“Would it be all right if we danced?” she questioned, trying to change the subject. She wanted him and she would try to seduce him if she only knew how.

She hadn’t even been out on a real date, much less had sex. How would Justin feel to find out she was still a virgin and didn’t know the first thing about making love? She also wondered what he’d think if he knew she was completely naked beneath her robe. When she put it on she was hoping he’d take the initiative and show her just what it was she was missing. How would he feel to know she’d been saving herself for him?

It had begun to snow lightly. The air was so cold it felt like a knife cutting through her flesh. It was the kind of day that should be spent in front of a roaring fire with a cup of hot chocolate and snuggled up with the one you love. She shook her head knowing that wasn’t going to happen. Not today and probably never again. The only chance she had was to let Justin go and try to move on with her life for real. She’d been considering dating Everett. He’d asked her often enough. Ginger seemed to be too good at being crazy for her to even think about being with Justin again, but she wasn’t sure she could be with anyone else.

She felt uncomfortable in the Ambere household for the first time in her life. Rose was staring at her with pity in her eyes and it disturbed her to see it there. She wondered what Justin had said to his parents about leaving her. It was killing her to sit there smiling as if her heart wasn’t breaking in a million pieces. Justin still hadn’t told her what he’d decided to do or who he wanted to be with. Was she a fool for sitting here or being anywhere near him. He didn’t deserve for her to wait while he chose. She looked down at the ring still on her finger. Should she remove it and just give it back to him?

Even Justin’s younger brother Jud was giving her a pity look. She looked down at her plate and shook her head. She couldn’t do this, she decided as she pushed her chair back and stood to look at everyone and then back at Rose.

“I want to thank you for inviting me here for dinner. I’ve always felt like I was a part of this family since I was six years old.” She turned to look down at Justin. “I always hoped that I would be a real part of it, but things change and so do people.”

She took a deep breath. “No, don’t get up Justin.” She uttered when he started to rise from his chair. “I can’t do this today. I’m sorry but I have to go.” She left the room taking her coat from the hall rack and went out the door.

Justin was calling out to her, but she wasn’t about to stop to hear what he wanted. Besides, she wasn’t about to let him see anymore of her tears, she’d given him enough of those the night he left her. The only thing she was thankful for today was that she had to work tonight. She just didn’t think she could sit around that empty house. It’s a holiday and she hated it, but she knew the hospital would be busy, it was every holiday. And that’s what she needed right now.

“How can you be sure the next song will be a slow one?” she questioned, looking him over. He even had a long dark wig on. She wanted to make love to him in that costume, have those fangs nipping on her neck and anywhere else he wanted to. What the hell was wrong with her? He always managed to turn her brain to mush…damn it.

She smiled and shook her head. She knew what he was doing. He was trying to get her mind off of Ginger, and damn it—it was working at this moment. That was until she glanced past him. Her anger grew in momentum when she saw Donald standing next to Ginger. It would figure that bastard would be the one to invite the psychopath. She knew she hated him for a reason. The two of them were perfect for each other.

“I just know,” Justin answered softly, bringing her back to the moment as he took her hand in his when the next song began to play. He brought her hand to his lips, kissing her palm.

“Don’t look at them, look at me.” He urged.

“That sounds suspiciously like my missing CD.”

“It is.” He smiled as he led her to the part of the house his parents had made into a dance floor. She thought they probably looked like a strange couple…a vampire and an Egyptian Goddess. They hadn’t gotten to go shopping for their costumes together, and Justin wouldn’t tell her what costume he’d purchased, so she’d decided on Isis, and she didn’t even have to buy the wig since her hair was long and black. The white dress fit her body perfectly. It didn’t matter how they dressed or what they looked like. To her, she felt as if they were the only couple in the world as she went into his arms.

“What did you do, bribe your dad to play this?”

“No, I just asked if he would when you got here.” He pulled her close, his face bent next to her ear. His warm breath brushed her cheek.

“Why?”

“Because I love you, and I enjoy having you in my arms.”

“I love you too. Now, are you going to tell me why the hell Donald invited that psychopath to your parents’ party?”

“I really don’t want to discuss Ginger or Donald right now. I just want to enjoy our night. Let’s go rent some movies and just go home.”

That was the best idea she’d heard since she entered this house. Being alone with him watching movies and cuddling sounded delightful.

“I need to take my car home first.”

“I tell you what, you go home, make some popcorn, maybe light a few candles, and I’ll go get some movies and meet you there.” He suggested in her ear.

Was he trying to get rid of her? She hated that her mind went straight to that. Her jealousy began to work overtime. Why wouldn’t her mind just let her trust what he was saying and take it for the truth? Why did she have to be so suspicious? That fucking woman had her so crazy these days.

“Sounds like you have a plan to me.” Her voice sounded strained to her own ears, and she hoped the music that was playing covered it up.

She breathed a sigh of relief when the song finished, and they said their goodbyes, explaining that they just wanted to be alone, and then they left the party. Justin followed her almost home, then turned toward the store for the movies.

Destiny was still in her costume when he made it home. He hadn’t taken too long to pick movies out, and she was thankful for that, breathing another sigh of relief when she saw his truck lights pull into the driveway.

“Here, I rented some scary movies,” he said as he stepped through the door.

Of course he did. It was Halloween after all, and he knew horror movies were her favorite. “That was fast. What kind of scary movies did you get?”

“Mostly your favorite kind—vampires.”

“Why vampire movies? Is it so you can bite me with those fangs when they do it in the movie?” she laughed. “Are you trying to scare me, Mr. Ambere?”

“For some reason, I don’t think it would scare you as much as it would excite you, Ms. Bennett.”

“Is that what you’re planning to do?” She turned to look at him as she waited for an answer.

“What excite you?” he shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe.”

“Then maybe I won’t hit you when you bite me.” She laughed.

 

“Are you asleep, Des?” Justin called through the door.

“No, you can come in,” she called out without thinking better of it.

He opened the door looking around. When his eyes met hers he started to turn around and leave.

“Sorry, I thought I heard you say come in.”

“Justin, wait I did say for you to come in. I’m sorry I wasn’t thinking. I should have warned you that I was in the bathtub.” She motioned with her hand for him to come on in. He was still only wearing his jeans and they were still unbuttoned. The bulge from his semi hard cock had the front of his jeans jutting out. She sucked in her bottom lip. He still looked like a damn god, and she wished once more she hadn’t made the decision to just be friends. She wanted him so bad she could taste it.

“Was there something you needed?” she bit her bottom lip, hoping he’d say it was her.

“No, not really I was just lying out there thinking and wanted to talk to you.”

She motioned for him to sit down. She meant on the toilet, but he sat down on the edge of the tub instead. She sucked in a sharp breath as he sat there staring down at her. She could feel the heat of his gaze slide over her, and she wanted so badly to just reach out and pull him into the tub with her and make love with him until neither of them could move or breath.

He picked up the washcloth from the side of the tub with a mischievous look in those blue eyes. A shudder went through her. She licked her dry lips. She wanted him to kiss her. What the hell was he doing to her? She was about to lose her mind with all the emotions and desire running through her.

“Lean up,” he commanded in a deep voice that stirred something inside of her. Her nipples hardened into taut peaks, craving his touch. She did as he said leaning forward she wrapped her arms around her knees. She gasped softly when her sensitive nipples touched her legs.

He soaped up the rag and caressed it over her back. It felt so wonderful every time his hand smoothed over her skin. She sighed out loud when he began to kiss the nape and column of her neck. Chill bumps covered her flesh, making her shiver.

“If you’re cold maybe you should get out of the tub.”

She shook her head knowing there was a content smile on her face. “I don’t want to get out.”

She closed her eyes and sunk farther down into the warm water. The bubbles were beginning to recede some and she knew he would be able to see the tops of her breasts if she remained sitting upright.

“Fine, move over, I’m getting in there with you. But first this dance is only for you.”

“Won’t that come between our friendship?”

“I believe we are mature enough to do this and still be friends. Don’t you?” he whispered in her ear.

She opened her eyes to see the wicked smile on his face. She watched as he danced around the bathroom to the music stripping out of his jeans…slowly. She was so intrigued by his sexual masculinity. His movements were very nimble, and she wondered if it had anything to do with the training he had to do in the Marines or, if it was just him.

“What are you doing?” she asked nervously, unable to take her eyes off his sexy body.

“I’m joining you in that tub just like I said I was, since you won’t get out. Besides, it looks all warm and inviting, just like you do. You look so beautiful sitting there in the candlelight. I want you so much Des. You make me feel like a lecherous man whenever I’m near you. I can’t help but want to touch you and kiss you. Please don’t deny me again tonight.”

Bre looked around the room, finally realizing that Morgan must have been living here in the house when they’d inherited it, but why didn’t anyone know it before now? For some reason she looked over the bed she was sitting on and saw an old wooden box. She wasn’t sure why, but something wanted her to open it. Something was drawing her closer and closer to it. Reaching out slowly she opened the lid, and a hunting tune began to play. She felt as if she’d heard it sometime before, but she wasn’t sure when, or where. It wasn’t like anything she ever listened to. Had this been Emily’s music box?

Knowing Morgan must have heard the music she felt him there behind her. His presence was overpowering, filling the room with his woodsy scent.

When she turned toward him, she knew it wasn’t of her own free will, because she was too afraid to look. How could he have gotten to her so fast? Had he been able to somehow force her to look at him? She swallowed hard as she stared at the man who was in all accounts still basically a stranger to her. He was standing there just staring at her as if he’d been the one to see a ghost. How could he have gotten from wherever he was with Leona up to this room in that quick of a time without being a ghost? It was the last clear thought in her head.

“Ah, Morgan, you’re still here.” Emily sighed taking over Brenna’s body.

“I awoke the moment I felt your presence, Em. I wondered at first if it had just been my imagination. But then you came to the garden and found me. It was the first time you’d given yourself to me.”

“That was not me, Morgan.”

“What do you mean not you?”

In Emily's Room - Kindle edition by Blew, Laynie. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Justin planted his hands on the wall at either side of her head. His solid body was stocky and commanding. She felt so small with him so near her. She felt her body tremble, but she knew it wasn’t from fear. She remembered his touch as if it were only yesterday that they had made love. The pure vibrant blue of his eyes was staring into hers. What is he looking for? Her body felt flushed from head to toe waiting for him to kiss her again.

“What are you doing?” she asked a little breathless.

Justin didn’t answer her. He just leaned forward, as his lips found hers once more. His hands moved from the wall to her buttocks, pulling her against him. She could feel how hard he was, how much he wanted her. It was as if they hadn’t been apart at all. She also had a feeling that she wasn’t going to get the answers she wanted, at least not yet.

“Damn woman, I wish you were wearing a dress,” he hissed against her lips.

“Why?” Destiny asked, breathless from his kiss.

“Because I’d make love to you right here against the wall.”

“Somebody might see us. We are in front of the door after all.”

“I don’t give a damn if the whole world saw as long as I could be buried deep inside of you right now.”

“You are a very naughty boy Justin Ambere but believe me the feeling is mutual.”

“Let me remind you how naughty of a boy I can be.”

His cock sprang forth large and proud, and more than a little frightening to her. She knew her mouth had to be wide open, gaping at the massive member staring back at her. She had a feeling that his cock was going to be big, judging from the bulge in his jeans, but he was larger than anything she ever expected. She had moved up to rest on her elbows watching him. She felt her body tremble and her arms begin to weaken.

“Vince I…” She began but stopped. What was she supposed to say and how was she supposed to say it? Her brain was too busy screaming that he was far too big for her small body. If she said something like that would he laugh at her and think she was stupid? The biggest fear she had was that he’d stop altogether and she’d never get to be with him again.

“What’s wrong, Des?” Vince asked, sounding a little nervous himself.

“I’m scared,” she admitted instead.

“What are you scared of?”

“What if I can’t do this or, if it hurts too much?”

“Don’t worry, Des. If it hurts too much and you tell me to stop, I’ll stop.”

She could see the sincerity in his eyes and on his face. She trusted him, she knew he wouldn’t do anything she didn’t want or to hurt her intentionally.

“I just never expected you to be so big,” she blurted out without thinking. She felt her face heat and knew it must have turned red when Vince laughed out loud.

“Are you complaining?” he asked as if no one had ever said such a thing to him before.

“I don’t know yet,” she stammered as she lay back on the bed, throwing her arm over her eyes. Maybe if she couldn’t see how big his cock was, then maybe she wouldn’t be so nervous. She heard something tear open and then she jumped when he moved between her legs. She felt his hand on her, caressing her clit just before he slipped a finger inside her wet pussy. He moved it around inside her before slipping a second one in. Her hips arched as he began to pump his fingers in and out of her slowly.

Destiny stepped out of her borrowed room and looked around. She didn’t know why she considered the room as borrowed she’d been coming to this place for as long as she could remember. It was more like a home away from home. Maybe it just felt different now that she felt different. She noticed that the cabin had been transformed. Justin had set the table with the good china. There were candles lit in the center of the table casting his shadow on the wall behind him. Music was soft and romantic, and he’d built a fire in the fireplace. She wasn’t sure when or why her feelings for Justin had changed, but looking at everything he’d done she wondered if his feelings had changed about her too.

“Everything looks so beautiful. If I didn’t know any better, Justin Daniel Ambere, I’d swear that you were trying to seduce me.” And oh how she hoped he was.

“Are you going to bed?” he asked staring at her silk robe as he moved to stand next to her. “It’s a good thing I know you better, Destiny Marie Bennett, or I’d swear that you were the one trying to seduce me.”

“I just thought I’d get comfortable since we aren’t going anywhere and no one is about to show up here.” She smiled as a slow song began to play over the speakers, filling the cabin with its soft beat.

 “Would it be all right if we danced?” she questioned, trying to change the subject. She wanted him and she would try to seduce him if she only knew how.

She hadn’t even been out on a real date, much less had sex. How would Justin feel to find out she was still a virgin and didn’t know the first thing about making love? She also wondered what he’d think if he knew she was completely naked beneath her robe. When she put it on she was hoping he’d take the initiative and show her just what it was she was missing. How would he feel to know she’d been saving herself for him and this moment?

Justin stepped closer to her, she felt a tingle race up her arm as he took her hand into his larger one and gently kiss it.

“I’d love to dance with you.” He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

Could he feel her nipples harden at the contact with his warm chest? Destiny didn’t know what had come over her when she’d packed for this weekend trip and now she had the strongest urge to touch him, so she did it before she lost her nerve and changed her mind.

She caressed his smooth jawline and then ran her finger across his soft pink lips. She studied his face for a reaction as they danced. The blue of his eyes stood out bright against his tanned face. His smile was warm and welcoming to her touch. His physique was so lean and muscular. She’d noticed that in high school. It felt wonderful to be held in his arms at last.

His shirt was halfway unbuttoned showing the dusting of hair that covered his chest. She could see that it was a shade darker than the tawny color of the hair on his head. She wanted so badly to caress her fingers through it. She wanted to know what it would feel like against the palm of her hand, through her fingers, would it be soft or coarse?

She wanted to be brave at least once in her life and actually do something she really wanted instead of being that shy girl that didn’t dare do anything. Before she could change her mind she ran the finger of one hand slowly across his strong, manly torso while her other hand played with the hair at the nape of his neck. She unbuttoned the rest of his shirt wanting the feel of his flesh against hers as he held her in his arms.

Justin moaned, making his chest rumble beneath her hand. She caressed his chest all the way down to the top of his tight jeans. She wanted to feel all of him. She was so absorbed in the feel of his body and was a little shocked when he bent slowly and pressed his mouth over hers. The kiss was brief but staggering. She had to catch her breath before he knew she’d lost it.

“Happy Birthday Des,” he whispered, his breath caressing her lips tenderly.

“Do you want me, Justin?” she questioned softly, looking up at him. She just needed to know what was going on inside of him for him to do all of this for her.

“I want you more than anything right now.”

That was exactly the answer she wanted to hear.

Melinda Basile has spent five years trapped inside LeVanpir Theatre, a place that devours childhood and silences the outside world. Haunted by dreams of the pale guardian who once comforted her, she clings to the memory of the man who saved her after her mother’s death—until a hidden door reveals he is no dream at all. Julian lives beneath the theatre in chambers steeped in ancient sorrow, and his presence shatters everything she thought she understood about her past. As memories resurface and the truth coils tighter around her, Melinda is forced to confront the darkness that has followed her since childhood. But the deeper she descends, the more she realizes she may not be escaping a nightmare—she may be stepping into the one she was always meant for.

Amazon.com: Melinda's Music eBook : Blew, Laynie: Kindle Store