Yearnings: A Paranormal Romance Box Set (168 page)

“
God, Jocelyn. I’m sorry. I didn’t know coming here would affect you like this.” She nodded her head, fighting against the nausea. “You could probably use some water. Let me get you a drink. Be right back.”

* * *

Adam looked dead. If it wasn’t for the slow rise of his chest, Jocelyn would swear he’d already passed. Hard to believe that the apparition who’d made her laugh, who made her feel whole again wasn’t her imagination. He was real.

And he might not survive much longer.

She snorted away the irony of his song choice. Losing My Religion didn’t just fit her situation. It was Adam’s song as well.

Pushing the guitar in place, she pressed her fingers to the strings. Her eyes landed on his face as she strummed the guitar, playing his song request once again. If she didn’t feel so shaky, she would add vocals, but any attempt to sing at this point would only have her voice cracking.

“
And I thought I looked bad before the accident.”

Jocelyn’s eyes darted to the foot of the bed where Adam’s ethereal image appeared. A smile spread across his lips, countering the pain in his eyes. She hesitated on a chord, her head pounding from the influx of memories from that dreaded day.

How the car in front of hers rolled on its side. How the car behind her clipped the tail of her car, spinning it out of control. The green of the trees blended with the gray of the road. The sound of metal guard rail crunching when her car bounced off it. The grinding of two vehicles trading paint.

But one image stole her breath. The brief instant she made eye contact with a stranger in another car as they collided into each other. How his blue eyes wavered to hers, then to the hand she pressed against the window. The same one that broke through the glass when another car struck them from the side.

Her eyes met back with Adam’s. No wonder his eyes pierced her heart each time he looked at her. They were the eyes she gazed into as she feared her own death. The same eyes that in a brief instance, told her that everything would be okay.

The guitar slipped from her hands. “Oh, my God,” she whispered. “It all makes sense now.”

He walked over to her, reaching his hand forward to cup her face. “What makes sense?”

What would have been the warmth of his flesh felt like a cool wisp of air. But having him this close, regardless of whether or not she could feel him, meant more than anything.

“
I understand what you mean. About being with me since the moment we met. I thought you meant from the first time I saw you in the store room.” She fought against the tears welling in her eyes. “But you meant from the
very
first moment we met. Right before our cars collided.”

Once again, a warm smile spread over his lips. He leaned his head forward. If he’d been in his physical form, they’d be touching foreheads. The stray curls around her face blew as he released a sigh.

“
I’m glad I got to meet you, Jocelyn.”

“
You say that like it’s the last time,” she whispered.

“
It’s not fair to keep my family and friends in limbo. You heard what Brighton said at the store. I’m getting worse. I’m not going to make it.”

“
Don’t say that!” Her fingers froze on the strings as his eyes locked with hers. She reached for his hand, wincing when hers passed through his. “This isn’t fair. We…we just met.”

The last chord she’d strummed began to fade, as did his image.

And then it hit her.

Each time Adam had shown up was when she’d played his guitar. If she stopped playing, he’d go away. Maybe for good this time.

She repositioned her fingers on the strings, strumming the chords to a different song. “You have to fight this, Adam,” she begged him.

His image flickered. For a moment, it grew stronger. Strong enough for her to see the passion in his eyes. “That’s a beautiful song.”

Nodding her head, she fought the pain in her fingers to keep playing Chicago’s
You’re the Inspiration
. “Stay with me, Adam.”

Her finger pulsed so strongly, her joints started to freeze. She bit back the pain when she noticed his image fading, again. “Stay,” she pleaded, forcing her fingers to keep going, to go even faster than the normal tempo of the song.

Only a trace of Adam’s image remained. Tears welled in her eyes from the scorching pain. She refused to let her damaged hand stand in the way of losing him. “Hold on, Adam. Please, just fight. Fight for your life. Fight for us.”

Jumping to her feet she walked closer to Adam’s body. Her fingers moved so fast against the strings, she could feel blisters forming. Jolts of pain shot from her stitches all the way to her elbow. Using part of her splint like a pick, she played even faster.

Her eyes trailed over his body, memorizing every inch of him. His perfect face. His broad shoulders. Arms she wanted wrapped around her. Hands that could cup her face. Fingers that could caress her skin.

Fingers….Adam’s fingers moved.

The last note froze in the air as Jocelyn leaned over him. “Adam. Can you hear me?” She waited to see if his fingers moved, again. But after staring at him for what seemed like forever, nothing happened.

She continued on with the song, but her eyes never moved from his hand. And again, Adam’s fingers moved.

Releasing the guitar, she cupped his face. Adam’s eyes fluttered opened. They were like looking into the sky on a cloudless day.

Jocelyn pressed her lips to Adam’s. No other sound than her racing heart penetrated her ears. Warm lips parted from hers, brushed against them, then pressed back. His hand found the back of her neck, pulling her further into their kiss. She didn’t resist. Gave into the passion as her chest pressed against his.

When their lips finally parted, she gazed down into his yes. The smile on his lips stole her breath.

“
That was amazing,” he said, practically breathless himself. “Do I know you?

Jocelyn pressed her lips tight to hide her smile. But in the end, she let it sweep over her face. “Not exactly,” she answered, noting the twinkle in his eyes. “But we have a lifetime to change that.”

~~

AFTERWORD

Much like any endeavor worth undertaking, sharing the journey makes it all the more special, challenging and fulfilling. The authors wish to thank those who have shared this journey and the many more that will come.

~~

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

* * *

ANN CHARLES

Ann lives in the lush Pacific Northwest with her clever husband, charming kids, and an incredibly sassy cat. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington.

She has written several contemporary, award-winning novels and is currently toiling away on her next. While her reading preferences range from adventure to horror to mystery, ever since she tried on her first training bra, she has loved a good mix of romance, too.

The first time I came to Deadwood, I got shot in the ass.--Violet Parker

Little girls are vanishing from Deadwood, South Dakota, and Violet Parker's daughter could be next. She's desperate to find the monster behind the abductions. But if she's not careful, Violet just might end up as one of Deadwood's dearly departed.

"… an intriguing mystery laced with a wicked sense of humor. Watch out Stephanie Plum, because Violet Parker is coming your way." ~Deborah Schneider, RWA Librarian of the Year 2009

WINNER of the 2010 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense!

WINNER of the 2011 Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart Award for Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements!

* * *

ELENA GRAY

Amidst piles of laundry, you will find me tapping away at my laptop, escaping into my own paranormal world. My friends are shapeshifters, vampires, and witches. I never know what new adventure they will take me on. Demanding and opinionated, they keep me up at all hours of the night.

Did I mention the stalkers? They follow me everywhere I go ... lurking in corners and hiding in the shadows. They’ve even been known to pop up in my shower. Yes, they are the pesky characters that do not give me a moment’s peace. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

When I’m not corralling my two rambunctious boys, you'll find me chatting with readers online or with the Indie Book Collective acting as Blog Tour de Troops Coordinator—paying it forward to the men and women who safeguard our freedom.

Terror in the Trees
, the latest über-low budget slasher flick, is slaying people ... literally. But is it all hype, or is there an evil force behind the supposed deaths? Special Agent Boulder had best find out before the president attends the Hollywood premiere ...

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