Hot Spell Ìèøåëü Ðîóýí


        # Everybody knows thereÒs no love lost between paranormal investigators Amanda LaGrange and sexy Jacob Caine. They canÒt even stand being in the same room togetherÅ.
        Well, unless itÒs an enchanted bedroom.
        And theyÒre trapped there, at midnight.
        And the sexual tension suddenly becomes too powerful to resistÅ
        Then that bedroom gets really hot, really fast! But come morning, they still canÒt keep their hands off each other. Are they cursed foreverØ If so, neither oneÒs complainingØ.


        DEAR READER,
        Hot Spell, my first book for Harlequin Blaze, was inspired by three little words spoken on a talk show about how love can Ófeel like magic.Ô
        Jacob Caine and Amanda LaGrange are clearly×at least to me and their matchmaking boss×meant for each other. But because of that stubborn streak both of them have, self-protection, denial, practicality, the wrong thing said at the wrong time×or all of the above×theyÒre going to need a little push.
        A littleÅmagicalÅpush.
        Thanks to an enchanted grandfather clock the two paranormal investigators uncover in a haunted house at the stroke of midnight, theyÒre going to find out exactly how much love can feel like magic×whether theyÒre ready for that particular discovery or not.
        IÒm thrilled to not only get the chance to write for my favorite Harlequin line, but to have my release during their sixtieth anniversary celebrations. ItÒs truly an honor!
        Happy readingÅ
        Michelle Rowen


        CHAPTER 1


        AmandaLaGrange shook her head so vigorously it felt as though it might come loose from her shoulders. ÓPlease, not him. Anyone but him.Ô
        ÓJacobÒs the only agent currently available, and we need this house investigated tonight. The owner paid extra for an immediate assessment.Ô Patrick McKayÒs voice was firm.
        It was pointless to argue. Knowing Patrick, her boss, there was no way sheÒd be able to get out of this. Besides, making a fuss about her last official assignment for the Paranormal Assessment and Recovery Agency would make her look childish.
        She finally sighed. ÓOkay, fine. IÒll do it.Ô
        ÓI donÒt understand why you two canÒt stand each other after all this time. Why is that againØÔ Patrick sounded both curious and distracted. He was a born multitasker, and was currently having a conversation with Amanda while he replied to a long list of text messages from other agents on his BlackBerry.
        ÓItÒsÅitÒs justÅmany reasons. Too many to list.Ô
        PARA had hired Jacob Caine two years ago because of his empathic abilities. He could get a sense of people and places just by touch. Before that, heÒd worked as a private detective for five years. Both talents came in very handy at an agency that investigated paranormal phenomena. PARA agents were often called in to assess haunted properties and cursed or enchanted objects, and would then take the necessary precautions to ensure no one was harmed.
        Jacob had it easy, like many of the other agents in-house. He hadnÒt even known he was psychic until recently.
        AmandaØ Not so much.
        SheÒd seen her first ghost×and had a pleasant conversation with him, in fact×when she was only eight years old. At the time, it had been natural and not scary at all. However, that encounter had led to many others in quick succession, and some of the ghosts werenÒt as friendly as the first. Her frightened parents had tried to get her to stop, but it wasnÒt as though sheÒd been trying to attract otherworldly attention×it just happened. Ghosts were drawn to her. One ghost, annoyed at being interrupted by her father, had pushed him down a flight of stairs. Luckily, other than a twisted ankle, he wasnÒt injured, but the event did its damage in another way.
        Not able to deal with his daughter being a Óghost-magnet freak,Ô which was how heÒd put it at the time, Ed LaGrange had packed his bags and left Amanda and her mother that very night. SheÒd never spoken to him again.
        The memory still brought a painful lump of emotion to her throat.
        Her mother blamed Amanda and her clairvoyant ability for shattering their home. Amanda grew up feeling like more of an outcast every day of her childhood. Her being different had destroyed her family.
        Being at school didnÒt help, either. Normal kids gave her the nickname ÓAmanda the Strange,Ô which, while not a terribly original taunt, came to represent verbally everything she hated about herself. She was a freak×she was strange.
        Therefore, she had tried as hard as possible to ignore her psychic abilities. It had worked for a while, at least until PARA came to her college looking for potential agents. Patrick McKay had seen AmandaÒs file, met with her personally, and offered her enough money to justify dipping back into her despised abilities.
        Other than the money, the bright side of working for PARA was that there were other agents who subsequently became her good friends×kind of like a bizarre extended family. She was invited to their weekly Ótequila and seanceÔ parties. SheÒd gone a couple of times since her best friend Vicky, another clairvoyant, rarely took no for an answer in pushing Amanda to get out and have more fun, but it wasnÒt really her scene.
        Even though she was surrounded by happy psychics who liked her and who she liked in return, sheÒd never gotten over her fatherÒs rejection and her childhood traumas. It had made her the woman she was today, for better or for worse.
        As far as her dating life×well, she tried not to tell her boyfriends about her psychic abilities at first×or at all, if possible. PARA agents were a close-knit group, but Ónormal menÔ outside that circle didnÒt understand or were scared off by anything unusual×just like her father and schoolmates had been. When AmandaÒs boyfriends found out her secret, they usually found the nearest exit as quickly as possible.
        And then there was Jacob Caine. Decidedly not a normal man.
        SheÒd met him at a staff party held at OÒGradyÒs, a local pub, two years ago, shortly after heÒd moved to the area and joined the agency. Her friends, especially Vicky, had already told her how hot the new recruit was, how devastatingly charming, and how most of them×the single or even not so single×wanted to have extremely imaginative sex with him. Like, immediately.
        And he was. Hot, that is. Darkly attractive with short, scruffy black hair and flashing green eyes framed with thick black lashes. He dressed casually×no tie for him. She could vividly recall his navy-blue shirt being unbuttoned at the neck that night to reveal a glimpse of his obviously chiseled torso. He was six feet tall with broad shoulders, lean hipsÅand an amazing ass.
        At least, that had been her first impression.
        Instant attraction.
        AmandaÒs mouth had literally watered at the sight of him despite the fact she wasnÒt usually romantically drawn to fellow psychics. Then again, sheÒd been celibate for over a year after a bad break-up×another guy whoÒd freaked at the thought she could talk to ghosts×so she was certain that was to blame for her heightened sensitivity to such a fine specimen of male hotness.
        From across the room, Jacob caught her staring and their eyes met. She was sure heÒd be able to tell just from a glance that she wanted to climb onto his gorgeous body and do things to him she wouldnÒt even trust to her diary.
        He disengaged from the throng of cleavage-revealing women and came toward her with his hand extended.
        ÓIÒm Jacob,Ô he said without losing her gaze. ÓAnd you areØÔ
        ÓAmanda.Ô She inhaled sharply as she felt the strength and warmth of his long fingers wrap around hers. An unbidden surge of desire curled inside her. His aftershave was a spicy musk with just a hint of cinnamon and a whole lot of man.
        He frowned, but she had no idea why. Maybe it was because she was practically drooling on him.
        Pull yourself together, she commanded herself.
        ÓSomething wrongØÔ she asked when his grip tightened.
        ÓNoÅÔ But his frown deepened as he looked down at her hand. ÓItÒs odd. ItÒs like you have a psychic wall up around yourself. I normally get a sense of someone when I touch them for the first time, but IÒm getting nothing from you at all.Ô
        ÓYou can get something from me if you come over here!Ô Vicky called from their far left before laughing suggestively. Amanda repressed a smile and an eye-roll at her friendÒs enthusiasm and returned her attention to the gorgeous man in front of her.
        ÓNo walls, I assure you,Ô she said. ÓMaybe IÒm just special.Ô
        His eyes snapped back up to hers. ÓMaybe you are.Ô The frown disappeared, replaced instead by a killer smile. ÓAmanda, you saidØÔ
        ÓThatÒs right.Ô
        He nodded. ÓThey already told me about you. YouÒre the one they call Amanda the Strange, rightØÔ
        She tensed. ÓItÒs LaGrange. But yeah, thatÒs me. Strangeness incorporated.Ô
        An ice-cold sensation immediately swept over her at the sound of the despised nickname that represented everything about her that she hated. Why would he say that to herØ To get some sort of a reactionØ And whoÒd told him thatØ
        So much for letting down her guard and getting drunk on tequila with Vicky and the gang last week and sharing soul-crushing childhood stories. That wouldnÒt happen again.
        She finally yanked her hand back from JacobÒs. He looked at her oddly.
        ÓIs there something wrongØÔ he asked.
        ÓWrongØÔ Her jaw felt tight. ÓNo, of course not. IÅuh, I have to go.Ô
        Damn, sheÒd been having such a good night, too. How was it possible that three little words could ruin everythingØ
        Jacob grabbed her wrist. ÓI thought we might be able to talk for a bit.Ô
        So he could insult her moreØ Yeah. That sounded like a plan.
        ÓI guess you thought wrong,Ô she said, the iciness in her voice matching the chill she felt inside. ÓThere are lots of women here who will be happy to talk to you. Or more, if you like. Trust me, you wonÒt miss me.Ô
        ÓAmanda, wait×Ô
        She fixed a frozen smile on her face. She needed to get out of there. ÓWelcome to PARA, Jacob. IÒm sure everyone will be as delighted to meet you as IÒve been.Ô
        He raised a dark eyebrow. ÓIs that sarcasm I hearØÔ
        ÓYouÒre very insightful. You must be psychic.Ô
        He studied her closely. ÓI guess first impressions are misleading. I thought we might hit it off.Ô
        Amanda had no idea why she wanted to cry. Why was she letting this guy affect her so stronglyØ It felt as though he could see right through to the vast and varied weaknesses she tried desperately to hide from everyone. Hell, maybe she did put up psychic walls around herself without even realizing it.
        Just being near him suddenly made her very uncomfortable.
        She gave him a practiced withering look that helped to hide when she was feeling more than a little vulnerable. ÓI guess you thought wrong.Ô
        ÓWell, then, it was delightful meeting you, too, Amanda.Ô He turned away, but then glanced back over his shoulder, his green eyes narrowed. ÓBy the way, that was also sarcasm.Ô
        And then he returned to his waiting swarm of admirers and didnÒt look back.
        Vicky ran over to see how everything had gone during her conversation with the new hottie. Amanda had kept her answers vague and then excused herself from the party early. SheÒd had enough.
        It was definitely true what they said×donÒt judge a book by its cover. Jacob Caine had a mighty fine cover, but she wasnÒt interested in reading any further.
        But for a moment there, when their eyes first metÅthat rare instant attraction sheÒd feltÅ
        Well, it didnÒt really matter. Amanda was much too practical to believe in love at first sight.
        SheÒd felt strongly enough about their unpleasant meeting that sheÒd asked Patrick not to pair her and Jacob for any assignments together and heÒd agreed. PARA had over two dozen agents so it was an easy problem to avoid. If she saw Jacob in passing, sheÒd make polite small talk about the weather or traffic, but even then she tried to get away from him as quickly as possible.
        From the tightness in JacobÒs jaw whenever they spoke, it was obvious that he wasnÒt all that fond of her, either.
        It was really unfortunate that, despite everything, she still found him as devastatingly attractive as she had the first time sheÒd seen him.
        Annoying, really.
        And now, after all this time, Patrick was going to make them work together.
        Less than a week and sheÒd be saying good-bye to her friends at PARA×the ones who made life as a psychic almost bearable×and moving to New York City to work for her boyfriend, David K. Smith, in his advertising agency. Selling advertising was about as far removed from investigating paranormal phenomena as you could getÅand that would be a huge relief for her. She was starting her life all over again at the ripe old age of twenty-seven.
        While David knew she worked for PARA, he didnÒt know in what capacity. She hadnÒt told him she could talk to ghosts at all. Better safe than sorry.
        And he didnÒt have to know. When she left Mystic Ridge for good sheÒd put her past behind her and get the chance to be completely and totally normal.
        Finally.
        ÓJacob will pick you up outside in ten minutes,Ô Patrick said. HeÒd finished answering his e-mails while sheÒd been lost in her thoughts.
        He glanced up at her from his high-tech wheelchair. HeÒd had a run-in with a very unpleasant poltergeist six months ago that had sent him headfirst down a flight of stairs×a scary reminder of what had happened to her father. Patrick was still recovering from a near-fatal spinal cord injury. Since he was a friend, as well as a great boss, Amanda was just happy and relieved heÒd lived to tell the tale.
        ÓAre you doing this on purposeØÔ she asked.
        He raised an eyebrow. ÓWhat are you talking aboutØÔ
        ÓThis assignment tonight with Jacob. YouÒre mad IÒm leaving, arenÒt youØÔ
        Patrick put his BlackBerry down on his desk and spread his hands. ÓYou have to do what you have to do, Amanda. As long as you think quitting PARA will make you happy, then I fully support your decision.Ô
        She nodded stiffly, swallowing past a huge lump that had formed in her throat. Quitting PARA would make her happy×she knew it. The only thing that made it hard was knowing she wouldnÒt be seeing Patrick, Vicky and the others on a daily basis anymore. ÓWell, good.Ô
        ÓHowever, we are throwing you a going-away party.Ô He grinned at her and his blue eyes twinkled with good humor. ÓAnd attendance is required. Tuesday night at OÒGradyÒs. Drinks are on me.Ô
        She couldnÒt help but smile at that. Patrick would find any excuse for a party. ÓIÒll be there.Ô
        ÓIÒm picking up the cake, too. Got a preferenceØ Chocolate, vanillaÅmaybe rumØÔ
        ÓRum,Ô she said as her smile widened. ÓDefinitely rum.Ô
        She could use a little bit of the booze right now. It might make spending the rest of her evening with Jacob Caine remotely bearable.


        PATRICK WATCHED Amanda leave his office. She was uncomfortable at the prospect of being partnered with Jacob. It was obvious.
        But it had to be done.
        Maybe it was because heÒd been stuck in the damn wheelchair for so long that heÒd started interfering in peopleÒs lives. Too much time to sit and thinkÅand observe.
        Amanda was making a huge mistake by quitting PARA and leaving the friends who loved and accepted her to go off with a man she obviously, to Patrick at least, didnÒt love. He saw it in her eyes, a growing dullness, an acceptance that life was not supposed to be extraordinary.
        Since his accident, Patrick knew firsthand that life was a gift×every damn day was×and if you didnÒt accept it, sooner or later it might be snatched away right in front of you.
        HeÒd seen a spark of passion in AmandaÒs eyes, though. Whenever the beautiful brunette saw Jacob she seemed to fill with life. She claimed to dislike him for reasons sheÒd never properly explained, but Patrick was far from convinced when that flush came to her cheeks as it had just now. And heÒd seen the same intensity in JacobÒs gaze, as well.
        Patrick rubbed his temples. When exactly had he been appointed resident cupidØ Hell if he knew, but it was the least he could do when the evidence presented itself so clearly that the two of them belonged together.
        One attempt. ThatÒs all they got. Make them work together, make them spend time together before Amanda left for what she considered her shiny new life for good, and see what happened.
        Maybe theyÒd kill each other. That was possible. It might be better than the grudging acceptance both of them seemed to have of their current lackluster lives.
        If they were forced to spend a few hours in each otherÒs company, Patrick was fairly certain something would happen between them. The only question wasÅwhatØ


        JACOBÒS KNUCKLES had already turned white. He gripped the steering wheel of his Ò68 black Mustang convertible parked at the curb in front of the PARA office and tried to breathe normally.
        Even if he had to be stuck with her on this assignment, why exactly had Patrick insisted that they drive to the location togetherØ It was ridiculous. Not to mention stupid. Dumb. Pointless. Annoying. All of the above.
        His boss obviously had it in for him to pair him up with Amanda the Strange tonight. Did he want Jacob to quitØ
        Honestly. If he didnÒt love his job×the only damn thing in his life that gave him any sense of purpose anymore×then heÒd quit in a heartbeat. He didnÒt need this kind of trouble.
        And here she comes now, he thought with a sinking feeling. Miss Trouble, herself.
        The tall glass doors of the office building opened and Amanda slowly made her way toward his car. He could already feel the ice-blue gaze that seemed to penetrate right down to his very core. Her dark hair was pulled back from her gorgeous face in a sleek ponytail. Long bangs swept over her forehead. Today she wore a thin teal V-neck sweater over blue jeans. Casual for her, he thought absently. The sweater was tight enough for him to see clearly the generous swell of her breasts. His own jeans became tighter at the sight of her×but only in the front.
        His knuckles whitened even more on the steering wheel.
        He hated that she affected him like this. Other than lusting after her body for two years now, he honestly couldnÒt stand the woman.
        Why should heØ She obviously despised him.
        With one contemptuous look at the party where they first met, Amanda had stared a hole right through him to the other side as if her beautiful baby blues had laser beams hooked up to them. HeÒd felt naked and exposed, and not in a fun handcuffs-and-bedpost sort of way.
        What the hell happenedØ he wondered, and not for the first time since that night.
        He still didnÒt know. One moment they were introducing themselves to each other and he was falling very quickly into those gorgeous eyes of hers, and the next moment she was giving him the freezing-cold shoulder. He just wished heÒd been able to get an empathic read on her. It would have helped to pinpoint exactly what had turned her off about him. SheÒd said she didnÒt have psychic walls up to block him, but he was less convinced.
        It would make things much easier if heÒd been able to forget about her and not want her nearly every day since. What did they say about the unattainableØ Made it that much more excitingØ
        It wasnÒt exciting. Torturous and uncomfortable, yes. Exciting, no.
        She was definitely his weakness. And he had to overcome his pointless attraction to her. Tonight would be a great chance×especially since heÒd heard she was quitting PARA soon×to finally get the beautiful clairvoyant out of his system.
        Hell, two years ago he hadnÒt believed in any of this psychic stuff. HeÒd been a regular guy with a regular job and a fiancee he planned to marry×that is, until he caught her in bed with his best friend. Sounded like the ultimate cliche, but it still stung like hell.
        At the time, PARA had been secretly checking out his background. TheyÒd found out he had certain abilities, abilities that heÒd always written off to intuition and luck, and they offered him a job at exactly the right time. He enthusiastically took the chance of leaving his old life to come to the small town of Mystic Ridge in upper New York state, where the PARA headquarters were located. But the scars had already formed over his heart. HeÒd trusted not one but two people, and theyÒd both screwed him over. Or, he supposed, theyÒd screwed each other and heÒd simply been left out in the cold.
        Then theyÒd gotten married four months later claiming that they were madly in love. Insult to injury. Definitely.
        His plan for revengeØ To drink a great deal of alcohol. Also to have sex with as many women as would let him. To his surprise, there were a whole lot of women who would, which was great for a while, fantastic even, at least until he realized that maybe he wanted a bit more than a series of empty one-night stands.
        Then heÒd met her×Amanda LaGrange×and for the briefest of moments when their eyes met across the room that night he felt his scarred heart start to pound a little faster. At least, until she dug her designer stiletto heel into it.
        He took the hint.
        Whatever. He was happy working for PARA and having an exciting and varied sex life. It worked for him and he hadnÒt received any complaints yet.
        He tensed as Amanda opened up the passenger-side door of the Mustang and got in. She had a fake, frozen smile plastered on her face. He recognized it. It was the same fake, frozen smile she always wore in his presence.
        The smile that made him focus on her full red lips and wonder what theyÒd taste like.
        No, he thought immediately. She has no effect on you anymore, rememberØ Be strong.
        ÓJacob,Ô she said simply.
        ÓThatÒs my name,Ô he replied. ÓHowÒve you been, AmandaØÔ
        ÓWonderful,Ô she said.
        ÓGood to hear.Ô He shifted into first gear and pulled away from the curb. ÓI donÒt think youÒve ever been in my car before.Ô
        ÓNo, I havenÒt.Ô
        And that was about the end of his reserve of small talk. With a two-hour drive ahead of them, that might pose a bit of a problem.
        ÓPatrick briefed me on the assignment earlier and wanted me to fill you in.Ô She reached into the bag sheÒd brought with her to pull out a notebook filled with page after page of her neat, precise handwriting. ÓA woman named Sheila Davis recently inherited the property from a distant uncle. While doing a walk-through she heard strange noises and had a sense of being pushed out of the house. ThatÒs when she contacted us for an immediate assessment.Ô
        ÓSheÒs scared to live thereØÔ
        ÓNo. Actually, she thinks a haunted house will reduce the property value. She wants to sell and turn a quick profit and is planning an open house next week. So we go in, determine if there needs to be an exorcism performed, and then we leave. I figure it wonÒt take more than twenty minutes.Ô
        She was wearing that perfume he liked.
        Dammit to hell, he thought angrily.
        He shifted position in his seat trying to ignore her very warm, feminine presence so close to him. Was it the fact that he knew he couldnÒt have her that made him feel this wayØ
        But, no. He didnÒt want her. He could have any woman he wanted, and Amanda the Strange was not even on the list anymore.
        Vanilla, he thought then. Her perfume smelled like vanilla. Edible. Delicious.
        His grip on the steering wheel was so tight by now he thought he might be able to yank it right out of the dashboard if he tried. He realized that taking on this assignment tonight had been a huge, regrettable mistake. But Patrick had practically begged him, and he didnÒt want to let his boss down.
        ÓAre you listening to meØÔ she asked after a moment.
        ÓYeah, sure. Haunted house. WeÒre checking it out. Routine stuff. In and out in twenty minutes. No problem.Ô
        She eyed him skeptically. ÓIs everything all rightØ You seem a bit distracted.Ô
        He pushed a reasonable facsimile of a smile onto his face. ÓI appreciate your concern.Ô He concentrated on the road ahead. ÓSo is it trueØÔ
        ÓWhatØÔ
        ÓYouÒre quitting PARAØ Heading to the Big AppleØÔ
        She closed her notebook and slid it back into her bag. ÓItÒs true.Ô
        ÓWhen are you throughØÔ
        ÓThis is my last field assignment.Ô She gazed out of the passenger-side window. ÓPatrick says theyÒre throwing me a going-away party Tuesday, so I get to say goodbye to everyone. IÒm going to miss them all so much. But other than that and packing, I should be out of here the day after.Ô
        Less than a week. The thought that she was leaving soon should have given him a sense of relief, but it didnÒt. Not even close. In fact, it made his stomach twist unpleasantly at the thought that heÒd probably never see her again.
        It made no sense to him at all. Why did he give a damn either wayØ The woman could barely stand to be in the same car as him.
        Holding on to that thought should have made things much simpler.
        No such luck.


        CHAPTER 2


        ÓGreat weather weÒre having, isnÒt itØÔ Jacob said tightly an hour and a half into the drive. It was the first thing heÒd said for over forty-five minutes.
        Amanda smiled and nodded. ÓJune is my favorite month.Ô
        She stared out of the window but there was nothing to see in the darkness except the side of the highway racing past. A quick check of her watch told her it was nearly ten-thirty. SheÒd attempted to make notes in her notebook, but it was too dark, and having Jacob so close to her made it hard for her to concentrate.
        He wore black jeans and a gray T-shirt that bared his strong forearms and muscled biceps, the thin material molding to his body so she could practically count his six-pack abs underneath.
        Not that she was looking, of course.
        She bit her bottom lip and studied the boring view out the window and thought about her boyfriend David. A wonderfully normal, respectable man with whom sheÒd never had one single argument.
        It was his suggestion that she leave her job at PARA to work for him in the New York City office. HeÒd given her a choice, one that sheÒd never had before. She could continue living the life of Amanda the Strange×her words, not his×or she could have a chance to be Amanda the Normal.
        Starting over in a fresh city with David never knowing about her psychic abilities meant sheÒd be consciously turning her back on her old life.
        Which also, unfortunately but necessarily, included her friends, like Vicky, who didnÒt understand why Amanda was so adamant about making this major change in her life.
        When she moved to the city she would turn off the part of her brain that allowed her to communicate with ghosts and sense other supernatural presences. She wouldnÒt use her abilities at all. She hoped that, over time, theyÒd fade away to nothing.
        Her mother would be thrilled. Amanda had yet to share this news with Madeleine Harper×the last name taken from her new husband×who lived three hours south and rarely saw her daughter. She still blamed Amanda, even after all these years, for her first husbandÒs decision to abandon their family.
        Which was understandable. Even after nearly twenty years, Amanda still blamed herself.
        Moving is the right thing to do, she reminded herself for the millionth time. Even so, there was the smallest piece of herself, buried down very, very deep that wasnÒt so sure this was the ultimate key to happiness. That piece was small enough to repress, so thatÒs what she did. In five little days sheÒd be leaving Mystic Ridge for good, and she wouldnÒt look back.
        ÓYou can always change your mind,Ô Jacob said.
        She blinked and turned to face him. ÓPardon meØÔ
        ÓIf you change your mind about quitting, IÒm sure Patrick would be okay with that.

        His comment had thrown her a bit. He couldnÒt know what she was thinking, could heØ No, of course not. Obviously he was just trying to make conversation and the subject of her resigning from PARA was the obvious choice.
        ÓI wonÒt change my mind,Ô she said firmly.
        ÓSo when you make a decision you stick to it, no matter whatØÔ
        ÓThatÒs right.Ô
        ÓYeah, well, IÒm sure there are dozens of people whoÒd love to have your job, so Patrick wonÒt have a problem finding a suitable replacement for you.Ô
        The thought that she might be so easily substituted hurt a little. ÓIÒm sure he wonÒt.Ô
        Jacob focused on the road ahead, but his brow lowered into a frown. ÓIÒm just saying that if youÒre doing this so your new boyfriend will accept you, then thatÒs a pretty lousy reason to turn your life upside down.Ô
        HeÒd been talking to somebody who had extremely loose lips. But whoØ
        Of course, she thought with annoyance. Vicky.
        Vicky had wanted to get Jacob alone and naked since heÒd started at PARA and sheÒd managed to land an official date with him last month. SheÒd had a smile on her face for days and it was all Amanda could do to avoid hearing the sordid details of JacobÒs sexual prowess.
        The stab sheÒd felt in her gut when her best friend had informed her about the date had not meant she was jealous. The thought of Vicky running her hands all over JacobÒs admittedly perfect body didnÒt bother her at all. Because that would be ridiculous. They were both consenting, condom-carrying adults, after all, and it was a free country.
        She did know Jacob hadnÒt called Vicky back for a second date. And that news hadnÒt been met with any relief or happiness on AmandaÒs part. How petty would that beØ
        Frankly, she didnÒt want to know the details of anyoneÒs sex life×especially Jacob CaineÒs. The point was, Vicky had obviously gossiped to Jacob×before, after or during their tryst×about AmandaÒs situation.
        ÓIÒm not turning my life upside down,Ô she said as firmly as she could. ÓThis has nothing to do with David. ItÒs my decision.Ô
        He gave her a sideways glance. ÓSure it is.Ô
        ÓYou donÒt think I can make my own decisions in lifeØÔ
        ÓAll I know is that a woman who is obviously gifted in ways that can help other people is giving up her God-given talents to go hock advertising at her boyfriendÒs agency and leaving behind her friends and everything sheÒs ever known.

        Hock advertisingØ He made it sound so unpleasant.
        Jacob was trying to unnerve her and sheÒd be damned if she let him know he could succeed so easily.
        ÓIÒm happy with my decision,Ô she said with resolve. ÓThrilled, in fact. ItÒs what I want.Ô
        ÓI donÒt think it is.Ô
        ÓYou,Ô she forced herself to smile at him, Óare entitled to your opinion.Ô
        He eyed her. ÓDo you do that with everyoneØÔ
        The smile remained. ÓDo whatØÔ
        ÓPut on that false exteriorØ Do you even realize youÒre doing itØ Maybe you donÒt. Maybe this is just how you always are. I wouldnÒt know since youÒve avoided me from the moment we met, so weÒve never really gotten a chance to get to know each other.Ô
        ÓI donÒt avoid you,Ô she said.
        He laughed. ÓAre you seriousØÔ
        ÓOur paths rarely cross at the office, sure, but it doesnÒt mean that IÒm avoiding you. That doesnÒt make any sense. I barely even know you.Ô
        ÓIf thatÒs true, then IÒm not exactly sure why you hate my guts.Ô
        Why were they having this discussionØ She felt trapped, which, since they were speeding along the highway at seventy miles an hour, was quite accurate. ÓI donÒt hate you.Ô
        ÓSure you do.Ô
        She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. ÓWhy canÒt this drive be nice and relaxing without any conflictØÔ
        ÓGood question. I guess now that I know youÒre definitely leaving, IÒm kind of curious about everything.Ô He took his attention off the road again long enough to look at her long and hard. ÓEven though you have those walls up and I canÒt get an empathic read on you, I can still see the truth. You might be able to pull the wool over everyone elseÒs eyes, but you canÒt lie to me.Ô
        Her face felt warm. She hated how he seemed to know her so well. But he didnÒt. He didnÒt know her at all. ÓIs that soØÔ
        ÓYeah, thatÒs so.Ô
        ÓThen I guess weÒre even, because I can read you like a book. I know exactly what youÒre thinking, Jacob, and your opinion means nothing to me.Ô
        The words hung heavily in the air between them as they studied each other for a long moment.
        Then he snorted. ÓYouÒre still lying. You canÒt read my mind. If you could, I donÒt think youÒd like what IÒm thinking.Ô
        His gaze flicked to the road for a second and then moved down the front of her, lingering at her breasts, then moving to her legs and back up again. While making her extremely self-conscious, his rude and blatant appraisal also made her nipples harden and heat spread across her skin. She felt a strange ache inside her and suddenly realized it was difficult for her to breathe normally.
        She focused on his hands holding tightly to the steering wheel and in her imagination they were holding on to her, skimming her bare skin, pulling away her lacy bra to squeeze her taut nipples while his mouth took hers.
        She rolled down the window a crack to get some fresh air and then cleared her throat. ÓIÒm not lying.Ô
        ÓYou are. ItÒs obvious. Do you lie to David, tooØÔ
        ÓIÒm not having this conversation with you.Ô
        His lips quirked. ÓWhyØ Does it make you uncomfortableØÔ
        ÓYes, actually it does.Ô
        ÓI met David once in passing when he came by the office looking for you. Seemed like a real stand-up kind of guy.Ô
        ÓIf you mean that heÒs honest and reliable, then yes, he is.Ô
        ÓSounds exciting.Ô
        She bit her bottom lip. ÓI guess compared to having fifty one-night stands already this year, my life doesnÒt sound that great, but I donÒt really care what you think.Ô
        ÓFiftyØÔ He raised an eyebrow. ÓWhy, Miss LaGrange, I had no idea you were keeping track for me.Ô
        Her face now blazed with heat. ÓIÒm not.Ô
        ÓI donÒt think itÒs fifty yet. Low-forties, maybe.Ô He grinned. ÓThen again, weÒre only halfway through the year, arenÒt weØÔ
        Great, she was amusing him. That hadnÒt exactly been her goal. What was her goal, againØ She wanted to go to the allegedly haunted house, assess it for the presence of supernatural activity and get the hell out of there. None of which had anything to do with Jacob or his sexual conquests. She should have simply refused the assignment. Patrick would have found somebody else. The property owner could have waited a day or two with no harm done as long as she stayed out of the house.
        ÓWhen you leave, whoÒs going to keep count of the bevy of beautiful women I apparently have at my beck and callØÔ Jacob continued. ÓIÒll have to buy one of those click-counter devices.Ô He was silent for a blissful moment. ÓMaybe youÒre looking for a boring commitment from David, but thatÒs never been what IÒve been looking for.Ô
        ÓIÒm sure your ex-fiancee would be interested to hear that,Ô she said evenly.
        His expression froze. ÓWhat did you sayØÔ
        ÓYour ex-fiancee,Ô Amanda repeated. ÓBefore you met her you were not the ladiesÒ man you are now. During your three-year relationship you were completely monogamous. ItÒs only after she left that youÒve become this macho, no-need-for-commitment Lothario.Ô
        SheÒd thrown out her knowledge of his past as a diversion to move away from her own issues and it looked as though it had worked, although not exactly in the way sheÒd intended. Even in the darkness of the carÒs interior she could tell that his face had paled at the mention of his ex.
        When a new member of PARA was being recruited, extensive research was done on individuals who exhibited psychic abilities. Jacob had been pegged as a potential candidate and his life thoroughly investigated to make sure he had no ties to crime or other dark and nefarious forces. Amanda had handled the paperwork. If she had a choice, working within the agency was her preferred gig, rather than field assignments that forced her to tap into her hated abilities. ThatÒs how she knew that heÒd had a broken engagement before moving to Mystic Ridge to take the job. She also knew the cause of the break-up was that his fiancee had been unfaithful to him.
        SheÒd always assumed that, based on his lifestyle, it hadnÒt bothered him, but from his current expression she had to reassess that opinion. The breakup had been a bad one for him and it obviously still hurt. The pain in his eyes made her immediately regret saying anything at all.
        Her stomach twisted in automatic sympathy for his pain. ÓIÒm sorry. IÅI didnÒt mean to bring up bad memories for you.Ô
        ÓMy personal life is none of your damn business.Ô The words were spoken softly but there was a sharp edge of anger behind them.
        ÓNor is mine yours,Ô she said simply, fighting the feeling of guilt she now had.
        ÓUnderstood.Ô
        Their eyes met and held.
        The sound of a horn a few seconds later, loud and ear-shattering, made her jump, and a quick glance out of the windshield revealed a large set of oncoming headlights. She screamed and Jacob clamped down on the steering wheel to lurch the car away from the middle of the road. The transport truck that had nearly crashed into them continued to honk its horn as if to remind them how very close theyÒd come to a head-on collision. Jacob pulled off the road onto the side, his chest moving in and out. AmandaÒs heart slammed against her rib cage.
        Then she realized that Jacob had put his hand on her thigh in a protective motion. His firm touch seared through her jeans and into her skin. If he slid his hand up only a few more inchesÅ
        She swallowed hard and her heart began to beat even faster than before.
        ÓAre you okayØÔ he asked.
        She nodded shakily. ÓAre youØÔ
        The scent of his aftershave filled her senses; the rush of almost crashing, almost dying, the feel of his hand on her thigh made things low in her body ache with a dark and dangerous need she wasnÒt used to. His hand tightened on her leg, moving a fraction toward her inner thigh. He looked down at where he was touching her as if surprised she wasnÒt slapping his hand away from such intimate contact.
        There was no way he couldnÒt see her nipples now pressing against the thin fabric of her cashmere sweater. As if he again read her thoughts, his gaze moved to her chest and he began to stroke her thigh with his thumb. It was all she could do to stop herself from arching against his touch and begging him to kiss her.
        Then, suddenly, he released her. ÓSorry,Ô he said gruffly. ÓI need to keep my eyes on the road. ThatÒs never happened before. I must be tired.Ô
        ÓItÒs fine,Ô she managed.
        He pulled the car back onto the road. ÓWeÒre almost there, anyhow. Like you said, twenty minutes to check it out, and then we can leave.Ô
        ÓGood.Ô
        She pressed back into the seat and studied the road ahead, her body still tingling where Jacob had touched her.


        CHAPTER 3


        It Was obvious to him now, after nearly slamming head-on into a transport truck. His continuing attraction to Amanda was going to kill him.
        Literally.
        It was a good thing theyÒd never been partnered before. HeÒd probably already be dead. The raging hard-on he was currently dealing with alone might kill him.
        Jacob shook his head, silently chastising himself. Amanda had her own life. She was moving three hundred miles away and good riddance to her. He much preferred to be fully in charge of his emotions, and, for that matter, his cock.
        He did find it more than a little interesting that she seemed to have taken an interest in his sex life. Fifty one-night standsØ That was one hell of an overestimation. When he needed to let some steam off he rarely had any problems finding somebody willing to help him out, but fiftyØ
        Hell, most nights he stayed home with a six-pack of Bud and the Playboy channel. Sad but true, lately it gave him almost as much satisfaction as the real thing. HeÒd definitely hit a slump. Two years since his big break-up and move to Mystic Ridge and he hadnÒt found a single woman that interested him enough to see more than once.
        Obviously the fault was with him. He knew it. He just wasnÒt quite ready to deal with that yet.
        ÓWeÒre here,Ô he said after what seemed like an eternity of silence between them. It had really only been a half hour since the brush with deathÅand the distracting contact with AmandaÒs jeans-clad thigh.
        He pulled into the driveway of the house set on a large lot. The house itself looked to be at least a hundred years old and the drive was flanked by thick oak trees that would have made the area dark even at noon.
        Another car×a silver Volkswagen Jetta×idled in front of them and as soon as they pulled up a small woman with curly red hair, lit by JacobÒs headlights, stepped out of it. She beckoned them to join her.
        ÓGuess weÒre on the clock already,Ô Jacob said.
        ÓThen letÒs get it over with,Ô Amanda replied curtly. She quickly gathered her paperwork together, opened the passenger-side door, and got out.
        LetÒs get it over with. For some reason the phrase amused him. Was that how she might view a hot night of sex with her true love, David K. SmithØ
        ÓLetÒs get it over with, honey.Ô
        Sounded about right.
        Pushing any thoughts of Amanda and sex out of his head, Jacob got out of the car to join his partner-of-the-moment in front of the irate-looking woman.
        ÓIÒve been waiting for an hour already,Ô she snapped.
        Jacob tensed at the shrill, impatient tone. He was about to open his mouth to say something, probably along the lines of ÓChill out, lady, weÒre here now,Ô when Amanda beat him to the punch.
        ÓWe apologize for any inconvenience, Mrs. Davis×Ô
        ÓItÒs Ms. Davis.Ô
        What a huge surprise, Jacob thought dryly.
        ÓMs. Davis,Ô Amanda repeated, and then smiled warmly at the unpleasant woman. ÓBut we did get here as soon as we could. This location is a fair drive for us.Ô
        ÓThatÒs no excuse.Ô
        Jacob was surprised that AmandaÒs smile held. Hell, if heÒd given her this much of a problem sheÒd be giving him the death glare by now.
        Her death glare was kind of cute.
        AmandaÒs smile, though, did weaken a bit at the edges as she juggled her papers. She loved paperwork. He knew that. However, he hadnÒt been aware that some of the paperwork sheÒd handled had to do with him and his past. It had made him more than a little uncomfortable when sheÒd brought up the subject of his ex-fiancee.
        Served him right. SheÒd only been giving him a very big sign to stay away from her personal issues. It was only fair.
        Best to keep things just business between them. No personal issues need apply.
        Still, it bothered him. He would have rather kept up the facade of an unrepentant ladiesÒ man than some fool still nursing a broken heart.
        Besides, he wasnÒt nursing that broken heart anymore. HeÒd thrown it away. ThatÒs what you did with broken things. You got rid of them so they didnÒt cause unnecessary clutter.
        A few pages from AmandaÒs stack came loose and fluttered to the ground. She grabbed at them as Ms. Davis raised an eyebrow.
        ÓLetÒs move this along, dear. I donÒt have all night.Ô
        AmandaÒs face flushed. Jacob leaned over and picked up some of the fallen pages and handed them back to her. She looked frustrated.
        It was okay. HeÒd handle this.
        ÓMs. Davis,Ô he said out loud, turning toward the short redhead and giving her one of his very best smiles. He extended his hand to her. ÓIÒm Jacob Caine.Ô
        She hesitated for a brief moment, and then shook his hand.
        That was all he needed. The skin-to-skin contact helped him get an empathic read on her. She obviously had no psychic abilities. Since joining PARA, heÒd found that some psychics, such as Amanda, were a blank page to him. This woman on the other hand was wide open. He got the immediate impression she was equal parts lonely and needy.
        He could totally work with that.
        He squeezed her hand before letting it go. ÓWhat I want to know is why a beautiful woman like yourself would want to live in such a dreary house like this. I see you in a high-rise condo in a big city. Very cosmopolitan.Ô
        Her thin eyebrows raised. ÓYouÒre a very good psychic. I actually have an offer in on a new complex in Chicago as we speak.Ô
        ÓThe perfect city,Ô he said. ÓIÒm actually from Chicago originally myself. I moved away from there two years ago.Ô
        ÓReallyØÔ
        He nodded. Well, to be quite honest, he was from Seattle, but that wouldnÒt help at all at the moment. White lies for the right reasons were totally acceptable.
        ÓThis is Amanda LaGrange.Ô He nodded toward the beautiful brunette next to him who regarded him with a bemused expression as he worked his own personal kind of magic. A magic he liked to call natural charm. ÓShe already has the details of your case, but I think it would be best if we hear it from you in your own words.Ô
        His attention returned to Ms. Davis, whose expression had changed to a very pleased one. She liked him. A smile, a few complimentary words, and he was in.
        Between the two women in his current company, Ms. Davis wouldnÒt be his first choice, but he did like that glow heÒd set into her cheeks. HeÒd rather see that glow on AmandaÒs face when she looked at him, but knew that was going to happen exactlyÅnever.
        Ms. Davis turned to the old, stone-faced house with ivy crawling up the front. To Jacob it looked creepy, but he supposed some might find a certain charm in it.
        ÓMy house is infested with evil spirits,Ô she stated. ÓAnd I want them gone.Ô
        ÓEvil spiritsØÔ Jacob repeated.
        Amanda shuffled through her papers. ÓIt says here that last night you heard noises and had the sensation of being pushed out of certain rooms. IÒm not sure that counts as a supernatural infestation.Ô
        Ms. DavisÒs eyes narrowed. ÓAre you doubting what I said is trueØÔ
        ÓOf course not, IÒm just saying×Ô
        Jacob held up his hand. ÓWeÒll check it out. DonÒt worry, Ms. DavisÅmay I call you SheilaØÔ
        Her sour expression turned into a smile. ÓYou may.Ô
        ÓPlease tell me more about the evil spirits, Sheila.Ô
        She ran a hand through her red curls as if grooming herself for inspection. ÓMy uncle left me this house but I want to get rid of it. One canÒt very well have an open house for potential buyers if there are evil forces at work. Haunted houses are curious tourist attractions, but ghosts are not exactly something that raises oneÒs property value.Ô
        ÓI totally and completely agree.Ô Jacob glanced at Amanda who rolled her eyes. ÓWe will handle this, I personally promise you that.Ô
        She beamed at him. ÓIÒll be staying at the Marriott. I expect a full report first thing in the morning.Ô
        ÓAnd youÒll have it.Ô
        ÓVery good.Ô Sheila eyed Amanda. ÓYouÒre very lucky to have a boss like Jacob taking the lead. I can tell he knows what to do.Ô
        Her blue eyes widened. ÓBut heÒs not my×Ô
        Jacob interrupted. ÓIt was a pleasure meeting you, Sheila. And you can expect my call bright and early. Sleep well, now.Ô
        He opened her car door for her and Sheila got inside.
        ÓBe careful in there,Ô she told him.
        ÓIÒll do my best.Ô
        Jacob eased the door shut and after another moment, Sheila drove off down the driveway leaving the two of them alone.
        ÓShe thought you were my boss,Ô Amanda said.
        ÓIt must be my air of authority.Ô
        ÓI donÒt think it was necessary to flirt with her.Ô
        ÓYou donÒt think soØÔ He raised an eyebrow. ÓWhat can I sayØ It comes so naturally. There are very few women who can resist me.Ô
        Amanda looked as if she wanted to smile at that, but restrained herself. ÓRight. Well, letÒs get this over with.Ô
        Without another word, she turned away and marched up to the front door of Sheila DavisÒs allegedly haunted house.


        THE HOUSE was definitely haunted. No doubt about it. Amanda felt the presence as soon as she stepped inside.
        ÓGrab the lights,Ô she told Jacob. He complied and flicked on the nearest overhead light and the front foyer was bathed in a warm, golden glow.
        The house was gorgeous. It reminded Amanda of her grandfatherÒs house×the man sheÒd never got to see again after her father abandoned them. She used to play in that house as a kid and, in fact, it was where sheÒd encountered her first ghost.
        She stroked her hand along the smooth wall. There was definitely a spirit here. Amanda frowned. No. She could sense more than one spirit haunting this house. But she wasnÒt able to tell yet if they were going to be a problem or not.
        ÓYou okayØÔ Jacob asked.
        She was surprised by the concern that edged his words. It made her realize that sheÒd closed her eyes and pressed both her hands flat up against the wall. A thin sheen of perspiration glazed her forehead from concentrating.
        Yeah, that must have looked really normal.
        Amanda the Strange rides again.
        She self-consciously wiped a hand across her brow. ÓIÒm fine.Ô
        ÓWhat were you doingØÔ
        Since they hadnÒt worked together before, Jacob hadnÒt witnessed the weird trance she tended to go into when she tapped fully into her abilities. It was one of the many reasons she preferred office work. She hated how using her ÓpowersÔ made her lose control of herself, even if only a little.
        She waved a hand dismissively. ÓJustÅyou know. I was sensing if there was any ghostly activity.Ô
        ÓAndØÔ
        She eyed him. ÓYouÒre psychic, too.Ô
        ÓYeah, but empaths are different. I get my glimpses through touching somebody alive, like little Miss Attitude outside. I donÒt normally get sent on these kinds of assignments. Obviously Patrick was really stuck tonight. YouÒre the only ghost whisperer here.Ô
        ÓI do sense something.Ô
        ÓYeahØÔ His eyebrows went up. ÓSo fastØ What is itØÔ
        ÓThere are a couple of ghosts here.Ô
        He glanced around the immediate surroundings. ÓCan you see themØÔ
        ÓNo. Not yet. But theyÒre here.Ô She drew in a sharp breath. ÓA male and a female. They were×Ô she paused, sinking deeper into her strange ability so she could get a better sense of the place Ó×involved in some way romantically. Not husband and wife, but lovers, I think.Ô
        ÓYou can tell that just from touching the wallØÔ
        She pulled her hand back and cleared her throat. ÓWell, itÒs just the vibe IÒm getting. Maybe IÒm wrong.Ô
        After a moment when he didnÒt say anything, she glanced at him cautiously. ÓWhatØÔ
        He shook his head. ÓItÒs just kind of amazing to me. IÒve been on assignment with lots of other agents, but youÒre different from them, arenÒt youØÔ
        She crossed her arms. ÓYou can save the judgment for another time.Ô
        ÓJudgmentØÔ
        ÓI feel self-conscious enough about what I have to do without you making me feel bad about it.Ô
        He blinked. ÓYouÒre serious, arenÒt youØ Are you actually trying to pick a fight with me about thisØ We just got here.Ô
        ÓAnd weÒre almost done.Ô
        When people studied what she could do too closely it made her feel like a sideshow freak. Echoes of ÓAmanda the StrangeÔ went through her head and she cringed.
        ÓLetÒs check out the rest of the house quickly.Ô She moved away down the hall but his strong, warm hand encircled her upper arm to stop her.
        ÓWait a second, Amanda.Ô
        She slowly turned to look at Jacob who now had an odd look on his face.
        ÓWhatØÔ
        ÓYou have a problem.Ô
        ÓTell me something I donÒt know. ThatÒs why I want to go to New York. I want to be normal.Ô
        He just looked at her incredulously. ÓYou seriously think that, donÒt youØ That youÒre not normal.Ô
        She shrugged his hand away. ÓItÒs not normal to connect with the supernatural world. ItÒs creepy and wrong.Ô
        He had a deep frown on his face now. ÓWho told you something like thatØÔ
        ÓEverybody.Ô
        ÓEverybodyØ I find that very hard to believe.Ô
        ÓMy mother never approved of what I could do. In fact, she hated it. She made sure I knew on a daily basis it was abnormal and unnatural and freakish. And at schoolÅ
        She trailed off. ÓLook, I donÒt want to talk about this right now, okayØ I know itÒs strange and just because I can do it doesnÒt mean I like it.Ô
        He laughed then. At her. She felt heat come to her cheeks.
        ÓFine, laugh,Ô she said tightly. ÓIÒm used to that.Ô
        ÓYouÒre completely crazy, you know thatØÔ
        ÓIÒm not crazy.Ô
        ÓI think IÒd have to disagree with that.Ô
        She let out a sigh of frustration. ÓYou donÒt know me.Ô
        ÓI think I do. And IÒll tell you why I think I know you. Because you think that after that little psychic display I think youÒre a freak. I canÒt believe your mother would say that to you.Ô He seemed actually angry about it.
        ÓForget it.Ô
        He cocked his head to the side. ÓYouÒre all ruffled now. Lost that cool composure from before, huhØ Do I really have the ability to make you lose control of yourselfØÔ
        ÓI really think I hate you.Ô
        He snorted. ÓNow itÒs hate. Awesome. Before, I knew it was indifference, maybe a little bit of disgust, but hate is so much more interesting.Ô
        ÓWhy are you baiting me like thisØÔ
        ÓBecause I donÒt think anybody ever does bait you like this. Nobody challenges you, Amanda. Nobody pushes your buttons.Ô
        ÓMaybe I donÒt want my buttons pushed.Ô
        He raised a dark eyebrow. ÓMaybe your buttons have never been pushed by the right person.Ô
        Her cheeks grew warmer. ÓLetÒs leave my buttons out of this.Ô
        ÓI donÒt think thatÒs possible.Ô His gaze slid down her front and she self-consciously crossed her arms as a feeble form of protection from his intense scrutiny. ÓWhat you can do is amazing. YouÒre amazing, whether you realize it or not.Ô
        ÓAmazing,Ô she said the word with an ironic twist. ÓSo amazing that my father was freaked out by me and abandoned my family when I was a kid and my mom was stuck raising me.Ô
        His eyes narrowed. ÓHe did thatØÔ
        ÓA ghost pushed him down the stairs. He kind of blamed me for that.Ô
        ÓHe blamed youØÔ Another flash of anger entered his gaze.
        ÓOf course he did. It was my fault the ghost was there in the first place.Ô
        She turned away from him wishing the heat would leave her face. But there was something about Jacob that definitely did push those hidden buttons of hers. Why did she let him get to herØ What was it about this admittedly gorgeous jerk that totally flustered herØ
        ÓYou want him to make love to you so badly you can barely remain standing, donÒt youØÔ
        She frowned at the thought, not to mention the mental images it invoked.
        Then her eyes went very wide. She hadnÒt just thought that. SheÒd heard it. Somebody had spoken those words to her.
        She looked at Jacob, who was frowning at her sudden change in expression.
        ÓWhat is itØÔ The concern returned to his green eyes as if he sensed something had changed.
        Something had.
        ÓUmÅÔ she began. ÓI was right. This house is definitely haunted.Ô
        ÓWhatØ You can see the ghostØÔ
        She nodded.
        ÓWhere is itØÔ he asked.
        She swallowed hard. ÓStanding right next to you.Ô


        CHAPTER 4


        Leaning against the wall was a beautiful ghost with long blond hair, wearing a long white gown. Amanda could tell it was a ghost because she could see right through to the wall behind her.
        ÓYou heard meØÔ the ghost asked.
        Amanda studied the woman for a moment. ÓI heard you.Ô
        The ghost glanced at Jacob. ÓHeÒs very handsome. I can see why youÒre attracted to him.Ô
        ÓWhatÒs happeningØÔ Jacob asked, scanning the area around him. ÓI canÒt see anything.Ô
        The ghost walked slowly around Jacob, checking him out from head to toe and pausing at all the key places×his broad shoulders, muscled arms and chest, firm ass and the hard-to-ignore bulge at the front of his jeans.
        AmandaÒs mouth wasnÒt dry anymore.
        ÓUhÅAmandaÅÔ Jacob snapped her out of her sudden daze. ÓWhy are you looking at me like thatØ WhereÒs the ghost nowØÔ
        Get a grip, she told herself sternly. This was not the time or place to flake out.
        You want him to make love to you so badly you can barely remain standing.
        Was that what the ghost had saidØ
        So not true. She wasnÒt obsessed with sex. She didnÒt fixate on the physical×no matter how perfect a subject Jacob might be.
        Stupid ghost.
        ÓWhatÒs your nameØÔ Amanda asked.
        The beautiful woman tore her appraising gaze away from JacobÒs body and looked at her. ÓMy name is Catherine. This is my house. Or at least it used to be. Why are you hereØÔ
        Amanda rubbed her dry lips together. ÓWeÒre here to ask you to leave this house, and we hope youÒll be open to that suggestion. Do you know what keeps you bound hereØÔ
        ÓThis is the only place we can be together,Ô Catherine replied, and there was sadness in her expression now.
        ÓAre you open to leavingØÔ
        ÓNo. This is where we belong. Where we must stay. There is no other choice for us.

        Amanda scanned the area. Jacob had taken a step back, watching curiously as she spoke to the ghost he couldnÒt see. ÓWhere is the other ghostØÔ
        ÓRight here.Ô A man walked directly out of the wall next to where Amanda stood. He was tall and handsome, with dark-blond hair and blue eyes. His gaze, though, was anything but friendly. The glare he directed at Amanda made chills run down her arms. ÓYou need to leave us in peace.Ô
        Catherine looked at the man and there was no doubting the affection in her eyes. ÓNathan, please. I can handle this.Ô
        He stiffened then turned to face her. ÓI only get to see you for an hour a day. I donÒt want our time interrupted by these intruders.Ô
        Her brows drew together. ÓI know. But itÒs dangerous.Ô
        His jaw tensed. ÓItÒs always been dangerous for us.Ô
        Then he reached out toward Catherine and she did the same. When their hands came within two feet of each other a flash of light appeared and the ghosts disappeared. At the same time, what felt like a bolt of electricity ripped through Amanda and she gasped out loud. Her knees buckled. She was sure sheÒd fall to the floor, but Jacob was there to catch her, keeping her on her feet.
        ÓTheyÒre cursed,Ô she managed after a moment. Her eyelids fluttered and she realized she may have blacked out for a moment. ÓThe ghosts×they were involved romantically when they were alive, but couldnÒt be together. They died at the same time, I think. Now theyÒre bound in this house together, but they can only see each other for short periods and they canÒt touch.Ô
        ÓDid they tell you thisØÔ Jacob asked, his forehead creased deeply.
        She shook her head. ÓI had a vision just now. It was blurry and disjointed but it was sort of like I was actually there, seeing with my own eyes what happened.Ô She inhaled sharply. ÓHow horrible to be like that. To be able to be with the one you love but never touch each other.Ô
        ÓCursed spirits,Ô Jacob said. ÓSounds like an exorcism is definitely required here.Ô
        His arms were still around her and the hard line of his body pressing against hers was enough to pull her back to reality×mostly because it felt too good. ÓIÒm okay now. You can let go of me.Ô
        He released her immediately. ÓSorry.Ô
        She fumbled through her bag and pulled out a notebook in which she scribbled down as much as she could remember of her sudden vision of the two ghosts. She didnÒt normally see with such clarity. Sure, she could see the ghost itself, talk to it, and try to come to some sort of an understanding. Sometimes the ghost could be convinced to leave the mortal world through a simple conversation. Exorcism was a worst-case scenario.
        But visions were new. One more ability to add to her unwelcome repertoire. Great.
        Maybe Nathan had murdered Catherine and then killed himself. Was that why they were being punishedØ She wasnÒt sure. SheÒd only seen glimpses. Some kind of magic had been involved here.
        It didnÒt matter. The bottom line was theyÒd confirmed ghostly activity in the house and the owner wanted that taken care of.
        The ghosts hadnÒt been violent, which was good. But that sense of despair and desperation to touch each other×
        A chill went through her.
        ÓI know I havenÒt been much help so far,Ô Jacob said. ÓSorry about that.Ô
        She looked up to see his forehead was furrowed. ÓForget it. You canÒt see what I see.Ô
        ÓUnfortunately.Ô
        ÓDonÒt say that. ItÒs not all itÒs cracked up to be.Ô
        ÓSays you.Ô He sighed. ÓTo be able to do what you doØ ThatÒs a gift.Ô
        ÓCurse.Ô
        ÓGift.Ô
        She forced a tight smile on her face. ÓI guess weÒll have to agree to disagree on that point.Ô
        He didnÒt try to argue any more about that, which was a nice change. She couldnÒt help but smile inwardly at his reaction. Most of the other PARA agents Amanda had been teamed up with over the years had a very matter-of-fact way of dealing with the unusual stuff. Like it was normal for them. Average. Almost boring.
        Jacob looked at it as though it was amazing. Then again heÒd only discovered his psychic abilities a couple of years ago. He hadnÒt had to deal with them for decades.
        Curse. Definitely.
        They moved through the living room and Amanda pulled at a corner of the plastic covering the sofa.
        ÓI think this sofa is original,Ô she said. ÓWell over a hundred years old.Ô
        ÓAntiques Roadshow would have a field day in here.Ô
        She ran her fingers lightly over the dark material underneath. More images came to her mind and she gasped.
        ÓHey,Ô Jacob said. ÓAre you getting somethingØÔ
        She nodded. ÓDefinitely something.Ô
        ÓWhat is itØÔ
        ÓI donÒtÅI donÒt know yetÅÔ She tried to see past the fog, worried she was going in too deep and beginning to pull away, but the vision was suddenly there in front of her again, this time as clear as day.
        Catherine was leading Nathan into the room. He was reluctant to follow but helpless to her charms. He found her so beautiful; too beautiful to resist, even though she was the wife of his employer. Ever since the other night at midnight when theyÒd first made love, he had been unable to think of anyone else.
        ÓThis isnÒt right,Ô he murmured in a feeble attempt to stop her.
        ÓShh,Ô she silenced him with another kiss.
        ÓYour husband×Ô
        ÓPlease, NathanÅI want you so muchÅÔ
        Her hands found the buttons on his pants and she undid them one by one until she freed his erection. As she slid her tongue along his length he was completely helpless to her.
        He loved her with all his heart and soul. He knew he didnÒt deserve her, but wanted to be with her like this always. Every time they made love was better than the last. The feel of her body clenching him as he drove into her, his hands on her breasts, his mouth swirling over the peaks of her nipples as he thrust himself into her slick heat×
        ÓAmanda×Ô she heard Jacob say from a million miles away, but she couldnÒt drag herself out of the vision, her body on fire as she sank into the deep, warm pool of passion from memories that didnÒt belong to her. The vision was of bodies moving together, gasps and soft moans, as Catherine and Nathan made love.
        A clock chimed. Twelve times. It was midnight.
        It was significant, that clock. Amanda tried to focus on it×a large black grandfather clock with an ivory face that stood against the wall.
        Catherine let out a soft cry, arching her back, her breasts flattening against NathanÒs hard-muscled chest as he brought her to orgasm.
        And then a blur. A flash. And they were apart. It was later, but Amanda couldnÒt tell how much later. The clock was now obscured by the shape of a man. A murderously jealous husband. Words were spoken, threats and curses thrown out.
        ÓYouÒll never touch her again.Ô
        There was the sharp crack of several gunshots. CatherineÒs scream of pain and terror. A fight. NathanÒs furious, grief-filled gaze stilled by another shot.
        The glass on the front of the clock was shattered by a stray bullet.
        Two nude bodies were found by the police. Lovers. A suicide pact, the police decided. The husband claimed ignorance and dark grief that his slut of a wife would take up with a common servant. A nobody.
        Catherine and Nathan were bound to the house where they were murdered, but unable to see each other except for one hour a day, from eleven oÒclock to midnight. When the chimes of the clock grew silent, theyÒd disappear from each otherÒs view, never able to touch each other.
        But whyØ Why were they still trapped thereØ
        Amanda let out a shaky sob as she finally came out of the vision and realized she was crying. She also realized that somebody held her tightly in his arms while seated on the floor×it was Jacob.
        ÓAmanda, can you hear meØÔ He wiped away her tears with his thumbs as he held her face gently between his hands. ÓAre you okayØÔ
        ÓIÒm fine. IÅI just got a little carried away there.Ô
        ÓI see that.Ô
        He stroked the hair that had come loose from her ponytail back from her face. His touch was electric and she took a sharp inhalation of breath. Her body still felt the aftereffects of the lust-filled vision, her skin more sensitive than normal. Hot to the touch. She braced her hands against his firm chest to try to push him away but didnÒt. He felt so good pressed against her.
        Much too good.
        ÓWhat time is itØÔ she asked.
        ÓQuarter to twelve.Ô
        When the clock struck midnight Catherine and Nathan couldnÒt see each other until the next day. For eternity. Maybe it would be an act of kindness to have them exorcised. She couldnÒt imagine, after seeing the sadness in their eyes, that this existence was a happy one for them.
        Dammit. She hated her job sometimes.
        No, not sometimes. Despite her friends and the generous paycheck, she always hated her job. In her new life with David, she wouldnÒt have to deal with cursed ghost lovers and chiming clocks that kept them apart.
        Chiming clocks.
        The clock had taken up a good part of her vision. That had to have some significance. Could it be possible that it had something to do with the curseØ It seemed to revolve around time, after all.
        Still seated on the floor with Jacob, Amanda glanced off to the side to see Catherine standing watching her. Nathan was nowhere to be seen.
        ÓPlease, you must go,Ô Catherine said. ÓWe mean no harm. Leave us in peace.Ô
        ÓWhereÒs the clockØÔ Amanda asked.
        ÓThe clockØÔ
        ÓThe big black grandfather clock.Ô Amanda looked around the room. ÓIt was once there, in that corner, but now itÒs gone. Where is itØÔ
        Catherine shook her head. ÓYou shouldnÒt bother with that. ItÒs dangerous.Ô
        ÓDangerousØÔ
        ÓThe clock is enchanted. It was given to me by my aunt, a self-proclaimed witch, as a wedding gift. She never approved of my marriage, said that a marriage where there was no love was doomed.Ô She set her chin. ÓI guess she was right about that. The clock works its magic at midnight and is the reason Nathan and I are in this situation in the first place. Why weÒre bound to this house and to each other forever.Ô
        Amanda shook her head. ÓBut we deal with enchanted objects, especially dangerous ones. I need to assess it. Maybe we can help you.Ô
        Her attention moved to the other side of the room where Nathan had reappeared.
        ÓThe clock is upstairs,Ô he said. ÓYou should definitely go see it.Ô
        ÓNathan,Ô Catherine said sharply.
        He cocked his head to the side. ÓIÒm only trying to help them.Ô
        ÓWhy do you have to interfereØ This is none of our business.Ô
        NathanÒs gaze was intense. ÓIf it werenÒt for the clock, we wouldnÒt be together.Ô
        Amanda could sense Jacob staring as her head turned from side to side as if she was watching a tennis match. She felt as though she was. One that didnÒt make any sense to her.
        ÓI have to say itÒs a bit unnerving not knowing whatÒs going on right in front of my own eyes,Ô he said.
        ÓHelp me up,Ô she whispered.
        Jacob got up and offered her his hand. She took it and he pulled her to her feet.
        ÓThe ghostsØÔ he asked.
        She scanned the room. TheyÒd disappeared the moment she turned away from them.
        She ran through the information sheÒd received. CatherineÒs aunt had given her the clock as a wedding gift and Catherine believed it to be enchanted in some way×the reason her and NathanÒs spirits were trapped in the house.
        It was almost midnight. If she could witness what happened when the clock struck midnight, maybe that would help in the assessment. If she could do something, anything to break the curse for the ghostsÅ
        Why was she allowing herself to become so involved with thisØ She didnÒt even like love stories, let alone tragic ones that ended in murder.
        ÓThe ghosts are gone,Ô she said. ÓFor now. We need to find the clock.Ô
        ÓWhat clockØÔ
        What was she supposed to say to that that didnÒt make her sound completely insaneØ Then again, what did she care what Jacob thought of herØ ÓItÒs a clock that was here when the ghosts were cursed. It might even be the cause of the curse. We need to find it, assess it, and then weÒre getting out of here.Ô
        ÓThe last partÒs the best suggestion IÒve heard all evening.Ô
        ÓDo you have a cameraØÔ
        ÓYeah, right here.Ô He patted his pocket.
        There was a stairway at the end of the hall. The lights were dim and not all of them worked but it was enough to see their way. Amanda wasnÒt afraid. Some might be in a haunted house, but sheÒd already met the ghosts. Not the friendliest sort, but nothing overtly evil there.
        SheÒd felt their love. SheÒd seen it in the vision. It hadnÒt been only an affair, it had been deeper, truer. Not everyone found that sort of love in their life. But if it made one make dangerous and questionable decisions that led to getting shot, then sheÒd prefer to keep to the much more orderly emotions, thanks.
        There was no chance that her relationship with David would end up with her pining away for his spirit. Not that she didnÒt care for him; there was some strong affection there, but loveØ
        AmandaÒs life was unpredictable enough dealing with her psychic abilities without adding love to the equation.


        ÓWHY DO we care about this clock, againØÔ Jacob asked as they ascended the staircase to the second floor of the dimly lit, musty-smelling house.
        Amanda didnÒt answer right away, which worried him a little. Was she in another tranceØ Was she communicating with the ghostsØ HeÒd never worked with her before, but heÒd worked with other mediums enough to know that dead people werenÒt always friendly and cooperative. No, sometimes they were vicious and violent and intent on possession. A soft, sweet-smelling, warm human body like AmandaÒs would be their first choice to thrust themselves into.
        That wasnÒt supposed to be a sexy thought, Jacob chastised himself as his cock stiffened at the mental image. Just when heÒd thought heÒd gotten himself under control again.
        Damn.
        He grabbed her arm and made her stop halfway up the stairs. ÓHey. You okayØÔ
        Her face was paler than it had been before. She blinked and seemed to focus on him. ÓYeah, IÒm fine. Why are you looking at me like thatØÔ
        ÓLike whatØÔ
        ÓLike youÒre worried.Ô
        ÓProbably because I am.Ô
        That made a small smile appear on those disconcertingly kissable lips of hers. ÓYouÒre worried about meØÔ
        ÓSure. ThereÒs no reason for us still to be here prodding around. We need to go back to the office and file our report.Ô
        ÓI never knew you were such a rule-follower.Ô
        ÓIÒm not.Ô He realized he was still touching her and he removed his hand, instead clenching it at his side. ÓBut I donÒt want anything bad to happen.Ô
        ÓNothing bad will happen. The ghosts arenÒt evil.Ô
        ÓAre you sure about thatØÔ
        ÓThey were in love. TheyÒre cursed now and canÒt touch each other, canÒt see each other except for an hour a day. It must be hell for them. If you could see them, Jacob×Ô
        ÓBut I canÒt.Ô
        ÓNo.Ô She sighed with frustration. ÓYou canÒt. But I can. I can see that if the curse was broken, if they could be fully together again, then theyÒd likely find their peace and leave the house without any drastic measures.Ô
        ÓDrastic measures like an exorcism.Ô
        ÓExactly.Ô
        ÓSince when are you so against exorcismsØ ItÒs kind of what you do, isnÒt itØÔ
        ÓSure, if the situation calls for it. But if thereÒs another reason, or if thereÒs a story behind itÅif we can do something to help×Ô
        ÓTheyÒre already dead.Ô
        ÓDoesnÒt mean that theyÒre not still in love.Ô
        He eyed her for a long moment before he started to laugh. The dreamy look on her face immediately vanished and was replaced by a harder edge.
        ÓWhatÒs so damn funnyØÔ she asked.
        ÓYou. YouÒre a romantic. I never would have guessed it in a million years.Ô
        ÓIÒm not a romantic.Ô
        ÓYou want the ghosts to find their happy ending.Ô
        The look she gave him now was icy. She didnÒt like having her harsh exterior prodded. He already knew that. And he was prodding. He liked prodding her a little too much. It could easily become a habit. Possibly an addiction.
        ÓFinding the clock is not being romantic, itÒs doing my job,Ô she explained evenly. ÓIf the clock is cursed and dangerous it needs to be destroyed.Ô
        He just smiled at her. ÓSure.Ô
        Her cheeks reddened. ÓI really think I hate you.Ô
        ÓHarsh words, Miss LaGrange. Has your boyfriend seen this nasty side of youØÔ
        ÓHe doesnÒt have to. I actually like him.Ô
        ÓLikeØ What a romantic word. I can see why youÒre throwing your life away to be with such a Romeo.Ô
        ÓWould you please shut up nowØÔ She turned away from him and jogged the rest of the way up the stairs, succeeding in putting a bit of distance between them.
        His amused buzz disappeared. What the hell was he doing, exactlyØ Why was he arguing about romance with this womanØ Why was he filled with a sense of being alive just being in her presenceØ It made no sense. Zero. Even if there was a chance to explore something between them×something his body seemed ready for when Amanda was just in the same zip code as him×she was already taken. And she was moving away. Soon.
        Stop it, he told himself sternly. Just stop it.
        He needed a hobby. Maybe heÒd start collecting stamps. Give his mind something to fixate on other than frustrating women who gladly ruined their lives for the wrong men.
        They seriously needed to get out of here. It was only a few minutes before midnight, and with a two-hour drive ahead of them to get back to Mystic Ridge, heÒd like to get started on that as soon as possible.
        Five days, he reminded himself. Five days and sheÒd be gone. Forever.
        The thought was supposed to make him feel better.
        It didnÒt.


        AMANDA felt compelled to find that clock. It was not as if the house was a mansion. It was large with multiple rooms on the second floor, but it wasnÒt as if something so large as a grandfather clock could hide from her for long.
        If it werenÒt for the clock, we wouldnÒt be together, Nathan had said.
        Amanda wished heÒd been friendly enough to explain what that meant. Was the clock really the reason behind their curseØ Why would CatherineÒs aunt give her something so potentially dangerous as a wedding giftØ It made no sense.
        They needed to take pictures of the clock and write down details. Then sheÒd take that information back to headquarters and do in-depth research to find out more about it and, she hoped, how to reverse whatever magic it had worked in the past.
        The fact that Jacob was still following her on her wild-goose chase around the house almost amused her considering he was right to a certain degree×their work here was done. They hadnÒt been sent to investigate any inanimate objects, just the ghosts. And theyÒd finished. The ghosts refused to leave. They would be exorcised once all the paperwork was completed. A few days, tops. Then the owner of the house could be assured that her property was spirit-free.
        It made sense, which was why AmandaÒs insistence on exploring the dark house at going on midnight was a littleÅwhat was the wordØ
        Strange.
        Ah yes, that word again.
        She refrained from rolling her eyes at herself. For somebody hell-bent on getting away from PARA, she sure was dedicated to her job.
        She glanced over her shoulder at the gorgeous man behind her. ÓI know this is a bit freakish.Ô
        ÓI wouldnÒt say that exactly.Ô
        Her eyebrows went up a fraction. ÓNoØÔ
        ÓYouÒre talking to the wrong person about what is and isnÒt freakish. To me, this is kind of fun.Ô
        She shook her head. ÓYouÒre obviously crazier than I am.Ô
        ÓNo argument there.Ô A sexy smile appeared on his lips that did strange things to her insides. She tried to ignore it. ÓSo does this mean youÒve changed your mind about hating meØÔ
        ÓI wouldnÒt think youÒd care what I think of you one way or the other.Ô
        He shrugged. ÓI donÒt, of course. IÒm just wondering.Ô
        ÓHate is such a strong word, really. Maybe loathing or distaste mixed with apathy fits better.Ô
        ÓThat sounds more like it.Ô The smile slipped away and was replaced with a less-friendly, more guarded expression. ÓLetÒs find that clock.Ô
        Good plan.
        The truth was, the longer Amanda was in JacobÒs presence, the more she didnÒt dislike him, which was disturbing, to say the least. Ever since theyÒd first met and sheÒd felt that initial spark×which had been quickly extinguished when heÒd used her hated nickname×sheÒd held on to that distaste for him. It made things a lot simpler. Cleaner.
        That was how she liked life to be: clean and simple.
        She heard the clock then. Its ticking was loud and precise behind the closed door in front of her. She wasnÒt entirely sure why the sound sent a chill of anticipation through her body.
        ÓI think it might be in here,Ô she said after a moment of uncomfortable silence passed between them.
        ÓLead the way.Ô There was a pause, and then, ÓHey, Amanda.Ô
        ÓWhatØÔ She looked back at him. She jumped when a flash went off. When the spots left her eyes and the hallway darkened again she glared at him. ÓWhy did you take my pictureØÔ
        ÓJust making sure everythingÒs in working order.Ô But he looked way too smug for that to be the only reason. Baiting her. Fantastic. Glad that she amused him. Really professional behavior there. He glanced down at the view screen. ÓYouÒre very photogenic, IÒll give you that.Ô
        ÓSure I am.Ô She didnÒt want to see it. She probably looked like a pissed-off troll with the flash so close to her face. ÓDelete it, please.Ô
        ÓYes, maÒam.Ô
        She pushed open the door in front of her to find that it led into a large bedroom. Unlike the other rooms theyÒd been in, this one looked all ready for the open house since there was no plastic wrap covering the furniture and it smelled fresh and pleasant, like roses and freesia, rather than musty and dusty. A canopied queen-sized bed was to one side, draped in gauzy material that blended with the hand-woven, cream-colored carpeting. A window to their left looked down to the driveway and thatch of oak trees. A glance out showed JacobÒs car parked below.
        Against the wall across from the door was the clock sheÒd seen in her vision. Eight feet tall, black, and it stood there like a monster silently lurking in the dark.
        Or maybe she was projecting. It was possible. She refused to be afraid of a stupid inanimate object.
        ÓThatÒs itØÔ Jacob asked.
        She nodded.
        He approached it with confidence and slid his hand up the smooth front of it. ÓDoesnÒt look all that dangerous to me.Ô
        ÓBe careful.Ô
        He shot her a droll look. ÓYou do care about me, after all. DonÒt worry, IÒm sure the big bad clock isnÒt going to hurt me.Ô
        ÓDonÒt be so sure about that. It might.Ô
        He removed his hand, then began to snap a few pictures of the clock, long shots, close-ups. And of the face itself, still showing the broken glass from where a stray bullet had hit the white surface in her vision, that currently read two minutes to midnight. The pendulum swung evenly back and forth counting off the seconds.
        Amanda attempted to ignore the muscles that flexed in JacobÒs arms, the way his back moved, the hard planes of his chest, how well those jeans fitted his muscled thighs and lean hips. Her attention moved to his green eyes and short dark hair and she absently wondered if it was as soft as it looked.
        He eyed her. ÓAre you just going to gawk at me or are you going to write anything down in that notebook of yoursØÔ
        A flush came to her cheeks yet again. She wasnÒt gawking. Much.
        Suddenly Catherine appeared next to her in a pulse of soft light.
        ÓYou must leave.Ô The ghost cast a tense look at the clock. ÓItÒs not safe for you here.Ô
        ÓWhat are you talking aboutØÔ
        ÓWhatØÔ Jacob asked absently.
        ÓIÒm speaking to the ghost. SheÒs next to me right now.Ô
        ÓOhÅwell, carry on.Ô He continued to take pictures.
        Catherine looked very stressed for a ghost. ÓThereÒs no time left. ItÒs almost midnight. My auntÒs magicÅthe clockÅyou need to trust me. Go now.Ô
        ÓI donÒt understand,Ô Amanda said. ÓIÒm trying to help you. IÒm trying to determine exactly what the problem with the clock is and I need data to take back with me×Ô
        ÓThen leave this room just for now. Come back in an hour. But you canÒt be here when the clock strikes midnight!Ô
        Which was less than a minute away.
        ÓWhy notØÔ AmandaÒs eyes began to widen. ÓWhat happens at midnightØ I know you and Nathan will disappear.Ô
        ÓItÒs more than that. The clockÒs magic strips away oneÒs ability to think and act rationally, which is what happened to myself and Nathan. We lost control.Ô
        ÓLost controlØÔ Amanda repeated.
        Jacob stopped taking pictures for a moment. ÓIs there a problemØÔ
        ÓThe door to this room should have been locked.Ô Catherine wrung her transparent hands together. ÓThat horrible woman, the one who wants us to leave, she must have unlocked it.Ô She swept a glance over the room and scrunched her nose with distaste. ÓAnd sheÒs replaced the bedding. The color palette sheÒs chosen is not attractive at all.Ô
        ÓForget the colors,Ô Amanda protested, feeling panic well inside her. ÓLetÒs get back on the topic. You want us to leave but I need to know why. It might help with our investigation. It might help you.Ô
        ÓCatherine,Ô Nathan appeared next to her. His face was much more serene than hers now. ÓLeave them be. ItÒs fate that theyÒre here.Ô
        ÓFate.Ô She spat the word like a curse. ÓFate is what got us into this situation in the first place, isnÒt itØÔ
        His lips thinned and a momentary doubt crossed his gaze as he looked at Catherine. ÓDo you wish it had been different for usØÔ
        Instead of snapping at him or getting angry, her features softened as their eyes met and held. ÓThey donÒt realize what this means.Ô
        ÓThey will,Ô Nathan whispered. ÓBesides, itÒs already too late.Ô
        ÓWhat the hell are you×ØÔ Amanda began again, confused and deeply disturbed by the exchange she was witnessing.
        The clock struck midnight.


        CHAPTER 5


        Catherine looked upset, but Nathan looked smug as the chimes sounded out from the clock.
        AmandaÒs eyes widened. ÓWhatÒs going to happen nowØÔ
        Jacob reacted to the tense tone in her voice by coming to her side, staring around at the otherwise empty room and the ghosts he couldnÒt see.
        Nathan smiled at her. ÓYou and your friend are as doomed as we are.Ô
        ÓWhat can we doØÔ
        ÓNothing.Ô He glanced at CatherineÒs stern expression and his smile turned sadder. ÓTill tomorrow, my love.Ô
        ÓTomorrow,Ô she murmured as the last chime echoed through the room.
        The ghosts disappeared in separate flashes of light.
        Jacob and Amanda stood, frozen in place, staring at each other.
        ÓWhatÒs happeningØÔ Jacob asked.
        ÓThe ghosts say weÒre doomed,Ô she replied, glancing at the clock which now read exactly midnight. ÓOh shit.Ô
        ÓWhatØÔ
        ÓThe clock. ItÒsÅitÒs glowingÅÔ
        He looked at it to see it surrounded by a soft white light. The clock itself had frozen at the last stroke of midnight, its pendulum still. ÓWhy the hell is it glowingØÔ
        ÓBecause itÒs midnight.Ô
        ÓWhat does that meanØÔ
        The next moment, the glow turned into a blinding pulse of light that blanketed the entire bedroom for a split second before disappearing. The door to the room slammed shut and a thunderbolt of pain ripped through AmandaÒs head. She brought her hands up to her temples. Her knees buckled. Jacob caught her before she hit the ground. When she looked up into his face she found it looked as tense as she felt.
        ÓWhat the hellØÔ he managed. ÓWhat was thatØÔ
        ÓIÒm not exactly sure.Ô
        But there was something wrong. She could feel it down deep in her bones. She didnÒt have to be psychic to know that something had changed, shifted, with the clock striking midnight and the painful pulse of light. But what was itØ
        ÓAre you going to fill me in on everything Casper was saying to you or do I have to guessØÔ Jacob asked.
        ÓI wish I knew.Ô He still had his arm around her and for some reason or another she didnÒt immediately pull away. Better to stay this way for another moment just in case she lost her footing again. ÓThey wanted us to clear out of this room before midnight but I guess itÒs a little late for that.Ô
        ÓSounds ominous. ThereÒs nothing worse than vague ghosts.Ô
        She couldnÒt help but laugh nervously at that. Maybe she was overreacting. Maybe the spirits had been playing with her. It wouldnÒt be the first time sheÒd encountered otherworldly beings who got their fun messing with the minds of the living.
        ÓWe can leave now,Ô she said firmly. ÓWe have all the research materials we need. ThereÒs definitely something strange about that clock.Ô
        ÓI totally agree.Ô He was close enough that she felt the warmth from his breath brush against her cheek. The pleasant sensation was enough to cause a small wave of dizziness and she braced herself against him. His arm tightened and his other arm slid around her other side, effectively holding her in a firm embrace. She rested her head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. Then she moved her hands up over his chest to his face and looked into his green eyes for a moment before sliding her fingers into his hair.
        ÓWhat are you doingØÔ he asked, his voice a bit raspy now.
        ÓI wanted to see if I was right.Ô She bit her bottom lip. ÓAnd I am. Your hair is just as soft as it looks.Ô
        ÓJust what every guy wants to hear.Ô
        ÓWe need to go now.Ô
        ÓI totally agree.Ô
        But they stood in place in the middle of the room without moving.
        Damn, sheÒs so beautiful.
        ÓWhat did you sayØÔ she asked.
        He shook his head. ÓNothing. I didnÒt say anything.Ô
        ÓWeird. I could have sworn you saidÅwell, never mind.Ô
        She breathed him in. He wore a familiar menÒs cologne, but she couldnÒt think of the name. It was very light, though. Nothing cloying or distracting. She liked it a lot. She liked the warm, sexy way Jacob smelled.
        His grip on her grew tighter and his hands slipped down to just below her waist. ÓAmandaÅÔ he breathed.
        She liked how her name sounded when he said it. Like a sigh of contentment. A moan of pleasure.
        His gaze was focused on her as she met his eyes again. She could feel his erection, the hard length of him pressed against her stomach.
        You want him to make love to you so much you can barely remain standing, CatherineÒs words from earlier ran through her mind.
        As she realized how true it was, AmandaÒs breathing came quicker, short gasps of air as Jacob cupped her buttocks and brought her up against him, firmly against that hardness. The sensation managed to make her damp with immediate arousal. It would have stunned her, embarrassed her, if it hadnÒt felt so damn right.
        Unable to control the impulse, she slid her hand down between them and stroked him through the stiff material of his jeans. His erection strained against his zipper and he gasped at her touch.
        ÓWhat are you×ØÔ he began, but sheÒd gone up on her tiptoes to crush her mouth against his. The kiss swept whatever he was about to say away. Her mouth opened to him and the feel of her tongue against his coaxed a dark groan from deep in his throat.
        For a moment she could have sworn she could read his thoughts. He liked kissing her a lot. HeÒd waited so long for this to happen.
        Her imagination was obviously working overtime. She wasnÒt a mind reader.
        A surge of emotion flowed through her at the feel of his mouth on hers, his hands rubbing her ass and pulling her up closer against his arousal. His muscles tensed as she broke off the kiss and moved her lips down his throat. She moved her hand from the evidence of his desire to pull at his gray T-shirt, lifting it to bare his tanned, muscled chest. He raised his arms, wordlessly, so she could remove the shirt completely. She ran her fingernails down his hot, smooth skin and then drew closer so she could lick a wet stroke of her tongue across his left nipple.
        His fingers dug deeply into her sides. ÓAmandaÔ.
        The urgency with which he said her name brought her slightly out of her aroused daze. She took a sharp breath, surrounded by the delicious scent of him, still tasting him on her lips and tongue. She wanted more.
        A slow realization came over her. This was Jacob Caine. She didnÒt want to spend time with him, didnÒt want to get assigned as his partner. SheÒd resisted this with every fiber in her being.
        If that was so, then why was she groping him like a drunken woman at last callØ
        Her mind cleared a little, enough for her to feel a cold sliver of embarrassment. She looked up at him to see there was only desire in his eyes that had darkened significantly.
        ÓItÒs the clock, isnÒt itØÔ she managed, a level of clarity coming into her mind.
        ÓWhatØÔ
        ÓItÒs cursed. ThatÒs what Catherine was trying to tell me. ItÒs making us do things we wouldnÒt normally do. Making us lose control.Ô
        He blinked. ÓDo you really think soØÔ
        ÓYes. We need to get out of this room before something really bad happens.Ô
        ÓOkay.Ô His jaw tensed. ÓAlthough I have to admit, I donÒt think I can move at the moment.Ô
        She breathed in, immediately distracted as her senses filled again with Jacob. His hot, spicy scent, the taste of him on her lips, her body tingling where heÒd touched her, the achingly raspy sound of his voice, the dark look of desire in his eyes. And his bodyÅeven with his shirt on sheÒd known that he was an incredible-looking man. Without itÅwell, she was at a loss to describe how devastatingly attractive she found him. It sounded like a cliche, but he made her knees weaken.
        So that was five senses.
        What about the other oneØ
        Her sixth sense was what had gotten them in trouble in the first place.
        He released her as if it took a great deal of concentration on his part. ÓWeÒre not thinking straight. YouÒre right. This must be a spell.Ô
        The moment he let go of her she felt bereft. Being close to Jacob, feeling his skin against hers, seemed too necessary and addictive.
        She needed him. Catherine had been right. She wanted him to make love to her so badly she could barely think straight.
        ÓWe need to go,Ô she said firmly. ÓNow.Ô
        He nodded in agreement, but instead of moving toward the door, he kissed her again, his hands boldly moving down to cup her breasts through her thin sweater a moment before he pulled the cashmere garment off her completely.
        ÓI donÒt think I can stop this,Ô he said, frowning hard.
        Neither could she. Her desire for Jacob at the moment was much too powerful to resist.
        ÓThe ghosts said the clock made them lose control.Ô She gasped as he slipped his warm hands under the shoulder straps of her bra to pull them down, baring her breasts. Another gasp when he lowered his mouth and captured her right nipple to suckle on the hard, sensitive pink tip. Desire pooled between her legs, and she had to clutch at his shoulders to stay on her feet.
        She felt his hands move to the middle of her back and he unclasped the bra so that it fell to her feet.
        She knew she had to stop this, butÅwell, she didnÒt really want to. The erotic sensations Jacob gave her were stronger than anything sheÒd ever felt before. It was as if sheÒd stuck her finger in a light socket. Only, instead of pain×like the shock wave that came off the clock at midnight×there was nothing but pleasure. She couldnÒt pull away.
        ItÒs not as if sheÒd never imagined what it would be like to be with Jacob. It was impossible to ignore how attractive he was and how charming he could be×when he wanted to be. Every other woman who crossed his path found him irresistible, why would she be any differentØ
        But this was different.
        Jacob let out a dark groan that made things low in her body twist with need. She felt his shoulders tense. He dragged himself back from her, though his hands stayed on her breasts as if they were magnetized.
        ÓThis is some sort of spellØÔ he asked.
        ÓWasnÒt sure you heard that,Ô she said, finding it hard to concentrate on anything other than his thumbs now circling her very sensitive nipples.
        ÓI was trying to ignore it.Ô His eyes focused on her mouth but instead of making her feel self-conscious, it made her badly want to kiss him again. ÓYouÒre sure thatÒs what this isØ Some kind of magicØÔ
        ÓWhat other explanation do we haveØ It must be a magical trap thatÒs trying to keep us here. Maybe something bad will happen if we canÒt stop this.Ô
        ÓThen we need to get out of here.Ô
        ÓWe do.Ô
        ÓIÒm going.Ô
        ÓOkay.Ô
        His muscles tightened. ÓWatch me go.Ô
        ÓIÒm watching.Ô
        With what seemed to be a monumental effort, he released her and pushed away, averting his gaze from her flushed, half-naked body as he stormed toward the door. The veins stood out on his arms from the effort he put forth, every muscle in his biceps and back tensed. She noticed he had a tattoo on his right shoulder blade×an intricate Celtic knot design in black ink. He grabbed the door handle and turned it. Then he used two hands and rattled the door.
        He looked over his shoulder. ÓItÒs locked.Ô
        She grabbed her discarded sweater from the floor and covered her breasts with it, feeling a fraction more centered and in control with him all the way on the other side of the room. ÓBreak it open, then.Ô
        He took a couple of steps back and then kicked the door. It didnÒt budge. He kicked it again.
        No result.
        Then he looked at her. ÓI think we might be trapped in here at the moment.Ô
        Instead of being upset at the idea, she felt a warm thrill go through her at the prospect of being trapped in a bedroom with Jacob.
        She so wasnÒt thinking straight.
        He was breathing faster now, his chest moving in and out as his gaze traveled the length of her. ÓI need to warn you that IÒm not exactly feeling in control of myself here.Ô
        ÓYou and me both.Ô
        He stalked toward her and she braced herself, expecting him to kiss her again, actually hoping he would. Instead, he breezed past her toward a small table where there was a heavy brass candle holder. He grabbed hold of it.
        ÓWhat are you doingØÔ Amanda asked.
        ÓPreventive measures.Ô He handed the object to her.
        ÓFor whatØÔ
        He stood in front of her looking as serious as sheÒd ever seen him, his lean, muscled chest going in and out with his labored breathing. ÓYou need to knock me out.Ô
        Her eyebrows went up at that. ÓI need to whatØÔ
        ÓBash me on the head. Knock me unconscious. Then youÒll be safe.Ô
        ÓIÒm not safeØÔ
        His jaw was tight. ÓI canÒt control myself much longer. I donÒt want to do anything IÒm going to regret.Ô
        That statement took her by surprise, and she felt a strange surge of disappointment. ÓI see. You have enough women in your little black book and you donÒt want to add my name to the listØÔ
        He just stared at her for a moment. ÓThatÒs not exactly what I meant.Ô
        ÓWhat thenØÔ
        He exhaled and there was a sheen of perspiration on his forehead now. ÓI donÒt want to force myself on you. I feel an overwhelming compulsion to throw you on that bed over there and take you fast and hard. ItÒs close to uncontrollable. If I kiss you again, I wonÒt be able to stop myself. Knock me out while you have the chance.Ô
        She tried to process what he was saying. He was trying to be a gentlemanØ Mr. Lothario IÒll-sleep-with-anybodyØ If sheÒd been feeling one hundred percent herself, she probably would have rolled her eyes or laughed. But she wasnÒt.
        ÓDo it,Ô he urged.
        She placed the candle holder back on the table.
        ÓAmandaÅÔ His voice held an edge of warning.
        ÓI know,Ô she said. ÓYou donÒt want to force me to do anything.Ô
        ÓThe way IÒm feeling×Ô
        ÓThe thing is, I feel that way, too.Ô She dropped the protective covering of her sweater and reached down to take one of his clenched fists in her hand. She brought it slowly to her lips and kissed it. When he unclenched it she slid his index finger into her mouth and then repeated the movement on his middle finger. The look on his face, a visible shattering of that control heÒd tried to maintain, was definitely what she was aiming for.
        She guided his other hand to her breast. His touch sent an erotic shiver through her body.
        She went up on her tiptoes, pressed her mouth against his and pushed away any thoughts that she was doing anything wrong. How could something that felt this right be wrongØ
        ÓThe clock,Ô he murmured against her lips.
        ÓLater,Ô she replied.
        ÓThis isnÒt real.Ô
        ÓI know.Ô She kissed him again and he finally stopped resisting. She touched his skin, so hot it felt as if it was on fire, burning him up from the inside. ÓBut I need you inside of me now.Ô
        He actually growled at that and pulled her against him, flattening her breasts against his chest. The next kiss was harder, deeper, sweeping any remaining thoughts away but one.
        This was what happened to Catherine and Nathan, she thought. This overwhelming passion. TheyÒd been unable to resist its pull. And after giving in to that passion theyÒd been cursed to haunt the house where theyÒd died.
        But then there were no more thoughts, only the sensation of JacobÒs hands on her, leaving scorching lines on her skin that made her arch against him.
        She undid her jeans so he could help slide them down her thighs. He kneeled in front of her, kissing her sensitive skin and then licked a line over the front of her panties that made her gasp out loud. Jacob stroked his fingers against the damp silk, back and forth, the thin material the only barrier between them.
        ÓYou want me,Ô he stated the obvious.
        ÓYes,Ô she affirmed. ÓPlease.Ô
        He stood up and directed her backward toward the bed where she lay down on the soft mattress. He slipped his fingers under the top edge of her panties to slide against her clit. She gripped his wrist, but not to stop him, just to have something to hold on to. Her hips began to move against his intimate touch.
        ÓDo you like thisØÔ he asked.
        She nodded, unable to speak at the moment, just feel. And the feel of Jacob touching her as he only had in her personal fantasies was enough to render her speechless.
        She wasnÒt sure what happened to her panties, but they were gone. She was naked with JacobÒs hand firmly between her thighs. She looked over at the clock. It had stopped keeping time, staying at midnight exactly.
        ÓYou feel so good,Ô Jacob said, and his voice was harsh with need as he leaned over to capture her mouth with his. ÓYouÒre so wet.Ô
        She could still barely speak. ÓI want you.Ô
        His mouth brushed over hers. ÓIÒve wanted you from the first moment I saw you.Ô
        She heard the soft sound of a zipper. She propped herself up enough to help him pull his jeans down over his thighs. The sight of his hard length made a quiver of anticipation move through her. He pushed her legs wider apart and moved between them.
        She brought her hands around to his ass and pulled him closer to her, moving her hips up and down so the tip of his erection slid against her damp flesh, over and over.
        ÓAmanda,Ô he managed. ÓYouÒre killing me. PleaseÅnot yet.Ô
        And then, with shaking hands, he was fiddling with something. HeÒd retrieved a condom from his wallet, his jeans still caught around his knees, and he quickly sheathed himself with it.
        ÓCursed but responsible,Ô she observed.
        ÓThatÒs me.Ô He managed a small grin that disappeared as soon as it appeared. ÓAmandaÅI can still try to stop this. If you donÒt want to×Ô
        ÓI want to. Trust me on that.Ô She brought his mouth down to hers to quiet him, and only a moment later, she felt him push against her, stretching her as he slowly entered her. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he buried himself all the way inside of her.
        She knew he was trying to be controlled, but there was no control anymore for them. The stroke of midnight had taken their inhibitions away. Made them desire each other so much that nothing could stop this. She couldnÒt keep her hands off him even if she wanted to.
        You want him to make love to you×
        At the time, sheÒd brushed off the ghostÒs casual observation, but it was true. SheÒd wanted Jacob from the moment she first saw him. And despite trying to ignore that desire, it had never left her. She ached for him, for this. SheÒd avoided him at all costs so her crush on him wouldnÒt distract her.
        HadnÒt worked very well.
        Now she felt him thrust inside of her, his skin against hers, his mouth on the soft, sensitive flesh of her breasts, her throat, her lips. He pulled her up against him then, moving down to grasp her buttocks, fingers digging in to the point of exquisite pain.
        ÓAmandaÅAmandaÅÔ He groaned her name over and over. ÓYouÒre so beautiful. You feel so damn good.Ô
        She wasnÒt sure what she said to him in reply, but she said something. His name in gasps and moans, and then a soft scream left her lips as an orgasm ripped through her, knocking her head backward. His face was between her breasts now and his thrusts became more uneven, faster, her name becoming harder to understand. He kissed her again, his tongue plunging into her mouth.
        She concentrated on the incredible friction of him entering her and pulling out. It felt so good, as if this was what had always been missing for her×this overwhelming sensation of being filled completely. His body fitted hers perfectly.
        And then, with a last deep, shuddering thrust and a cry torn from his throat he came. The only things moving then were their chests as their breath came back to normal. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight against her for several minutes.
        Then she stroked his shoulder. ÓDid you fall asleepØÔ
        ÓNo,Ô was the soft answer.
        ÓAre you going to get off me nowØÔ
        His body tensed and he immediately pulled away from her to roll onto his back. He wouldnÒt meet her gaze.
        ÓIÒm sorry,Ô he said.
        ÓFor whatØÔ
        ÓFor taking advantage of the situation.Ô
        She repressed a smile. ÓHonestly, Jacob. I never knew you had this gentlemanly side to you.Ô
        ÓI normally donÒt. It must be the spell.Ô
        ÓRight. The spell.Ô
        ÓI should have controlled myself.Ô
        ÓI think thatÒs sort of the point. You canÒt control yourself. ItÒs impossible.Ô
        ÓRight, but we need toÅÔ He trailed off as he realized that she was caressing his chest now. ÓWhat are you doingØÔ
        ÓTouching you.Ô Her hand drifted down his hard, rippled abdomen and circled his navel.
        ÓIÅI canÒt think properly when you do that.Ô
        ÓThinking properly is way overrated,Ô she said very seriously. ÓI think properly all the time and what has it gotten meØÔ She curled her fingers around his shaft, it was already growing hard again. She leisurely stroked him up and down, bringing forth a low groan from his throat.
        ÓWeÒre going to need another condom,Ô she said. When he didnÒt answer right away, she leaned over the side of the bed to where his wallet had fallen and retrieved one. She quickly tore open the small packet and rolled it on him before moving to straddle his body. She placed her hands on his chest, feeling wanton and more excited and alive than sheÒd ever felt in her life.
        ÓDo you want meØÔ
        He looked down at himself. ÓIsnÒt it blatantly obviousØÔ
        ÓThatÒs not an answer. Do you want meØÔ
        ÓYes,Ô he hissed. ÓI want you, Amanda. IÒve always wanted you.Ô
        She lowered herself onto him slowly, an inch at a time, feeling very in control×despite being completely out of control, that is×in this new position. She watched his face as she began to move, his expression of sheer awe and aching need. His gaze moved to their intimate connection and he brought his hand down to stroke his thumb over her clit. The small movement was enough to make her cry out and arch her back as another wave of pleasure crashed over her.
        He cupped her breasts as she moved up and down his length, feeling exhilarated, feeling on fire, feeling a passion unlike anything else sheÒd ever known before. A passion for this man, this difficult man who haunted her as surely as the ghosts haunted this house.
        ÓJacob,Ô she moaned. ÓOh, Jacob, yes. Please.Ô
        ÓAmanda×Ô
        He pulled her down flat against his chest, and then rolled over so he was on top of her again, pressing her down into the mattress, his body thrusting inside of hers deeper and harder and faster until it felt as if they were one person, no beginning, no ending. There was nothing that existed outside of this moment and their bodies moving together as one.
        With another cry, he brought her to another earth-shattering orgasm and followed closely behind, his hips straining against hers as he climaxed, murmuring her name into her ear again and again.
        She could hear the tick-tock as the clock began keeping time again. It was over. The spell was broken. They were free to leave the room whenever they wanted.
        ÓIÒve always loved you,Ô Jacob whispered into her ear just before she fell asleep in his arms.


        CHAPTER 6


        Jacob dragged himself out of the thick fog of unconsciousness.
        He must have drunk a whole hell of a lot last night because he had a massive hangover going on. His head felt as if it might split right down the center. Despite that, he actually felt pretty damn good.
        That was one hell of a dream.
        There was something warm and pleasant in his arms. He was curved around it and it seemed to fit the contours of his body perfectly. Despite the headache from hell, he was quite content to lounge in bed for a while longer. He felt calm, relaxed and strangely happy.
        The something warm moved. He pried open an eyelid and glanced next to him. Then both his eyes snapped open as he realized that it was Amanda and he had his arms around her in a tight embrace so her very naked body was pressed firmly up against his.
        The realization made him instantly hard. The dream heÒd had×the amazing one where heÒd made love with AmandaÅ
        It hadnÒt been a dream at all, had itØ HeÒd had the dream before, in various incarnations, but this was real. She was here.
        She let out a contented little sigh as she absently traced her hands down the line of his spine and back up in a soft caress.
        Oh boy.
        ÓAmanda,Ô he whispered. He wasnÒt sure he could move. The pain in his head now fought with shock and arousal. It was an unusual jumble of emotions to experience all at once.
        She nestled in closer to his chest and slowly opened her beautiful blue eyes. A small smile played at her swollen lips and she brought her hand up to his face and brushed her fingers lightly along his jawline.
        ÓGood morning,Ô she said sleepily.
        He just stared at her in disbelief.
        She blinked, then he watched as realization slowly came over her and her eyes widened little by little until they were dominating her face. Her mouth formed an O as she took in a quick gasp of air.
        ÓWhat×ØÔ She glanced down at them, covered from the waist down with a thin white sheet, her breasts pressed against his chest, their limbs still intimately entwined. ÓOh my God.Ô
        There was a sharp knock on the door.
        ÓWhy are you still hereØÔ the owner of the house, Sheila Davis, demanded in a loud voice. ÓYou were supposed to call me at the hotel. ItÒs ten oÒclock in the morning!Ô
        Amanda grabbed the sheet to pull it higher up before the door swung open. Jacob raised an eyebrow. Guess they werenÒt magically trapped inside the room anymore.
        The spell was definitely over. He exhaled, trying to remain as calm as possible. It wasnÒt exactly easy.
        Sheila took one step into the room, surveyed the two naked people entangled on the bed and her face contorted and reddened with anger.
        ÓWhat the hell is going on hereØÔ she sputtered. ÓThis is the most unprofessional thing IÒve ever witnessed in my entire life! I want you out of here now.Ô
        She turned around and stomped down the stairs.
        Jacob knew he should feel bad that their client had just found them in bed together, but bad was one thing he wasnÒt feeling at the moment. Now that heÒd had a moment to process what happened, crazy as it might seem, he was pretty damn cheerful. Being with Amanda, something heÒd only fantasized about before, had been everything heÒd thought it would be. Magical. Mind-blowing.
        He craved her again. Would that be really unprofessionalØ TheyÒd leave in ten minutes.
        Or an hour or two. Time would tell.
        Other than pulling up the covers, Amanda hadnÒt moved an inch since sheÒd woken up. He slid his hand around to the small of her back. He wasnÒt a cuddler, normally. After sex he usually preferred to be alone if at all possible. But with Amanda, all rules seemed to be thrown out the window.
        ÓSheÒll get over it,Ô Jacob whispered, brushing his lips against AmandaÒs ear.
        Amanda didnÒt say anything to that. Instead, she slipped out of his embrace, turned around, and got up from the bed. He had a chance to admire her beautiful body from a distance now instead of up close and personal. He allowed his gaze to casually take in every delicious inch of her as she quickly grabbed her clothes off the floor and just as quickly got dressed, all without saying a word.
        She leaned over and grabbed his jeans and threw them at him.
        ÓWhereÒs the fireØÔ he asked, sitting up so the sheet fell across his lap.
        ÓNo fire. Get dressed.Ô The last word was more of a hiss.
        He tried to keep the shit-eating grin off his face. ÓCome on, itÒs not that bad, is itØÔ
        ÓYes, itÒs that bad.Ô She turned to look at him and her gaze moved over his bare chest to where the sheet draped over the rest of his nakedness. She brought her hands up to her temples and rubbed. Maybe she had a headache like he did.
        A magical sex hangover.
        Totally worth it, he decided. One hundred percent.
        ÓThis shouldnÒt have happened,Ô she said firmly.
        ÓBut it did.Ô
        She threw the rest of his clothes at him. ÓWeÒll forget about this. Never mention it again.Ô
        His smile faltered. ÓWe willØÔ
        She nodded, and he watched as she became more composed and in control with every word she spoke. ÓNobody needs to know. Ms. Davis was right. It was totally unprofessional. The clock,Ô she shot it a withering glare as if the inanimate object cared that it was being blamed for the previous nightÒs festivities, Óis cursed. It made us doÅsomethingÅwe normally never would have done in a million years!Ô
        He was getting the strong sense that maybe he was the only one in the room who was okay with what had happened. Amanda obviously wasnÒt. At all. In fact, she looked ready to throw up or possibly tear her hair out by the roots at the thought that theyÒd slept together.
        Talk about a buzz kill.
        ÓI thought maybe×Ô he began.
        ÓJacob, listen to me,Ô she interrupted. ÓThis is bad, okayØ We were under a malicious spell. It made us do something that neither of us is proud of. I donÒt blame you, really I donÒt. ItÒs best we completely forget it ever happened.Ô
        A cold chill slowly filled his veins, effectively dousing the heat of his previous arousal. If there was one thing he was good at in life it was taking a hint from a woman who obviously didnÒt want him. ÓGood idea.Ô
        ÓNobody can ever know about this.Ô There was a bit of panic in her voice now. ÓI canÒt screw things up. IÒm with David and heÒs wonderful. IÒm going to my new job next week and my new life. ThatÒs what I want and if anything goes wrong then I donÒt know what IÒm going to do.Ô
        ÓFine.Ô
        ÓLuckily theÅthe spell seems to be over. I feel totally normal again.Ô
        ÓMe, too.Ô
        He got out of bed and tried not to flinch when Amanda purposefully turned her back so she wouldnÒt have to see his nude body.
        It was like having a glass of ice water thrown in his face. She was rejecting him soundly and hell if he would give a damn one way or the other. The raw emotions that had ventured close to the surface retreated back deep inside of him where it was much safer to hang out. The headache remained and he held on to that pain. It was something solid to concentrate on as he got dressed.
        He forced a grin onto his face. ÓIt wasnÒt any big deal for me, anyhow. Just another Friday night. Consider it already forgotten.Ô
        He was sure it was only his imagination and wishful thinking that the statement made Amanda wince a little.


        DAMMIT. It was supposed to be a simple haunting investigation. That was it. In and out in twenty minutes. Now more than ten hours had gone by×not including drive-time×most of which had been spent unconscious. The rest of it was spent×
        Amanda gritted her teeth and stared out of the window as Jacob sped down the highway on their way back to Mystic Ridge, cursing her own lack of self-control. ThatÒs what it was all about, wasnÒt itØ When you were a psychic like her it was all about control. Otherwise, sheÒd have ghosts hanging around her all the time trying to get messages to the living. She couldnÒt deal with that. It was bad enough dealing with the level of power she used to do her job.
        She wouldnÒt think of last night. She wished the memories would magically fade away, but if anything they were getting stronger as the minutes ticked by. Forget about being haunted by spirits, she was going to be haunted by memories.
        Of Jacob.
        IÒm just one more notch on his bedpost, she thought dryly. She flicked a quick glance at him. He kept his eyes on the road and heÒd barely looked at her since theyÒd gotten in the car. The drive was even more uncomfortable than the ride up. His impossible-to-ignore presence next to her had only been uncomfortably distracting then. NowÅwell, now was another thing altogether. Now it was torture.
        Maybe some of the clockÒs magic was still at work, because part of her wanted to touch him so badly her hands ached. But she wouldnÒt. SheÒd sit calmly next to him with her hands in fists on her lap and will herself to forget how he felt inside her, how good he tasted, how delicious he smelled.
        Sure. That would be totally easy.
        Luckily, he seemed to be having no problem forgetting. HeÒd said as much in the room before they left. Just another Friday night.
        After all, the guy wasnÒt exactly hard up for a date. He could have any woman he wanted.
        Then she thought about David, which actually made her feel sick to her stomach. HeÒd never know about this. It wasnÒt as if sheÒd really cheated on him.
        She cringed at the thought. Her future with him was still set in stone. It was what she wanted. HeÒd never understand enchanted clocks and cursed ghosts. HeÒd simply see it as a breach of trust, especially since heÒd suggested they wait to consummate their relationship until after she moved to Manhattan. He was probably the most traditional guy sheÒd ever gone out with.
        She hadnÒt had sex for a very long time. She hadnÒt realized how much sheÒd missed it.
        But sex with Jacob wasnÒt exactly the same as anything sheÒd ever experienced before. It wasÅwellÅbeyond.
        Beyond. Sure, that was a great way to describe something that never should have happened in the first place. Stupid enchanted clocks!
        She bit her bottom lip so hard she nearly drew blood.
        ÓSoÅwhatØÔ Jacob said after several more minutes had gone by, and Amanda tried to focus on anything else. ÓYouÒre not talking to me nowØÔ
        ÓI guess I feel like thereÒs not much to say.Ô
        ÓSo, whatÒs the planØÔ
        She eyed him suspiciously. ÓWhat do you meanØÔ
        ÓWell, I figure the homeowner is not going to go quietly into the good night. SheÒll be on the phone complaining to Patrick about how she, uhÅfound us.Ô
        Her stomach sank. ÓYouÒre right.Ô
        ÓSo itÒs not like we can keep it completely between the two of us.Ô
        ÓObviously Patrick will understand if we tell him what happened.Ô
        ÓAnd what was that againØÔ He raised an eyebrow. ÓJust so our stories are straight.Ô
        ÓWe were investigating a clock that might have something to do with the curse the spirits are dealing with, and we gotÅgot in the crossfire of its magic. And we were temporarily enchanted ourselves and luckily nothing more dangerous occurred.Ô
        ÓTemporarily enchanted. ThatÒs a good way to put it.Ô
        The sarcasm was not lost on her. ÓI donÒt know what you want me to say to that.Ô
        He shrugged, still keeping his eyes on the road. ÓI donÒt know. I was just wondering if any of it could have been remotely real.Ô
        She swallowed. ÓRealØ It was a spell.Ô
        His eyes flicked to her for a half second. ÓYou seemed pretty into it. In fact, I believe I was the one who wanted to stop, but you basically threw me on the bed and had your way with me.Ô
        Her cheeks were on fire. ÓIÒm not having this conversation. It was a spell. A stupid, ridiculous spell and the kind of thing I will happily be getting away from when I quit PARA and move. It meant nothing. Now I would really appreciate if we could change the subject entirely so I can try to forget it.Ô
        ÓTryØÔ His lips twitched.
        Her eyes widened slightly. ÓYou think this is funnyØÔ
        ÓBelieve me, LaGrange. Funny is one thing I donÒt think this is.Ô
        ÓThat makes two of us.Ô
        The edge of amusement in his expression faded and there was a flicker of something else in his eyes. Anger, orÅwas it frustrationØ
        Before she could figure it out, a flash of pain filled her head so unexpectedly that she yelped. Jacob gasped with pain as well and swerved the car off the road where they came to a stop in a cloud of dust and crunching gravel.
        ÓDamn,Ô he said, holding his head. ÓWhat the hell was thatØÔ
        ÓI donÒt know. It felt like the same thing that happened last night at midnight. The clockÅÔ
        ÓThatÒs exactly what I was thinking.Ô
        Oh, no, she thought with a steadily sinking feeling. ItÒs not over, is itØ
        It felt as though a lightning bolt had ripped through the soft tissue between her ears. She closed her eyes and gingerly rubbed her temples.
        ÓWhat does it meanØÔ he asked. ÓWeÒre nowhere near the clock right now.Ô
        ÓNo idea.Ô
        ÓAre you okayØÔ
        ÓFine. Now I am, anyhow. The painÒs gone. YouØÔ
        ÓJust dandy.Ô
        She jumped a little and grabbed his hand when he brushed his warm fingertips over her forehead.
        ÓWhat are you×ØÔ she began.
        But she couldnÒt finish the sentence because he kissed her and in the next moment she was kissing him back as if she didnÒt have any other choice. It was a compulsion. A compulsion that brought back the events of last night in Technicolor splendor, every detail, every nuance filling her mind, wiping her thoughts away as his tongue slid against hers and her senses were filled with the warm, sexy scent of him. She pulled at his shirt so she could touch his skin and his hands were already up under her sweater cupping her breasts.
        The sound of traffic thundering past where they were parked cleared her mind for the briefest of moments, at least until Jacob undid the front of her jeans. His left hand moved down and under her panties to slide between her legs and almost all thought vanished from her mind.
        ÓItÒs the clockÒs spell,Ô she gasped, shifting herself closer to his hot touch. It felt way too good to stop him. ÓWeÒre still enchanted.Ô
        His mouth was on hers again and she forgot everything but the pleasure that kissing Jacob brought with it. He felt so good, so right against her. His mouth, his tongue, his hands doing things to her that she couldnÒt resist. After a brief struggle with her stubborn clothing, her jeans slipped down to the floor and she hazily realized that she was now sitting astride him on the driverÒs seat.
        ÓAmandaÅÔ he managed. ÓWeÒre at the side of the road in my car. In public.Ô
        ÓI donÒt care.Ô
        And she didnÒt.
        He let out a dark groan when she undid his zipper and pulled him completely free from his jeans, finding that he was hard and ready for her.
        ÓCondom. Quickly,Ô she urged.
        He fumbled for a foil packet. ÓThis is the last one I have on me.Ô
        ÓHurryÅpleaseÅÔ
        He sheathed himself, his gaze wild and filled with need as he met her eyes again. She lifted her hips up to position herself properly then in one smooth stroke, took his full length inside her.
        ÓDamn×Ô Jacob swore through clenched teeth. She traced her fingers along his tight jaw, feeling the rough stubble there. ÓAmanda, you feel so good. So good.Ô
        She leaned forward and cut off any more conversation, such as it was, with an openmouthed kiss.
        The steering wheel bit into her back painfully but it didnÒt make her want to stop. She wasnÒt sure anything would make her want to stop. She needed this, needed him inside her. How could something so wrong feel so completely rightØ
        Her name was a harsh sound from his lips against hers as he began thrusting up into her. He pushed the fabric of her sweater aside and the lacy edge of her bra, to swirl his tongue around her right nipple. The combination of sensations made her arch her back as a shuddering current of pleasure rocked her. It was only a few moments later when he softly cried out her name again, pressing his face between her breasts to muffle the sound of his release.
        When the thrusting of his hips ceased she stayed locked against him, her hands pressed to either side of his face, looking into his vivid green eyes. His hands remained low on her hips, half-cupping her buttocks.
        ÓI think we might be in serious trouble,Ô he said gruffly.
        The blaring screech of somebody lying on the horn as they zoomed past snapped her out of the daze sheÒd been in. Something must have changed in her eyes, from passion to clarity, because JacobÒs grip tightened.
        ÓNo, Amanda, please×Ô
        She got off him and scrambled for her jeans, putting them on quickly. Unfortunately her underpants wouldnÒt live to see another day since they were ripped in half. She stuffed the torn patch of silk into her pocket.
        And then she went very quiet. She was afraid to speak. She was afraid of what she might say. She might beg him to make love to her again. She hadnÒt even tried to resist that time. Not even a little bit.
        Jacob was right. In the room heÒd put up a valiant effort to stop what was going on and she hadnÒt. SheÒd wanted it. SheÒd wanted him the way sheÒd wanted him from the first moment they met.
        Did the clock know thatØ
        ÓAmanda, we need to talk about this.Ô
        ÓNo.Ô It came out a little louder than sheÒd meant it to. She took a deep breath. ÓWe donÒt need to talk about this. We need to go back home and then we need to never see each other again. Obviously thereÒs something wrong and we need to stay the hell away from each other until we figure out what it is.Ô
        She hates me so bad she canÒt even look at me.
        ÓI donÒt hate you,Ô she said.
        Jacob frowned. ÓWhatØÔ
        ÓI said I donÒt hate you, even though maybe I should. And I can look at you, I just choose not to.Ô She cleared her throat nervously, ignoring the way her body still tingled all over.
        ÓWhy do you think I think you hate meØÔ
        ÓBecause you said it.Ô
        ÓNo, I didnÒt.Ô
        Is she okayØ Maybe all that pain did something bad to her head. Maybe I should take her to the hospital.
        ÓI donÒt need to go to the hospital,Ô she sighed. ÓIÒm fine, IÒm justÅa bit disturbed. To say the least.Ô
        Jacob was silent for so long that she finally looked at him.
        He studied her with a stunned expression. ÓI didnÒt say that out loud.Ô
        ÓWhat are you talking aboutØÔ
        ÓThe thing about the hospital. That wasnÒt spoken, but I did think it.Ô
        She felt confused. ÓYou must have said it. I heard you.Ô
        Can you hear thisØ
        ÓYes,Ô she said. ÓI can.Ô
        JacobÒs brows drew together. Oh shit.
        She heard his voice that time also, even though his lips didnÒt move.
        Her eyes widened. ÓI can hear your thoughts. Why can I hear your thoughtsØÔ
        He shook his head. ÓI have no idea.Ô
        ÓThink something else.Ô
        Sorry about the panties. Were they expensiveØ
        She gasped. ÓI heard that!Ô
        Jacob stared at her for a very long time before a slow grin spread across his face. ÓThatÒs pretty cool.Ô
        ÓNo, it is not cool!Ô Her mouth was dry. ÓLast nightÅright after the flash and the pain I could have sworn I could read your thoughts then just a little. But I ignored it. Now itÒs much louder and clearer.Ô She put a hand over her mouth to stifle the shock of what she was saying. She could hear what Jacob was thinking. For real. ÓWe need to get back to the office before whatever this is gets any worse.Ô
        ÓWhat else do you think is wrong with usØÔ
        ÓOther than my reading every thought that flits through your brain thanks to the grandfather clock from hellØÔ
        His mouth quirked. ÓDonÒt forget about the fact that you canÒt seem to keep your hands off of me. As proven a minute ago. Which, if it wasnÒt obvious, was fairly mind-blowing.Ô
        How could he be so blase about thisØ
        She gritted her teeth. ÓDrive.Ô
        He obliged her without further argument and pulled the car back onto the road. They werenÒt that far outside Mystic Ridge. Another uncomfortable twenty minutes and theyÒd be back and ready to deal with this latest disturbing side effect.
        She tried to ignore the thoughts moving through JacobÒs mind that were mostly memories of her naked. She shot him a dirty look.
        ÓWhatØÔ he asked.
        ÓPlease stop thinking about me like that. I canÒt block you out anymore.Ô
        SheÒs so cute when sheÒs mad. I canÒt imagine her boyfriend ever gets her this worked up. Maybe IÒm special.
        ÓAnd stop thinking that, too!Ô She covered her face with her hands. ÓDonÒt bring David into this.Ô
        ÓConsider the subject off-limits.Ô
        ÓGood.Ô
        Not long now. Almost back. And then she was going to run as far away from Jacob Caine as she could as fast as her legs could carry her.


        JACOB CLEARED his throat ten minutes later. He thought enough time had passed that it might be safe to speak again. ÓSo, you can hear everything in my headØÔ
        ÓI think so.Ô
        That was disturbing. He had some thoughts×hell, he had a lot of thoughts×that it would be best that Amanda never listen in on.
        If she could really mind-read, thanks to that enchanted clock, then she would have been able to see that his bravado this morning after her swift dismissal of him had been put on and he was still pissed about being rejected like a piece of garbage.
        Shit, he thought. I canÒt think that. SheÒll hear me.
        He glanced at her. She gave no indication of listening in, in fact, she looked as if she wanted to be anywhere but in the car next to him despite what had happened between them just a short time ago. His body was still on fire from the uncontrollable need he felt for her, but his ego was definitely taking a beating.
        Maybe this wasnÒt so bad. Maybe if they spent some time together to break whatever spell this was he couldÅ
        WhatØ What was he going to doØ Convince her not to move awayØ
        Damn. IÒm thinking too much. Have to stop that.
        ÓYes, please do!Ô Amanda said. ÓThe sooner the better.Ô
        Not good. And he didnÒt seem to be able to read her mind in return to even the playing field.
        HeÒd thought it was amusing or even interesting for a moment, but this little side effect to their magically induced tryst wasnÒt even slightly funny anymore. He forced himself not to think about anything except the highway ahead of him as he pressed down on the accelerator.
        ÓThis actually brings to mind the conversation we had before we got to the house last night,Ô Jacob said, then gritted his teeth as he thought about it. ÓShit. ItÒs like the clock heard us even before we got there.Ô
        ÓWhat conversationØÔ
        ÓThe one where you told me you know exactly what IÒm thinking.Ô
        ÓDid I say thatØÔ
        ÓYeah, you did.Ô
        ÓA coincidence.Ô But she didnÒt look convinced.
        He gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter. He knew that some spells worked using the energy that the victims already had×passion, anger, fear, love, hate, you name it. If theyÒd argued about Amanda being able to read his mind and now she could do just that, then maybe it wasnÒt simply a coincidence. Maybe the clockÒs spell had latched on to the strong emotions they felt about each other, even before hitting the sheets.
        ÓIt was the same conversation where you said I couldnÒt lie to you,Ô Amanda said, using her unnerving new mind-reading ability to follow along with his thoughts.
        ÓI did say that.Ô He concentrated on the dashed line in the center of the road. If Amanda couldnÒt lie to him, that would be very interesting. He couldnÒt remember if heÒd asked her any questions that morning. ÓYou donÒt think that×Ô
        ÓI donÒt know.Ô
        ÓHow old are youØÔ he asked with a side glance at her.
        ÓTwenty-seven,Ô she said immediately.
        ÓIs that the truthØÔ He raised an eyebrow.
        She shrugged. ÓItÒs the truth, but itÒs not really that important. I have a few years before I start lying about my age.Ô
        He needed another question to test this theory. Something she wouldnÒt be so open about. ÓDo you find me attractiveØÔ
        ÓVery,Ô she said and then her eyes widened. ÓShit. Maybe we should stop right there.Ô
        The previous concern about their bespellment had become amusement again. WasnÒt this a fine situation. Amanda LaGrange, unable to lie to him. What possibilities that presented.
        He opened his mouth, but Amanda swiftly moved to clamp her hand down over it. He had to fight to keep the car going in a straight line.
        ÓBe quiet.Ô Her eyes flashed with something that looked a lot like fear. ÓThereÒs no reason for us to play this game any longer. The clock cursed us last night at midnight and this is another manifestation of that. The ghosts were cursed, too, and you know what happened to themØ They were shot to death and now theyÒre stuck in that house until we figure out a way to free them or we exorcise them. We canÒt mess around with this sort of magic in case it triggers any other side effects.Ô
        She is such a party pooper.
        ÓIf being responsible is being a party pooper then I guess thatÒs what I am.Ô She glared at him. ÓIf I remove my hand do you promise to behaveØÔ
        He nodded.
        She removed her hand.
        He couldnÒt resist one more. ÓAre you really in love with your boyfriendØÔ
        ÓNo,Ô she answered, then groaned at her lightning-fast reply and gave him a look cold enough to flash-freeze the soul of a lesser man. ÓWhy would you even ask me something like thatØÔ
        ÓI was just curious.Ô
        She swallowed hard. ÓYeah, well, maybe IÒm not one hundred percent in love, but I have deep affection for him. HeÒs everything IÒve ever dreamed of in a man.Ô
        He tried not to feel pleased by her answer despite her flimsy attempt to explain it away. HeÒd known that a woman of passion like Amanda could never be in love with someone like David K. Smith.
        What kind of guy said his middle initial when he introduced himself anywayØ


        CHAPTER 7


        There was something seriously wrong with her.
        Amanda had been at PARA headquarters for two hours. It was a skeleton crew on Saturdays, but someone was always on call 24/7 in case of emergency. SheÒd gone directly to her office, even though she really wanted to get in her slate-gray Honda Accord sheÒd left parked in the back lot and go straight home. She had to input her report. Really, she just wanted to stay busy so she wouldnÒt have to think. Thinking was bad.
        There was an e-mail waiting for her from Patrick.
        ÓI need to speak to you,Ô it read. ÓSee me first thing on Monday.Ô
        She cringed, knowing that the angry client had already contacted him about finding her and Jacob sleeping in her bed.
        She covered her face with her hands in embarrassment at the thought. It was like an X-rated version of Goldilocks.
        She was mortified.
        She wanted to forget everything as soon as humanly possible.
        It was really a shame that she couldnÒt think about anything else. And it wasnÒt only the sex that she was focused on. It was Jacob himself.
        She didnÒt feel anything for him, she reminded herself.
        Why was that so damned hard to rememberØ
        SheÒd talk to Patrick on Monday. That gave her the rest of the weekend to process everything and try to make her peace with it. Besides, what was he going to doØ Fire herØ SheÒd already resigned. It was just a matter of a few more days before sheÒd be clearing out her desk and leaving her friends at PARA once and for all.
        The thought should have been a relief; instead it just made her feel sad.
        In the meantime, she had to find out as much as possible about the house, the ghosts and the clock. She wanted to do what she could to resolve the curse the spirits were under. SheÒd never been so opposed to an exorcism before.
        It should have been simple. Ghosts refused to leaveØ Make them leave.
        But it wasnÒt.
        Other than having a strange feeling of compassion for their situation, Amanda had to admit she was more than a bit nervous about herself. Whatever had happened to the ghosts had also happened to her and Jacob. Magic was at work×the magic from that damned enchanted clock×and she needed to make sure it wasnÒt going to harm them any more than it already had. Or, for that matter, anyone else who might come in contact with it.
        She logged on to the PARA database and started hunting for information about the clock, the location of the house and the ghosts themselves.
        She found out that a Catherine Myles and her husband had owned the house a hundred years ago. There was no public record of a servant named Nathan that she could find, and the info on Catherine was flimsy at best. Nothing deeper than general facts about her life as a woman married to a rich, controlling businessman in upper New York state. Nothing about an aunt who practiced witchcraft.
        After two hours, Amanda felt frustrated with the search. Then again, nothing was ever easy, was itØ If she wanted to get the real story sheÒd have to do a bit more digging. Maybe Patrick would be able to help her. He was great at research. For that matter, so was her friend Vicky.
        She sat in her chair and concentrated for a few minutes. At the moment, she felt completely in control of herself. No strange psychic flashes or mind-reading going on. No compulsion to throw anyone down and ravish them shamelessly.
        It was very good.
        Her cell phone rang and she pulled it out of her purse to answer it.
        ÓAmanda,Ô David said in greeting.
        Her eyes widened and she pressed back in her leather swivel chair. ÓHi, David. How are youØÔ Her voice sounded a bit weak.
        ÓExcellent. And youØÔ
        ÓWonderful. Really, really great.Ô She tried to put a tone of levity in her words but failed.
        He never had to know. It was a spell. She shouldnÒt feel guilty about it since sheÒd had no control over what had happened. She would start her new life with David, wonderful David, and everything would be fine.
        There was a pause. ÓYou sound upset. Is anything wrongØÔ
        ÓNo, no, IÒm fine. It was a late night at work. I was sent on a last-minute assignment.Ô
        ÓYouÒre such a hard worker. What are they going to do without youØÔ There was a great deal of pride in his voice toward her dedication to her job, which only made her feel worse, if that was possible. ÓListen, I wanted to tell you I got a reservation for us at Chez Nuit tonight.Ô
        ÓOkay, great.Ô
        ÓIÒll pick you up at sevenØÔ
        ÓSounds perfect.Ô
        And it did. Her wonderful boyfriend was attuned to her wants and needs. He owned his own thriving business. Not that having a boyfriend with money was important to her. She preferred to earn her own spending money instead of having to rely on any man. Her father running out on the family when she was a kid had taught her that at an early age.
        Plus, David was very attractive, well-dressed and impeccable in every way.
        And theyÒd never gotten into a single argument. Not one. Although, she figured keeping the true nature of her job at PARA away from him probably helped in this area.
        David was, in a word, perfect.
        Are you really in love with your boyfriendØ JacobÒs nosy question from earlier poked at her.
        No, had been her immediate response, thanks to the clockÒs spell that seemed to make her compelled to tell him the truth. A very dangerous thing indeed.
        However, it was true. She didnÒt love David, but she had faith that sheÒd grow to love him. All of this love-at-first-sight stuff was highly overrated. There was no such thing as love at first sight. Lust at first sight, maybe. And lust faded quickly. A solid friendship, like that she and David had, given enough time to grow and mature into love, would stand the test of time.
        She nodded to herself. Time was all she needed. Time away from Mystic Ridge and time away from Jacob Caine.
        As far as she was concerned, she never wanted to see him again.


        JACOB had decided to never see Amanda the Strange again.
        Ever.
        It was over.
        Completely and utterly over between them. Not that it had ever begun.
        He pointed at the shot glass in front of him and the bartender obliged him by filling it up with Jack DanielÒs for theÅhow many was itØ HeÒd lost count. Good job OÒGradyÒs let him keep a tab. He was good for it. HeÒd never try to get out of any debts he owed for this wonderful, mind-numbing alcohol.
        Yes, he was drunk. Being drunk was good. He liked it. He wouldnÒt like it tomorrow when he would have to deal with the unavoidable hangover, but hell if he gave a damn at the moment.
        He eyed his watch×nine oÒclock. He still had a whole lot more Saturday night to get through. He was going to keep drinking until he could wipe AmandaÒs face and body out of his memory forever.
        Goodbye, ghost girl.
        ÓHey!Ô He motioned for the bartender. ÓI think I want to make a toast.Ô
        The bartender, whose name was Steve, eyed him wearily. ÓYeahØ What toØÔ
        ÓTo women.Ô
        ÓThatÒs not much of a toast, man.Ô
        Jacob held up a finger. ÓIÒm not finished. To women who have screwed me and then screwed me over. May they all rot in hell!Ô
        SteveÒs lips quirked. ÓThat IÒll definitely drink to.Ô He poured himself a shot, clinked glasses with Jacob, and they both sucked down the whisky.
        ÓAgain,Ô Jacob pointed at the glass.
        ÓYouÒre not driving tonight, I hopeØÔ
        ÓNo way. Left my car at home. The walkÒll do me good.Ô
        ÓFresh air, exercise and all that bullshit.Ô
        ÓThatÒs right.Ô
        Steve eyed him. ÓMay I make a casual observationØÔ
        Jacob waved a hand. ÓBe my guest.Ô
        ÓNormally, when you come in here youÒre not alone, and I never see you with the same woman twice. Which one are you trying to forget tonightØÔ
        Jacob snorted. ÓFunny, IÒve already forgotten.Ô
        He wished it was true.
        He didnÒt want to fixate on her. It was sad and pathetic. He didnÒt do sad and pathetic anymore. HeÒd left that side of himself in Seattle two years ago when heÒd moved here to start a new life.
        ÓMaybe IÒll become a monk,Ô Jacob decided.
        ÓThat doesnÒt sound like a very good plan to me.Ô
        ÓI could try it. WhatÒs the harmØÔ
        Steve grinned at him. ÓYou know what the best way to get over somebody isØÔ
        ÓTell me.Ô
        ÓGet with somebody else. As soon as possible.Ô
        Jacob leaned over the bar. ÓYou are a wise, wise man.Ô
        ÓThatÒs why I get paid the big bucks.Ô SteveÒs grin widened. ÓAnd if you donÒt mind me helping you out a bit, thereÒs a babe over in the corner whoÒs been giving you the eye all evening. IÒd put money on her being a sure thing.Ô
        Jacob swiveled around on his stool and looked in the direction the bartender had nodded. And sure enough, there was a beautiful blonde staring at him. She wore a short skirt and had fantastic breasts that practically spilled out the top of her tight red top.
        ÓYou donÒt have to thank me,Ô Steve said. ÓJust send me an invite to the wedding.Ô
        Jacob tested his legs by standing up for the first time in an hour and moved toward the blonde without thinking twice. Yes, this was exactly what he needed. He needed to forget Amanda. After all, she already thought he was a womanizer. And that was an accurate enough description, at least until lately. He loved women. Always had.
        This woman looked easy to love. Or, maybe she just looked easy.
        ÓHey, beautiful,Ô he said, then cringed at his words. He could totally do better than that.
        Luckily the blonde didnÒt seem to mind. ÓHey. YouÒre Jacob, rightØÔ
        ÓGuilty as charged.Ô
        ÓIÒve been waiting for the chance to talk to you. I would have gone up to the bar but×Ô She leaned forward to share some of her cleavage with him. Ó×IÒm way too shy.Ô
        Sure she was.
        ÓWhatÒs your nameØÔ he asked.
        ÓMandy.Ô
        He grimaced. Mandy sounded a lot like Amanda. Too much like it. A thin layer of his pleasant inebriation burned off at the thought.
        She patted the seat next to her. ÓCome sit with me.Ô
        He sat. He needed to order more drinks. He couldnÒt let himself sober up. Not tonight.
        ÓI have to be honest.Ô MandyÒs gaze slowly traveled the length of him. ÓYou went out with my sister Emily last year and she couldnÒt stop talking about how amazing you were in bed.Ô
        ÓOh yeahØÔ He racked his mind for anything that might clue him in to who Emily had been. The fact that nothing came to mind did not make him proud.
        ÓMm-hmm,Ô Mandy wrapped her hand around his left knee and began to rub. ÓI guess I just wanted to find out for myself.Ô
        He nodded stiffly. ÓSounds good to me.Ô
        ÓYou donÒt know how good.Ô Her red lips curled into a sexy smile and she leaned forward to kiss him as her hand boldly moved up his thigh.
        Mandy wasnÒt bashful, that was for sure.
        And he wanted this. A gorgeous blonde with a sexy little body throwing herself at himØ Giving him every indication that she was ready, willing and able even without having to use his empathic ability to get a read on her true feelingsØ That sounded like a very good thing indeed.
        At least it did in theory.
        She moved away from him and frowned when she realized that he wasnÒt kissing her back. ÓSomething wrongØÔ
        He shook his head. ÓNothing.Ô
        ÓDonÒt you find me attractiveØÔ
        ÓYouØ YouÒre hot. No question.Ô
        ÓThen whatÒs the problemØÔ
        That was an excellent question.
        ÓI donÒt know,Ô he said.
        That was not an excellent answer.
        ÓI want you to take me back to your place,Ô she whispered, and wrapped her arms around him so her large breasts brushed against his chest. ÓIÒm not normally this forward, but I really want you, even if itÒs just for tonight. IÒm okay with one-night stands.Ô
        Hot blonde. Hot body. Willing to have sex with him with no strings attached.
        And he had never been less aroused in his entire life.
        Something was seriously wrong with that picture.
        He pried her arms away from him. ÓThis isnÒt going to work.Ô
        ÓWhy notØÔ
        ÓBecauseÅÔ He grappled for a response. ÓBecause IÒm not in a good place tonight. I need to get my thoughts together.Ô
        Understanding came over her face. ÓIs this a girlfriend issueØ Because I can be very discreet.Ô
        The woman was every heterosexual manÒs wet dream come true.
        But Jacob knew that a simple night of sex was not in the cards for him at the moment and it wasnÒt just because of the alcohol. It was because of the picture seared into his brain.
        A picture of Amanda.
        A hot line of annoyance burned the rest of his buzz away.
        That was Amanda for you, he thought. The ultimate buzz kill.
        Then he gripped the side of his chair as another thought occurred to him.
        This had to be a part of the curse. The clock was still working its magic nearly twenty-four hours after theyÒd first come in contact with it. Amanda could read his thoughts and he could make her tell the truth. They were compelled to be together sexually if in close proximity for too long.
        And he could not get it up for anybody other than her.
        He was in serious trouble.


        CHAPTER 8


        Jacob stayed at the bar for another half hour before he decided to call it a night. He wasnÒt sure exactly what tomorrow would bring, but he knew he had to find an answer. He had to find a way to break the curse and the invisible ties that seemed to bind him to Amanda so tightly that he could barely look at another woman.
        He emerged into the warm night air and began walking down the sidewalk. His house was less than a mile away and his chosen route there was through the populated area of the small town. Strip malls, restaurants and a multiplex theater.
        He didnÒt want to think about Amanda or what she was up to that night, but he couldnÒt help it. He absently fished into his pocket and pulled out the digital camera, flicking it on and scrolling past the pictures heÒd taken of the grandfather clock. There it was. ThatÒs what he was looking for.
        It was the shot heÒd taken of Amanda in the hall outside the bedroom. She looked over her shoulder at him, her bright-blue eyes burning right into him from her beautiful face. There was a longing in those eyes. A deep, aching need that only he could fill.
        Then again, he had had a lot to drink tonight. He was probably seeing things that werenÒt there at all.
        ÓWhat am I going to do about youØÔ he asked the picture very seriously.
        When the picture didnÒt respond, he grudgingly shut the camera off and stuffed it back into his pocket. HeÒd have to download the photos Monday morning at the office. HeÒd talk to Patrick. Maybe the boss would know what to do, because he sure as hell didnÒt.
        He kept walking, one foot in front of the other, until he passed a restaurant called Chez Nuit. Fancy, expensive French food with cream sauces and hard-to-pronounce names that didnÒt appeal to him at all. Two people exited the restaurant as he strolled past and his chest tightened as he saw that one was Amanda.
        He was about to avert his gaze and keep walking despite the sight of her acting like a lightning bolt straight to his heart and crotch, when she frowned, turned to the left and their eyes met. Hers widened slightly.
        CoincidenceØ he wondered. Or was this chance meeting part of their shared curseØ He hadnÒt been going to take this way home but something had made him turn onto this street that had led him to her. An irresistible compulsion.
        She looked incredible in a black dress that fitted her slim but curvy frame perfectly, low-cut enough to give the slightest glimpse of the deep valley between her mouthwateringly perfect breasts. She wore her long dark hair loose, draped over her left shoulder. He remembered what that hair felt like running through his fingers; brushing against his face, his lips, his chest. So incredibly soft and it smelled so, so good.
        He frowned. Could she read his mind from this far awayØ
        She didnÒt immediately turn around and run away from him. That was a good start. Pushing aside any fears, he made a beeline directly toward her, his eyes never leaving hers for a second.
        ÓAmanda,Ô he said, but couldnÒt seem to summon a smile.
        She looked nervous. ÓJacob. Fancy seeing you here.Ô
        ÓI was spending some quality time over at OÒGradyÒs.Ô He nodded in the direction of the bar.
        Damn, she was so beautiful. He couldnÒt stand it. Why couldnÒt she be uglyØ Maybe that would make this easier. Or, hell, maybe not. He wasnÒt sure anymore.
        She bit her lip and looked down at the ground.
        Shit, she heard me, he thought, and then willed his inner voice to shut the hell up before he made any more of a damn fool out of himself.
        ÓJacob Caine, rightØÔ the man standing next to her said. Jacob had only fuzzily registered that there was anyone else in the vicinity. ÓWe met once before.Ô
        Jacob felt the color drain from his face, and he tore his gaze away from Amanda to look at the dude in the suit that probably cost as much as he paid for a monthÒs rent. He was tall, not unattractive, and he held out his hand in greeting. Jacob eyed it warily before shaking it.
        ÓDavid,Ô he replied, feeling bile rise in his throat. ÓGood to see you again.Ô
        David K. Smith. Mr. Perfect Boyfriend at your service. The man responsible for whisking Amanda away to her so-called normal life in the big city where she could forget about ghosts, curses and Jacob.
        ÓAmanda,Ô Jacob said. ÓWe need to talk about, uh, the job last night.Ô
        ÓYou accompanied Amanda on her assignment last nightØÔ David asked in a conversational tone.
        Jacob raised an eyebrow. ÓI did.Ô
        ÓThank you for taking care of her and bringing her back in one piece.Ô
        Jacob gritted his teeth together. HeÒd taken care of her, all right. ÓBelieve me, it was my pleasure.Ô
        He flicked a glance at Amanda to see if she appreciated his choice of words. She looked as if she wanted to shrivel up and disappear. Her gaze was wide and he could practically read her mind, even though that was her talent, not his.
        DonÒt say another word! is what her expression screamed at him.
        ÓYou had dinner at Chez NuitØÔ Jacob asked.
        ÓYes,Ô Amanda replied tightly. ÓItÒs one of our favorite restaurants.Ô
        ÓWe went on our very first date here,Ô David added, and curled an arm around AmandaÒs waist. ÓFond memories.Ô
        Jacob smiled tightly. ÓIÒm sure. The food here isnÒt my style. Did you enjoy your dinner, AmandaØÔ
        ÓNot really,Ô she said quickly and then her face crumpled and reddened a bit. ÓI×I mean, of course I did. I loved it.Ô Her eyes moved to David. ÓIt was delicious, really.Ô
        He chuckled inwardly. CanÒt lie to me at the moment, LaGrange. RememberØ
        David looked slightly bemused. ÓIf you say so.Ô
        The adoring look on DavidÒs face, despite his obvious confusion, was unnerving to say the least. In a way, Jacob wished David was an ogre rather than a nice guy×despite the middle initial×who genuinely liked her. ÓListen, Amanda, I need to talk to you.Ô
        ÓCan it waitØÔ she asked.
        ÓNot for very long.Ô
        ÓIs this work-relatedØÔ David asked.
        ÓOf course,Ô Amanda said. ÓWhat else would it beØÔ
        What else would it beØ Jacob thought drolly. Other than the fact that weÒve had sex three times since the clock cursed usØ The fact that you can read my mind right nowØ WouldnÒt want your darling boyfriend to know about that, would youØ Might put a bit of a crimp in your master plan.
        ÓJacob is very dedicated to his job,Ô she added.
        Plus the overwhelming need to kiss you right now. IÒm not proud. Just putting it out there in case you want to ditch this guy tonight.
        She narrowed her eyes at him.
        He couldnÒt help but grin.
        DonÒt worry, beautiful. IÒm not going to out you. But we need to talk. IÒm serious.
        ÓWhen is good for youØÔ he asked out loud.
        She crossed her arms. ÓTomorrow morning. IÒm available to discussÅbusiness mattersÅbetween ten and ten-thirty.Ô
        ÓPencil me in.Ô
        ÓIÒll do that.Ô She was biting her bottom lip again, obviously a nervous habit, and he found he couldnÒt stop staring at that lush, sexy mouth of hers.
        ÓNice to see you again, Jacob,Ô David said.
        ÓYeah, you, too,Ô Jacob responded half-heartedly, trying to push away any dark thoughts about AmandaÒs perfect boyfriend. None of this was DavidÒs fault. It was nobodyÒs fault, actually.
        HeÒd never understand, would heØ Jacob pushed the thought in AmandaÒs direction.
        ÓNo, he wouldnÒt,Ô she said aloud, then cringed.
        David gave her a strange look. ÓWhat did you say, AmandaØÔ
        ÓNothing.Ô She forced a smile, then glanced at Jacob. ÓIÒll see you tomorrow.Ô
        ÓCount on it.Ô
        With a last look at the woman who now haunted his waking hours completely, he turned and forced himself to walk away from her.


        AMANDA barely slept that night. She was too busy turning everything over and over in her head and trying to make sense of it all.
        But it didnÒt make any sense.
        Even during dinner last night with David she could barely concentrate on the food or wine or conversation. David had been very patient with her, assuming that sheÒd had a tough, draining assignment the previous night. He didnÒt grill her about it.
        When heÒd dropped her off at home after their awkward talk with Jacob outside Chez Nuit, heÒd given her a brief kiss on her cheek.
        ÓItÒll all be okay,Ô he said. ÓYouÒre making the right decision. DonÒt worry.Ô
        He thought she was having second thoughts about leaving Mystic Ridge. But she wasnÒt. If there was one thing she was certain about, it was her upcoming move.
        She sat in the middle of her living room surrounded by dozens of packing boxes. Today she was focusing on organizing her massive book collection. Funny how many things one acquired over six years of living in the same place. Boxes and boxes of memories, not including the bags of junk that she planned to donate.
        The doorbell rang and she tensed. A glance at the clock told her it was ten minutes to ten. She shook her head. Jacob had never been early a day in his life, but today he was making an exceptionØ Fabulous. Really. Just wonderful.
        Last night sheÒd seen him before she could read his thoughts. She couldnÒt hear anything until he was within a dozen feet of her. Obviously this mind-reading ability had everything to do with proximity, which confirmed that her recent decision to keep away from him was the easiest way of dealing with this curse. Once sheÒd left town, the curse would simply cease to be an issue for either of them.
        Despite that, she pushed away the annoying shiver of anticipation she got at the thought of seeing him again and rose to her feet. This would be simple. SheÒd tell him her plan to discuss matters with Patrick at the office tomorrow, get his feedback, but otherwise pretend that nothing had happened. As far as she was concerned, nothing had happened.
        Do you even lie to yourselfØ her inner voice scolded.
        The fact that she could barely touch David last night was an indication of how self-delusional she was being. Her awkwardness with him wasnÒt only because of the guilt she felt at betraying his trust. It had been a whole day since sheÒd last had sex with Jacob, but it felt as if his body had branded her. When she closed her eyes it was his face she saw, not DavidÒs. That was disturbing on too many levels to count.
        Not because of how Jacob had made her feel when theyÒd made love, but because she knew it wasnÒt real.
        She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was fake because it was too big, this feeling inside her; sheÒd never felt this kind of overpowering need before in her entire life.
        If she thought it was real, if she let herself explore the sensations and emotions heÒd effortlessly coaxed from herÅthen sheÒd be in more trouble than she already was. Because if she was truthful with herself, sheÒd liked it. SheÒd liked him. Everything about him and everything theyÒd experienced together. She knew she could easily fall head-over-heels in love with Jacob Caine if she let herself.
        And that wasnÒt going to happen. Not a chance.
        She reminded herself of this sternly as she opened the door, fixing a frozen smile on her face, and was surprised at who stood on the other side. It was a well-dressed, dark-haired woman in her midfifties who was extremely familiar despite Amanda not having seen her for a few months.
        ÓMomØÔ she squeaked. ÓWhat are you doing hereØÔ
        ÓI came to see if the rumors IÒve heard were true.Ô Her motherÒs gaze moved past her daughter and into the small house. ÓAnd they are. YouÒre finally moving away from this dreary little townØÔ
        ÓIÅI am. Yes.Ô
        Madeleine stood there for a moment tapping her right foot. ÓAre you going to invite me inØÔ
        Amanda snapped out of her daze and waved an arm. ÓOf course. Please, come in. I have coffee made. Would you like a cupØÔ
        ÓIÒm drinking green tea now. Do you have any of thatØÔ
        ÓSorry, no.Ô She awkwardly hugged her mother, trying to get over her surprise at this impromptu visit. ÓCome in, have a seat.Ô
        ÓI canÒt stay long.Ô
        ÓI understand. But itÒs so wonderful that you dropped by.Ô
        Her motherÒs new husband was a banker. SheÒd only seen Madeleine twice since the wedding last year, but both times sheÒd been wearing only the best, most expensive fashions, and her hair had always been perfectly in place. This was a far cry from the woman Amanda remembered from her childhood, whoÒd had to take on two jobs after AmandaÒs father had left them without any savings.
        She pushed the painful memory away.
        ÓWhere are you movingØÔ her mother asked, glancing at the boxes.
        It said quite a lot about their relationship that sheÒd neglected to mention her upcoming move to her mother. She was sure she would have gotten to it, given enough time. She already had those change-of-address notices filled out.
        ÓNew York City,Ô she said. ÓManhattan.Ô
        Her mother raised an eyebrow. ÓIs this because of a manØÔ
        ÓNo. Not entirely. I thought it was time for me to start new somewhere. IÒm going into the advertising business.Ô
        ÓReallyØÔ Her mother seemed surprised by this. ÓI thought you were perfectly happy working for that strange little company here. After all, itÒs been how many years nowØ FourØÔ
        ÓSix, actually. I guess I needed a change.Ô
        ÓSo you wonÒt be requiring your uniqueÅskill setÅat the new jobØÔ
        Her mother had never referred to her psychic abilities except in the most vague and disapproving terms possible. ÓThatÒs right.Ô
        ÓVery interesting. And you said Ñnot entirelyÒ because of a man, but there is someone involvedØÔ
        ÓYes. His name is David and IÒm moving to be with him.Ô
        ÓIs heÅÔ Her mother pursed her lips. ÓDifferentØÔ
        ÓIf youÒre asking if heÒs psychic, no he isnÒt. David is the most normal man I think IÒve ever met. IÒm sure youÒd love him.Ô
        This brought the first smile sheÒd seen on her motherÒs face in as long as she could remember. ÓThis is wonderful, Amanda. Finally, after all this time youÒve seen the light. You see that your current lifestyle would not bring you the future you so deserve. All IÒve ever wanted for you was the chance to be normal and happy.Ô
        Normal and happy. A mutually exclusive pairingØ
        The doorbell rang again and AmandaÒs stomach sank. She considered ignoring it, but that wasnÒt a very good solution. Jacob struck her as a persistent man when it came to getting what he wanted.
        ÓJust a moment,Ô she told her mother and went to the door. The sight of Jacob swept her breath away for a moment. Today he wore a dark-green button-down shirt that made his green eyes more noticeable, and dark jeans. Despite everything, she felt herself weaken a bit as the desire she desperately tried to repress swirled inside of her.
        He actually gave her a half smile. ÓGood morning.Ô
        ÓThis isnÒt a good time.Ô
        The smile faded. ÓWe had an appointment.Ô
        ÓI know. But, myÅmy mother is here. I didnÒt expect her.Ô
        ÓWho is it, AmandaØÔ her mother called from the living room.
        Jacob raised a dark eyebrow. ÓYour motherØ I would love to meet her.Ô
        She almost smiled at how inappropriate that idea was. ÓNot a good idea.Ô
        ÓI disagree.Ô
        ÓWhy am I not surprisedØÔ
        He leveled his gaze with hers. ÓYou said we could talk. We need to talk. I donÒt want to put this off any longer. Please, let me come in.Ô
        Being this close to him was dangerous, but she finally stepped aside to let him into her house. As he brushed past her, the briefest contact brought with it a dangerous storm warning for her growing inner hurricane.


        THE WOMAN looked so much like an older version of Amanda he would have known it was her mother without being told. After all, heÒd memorized every nuance of her daughterÒs face. He couldnÒt erase it from his mind if he wanted to.
        She shared AmandaÒs beautiful smile, as well. ÓYou must be David,Ô she said. ÓAmanda, he is very handsome.Ô
        Amanda moved toward her motherÒs side, carefully avoiding JacobÒs eyes. ÓNo, this isnÒt David, actually. This isÅuhÅJacob Caine. HeÒs a coworker of mine. Jacob, this is my mother, Madeleine Harper.Ô
        The smile faded from MadeleineÒs face and was replaced with an expression of disapproval. ÓI see. A coworker, you sayØÔ
        Amanda nodded and studied the floor.
        ÓGreat to meet you,Ô Jacob said. ÓAnd thanks for calling me handsome.Ô
        AmandaÒs lips quirked at that as she repressed a smile.
        So this was the woman who didnÒt approve of her daughter and had made her feel abnormal because of her abilities, huhØ He could barely believe what Amanda had told him last night, that her father had abandoned their family because he couldnÒt deal with having a psychically gifted daughter.
        The thought made his blood boil. Who would turn their back on their family for a stupid reason like thatØ No wonder Amanda had major hang-ups about what she could do. SheÒd never been properly nurtured. Nobody had told her while growing up that there was absolutely nothing wrong or abnormal about her.
        Instead sheÒd grown up feeling like a freak of nature for being psychic, and that was so deeply embedded in her that she couldnÒt see any differently now that she was an adult.
        She couldnÒt see how wonderful and amazing she was. Well, he could see it. He could see it only too clearly.
        AmandaÒs forehead was furrowed in a frown and she raised her gaze to his.
        Shit, she heard me, he thought. Why do I have to think so muchØ
        Madeleine was studying them a bit too intently. ÓWhere is David right now, dearØÔ
        AmandaÒs shoulders stiffened. ÓOn his way back to his office in New York.Ô
        ÓHe works on SundaysØÔ
        ÓHeÒs very dedicated to his job. He owns the company. HeÒll be back for my going-away party on Tuesday night and then heÒll stay to help me move out on Wednesday.Ô
        Madeleine looked satisfied with that answer. ÓHe sounds like a wonderful man.Ô
        Yeah, Jacob thought. Wonderfully, boringly normal. YouÒd definitely approve of the wonderfully, boringly normal life he plans to give your daughter.
        That earned him a sharp glare from Amanda, but he ignored it. It amused him a little that he could still push her buttons without even saying a word out loud.
        ÓYou said you came here for a meetingØÔ Madeleine directed the question at Jacob.
        ÓI did.Ô
        ÓIÒm curious about what kind of a meeting my daughter had planned for a Sunday morning just as her boyfriend has left town.Ô
        Jacob repressed a smile. ÓIt is unusual timing, isnÒt itØÔ
        Madeleine wasnÒt amused. ÓI know IÒm not a large part of my daughterÒs life anymore, but I am fully invested in her happiness. And IÒm also a quick study. From what I gather, sheÒs found that happiness with David. Enough so that sheÒs leaving this horrid little town to be with him.Ô
        ÓShe hasnÒt left yet,Ô Jacob said. ÓNot for three more days.Ô
        ÓJacob and I have a case to discuss, thatÒs all,Ô Amanda interjected.
        ÓHavenÒt you quit your jobØÔ
        ÓYes, but×Ô
        ÓHonestly,Ô Madeleine waved her hand. ÓIf it were me, IÒd want to get as far away from this insanity the moment I was given the opportunity.Ô
        ÓWould youØÔ Jacob said dryly.
        She fixed him with a steady gaze. ÓI would.Ô
        He didnÒt have to know AmandaÒs mother very long to get a good sense of her. The woman had lived a hard life. She was a survivor. She had a very fixed idea of what was right and wrong and it would take a lot to make her deviate from that opinion. He didnÒt think she was a bad woman, but there was a hardness to her, an edge, that heÒd seen glimpses of in Amanda herself. This was Amanda in twenty-five years. This was Amanda if she repressed her abilities because she didnÒt accept herself. No passion, no spark, just somebody who thought they knew best.
        ÓI think you should leave,Ô Amanda said aloud. SheÒd listened in on his thoughts and hadnÒt liked what sheÒd heard.
        ÓDo you really want me to leaveØÔ he asked, wanting to coax the truth out of her.
        ÓYes,Ô she responded.
        Sometimes the truth hurt.
        ÓIt was a pleasure meeting you,Ô he lied and held a hand out to Madeleine, who shook it since it was the polite thing to do.
        ÓLikewise,Ô she said.
        He squeezed her hand and opened up his mind to hers×his psychic ability that helped him get a read on people. It was the reason heÒd been recruited to work for PARA, after all. His empathic ability was similar to reading someoneÒs mind, but not exactly. After all, one could lie with their thoughts, but they couldnÒt lie with their subconscious. And thatÒs what he tapped into.
        He allowed the images to move through his mind, hoping that Amanda could also see them as clearly as he could.
        AmandaÒs mother had a very flimsy hold on her pleasant-faced control. The immediate hate she felt toward Jacob was evident in her subconscious. She saw him as part of the problem; part of what she loathed, which was anything she didnÒt understand. She didnÒt like psychics. Her strong religious beliefs didnÒt mesh with accepting anything supernatural. To her, a psychic of any kind represented all that was unnatural and evil.
        ÓWill you please let go of my handØÔ she asked evenly.
        ÓIn a moment,Ô Jacob said. ÓI have a question for you first, if you donÒt mind.Ô
        Her smile held, although there was no warmth in her cool blue eyes. ÓWhat is itØÔ
        ÓDid your husband really leave you because of AmandaØ Because he feared her clairvoyancyØ Did he think she made that ghost push him down the stairsØ Or did he leave for an entirely different reasonØÔ
        A flash of anger went through her gaze. ÓOur personal lives are none of your business.Ô
        ÓNo, youÒre right. But IÒm curious. IÒm getting the sense that you have held a lot back from Amanda. Do you know what itÒs done to herØ Do you have any idea how much your lack of approval has shaped the way she leads her life and sees the world around herØÔ
        ÓI donÒt know what youÒre talking about.Ô
        But she did. He could feel it under the surface. Repressed memories, ignored for years. Pain and heartbreak covered up with lies until the lies became larger and more damaging than the truth.
        But at the heart of it, he could see a mother doing what she could, in her own way, to protect her daughter. A daughter of whom she didnÒt approve of. A daughter she wished was what she perceived as Ónormal.Ô
        And he knew then that MadeleineÒs husband hadnÒt left her because of AmandaÒs psychic abilities. HeÒd left because he was an asshole. The Amanda excuse had seemed convenient at the time, that was all.
        ÓJacob, stop this.Ô AmandaÒs arms were crossed in front of her.
        He finally let go of her motherÒs hand. She stared daggers at him, but underneath that angry expression, he could see a sliver of uncertainty.
        ÓShe deserved better,Ô he hissed at the woman. ÓAnd you know it.Ô
        ÓJacob×Ô Amanda said sharply. ÓIÒll see you tomorrow at the office and weÒll figure this out, okayØ I want you to go now. Please.Ô
        He stared at her for a long moment, and then tore his gaze away. ÓFine.Ô
        He left, slamming the door to AmandaÒs house behind him. The house she was packing up to leave×along with her present life and him×behind.
        He just wished it didnÒt feel so damned bad.


        CHAPTER 9


        Amanda was quiet for a very long time after Jacob left. Her first impulse was to run after him, to apologize for being so harsh, but she forced herself to remain standing in place.
        ÓHe was very unpleasant,Ô her mother said. ÓI have no idea why youÒd want to spend any time at all with someone like him.Ô
        She didnÒt reply to that. She was too busy watching the black Mustang peel out of her driveway. He was too far away for her to hear his thoughts anymore. The last thing sheÒd heard was something about her leaving him. The thought seemed to be edged with pain.
        HeÒd shared other thoughts with her, as well. Thoughts about her mother that heÒd gleaned from her subconscious. Thoughts that made her wonder what the truth really was.
        ÓI really must be going.Ô Her mother cleared her throat after another few moments passed in silence. ÓCharles will be expecting me back soon.Ô
        Her husband, Charles. The perfect rich guy who bought her nice things and made her life very comfortable after a lifetime of struggle.
        ÓIs it trueØÔ Amanda asked quietly.
        Her mother frowned. ÓIs what true, dearØÔ
        ÓDad,Ô she began. ÓWhen he left×Ô
        ÓPlease, letÒs not talk about that.Ô
        ÓWe never have talked about that. You always change the subject.Ô
        ÓIt was an unpleasant time of our lives that I have no intention of reliving.Ô
        ÓDid he leave us because he didnÒt want to be around a daughter who had the ability to attract ghostsØÔ
        Madeleine pursed her lips. ÓThat was part of it, of course.Ô
        ÓPart of itØÔ Amanda repeated, and she swallowed past the thick lump in her throat. ÓI thoughtÅIÒve always thought that was the main reason he left us.Ô
        ÓThis is precisely why I donÒt like to discuss the past. ItÒs upsetting. Both to you and to me.Ô
        ÓJacob said×Ô
        ÓJacobØÔ her mother cut her off. ÓI donÒt know who this Jacob person really is, but donÒt let yourself be influenced by him. HeÒs trying to manipulate you. Trying to get you to stay in this town. ItÒs obvious to me that heÒs in love with you, and he wonÒt accept that youÒve found happiness with someone else.Ô
        This stunned her. ÓJacob isnÒt in love with me.Ô
        ÓAll I know, honey, is that love is not the answer. Love will only lead you into misery. I loved your father and he left me with nothing.Ô
        ÓYou had me.Ô
        Her mother blinked hard at that and pressed her lips together. She reached forward and squeezed AmandaÒs shoulder. ÓI think you will see this situation much more clearly when you leave here, get away from Jacob, and all of this craziness. I think youÒve chosen correctly. I donÒt know David, but I get the sense that he is the right man for you and will make you very happy. I want you to be happy, honey, I really do.Ô
        ÓI know.Ô She hugged her mother briefly before saying a last goodbye and promising to be in touch. Then Madeleine Harper got in her Mercedes and drove away.


        SHE DIDNÒT HEAR from Jacob again that day and she busied herself with packing up everything that wasnÒt nailed down. SheÒd miss her little house and her neighbors. It was a nice area, and in the fall the oak tree out front turned a beautiful color.
        She picked up the phone at nearly eleven oÒclock that night and was about to dial JacobÒs number that she had found in the company directory, but she stopped herself. Whatever she had to say to him, and she wasnÒt exactly sure what that might be, could be said at the office tomorrow.
        The fact that her mother thought that he was in love with her made her want to laugh. What a ridiculous notion.
        She let out a shuddery breath and decided to go to bed. By eleven-thirty her head was on her pillow and she willed the storm of thoughts competing for mental space to go away. Finally she drifted off.
        But, of course, she dreamed about him.
        She was lying on a lounge next to a swimming pool at an upscale tropical resort and soaking up the warm sunshine. She lowered her sunglasses as Jacob walked past and spotted her. He wore baggy blue swim trunks and no shirt. His muscled chest was bronzed and absolutely perfect.
        ÓAmanda LaGrange,Ô he said. ÓFancy seeing you here.Ô
        There were only the two of them in the pool area. Even the swim-up bar was unoccupied.
        ÓI canÒt escape you, can IØÔ she said, feeling amused by the dream and how incredibly irresistible and sexy her subconscious made Jacob look.
        It actually wasnÒt much different from how he looked in her waking life, although he wore fewer clothes in the dream.
        His gaze swept over her barely there black bikini. ÓYou look so good.Ô
        ÓThank you.Ô
        He grinned and glanced around their surroundings. ÓI can have you all to myself here. Nobody to interrupt us.Ô
        ÓDo you want me all to yourselfØÔ she asked.
        ÓYou know I do. But this isnÒt real.Ô
        She swung her legs over the side of the lounge chair and then got up to close the distance between them. She ran her hand down his arm. ÓFeels pretty real to me.Ô
        ÓIt does, doesnÒt itØÔ His AdamÒs apple shifted as he swallowed. ÓYou are so beautiful. I want you so much, Amanda, I can barely keep my hands to myself right now.Ô
        The statement thrilled her. She desperately hoped nothing would wake her up for a while as she explored all the delicious possibilities this situation presented.
        She reached around to the back of her bikini top and undid it, then shrugged it off. It fell to the ground. JacobÒs appreciative gaze slid down the front of her.
        She turned around to press her backside against him, feeling his erection against it, and brought his hands up to her breasts. ÓThen donÒt keep your hands to yourself. I want you to touch me.Ô
        He didnÒt resist. He rubbed his thumbs over her tight nipples which shot a hot line of desire straight to her groin.
        ÓThis is very good,Ô he said as one hand drifted down her belly to slide into her bikini bottoms. He stroked his fingers against her sex. Her breath came quickly now but she didnÒt want him to get the upper hand, so to speak, quite so quickly.
        She turned around and undid the loose tie at the front of his trunks and slid the elastic down over his hips to free his erection. She took him in her hand. Licking a hot wet line down the center of his chest and over his washboard abs, she settled down onto her knees in front of him and took him in her mouth.
        Jacob swore loudly as she worked his length with her hand and mouth, skimming her tongue along his hard, thick shaft.
        She felt so free. This was what she wanted, to have him like putty in her hands. To have him moan her name over and over. When theyÒd made love when she was awake it had been a blur, a wonderful orgasmic blur, but she hadnÒt felt in control of herself. Here, she was. It was her dream and she could do anything she wanted.
        She wanted it to be real. She wanted him here with her with the sun on their bodies as they made love with no restraint or second-guessing.
        ÓAmanda,Ô Jacob moaned her name. ÓToo good. It feels too good. I wish this wasnÒt a dream. I want you so much.Ô
        Yes, just a dream.
        She licked and kissed her way back up his body while her hand still stroked his length. She concentrated on his throat, the underside of his stubbled chin, his lips that parted for her, his tongue sweeping against hers. She was so ready for him. She wanted him inside her so badly that she ached.
        ÓMy favorite dream ever,Ô she said out loud.
        ÓDefinitely,Ô he agreed.
        He skimmed her bikini bottoms down her legs and then leaned over to kiss her flat stomach, parting her with his fingers so he could slide his tongue against her. She gasped and arched her back, fisting a hand into his black hair as he pleasured her with his mouth. SheÒd never had a dream that felt so real before.
        Kissing a hot trail back to her mouth, he got to his feet and lifted her into his strong arms, a dark, frenzied look now on his face. ÓI need you.Ô
        She just nodded. Yes. She needed him, too. More than heÒd ever know.
        He carried her back to her lounge chair, laying her gently down on her back. She looked up at him.
        ÓThis canÒt be your favorite dream,Ô he said. ÓBecause itÒs my favorite dream.Ô
        She groaned as he parted her legs and rubbed the tip of his shaft against her entrance. He was teasing her when all she wanted was to be filled.
        ÓDonÒt need protection in my dream,Ô he said with a crooked grin.
        ÓMy dream,Ô she said.
        ÓMine,Ô he corrected. ÓBut letÒs not argue. ThatÒs what we do when weÒre awake.Ô
        She wanted him inside of her so badly that she couldnÒt think straight, but despite the incredible pleasure she felt, she frowned. ÓYouÒre saying this is your dreamØÔ
        He nodded, and leaned forward to brush his mouth against hers. ÓI earned it after that scene at your house today. Your mother is fairly horrible. I donÒt think sheÒll ever accept me as her son-in-law.Ô
        ÓThis isnÒt your dream. ItÒs my dream.Ô
        He smiled. ÓAfraid not. I think I know when IÒm dreaming. Now if you donÒt mind, IÒm trying to concentrate here. WouldnÒt want to wake up yet. You feel way too good.Ô
        ÓThis is my dream,Ô she said again. ÓItÒs a good one, amazing in fact, but itÒs still my dream.Ô
        ÓPossession is nine-tenths of the law,Ô he whispered against her lips.
        ÓWhat ifÅwhat if weÒre both dreamingØÔ she asked, sliding her hands up to his broad shoulders. ÓWhat if this is just another manifestation of the curseØÔ
        He frowned. ÓThatÒs impossible.Ô
        ÓIs itØÔ
        He leaned back to look at her and there was something in his green eyes that made her believe he didnÒt think it was so impossible. That he was seeing that she wasnÒt simply a naked figment of his imagination.
        ÓI donÒt want to wake up,Ô he said.
        ÓThen kiss me,Ô she suggested, and he didnÒt need to be told twice. He kissed her hard and deep and she tried desperately to hold on to the feeling of his body against hers, almost inside her×so close×touching, tasting the smooth, hot skin against hers. And in the next moment, all of those sensations vanished and there was no pool, no resort and no Jacob.
        As she woke, she opened her eyes to find that she was staring at the ceiling, her body covered in perspiration, her bedsheet twisted around her. A dark, unfulfilled need gnawed away inside of her.
        Her phone rang. She reached over to grab it and pressed it up against her ear.
        ÓYeah,Ô she managed.
        ÓSo was itØÔ Jacob asked quietly. ÓOr wasnÒt itØÔ
        She swallowed hard and licked her dry lips. ÓIt was.Ô
        There was a pause for so long that she thought he might have hung up on her. And then, ÓWe have to find a way to break this curse.Ô
        ÓI agree.Ô
        ÓWeÒll fix this. I promise.Ô
        ÓOkay.Ô
        ÓGoodnight, Amanda.Ô
        ÓGoodnight, Jacob.Ô
        She clicked the phone off, her body still aching for his touch.
        She stared at the ceiling knowing there was no chance she was going to be able to get back to sleep again that night.


        ÓI SEE,Ô Patrick said, leaning back in his wheelchair and tenting his fingers. ÓYes, that is a problem, isnÒt itØÔ
        He glanced at his two favorite employees, who both looked beside themselves with stress over this situation, and he tried desperately not to laugh.
        It wasnÒt funny.
        Well, maybe a little bit.
        When heÒd sent them out on the assignment together the other night heÒd had no idea it would get so out of control. HeÒd woken up to the shrew of a client screaming at him from the other end of the phone on Saturday morning. So much for giving out his cell phone number to customers. HeÒd needed the weekend to relax before he dealt with the repercussions. After all, this was kind of his fault.
        He hadnÒt anticipated an enchanted clock, though. HeÒd just thought that spending some time together would make these two realize they didnÒt hate each other and maybe there was something more between them that theyÒd want to explore.
        So much for playing matchmaker.
        ÓWhat do you suggest we do about thisØÔ Amanda asked tightly.
        It was so obvious that theyÒd had sex. They had yet to admit that to him, but he was no dummy. His psychic skills leaned toward JacobÒs×an empathic ability×although Patrick didnÒt have to touch somebody to see the truth of what they felt. He just had to be in the same room with them.
        At least somebody was getting some. He hadnÒt had sex since before his accident. Well before. The doctors promised that his equipment would be back in working order eventually. But his sorry sex life didnÒt have much to do with the current problem at hand.
        ÓSo, thereÒs a witch involved,Ô he said. ÓThe one who enchanted the clock in the first place.Ô
        Jacob nodded and darted a sideways glance at Amanda. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest. ÓThe former owner of the house, Carolyn×Ô
        ÓCatherine Myles,Ô Amanda corrected. Jacob glared at her. ÓIt was her aunt. And it was a wedding gift a hundred or so years ago. Her aunt apparently didnÒt approve of her choice of a husband. IÒm guessing that the aunt sensed he had murderous tendencies and she was trying to protect Catherine. But giving her a wedding gift like the grandfather clock doesnÒt make any sense, considering what it does.Ô
        ÓThe clockÒs magic caused Catherine and her servant Nathan to begin a physical relationship,Ô Patrick said. This was the second time they had gone through this part of the story.
        ÓThatÒs right,Ô Amanda said. ÓAnd the false feelings that they developed made it look as if they were in love and her husband shot them both.Ô
        ÓYou think they were false feelingsØÔ Jacob asked. ÓThe way you described them to me made me think they really were in love. You were all about their star-crossed romantic lovefest when we were at the house.Ô
        Amanda was quiet for a moment. ÓI did get the feeling that Nathan was in love with Catherine×he said as much. But the more I think about it the more IÒm not so sure she felt the same in return. Maybe it was only lust for her.Ô
        ÓUnfortunately I didnÒt see or speak to the ghosts,Ô Jacob said. ÓNot my talent.Ô
        ÓAnd when the clock struck midnight, what exactly happenedØÔ Patrick asked carefully.
        ÓWell,Ô Amanda said as she and Jacob exchanged a glance. ÓI can only compare it to a feeling of, uhÅa sense of, umÅhow do I put thisØÔ
        ÓShe tore my clothes off and had her way with me,Ô Jacob finished.
        Amanda gasped. ÓThatÒs not how it was.Ô
        ÓNoØÔ He raised his eyebrows. ÓThen how was itØÔ
        She gritted her teeth and looked at Patrick. ÓWe were compelled to do things we normally wouldnÒt have done. And IÒm very sorry that the client had to witness us in a veryÅumÅunprofessional position.Ô
        ÓLots of unprofessional positions,Ô Jacob added. ÓMy favorite was the one where you were on top of×Ô
        ÓShut up!Ô AmandaÒs face was so red that she looked ready to pop.
        Do not laugh, Patrick commanded himself. The woman might actually kill somebody.
        ÓCome on,Ô Jacob persisted. ÓIt was the best sex of your life, rightØÔ
        ÓYes, it was,Ô she replied immediately, and then her face darkened a shade. ÓPlease donÒt do that anymore!Ô
        Right, Jacob was able to get her to tell the truth. And in turn, she could read his mind. This was seriously messed up.
        ÓI am not a relationship counselor,Ô Patrick said after a moment. ÓSo your sex lives are none of my business. But enchanted objects and spirits who refuse to go onto the next world are. IÒm going to look over your paperwork and photos and decide what to do next. IÒm thinking an exorcism is definitely in order. As far as the clock, perhaps if it is dismantled and burned with some cleansing oil, that might take care of breaking your curse.Ô
        Neither of them looked satisfied with that answer. Despite JacobÒs flippant manner, Patrick could see the tension in his expression.
        ÓFine,Ô Amanda said stiffly. ÓIf you think thatÒs the best course of action, then thatÒs what weÒll do. IÒll wait for the exorcism orders. However, IÒd like to do a bit more research first, if thatÒs okay.Ô
        ÓBe my guest,Ô Patrick said. ÓOne way or the other, weÒll work this out. After all, it doesnÒt seem to be a dangerous curse, just an inconvenient one, rightØÔ
        He didnÒt receive any reply to that statement.
        ÓIf youÒll excuse me,Ô Amanda said. ÓI have to get back to work.Ô
        She left the office and Jacob watched her leave with a wistful look in his eyes. He made a move to follow her, but Patrick stopped him.
        ÓClose the door, Jacob,Ô he said. ÓIÒd like to speak with you privately.Ô
        JacobÒs shoulders tensed, but he did what the boss told him to and turned around to face Patrick. ÓYeahØÔ
        ÓIs it just the curse or are you really in love with herØÔ
        JacobÒs eyes bugged. ÓWhatØÔ
        ÓDid I stutterØÔ
        ÓNoÅitÒs just thatÅIÒm notÅÔ He blinked hard, color slowly draining from his face. ÓIÒm not in love with her. Lust, sure. ButÅbut loveØÔ
        ÓRight. So youÒre still in denial about it, are youØÔ
        ÓIÒm not in denial. IÒmÅÔ Jacob swallowed. ÓIÅI just donÒt know whatÒs real anymore. SheÒs the most stubborn and frustrating woman IÒve ever met, but all I want is to be with her. ItÒs driving me insane, actually.Ô
        ÓItÒll get better.Ô
        Jacob laughed at that. ÓPromiseØÔ
        ÓActually, no. I was just trying to be helpful.Ô
        ÓGreat.Ô
        ÓMaybe sheÒll change her mind and stay in Mystic Ridge.Ô
        Jacob shook his head. ÓShe wonÒt. SheÒs leaving and nothing I can say will make a damn bit of difference. SheÒs focused on her new, normal life with her boyfriend.Ô
        ÓNothing you can say will make a differenceØ Have you said anythingØÔ
        ÓSome. I told her she was making a mistake by turning her back on her talents.Ô
        ÓDid you tell her youÒre in love with herØÔ
        Jacob blanched again. ÓI thought I already told you×Ô
        ÓThat youÒre not. Lust only, thanks to the spell. I almost forgot. Do you want my unsolicited adviceØÔ Patrick didnÒt wait for a reply. ÓIf you discover it isnÒt just lust, tell her how you feel. Tell her you donÒt think itÒs just the curse that makes you feel that way. Put the ball in her court. At least then, if she still chooses to leave, sheÒll be making an informed decision.Ô
        Jacob was quiet for a long moment. ÓI donÒt think itÒs just lust.Ô
        The corner of PatrickÒs mouth twitched with amusement. ÓNo shit.Ô
        ÓBut what if we break the curse and I stop feeling this way about herØÔ
        ÓDo you think you willØÔ
        Another pause. ÓNo.Ô
        ÓThen go talk to her. Her going-away partyÒs tomorrow night. ItÒs not like you have a lot of time to make this work.Ô
        ÓIÒm going to look like a damn fool.Ô
        ÓThatÒs very possible.Ô Patrick shrugged.
        ÓI think I hate you.Ô
        Patrick smirked at him. ÓYouÒre fired.Ô
        Jacob grinned and let out a long shaky sigh. ÓYou know, I had a chance to hook up with a random babe last night and I couldnÒt do it. I couldnÒt get excited. I thought for a moment that it was another side effect of the curse, but now IÒm thinking that IÒm just not attracted to anyone else.Ô
        ÓMaybe youÒre in more trouble than I originally thought.Ô
        ÓComforting. Thanks.Ô He looked over his shoulder at the closed door. ÓCan I go nowØÔ
        ÓBe my guest.Ô
        Jacob moved toward the door and opened it up.
        ÓOne more thing, Jacob,Ô Patrick said. Jacob turned to look at him. ÓI hope it all works out.Ô
        ÓMe, too.Ô With that, Jacob left his office.
        Patrick wished he had the ability to see into the future. It would be very handy right now.


        CHAPTER 10


        Amanda could barely concentrate on the computer screen in front of her. She was finding nothing helpful in her research and it was driving her crazy. She knew not everything under the sun was documented and neatly organized, but it would be nice if it was.
        There was a knock at her door and she tensed, thinking it was Jacob. After their sexy shared dream last night, it was safer if she didnÒt see him alone. She was embarrassed at how easily sheÒd accepted the opportunity to do things to and with Jacob that she resisted in her waking hours. HeÒd seen how much she wanted him, despite her many protests. And heÒd just made her admit that sex with him had been the best of her life.
        Well, it had been. But that didnÒt make it okay.
        Destroying the clock had been a solution sheÒd already thought of but sheÒd hoped that Patrick, with his ultimate knowledge of the supernatural world, would have a better and quicker solution.
        Her original decision to simply ignore the curse until she moved away wasnÒt feasible anymore. If they could find each other in their dreams, then no distance would make a difference. She felt bound to Jacob, body and soul, at the moment, unable to think about anyone else or even concentrate on the last two days of her job at PARA.
        She rubbed her temples. ÓCome in,Ô she said when the knocking persisted despite her best attempts to ignore it.
        The door opened and in walked her best friend Vicky, who held two cups of coffee in her hands, one of which she gave to Amanda. Vicky was a few inches taller than Amanda, very attractive, with medium-length dark-blond hair, and she liked to dress in low-cut tops and short skirts. Usually her clothes were some shade of purple. Today was no exception. She was also clairvoyant, although it took her a little bit more effort to see ghosts than it did Amanda.
        ÓGood morning,Ô she said with a smile.
        Amanda smiled back and took a sip of the strong brew. ÓÒMorning.Ô
        ÓYou forgot the good.Ô
        ÓNo, I didnÒt.Ô
        Vicky laughed at that. ÓHowÒs it goingØÔ
        ÓFine,Ô Amanda lied.
        Vicky studied her for a moment. ÓWellØÔ
        ÓWell whatØÔ
        ÓAre you going to share or do I have to beat it out of youØÔ
        Amanda blinked with confusion. ÓI donÒt think I know what youÒre talking about.Ô
        ÓRumor has it that you were sent out on assignment with Jacob on Friday night. Late Friday night.Ô She waggled her eyebrows. ÓHowÒd that goØÔ
        Amanda blanched. ÓIt wentÅfine. Just fine. No problems.Ô
        Did the whole office know about the assignmentØ Would they find out what had happened between her and JacobØ After all, everyone in the office had psychic abilities to one degree or another.
        She forced herself to remain calm. The compulsion to tell the truth and read the otherÒs mind was only a manifestation of the curse. She reminded herself that abilities like that were not normal so she didnÒt have to worry that her secret would get out. Some empaths might be able to sense something was going on, but when wasnÒt there sexual tension in an office atmosphere between male and female coworkersØ
        ÓHe is so delicious,Ô Vicky said dreamily. ÓIf Jacob Caine was lunchmeat I would eat him every single day of the week and never get sick of the taste.Ô
        Amanda twisted a nervous finger through her hair. ÓLovely analogy.Ô
        ÓThanks, I thought so.Ô Vicky grinned. ÓYouÒre kind of moody today, arenÒt youØÔ
        Amanda laughed out loud at that. ÓIÒm moody every day. You, of all people, should know that.Ô
        ÓGood point. I hope youÒre ready for your big party tomorrow night.Ô
        ÓWhoÒs invitedØÔ
        ÓJust twenty or thirty of your closest friends. All really drunk and disorderly.Ô
        ÓSo, same as usual, then.Ô Amanda couldnÒt help but smile at the mental image. Damn. She would miss everybody. She could barely believe that she was finally leaving.
        ÓWill Jacob be comingØÔ Vicky asked.
        ÓNot sure.Ô
        ÓI hope he will.Ô
        Amanda cringed at that. SheÒd almost forgotten about Vicky and JacobÒs date last month. The reminder of JacobÒs sexual prowess did not make her feel better.
        In fact, it made something akin to jealousy twist in her gut.
        Why would she feel jealous of any woman that Jacob had been with before herØ He was an admitted womanizer. Hot men with commitment issues usually were. It shouldnÒt bother her at all. Yet it did. It bothered her a lot.
        ÓYou should definitely try to hook up with him again,Ô Amanda forced herself to say, and the words left a bad taste in her mouth. ÓYou two make a cute couple.Ô
        Vicky sighed heavily.
        ÓWhatØÔ Amanda looked up at the mournful sound.
        Vicky shrugged. ÓI donÒt think thatÒs going to happen.Ô
        ÓWhy notØÔ
        ÓYou know the rumors about him being a total stud muffinØ A different woman every nightØÔ
        Amanda gave her a tight smile. ÓMm-hmm.Ô
        ÓI donÒt think itÒs true. Not completely, anyhow. I mean, I know when he first moved to town he worked his way through a lot of girls. But latelyÅI think he might be a little more selective. Or maybe heÒs just in a dating slump.Ô
        ÓHe went out with you.Ô
        ÓIt was only dinner. DonÒt tell anyone, but we didnÒt actuallyÅdo anything.Ô
        AmandaÒs eyes widened. ÓYou didnÒtØÔ
        Vicky set her jaw. ÓNot that I didnÒt try. I guess he just wasnÒt that into me.Ô
        ÓWow.Ô Amanda couldnÒt believe what she was hearing. SheÒd been sure Vicky and Jacob had slept together. And, at the time, Vicky hadnÒt said anything to make her think otherwise.
        ÓIt stung a bit,Ô Vicky continued. ÓBut IÒm totally over it. IÒve got it bad for Patrick now.Ô
        ÓOur boss, PatrickØÔ
        She nodded enthusiastically. ÓYup.Ô
        ÓHeÒs recovering from a spinal cord injury, you do realize.Ô
        ÓAnd as soon as heÒs mobile again I will be helping him with his rehabilitation. And by that I mean his sexual rehabilitation.Ô
        Amanda laughed. ÓIÒm sure heÒll be happy to hear that.Ô
        She was still thinking about what Vicky had just said. SheÒd believed completely that Jacob slept with any woman who even glanced in his direction. But he hadnÒt slept with Vicky when heÒd had ample opportunity. Maybe Amanda had imagined the flush in her cheeks, the excitement from getting her hands on JacobÒs irresistible, hard-muscled body.
        ÓSpeak of the devil,Ô Vicky said.
        Amanda pulled herself out of her thoughts of Jacob and his body. ÓWhatØÔ
        ÓHeÒs headed this way.Ô
        ÓWhoØÔ
        ÓWho do you thinkØÔ Vicky was looking out the door of AmandaÒs office. ÓHey, Jacob. Looking good.Ô
        ÓRight back at you, Vicky,Ô Jacob said as he stepped into AmandaÒs office. Then his attention was all on Amanda. ÓCan I speak to you in privateØÔ
        ÓI can take a hint,Ô Vicky said. ÓIÒll get back to work.Ô
        ÓNo!Ô Amanda protested a little too loudly. ÓPlease. UhÅjust stay here. I have to go over my current caseload with you, anyhow. Whatever Jacob needs to say he can say now or it can wait.Ô
        ÓAll right,Ô Vicky replied, but she sounded uncertain.
        JacobÒs lips thinned. ÓI guess it can wait.Ô
        ÓOkay.Ô Amanda forced a smile.
        What is thisØ JacobÒs thoughts were projected very clearly in her head. Afraid to be alone with me nowØ
        ÓYes,Ô she said out loud, then kicked herself for her truth-telling compulsion. Damn. Did it even work when he simply thought the questionØ That was so unfair.
        It was like she was acknowledging her uncontrollable need to touch him. To run her hands over his beautiful body. To taste his mouth, rip open his shirt, and lick a slow line down to hisÅ
        Damn.
        At the moment, she was glad that he couldnÒt read her mind.
        ÓPlease, Vicky, have a seat,Ô she said.
        Jacob groaned with obvious frustration.
        Goddammit, he thought. SheÒs afraid to be alone with me now. How am I supposed to tell her I think IÒm falling in love with herØ
        AmandaÒs mouth went dry and her gaze shot to his. His green eyes widened. Obviously he hadnÒt meant her to hear that last thought.
        ÓAmandaÅIÅÔ he began and then closed his mouth.
        Vicky watched curiously. ÓAm I missing something hereØÔ
        ÓNo,Ô Amanda said quietly, looking down at her desk.
        Jacob swore softly under his breath. ÓIÒll see you around.Ô
        Then he turned and left her office.
        AmandaÒs heart thudded hard in her chest. This wasnÒt happening. It wasnÒt. Jacob couldnÒt be falling in love with her. That didnÒt make any sense at all. It was part of the curse. He only thought he was falling in love with her.
        ÓWow,Ô Vicky said. ÓThat was intense.Ô
        ÓThat was nothing.Ô Her voice was barely audible.
        ÓYeah, right.Ô Vicky grinned. ÓIs there something between you two that I donÒt know aboutØ I thought you hated the guy.Ô
        ÓI do.Ô But, of course, she didnÒt. More lies heÒd be able to see through with a well-placed question.
        ÓWell, there is a thin line between love and hate, isnÒt thereØ All it takes is a little push to stumble over to the other side.Ô
        ÓItÒs not like that.Ô
        Vicky shrugged. ÓAll I can say is that if I could get some guy to look at me that intensely, IÒd be a happy girl.Ô
        ÓYouÒre seeing things,Ô Amanda said firmly. ÓNow, letÒs start going over my cases. TomorrowÒs my last day, after all.Ô
        Vicky moved toward her and gave Amanda a big hug. ÓIÒm going to miss you so much!Ô
        Amanda hugged her back and felt her throat tighten. ÓIÒll miss you, too.Ô
        ÓAre you absolutely sure youÒre not going to change your mind and stayØÔ
        ÓIÒm sure. EverythingÒs in place. David will be back tomorrow before the party to help me move my stuff.Ô
        Vicky made a face. ÓThat David. HeÒs nice enough, I guess, but heÒs just so boring.Ô
        ÓThatÒs your opinion. I really like him.Ô
        ÓLike himØÔ Vicky repeated. ÓIÒd hope that youÒd feel more than ÑlikeÒ for the guy youÒre planning on changing your entire life for. But thatÒs just my opinion again. All I can say is heÒs no Jacob Caine.Ô
        No, he wasnÒt.
        How am I supposed to tell her I think IÒm falling in love with herØ JacobÒs thought still echoed in her mind.
        It wasnÒt true.
        It couldnÒt be.


        FOR THE REST of the day and night she stayed as busy as she could and found that it was possible to push thoughts of Jacob to the back of her mind. She could function.
        But when she did think of him, it wasnÒt only about how much she was attracted to him and how heÒd made her feel when theyÒd had sex. No, she was thinking about him beyond the physical. The fact that she liked talking to him, liked how he challenged her and made her think about things from a different point of view. She felt a strange companionship when they were alone together.
        Also, this was a man who knew what it was like to be a psychic, and he didnÒt have a problem with it. In fact, he thought her abilities were, how did he put itØ AmazingØ
        She wasnÒt mad at him for grilling her mother yesterday about the past. HeÒd made her all but admit that AmandaÒs father hadnÒt left only because he didnÒt want to deal with AmandaÒs psychic abilities.
        Could it be possibleØ she wondered.
        The thought didnÒt make her feel that much better about being abandoned by her dad at such a young age, but it did make her feelÅdifferent.
        After all, his shunning of her had led to a lot of self-image issues. Maybe if sheÒd had two supportive parents whoÒd loved her unconditionally no matter how strange she was, it might have made the cruel taunts from the kids at school a little more bearable×and the nickname of Amanda the Strange wouldnÒt get that immediate knee-jerk reaction from her that had turned her off Jacob in the first place.


        SIX YEARS at PARA. She looked around the office after sheÒd cleaned out her desk on Tuesday afternoon. Hard to believe so much time had passed. Everyone else had left to get ready for her party that night at OÒGradyÒs. She felt a strange twinge in her chest then. A sense of loss. SheÒd miss here more than sheÒd realized.
        You donÒt have to go, a little voice in her head reminded her. You can stay here with the people who accept you exactly as you are.
        No, sheÒd go to the city with David. SheÒd make it work.
        As far as she was concerned, the choice had already been made.
        Besides, she hadnÒt even seen Jacob since heÒd mentally admitted to possibly falling in love with her in her office yesterday morning. HeÒd kept a low profile ever since.
        It was better that way. It made things a lot easier.
        And this magical pull she felt toward him that had reached near-painful proportions due to his very noticeable absence would fade over time.
        She sure as hell hoped it would.
        So, sheÒd go to the party. SheÒd try to have a good time with her coworkers and friends. And tomorrow her new life would begin. She clutched her heavy cardboard box filled with her personal belongings against her chest and tried to ignore the lump in her throat.
        ÓHave to say, IÒm sorry to see you go,Ô Patrick said.
        Amanda jumped. She hadnÒt even seen him wheel up to her office doorway.
        ÓThanks.Ô She smiled at him. ÓThat means a lot.Ô
        ÓYouÒre one of the best clairvoyants IÒve ever met, and I donÒt feel any shame in telling you that IÒm going to have one hell of a hard time replacing you.Ô
        ÓIÒm sure youÒll find somebody.Ô
        ÓMaybe.Ô He gave her a half smile. ÓEverybodyÒs going to really miss you.Ô
        He was such a sweetheart. ÓAre you trying to make me cryØÔ
        ÓDepends if youÒre swayed by sentimental statements or not.Ô
        ÓTissues may be required.Ô
        He took a deep breath and leaned back slightly in his wheelchair. ÓIÒm going to put this out there for you and you can do with it what you want. If you ever change your mind about this single-minded need to fit in with regular society, youÒre welcome to come back.Ô
        ÓThatÒs not necessary,Ô she said.
        ÓMaybe itÒs not necessary, but itÒs still true.Ô
        ÓYou think IÒm going to get to New York, find itÒs too much for me, tuck my tail between my legs and run back hereØÔ
        ÓAll IÒm saying is that if you realize that there has never been anything wrong in your life to begin with, and that moving somewhere else doesnÒt change who you are deep down inside, then there will always be a place for you here.Ô
        The lump in her throat thickened and she had to swallow hard to get past it. She went to him, leaned over, and gave him a big hug which he returned. ÓI appreciate it, Patrick.Ô
        His smile widened and he shook his head. ÓHeÒs right about you, you know. You are a very stubborn woman.Ô
        Her eyes widened. ÓWho said thatØÔ
        ÓJacob.Ô
        She groaned. ÓRight. Well, everybodyÒs entitled to their opinion, arenÒt theyØÔ
        ÓThey are, indeed. Listen, Amanda, I wanted to tell you that IÒm finished looking over the paperwork and everythingÒs in order for the Davis house. I am authorizing the exorcism and destruction of the clock. I already told Jacob, but I thought youÒd want to know.Ô
        ÓOh.Ô A chill went down her spine. SheÒd expected this, of course, but it was still a bit unnerving to find out that everything was going to proceed right on schedule.
        ÓIÒll send Jacob back this week to take care of things. Maybe Vicky can go to help with the exorcism itself.Ô
        She shook her head. ÓI want to go.Ô
        ÓYouØ But youÒre through here. IÒd thought youÒd be happy somebody else is going to take care of it.Ô
        ÓIÒd like to help. ThereÒs still time.Ô
        ÓI thought you were leaving tomorrow.Ô
        ÓI can delay my move for another day. David wonÒt mind.Ô
        ÓHeÒs very understanding, isnÒt heØÔ By his tone, there was no mistaking what Patrick was getting at.
        Her face warmed. ÓIÒd appreciate if you kept what you know about me and Jacob to yourself. ThereÒs no need for any gossip to get around.Ô
        ÓI totally agree.Ô
        ÓWellÅgood.Ô She cleared her throat, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. ÓEverything will be better once we take care of that grandfather clock.Ô
        ÓSo youÒre completely convinced that the clock is the source of all evil in this situation, huhØÔ
        ÓOf course I am.Ô
        ÓIt acts as a troublesome, magical aphrodisiac and thatÒs about it.Ô
        ÓExactly.Ô She frowned at his tone. ÓWhyØ DonÒt you think that, tooØÔ
        He shrugged. ÓI have my doubts, to tell you the truth.Ô
        ÓSuch asØÔ
        ÓSuch as the fact that I found some information on Catherine MylesÒs aunt in some PARA historical documents. She was a witch named Rose Embry who practiced her magic out in the open over near Albany at the turn of the century and died just before the Second World War, but there was no indication of her magic ever being black or malicious in nature. I originally had the impression she sold love potions, but that wasnÒt exactly what it was. She specialized in spells that revealed secrets and pointed her clients to the truth in their hearts.Ô
        ÓThe truth in their heartsØ What does that meanØÔ
        He spread his hands. ÓOnly that RoseÒs wedding gift to Catherine in the form of an enchanted clock brings up a lot of unanswered questions. My guess is that she never would have wished ill on her. Perhaps she didnÒt approve of her marriage to an overbearing man like her nieceÒs chosen husband, one that Catherine would have married mostly out of a need for wealth and security, but she wouldnÒt have helped to set in motion the events leading to her death.Ô
        ÓWhat about her servant, NathanØÔ Amanda asked.
        ÓYes, Nathan. I must admit, I found nothing on him. But he was a man and Catherine was a woman. The clockÒs magic may have revealed true feelings between them that normally would have been ignored or denied due to their social differences. The auntÒs truth magic just helped to peel away any reservations they might have had about engaging in a relationship, physical or otherwise.Ô
        ÓIs this fact or are you only speculatingØÔ Amanda asked.
        ÓIÒm afraid IÒm only speculating.Ô
        Amanda weighed what he was saying. What if the clock didnÒt send out a curse to anyone in its presence, but a spell to reveal hidden feelingsØ Like a sexy, magical truth serum making its victims admit what they really wanted and unable to fight against the desire to be togetherØ
        If that was true, then why had Catherine and Nathan been forced to haunt the house for a hundred years after their deaths, unable to be together except for an hour a day during which they couldnÒt even touchØ
        DidnÒt sound all that romantic to her.
        ÓWell, after the clock is dismantled and torched it wonÒt be an issue anymore,Ô she said.
        ÓSo you think itÒll be that easyØ Burn the clock, break the spell and everyone goes back to life as usualØÔ
        She narrowed her eyes. ÓWhat are you getting atØÔ
        He grimaced. ÓForget it. I need to keep my nose out of other peopleÒs business. ItÒs going to get me in trouble.Ô
        ÓGood idea.Ô
        ÓHowever,Ô he continued, ÓI think you should consider what youÒll do if you still feel the same way about Jacob when thereÒs no enchanted clock to blame your problems on.Ô
        ÓI thought you were going to mind your own businessØÔ
        He mock-zipped up his mouth and threw away the key. ÓIÒm done now.Ô
        ÓPromiseØÔ
        ÓPromise. IÒll see you later at OÒGradyÒs.Ô
        She left, looking back at the office building one last time before getting in her Honda to drive home and get ready for the party.
        She decided not to think about what Patrick had said, or, at least, think about it as little as possible. Life was moving forward. Time was not pausing to allow her to contemplate any other outcome. SheÒd go to the party, smile and have some drinks. SheÒd say goodbye to all of the people who turned out. Tomorrow sheÒd go to the Davis house and help to exorcise the ghosts×part of her job sheÒd done dozens of times before×and get rid of the clock once and for all.
        SheÒd bring her own matches to start the bonfire.
        And then sheÒd be free to start her new life.
        There was no turning back now.


        CHAPTER 11


        Jacob had considered not going to the party at all, but heÒd decided to suck it up and force himself. Put on a good front. Say goodbye to Amanda all proper and politely, wish her luck with her new life, and then almost certainly get rip-roaringly drunk.
        It was a plan.
        He needed fresh air after being at the small pub for half an hour and emerged into the evening just as Amanda and David walked up to the entrance. He couldnÒt have timed it better if heÒd tried.
        Amanda looked incredible in a dark blue dress with a gauzy skirt that skimmed her curves and came a couple inches above her knees. SheÒd done her dark hair so it hung in long, soft wavy pieces, begging to be touched. Her makeup was natural, with a shiny gloss on her lips that made it difficult to look anywhere else.
        HeÒd kissed that mouth. He knew what it tasted like. What she tasted like.
        His body reacted to the sight of her.
        Of course, the well-dressed boyfriend next to her worked like an ice-cold shower.
        David thrust out his hand. ÓJacob, good to see you again.Ô
        ÓYeah, you, too.Ô He shook the manÒs hand. His gaze moved to Amanda.
        ÓThanks for coming,Ô she said softly. ÓIt means a lot to me.Ô
        She was going to be his undoing. He wanted to be tough, but all he really wanted to do was push David out of the way and take Amanda into his arms.
        This is exactly why heÒd tried to avoid falling in love with anybody for two years. There was no way he could pretend to be cool, calm and collected when he was dying inside with the need to touch her.
        ÓMy pleasure,Ô he said. ÓYou look beautiful tonight, Amanda.Ô
        ÓThank you,Ô she replied. She was looking directly into his eyes. Intently. Where heÒd expected to see stubbornness and disinterest, he could have sworn he saw regret.
        Oh, no you donÒt, he threw the thought at her. You made your choice. You need to stop messing with me now.
        Her eyes turned an icy shade of blue. ÓIÒll see you inside, David.Ô
        She brushed past them and entered the club without another word.
        ÓSorry,Ô David said, a confused expression on his face. ÓIÒm not sure whatÒs with her tonight. SheÒs acting very preoccupied.Ô
        Jacob pressed his lips together. ÓYeah, well, I guess she has a lot on her mind right now.Ô
        ÓI guess she does.Ô David got a faraway look in his eyes and then he smiled. ÓI think sheÒll love it in Manhattan. She was never meant for small-town life.Ô
        ÓIf you say so.Ô
        ÓWhere are you from, JacobØÔ
        ÓSeattle, originally. I moved to Mystic Ridge two years ago.Ô
        ÓTo work for PARAØÔ
        ÓThatÒs right.Ô
        ÓAmandaÒs worked there for six years.Ô He shook his head. ÓIÒm amazed that after such a long time with such an unusual company she is still one of the most well-adjusted and ordinary girls IÒve ever known.Ô
        ÓAmandaÒs not ordinary.Ô
        DavidÒs lips quirked. ÓI meant it as a compliment, of course.Ô
        ÓAmanda is not ordinary,Ô Jacob said again. ÓSheÒs extraordinary.Ô
        David frowned. ÓI meant no offense.Ô
        ÓOf course you didnÒt.Ô Jacob willed himself not to get angry. He counted to ten and then twenty until the compulsion to punch David went away.
        ÓIÒm simply saying that working in a field such as paranormal investigation brings with it certain experiences that must be difficult to shake off,Ô David continued. ÓStrange sights, scary situations and the likeØÔ
        ÓSometimes.Ô
        ÓIf I didnÒt feel that Amanda wanted a change from that life, I never would have suggested that she move to be with me.Ô
        Jacob cringed. ÓSheÒs a big girl. She knows what sheÒs doing.Ô
        ÓShe really has no idea how wonderful she is, does sheØÔ
        ÓI thought you said she was ordinary.Ô
        ÓOrdinary isnÒt an insult, like I said. Amanda herself wants to be ordinary. To move away from the strange world of so-called paranormal phenomena. To be a regular, taxpaying citizen.Ô
        ÓIÒd be willing to debate that,Ô Jacob said.
        ÓWould youØÔ
        He forced a smile. ÓMaybe another time. But youÒre right. Amanda does seem to know what she wants, and she wants you, so congratulations.Ô
        ÓIÒm a lucky man.Ô
        Yeah, you sure as hell are.
        He forced any malicious thoughts away. It wasnÒt DavidÒs fault that Amanda was the way she was.
        ÓIÒm still not sure how she even came to work for PARA in the first place,Ô David said.
        ÓCould be because sheÒs the most talented clairvoyant IÒve ever met,Ô Jacob replied.
        David blinked. ÓClairvoyantØÔ
        Jacob frowned at the other manÒs confused expression. ÓYeah, clairvoyant. Medium. Able to talk to ghosts and perform exorcisms.Ô
        ÓShe canØÔ
        ÓWell, of course×Ô Then Jacob stopped talking. It became suddenly obvious to him that Amanda had never told David exactly what she did at PARA.
        And why was thatØ For fear that he wouldnÒt approveØ
        Of course thatÒs what it was.
        Jacob gritted his teeth. Amanda only dated so-called normal guys so she could feel normal. SheÒd never dated anyone at the office before, at least, thatÒs what heÒd heard. Maybe if she had, she would have realized a lot sooner that she didnÒt have to work so damn hard to be accepted.
        David was silent for a moment, deep in thought. Jacob expected him to get angry at the news that his girlfriend was a closet ghost-whisperer.
        But he didnÒt.
        ÓThis must be why she wants to move away and quit her job,Ô he said softly. ÓSo she can leave this bizarre life behind her.Ô
        ÓYouÒre very insightful.Ô Jacob tasted the acid on his tongue.
        ÓIf sheÒs kept this from me, itÒs for a very good reason. I trust her. Even though it disturbs me, IÒll keep this discussion weÒve had between us.Ô
        ÓGreat.Ô
        ÓIÒm just so glad sheÒs had friends like you to help ease her way,Ô David said. ÓQuite honestly, when I saw you last night, I was a bit intimidated.Ô
        ÓOh, yeahØÔ
        David nodded. ÓI thought youÒd become a rival for her affections. But obviously thereÒs nothing like that between you.Ô His previously tense face now held a smile. ÓIf there was, youÒre certainly not giving me much of a fight, are youØÔ
        If Jacob hadnÒt felt true emotion coming from David toward Amanda when heÒd shaken his hand and gotten a mild empathic read on him, heÒd probably have punched him in the nose.
        ÓI only want whatÒs best for her,Ô Jacob said after a moment. ÓAnd if moving to New York and forgetting about her psychic abilities is going to make her happy, then I support her decision a hundred percent.Ô
        And it was true; despite Amanda being incredibly stubborn and frustrating, he did want her to be happy. If being ÓnormalÔ was going to do that, then more power to her. Jacob would stay behind with the freaks in Mystic Ridge where he belonged.
        David pulled a small blue box out of his jacket pocket and opened it up to reveal a diamond solitaire ring. ÓDo you think sheÒll like itØÔ
        A wave of nausea swept through Jacob. It was an engagement ring. David was going to propose to Amanda.
        ÓYouÒre going to ask her tonightØÔ he asked weakly.
        David nodded and put the ring back into his pocket. ÓI am. Even after learning sheÒs kept secrets from me, I want us to be together.Ô
        JacobÒs jaw tightened. ÓWell, then, if youÒre really the best man for her, I wish you every happiness in the world.Ô
        David shook his hand. ÓThank you.Ô
        The empathic read Jacob got gave him the impression that David was filled with confidence and certainty.
        Two things Jacob wasnÒt feeling at that moment, that was for damn sure.


        SINCE Amanda had entered the pub, sheÒd been hugged about two dozen times. Tightly. The outpouring of emotion from her friends whoÒd come out tonight to say goodbye to her was enough to bring tears to her eyes.
        ÓWeÒre going to miss you,Ô Lauren, a psychic who specialized in palmistry, said.
        ÓThanks,Ô Amanda said, accepting yet another tight hug. ÓIÒm going to miss you, too.Ô
        She was then shuffled off to Ben, tarot card reader extraordinaire, who actually lifted her off the ground with his bear hug and then gave her a hard kiss on her cheek.
        Then somebody shoved a chocolate martini in her hand and the entire place made a collective toast in her honor.
        And here sheÒd thought the night would be awkward. Her chest felt tight with emotion from the outpouring of best wishes for her future.
        She was on her second martini when she saw Jacob and David come into the bar. Had they been talking for that longØ And about whatØ The thought made her nervous.
        Truthfully, sheÒd been nervous ever since sheÒd gotten home that day, had a shower, and started to get ready for the night. It had taken her an eternity to pick out her outfit and accessories. Then sheÒd burned her finger on her curling iron. Obviously she was distracted.
        When David had arrived in his Volvo to take them to the party sheÒd only half-heartedly kissed him. She felt horrible that the spark sheÒd felt between them had been all but extinguished. She wondered, frankly, if there had ever been a spark there in the first place.
        Jacob sidled up next to her at the bar when her head was turned in the opposite direction. She tried to ignore his thoughts. It was easy to do at the moment. It was very noisy in the pub.
        ÓCan I talk to youØÔ he asked.
        She swiveled around on her stool. ÓTalk.Ô
        ÓIn private.Ô
        She tensed. ÓNot sure thatÒs such a good idea.Ô
        He slipped off his seat and took her hand. ÓCome on. I promise I wonÒt bite.Ô He grinned. ÓNot hard, anyhow.Ô
        She tried not to smile, but couldnÒt help herself. ÓYou know Patrick has given the okay for the exorcism and destroying the clock.Ô
        ÓHe told me.Ô
        ÓIÒm going with you.Ô
        He raised an eyebrow. ÓYou want to make sure there are no rocks left unturnedØ No clocks left unburnedØÔ
        ÓI didnÒt know you were a poet.Ô
        ÓYou bring out my inner Shakespeare.Ô
        She felt his hand then at the small of her back. The heat from his touch sank into her and she was very glad she was sitting down because it made her legs feel very weak and wobbly. She felt like a teenager around this guy, all awkward and vulnerable. All he had to do was touch her to make her want him. It really wasnÒt fair at all.
        ÓJust five minutes of your time.Ô He leaned closer and she felt his warm breath brush against her ear. ÓBefore itÒs too late.Ô
        ÓToo late for whatØÔ she replied, dismayed by how breathy her voice sounded and how good Jacob smelled.
        ÓAmanda!Ô Vicky ran up to her and pulled her right off her bar stool and into a fierce hug. ÓYou look great! I love that dress! Very New York chic, I must say.Ô
        ÓThanks.Ô She glanced at Jacob who looked unhappy that theyÒd been interrupted. ÓWeÒll talk later, okayØÔ
        ÓSure,Ô he said stiffly.
        Patrick moved toward her in his wheelchair and instructed the bartender to open up a case of champagne so everyone got a glass.
        ÓTo Amanda,Ô he toasted ten minutes later. ÓWho knows what she wants and isnÒt afraid to go after it, no matter what the price.Ô
        She cringed at the knowing edge to his words as he clinked his glass against hers. ÓI do know what I want.Ô
        He raised his eyebrows. ÓThatÒs exactly what I just said.Ô
        ÓYou are a troublemaker, Patrick McKay.Ô
        He grinned. ÓAm I that transparentØÔ
        ÓYes, you are.Ô
        She turned to her left to see that Jacob was gone and David now stood next to her.
        ÓCan I have your attention pleaseØÔ David said, loudly enough for everyone to hear.
        She was surprised. SheÒd expected her very normal boyfriend to keep a low profile in the middle of a crowd of psychics, even if he wasnÒt a true believer. She knew it made him feel uncomfortable. HeÒd told her as much on the drive over.
        ÓAre you going to toast me, tooØÔ she asked.
        He smiled. ÓI am.Ô
        She scanned the bar to see that everyone was now paying attention to them. Even Jacob, now at the back of the crowd, looked at her. While everyone else had a smile on their face as they raised their champagne glasses, Jacob didnÒt look happy at all.
        ÓFrom the very first moment I met Amanda,Ô David began, ÓI knew that this beautiful woman was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I knew that at heart we were the same and wanted the same things×such as security and acceptance×that we had the same solid and steadfast view on the world. I was pleased when she made the decision to come work with me at my advertising company. I think sheÒs going to fit in very well there.Ô
        He placed his glass of champagne down on the bar top and fumbled in his pocket. Amanda watched him curiously.
        ÓShe fits in very well in my life, too,Ô he continued. ÓA perfect fit, IÒd say. ThatÒs why, in front of all of her friends tonight, IÒd like to ask Amanda LaGrange to marry me.Ô
        Her wide eyes moved to the diamond ring that popped up in front of her.
        ÓDavidÅÔ she began. ÓIÅI×Ô
        He gave her a huge grin. ÓYouÒre speechless, arenÒt youØÔ
        She nodded. The next moment she felt the cold metal of the ring as he slid it onto her finger.
        ÓSeeØ What did I tell youØÔ he said. ÓA perfect fit.Ô
        The crowd of PARA agents whoÒd gathered at the bar to send Amanda off on her new life cheered at their engagement.
        An engagement sheÒd hadnÒt exactly agreed to yet.
        She looked out at the beaming crowd to see JacobÒs reaction, but he was gone. Her heart sank.
        The very next moment Vicky ran up to her and gave her another hug. ÓWow, I knew it was serious, but I didnÒt think it was this serious! That is a hell of a rock you have there. IÒm so jealous!Ô
        It was a solid five minutes of more well-wishers and hugging, but this time she was too stunned to say much. She was engagedØ To DavidØ
        It was more than sheÒd anticipated. Moving to the city, working for him in a normal job, spending more time together×that had been one thing.
        But marriageØ
        ÓI think sheÒs going to fit in very well,Ô David had said as part of his proposal.
        She could see that life with David in his world would be the fit sheÒd always been searching for×the one sheÒd convinced herself she wanted. But now that she was trying it on for size, she found that fit more than a little bit tight and uncomfortable.
        At her first opportunity, she grabbed David by his hand and pulled him out of the crowd and into a private alcove of the bar.
        ÓDo you like your ringØÔ he asked.
        She looked down at the two-carat engagement ring. Judging by the blue box it came in, it was from TiffanyÒs. ÓItÒs beautiful.Ô
        ÓNot as beautiful as the woman who wears it.Ô
        She closed her eyes and let out a long exhale. When she opened her eyes, David didnÒt look quite as pleased by whatever expression he saw on her face.
        ÓIs there something wrongØÔ he asked.
        ÓIÒm afraid there is.Ô
        ÓDoesnÒt the ring fit properlyØÔ
        ÓThatÒs the problem. It fits too well.Ô
        He frowned. ÓWhy would that be a problemØÔ
        She chewed her bottom lip and tried to figure out how to properly word what she wanted to say. ÓIt fits well on the outside, but it doesnÒt fit well on the inside.Ô
        ÓI donÒt understand.Ô
        Amanda felt ill. ÓI donÒt want to hurt you, David. Honestly, thatÒs the last thing I want to do. ButÅbut I canÒt marry you.Ô
        There. SheÒd said it.
        His eyes widened. ÓWhatØÔ
        She shook her head. ÓI care about you so much. I think youÒre a wonderful man, really. But IÒm not in love with you.Ô
        David looked genuinely shocked. ÓI canÒt believe this.Ô
        She swallowed hard, her heart pounding a mile a minute in her chest. ÓIÒm so sorry, David. If IÒd known you were going to do this tonight I probably would have said something earlier.Ô
        ÓSo your decision not to be with me has been a work in progress, has itØÔ There was an unpleasant twist now to the words.
        ÓNo. ItÒs justÅitÒsÅitÒs complicated.Ô
        The corners of his mouth turned down. ÓIs there someone elseØÔ
        ÓWhatØÔ Her mouth felt dry. ÓOf course not.Ô
        ÓSo this doesnÒt have anything to do with JacobØÔ
        She blanched. ÓHe has nothing to do with this decision.Ô
        ÓSure he doesnÒt.Ô DavidÒs face soured. It was the first time sheÒd seen him look at her that way. ÓHe told me about you, you know.Ô
        ÓWhatØÔ
        ÓThat you can talk to ghosts. ThatÒs why you work for PARA.Ô
        Her stomach sank. ÓHe said thatØÔ
        ÓI canÒt believe you never told me the truth.Ô
        ÓIÅÔ She swallowed. ÓIÒm sorry. I should have.Ô
        He shook his head. ÓI find it all rather strange, but I would have accepted this unpleasant aspect of your life. You never even gave me the chance.Ô
        ÓStrange and unpleasantØÔ
        ÓOf course. What else could it beØÔ
        ÓAnd thatÒs exactly why I never told you. Because I knew thatÒs how youÒd feel about it.Ô
        He hissed out a breath. ÓYouÒre making a mistake, Amanda.Ô
        She pulled off the ring and held it out to him. ÓYouÒll find someone else. Somebody who can fit into your life perfectly and not think twice about it. Someone whoÒs not strange or unpleasant.Ô
        His lips twisted as he accepted the ring back from her. ÓIs that a psychic predictionØÔ
        She shook her head. ÓItÒs a promise. Goodbye, David.Ô
        He pocketed the ring, then with a last glare at the woman whoÒd turned down his offer of the perfect normal life, he left OÒGradyÒs.


        CHAPTER 12


        Amanda tried her best to go back to the throng of happy people and pretend everything was okay, but it was impossible. Finding the bar increasingly stifling, she went outside to the well-lit parking lot, sucked in great gasps of fresh air and tried to calm down. A couple of people brushed past her to get to their car and she forced herself to smile at them.
        Then, arms crossed over her chest, she walked around to the back of the building. She wanted to be alone for a moment so she could collect her thoughts. An alleyway ran behind the pub and the other downtown businesses×all closed for the day×that it backed on to.
        Other than the slight throb of music she could hear coming from inside the pub, the alley was silent. She felt a warm breeze move over her bare legs.
        What had she just doneØ A part of her was mightily pissed that sheÒd turned down DavidÒs proposal. Being married to a man like him would give her a solid, secure foundation for the rest of her life. It sounded good enough in theory.
        But it wasnÒt. She didnÒt love David. If there was one thing she believed, no matter what, it was that love and marriage went together. Despite what had happened with her mother and father, she held on to that particular fairy tale with a very firm grip.
        ÓCongratulations on your engagement,Ô a voice pierced through her thoughts.
        Her eyes widened and she looked up to see it was Jacob, who stood a dozen feet away from her in the otherwise empty back alley×just far enough to be out of reach of her mind-reading ability. She hadnÒt realized he was there until he spoke.
        The moon was full that night and it shone down on them with a silver light. The area was empty except for the two of them. She noticed his black Mustang was parked to the right in a small, vacant employee parking area belonging to the local bookshop.
        He took a few steps closer to her.
        Be a man. His self-directed thoughts were now very hard to ignore. Pretend it doesnÒt make a difference to you either way.
        It was best that Jacob continued to think she was engaged. It would make everything much easier.
        ÓThank you,Ô she finally replied.
        His brow lowered. ÓYouÒre not inside with your husband-to-be, toasting your wonderfully average futures.Ô
        She looked at him sharply. ÓAre you making fun of meØÔ
        He paced back and forth in front of her. ÓEverybody pulls out all the stops to have a regular, normal life. Sounds like the perfect 1950s sitcom to me. Very exciting stuff.Ô
        ÓYouÒre upset.Ô
        He stopped moving, then laughed at that and it sounded hollow. ÓStrangest damn thing, but IÒll admit it. I am upset.Ô
        ÓAny specific reason, or just upset in generalØÔ
        ÓPurely selfish reasons and nothing IÒm particularly proud of.Ô
        She looked over at the black car parked in the shadows and saw that the driverÒs side door was open. SheÒd be willing to bet that heÒd been about to leave when she had inadvertently interrupted him in her quest for fresh air.
        She chewed her bottom lip. ÓI really should get back×Ô
        He closed the remaining space between them and shut off any further words with a kiss that she didnÒt even attempt to resist. His tongue swept into her mouth as the kiss deepened and became more passionate. Her hands were in his hair, on the sides of his face, moving down to his chest, where she finally managed to force him back a bit.
        ÓWhoa,Ô she said breathlessly.
        He had the audacity to look proud of himself. ÓYou taste so good.Ô
        ÓI need to get back to the party. TheyÒre going to wonder where I went.Ô
        ÓIÒve been thinking, Amanda, about everything thatÒs happened between us.Ô
        She blinked. ÓAnd what have you been thinkingØÔ
        ÓThat IÒm glad it happened. IÒm glad weÒve had the chance to get to know each other better.Ô
        ÓIs that soØÔ
        He nodded, his dark, sexy gaze never leaving hers. It made things low in her belly ache with need.
        ÓI tried to resist,Ô he said. ÓI gave you some time alone to figure things out. But I know that itÒs not going to work. And I frankly donÒt give a good God damn if youÒre engaged to some other guy, I canÒt get you out of my head. If that makes me a selfish bastard, then so be it.Ô
        ÓBut, the curse×Ô
        His jaw set. ÓRight, the curse.Ô
        ÓDid Patrick tell you his hypothesis of what the curse actually isØÔ
        ÓNo.Ô His expression held guarded curiosity. ÓWhat did he sayØÔ
        She nervously looked around, expecting to be interrupted by someone from her party at any moment, but there was no one but the two of them. ÓHe said he thought it might be a spell to reveal true feelings. CatherineÒs aunt was a witch who apparently was a bit of a matchmaker.Ô
        ÓInteresting.Ô He was quiet for a moment. ÓSo when two people meant to be together get in the path of this clock, they canÒt ignore how they really feel any longerØÔ
        She shifted her feet. ÓHe was speculating only.Ô
        ÓYou thinkØÔ
        ÓPatrick is great and smart, and I know he cares about what happens to us, but that doesnÒt mean heÒs necessarily right about this.Ô
        ÓSo you still donÒt think this could be real, what we have between usØÔ
        She raised her eyebrows. ÓThis insanity that makes us act like sex addictsØÔ
        ÓYeah,Ô he grinned. ÓThat.Ô
        ÓNo, I donÒt think itÒs real.Ô She made a move to walk away from him. SheÒd wanted privacy so she could clear her head. Well, her head was clear and now she wanted to go back to the buzz and activity×and, well, safety×of the party she could hear muffled through the thick brick back wall of the pub. She couldnÒt deal with this. It was too much and the confusing emotions were beginning to choke her.
        ÓIf youÒre worried IÒm going to say something to David about us, you donÒt have to be.Ô
        Her mouth was dry. ÓYou mean like how you told him IÒm clairvoyantØÔ
        He sighed. ÓI was just attempting small talk with your perfect fiance. How was I supposed to know youÒd never shared that particular detail of your life with himØÔ
        ÓYou werenÒt.Ô She couldnÒt very well blame Jacob for that. It had been her own mistake that finally came back to bite her in the end.
        She turned away from him.
        ÓAmanda×Ô Jacob captured her hands in his before she could get far and brought them to his lips. ÓMaybe this is only magic. Hell, it would make more sense then. IÒve never felt anything so strong, so hard to resist, in my entire life. Try to tell me you donÒt feel the same way.Ô
        She bit her lip instead of answering.
        He studied her for a moment, and then looked down at her hands. Most specifically her left hand, and he rubbed his thumb over her ring finger. ÓWhereÒs the blingØÔ
        ÓThe whatØÔ
        ÓThe bling. The engagement ring. Why arenÒt you wearing itØÔ
        She felt the compulsion to tell the truth well up inside of her. ÓBecause I said no to him.Ô She grimaced. ÓShit.Ô
        His eyes widened. ÓYou said noØÔ
        She couldnÒt help but nod her head. Damn that need to tell the truth! As long as Jacob phrased something in the form of a question, she had to be completely honest with him. It was like a whacked episode of Jeopardy.
        She was definitely doomed.


        JACOB honestly couldnÒt believe it. HeÒd been certain, absolutely no-doubt-about-it certain, that Amanda and David were engaged. As soon as David pulled out the ring in the bar, heÒd left. He hadnÒt waited around to hear the verdict, since he was sure it would be a yes.
        The fact that it wasnÒt completely stunned him.
        He knew that she wouldnÒt have told him the truth if heÒd given her any other choice. Why was thatØ If sheÒd turned David down, the man who represented everything to her that Jacob himself wasnÒt×i.e., a normal guy who didnÒt give her any trouble×then what did that meanØ Was she admitting that it wasnÒt what she wanted anymoreØ
        There was only one way to find out.
        He pressed up against her and felt her tense, but she didnÒt try to pull away from him. ÓI have a couple more questions for you, Amanda.Ô
        A sliver of dread moved through her gaze. ÓPlease, Jacob, donÒt make me say anything.Ô
        ÓAnything you might regretØÔ
        She nodded.
        He flinched. He didnÒt want to force her to do anything. The thought was painful to him. ÓWhy would you regret the truthØ ThatÒs what IÒm getting at here. All I want is the truth.Ô
        ÓThe truth when IÒm feeling all vulnerable doesnÒt mean itÒs the real truth.Ô
        ÓWhat are you, a lawyerØÔ She was so logical about everything he had to grin. That only succeeded in making her angry.
        ÓNo, not a lawyer,Ô she answered truthfully. ÓLet go of me.Ô
        He did immediately and she let out a sigh of relief.
        However, he wasnÒt finished yet.
        ÓDo you want meØÔ he asked, bracing himself for her reply.
        ÓYes.Ô She cringed and glared at him. ÓPlease stop that.Ô
        A swell of dark pleasure moved through him at the answer. He studied her for a long moment. His gaze flitted from her beautiful but strained face down her luscious body, her long bare legs, then back up again.
        He struggled to breathe as he willed himself to ask the question he desperately needed the answer to. ÓAre you in love with meØÔ
        ÓYes.Ô Immediately, her eyes bugged with shock at her reply.
        YesØ SheÒd said yesØ
        He was so stunned by the answer that he couldnÒt speak for a moment.
        Amanda was in love with him. SheÒd answered truthfully×she had to. He wasnÒt sure what answer heÒd expected, but he hadnÒt expected one so certain and decisive.
        She looked distraught. ÓDammit, Jacob. Why are you doing thisØÔ
        ÓDo you hate me for making you answer that questionØÔ he managed.
        ÓNo,Ô she replied, averting her gaze.
        Amanda tried to keep her emotions in check. To have everything she was feeling out on the table must have made her feel incredibly exposed.
        ÓIÒm sorry,Ô he said. ÓI shouldnÒt be doing this. ItÒs not really very fair, is itØÔ
        ÓNo, itÒs not.Ô She swallowed and her eyes locked with his.
        ÓDo you want to go back to the party right nowØÔ
        She shook her head. ÓNot yet.Ô
        That truthful answer was a surprise. Even more of a surprise when she placed her hands flat against his chest. Her full, red lips were slightly parted and there was no mistaking the expression of desire on her face.
        He ran his hands down the sides of her waist and hips before he raised his gaze to hers again.
        ÓDo you want me to make love to you right nowØ Right hereØÔ
        ÓYes.Ô
        ÓWeÒre alone right now, but anyone could walk back here at any moment.Ô
        ÓI donÒt care.Ô She touched his face, his cheekbones, forehead, jawline, his lips. The heat from her fingers seared into him.
        ÓSay it out loud,Ô he breathed. ÓJust so we donÒt have any misunderstandings.Ô
        ÓMake love to me, Jacob. Right here. Right now.Ô
        His mouth met hers again and he kissed her long and slow and it grew deeper and harder. His hard cock strained painfully against the front of his jeans.
        This wasnÒt normal, this way he burned for her. It wasnÒt average, the way his body ached for her. It was magical. He wanted her more than any other woman heÒd ever known before and the thought actually scared him with its intensity.
        She could hear the truth of his thoughts, he saw it in her eyes.
        ÓI want you,Ô she managed. ÓSo much.Ô
        She made a small sound of protest when he pulled away from her touch.
        ÓWhatÒs wrongØÔ she asked breathlessly.
        ÓNothing,Ô he said. ÓEverything. Damn, I donÒt know anymore. I donÒt know whatÒs right, whatÒs wrong. WhatÒs real and whatÒs not. And I donÒt really care.Ô
        He took her hand and led her over to his car, kissing her deeply as his hands moved up her warm silky thighs under her dress. She gasped against his lips as he brushed his fingers against her panties. He couldnÒt help but grin.
        ÓYouÒre already wet for me,Ô he observed.
        She just nodded.
        He glanced around to ensure they were still alone, then made short work of the panties, pulling the lacy bit of fabric down her long, lean legs. She pressed up against the hood of his car. He didnÒt normally like it when anybody touched the machine, let alone sat on it, but he was willing to make a very big exception for Amanda.
        He pushed up the gauzy material of her dress to bare her smooth legs. She didnÒt protest at all as his hands moved up her thighs, followed by his mouth as he left a trail of kisses on her creamy flesh. He pushed the dress up high enough to expose her glistening sex to the night air and silver moonlight.
        ÓDamn,Ô he said, overwhelmed by the feel of her, the scent of her, and when he swept his tongue over her hot sweet core and she bucked against him, the desire only grew. She was soft and wet and tasted like dark honey. He moved his tongue over her again, feeling her hands clutching at his shoulders and upper back.
        She began making a low keening sound deep in her throat that only served to make him go slower, tasting her deeply, before sliding his tongue along her inner lips and circling her clit. His hands kneaded her thighs, pressing them wider apart, before he moved his right hand to her wet cleft, slowly sliding two fingers inside her while he continued to stroke his tongue over that delicious pink bud.
        ÓJacob!Ô she gasped, and then let out a harsh cry as he felt a shudder ripple through her entire body.
        He wanted more. He couldnÒt stop. He couldnÒt get enough. But she pulled his face up to hers and kissed him, openmouthed, wet and deep.
        ÓI guess I canÒt pretend that I donÒt want you anymore,Ô she whispered. ÓThe proof is in the mind-shattering orgasm.Ô
        ÓYou can pretend,Ô he replied hoarsely. ÓBut I might not believe you.Ô
        She kissed his mouth and chin and down his throat, working her hands up under his shirt. He was so hard it was painful, and when she unzipped his pants and pulled him free, he nearly came as she slid her tongue over the head of his shaft.
        He swore loudly and he saw her smile at that.
        ÓNot just dreaming now, are weØÔ she asked.
        He shook his head, feeling the sweat breaking out on his forehead. He tried to control himself as she took him in her mouth, sucking and licking him in slow, even strokes from the base to tip. She held him firmly in one hand while the other caressed his balls. When she ran her tongue over them each in turn he almost exploded.
        ÓYouÒre killing me,Ô he groaned.
        ÓAre you saying that you like thisØÔ She grinned and looked up at him.
        She was killing him, and she was finding it funny. That sounded like Amanda. He squeezed his eyes shut tightly and let the pleasure she was giving him wash over him. HeÒd had no idea how talented that little mouth of hers was. HeÒd had a brief preview in their shared dream, but that hadnÒt come close to preparing him for the real thing.
        Since he didnÒt want to finish this way, although it was definitely a great way to begin, he leaned over and coaxed her up to her feet.
        ÓProblemØÔ she asked. Her face was flushed but her eyes sparkled with life. She knew what she did to him. Obviously the ability to read his mind while she had him in her mouth was a definite advantage for her.
        ÓNo problem,Ô he breathed, and kissed her again. HeÒd never been so hard in his life.
        He moved her so that she was facing away from him and toward the trunk of his car, and then pressed a hand against her back. She leaned forward without protest. He pulled her skirt up over her hips.
        ÓJacob×Ô She looked over her shoulder at him. Her voice was breathy with need. ÓPlease. I need you inside of me.Ô
        He was all thumbs as he fumbled for a small foil packet from his wallet, ripped it open and rolled the condom on. Then he positioned himself against her and heard her moan in pleasure as he slowly sheathed himself inside her.
        He was sure she wouldnÒt be getting a very good reading on his thoughts at the moment because he currently was incapable of any coherent thought. She felt better than anything. Anyone. He honestly didnÒt think that he could ever grow weary of how she made him feel.
        He brought her up so that her back pressed against his chest, and he slid his hands down the front of her dress, pleased that she was braless so he could take her full breasts in his hands as he thrust into her heat, in and out, in and out.
        He swore again, trying to hold back his climax for as long as he could. ÓAmanda,Ô he groaned. ÓYou feel so good, I canÒt take it.Ô
        ÓYes,Ô she gasped in reply. ÓDonÒt stop. Please donÒt stop.Ô
        But he couldnÒt hold back for much longer. After only a couple of more ecstasy-streaked minutes he reached the end of his restraint and felt the dark waves of pleasure roll through him like a runaway train. He let out a hoarse cry as he came and collapsed against her, still touching her, still needing to be close to her.
        Her mouth found his and she kissed him for a full minute before pulling away a little. She nibbled at her bottom lip and actually managed to look bashful.
        ÓWhatÒs with the innocent actØÔ he asked, with a weary smile.
        She shook her head and kissed him again. ÓIÅI never would have done anything like that right here, right next to O ÒGradyÒsÅbut, I couldnÒt stop myself. ItÒs always so intense with you.Ô
        ÓIÒll take that as a compliment.Ô
        She smiled a little. ÓEspecially when I give in to it instead of trying to resist the magic.Ô She touched his face, and slid her thumb over his bottom lip. Her gaze was soft. ÓI think IÒm definitely going to miss that.Ô
        Her lips brushed against his again and he already felt the stirrings of another erection, but he pushed those sensations away for the moment. ÓWhat do you mean youÒre going to miss thatØÔ
        She smiled and moved her hand down to take his semi-erect cock in her hand and stroked it slowly. ÓIÒm going to miss the way you make me feel. How you feel inside of me.Ô Another kiss. ÓI want you again. Right now.Ô
        He straightened up and stepped away from her, then tucked himself back into his pants and buttoned his shirt.
        Her smile faltered and she pushed her dress back in place so it fell to just above her knees. ÓWhatÒs wrongØÔ
        ÓYou still donÒt think this is realØÔ
        ÓNo.Ô The truth left her full lips and his heart sank.
        ÓI see.Ô
        She frowned at him. ÓYou know this is a spell.Ô
        ÓRight.Ô He blinked hard and tried to ignore the rising frustration in his chest. ÓSo you broke up with your boyfriend, refused his proposal, all because of a magic spell that makes you horny for my body.Ô
        Her cheeks flushed. ÓYou think I broke up with him because of youØÔ
        He scowled at her. He didnÒt have to reply. She easily read everything that currently rushed through his mind.
        She clenched her teeth. ÓFor your information, it had very little to do with you, Jacob. I broke up with him because I realized that I wasnÒt in love with him. I canÒt marry somebody IÒm not in love with.Ô
        ÓYou said you were in love with me,Ô he said. ÓWould you marry meØÔ
        ÓYes,Ô she replied, then swore under her breath. ÓWhy do you do thatØÔ
        ÓJust trying to figure out the truth.Ô
        ÓOkay, Jacob, yes. Yes. I am in love with you. I want you so much I can barely function.Ô Her voice broke a little. ÓAnd at this very moment I would agree to spend the rest of my life with you.Ô
        He studied her fixedly. ÓButØÔ
        ÓBut the only reason we feel like this is because of a spell.Ô
        ÓSo itÒs not realØÔ
        ÓThatÒs what IÒve been trying to say.Ô She inhaled deeply and then let out a long, shuddery breath. ÓAnd when we go to the house tomorrow and fix things, there is a very high likelihood that all of this will go away.Ô
        ÓAnd then what happensØÔ he pressed. ÓWeÒre just supposed to ignore each other and pretend nothing ever happened between usØÔ
        ÓItÒll be easy since IÒll be in New York.Ô
        He took a step back. ÓI thought you broke up with David.Ô
        ÓI did.Ô She licked her lips in an obviously nervous gesture. ÓBut IÒm still moving there. It doesnÒt change anything. Besides, I wasnÒt going there just to be with David, I was going there to start a new life. As soon as we take care of the ghosts and the clock, IÒll be leaving.Ô
        Why this took him by surprise, he wasnÒt exactly sure. He supposed that finding out that she and David were no longer together had led him to assume that she would be staying in Mystic Ridge and keeping her job. But nothing had changed. Nothing at all.
        ÓWhy wait until tomorrowØÔ he asked. ÓLetÒs go tonight and get it over with.Ô
        She was silent for a moment. ÓTonightØÔ
        He nodded. ÓItÒs only nine-thirty. We get in my car and drive to the Davis house. In five hours weÒll be back and itÒll all be over. YouÒll be free, and I promise not to bother you ever again.Ô
        Her expression twisted for a moment, and he could have sworn he saw tears brimming in her perfectly madeup eyes, but then she managed to compose herself. ÓI think thatÒs a very good idea. But, I need candles and salt for the exorcism. And we canÒt forget the cleansing oil for the clock.Ô
        ÓAll of thatÒs already in my trunk,Ô he said. ÓReady for tomorrow.Ô
        ÓMatchesØÔ
        ÓI have a lighter.Ô
        She blinked slowly. ÓBut, if youÒve been drinking at the party you shouldnÒt be driving anywhere.Ô
        ÓHavenÒt even had a beer yet. I was saving it up. Thought IÒd get blitzed later and walk home. Hell, I still might.Ô In fact, he was a little sorry he was so acutely sober at the moment.
        She was obviously out of excuses. ÓOkay, then letÒs go.Ô
        AmandaÒs gaze moved around the general area, seemingly searching for something.
        ÓIf youÒre looking for your panties×Ô Jacob suppressed an evil grin Ó×IÒm afraid thatÒll be two pair IÒll need to write you an IOU for now. Whoops.Ô
        She glared at him, but didnÒt reply to that. Instead, she got in the passenger side and arranged her skirt around her knees. ÓItÒs probably a good idea if you try to keep your thoughts to yourself on the way up. ItÒs a long drive, after all.

        Yeah, like that was going to happen. She didnÒt want anything to do with himØ She thought this was all one big bibbidi-bobbidi-booØ She would get to listen to every damn thing that went through his mind about her. And he might just throw in some of his personal fantasies involving handcuffs and whipped cream just to mix it up a bit.


        CHAPTER 13


        ÓThatÒs right,ÔJacob said into his cell phone as they sped along the highway. ÓIÒll text you when weÒre done. DonÒt worry. WeÒll be fine.Ô
        HeÒd placed a call to let Patrick know what they were planning on doing. Amanda felt bad about abandoning her going-away party, but it was too late to turn back now so she could suck down a couple of more martinis and finish hugging everyone in a three-mile radius.
        No, sheÒd definitely had enough one-on-one physical contact for the night. She crossed her legs and tried to forget about the fact that she was presently not wearing any underwear.
        This trip could have waited until tomorrow. It probably should have waited until tomorrow.
        She glanced at Jacob as he listened to whatever Patrick was telling him. He didnÒt look at her, in fact, he hadnÒt looked directly at her in the hour since sheÒd gotten in the car.
        He was pissed off. She honestly couldnÒt say that she blamed him.
        She tried desperately not to pay attention to JacobÒs thoughts. Even though he tried to mask his true feelings with a montage of flashy, sexy images, she could see through to the raw emotion underneath.
        But seriously, how had he expected this to play outØ That theyÒd end up togetherØ That an enchanted clock had pointed both of them in the direction of true loveØ
        He was a relative newbie, but sheÒd been in the paranormal investigation business long enough to know the difference between reality and magic-enhanced reality. There were many different enchanted and cursed objects sheÒd uncovered over the years, and many spells of varying strengths had swept over her. TheyÒd all faded sooner or later.
        Anything that felt as strong as what she felt for Jacob at the moment had to be fake.
        Sure, theyÒd known each other for two years, but they hadnÒt spent very much time in each otherÒs company. After that first meeting×
        She recalled their gazes locking from across the floor. It had been at OÒGradyÒs as well, hadnÒt itØ SheÒd felt that sudden, irresistible, sexual attraction to him×what some people might call love at first sight. That hadnÒt been real either because as soon as theyÒd spoken to each other it had faded.
        No, faded wasnÒt the right word. It had been pushed out of the way by the wrong thing said at the wrong time. SheÒd convinced herself that she strongly disliked him, even hated him, based on that first meeting.
        She flicked another glance at his profile as he kept his attention on the road ahead of them. SheÒd definitely been aware of him in the office for two years. Painfully aware. The man was attractive and undeniably sexy, after all. She wasnÒt blind.
        But theyÒd been forced to work one-on-one for the first time on Friday night. That was only×she counted in her head×four nights ago.
        It was as if a decade had gone by since then. She felt as if she knew Jacob better than anyone sheÒd ever known before in her life. Sure, it was mostly to do with her being able to wade through his thoughts, but it was more than that. There was a connection between them that went way beyond the physical.
        Although the physical was pretty nice, too.
        It was all just part of the spell.
        What if it isnÒtØ a little annoying voice poked at her. What if this is realØ
        ÓThinking about meØÔ he asked, his voice breaking the silence in the car.
        ÓYes,Ô she replied immediately and then pressed her lips together. Reading minds was handy, but compelling someone to tell the truth was embarrassing.
        His attention left the road for a split second as he glanced at her. ÓPatrick thinks weÒre being rash.Ô
        ÓHe said thatØÔ
        He nodded.
        ÓDoes he want us to come backØÔ
        ÓNo, but he warned us to be careful.Ô
        She crossed her arms. ÓThe ghosts wonÒt be a problem. I actually think theyÒll welcome the opportunity to leave their misery behind.Ô
        ÓHow exactly do you exorcise themØÔ
        ÓDonÒt you know these things alreadyØÔ
        ÓIf I did, I wouldnÒt be asking you.Ô He flicked her a glance. ÓIÒve never been sent out on any exorcisms before. Since IÒm an empath, ghost-busting isnÒt exactly my specialty. Is it anything like in The ExorcistØÔ
        She couldnÒt help but laugh. ÓNo. ThatÒs demonic possession. Ghosts are a bit different.Ô
        ÓHowØÔ
        ÓTheir ties to this world are less strong, so it takes less effort to remove them. Actually, every clairvoyant I know has a different method. Some stick to the books, but IÒve found that lighting three candles, surrounding the candles with a small circle of salt×well, that will draw the ghost to me. I have an incantation IÒve memorized×a Latin one. It cleanses the house and makes it completely inhabitable to the ghosts.Ô
        ÓWhat happens to the ghost thenØÔ
        This was all common knowledge to her. ÓMost of the time it gives them the push they need to go on to the afterlife, kind of like scraping a splattered bug off your windshield. But if theyÒre very resistant to leaving, then an exorcism will decimate the spirit completely.Ô
        ÓDecimateØÔ
        ÓYeah, obliterate. Make it as if it never existed.Ô
        ÓSounds harsh.Ô
        She shrugged. ÓIf the spirits are evil they can be dangerous. ItÒs the best way.Ô
        ÓBut Catherine and Nathan arenÒt evil.Ô
        ÓNo, they arenÒt. But bottom line, PARA is a business. We work for our clients. If we didnÒt do what they wanted, within limits, then we wouldnÒt be able to stay in business very long, would weØÔ
        ÓWeØÔ he repeated. ÓRemember, you quit. YouÒre basically a freelancer now.Ô
        ÓRight.Ô SheÒd forgotten about that for a moment.
        ÓWhatÒll you do in New YorkØÔ he asked. ÓI assume youÒre not going to take the job at DavidÒs ad agency anymore, are youØÔ
        She shook her head. ÓI can do something else. I have some money saved up, a nest egg to last me long enough to figure things out.Ô
        ÓVery smart.Ô
        ÓMy mother raised me to be practical.Ô
        ÓPractical is definitely a word IÒd use to describe you, Amanda. And your mother, too, for that matter.Ô
        She cringed at the subtle insult, but then thought about it for a moment. ÓI know you probably think sheÒs a horrible person, keeping the truth about my father from me for all of those years, but sheÒs only been trying to protect me. SheÒs not a bad mother.Ô
        He was silent for a moment. ÓYou know her better than I do.Ô
        ÓIÒm not saying that it makes what she did right.Ô
        ÓNo, it doesnÒt.Ô The angry twist of his lips slowly changed to curl up with borderline amusement. ÓShe really couldnÒt stand me.Ô
        ÓOf course not. YouÒre one of the psychic freaks who have corrupted her daughter all of these years.Ô
        He raised an eyebrow. ÓCard-carrying psychic freak, and proud of it.Ô
        She smiled at that. ÓYou really donÒt look like a freak.Ô
        ÓI appreciate that.Ô He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. ÓAnd just for the record, neither do you.Ô
        She reached out to touch him, she couldnÒt help herself. She slid her fingers through his dark hair. ÓI really think you mean that.Ô
        He captured her hand with his and brushed his lips against it. Then he blinked and looked at the road again. ÓAnother hour and weÒll be there. IÒm making good time.Ô
        ÓI feel like IÒve been apologizing all night long, but I want you to know how sorry I am, Jacob.Ô
        ÓSorryØ For whatØÔ
        She swallowed past the lump in her throat. ÓThat this couldnÒt be real.Ô
        The softness that had grown in his gaze hardened and his jaw tightened. ÓRight. CanÒt forget that for a second, can weØÔ
        She frowned. ÓI donÒt want to fight with you.Ô
        ÓMe neither. So maybe it would be better if we just donÒt say anything else for the rest of the ride.Ô
        She licked her dry lips. ÓFine with me.Ô
        SheÒd already called the owner of the haunted house, Sheila Davis, to let her know that theyÒd be performing the cleansing ritual as requested. Ms. Davis had been curt and unfriendly, but she did seem pleased that everything was going according to plan and ahead of schedule.
        ÓThe sooner I can sell this house, the better,Ô sheÒd told Amanda before ending the call.
        The cold way she looked at such a beautiful, historic property made Amanda flinch a little. Ms. Davis was going to take every penny sheÒd get from it and spend it on that shiny new condo in Chicago rather than attempting to live there, or even refurbish the place to give it the respect it deserved.
        She supposed she couldnÒt fault the woman that much. It sounded a lot like what she was doing herself.
        But moving to New York would grant her everything sheÒd ever wanted. SheÒd settle in before too long, find a great apartment, meet new friends, get a new job×and eventually start dating.
        But she couldnÒt even think about something like that right now.
        Finally, after what felt like an eternity×although Jacob had turned on the radio and blasted some loud music which helped distract her a little bit×they pulled up in front of the Davis house.
        ÓSo whatÒs the game planØÔ Jacob asked without enthusiasm.
        ÓWe go in, I give Catherine and Nathan one more chance to leave of their own free will, explaining to them what will happen if they refuse. If they give us a hard time, I will exorcise them.Ô
        ÓWill it take longØÔ
        ÓA couple of minutes. I just have to light the candles, spread the salt and read the incantation. Easy.Ô
        ÓCan I read it if necessaryØÔ
        She shook her head. ÓIt has to be somebody like me. Otherwise it would take a really long time and more accessories would be required×like crucifixes and holy water×Ô
        ÓSo youÒre a real, honest to goodness, ghostbuster.Ô
        She shrugged. ÓItÒs rare, I guess, to be able to do what I do.Ô
        ÓWhich is what makes you so special.Ô
        She turned to look at him, but heÒd already averted his gaze to open up the driverÒs-side door.
        ÓSo you do your ghostbusting,Ô he continued, Óand then weÒll tear that clock apart. Hell, who knowsØ We might make it back to OÒGradyÒs for last call.Ô
        ÓYou never know.Ô
        He pushed open the door and got out. ÓCome on, LaGrange. LetÒs not wait another minute. LetÒs get it done, get out and then weÒll both be free to go our separate ways.Ô
        He seemed to call her by her last name when he was either amused with her or annoyed. She didnÒt have a hard time figuring out which he was at the moment.
        A glance at her bangle-style watch told her it was a few minutes after eleven oÒclock. Perfect timing, actually. Since the ghosts were free to roam the house between eleven and twelve, there would be no need to exert herself in summoning them.
        No, IÒve exerted quite enough energy tonight, she thought, pushing away the immediate blast of desire at the memory of what had happened between her and Jacob outside the bar. SheÒd really been far gone to have sex with him somewhere anybody could have walked by and seen them in flagrante delicto.
        She chewed her bottom lip. Why did that sound so exciting to herØ
        ÓYou comingØÔ Jacob called to her.
        Considering she didnÒt even accept AmandaÒs strange abilities, her mother definitely would never approve of somebody like Jacob. Even if she and Jacob were a regular couple, her mother would hate him. He was way too opinionated and too unpredictable.
        She got out of the car and Jacob handed her a duffel bag with the candles and salt inside. He used the key provided by Ms. Davis to open the front door, and flicked on a light in the hallway.
        ÓDeja vu,Ô Jacob said, glancing around at the familiar surroundings.
        ÓHard to believe it was only four days ago we were here last.Ô
        ÓA lot has happened.Ô
        ÓTo say the least.Ô
        His lips curled into a wry smile. ÓDonÒt worry. ItÒs almost over.Ô
        Before she could say anything in reply to that×although she had no idea what×he said, ÓIÒm going to find the bathroom. I didnÒt drink any booze at OÒGradyÒs, but I did knock back about three sodas.Ô
        ÓToo much information. Go.Ô
        He grinned and took off down the hall.
        Amanda tried to compose herself, put everything out of her mind except the task at hand. She spent a minute or two moving through the hall and admiring the crown molding, the original flooring, the hand-stitched area rugs. The history of the place oozed out of every crevice and she could picture Catherine living here when she was alive, throwing dinner parties and entertaining her wealthy husbandÒs friends and business associates.
        She felt the sadness there, too, of a woman who was in an unhappy marriage and more than likely trapped financially. Women a hundred years ago rarely walked out on their husbands simply because of a loveless relationship.
        Women were much more practical back then. In a way she admired their fortitude. In another way, she saw the despair of not having many other choices.
        Except, perhaps, having a passionate affair with a handsome servant.
        ÓHello again.Ô
        Amanda jumped and turned around slowly to see that Catherine stood behind her. The spirit glowed in the otherwise dark room with an inner light. At first glance she looked alive, unless you looked closely to see she was slightly transparent.
        ÓHello,Ô Amanda replied.
        ÓYouÒve returnedØÔ
        Amanda nodded. ÓWe have.Ô
        ÓWeØ Is your handsome gentleman with you againØÔ
        ÓHe is. And where is yoursØÔ
        ÓI donÒt know where Nathan is right now.Ô Catherine suddenly became wary. ÓWhy is it that youÒve returned hereØÔ
        ÓA couple of reasons.Ô
        ÓThe last I saw of you, you were in the room upstairs with the clock as it struck midnight.Ô
        ÓYou remember correctly.Ô
        ÓDid anythingÅhappenØ Between you and your gentlemanØÔ
        ÓYou could say that.Ô
        ÓYou felt an overwhelming passion for himØÔ
        ÓIn a manner of speaking.Ô Amanda swallowed hard. Discussing her sex life with a dead woman wasnÒt exactly how sheÒd expected to spend this evening.
        Catherine frowned. ÓI have seen others in the presence of the clock at the midnight hour, but very few have succumbed to its magic. I wonder why that isØÔ
        This grabbed AmandaÒs attention immediately. ÓThere were othersØÔ
        ÓYes. Only one other couple that I can remember were swept away by the enchantment. Others simply left and were not moved in the slightest. At those times I believed that it no longer worked, that my auntÒs spell had worn off. But you and your gentleman×Ô
        ÓIt hasnÒt worn off yet,Ô Amanda finished. ÓThatÒs one of the reasons weÒre back. We need to destroy the clock to break the spell.Ô
        Conflicting emotions washed over CatherineÒs face. ÓI wonder if that will free me from my deep and unnatural need for Nathan.Ô
        ÓSo you really, truly donÒt believe youÒre in love with him,Ô Amanda said.
        ÓI am a practical woman,Ô Catherine said. ÓI married not for love, but for a solid place in society. Obviously, emotion plays little part in how I lived my life. What I feltÅwhat I feelÅfor Nathan goes beyond any fantasy I ever had about what love is. How could that possibly be realØÔ
        AmandaÒs chest tightened. Was she looking in a mirrorØ This woman sounded exactly like her×denying the possibility that what she felt deep in her heart was the real thing. Instead of making her feel a true kinship with Catherine, it only served to make her angry. She could tell the other night when Catherine and Nathan looked at each other that what they felt was real. CatherineÒs insistence that it wasnÒt was more than a little annoying.
        Nathan believed it was love, but Catherine refused to accept it as anything but the result of a magic spell.
        Interesting.
        ÓIs there another reason that youÒre here againØÔ Catherine asked. ÓOther than the destruction of my auntÒs clockØÔ
        Amanda nodded slowly. ÓThe new owner of the house is concerned about your continued presence here. She is uncomfortable owning a haunted house.Ô
        ÓUnpleasant shrewish womanØÔ Catherine asked. ÓRed hairØ Changed the linens in the upstairs bedroomsØÔ
        ÓThatÒs the one.Ô
        ÓYou can let her know that we will strive to make our existence here as quiet as possible.Ô
        ÓYou gave her a firm push out of the house a couple of times. Kind of freaked her out.Ô
        Catherine gave her a genuine smile that showed off her beauty. ÓPerhaps.Ô
        Amanda wasnÒt smiling. ÓIÒm afraid that keeping a low profile isnÒt an option. And since your curse traps you here, you canÒt leave of your own free will.Ô She swallowed. ÓIÒm going to have to exorcise you.Ô
        She wondered if sheÒd have to explain what that meant to Catherine, but the ghostÒs eyes widened with obvious knowledge and she began to shake her head.
        ÓNo,Ô Catherine said in a choked voice. ÓPlease. You canÒt.Ô
        ÓI have no choice.Ô
        ÓI know what will happen. WeÒll be gone. We wonÒt be able to be together.Ô She let out a shaky gasp. ÓI canÒt be away from him. ItÒs bad enough that I canÒt touch him, but I canÒt lose him completely!Ô
        Before Amanda was able to say anything else, Catherine came at her quickly and pushed her×the anger and panic she felt at the threat of being exorcised enough to give her physical and tangible strength. Amanda fell over on her ankle and hit her head on the carved-wood armrest of the antique sofa, which knocked her out cold.
        However, instead of the blackness of unconsciousness, she saw something else entirely.


        CHAPTER 14


        Amanda was upstairs in the bedroom where she and Jacob had found the clock. It was different this time. Catherine was also in the room. But instead of being mostly transparent, the girl was solid. And she looked upset.
        Who was the woman with herØ Darker blond hair than CatherineÒs, older, but still beautiful. There was wisdom in her eyes.
        It was her aunt, Amanda suddenly knew without any doubt. Rose Embry. The witch.
        Was she dreaming thisØ
        ÓCatherine×Ô Concern twisted in RoseÒs voice. ÓYou donÒt have to marry him if you donÒt want to.Ô
        ÓI do, and IÒm going to,Ô Catherine replied.
        ÓYouÒve been crying.Ô
        She shook her head. ÓTears of happiness.Ô
        ÓExcuse me,Ô Amanda ventured, but the next moment Catherine walked right through her as if she wasnÒt even there.
        She was having a vision. It was the most vivid one sheÒd experienced yet.
        RoseÒs expression was filled with understanding. ÓI feel your pain, Catherine.Ô
        ÓI love you, Aunt, but this isnÒt any of your business. My parents are thrilled, everyoneÒs here and theyÒre ready for the ceremony to begin. I canÒt very well turn back now.Ô
        ÓDo you love himØÔ Rose asked tightly. ÓThis man youÒre committing the rest of your life toØÔ
        Catherine sighed. ÓI know what this is all about. ItÒs about Edmund, isnÒt itØÔ
        Rose cringed. ÓWhy would you say thatØÔ
        ÓBecause you were lucky enough to experience a true and everlasting love with Edmund you canÒt imagine anyone marrying for more practical reasons than that. Well, I know that you loved Edmund, but it doesnÒt make any difference.Ô
        Amanda could see pain enter RoseÒs expression.
        ÓI loved him and I lost him. The short time we had together was the most wonderful of my life. He was my soul mate.Ô
        CatherineÒs lips thinned. ÓIÒm surprised you donÒt try conjuring his spirit up in that silly crystal ball of yours.Ô
        ÓHe has moved beyond this realm or believe me I would do anything for the chance to see him again.Ô Rose breathed out shakily. ÓWhat about NathanØÔ
        Catherine froze. ÓWhat about himØÔ
        ÓDonÒt play coy with me, Niece. IÒve seen the way you look at him and how he looks at you. YouÒre in love with him.Ô
        ÓWith a butlerØÔ Catherine repeated, incredulously. ÓThatÒs impossible.Ô
        ÓWhyØ Because he doesnÒt fit the mold of what you consider a proper husbandØ Because he doesnÒt have the mountain of money your fiance hasØ He is a man, a very handsome man, and when he looks at you I can see the rest of the world disappears for him.Ô
        ÓI will admit that he is very attractive, but there is nothing else there.Ô
        ÓAre you having an affair with himØÔ
        Catherine gasped. ÓOf course not.Ô
        ÓWill you in the futureØÔ
        Catherine didnÒt speak for a very long time. ÓThis conversation is extremely inappropriate on my wedding day, Aunt.Ô
        ÓYouÒre right. But there seems to be no one else who will discuss such matters with you, Catherine. Nathan attends to you, he hangs on your every word. It is clear to me that his feelings for you run much deeper than those of an employee to the future wife of his employer.Ô
        ÓI shall not discuss this any further.Ô
        At that moment, Nathan walked past the room and glanced in. His blue eyes widened as he saw Catherine in her ivory-colored, beaded wedding gown.
        His head lowered. ÓI apologize. I didnÒt mean to stare.Ô
        RoseÒs lips curled as she noticed the immediate flush come to her nieceÒs face from the attention of the tall, attractive young man.
        ÓPlease, Nathan,Ô Rose said. ÓCome in here for a moment. I need your opinion on something.Ô
        ÓAunt,Ô Catherine snarled under her breath. ÓPlease donÒt.Ô
        But Nathan obeyed the order and entered the room to stand at the doorway with his hands clasped behind the waistcoat of his butlerÒs uniform.
        ÓDoesnÒt my niece look lovely todayØÔ Rose asked.
        With a tortured expression, Nathan raised his gaze to sweep slowly and appreciatively over CatherineÒs body. Their eyes met and locked and there was no mistaking the longing there for both of them.
        And suddenly it was as if Amanda could read RoseÒs thoughts and sense all of her emotions. CatherineÒs aunt was certain these two were soul mates. It wasnÒt a guess, it wasnÒt wishful thinking, it was the truth.
        Curious people willing to pay her fee would come to her and she would help lead them toward their soul mates, if they were lucky enough to have one in the world. She couldnÒt do all the work. The subjects themselves had to come halfway, but a little push helped move them in the right direction.
        Which was how sheÒd decided on the perfect wedding gift. She glanced over at it in the corner of the room. A beautiful ebony grandfather clock.
        Only it wasnÒt any normal clock.
        The last thing Rose planned to do was to try to stop the wedding. She knew it would happen. But it didnÒt change anything.
        And perhaps the clock would appear completely benign when in the presence of Bernard and his lovely young wife. It would keep time and chime at the hour. But it would be waiting patiently for the right opportunity to work its special magic.
        If Nathan and Catherine truly were soul mates, a very subtle spell would waft over them at the stroke of midnight. A spell that would make them see that their love, while hidden, could not be ignored.
        Rose felt certain it would work.
        The magic brought with it some risk, but she was certain that Catherine and Nathan, once given the opportunity to be together body and soul, would embrace it completely.
        If they didnÒtÅthere might be a few complications.
        The spell hinged on their mutual acceptance of what they felt for each other, but if they didnÒt accept itÅwellÅ
        Quite honestly, Rose didnÒt know what the consequences might be.
        But she did hope for the best.


        CHAPTER 15


        The last thing Jacob expected to see when he emerged from the bathroom was a ghost, considering the fact that he couldnÒt see ghosts, and never had before in his life.
        ÓYouÒre here to exorcise us, arenÒt youØÔ the ghost said in a morose tone.
        ÓYouÒre Nathan, rightØÔ he replied.
        The ghost cocked his head to the side. ÓYou need to do it and do it quickly.Ô
        ÓIÒll take that as a yes, youÒre Nathan.Ô
        ÓYou need to release me from my misery.Ô
        ÓRight.Ô Jacob cleared his throat. ÓGuess thereÒs not much chance to let off some steam at the local pub when youÒre trapped in a house like this for all eternity, is thereØÔ
        NathanÒs expression darkened. ÓI donÒt particularly care for your flippant tone, sir.Ô
        ÓSorry, itÒs just that IÒm not used to having face-to-face time with spirits. Especially ones who seem to know whatÒs going to happen to them.Ô
        ÓItÒs possible for me to show myself to those who do not have the gift of sight.Ô
        ÓAmanda can see you,Ô Jacob said.
        ÓShe can. But she canÒt help me. In fact, I fear that she may change her mind about exorcising us. And you must make her go through with it.Ô
        ÓSheÒs not going to change her mind. If thereÒs one thing I can guarantee you about Amanda itÒs that she does her job to the letter.Ô
        ÓYouÒre in love with her.Ô It wasnÒt a question.
        ÓIs it really that obviousØÔ Jacob studied the translucent man in front of him for a moment. ÓI have definitely lost my edge. ItÒs embarrassing, really.Ô
        ÓThe clock worked its magic on you both, didnÒt itØÔ
        ÓIt did.Ô Jacob grinned, remembering. ÓThanks for the warning, by the way.Ô
        The barest glimpse of a smile appeared on NathanÒs lips. ÓHad you not been the one for her there would have been nothing to fear.Ô
        ÓWhich means what, exactlyØÔ
        ÓThe enchantment only works to bring those together who were already destined for love. All others it passes by.Ô
        ÓThatÒs definitely debatable.Ô
        ÓYouÒve told her of your feelingsØÔ
        ÓAt the moment she can read my mind so itÒs a little hard to hide something like that, even though I might like to.Ô
        ÓSo she is the one who denies it.Ô NathanÒs lips thinned. ÓNo wonder youÒre still feeling the negative effects of the spell.Ô
        Jacob frowned. ÓYouÒre saying weÒre feeling the negative effects because she refuses to believe what we have is realØÔ
        ÓMy Catherine denies her heart and the result is our imprisonment in this house.Ô He drew in a long breath he definitely didnÒt need, being dead. ÓI canÒt continue like this. Unable to touch her, only able to see her for such a short time. ItÒs torture. There is only one answer and that is for us to be exorcised from this house. I know your Amanda can grant us that. It may not give us heaven together but it will finally give us peace.Ô
        ÓDamn,Ô Jacob said. ÓAnd I thought I was acting way emo this week. YouÒre definitely the winner.Ô
        ÓEmoØÔ Nathan frowned. ÓWhat is emoØÔ
        ÓEmotional. Angsty. Woe-is-me, etcetera.Ô
        NathanÒs gaze sparked. ÓI apologize if I fail to see the humor in this situation.Ô
        ÓObviously.Ô Jacob shook his head and tried not to smile. Really, it wasnÒt all that funny. Well, it kind of was.
        Nathan was him, after all. A darker, bitterer version anyhow. In love with a woman who refused to accept her own feelings at face value. Who would push away a chance at happiness in order to stay true to her rigid beliefs.
        They were obviously both screwed.
        ÓPlease,Ô Nathan said. ÓYou must make sure that your Amanda follows through with the exorcism. I canÒt bear to see Catherine again, for seeing her only reminds me that we can never truly be together.Ô
        ÓYou really donÒt think thereÒs any other solution hereØÔ
        ÓThe spell that binds us is strong.Ô
        ÓWeÒre planning to destroy the clock hoping that will break the spell.Ô
        ÓYou can try,Ô Nathan shook his head. ÓBut the magic is already inside of us. It may do nothing at all but take us deeper into despair.Ô
        ÓTotal emo,Ô Jacob said under his breath.
        There was a crashing sound and a short scream that he recognized as AmandaÒs. With a last look at the spirit, he turned away and ran down the hall to the drawing room.
        Amanda lay on the ground unconscious. His stomach lurched and he ran to her side, falling to his knees next to her. He stroked the dark hair off her forehead. He could see where sheÒd hit her head, a trickle of blood at her hairline.
        But she was breathing and her heart beat regularly which eased his mind a little. He considered carrying her to his car and taking her to a hospital, but just as he began to gather her into his arms her eyelids fluttered before opening up completely.
        Her gaze went directly to his but she didnÒt say anything right away.
        ÓYou hit your head,Ô he stated the obvious.
        ÓOw,Ô she replied.
        He brushed his lips over her forehead. ÓHonestly, I leave you for a few minutes and you go tripping over the furniture.Ô
        ÓIÅIÒm clumsy like that.Ô
        ÓObviously.Ô
        ÓAlsoÅÔ she hesitated. ÓCatherine pushed me when she found out why we were here.Ô
        A surge of anger moved through him. ÓIÒll kill her.Ô
        She smiled. ÓFunny.Ô
        ÓWhere is she nowØÔ
        ÓIÒm sure sheÒs around. Help me up.Ô
        He got to his feet and pulled Amanda up to a standing position.
        ÓYouÒre sure youÒre okayØÔ he asked.
        ÓI think so.Ô Amanda swallowed. ÓIÅI had a vision. A major one.Ô
        ÓWhile you were knocked out or beforeØÔ
        ÓDuring. I thought it was a dream, but it was too vivid. I saw CatherineÒs wedding day. And the aunt who enchanted the clock in the first place×I saw her, too. I actually got into her head.Ô
        He looked amazed by this, but there was no doubt in his expression of what she was telling him. ÓAndØÔ
        ÓAnd it wasnÒt to be cruel. It was to try to help her niece, whom she felt was making the wrong choice by marrying her husband.Ô
        ÓThe one who killed herØÔ
        ÓYes.Ô
        ÓIÒd say she made the wrong choice.Ô
        ÓYeah.Ô She sucked in a deep breath. ÓAnd Nathan was there, too. He was her butler. They wanted each other desperately but they wouldnÒt give in to their feelings. ThatÒs why Rose gave them a littleÅpush.Ô Something else came into her mind then, a stray thought from Jacob. ÓYou saw himØ NathanØÔ
        He raised an eyebrow. ÓI canÒt say that IÒll miss you being able to poke around in my head at your leisure.Ô
        ÓI canÒt help it when youÒre this close to me.Ô So close she could feel the heat from his body. It was very distracting.
        ÓYeah, I see dead people.Ô He grinned. ÓIÒve always wanted to say that. Anyhow, he let me see him because he wanted to talk to me. He and I have a lot in common, actually.Ô
        ÓReallyØ Like whatØÔ
        ÓLike the fact weÒre both crazy about crazy women.Ô
        She chewed her bottom lip. ÓDefinitely sounds like a curse, doesnÒt itØÔ
        His grin faded at the edges. ÓRight. Well, heÒs giving two thumbs up to the exorcism. HeÒs ready for it to be over.Ô
        ÓThat makes one of them.Ô
        ÓCatherine isnÒt keen on getting obliteratedØÔ he asked, wryly. ÓHow odd.Ô
        ÓShe kind of freaked, actually. Thus the pushing.Ô
        ÓSo sheÒs giving you a hard time. DoesnÒt mean we hold off. We go through with the exorcism as planned, rightØÔ
        She pressed her lips together.
        He studied her. ÓYouÒre not having second thoughts, are youØÔ
        ÓNo, of course not. ItÒs justÅtheyÒre kind of like us in a way, arenÒt theyØÔ
        ÓYou see that, tooØÔ
        She nodded. ÓBoth trapped by magic.Ô
        ÓTrapped,Ô he repeated, and his voice had turned cold again. ÓRight. Well, I think IÒve personally had just about enough of that magic. IÒm not going to wait until the exorcism is over. IÒm going to take care of the clock now.Ô
        She was surprised. ÓNowØÔ
        ÓWhat, you wanted to waitØ For whatØ ItÒs not going to change anything.Ô
        ÓNo, but×Ô
        He shook his head, his expression sad. ÓIÒm in love with you, Amanda.Ô
        HeÒd said it out loud. It was one thing to hear it in his thoughtsÅand even then it had been slightly uncertain. ThisØ This was decisive. He loved her.
        ÓJacob×Ô she began, not knowing exactly how to respond to that.
        ÓI donÒt think getting rid of that clock is going to make any damn difference to anyone but you. So thatÒs what IÒm going to do.Ô
        He turned away and stormed out of the room.
        She could hear his thoughts echoing in her mind, a little harsher than what heÒd said out loud.
        IÒm going to tear it apart and then burn it. If she wants this over, then itÒll be over. I canÒt take it anymore.
        She stood in the drawing room alone for a few moments as the certainty of his decision washed over her.
        He was going to destroy the clock. Burn it. Break the spell.
        ItÒs what sheÒd been telling herself she wanted since this began. The only thing tying her to Mystic Ridge and keeping her from a new, normal life was this strange and intense passion she felt for Jacob.
        ItÒs not real, the familiar refrain sang in her head.
        But the thought didnÒt keep the panic from welling in her chest. In fact, it became a full-on wave of anxiety.
        No. I canÒt lose this feeling, she thought suddenly. I canÒt lose him!
        Still feeling dizzy from hitting her now-aching head, she started for the stairs, taking them two at a time until she got to the top. She rushed along the hallway to the familiar bedroom.
        Jacob was in front of the clock, a sharp ax clutched in his right hand. He looked over his shoulder.
        ÓWhereÒd you get the axØÔ she asked tensely.
        ÓI conjured it out of thin air. Or from my trunk where I keep the rest of my arsenal.Ô
        ÓOh.Ô
        ÓI can take care of this myself,Ô he said. ÓYou donÒt have to be here.Ô
        She exhaled shakily. ÓDonÒt do it.Ô
        ÓExcuse meØÔ
        She closed the distance between them and grabbed the weapon out of his hand. ÓDonÒt take the clock apart.Ô
        He raised both his eyebrows. ÓAre you possessedØÔ
        ÓNot the last time I checked, although I guess itÒs possible.Ô
        ÓShould I go get the holy water just to make sureØÔ
        ÓJust listen to me for a second, would youØÔ
        ÓOh, believe me, IÒm all ears.Ô
        What is she doingØ his thoughts echoed in her ears. She wanted this and now sheÒs stopping meØ The woman is certifiable.
        ÓYouÒre right, I did want this,Ô she said. ÓBut now I donÒt. I donÒt want you to burn the clock.Ô
        ÓIf we donÒt burn it we wonÒt be able to break the spell.Ô
        ÓI know.Ô
        His brow furrowed and he studied her intensely, a jumble of thoughts speeding through his head. ÓWhat the hell are you talking aboutØÔ he growled.
        Her head ached. ÓI know it sounds crazy×Ô
        ÓIt does.Ô
        ÓButÅbut I donÒt want to lose this. What we have between us. IÒve never felt this way before. I guess it scared me. But even if itÒs only made of magic, I donÒt want it to go away.Ô
        He stared at her for a few moments. ÓYouÒre serious about this, arenÒt youØÔ
        She nodded.
        ÓYouÒd rather stay cursed than risk losing what we haveØÔ
        ÓI know it sounds crazy, but itÒs true. I didnÒt know how much this means to me, how much you mean to me, until I realized it was going to be taken away.Ô
        Kind of like how Catherine had been blase about her and NathanÒs relationship until she faced the prospect of being exorcised and forced apart. That was what had done it for Amanda. Seeing that grief in CatherineÒs eyes, that sense of impending loss, had made her realize how deep her feelings for Jacob were. She didnÒt want to lose him, either.
        It wasnÒt just amazing sex. It was so much more than that.
        His look was grim. ÓSo that means youÒll still be able to read my mind and I can make you tell the truth.Ô
        ÓThatÒs right.Ô
        ÓThatÒs no damn way to live.Ô
        ÓI can deal with it,Ô she said, with more certainty than sheÒd ever felt before.
        His lips thinned. ÓWell, maybe I canÒt.Ô
        That answer, not previewed in his thoughts, cut into her. ÓNoØÔ
        He shook his head. ÓYou said it yourself. This isnÒt real, this is all just an illusion.Ô He leveled his gaze with hers. ÓUntil you change your mind about that I donÒt think we have anything else to discuss here.Ô
        This is real, his thoughts told her. YouÒre just too wrapped up in having your life make perfect sense when life doesnÒt make sense. It never has and it never will. And thatÒs whatÒs so great about it.
        He closed the distance between them and kissed her hard. She groaned against his lips. It was insane, the way he made her feel. Even the briefest touch was enough to send her over the edge.
        He reached down to slide his hands under her skirt. He cupped her panty-free bottom and pull her up against the hard bulge in his pants as their kiss deepened.
        She knew she wanted him×there was no denying that he could turn her on as easily as a light switch×but something still bothered her.
        Was it that he represented everything that was strange and unusualØ Everything that her mother had always told her was wrongØ The same things she was mercilessly teased about in schoolØ Not even the teachers had intervened unless things got really bad and even then all they usually did was give her a tissue to wipe her tears.
        Jacob embraced his psychic abilities. He didnÒt find anything wrong with them. He didnÒt find anything wrong with her.
        The fault, obviously, lay with her. She was stubborn and messed-up and neurotic and she gave him a harder time than anyone else probably ever had in his life.
        But he still thought he was in love with her.
        Why would he love herØ
        She laughed then, against his lips, as something very important began to make sense to her. She wasnÒt rejecting him by refusing to believe what she felt was real. She was rejecting herself. Because if she truly believed this was more than magic, sheÒd have to accept who and what she was once and for all. If she loved Jacob, despite his strangeness, sheÒd have to love herself, too.
        But sheÒd never loved herself. There was always some fault, even above and beyond her abilities. That had just seemed the best area to focus her self-loathing on.
        She pulled away from him and he let her go, his arms dropping slackly to his sides.
        ÓI donÒt know what else to do here, Amanda,Ô he said. ÓI give up.Ô
        She looked at him, then. Really looked. He stood next to the clock that ticked away the minutes toward midnight×it was currently eleven-thirty. The clock that Rose Embry had enchanted a hundred years ago to help her niece find true love.
        And suddenly, as Amanda looked at Jacob Caine, she saw the truth, as well. It made her gasp and tears welled in her eyes.
        The very next moment, a bolt of lightning-hot pain went through AmandaÒs brain and her knees buckled. Jacob caught her, his brows furrowed and drawn together.
        ÓDid you feel thatØÔ Amanda asked weakly.
        ÓI swear, this spell is going to make my head explode.Ô
        ÓMine, too.Ô
        ÓPainÒs gone. Are you okayØÔ
        She nodded. She was okay but the concerned expression Jacob gave her was almost worth more agony. HeÒd probably felt exactly the same amount of pain as she had, but his first concern was with her well-being.
        ÓWhat was thatØÔ he asked. ÓMore magicØÔ
        ÓI think so.Ô
        ÓYou can let go of me now,Ô she said.
        ÓSorry.Ô He released her again. ÓWhat can I sayØ Hard to keep my hands to myself. I do wish right now that you were wearing panties. Or possibly a chastity belt of some kind.Ô
        ÓI will be sending you a bill for new lingerie.Ô
        His attention was focused on her lips. ÓMaybeÅmaybe I was hasty in my decision. I guess thereÒs no reason for us to chop up the clock tonight. WeÒre not on a deadline, are weØÔ
        ÓNo deadline,Ô she agreed. ÓOther than my moving three hundred miles away from town tomorrow.Ô
        He frowned. ÓI keep forgetting that little fact.Ô
        ÓThat makes one of us.Ô
        He gave her a small smile. ÓSo what does this meanØ How can we possibly make this mutually acceptable curse work for usØ Weekend booty callsØ I mean, IÒm not ruling those out, but I would like something a little more meaningful. Does that make me less of a macho guy to admit thatØÔ
        She smiled. He hadnÒt figured it out yet, had heØ
        She closed her eyes and tried to listen in on his thoughts but there was only silence now.
        The spell had been broken.
        It had been broken the moment she realized the truth×she loved Jacob, and that love was real. The clockÒs enchantment had helped draw back the layers of protection theyÒd had over their hearts and egos until they couldnÒt resist what they both already knew down deep.
        SheÒd never hated him. Not from the very first moment they met.
        SheÒd hated how heÒd made her feel with an ill-placed mention of her despised nickname, Amanda the Strange. But he hadnÒt meant anything cruel by it. SheÒd stayed away from him as much as she could because the strong feelings sheÒd had for him from the very beginning×that love at first sight×had never faded. It had scared her so sheÒd buried it down deep.
        Way deep.
        No wonder his dating history had upset her. SheÒd been insanely jealous.
        She loved him. This self-proclaimed, card-carrying psychic freak. And he loved her in return.
        The clock knew it. The clock hadnÒt taken a simple no for an answer.
        Stupid enchanted clock.
        She gave it an amused glare as she silently thanked a witch from a hundred years ago.
        They would have remained ÓcursedÔ until the day Amanda admitted and accepted that her love for Jacob was the real thing. She honestly didnÒt know if destroying the clock would have changed a damn thing.
        The fact that the spell had been broken with only her thoughts made her realize that JacobÒs feelings for her were the real thing, as well.
        ÓAmanda,Ô Jacob said, frowning. ÓYou have the strangest look on your face. Are you absolutely sure youÒre not possessedØÔ
        She drew him to her and she kissed him again. Just a soft one, a brush of her lips against his. ÓAlmost positive.Ô
        ÓMaybe you have a concussion. You did bang your head really hard earlier. Actually, that would explain how youÒre acting right now.Ô
        ÓShh.Ô She kissed him again, and though his body was tense, he didnÒt resist.
        At least, not for a while. Then he stepped back from her, his eyes haunted. ÓI donÒt know what you want from me.Ô
        She smiled. ÓI just want you.Ô
        ÓI suppose that could easily be arranged.Ô He glanced at the bed and she followed his line of sight.
        ÓAn excellent idea, but I have something I need to take care of first,Ô she said.
        ÓThe ghostsØÔ
        She nodded.
        ÓNathan really wants it to be over. Hell, maybe IÒll want it to be over in a hundred years.Ô He gave her a tense smile. ÓWeÒll have to wait and see.Ô
        She took his hand. ÓCome on. I need your help. Just follow my lead and play along, okayØÔ
        ÓOkay.Ô He frowned. He had no idea what she was about to do.
        The thought made it even more exciting for her.


        CHAPTER 16


        Jacob could use a drink. A big one. Normally he knew what to expect from Amanda. Over the last four days he felt as if heÒd gotten to know her very well. She was cold and analytical×kind of like a really hot Vulcan×but at the moment, she was acting so strangely and unpredictably.
        She seemed oddly exuberant about the exorcism she was about to perform. It seemed like something one should do with respect or reverence for the spirits who were about to be drop-kicked into the next dimension. He didnÒt know much about exorcisms, admittedly, but he did know they werenÒt pleasant×for the exorcist or the exorcized.
        Amanda seemed downrightÅjubilant.
        He still couldnÒt believe heÒd agreed to leave the curse as it was. It wasnÒt the best answer, but heÒd honor her decision. For now. He was completely and totally convinced that what he felt wasnÒt the result of a spell. But was he willing to test that theory at the risk of losing AmandaØ
        Not for a hundred years or so.
        Although he would prefer not to become an angsty dead guy if he could help it.
        ÓCatherine,Ô Amanda said sharply as they entered the drawing room. ÓPlease show yourself to both of us.Ô
        There was silence.
        ÓCatherine,Ô Amanda said again. ÓI have the ability to make you appear if I have to. I donÒt want to have to do that.Ô
        Before JacobÒs eyes the outline of a woman appeared and it filled in to reveal an attractive blonde in old-fashioned clothes. So this was Catherine, huhØ She was very cute. He could see why somebody like Nathan might be persuaded to go on a one-way trip to emo-town for her.
        Still, he didnÒt like that sheÒd pushed Amanda earlier. The spirit was just damn lucky that she hadnÒt been more seriously hurt.
        CatherineÒs expression was severe. Severely pissed.
        ÓLeave this house,Ô Catherine said evenly.
        ÓI kind of like it here,Ô Amanda replied. Jacob raised an eyebrow at her oddly sassy tone. ÓI might stay for a bit longer.Ô
        ÓAll I ask is that you leave Nathan and me in peace.Ô
        ÓLet me get this straight,Ô Amanda said. ÓNathan was your butler.Ô
        ÓThat is correct.Ô
        ÓAnd you had an affair with him when you were married. Because of the spell that your aunt put into the clock, you couldnÒt keep your hands off his fabulous body.Ô
        CatherineÒs lips thinned. ÓWe were intimately involved.Ô
        ÓBelieve me, I know you were. Did I mention the first time I was here I got a vision of you two intimately involvedØÔ She patted the sofa. ÓRight hereØÔ
        CatherineÒs eyes widened. ÓWe were swept away by passion. It was impossible to resist.Ô
        ÓI know.Ô Amanda glanced over at Jacob then. ÓTrust me. I know.Ô
        He was confused. What the hell was she doingØ
        ÓBut you werenÒt really in love with him,Ô Amanda continued.
        ÓAny strong emotions were caused by the enchantment,Ô Catherine said. ÓAlthough itÒs true Nathan believes we transcended that.Ô
        ÓBut you donÒt believe that.Ô
        The spirit didnÒt answer right away. ÓI donÒt understand where these questions are leading.Ô
        That makes two of us, Jacob pushed his thoughts at Amanda. This is seriously unnecessary. What are you doingØ
        She ignored him. Which was strange since heÒd asked her a direct question she should have felt compelled to answer.
        ÓYou were very upset when you learned why IÒd returned,Ô Amanda said pointedly. ÓYou were beside yourself with grief at the thought of losing Nathan. That doesnÒt seem the reaction of someone who isnÒt truly in love.Ô
        A trace of fear flickered in CatherineÒs gaze.
        Why are you taunting herØ he thought. Just get this over with so we can leave. YouÒre making me feel sorry for her.
        ÓMy reaction was mostly due to not having seen him in some time since heÒs been avoiding me,Ô she said. ÓI would want the chance to say a proper farewell.Ô
        ÓRight.Ô Amanda paused. ÓThen IÒm very sorry to inform you that Nathan has been exorcised. HeÒs gone. The last thing he said was that he loved you and heÒd miss you.Ô
        Catherine was so still Jacob thought she had turned into a transparent statue.
        ÓHeÒs goneØÔ She said it so quietly it was barely audible.
        ÓHe said that you never loved him so it wouldnÒt matter. He asked for it. He wanted to go.Ô Amanda turned to Jacob. ÓIsnÒt that rightØÔ
        He frowned at her so hard it hurt. ÓYeahÅthatÒs right. Poor guy. He was ready to leave here so much he was practically begging for us to do it.Ô
        Amanda gave him a small smile.
        What the hellØ
        And then it dawned on him what she was doing. His eyes widened.
        Do you honestly think this is going to workØ he asked her silently.
        Again she ignored his direct question. Weird.
        Catherine continued to stand in place, her arms slack at her sides, her face contorted with grief. Silver streaks moved down her cheeks as she cried silently.
        ÓNo,Ô she whispered, shaking her head. ÓHe canÒt be gone. He canÒtÅIÅwe were supposed to be together. How will I ever be able to find him againØÔ
        ÓWhat difference does it makeØÔ Amanda asked. ÓYou didnÒt really love him. IÒd think this would be a relief for you both. Finally youÒre free.Ô
        Rage finally flashed in CatherineÒs ghostly eyes and Jacob curled his arm around AmandaÒs waist to pull her back a few feet. He knew that an angry ghost could do some serious damage if it wanted to. A simple push was only a glimpse of the supernatural power that could be unleashed.
        But the fury faded quickly until there was only sadness.
        ÓItÒs true,Ô Catherine said shakily. ÓIÒve denied it for all this time, but it must be true. If it wasnÒt, I wouldnÒt feel like this.Ô She looked at Amanda. ÓMy aunt was right, wasnÒt sheØ She was right about everything. I loved him. I tried to deny it. I tried to push it away, but I couldnÒt. And now heÒs gone forever.Ô
        ÓYou loved him,Ô Amanda repeated. ÓAre you sure about thatØÔ
        ÓYes.Ô
        The very next moment, Catherine gasped loudly and a strange ripple of blinding white light spread over her ghostly form before disappearing. She looked at her hands. ÓWhat just happenedØÔ
        Nathan took form across the room. ÓWhat happened is that weÒre free. Finally.Ô
        Catherine stared at Nathan, covering her mouth with her hand in shock. ÓButÅyouÒre gone. IÅI donÒt understand. She said she exorcised you.Ô
        He moved closer to her. ÓShe told you what you had to hear to finally make you admit the truth to yourself.Ô
        ÓThe truth.Ô
        He nodded. ÓThat you love me as much as I love you. I knew you did. All this time, I knew.Ô He reached out and stroked her cheek. ÓSeeØ I can touch you again. The spell is finally broken.Ô
        Catherine tentatively touched him, as well. ÓI canÒt believe this.Ô
        ÓItÒs true.Ô
        ÓIÒm sorry it took me so long to see that. I was afraid.Ô
        His grin widened. ÓBetter late than never.Ô
        She smiled back at him. ÓI love you, Nathan. Forever.Ô
        ÓI love you, too.Ô He bent toward her to give her their first kiss in a hundred years. When they parted, Catherine looked over at Amanda and Jacob, her eyes glowing with happiness.
        ÓThank you,Ô she said. ÓBoth of you. So much.Ô
        Amanda smiled at her and felt a warmth fill her. She was so happy she wouldnÒt have to perform any exorcisms tonight. ÓYouÒre very welcome.Ô
        The next moment, the two ghosts vanished from the room in a soft pulse of light. Amanda turned to Jacob, her eyes shiny with tears.
        ÓWhat in the hellØÔ he said after a moment. ÓI feel like I was just forced to watch about eight chick flicks in a row. I seriously need a shower.Ô
        She laughed. ÓThat can be arranged.Ô
        ÓWhereÒd they goØÔ
        ÓIÒm assuming wherever people go when they die. The afterlife.Ô
        ÓTheyÒre not trapped here anymoreØÔ
        She shook her head. ÓShe broke the spell.Ô
        ÓDamn well took her long enough.Ô
        ÓSome people are pretty thick in the head when it comes to this sort of thing.Ô
        AinÒt that the truth, he thought. ÓHere I was expecting to see my first exorcism live and in person.Ô
        ÓWe can always rent The Exorcist.Ô She smiled. ÓBut, like I said before, itÒs a little different in real life. Not nearly as dramatic.Ô
        ÓWe can, can weØÔ
        ÓDefinitely.Ô
        I donÒt know, he thought, looking into her eyes. IÒm trying to figure out how this is going to work. You and me. This spell. Are you absolutely sure this is how you want to play itØ Are you sure you donÒt want to destroy the clock now while weÒre still hereØ
        She blinked. ÓWhatØÔ
        ÓWhat do you mean, whatØ Are you going to answer the question or notØÔ
        ÓWhat questionØÔ She looked confused for a moment. ÓOh, are you thinking at me againØÔ
        He eyed her warily. ÓWhatÒs going on hereØÔ
        ÓIsnÒt it obviousØÔ
        ÓNow youÒre answering my questions with more questionsØÔ
        She looked way too amused. ÓAsk me something. Anything.Ô
        He frowned. ÓIs the sky blueØÔ
        ÓRight now itÒs black. ItÒs almost midnight.Ô
        ÓBut is it blue during the dayØÔ
        She shook her head. ÓNo, IÒm thinking itÒs more of a magenta. With glitter.Ô
        Definitely not the truth, unless in AmandaÒs world the sky looked like something out of a childrenÒs coloring book. ÓYou canÒt lie to me.Ô
        ÓSure I can. And just for the record, I canÒt hear your thoughts anymore. Luckily, what youÒre thinking is written all over your face.Ô
        ÓIt isØÔ His frown deepened. ÓThen what am I thinking right nowØÔ
        ÓYouÒre thinking that mind-reading and truth-telling are both part of our curse, and now those things have disappeared. YouÒre thinking that maybe the spell has been broken, but youÒre not exactly sure how or why.Ô
        ÓThat is what IÒm thinking.Ô
        ÓAnd now youÒre starting to think that the only way to break the spell, which as evidenced by what just happened between Catherine and Nathan, is for the more stubborn and annoying partner to admit sheÒs in love with the other.Ô
        ÓThat does sound like whatÒs going on in my head right now. Are you sure you canÒt read my mind anymoreØÔ
        ÓQuite sure. And now youÒre thinking that the stubborn person canÒt just say that they love the other out loud, they need to admit it inside themselves as well to know that itÒs the truth. They canÒt lie to themselves even though they may have tried really, really hard.Ô
        He swallowed. ÓAnd what happens thenØÔ
        ÓThen the spell is broken because the enchanted clockÒs purpose was to make two people realize that theyÒre in love with each other no matter how much they try to deny it to each other or themselves.Ô
        ÓThe clock is very strict.Ô
        ÓIt is.Ô
        ÓOkay, so IÒll admit it, that is what I am thinking right now. The only question is, what are you thinkingØÔ
        Amanda placed her hands on JacobÒs chest and slid them up over his shoulders. ÓIÒm thinking that IÒve been kind of stupid.Ô
        ÓNo comment.Ô
        She smiled at that. ÓIÒm thinking that IÒve been denying the exact thing that IÒve wanted more than anything because I didnÒt think I deserved it.Ô
        ÓAnd that thing isØÔ
        ÓYou, of course.Ô
        JacobÒs jaw dropped. ÓWait a minute×Ô
        She shook her head and pressed her index finger against his lips. ÓI tried to convince myself that I wasnÒt really in love with you, but I was. I am. The clock knew it. I guess IÒve been in love with you since the night I first met you.Ô
        He raised one eyebrow, not wanting to believe his own ears. Maybe heÒd been knocked unconscious and this was only a dream. ÓThe night at the barØ When I first started at PARAØÔ
        ÓYou called me Amanda the Strange.Ô
        ÓItÒs a cute nickname.Ô
        She grimaced. ÓNot to me it isnÒt.Ô
        ÓOh.Ô He cleared his throat. ÓSorry about that, then. Sometimes when IÒm nervous I say stupid things.Ô
        She laughed. ÓYouÒre forgiven.Ô
        ÓI canÒt believe this.Ô
        ÓBelieve it.Ô She looked up at him then and a sliver of doubt crept into her expression. ÓDo you feel any differently now that the spell is brokenØÔ
        ÓConsidering I actually had to be told that it was broken, IÒm thinking that I donÒt feel any differently.Ô
        ÓJust checking.Ô
        He shook his head. ÓI still canÒt believe this.Ô
        ÓObviously IÒm going to have to convince you that IÒm in love with you.Ô
        ÓIt might take a lot of convincing.Ô
        ÓI have time.Ô
        He looked at her very seriously. ÓWhat about your big moveØÔ
        ÓRight. That.Ô
        ÓYou have a brand-new life waiting for you in New York. If you stay here youÒll never feel normal, and isnÒt that what you wantØ This mega race to be the most normal woman in North AmericaØÔ
        She shrugged. ÓI am starting to think that maybe being normal is overrated.Ô
        ÓI could have told you that. In fact, IÒm pretty sure I did tell you that a few billion times.Ô
        ÓItÒs only been four days. Hardly a billion.Ô
        ÓHalf a billion.Ô He finally couldnÒt hold back anymore and he leaned forward to kiss those full, delicious, warm lips of hers. ÓI love you, Amanda the Strange.Ô
        She cringed. ÓI thought I told you I hate that nickname.Ô
        ÓSorry.Ô He grinned. ÓYou might have to get used to it. Because I think itÒs a seriously sexy pet name for the woman I love.Ô
        ÓOh, yeahØÔ
        He nodded. ÓI hate normal chicks. So boring.Ô
        ÓFine, I forgive you.Ô She grinned and kissed him again.
        ÓI guess we should probably head back to Mystic Ridge.Ô
        She shook her head. ÓToo late. Besides, there is that lovely little bedroom upstairs.Ô
        ÓI like the way you think.Ô
        Without another word spoken or thought, he picked her up and carried her quickly up the stairs. He laid her down on the canopied bed where theyÒd first made love, pulling her dress off over her head and quickly disposing of his own clothes.
        He kissed her completely and thoroughly, tasting those lips heÒd become addicted to, without any stupid spell as the excuse. He wanted her. HeÒd wanted her since the first moment he saw her. And now she was his.
        ÓI love you, Jacob,Ô she told him.
        He smiled against her lips. ÓI do love the sound of that.Ô
        He timed it so he could slide into her at the stroke of midnight. Seemed appropriate, somehow.


        CHAPTER 17


        She was awakened by a pounding sound.
        Amanda came to the slow realization that her body was entwined with JacobÒs body, her arm across his hard chest. He looked so peaceful when he slept. She moved up to kiss him on his lips and his eyelids flickered open.
        ÓÒMorning,Ô he said groggily.
        ÓGood morning,Ô she replied.
        ÓSo that wasnÒt just a dreamØÔ
        ÓIÒm thinking no.Ô She traced her finger along his whiskered chin. ÓIs that okayØÔ
        ÓMore than okay.Ô He drew her closer so he could give her a proper kiss.
        ÓWhat is that soundØÔ
        ÓSomebodyÒs knocking on the door.Ô
        AmandaÒs eyes widened and she grabbed the bedsheets to pull them up over their blatant display of naked flesh.
        The next moment the door to the bedroom swung open and Sheila Davis took a step inside. Her eyes went very big at the sight of the two of them.
        ÓWhat on earthØÔ she exclaimed. A big blue vein pulsed on her forehead. ÓYou twoØ AgainØ I thought I lodged a complaint with your superiors! I will have you both fired for this continued display of disrespect to my property!Ô
        ÓSorry about this,Ô Jacob said, although he couldnÒt hide an amused expression at Ms. DavisÒs outrage. ÓI canÒt keep my hands off of her. ItÒs like a curse, or something.Ô
        ÓItÒs sickening.Ô
        ÓMaybe,Ô Jacob said, Óif you went out and got some yourself, you wouldnÒt be so bitchy. No offense intended.Ô
        She gasped. ÓI want you both out of here immediately.Ô
        ÓThe ghosts are gone,Ô Amanda said, feeling that she should try to turn this unpleasant moment around a bit.
        That doused the flames a little. ÓReallyØ That is good news. But it doesnÒt excuse you for this.Ô
        ÓYouÒre absolutely right,Ô Amanda said. ÓVery sorry. Really.Ô
        ÓYou areØÔ Jacob asked.
        ÓWell,Ô she shrugged. ÓSorry we got caught.Ô
        Ms. Davis tapped her foot on the floor. ÓIÒm waiting for you to leave now. Since my supernatural infestation has been taken care of, I can get this place ready for my open house.Ô
        ÓThis is a gorgeous house,Ô Amanda said. ÓNeeds a lot of work.Ô
        ÓI donÒt have the time or money to put into repairs. IÒve been told that weÒll probably sell the property and the house will be torn down.Ô
        Amanda shook her head. ÓThatÒs not going to happen.Ô
        ÓNoØÔ
        ÓNo.Ô
        ÓAnd why notØÔ Ms. Davis asked, now looking a bit curious to find out the answer from the bedsheet-wearing psychic.
        ÓBecause I plan to buy this place,Ô Amanda said matter-of-factly. ÓI think I can refurbish it. IÒll keep it as a home away from home. I love this house.Ô
        ÓBuy itØÔ Jacob asked. ÓAre you seriousØÔ
        She nodded. ÓI did tell you I had a little nest egg saved up.Ô
        ÓI didnÒt know it was enough to buy a house, just enough to live in New York for a while.Ô
        ÓDo you have any idea of the cost of living in Manhattan these daysØÔ Amanda smiled at him. ÓTrust me, I have enough.Ô She looked at Ms. Davis. ÓSoÅobviously this is going to be my house soon.Ô
        ÓWell.Ô Ms. Davis looked flustered. ÓI am pleased to hear that youÒre interested.Ô
        ÓSo if you could lock the door on your way outØÔ Amanda instructed. ÓIÒd really appreciate it.Ô
        Ms. DavisÒs gaze swept over the two of them. ÓIÒll have my Realtor contact you immediately.Ô
        ÓBetter make it a few hours,Ô Amanda suggested.
        Ms. Davis left.
        ÓA few hoursØÔ Jacob asked. ÓI think you might be overestimating my post-enchantment stamina.Ô
        ÓIÒm very willing to test that theory,Ô she said and kissed the man she was completely and totally in love with. There was nothing strange about the way he made her feel.
        Her mother would definitely hate him.
        She was strangely okay with that.



+=====
| ¨ÒÈ È ÄÐÓÃÈÅ ÊÍÈÃÈ ÂÛ ÌÎÆÅÒÅ ÁÅÑÏËÀÒÍÎ ÑÊÀ×ÀÒÜ Ñ ÑÀÉÒÀ WWW.ORIGINSTORY.NET |
+=====
|   |