THIRTEEN

The sound of the front door creaking open was unexpected. Zane stomped out of the living room and felt a smile crack across his face when he saw Olivia. "I didn't know you were coming by."

She held up a quilted bag. "I couldn't be the only woman in town that hadn't brought you a casserole." Puckering her lips, she gave him a slow once over. "Especially since I'm the one who gets to see your naked glory."

"I don't think there's any glory in my nakedness."

"That's where you're wrong, sir." She dug her teeth into her bottom lip. "So very wrong."

"Guessing that mischievous glint means dessert will be served in the bedroom." He met her in the middle of the large hall and kissed her firmly before taking the bag. "Or any flat surface."

He felt her shiver and kissed her again. "And, for the record, only half the female population has graced the front steps, and almost everyone was hoping to run into Asher."

"Almost?" She stepped back with a frown.

The light from the leaded window threw a rainbow of color over Oliva, and he couldn't stop himself from running his finger slowly over her cheek.

How was this impossibly magnetic woman interested in his company? He couldn't make sense of it but also didn't want to question it too deeply since his focus had recently shifted in her direction.

"Zane…"

He blinked twice and realized he hadn't answered her question. "Yes?"

"Where did you go?" She rested her hand on his chest. "If you don't want to tell me what other beauties have caught your attention, you don't have to."

"Other beauties?" He took her hand and pulled her toward the kitchen. "We both know that's impossible and not just because I can barely handle you."

A disgruntled huff echoed down the hall, and he wondered if ignoring it would work. When another one followed, he stopped inside the kitchen. "Words, Olivia. Hit me with them so I know what tactical error I made."

She took the bag out of his hand and strode over to the island. "My goodness, Zane. You make it sound like being in my company requires a dog-eared copy of The Art of War."

"It kinda does," he mumbled as he walked over to the fridge and pulled out a beer and a bottle of Olivia's favorite wine. And yes, he had stocked up. So what?

"How long before supper is ready?"

"Avoid and deflect. Are you sure that's necessary?"

"Yep." He grabbed a glass and filled it, deciding that Olivia needed a generous pour. "Here you go, babe."

She held up the glass. "Guess this is your way of telling me something."

"Not necessarily." He tilted his beer bottle against her glass and grinned. "I don't mind that little streak of jealousy you just showed since you tried to sell me the whole tryst thing the other day." Lifting the bottle to his mouth, he took a gulp. "We're both way outside our comfort zones, so scaling a pile of doubt is daunting. No way around it."

"I'm surprised to hear you say that."

"I'm not sure why." He leaned against the island and watched her pull several containers out of the bag. "You experienced a crippling loss when Thad died and have no reason to risk your heart. And I'm gripping my PTSD from a half-dozen years as a Special Operator like it's my best friend. We're a shit show in the making." The casserole dish thunked down on the counter, and he knew his brutal honesty might've been too much. "Did I miss anything?"

"No, and for the record, your pessimism and lack of faith don't make you any more immune to life's travails."

"Well aware of that." He stepped in, crowding her. "I have enough years on the frontlines to know anything is possible." Lifting her chin, he gave her a soft kiss. "Including you and me finding a way to…"

"What?" she asked breathlessly.

"Be some kind of happiness for each other."

"Certainly not the worst option in the world."

Zane leaned back. "Love the enthusiasm."

"This from the man who sees clouds and assumes a tsunami is on its way."

He dug his fingers into her waist. "A man should be prepared for whatever storm is headed in his direction."

"Assuming I'm the troublesome weather pattern you're referring to."

"There's nothing wrong with having a tempest in your life." The sound of something crashing reverberated against the ceiling, and Zane looked up. "It's either my dead relatives weighing in or a critter that got into one of the open windows."

Olivia turned toward the doorway. "Well, let's go investigate. I'm dying to get acquainted with the Hawker spirits."

"You say that like it's possible." He took Olivia's hand and headed toward the staircase. "And normal."

"It's not abnormal, and if they like you, they could very well enjoy my company too!"

"No doubt about it," he mumbled as they climbed the stairs together. Because he sure as hell enjoyed her and couldn't see it changing any time soon.

God help them both.

Olivia stepped into the enormous attic and noticed a chair had been tipped over. Was it the work of a bored spirit or a critter that had made a home in the dusty space?

"It's a lot of junk, isn't it?" Zane asked.

"It's a lot of treasure."

Zane closed a window and then dusted off his hands. "Which tells you everything about our world views."

"Not necessarily," she replied as she walked over to a chest and pulled open a drawer. "You should let the Haven Ladies' Society up here. They'd have this stuff sorted and archived within a week."

"Are they like the Freemasons?"

"I suppose. Both require an invitation and have elaborate secret ceremonies. Most women over fifty are members, and, according to my grandmother, their main goal is to improve the community."

"Have any idea what that entails?"

"Nope, and they're a tight-lipped group. The few tidbits I've collected suggest they orchestrate things that need to be done. How all that is managed is a mystery that won't be solved until I gain membership."

"Interesting." Zane flicked through several pictures and then looked up. "I wouldn't mind hearing the backstory on the folks that haven't been able to cross over."

"Then let"s host a séance."

"Can't we just get some of the old birds to spill?"

She rolled her eyes. "Why bother when we have our own medium who can communicate directly with the other side?"

"I was hoping there might be another way to find out what's keeping them here."

She strolled over to an open trunk. "When I moved into my house, I had a lovely spirit that visited on occasion."

"Really?"

"Oh, yes. I made sure to have a séance right away, so we could get acquainted. It seems it wasn't her not wanting to pass to the other side but more of a desire to stay. Bea always says there are many planes to travel, and occasionally, a spirit isn't done with this one."

"Well, I have more than a few who've decided to stay put."

"The one who visited me didn't want to leave her memories behind. She had raised a family in the house and couldn't stand to be away."

Zane stroked his cheek. "Mr. Ford, the old caretaker, never mentioned seeing any spirits, and I'm not sure why my presence makes them so lively."

"Bea told me that moving furniture around, renovations and such can cause spirit roommates to make themselves known."

"You'd think they'd be happy with the changes and leave me in peace." He lifted his gaze and stared out the window. "Instead, they're rattling, slamming, and otherwise causing a ruckus."

"Maybe they're trying to keep you company while you give the whole silly hermit thing a whirl."

Zane pulled a wooden boat out of the box and studied it. "It's possible. But I'm guessing it has more to do with having a Hawker in residence. I might be the first to inhabit this old manse in twenty years."

"Do you see them?" Olivia asked.

"I feel them and occasionally get a glimpse of …"

"What?" She took his hand and moved closer.

"A feature, or a piece of clothing. It's hard to explain."

"I miss my spirit. You're lucky to have so many."

Zane put the boat back in the box. "I don't feel fortunate."

"I enjoyed the company and wished I had one that visited more often." She lifted a scarf and ran it through her hands.

"I'd be more than happy to send some of the more troublesome your way. More than one of them would get a kick out of you."

"If only that were possible." She let out a long sigh. "I might have the wrong energy."

"You're light and goodness, so I don't see how that's possible. Why they want to hang out with my cranky ass is not something I'll ever understand." He shrugged. "Perhaps they like tussling with my demons."

"And why do you allow those pesky bastards to hang around?"

"If the Army psych is to be believed, it's because I can't forgive myself for failing—for not bringing the men home I was entrusted with." He ran his hand over a stack of pictures. "For the lives I took and the ones I didn't. You live on the front lines for any amount of time, and you are bound to come home with more than a few regrets." He bent his head. "I don't know how the ledger will come out when I stand at the pearly gates, but I'm praying that I did more good than bad."

"I suppose that's all any of us hope for."

"True. But I had more of a chance to land on the wrong side. Most days, I'm convinced I failed."

"The fact that you stood between good and evil tells me that you did no such thing."

"I guess time will tell."

"Are you getting hungry?" She stepped back. "I brought you a feast."

Zane moved closer. "Any chance of me feasting on you first?" He took her hand and pulled her into his chest. "I've been working on the master bath and think you might like what I've done."

She pulled his head down and rested her lips against his lush mouth. "Oh, yeah…"

"Yeah."

He took her mouth in a feral kiss of possession, and she had never wanted to give in to a man more. Zane Hawker was all the colors, all the dangerous emotions, and everything that didn't make sense. If he had a blinking sign over his head, it would read: danger ahead, turn back now.

Which is exactly what she should do because the only way she'd survived losing Thad was by living small.

Not wanting much.

Risking nothing.

"You done fighting with yourself?" Zane asked against her mouth.

"I wasn't…"

He pulled away from the kiss. "Tell me, Liv."

"You scare the hell out of me." She looked down. "I've never been one to walk into the fire, but you make me want to do exactly that. A part of me wants to smother you in sexy vibes and possibilities. But the sane part knows that backpedaling it to the nearest exit would be best."

"Why would you want," he kissed her leisurely, "less of this?"

"Because you're likely lethal to my long-term sanity."

He rested their heads together. "Just know I have the same struggle but am trying not to obliterate my first chance at happiness."

She took his face in her hands. "I'm never ready for your surprising sentiments."

"Join me on the edge of reason, Liv. And let's see if we can beat the odds."

"I don't like the edge, Zane."

"But that's where the good stuff is." He pressed their bodies together. "Do you feel like checking out the clawfoot tub in my bathroom?"

Grabbing his hand, she headed toward the staircase. "I want to check you out…naked…in the tub."

A low rumble of laughter echoed off the wood rafters, and she knew it was a sound she would remember for a long time.

No matter how things turned out.

Few things in life made Zane's hands shake. And even fewer things made him wish he had some poetic talent.

Olivia standing before him with a blazing smile made both of those rare occurrences possible.

Unbuttoned.

Unzipped.

And free of everything that separated them made him want to fall to his knees and utter beautiful words of appreciation. He held out his hand instead and was grateful when she took it without hesitation. "I know there's something I should say…to let you know…that I like where things are headed."

She stepped back and laughed before stepping into the tub filled with bubbles. "I don't know that a sexy romp needs any declaration, but if you want to throw out a funny quip, I wouldn't be opposed."

"Not sure I have one that's worthy." He followed her and sank into the water, making a fair bit of it slosh over the side. "Might need to be less aggressive the next time I fill it."

Oliva ran her hand over the water. "I like it. More is better."

He leaned back against the rim and told himself that a bubble bath with his girl was no big deal. So what if he'd never done it? It didn't mean he couldn't learn how. Just like the hundreds of skills he developed being on the front lines. Certainly, something in the skill set could be useful in what he and Oliva were attempting. "What I was trying to say earlier was…"

"I'm naked, Zane." She crawled up his body. "Seduction isn't required since I'm kind of a sure bet."

He pushed his hands through the water, gripping her hips. "You sure make it hard to be romantic."

"That wasn't my intent."

"I have no idea what the hell I'm doing." Gritting his teeth, he looked over her shoulder. "If this were as simple as inserting tab A into tab B and both of us getting off, then I would be fine. But…"

"It feels like more, and neither of us knows what to do?"

He brought her head against his and closed his eyes. "Yes."

"Are you saying a short, dirty tryst without an ounce of complications is nothing more than a poorly thought-out fantasy?"

"Yeah," he said quietly. "And you have no idea how much it pisses me off."

"Same," Olivia said quietly. "I was hoping you'd break my dirty affair cherry and then disappear in the morning mist."

"We don't get a morning mist, babe."

"I know," she replied as she lifted her head. "It's just a fantasy I carry around because I watched Pride and Prejudice one too many times."

"So…"

Olivia wiggled around and then lifted her eyes. "Should we just have dirty sex, eat the casserole, and then swear to stay away from one another?"

Snorting, he shifted his hips. ‘Yeah, like that's going work."

"It could." She lifted herself to her knees and looked down. "But we'd have to do it twice."

Zane fisted his erection and shifted Olivia so she was a breath away from making his world right. "Maybe we should round it up to three, just to make sure."

"Yeah," she murmured. "Five seems like a reasonable number."

"Just to be clear, I'm not gonna get blowback when I leave a couple of teeth marks, right?"

"Nope." She flicked his hand away and guided him into her heat. "Not at all."

Lust drove his next move as a roar filled his ears, and he gave in to the fact that there wasn't a sin he wouldn't commit to have Liv in his life. And not just naked in the tub.

Tab A, Tab B, his ass. Their physical connection was on a different level.

Olivia stroked his cheek with her thumbs. "Yes, Zane."

"To what exactly?"

"Everything."

Biting back a vile curse, he did his best not to blackout as Olivia's tight heat welcomed him. "Feel that?"

Dragging her mouth across his collarbone, she nipped his skin. "Yes."

"Me too." His heart vibrated like a tuning fork as his body moved like the raging ocean. Lifting his gaze, he was instantly pinned by Liv's beautiful eyes. "Everywhere," he grunted. "I feel you everywhere."

"I've got you," she said, her nails digging into his skin. "Stay with me."

Her warm breath coasted across his face. Head to toe, there wasn't a part of him that wasn't sensitized to her presence.

His need spun out as the sound of her hips slapping against the water bounced off the tile. Rational thought vanished, and she stilled. He slid his hand between their bodies and sent her over the edge. Joining her a moment later, he gritted out her name, his muscles jerking as he released his seed.

A rare satisfaction brushed across his soul, and he had a bad feeling that she was the woman who would either ruin him or give him every happiness he didn't deserve.