it. Damn him! Where was he?
Shrugging, she moved forward to where the band was. Shełd made the mistake of telling her crew she had done some singing in college. In fact, shełd worked as a singing waitress and had even done a few local productions. She was no diva, but she could hold her own.
She leaned toward the leader. “Do I Wonder WhoÅ‚s Kissing Her Now. Just like we rehearsed." At his nod, she turned back to the milling crowd. The music started and Lara took a deep breath. It had been awhile since sheÅ‚d sung in public.
You have loved lots of girls in the sweet long ago, And each one has meant Heaven to you. You have vowed your affection to each one in turn, And have sworn to them all you'd be true. You have kissed 'neath the moon while the world seemed in tune Then you've left her to hunt a new game. Does it ever occur to you later, my boy, That IÅ‚m probably doing the same.
Twirling her skirt, Larałs full rich voice carried out over the crowd. People quieted and began to listen. With help from Tim, she stepped up on the bar so the crowd could easily see her. Enjoying herself now, she smiled and hammed it up.
Do you wonder who's kissing me now? Wonder who's teaching me how. Wonder who's looking into my eyes Breathing sighs, telling lies; Do you wonder who's buying the wine, For lips that you used to call mine. Wonder if I ever tell him of you, Do you wonder who's kissing me now?
People in the crowd laughed as she bent and tickled a fat man under the chin. His bleary eyes were fastened on her exposed cleavage and with a giggle she gave a little shimmy, her perfumed breasts bouncing right under his nose.
If you want to feel wretched and lonely and blue, Just imagine the girl you love best In the arms of some fellow who's stealing a kiss From the lips that you once fondly pressed.
Laughing, she danced down the bar and kicked the hat off a man wearing an Abraham Lincoln costume. Blowing him a kiss, she swished her skirt, showing off her long legs as she continued.
But the world moves a pace and the loves of today Flit away with a smile and a tear. So you never can tell who is kissing me now, Or just whom you'll be kissing next year.
As she did a quick turn on the bar, she looked out over the crowd. Justin had appeared in the room and was staring at her with an incredulous look on his face. She grinned and crooked a finger at him, beckoning him closer. She sang the last chorus directly to him as he made his way through the crowd.
Do you wonder who's kissing me now? Wonder who's teaching me how. Wonder who's looking into my eyes Breathing sighs, telling lies; Do you wonder who's buying the wine, For lips that you used to call mine. Wonder if I ever tell him of you, Do you wonder who's kissing me now?
When she finished, the crowd went wild, cheering and clapping. Flushed with embarrassment and pleasure, she bowed and blew kisses.
Justin watched with angry eyes as the woman he loved paraded up and down the bar like the saloon girl she was costumed as. He gritted his teeth when she bowed and more of her beautiful breasts spilled out over the top of her bodice.
When one of the guests reached up and fondled her leg, hełd had enough. Hełd never been jealous before, but with Lara, he was finding he was a different man all together. Pushing his way through to the bar, he glared up at her.
“Damn it, Lara! Get down off of there."
She giggled and bending over, ran her finger over his tense lips. “Now why would I want to do that, Captain? Is there something in it for me?"
“Give us another, Lara!" The shout came from the crowd.
She looked down at him, the devil lurking in her laughing eyes. “Well? Am I going to get a better offer?"
Justin swore loudly. Hełd be damned again if hełd let all these men get another look at her breasts. With a growl, he stepped up and tossed her over his shoulder, uncaring of how it would look to the people watching.
Lara gasped. “Justin! What are you doing?"
“Giving you another offer," he snarled. “YouÅ‚re coming with me."
She pounded on his broad back, not hearing the cheering guests. “Put me down. You know how this is going to look?"
Belatedly, he understood. All the guests would see her carried out by an invisible man. Then he shrugged. Hełd told her to get down. It was her fault if people were frightened.
Ignoring her cursing, he carried her into the short hallway between the lounge and casino and set her down in the tiny alcove.
Grumbling beneath her breath, she straightened her clothes. “That was unnecessary, Justin."
“Hell if it wasnÅ‚t," he shot back. “No woman of mine is going to act like a tart, even in fun."
Her eyes glinted. “Be careful, Justin. WeÅ‚ve been down this road before. You arenÅ‚t the boss of me."
“IÅ‚m your lover. DoesnÅ‚t that mean anything?" He crowded her against the wall and ran his hand up her silken thigh. “Do you know what it does to me to watch those men drooling over you?Å‚
Lara gasped as his hand slid up her leg to her warm mound. She threaded her fingers through his hair. “You are the one IÅ‚m with," she whispered. “I donÅ‚t want anyone else. Just you."
His mouth came down on hers in a voracious kiss. Their tongues danced and teased, the heat warming them as the ever present desire grew again.
Lara rubbed the palm of her hand against his straining erection, determined to show him how much she needed him. He gave a groan and eased a finger beneath her satin panties to tease her warm folds. She whimpered as her need drenched his exploring fingers.
Pulling his mouth away, he laid his forehead against hers. “How can I believe that?" he asked in a tortured voice. “IÅ‚m a dead man. They are alive. You can have a future with any one of them. MeIÅ‚m just a night time fantasy."
LaraÅ‚s heart squeezed, and she cradled his face in her hands. “You are much more, Justin. DonÅ‚t you know that? DonÅ‚t you understand what I feel for you?"
His heart pounded. If she said what he hoped she would, it would be the end of everything. Yet how could he ignore it?
“Hey, Lara Ooopssorry." Tim came into the hall and then turned red. “DidnÅ‚t know you were still occupied." He nodded at Justin and then turned around and made for the door. “When you can, thereÅ‚s some old lady who wants to talk to you."
Lara stared after him in shock, forgetting completely sheÅ‚d been found in a compromising position. “Did you see that?" she whispered to Justin.
Justin had frozen in place at TimÅ‚s words. All desire fled with the surprise of discovery. “Hecould seeme."
“I donÅ‚t understand. How can this be?"
“I donÅ‚t know, sweetheart. We need to find the others. But" he took her chin in his hand, “we will continue this later."
She nodded and quickly putting their clothes to right, they left the hallway and entered the salon. The music had started up again and people had gone back to gambling and having a good time. They spied Lottie and Charlie standing near the wall. They looked as shocked as Lara felt.
“Captain," stammered Charlie as they approached. “The mortals can see us."
“HeÅ‚s right," Lottie agreed. Her open face was white with surprise. “He nearly got his head taken off when he blew down some womanÅ‚s blouse."
“Charlie!"
“I thought I was invisible, Miss Lara."
“What the hell is going on?" Sir Malcolm came trotting up with Diana in tow. “I just had to pull some young whippersnapper off of our Diana."
“I didnÅ‚t ask for any help," the singer complained.
The old soldier glared at her. “DonÅ‚t be fast, girl. YouÅ‚ll come to a bad end one of these days."
“Please," Lara said quietly. “DonÅ‚t argue. We have to figure out what is going on. Why can people see you now?"
“I can answer that question, my sweet granddaughter."
Chapter Eight
There was a long moment of silence as they all turned and saw the thin form of an elderly lady. She was dressed in later period clothing than Lottie or Diana and was sporting a bobbed haircut. She had dark hair and dark eyes that held an odd light in them. She was staring at Justin with a heated expression, like shełd seen him before.
Suddenly the quiet was broken by a stream of powerful curses. “Bridget," Justin rasped, his eyes glinting in fury. “What are you doing here?" His hands clenched and unclenched as if he would like to wring her thin neck.
“IÅ‚m here for the show," the woman smiled at him. “You are looking good, lover."
His eyes flashed. “It was never love."
“No," she spat at him. “And that is why you are here now. Cursedon this damned boat." She turned to Lara. “And you, you arenÅ‚t even supposed to be here."
Lara stared at her. This was her ancestor. The one who had caused all the trouble. It was weirdlike looking in a slightly twisted mirror. Bridget had the same coloring as she did, but that was where the resemblance ended.
“You said you could tell us why they can be seen?"
“Because, my dear granddaughter, itÅ‚s one hundred years later. Close to the witching hour, where all things are possible." She laughed cruelly. “But not everything, and itÅ‚s for that reason I have come. I want to see the curse at work!"
Lara didnłt understand, but she realized she didnłt care. Having Bridget here was perfect for what she wanted to do. Now shełd prove to all of them she and her ancestor were nothing alike.
“You didnÅ‚t think about a woman inheriting, did you?" she said to the old woman. “But it happened. And IÅ‚m going to make up for what you did."
Bridget laughed. “There is only one way to do that."
Her eyes flashing, Lara shook her head. “IÅ‚m not sure why youÅ‚re here, but IÅ‚m glad of it. I want you to see this."
Turning to Justin, she sighed. “I was going to do this later, but I think now is a perfect time." She pulled out a folded document and handed it to him.
“WhatÅ‚s this?" he asked gruffly, not wanting to take his eyes off his enemy. Being in the same room with her made him sick.
“Open it and see."
Frowning, Justin opened up the paper. His hands froze momentarily and then started to shake. He jerked his head up to stare at Lara. “What have you done?"
“What should have been done a hundred years ago." She touched his face with a gentle hand. “IÅ‚m giving you back The Lucky Lady.
“No!" Bridget screeched.
“Yes," Lara said as she continued to look into JustinÅ‚s shocked sea-blue eyes. “You used this ship to lure him to his death. ItÅ‚s only fitting I give it back to him in the same way on Halloween night."
“Lara"
“Of course, I had to do some legal maneuvering and it has to be in both our names since you donÅ‚t exist. But this way if something happens to me, it will go to any descendants you might have." Her dark eyes searched his. “It was the only way I could do it."
“But why?" he said hoarsely. “Why have you done this?"
She smiled. “DonÅ‚t you know, Justin? CanÅ‚t you figure it out?"
Everyone held their breath. There was a sense of expectation in the group Lara didnłt understand.
Justin knew she held his future in her hands. If she said she loved him, he would be forced to leave her, but if she didnłt, he and his crew would be caught in limbo forever.
“No!" hissed Bridget. “I wonÅ‚t allow it. You canÅ‚t. YouÅ‚ll ruin everything."
Lara frowned. “This is between Justin and me. ItÅ‚s not your business anymore. You have nothing to do with it."
Justin reached for Lara, ignoring the angry woman. He held her tight against him. “Tell me, Lara. Tell me what you feel for me."
“No!" Bridget snatched the paper out of JustinÅ‚s hand and ripped it in two. “You canÅ‚t do this. HeÅ‚s using you just like he used me."
“DonÅ‚t listen to her, Lara," Justin begged. He cast a quick glance at his timepiece. There was only fifteen minutes more until midnight. “Tell me."
Lara looked at the Ethereal group. All of them had identical expressions of worry and concern on their faces. She stepped back, suddenly uneasy. “WhatÅ‚s going on?"
BridgetÅ‚s eyes gleamed. “Has he told you about the curse?"
She sighed. “Yes, of course he did. He had to, so IÅ‚d understand everything. So we could find a way to break it."
The old witch laughed. “Ohpoor Lara. He didnÅ‚t tell you they already knew how to break the curse?"
Her unease grew. “What are you talking about?" She turned to Justin. “What is she saying?"
He was silent for so long she thought he wouldnłt answer her. When he finally spoke, it was as if it was pulled from him.
“A few years after we died, Bridget called in a gypsy to exorcise us. She was tired of the damage we were doing to the ship and her reputation. But instead of cursing us again, the gypsy felt sorry for what had been done. She gave us a way to beat the curse and go on to our rewards."
Lara blinked in confusion. “But why havenÅ‚t you said anything to me about this?"
“ItÅ‚s our fault, dearie," Lottie broke in. Tears were streaming down her face. “We knew we were running out of time, and we put pressure on him."
“We are sorry, Miss Lara," Charlie muttered.
“Oh, for GodÅ‚s sake," Diana said scathingly. “It was our only choice. What else could we do?"
“Should have found something," Sir Malcolm pulled out his handkerchief for Lottie. “WasnÅ‚t right. WasnÅ‚t right at all."
“Enough," Justin growled commandingly. “It was my decision." He stared down at Lara. “I didnÅ‚t tell you because if I had, it would have destroyed any chance of us breaking the curse."
“I donÅ‚t understand."
Bridget laughed. “You are slow. CanÅ‚t you guess?"
“Be silent, woman!"
The old witch ignored him. “The only way he could defeat the curse was to have a human woman fall in love with himjust the way he was. And he had to do it before midnight on Halloween night of the hundredth year of the curse."
Lara didnłt move. She didnłt breathe. The words pushed through her consciousness like painful arrows of truth. Her face lost all its color as she finally realized what Bridget meant.
It had all been a set up from the beginning. Hełd never really cared for her at all. He had used her, just as Bridget had said.
“Lara," Justin said desperately. He saw in that moment heÅ‚d lost her. His heart pounded in sudden agony. “DonÅ‚t believe her. It wasnÅ‚t like that."
She lifted tragic eyes to his. “You didnÅ‚t set out to seduce me?"
His neck reddened, and he dropped his eyes, unable to meet her gaze. “It sounds worse than it is."
Sickness pooled in Larałs stomach. It was trueall of it. With a cry of pain, she turned and ran out onto the bow of the ship. It was empty and she made her way to the railing, taking deep breaths of the clean ocean air.
“Lara." Justin and the others followed her out. “Please. You have to believe me. I never meant to hurt you."
She closed her eyes as her heart shattered into little pieces. She loved him and hełd used her. Tears burned in her eyes.
“He did the same thing to me," Bridget spat out hatefully. Unknowingly, her words mirrored LaraÅ‚s thoughts. “I loved him and he used me. But I got even with him. He paid for his treachery.
Slowly, Lara turned and met the eyes of the man she loved. His were dark and angry, but she saw no shame in them for what he had done. “Why didnÅ‚t you tell me?"
His jaw clenched. “I set out to seduce you. I couldnÅ‚t tell you why or it wouldnÅ‚t have worked. But something else happened, Lara. You werenÅ‚t the one who was seduced. I was." He reached down and took her by the arms.
“I fell in love with you."
Her heart twinged, but she couldnÅ‚t believe him. “Did you? Or was I just convenient" she nodded at Bridget, “as she was."
“Damn it. Do you think IÅ‚d have cared if Bridget made a spectacle of herself on the bar?" he growled. “It didnÅ‚t matter to me who she whored herself with, and I swear to you, I never stayed up half the night worrying about her."
He stepped closer. “We have something special, Lara. Curse or not. The hardest thing IÅ‚ve ever had to do was go forward with seducing you."
“Why?" she whispered as she turned her face away. “I made it easy for you."
“DonÅ‚t." He shook her gently. “DonÅ‚t be sorry for what we have. I hated going forward, because if you did fall in love with me, the curse would be broken and I would go to my reward." He touched one hand to her face. “I didnÅ‚t want to go. I wanted to stay with you."
Her heart throbbed in pain. “Please, Justin. No more."
“You have to listen to me," he said desperately. “I love you. But I couldnÅ‚t tell you. I couldnÅ‚t tell you anything or it might ruin it for the others."
Her eyes closed as she understood what he was saying. Hełd been thinking of the others, not just himself. It was just like him. It was one of the reasons she loved him. But hełd lied to her, and that wasnłt something she could bear. Now she would never know if he loved her for himself or because of the damned curse.
“Let me go, please."
Justin searched her face, looking for something that would show him how she felt. He had the horrible feeling either way, hełd lost her. If she loved him, he would go on to the reward the gypsy had promised, but if she didnłt, her knowing hełd lied to her would sound a death knell for any relationship they could have in the future.
He dropped his hands and stepped back. He kept his eyes on Lara as she stood still as a statue, her beautiful dress whipping in the night breeze. “I love you, Lara. More than my own existence. All I ask is you remember that."
Bridget cackled with glee. “Give it up, Justin. YouÅ‚ve lost. She knows the type of man you are now! Take back the ship, girl. Show him what youÅ‚re made of."
Lara lifted her eyes to the dark man standing above her. Behind her, she heard the ringing of the shipłs bell as it called out the beginning of the midnight watch. They were all out of time. As hurt as she was she couldnłtwouldnłt be like her despicable ancestor. Suddenly, she knew just what to do.
She turned to her great-great-great-great grandmother. “IÅ‚m not you, Bridget. You destroyed yourself and these people over what? Lust? Money? Power?" She shook her head. “It certainly wasnÅ‚t love." She looked up at Justin. “If you love somebody, then you want whatÅ‚s best for them."
“Lara" he murmured.
She ignored the soft spoken plea. “I hate what she did to you. It was immoral and wrong. But IÅ‚m not her. You should have been honest with me. Lying was wrong, too." She sighed.
“I know you love your crew, and you did what was necessary to free them from the curse." She stepped close to him and touched his hard jaw. “Whatever the reason, it worked. You have The Lucky Lady. No matter what youÅ‚ve done or how you did it. She took a deep breath.
“I love you, Justin."
At her words, Bridget screamed. A high keening sound that was shrill in the quiet night sky. “YouÅ‚ve ruined everything, you stupid girl. I will kill you for this!"
Her eyes were filled with hate as she threw herself at Lara, her sharpened nails reaching toward her eyes. Evil, dark words issued from her mouth.
“By the dragonÅ‚s light, on this Halloween Night
I call to thee to give me your might
I conjure thee to destroy all you see"
“No!" shouted Justin. He threw himself between the two women, grabbing BridgetÅ‚s arms before she could make contact with Lara and finish the curse. The old womanÅ‚s fingerÅ‚s gouged scratches down his face.
Suddenly, the bow exploded with a bright white light. Everyone cried out and covered their faces as they were thrown off their feet. The air was pure and clean and a sense of peace and joy shot through them all.
“ItÅ‚s happening!" cried Lottie.
“It cannot be!" shrieked Bridget. She scrabbled away from the light like a brittle old spider.
Suddenly, the brightness faded. The radiance changed to an ugly red color, undulating across the deck. Tendrils of it reached out, wrapping around the witchłs struggling body.
“No!" she screamed again as the air became bitter and foul.
They all choked from the horrible smell and watched in horror as Bridget twisted and turned, screaming out obscenities as she fought against it. It seemed to go on forever before finally, she dissolved into a putrid puddle of melted flesh in front of them.
Then the light disappeared and with it, all sign of Bridgetłs liquefied body. There was silence on the bow for several long moments.
“Dear heavens," Sir Malcolm said as he helped Lottie to her feet. “What has happened here?"
Charlie put a helping hand under DianaÅ‚s elbow. “The witch is gone. The light took her."
Justin staggered to his feet, wiping the blood from his face. He looked back and forth across the deck. “WhereÅ‚s Lara?" he shouted.
Diana raced to the side. “She went over when the light hit us." She looked up at Justin, and there was fear on her face as she pointed to the bloody railing. “She must have hit her head."
Icy cold terror congealed in JustinÅ‚s veins. “No," he whispered hoarsely. Without thought he jerked out of his coat and kicked off his boots. Scrambling up onto the rail he stared into the dark sea. When he saw the dark color of feathers in the moonlight, he didnÅ‚t hesitate, but dove over the side.
Cleaving cleanly into the water, he opened his eyes in the stinging salt water, searching frantically for sight of her. He shot to the surface and filled his lungs with air before diving back, deep into the unforgiving sea. Deeper and deeper he went, refusing to give up.
Three times he dove, looking for his lost love. His heart pounded with fear and anger. He refused to believe they had gone through all this only to lose her completely. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of the trailing end of a feather. Kicking hard, he swam towards it, his hand outstretched.
When his hand touched her skin, he almost recoiled at the iciness of her flesh, but grabbing her around the waist, he shot to the surface, his lungs burning with the need for air.
Coughing, choking on seawater, he waved his hand at the receding ship as he held LaraÅ‚s head above the water. “DonÅ‚t quit on me now, sweetheart," he rasped. He covered her mouth in a life giving kiss, thankful heÅ‚d watched the crew classes on mouth to mouth resuscitation.
He heard a shout and saw a small boat heading their way. He waved his hand again, but never stopped breathing into Larałs slack mouth. His eyes stung from a combination of tears and salt water.
It wasnłt long before the boat reached them. Charlie and Diana were there to help him lift Larałs limp body to safety. Climbing into the craft himself, he laid her in the bottom of the boat.
“Get us back as soon as you can," he said harshly. “WeÅ‚ve got to get her warm." Bending low, he listened for the beat of her heart, but could find none. “I wonÅ‚t lose you this way," he muttered to himself. Again, he covered her mouth with his, breathing life into her.
“Please, love," he begged. “DonÅ‚t leave me."
The small craft skimmed over the waves as Justin continued his life saving actions. Over and over again, he breathed for her, his heart pounding in fear.
Godhad he been too late?
Just as they reached the small landing platform on the side of The Lucky Lady, Larałs body twitched. Convulsing in his arms, she coughed and spit up sea water.
“SheÅ‚s alive!" Diana cried. Tears flowed down her cheeks.
Lifting her so she could breathe easier, Justin let his own tears come. He pressed his lips against her cold forehead and tried to warm her shivering body.
“Justin?"
“IÅ‚m here, sweetheart. Everything is fine now. YouÅ‚re safe. IÅ‚ve got you."
“Whathappened?" LaraÅ‚s throat felt like it was on fire. “My head"
“BridgetÅ‚s gone, Miss Lara," Charlie said with a big smile. “The light knocked you overboard, but the Captain, he saved you."
Lara opened groggy eyes. “Butyou shouldnÅ‚t be here. I brokethe curse."
“It didnÅ‚t work," Justin said as he held her close against him. “But donÅ‚t worry about it. IÅ‚m damn glad it didnÅ‚t. I wouldnÅ‚t have been able to save you."
“Justin?" DianaÅ‚s voice held an odd tone. She stared at him and her eyes were bright. “Do you realize what we just did?"
He frowned and held Lara tighter as she shivered. “What are you talking about?"
“DonÅ‚t you see?" Diana wrapped her arms around herself in awe. “Justin, weÅ‚re not on The Lucky Lady."
He stared at the singer, freezing in the process of lifting Lara into his arms. His mind raced at her words. She was right! Hełd gone into the water to save Lara, not even thinking of the curse. It wouldnłt have let him leave the ship. He would have been stuck on The Lucky Lady, forced to watch the woman he loved drown.
“Oh, my God," he said hoarsely. “It worked." He stared at Lara. “You did break the curse, sweetheart. But not like we thought it would be broken."
“Instead, weÅ‚re alive," Diana said brokenly. “ItÅ‚s a miracle."
“But, Captain." Charlie frowned. “I thought we were going to heaven."
Justin held Lara tight against him as he finally realized the reward the gypsy had waiting for him. “I am in heaven, my friend," he whispered, looking down into LaraÅ‚s dark eyes. “And IÅ‚m holding my very own angel."
Chapter Nine
Once on board ship, Justin took Lara straight to her cabin, the other Etherealsex-Etherealsfollowing close behind. At his growling command they waited in her room while he carried her shaking body into the bathroom. He stripped them both and climbed into a hot shower.
“WeÅ‚ve got to stop meeting like this," he muttered.
LaraÅ‚s blue lips chattered as he held her under the warm water. “This was not the way I had planned for you to take my dress off."
His eyes darkened. “I think your dress is a topic better left for another time." He wrapped his arms around her, warming her with his own body. “But I will say as much as I liked you in it, I love you even more without it."
She stiffened slightly at his words. “ItÅ‚s okay, Justin. You donÅ‚t have to pretend anymore. The curse is broken."
He swore aloud. “I never lied to you about loving you, Lara." He framed her face in his hands. “I swear to you. Once I realized it, I prayed I could have it all. I wanted to stay with you, but I knew I had to break the curse."
She searched his beautiful eyes looking for the falsehood she knew was there, but all she saw was the same sincerity that filled his face whenever he looked at her. Could it be true? Could he really love her?
Justin saw the doubt in her face. “I mean it, sweetheart. I do love you. IÅ‚m so sorry I didnÅ‚t tell you everything." He bent and kissed her, lingering over her now warming lips. “Please, donÅ‚t let it come between us. CanÅ‚t you see what we have is something most people only dream of finding?" He rubbed his big hands down her back, pleased the warmth was returning.
“I love you, Lara. And now IÅ‚ll have a lifetime to prove it to youif youÅ‚ll let me."
Sighing, she buried her face in his chest. She was so tired and she didnłt understand what had happened. But one thing she knew. She hadnłt stopped loving him. If only she could trust him again.
“I donÅ‚t know, Justin. I do love you, but trust"
He pulled her head back and slanted his mouth over hers, stopping the words before they could be spoken. He held her so tightly, she could hardly breathe. “Give me a chance," he begged softly when he freed her. “Let me show you I can be trusted."
His touch, the knowledge he really loved her, warmed her more than any shower ever could. When his lips took hers again, she surrendered, knowing she couldnłt fight her feelings anymore.
Trust may have to be earned, but love was given freely. As they stood there surrounded by heat and steam, she knew the only future she wantedwas with him.
Sensing she still had a few doubts, Justin let the conversation go and finished ministering to Larałs shivering form. Once she was clean and dry, he wrapped her in her fluffy robe. Then, to Larałs amusement, he realized his only clothing was in a wet pile on the floor.
Where before, it would have magically dried itself, now it sat there, a soaking lump of wet fabric. Grumbling under his breath, he shouted at Charlie to go to the gift shop and buy him something to wear.
Once properly clothed in a pair of gray sweat pants and T-shirt that read, Are You Feeling Lucky?, he carried Lara out to the bed and wrapped her in some blankets.
Larałs attention was caught by the sight of Diana going through her closets. When the sultry blonde saw her looking at her, she shrugged.
“You donÅ‚t mind, do you?" She brushed at her peach frock with disgust. “IÅ‚ve been wearing this for a hundred years. I could definitely use a change of wardrobe."
Laughing weakly, Lara shook her head. “Go ahead. WeÅ‚re about the same size."
“Captain," Charlie began hesitantly. “Can you tell us what happened? Why arenÅ‚t we dead?
Justin sat on the bed, pulling Lara against him. “IÅ‚m not sure of anything, Charlie, but this I know. The curse is broken."
“I did it," Lara whispered.
“Your love for Justin saved us all," murmured Lottie. Her eyes welled up with tears and Sir Malcolm handed her his ever present handkerchief.
“What about this?" Diana stood with one of LaraÅ‚s sundresses against her. When she saw their exasperated looks, she rolled her eyes. “For GodÅ‚s sakes. WeÅ‚re alive. ThatÅ‚s all that matters. Now we can have some fun." She flounced toward the bathroom door. “IÅ‚m going to try this on."
“But how, sir?" Charlie questioned again, once she was gone. “How did we get alive again?"
Justin kissed the top of LaraÅ‚s damp head, breathing in the familiar jasmine scent. The memory of her limp body still made him shudder. “I think it was the light. I remember something going through me when we first saw it."
“But it killed Bridget." Sir Malcolm tucked LottieÅ‚s hand into his arm, patting it gently. “Not that the old girl didnÅ‚t deserve it."
Justin nodded. “I think the white light saved us because the curse was evil. We werenÅ‚t meant to die yet. The red light took Bridget and destroyed her because of what she was and what she tried to do."
“She was wicked." Lara rested her head on JustinÅ‚s chest. “ItÅ‚s hard to believe I came from such a horrible woman."
“You made everything right, dearie," Lottie sniffed. “Just as it was meant to be."
“I wonder if part of the curse was all the trouble I had before I came here," Lara mused. “If I hadnÅ‚t been so angry with my life, I might not have worked so hard to make this all happen."
Pulling her against him, Justin nodded. “It could be. The gypsy had a long reach."
“IÅ‚m glad to be alive, Captain," put in Charlie. “I just always thought going to our reward meant we were dead."
“I donÅ‚t think so," mused Justin. “I think the curse caught us in some sort of limbo. Not dead, but not really alive either." He looked down at Lara. “It was more than just a chance the gypsy gave us. She could tell the future. She knew I would fall in love with Lara and her with me. So she crafted her spell to reflect that."
“And our rewards would be coming back to life." Sir Malcolm shook his head. “IÅ‚d forgotten how pleasant breathing could be." Then he chuckled. “Or how creaky these old bones are."
They all laughed. Diana chose that moment to reappear from the bathroom. She twirled in a circle, her hazel eyes bright with pleasure. The yellow and green dress swirled above her knees.
“What do you think?"
The men in the room were struck speechless. Finally, Charlie blurted out. “Miss DianayouÅ‚ve got legs!"
Lara and Diana both burst out laughing.
Lottie looked only a bit less scandalized. “Oh my goodness." She looked at the younger woman. “That willtake some getting used to."
Lara wiped the tears of laughter away. “You look great, Diana. Keep it. Looks better on you than it ever did on me."
“I prefer you naked, anyway," Justin muttered in her ear.
She blushed, even though no one else could hear.
“Knowing we are part of the world again will take some getting used to," Lottie said. “Being an Ethereal was easier in a way."
“You mustnÅ‚t worry," Lara said quickly. “You can all stay here for as long as you want to. In fact I canÅ‚t imagine The Lucky Lady without you. That is" she glanced up at the disheveled man holding her, “if itÅ‚s okay with the co-owner here."
JustinÅ‚s eyes darkened, and he held her tighter. His jaw clenched with emotion. “Are you sure, sweetheart? IÅ‚d understand if you changed your mind. ItÅ‚s different now."
She blinked up at him. “I donÅ‚t see any difference. The Lucky Lady belonged to you then, and it should belong to you now." She gave a little grin. “But nowyou have a partner."
Diana snorted. “Oh, you two are gonna have some great fights!"
Lara giggled at JustinÅ‚s raised eyebrows. “Oh no, Diana. DidnÅ‚t you know? Justin is the mildest of men."
Everyone burst out laughing.
“Well," Justin growled as he pulled a still chuckling Lara into his lap. “One thing I do know is making up will be great!"
They all laughed again at Larałs reddened cheeks.
“I donÅ‚t know about you all," Diana said excitedly, “but we still have a few minutes left of this party cruise, and IÅ‚m going to go have some fun." Her eyes brightened. “Maybe they will let me sing a number."
Lara smiled. “Tell them I sent you."
“I think itÅ‚s time we all departed." Sir Malcolm pulled Lottie to her feet. “LetÅ‚s leave these love birds alone."
“First round is on me," Diana cried. She hooked her arm through CharlieÅ‚s. “And even you get a drink. You may be only twenty, but having lived a hundred years in limbo makes you way past any silly drinking age."
They all were chattering happily as they made their way out of the room. As she passed through the door, Diana turned back and gave them a wink.
“DonÅ‚t do anything I wouldnÅ‚t do."
As the door shut behind her, Justin snorted. “That leaves a lot of open ground."
“Be nice." Lara stared at the closed door. “SheÅ‚s been through so much. Let her have her fun. SheÅ‚s smart. SheÅ‚ll be okay."
“I donÅ‚t really care about Diana just this moment." Justin lay prone on the bed, pulling her with him. “I care more about the woman IÅ‚m holding in my arms."
Lara snuggled against him. “I do love you, Justin."
He rolled so she lay beneath him. “Enough to forgive me? To give us a chance together?"
She stared up at him. He looked so vulnerable, her heart softened. She threaded her fingers through his messy hair. “I do. It may take a while for me to fully trust you again, but I promiseIÅ‚ll try."
They were both suddenly aware of those same words heÅ‚d spoken to her in the office, so long ago. Bending, he kissed her gently. “ThatÅ‚s all I ask, sweetheart. I swear IÅ‚ll prove my love for you a hundred times over."
She smiled and moved against him gently. “Then you better get cracking."
JustinÅ‚s body hardened in a glorious rush. “Are you sure? YouÅ‚ve been through a lot tonight."
Lara reached up and bit him gently on the chin. “IÅ‚m still cold inside. I need you to warm me up."
He gave her a slow, sexy smile. “Well IÅ‚m just what the doctor ordered then. Because IÅ‚m hotter then hell for you."
She giggled, lifting her arms to encircle his neck. “Show me."
“Yes, maÅ‚am!"
He slanted his lips over hers in a hungry kiss that showed her exactly how he really felt about her. She sensed the emotions pouring from him as he held her close. Desire, need, passion and now she recognized another sensation shełd seen in him before.
Love.
He did love her. It had been hidden with all the other emotions, but it was there, just like it had been there before.
Tears filled her eyes and any reservations she may have had slipped away. He loved. She loved. It was perfect.
Justin kissed down her neck, loosening her robe as he did so. Spreading it apart, he feasted his eyes on her naked body. All at once, he was overcome with the thought of how close hełd been to losing her.
Burying his head in her stomach, he held her close. “God I was so scared."
She wrapped her arms around his dark head. “I donÅ‚t remember much after the light exploded. The first memory I have is your face leaning over me.
“I almost lost you."
“But you didnÅ‚t," she whispered. “IÅ‚m here now."
He shuddered one more time. When he raised his head, his eyes were wet. “I love you."
“I love you, too."
He bent his head back to her stomach and kissed her again. His tongue swirled into her bellybutton and she gasped. Gently he continued down, kissing each hip, before rubbing his bearded face softly over her curly mound.
“Justin," she whispered.
“Easy, sweetheart," he said hoarsely. Her scent made him throb with his own need. “Let me love you. I want to."
Surrendering, she lay back. Her hands clutched at the sheets as his mouth trailed kisses down the insides of her soft thighs. She moaned and he burned even hotter.
Gently, he moved so he lay between her legs. Using his elbows, he carefully spread her knees farther apart, leaving her exposed to his hungry gaze.
“So beautiful," he growled.
Lara bit her lip. Her juices were trickling down her leg, she wanted him that much. She watched him, her breath quickening as he used a finger to wipe at the liquid and then bring it to his lips. He tasted her, his nostrils flaring with arousal.
“Justin," she choked out. “Please."
Smiling, he bent his head to her again. He ran his tongue up the outside of her moist nether lips. When she cried out, bucking against him, he chuckled.
“So responsive. I like that in my lady."
She grabbed at his head, but he ignored her, nuzzling the soft hair until he had moved the wet lips apart. His tongue snaked out, lapping at her, tickling up one fold and then the other. Slowly, he licked at her, tasting her essence, making the heat rise in her body.
Then, using his fingers, he widened the now swollen folds. His tongue darted inside to tickle her clit. She moaned again, her body jerking against his hold. Unmercifully, he licked her, teasing the throbbing bud with his tongue and lips.
Lara writhed beneath him, her body already out of control. Her breasts throbbed and sharp tendrils of heat danced in her belly. It was like she was dancing on the edge of a sword, the need and pleasure warring with each other.
Without warning, he speared his tongue deep into her hot wet channel. Over and over again he plunged it deep inside of her. She screamed as the heat in her body all shot to her groin. Her toes tingled and her breasts swelled and when he suddenly sucked on her throbbing clit, she exploded, screaming his name as pleasure like shełd never felt before swamped her.
She convulsed against him, her body jerking in climax. Justin groaned as his cock throbbed hard against the sheets. Suddenly, he too, was close to coming. Sliding up her still shuddering form, he eased himself inside her, groaning as her quim clenched down on him.
He moved slowly inside of her, their eyes fixed on each other. Wild with need, his sea-blue eyes were darkened to the color of a storm. He saw in hers mysteries he wanted to spend a lifetime exploring. Bending down, he kissed her, showing her again without words just what she meant to him.
He wanted to make it last, but the tightness of her hot channel was too much for him. Giving into his bodyłs needs, he moved strongly against her. Incredibly, she tightened even more around him as she wrapped her legs around his hips.
Justin shuddered as their bodies pressed even closer together. He couldnÅ‚t tell where she stopped and he began. “Ineed you," he muttered, his powerful strokes bringing himself and her to the edge of the cliff.
Her whispered reply of “I love you," was all it took to send them both over. The same white light that had brought them back from limbo exploded around them. They both cried out as the sensations rocked through their bodies. As they climaxed, love, desire, passion and need enveloped them. Shaking wildly, they gave themselves over to it, knowing they had found what theyÅ‚d been searching for their whole lives.
True love.
Epilogue
Lara stood in the corner of the noisy casino, a satisfied smile on her lovely face. Everything was going wonderfully. People had talked about the fantastic time theyłd had on the Halloween cruise, and afterwards they had close to sell out crowds every night.
Since theyłd decided The Lucky Lady was more of a specialized casino cruise, they didnłt make it free, like so many others were. They charged a small boarding fee, but then immediately gave most of it back with free drink tickets. It gave their ship a kind of elegant ambiance some of the others didnłt have.
They had two shows nightly in the lounge, plus gambling and all the free food you could eat. Charlie had come up with the idea of having tours of the ship, using its haunted history as the premise. Since he knew the stories intimately, he was in charge of that aspect of the business.
He had decided to stay on The Lucky Lady as had Lottie and Sir Malcolm. Grumbling about space, yet not meaning a word of it, Justin had renovated the lower portion of the ship into more cabins.
But, only two. Giggling like a couple of teenagers, Lottie and Sir Malcolm had announced their engagement only a day after the Halloween curse had been lifted. As soon as Lara had found someone to make fake identifications for them all, they dragged their adopted family down to the courthouse to make it legal. Seemed they both thought a hundred years of courting was plenty.
Justin hadnłt wasted any time himself. Hełd proposed to Lara immediately. He even jumped up on the bar during the middle of a cruise to do it. Hełd thoroughly embarrassed himself and her, but she loved him all the more for it. And of course shełd said yes.
“Merrow?" A colorful bundle of fur leapt up on the slot machine next to her.
“Gypsy!" Lara scolded rubbing the felineÅ‚s multi-colored head. “How did you get in here? Charlie let you out again?"
The cat purred as she watched her mistress through slitted eyes. She still walked with a limp due to the crushing injury of her leg, but the fast medical treatment and lavish loving shełd received since Lara had found her made all the difference. As soon as she was able, Lara brought the cat back to the ship. It was now her home, too.
Now, as she wandered the decks and dock at will, she acted like she owned The Lucky Lady. She was an odd assortment of orange, black, yellow and white, giving her an exotic look that earned her the name Gypsy.
And, if her rounding stomach was any indicationpretty soon there would be a whole band of gypsies on board.
Lara sighed and touched her own stomach. She could be in the same boat as the cat. Unprotected sex with a ghost was safe, but it had taken them several days to remember Justin was a real man, in all ways. Her period was almost a week late. If she was right, there may be more than kittens born in the near future.
She smiled. If it were so, Justin would be pleased. Hełd already told her he wanted a big family.
She caught sight of him as he wandered through the tables, talking to the pit supervisors. Pride filled her as she stroked Gypsyłs soft fur. Damnhe was so handsome, as well as being good at his job. Made running the casino look so easy. Although they had lived up to Dianałs prediction of some really good arguments, mostly she left the running of the casino to him. He was the expert. He had the gift.
Lara stayed in the background, doing what she was best at, planning events and dealing with the money side of it. She had been able to put in her automated system almost immediately with the profits they made and by the time of their wedding, she was able to give him a special gift.
The wedding had taken place out at sea, with all the crew invited. They were their family now. Lara, being as honest as she was, told the truth about Justin and the others. Some of the crew thought it was a joke, otherłs frowned and wondered, but quite a few believed her. They had been on the boat long enough to know about the sabotage and the odd happenings. The fact Justin carried the name of the original owner clinched it for them.
So they married, with Charlie being the Best Man, and Lottie the Matron of Honor. Sir Malcolm gave away the bride and Diana, in a stroke of romantic genius, sang the theme to the movie ęGhostł at the reception for their first dance as a married couple. Tears filled both their eyes as theyłd listened to the haunting words about hungering for a loverłs touch a long lonely time.
It had been beautiful.
As her gift to him, shełd presented him with the deed of The Lucky Ladyin his name only. Now, the ship had come full circle, back to whom it belonged. She hadnłt understood his laughter, until hełd given her his gift.
Shełd burst into tears when shełd seen it. Hełd given the boat to her. His sacrifice of the one thing she knew he loved other than herself had broken down any barriers left over his deception. She knew now he loved her more than anything.
Gypsy nuzzled her shoulder, and Lara sighed in remembrance. After a weekłs honeymoon, where she showed him the sights of Florida, they both decided to keep the deed as it had been on Halloween night. The Lucky Lady had brought them together. She would belong to both of them.
The hardest part of the last month had been saying goodbye to Diana. The woman had waited to go until both couples were married, but everyone knew she wanted to leave. Shełd made no secret of that. After a quick shopping spree, she took her suitcase and the generous nest egg Justin gave her and said goodbye. She was off to make her way in a brand new world.
Lara smiled as she watched Justin lean over and speak to Lottie. She and Sir Malcolm were playing the nickel slots. There were two machines reserved just for them each night and they played madly, enjoying when they won, cursing when they lost. All the crew knew they were part of Larałs unique family and treated them like the honored elders they were.
“Hey baby! Ya miss me?"
The greasy voice jolted Lara out of her pleasant daydreams. Gypsy hissed beside her as she whirled around. Her mouth fell open in shock.
“Gerald? Gerald Kravitz?"
Her old boss laughed. Dressed in a loud Hawaiian shirt and Bermuda shorts that showed his knobby knees, he was the very epitome of a tacky tourist. “HowÅ‚s it going, honey?"
“What are you doing here?"
He threw a companionable arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug. “Heard about your little venture. When it came time for my vacation, thought IÅ‚d give it a look-see." His small greedy eyes swept around the casino floor." “Thought you could use some managerial help, since you donÅ‚t have any skills."
LaraÅ‚s temper slowly heated. “Did you now?"
“Hey," he grinned giving her a sloppy kiss on the forehead. “Knowing what we were to each other, how could I not?"
“Excuse me?"
“Now Lara," he chuckled. “You know you wanted me. If you hadnÅ‚t come east, both of us know what would have happened." He ran a hand down her arm to her hip. “Love the little black dress."
Justin heard the manłs words through a cloud of red fury. It wasnłt the first time hełd had to explain matters to an over exuberant guest, but this guy acted like he knew Lara.
“Is there a problem here?" he bit out.
Both of them jumped. Lara turned to him with relieved eyes. “Justin."
Gerald looked the big man up and down. “Nice suit. But weÅ‚re fine." He gave Lara another squeeze. “Just getting reacquainted."
Seeing the anger in JustinÅ‚s eyes, Lara spoke quickly. “Gerald, I donÅ‚t think youÅ‚ve metmy husband, Justin Savage. Justinmy old boss, Gerald Kravitz."
Gerald swallowed hard. His hand slid away when he saw the ice in the other manÅ‚s eyes. “Youryour husband?"
“Yes," Justin gritted out as he pulled his wife to him. “Her very jealous husband."
“I-I didnÅ‚t mean anything by it," Gerald stammered out. “I didnÅ‚t know she was married, honest."
“You didnÅ‚t give me much time to tell you," Lara said dryly. She leaned against Justin, enjoying the feel of his hard body after the soft flabby one of her old boss.
“The last man to put his hands on my wife wound up overboard, Kravitz," Justin growled. “Do I make myself clear?"
GeraldÅ‚s AdamÅ‚s apple bobbed. “Yesyesexcuse me. Have to go to the menÅ‚s room." Turning, he sprinted away, knocking over one of the waitstaff in his hurry.
Lara giggled. “You scared him."
“Damn right," Justin groused. “Little bastard had his hands all over you."
Turning, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “He barely touched me. I was so shocked he even tried anything, I couldnÅ‚t move at first."
“Should have punched him."
“You did that to the delivery guy, remember? All he did was smile at me."
JustinÅ‚s neck reddened. “It was the way he smiled."
“You take such good care of me," she teased.
Finally relaxing, he hugged her tightly. “I love you, Lara. I plan on taking care of you for the rest of our lives.
She smiled. “I guess that means IÅ‚m a very lucky lady."
Chuckling, he pulled her tighter. “I guess I have a pair of lucky ladies then."
Lara gazed around her at the bustling casino filled with their crew and many new friends. She saw Charlie arguing companionably with Lottie and Sir Malcolm. She looked up at the handsome man she was fortunate enough to call her husband, seeing the love in his sea-blue eyes. She reached up and pulled his dark head down to hers.
“No, my love. We have much more than that." She touched her lips gently to his. “What we have is a full house."