His Halloween Kisses (2 page)

Oh great! If he was a murderer, she was as dead as the steak roll meat.

Something light and feathery tickled her neck. She swung around to catch the kitty so it couldn't taunt her anymore but felt nothing there. A scream tried to come out of her. But only her mouth opened, and her throat made a funny clicking sound.

The silhouette of Byron filled the doorway this time, muted without the headlights behind him. He sat next to her in a moment. She felt the compression of his weight on the sofa next to her and heard his breathing.

Her hand instinctively found his, and she squeezed.

“You okay, Ali?”

“Something touched my neck while you were gone.” Tears filled her eyes, and she sniffed. “I feel so stupid. I've never been like this before.”

He held onto her hand, a warm protective shell developing around her heart.

“Oh, Ali, I want to take you away from this place. Maybe it's not haunted, but it's not the right place for a woman to be on her own at night.”

Her bottom lip quivered. If her parents or brother had told her that, she'd have argued with them despite her fear. Somehow, the way Byron said it made her realize how stupid and hard-headed she'd been all this time—bent on house-sitting to make a few extra bucks despite how unsafe it was for her.

“I'll never do it again, I promise. I only wanted to save up a bit extra for Christmas presents.”

“That's okay. You're pretty brave, I tell you. I've driven past this house many times and always thought it looked creepy. Who are the owners?”

“Colleague of mine. Well, she's the mother. They have five kids. This place normally looks so bright and cheerful during the day, but when the lights went out, everything turned crazy.”

“When vision goes, our other senses come to life.”

“I suppose.” His smell had entered her again, like the warm, heady scent of vanilla candles and sunny summer afternoons. She could sense his body, the form of it in the dark, despite not seeing it. He had a good build, she could tell. He must be the most handsome, sexiest man in the whole world. The tips of her fingers began to tingle with a sudden intense need to kiss him. How crazy was that? Fear must be fueling desire.

She felt his breath upon her face, heard him mumble something, not sure what. His voice was right by her ear, or so it seemed. The wind drowned out what he'd said, but all she wanted to do was feel him, sense him, allow him to take over her senses fully, so she didn't feel any more fear.

Her heart went crazy. He was kissing her. His mouth pressed on hers, exploring her lips with such courage, such boldness, such impudence. How dare he?

She wanted to slap him, wanted to pull his hair, wanted to shout to him, “Get out! Who do you think you are?” but her body didn't listen. Her lips sought his with fervor, with need, with joy. They moved up and down, exploring every texture of his mouth, the plumpness in the centre and the way they tapered out thinly to the edges; the moist, softer part just on the inside of his mouth and then horrors, she touched his tongue, just the tip, but it sent a swirl of pleasure through her, causing her heart rate to soar through the roof. She felt like she plunged the depths of mischief, of intrigue—kissing a stranger in the dark.

His hands brushed the back of her neck, and fingers ran through her hair. He stroked her wet cheek, oh so gently, while his mouth still remained on hers, locked in the sweetest kiss of her whole lifetime so far.

Should she pull away first?

She couldn't. She didn't want to.

She needed this. Needed to forget everything. The confusion of the last few months. The uncertainty. The fear.

He pulled away and cleared his throat.

“Hang it.”

She heard him slap his forehead with his palm.

“I'm sorry.” His voice was choked.

What could she say? She hadn't exactly pulled away.

“It's okay.”

“I don't know what came over me.”

She laughed. What else could she do?

“I'll stay here until the lights come on. I promise I won't kiss you again.”

“Okay.”

He still held her hand though, and for some reason, she was very pleased he didn't let go.

“So, who are you besides Simon's sister?” His voice echoed in the room as the wind died down.

Giggling did little to disguise her embarrassment. She suspected he could feel the shame as it seemed to hang like a ripe fruit between them, dripping upon them, layering them with stickiness. What had she been thinking, kissing a total stranger?

As thrilling as it felt at the time, now it proved the most embarrassing thing she'd ever done.

“Well, I'm Byron Ellis. I work at a factory as the customer service manager. I come from Pretoria and have only been in Newcastle for two months.”

“You're a city guy? Like it here?”

He shrugged. She felt the movement from his arm. “Sorry, you can't see me shrug. I like Newcastle, don't get me wrong.”

“But?”

“The work's been a bit difficult. I'm taking a while to get used to being a manager. I enjoy it, but having people accountable to me is very different from working side by side with older, experienced people.”

She bit her lip to hold back a gasp. “I know what it's like to be flung into the deep end. I'm just a secretary, but when the school secretary left and I had to take over her job, I…well, I'm kind of stressed. I often feel like they don't take me seriously because I'm only twenty-seven. And because I changed from a jewellery designer to a secretary.”

“Why?”

“Yes, I know. Stupid move. There just wasn't any chance to make money in jewellery design here in Newcastle.”

“Have you looked somewhere else?”

She hadn't. He wouldn't understand. “Thanks for doing this, Byron.”

“What?” His voice held a smile as if he knew she'd changed the subject.

“For hanging around with me. I hope I didn't take you away from a party or something.” He had to be one of the partying types. Anyone with a voice like sweet, liquid male essence couldn't stay stuck at home reading books and listening to music like her.

“I was sleeping.”

“Oh.”

“Been working overtime. I'm kind of tired.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Well, to be honest, I wasn't exactly asleep. I tried to, but it wasn't working. So I'm kind of glad you phoned. Not that I'm glad you're scared.”

“I'm not scared anymore,” she added quickly. He must think her an utter blow-over.

“I'm glad.” He rubbed her arm, and she so longed to receive a hug from him, take in his shape and drink in his warmth. He seemed easy to talk to, like the suffocating loneliness had leaked away for a brief moment. She hadn't realized how lonely she'd been the last few months until now.

They sat silent for several minutes.

The wind creaked the windows, and another sound of something falling echoed from down the passage.

“What was that?”

“I don't know.” She laughed. “Somehow it seems less scary with you around.”

“Sounds scary to me. I'm going to investigate.”

“No, you don't.”

“Then I'm taking you home.”

Her face heated. Taking her home as his girlfriend?

“But before I do that…” He found her face with his hands and pressed his warm lips against hers. “I've wanted to do that for the last five minutes.”

“What about…?” He silenced her with his mouth, and she sank into him as he pulled her close in an embrace.

He jerked away, leaving her empty-handed and frustrated.

“I'm sorry. I'm being a total louse. I don't know what's got into me. If Simon knew how I was looking after his sister… I think kissing you seems to get my mind off all the horrible things like noises in this creepy house and work stresses.”

“Me too.” She touched his hand, but he pulled away and stood up. “Come. Let's get out of here.”

“I can't leave the house because the front door lock is broken. I promised to look after their home. And the cat.”

“The cat will survive, and so will the house. Your safety is more important. We'll get a locksmith in the morning.”

“Why do you care so much?”

“Because Simon told me to.”

“Oh.”

“Ali, I didn't mean that in a bad way.”

“Stop being so sweet. I hardly know you, and I've already kissed you twice in one night. I don't exactly deserve being treated with respect.” She stood up, suddenly immensely relieved to soon be out of the haunted house.

As she stood, she bumped into him again, chest against chest. He grasped her and held her steady. His hands ran up her arm, feeling for the position of her face, and she shivered with the effect of his touch. Maybe this whole experience was exacerbated by the darkness, fear, and not really seeing what he looked like. Probably the pull of a mystery—the taunt of the unknown. He could be an ogre, balding with bulgy eyes, and boasting a double chin, but not knowing made it all the more enticing.

As soon as he found her face, he came close to kiss her again. She pulled away, not willingly but only because she didn't want to act like a loose woman who kissed strange men three times in the dark in one night.

He didn't let her go but instead pressed in. His body was lean and firm, the masculine feel a foreign sensation to a girl who'd only had one boyfriend who wasn't that trim. She'd never held a solid man so close. Her body trembled with the full impact of him, the full sensory stream of his smell, sweet taste, and warm, comforting touch.

This time, she pulled away but kept a hold of him because dizziness had encompassed her.

“Please get me out of here before something else brushes against my leg.”

“Why? Has something just brushed against your leg?”

“Only you.”

“Oh.” He sounded embarrassed.

He took her hand and led her out the house. She fumbled for the bunch of keys on the rack by the door and closed it behind her. Outside, a small sliver of light shone from the street lights blocks away. Obviously, the power failure had affected the whole area. She glanced at him and could make out his profile slightly. He had a pointy nose and a rather hard chin. Oh. Maybe he wasn't that good looking.

What did it matter?

There was no way she would be able to have a relationship with a man she'd so shamelessly kissed in the dark. He may have done the same, but most men didn't want to settle with a girl who didn't control her hormones. They usually settled for the tamer, more sensible types. Not that she wasn't usually the tame, sensible type. Okay, she probably had been that way because she'd never found anyone to measure up to Ewen from school.

Maybe deep inside she was totally ridiculous.

He pressed the remote on his car to unlock it, and opened the passenger door to let her in.

“Thanks.” She sat in the spacious front seating area of his car, the light from the dashboard making her want to hide her face away from his gaze. As he climbed into the driver's seat side, she kept her gaze out the window, unable to face up to him.

He started the engine. She couldn't keep her gaze away any longer. She had to see what he looked like.

Very ordinary-looking. Nothing out of this world. He had angular features, brownish hair in messy tight curls, and large sticking-out ears. He didn't look at her. He only focused on the road ahead.

Within moments, he drove into a driveway, pressed the remote of a garage door, and parked inside. Of course, Simon lived just down the road, and he was his neighbour. She'd forgotten that for a moment.

He turned to her and grinned.

Her heart flipped. Okay, head on, he looked gorgeous. Those eyes—the way they sank into her soul. The strength in his gaze, confidence, liveliness.

“We're here.”

“Hi.” Her cheeks throbbed. What did he think of her? Did he find her attractive? Was she a disappointment? Did he even care?

“Well, I'm going to tell your brother you're here, so he can fetch you as soon as he's done.” He moved to get out the car, his tone suddenly practical and rather cold.

Okay.

Obviously, the attraction had siphoned out of him as soon as he saw her.

Probably one of the reasons she remained single.

Yes, she took pride in her appearance. She was slim, ate well, and kept fit, but she didn't have high cheekbones, a classic nose, and sleek, straight hair like a model. No, her mousy brown hair curled slightly against her face in a tapered style. It was neither golden blonde nor chocolate brown, just the colour of her leather boots.

He, instead, had the most enticing coffee eyes and the cutest curls that hugged his head in a statement of who he was. Untamed, charming, and very unique.

As he stretched up to get out the car, she analyzed his shape. Yes, he looked lean, muscular, and even yummier than he'd felt.

No, Ali. Get your mind off this guy. He doesn't want you. Especially after you acted like a total idiot.

And anyway, she didn't want a relationship. Not now. Not when her life was so uncertain, when everything around her seemed to be crumbling.

****

Byron opened the door to his house and cringed. Why hadn't he cleaned up? Okay, he hadn't expected to bring a woman home. Especially not such a beautiful one.

One glimpse of her had confirmed how spot on he'd been to kiss her.

Overcome by the implications of his impulsiveness, he'd been unable to connect with her gaze in the light. Surely, she thought he was a dog, taking advantage of her in a moment of fear and weakness.

Yes, he had taken advantage of her.

He'd played on her vulnerability.

And Simon would find out.

Simon, the only friend he had in this strange town he'd lived in for the last two months.

He heard her behind him.

“Um…make yourself at home. Coffee?”

She laughed. “I'd love that. How come you have lights?”

“Generator.”

“Lucky you.”

“Lucky for you too.”

She moved aside a pile of books from his sofa and sat down, letting out a great sigh.

“What's with the jack-o'-lantern?”

“Just an experiment. I've always wanted to carve one.”

She gave a little shiver, her sweet, feminine chin quivering a little. He longed to take her in his arms again. What was it about this woman that stirred the protective instincts in him? Her soft, gentle voice, her silky skin, or her sweetness?

“I'm sorry. I figure Halloween isn't your favourite time of the year.”

“Not after tonight.”

“I'll make the coffee. Sugar? Milk?” He turned away from her. The warm glow of her skin in the dim lighting of his lounge stirred a longing to kiss her for the fourth time tonight.

“Both please. I need some energy.”

As he boiled the kettle and scrambled in his cupboards for some nutty krust biscuits to serve on a plate, he felt the kisses he'd shared with her on his lips as if she were right there in his arms. She hadn't pulled away, well, not in the beginning. Why not? How come she'd trusted him so easily?

How come he'd kissed her?

Something about her rose smell and her sweet, feminine voice, had drawn him. He'd wanted to distract her at first, take her thoughts away from the intense fear evident in her voice, but the distraction had soon totally led him from his initial intention. The second and third kisses had been unplanned, instinctual.

Now in the light, his actions were plain as day—careless, unkind, and shameful.

Biting his lip, he poured the coffee and put the two mugs on a tray with the caramel-flavoured biscuits.

If only he could go away, find a reason to hide from her and process what had happened. But she'd know he had nothing to do. He'd already told her he'd been trying to sleep when she called.

He could phone Simon. A little reprieve.

He took the tray through and let out a breath at the sight of her intently reading one of his magazines.

“Help yourself. I'm going to phone Simon.”

“Sure, thanks.” She looked up at him, but he kept his gaze on the coffee tray. Popping a biscuit in his mouth, he slipped out the room as quickly as he could.

“Hi, Simon.” Thankfully, his friend answered his work phone fast.

“What's up? Everything okay?”

“I had to bring your sister home to my place. She sounded very scared in that house. The power had gone off, and there were all sorts of noises and things.”

“Is she okay?” Panic oozed from his tone.

“She's good.” The words came out choked as he tried to hide his conscience screaming out at his bad behavior.

“You sure?

He cleared his throat. “She's sitting in my lounge in one piece, drinking coffee.”

Simon let out a sigh. “Good. I don't know if she'll ever learn not to stay in houses all by herself.”

“I think maybe she's learnt her lesson.”

“Oh. That bad?”

“Well, I don't know really. The house seemed haunted.”

Simon laughed. “Halloween getting to you?”

“Kind of.”
No, a cute little woman getting to my head.
He had doubted the sincerity of her panic at first, but as soon as she screamed into the phone, he knew something was up. He'd never believed in haunted houses before, but if anything scared her, it must be scary. Somehow, he had a feeling she was really brave normally, and it wasn't because she'd told him so.

But Simon didn't need a means to tease his little sister.

“That house was scary. Super scary. Look, will you fetch her when you get back?”

“I planned to.” His tone held a bit of “watch it and don't take advantage of my sister.”

Too late.

“How long will you be?”

“I have no idea.”

This was going to be a long night.

“See you then.”

“Thanks.”

“Any time.”

Byron ended the call and stood in the passage, staring at the entrance to his lounge. What to do now?

Spend the next few hours, or however long, keeping away from her and behaving himself, or go and keep a traumatized woman company? Problem was he couldn't bear to leave her alone with her troubled thoughts if she still had any.