7. Lucy

Lucy stared into Micah's emerald eyes. Her heart thumped so hard in her chest that she was sure it was about to explode. Her lips tingled and her entire body ached for something she had never felt before yet innately needed.

"I think maybe we should go," Micah said. "Unless you want…"

She looked around and thought that losing her virginity to this gorgeous man on the bed of flowers would be very poetic. However, the idea that they weren't alone in the woods and surely other people knew about this special area.

"There are people around," she said, surprised at the sound of her voice.

"True. We don't want anyone to get jealous," Micah said.

Lucy knew he meant it to come out as a joke, but was more of a groan. The hardness pressed against her was a clear indication that he felt the same desire that she was. She lightly touched his face and shifted. He shifted and they both got out of the creek at the same time.

They walked back in silence to their clothes. Lucy wasn't sure what to say.

She had always enjoyed Leo's kisses but they had never twisted her insides like Micah's did. There was never a burning need to connect with Leo. She laughed to herself. Leo's kisses were a lot more childish and clumsier compared to Micah's.

I guess it was a good thing that he and Ashley hooked up, after all. I would have never known what this kind of desire feels like,Lucy told herself. Of course, they could have told me before the day of the ceremony.

Lucy didn't know whether she wanted to see Micah shift and get dressed or if she should turn her back. The last thing she needed was to embarrass herself, say the hell with it, and tackle him right there.

I've never even had sex before and now I just want him to touch me. Maybe it's the fertility treatments,she reasoned with herself.

However, she knew that while they might be a part of it, they weren't the entire cause of her feelings. There was something about Micah that was incredible.

You need to stop. You're going to fall in love with him and get hurt.

She knew that she was giving herself good advice. Unfortunately, she was going to be close to him for several months, and she didn't know how to protect her heart.

His scent was haunting.

On the drive home, she asked, "Are you wearing cologne or aftershave?"

He looked startled at the question. "No. I never wear that stuff."

After a minute he asked, "Do you like ghost tours?"

Lucy cocked her head to one side. "I've never been on one. I've read about them and seen stuff about them on television."

"Do you want to go on one? There's one that isn't too far away from here at Old Town."

"It sounds like a lot of fun."

They stopped at the mansion long enough to update Vera, Michelle, and Ronnie about their plans so no one worried about them and Vera knew not to plan for them at dinner, and then they headed off.

"Do you believe in ghosts?" Micah asked.

"Yes. I know a few people who swear they see them all the time. Plus, I've had some experiences that I can't explain. What about you?"

"I do believe in them. There is a lot of evidence that suggests that ghosts do exist. There is also the theory that energy can't be created or destroyed. A soul would be energy."

"True that. It is hard to believe that our consciousness and our existence would just abruptly end. The vessels that carry our soul, or our essence, might die, but that can't just be the end," Lucy said. "Plus, I'm sure we didn't go through the trials, challenges, and all the lessons of life just to have it be for nothing."

"I never thought of it that way," he said. "You're right. What is the point of learning something and growing just to die? It would be meaningless."

"Do you think we'll meet up with any at the ghost tour?"

"According to their website, a lot of people have seen ghosts or seen objects moved around. Who knows, we might." Micah grinned at her. "Do you scare easy?"

"Not usually, but I've never seen a ghost, either."

"They have a private tour that starts at eight. It goes until 9:30. What do you think?"

"It sounds fun," she said.

He booked the tour and they visited some of the historical areas in Albuquerque before having dinner. They arrived back at Old Town just in time.

Lucy smiled when the tour began because Micah reached for her hand and held it throughout the night. Electricity flashed through her body at the touch, and she was reminded of the need she had felt earlier at the creek. She wasn't sure what to think about him holding her hand. It wasn't like they were a couple. Maybe he was just trying to get her comfortable with him so when the time came for them to make a baby, she wouldn't be so nervous. Whatever the reason, she was determined to enjoy the connection.

The tour guide was amazing. She told the stories with excitement and dramatic flair that kept both of them enthralled. Lucy didn't see any ghosts or mysteriously moving objects, but she had a lot of fun. She was full of smiles when they got back to the car.

"That was awesome," she said. "Thank you for the treat."

"I enjoyed it, too. I've lived in New Mexico my entire life and have never gone on one of the tours."

"What made you think of it?" she asked.

"I figured you would like to get out of the house. I heard one of my employees talk about it a few days ago."

"Thank you for thinking of me and taking me."

"My pleasure," he said. "We'll have to find other fun adventures to go on."

He reached for her hand across the seat. Warmth flooded her. She closed her eyes and inhaled. She smiled, feeling content.

They weren't quite ready to go to bed when they got back.

"I have an idea," Lucy said. "We could watch a scary movie in the sitting room in my fancy suite. I don't think my landlord will mind if I have company this evening."

"Probably not. I know the guy. He's pretty awesome."

"You wouldn't be biased, would you?"

"Maybe a smidge."

They decided to watch The Conjuring.

"I've seen this move at least ten times. I still jump and throw my hands out at a couple of scenes," Lucy said.

"Thanks for letting me know." He laughed.

They sat close together on the couch. Micah casually put his arm around Lucy. After a little bit, she relaxed and leaned against him. Something about the situation seemed so right.

"I always get excited when I see the real Lorraine Warren in the audience," Lucy said. "My mom said that I always acted like they did that just for me because I'm the only one in the world who would notice."

"It is cool to see the real woman appearing as a cameo in a movie that features her."

"I have a lot of respect for Ed and Lorraine. I've read all the books written about them and watched several documentaries about their lives. They are truly pioneers in their field," Lucy said. "It opened people's minds to the idea of life after death and the true meaning of good versus evil. In my mind, they are heroes."

"One thing about it. They certainly teach people why using a spirit board is not a good idea," Micah said.

"Some still don't believe."

"Maybe someday, we should go visit the Warrens' museum. Then, we should visit Zak Bagan's haunted museum in Nevada," Micah suggested.

"I think not. The last thing I want is for something to decide it's going to haunt me for a while."

They watched the movie and true to her word, Lucy jumped at a couple of areas. She felt herself tense up because she knew they were coming, but she couldn't help it. Once, she managed to hit Micah across his chest.

He rubbed the area and said, "That might just leave a bruise."

"Poor baby. You'll have to get someone to kiss it and make it better," Lucy retorted. The words came out of her mouth before she even thought about the connotation.

He grinned. "You made the bruise so you'll have to do the kissing."

She blushed. Lucy enjoyed snuggling against him. Micah was an amazing man, and it was way too easy to forget that he was her boss in a way and that she was there as a brood sow. They were friendly and might even have become friends, but he wasn't her boyfriend.

When the movie ended, Lucy said, "I love that movie, but I might not ever sleep again."

Micah's sexy smile flashed. "Do you want me to sleep with you tonight?"

Heat flushed her face. "No. I'll be okay."

"I would be happy to check in the closet and under the bed for scary monsters if you want," he teased.

"Funny thing about that is when I was a little girl, I was terrified of hanging my arms or feet over the side of the bed because I just knew that there was something ready to grab me."

"I think a lot of kids have that fear," he said. "That and the monster in the closet."

"Okay, I might have had those fears when I was older, too." She laughed. "Even when I was a teenager, I would wedge a chair underneath the handle on the closet door. It might not have stopped the monster, but it would make a lot of noise and I could run."

"What if it was a ghost. It could slip through the door and no lock or chair would stop it," Micah teased.

She lightly smacked his arm and said, "Now that's just mean."

Micah looked into her eyes and all the laughter stopped. He leaned down and captured her lips with his. Lucy opened her eyes. His profile was beautiful. She gently touched the side of his face.

She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him. Her chest was pressed against his. She could feel his hardness pressing through his pants against her, letting her know that the kiss affected him.

His tongue explored her mouth. He rubbed his hands up and down her back, sending shock waves through her body.

If he had asked her again if he should stay, Lucy would have told him yes. She was disappointed when he ended the kiss and said, "I'll see you in the morning."

His voice was husky and Lucy tried to find the words she so desperately wanted to say. She reached out for him as he walked out the door.

Lucy climbed into bed and hugged one of the large pillows close to her body. She inhaled, marveling at the fact that she could still smell his scent. It was almost as though it had become a permanent part of her. She wondered if she smelled like sandalwood and Micah.

She pressed her head back into the pillow and closed her eyes. The cool sheets caressed her body and the mattress cocooned her. Lucy imagined Micah lying next to her. He would touch her in all the places she had touched herself when she needed that sweet release.

The thought of having sex with Micah no longer terrified her. Right now, she wished she dared to go to him and ask if they could sleep together. Lucy knew that Micah would make her first time pleasurable. Her fingers found the hard nub between her legs and as she slowly rubbed it, she imagined Micah touching her. She wanted him. She ached for him.